Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Forgotten Worlds ❯ One Way to Propose and Nine Ways to Kill ( Chapter 6 )

Open http://www.geocities.com/teancum91/GWForgottenWorlds/AN06.html in a seperate window to follow along the footnotes.

October 25, A.C. 199

JOHANNESBURG, 12:45

Former OZ officer Douglas Rowland proudly left the courthouse. He was found not guilty of all charges of conspiracy. Flanked by his second in command, Malloch, on his right and his bodyguard on his left, he led them down the steps to his awaiting chauffeur, Kersey, with the car. Avoiding the journalists, they got inside, Rowland and Malloch in the back with the bodyguard in the passenger seat up front, and drove off.

I made it! I eluded the Preventers and all of the other authorities. And I did it all. I was able to avoid detection without any help. Now we will see what we can scrounge at the Victoria base and do what we can to... "What the hell?" Rowland noticed the flashing lights of a motorcycle cop behind them.

His chauffeur noticed too. "He is trying to get up to pull over."

"Are you sure he is targeting us?" Malloch asked. "Just keep on driving until he leaves."

"There is hardly anyone else. And, he has been our tail for the past few minutes." Kersey sighed. "Suppose I better pull over."

The car pulled over. The cop stopped his bike behind and dismounted.

"Why was he following us? We went through all the procedures. We...." Rowland said until Malloch shushed him as the cop walked up to the driver.

Kersey rolled down the window and said, "Problem, officer?"

"You crossed the double line back there. May I see your license?" The cop asked.

Kersey looked to Rowland who gave him the signal to comply.

The cop looked at the license. "Are you the owner of this vehicle?"

"He is," Kersey said with his thumb pointing backward.

The cop turned to Rowland. "May I please see some identification and the registration?"

Rowland let out a huge sigh and dug out a selected pictured identification card while Kersey retrieved the registration.

The cop took them. "I'll be right back. Let me just check this." He went back to his bike.

"I can't believe this!" Rowland exclaimed. "We get avoid charges for conspiracy and war crimes, but we get caught on a minor traffic violation?"

"Don't get all worked up," Malloch said. "This is not even a minor setback. The most that will happen is that Kersey will be convicted because he was driving."

The cop returned. "Are you really Douglas Rowland?"

"Yes, I...." he started before Malloch cut him off.

Malloch turned to the cop. "Before we ask any more questions, what is your name and registration number?"

"Sorry, that is classified." With that, the cop pulled out a 12mm pistol and quickly let out four well-aimed shots in barely a second, each shot hitting a separate target. The first hit the bodyguard who instinctively went for his weapon but was too late. The bullet went clean through his skull. It continued through the window, splattering it with blood. The second hit Malloch's pulmonary artery in his chest, and the third hit Rowland in his aorta. The last hit Kersey in the throat, literally disinterring it due to the point blank range. Jak Shonngwe holstered the pistol, returned to his bike, mounted, and drove off.1

Malloch managed to open the door and crawl out of the car's blood-splattered interior on to the pavement. That bas***d. Malloch thought as blood flowed out of his chest. He knew to take out the bodyguard first and to kill him instantly, while shooting Rowland and me so that we would suffer a bit before a certain death. At least Kersey went quickly. He looked back to see Rowland's body still quivering. Sorry, sir. It seems that we...will not...make it...to...Vi...ct... He didn't finish the thought before he collapsed.

HEIDELBERG, 12:50

Heero and Duo were sitting in their apartment. Duo was reading Martin Luther's The Schmalkald Articles, while Heero was working on some calculus.

"Hmm," Heero grimaced.

"What's the matter?" Duo asked.

"Oh, I am just having trouble finding this eigenfunction."

"Oh." Duo said, having little idea what Heero was talking about, but choosing not to pry any more. He was just about to return to his reading when the vid-phone rang. He got up to answer it. "Duo here," he started before recognizing Milliardo's face. "Hey, Milly, how is it going? How's the wife and kid?"

"Sorry, Maxwell; no time for small talk. I need to talk to both you and Yuy in private and here at Preventer headquarters immediately!"

"You want us to come there? But we have schoolwork to do. I don't think we have time to spare for travel. Can we just talk over the phone?"

"No, it has to be secure and private. Just get to the airport. I will send a transport for you, and you can do your work on the bus. Just bring yourselves and any school work you desire."

"Okay," Heero said from behind Duo. "We are on our way. Out." He reached over and turned off the vid-phone. Heero then started gathering his papers in to a folder. He then proceeded to put his books as well as a clipboard into his book bag. "We should be able to catch the bus in ten minutes."

Duo also gathered some books of his own. "What do you think this is about?" He picked up his book-bag. "Think it could have something to do with his sister?" He asked with a smile.

"Of course not." Heero said. "If it did it would just be between him and me. Why would he have asked you to come along?"

"Because when you are usually getting romantic with Relena, Hilde and I are usually nearby." Duo opened the door. "He may want me for a witness."

Heero sling is book-bag over his shoulder. "Well, I doubt if it is personal. Come on."

They headed out the door.

TEHRAN, 16:45

On a busy market street, a man in casual business attire was talking on a pay phone. "So how is the car? ...Uh huh? ...How much?...Oh, that is no problem. Just take it to Larry at the garage on the corner of Williamson and Tenth, or just wait till I" - Without altering his speech he reached inside his jacket- "get home. I am almost done here anyways. So anything you want me" - pulled out a pistol with a suppressor- "to bring home? ...No, I cannot bring groceries, silly. I am talking" -He leveled the pistol and fired at a former Alliance commander across the street- "about souvenirs." -The only sound the gun made was the subtle click of the mechanism; it was concealed right after releasing a single shot- "Okay. That is more realistic," - The former commander was shot in the head and was killed instantly- "You smart aleck. Wait. You actually do want some groceries? Oh, local food. Well, I will see what I can get. Most would have to be nonperishable. Okay, I'll see you. Bye." ISI agent Pyatnadtsyat hung up the phone and joined the moving crowd. Since the actual shooting made no noise, it was a while before people noticed the corpse lying on the sidewalk.

LUXEMBOURG, 14:45

Milliardo met Duo and Heero at the airfield. He got them in a van and drove them to headquarters. They all stayed silent during the drive. Duo read his book while Heero did his math work using a clipboard. After they got to Preventer Headquarters, Milliardo lead them into a small conference room. They sat down at the table.

"Okay, Zechs," Heero started. "What is this all about?"

"Where were the two of you on the evening of the twenty-third?" Milliardo demanded.

Duo answered cheerfully, "Uh, both of us were out on dates with Hilde and Relena. It was a really great night of dinner and dance..."

"Where did you go?"

"Uh, it was the Simplicissimus.2"

"Can you avouch your presence being there?"

"Uh, yeah; I made reservations. The maitre de can avouch for us." Duo was becoming a bit nervous. "Uh, Zechs, Milliardo, where is this going? What is wrong?"

"Remember Colonel Briant Wass?"

"Yes, of course we do." Heero said. "He was the one who actually almost killed Relena in that last attack almost two and a half years ago. Why? Is there word on him?" Heero suddenly had an anxious, worried tone to his voice. "Is he about to make another move?"

"He's dead."

"Dead?" Both Heero and Duo responded.

"Yes," Milliardo said, "He was found strangled to death in a restroom stall in Minsk on the night of the twenty-third."

"Wow," Duo said, "Somebody finally.... wait! You don't think we..."

"No, of course not. It is not your style. No I do not believe you did. Make that: 'I know you did not.' However, the Minsk police are checking every one out, including you. The Belorussian authorities found out about you and the attack. So not only did they inform us about his death, they questioned us about our involvement. Fortunately, your story should hold out." Milliardo stood up. "Thank you, gentleman. But please no word of this to anyone, not even Relena."

Heero and Duo stood up. "Understood," Heero said, "By the way, Zechs, where were you?"

"Taking Lucy on a much needed night away from the kid," he said with a smile. "And yes, I too made reservations to back me up."

The three young men laughed. Zechs opened the door, and as if on cue, a toddler glomped onto Milliardo's leg. They looked down to see sixteen month-old Lucretius.

He had blonde hair like his father but in the style of his mother's. He also had the eyes of his mother which were looking right at the three men. The boy smiled and then grabbed on to Heero's leg, his fingers gripping onto the fabric of Heero's pants. (Heero was glad he wasn't wearing shorts.)

Duo had to smile. He remembered back how soon after Heero confessed his feelings for Relena, Milliardo in turn really confessed his feelings for Lucrezia . This act ended up quickly to a marriage proposal and a wedding in late August of 197. They were barely married two weeks before Lucrezia became pregnant. The little tyke was born in June of 198. Now he was running all over the place.

"There you are!" Lucrezia said running up to the four males. "Oh, you found Uncle Heero."

"I am technically not his uncle," Heero said.

"Yet," Duo added. "How is going, Lu?"

"Tired, but otherwise good, Duo," she said while picking up her son. "Little bundle of energy has really mastered how to walk, run actually. Chased him all the way from the day care. So why are you two here?"

Milliardo put a finger to his lips. "Sorry, classified."

"Oh, guy stuff, huh?" she said with a smile and kissed him. "Later, hon." She turned around and left carrying the kid.

Milliardo stood there, watching her leave, wondering what she actually meant that, while Duo looked over at Heero and smiled.

ATHENS, November 18, A.C. 199

ne"> Mekkino Níutíu moved along the row other patrons of the circus trying to get to his seat. When he got there, he sat next to Niloufar Dow.

"What kept you?" she asked.

"I was working on the car." He responded.

"But it is working now?"

"Oh, yeah, it will do fine."

"So where is Larry?"

"Trying to locate Harold and the others. Do you know where they are?"

"Yeah, they are over there on the other side of the tent."

"Ah, I see him."

About forty-five minutes later, "Harold" got up from his seat. He wore a long trench coat despite the mild Athenian temperatures. He nodded to a few others in seats next to him. He looked on to the circus arena. A young man with giant brown bangs was about to perform. Now begins our revenge against the Gundams. He started to walk down along the aisle between the rows of seats the seats.

Just then "Larry," who was among the rest of the crowd on the same side, was looking around until he saw Dow waving at him from the across the arena. Seeing her, he ran down the aisle and "accidentally" ran into "Harold." "Harold" stumbled and dropped the rifle he had concealed under his coat. Somebody screamed. "Harold" took off, as well as his comrades in the audience. They were followed by Trowa (man with the bangs, as if you didn't know), who saw the commotion. "Harold" and his comrades were able to beat Trowa out of the tent and to the parking lot. They got inside a van. The key to the ignition was turned, and the van promptly exploded.

Trowa was knocked down while he was about twenty meters of the van. As he watched the column of smoke and flame rise into the air, somewhat dumbfounded he thought, I suppose I will go report this now.

EDGE OF THE EARTH SPHERE

Panucci laid back in his chair wondering where the shuttle was headed. He looked out his window again seeing only empty space. Where are we going that would be this far out? The Earth, the Moon, and the Colonies were all far behind. He figured they were at least a million kilometers out. He then saw Shtatë float by in the aisle. "So where are we going?"

Shtatë stopped and turned toward him. "Why should I tell you? How do I know you are not going to pull something?"

"What can I do? We are million kilometers away from Earth You know I do not have a portable radio since you searched me. Even if I did have one, I would be too far out of range. I can not fly out of here, much less walk."

Shtatë smiled. Actually it is three million kilometers. "Good point. Actually we are almost at our destination. Come on up to the cockpit and see."

Panucci and a few others followed Shtatë to the cockpit. They crowded the cockpit door, looking out the windscreen. At first they saw nothing, then the sunlight glinted off of a shape. As they got closer, it became clearer. One end seemed a bit like Libra, with a four-petal flower-like design, but with a large obelisk jutting out of its center. The obelisk had the tip of its point leveled off. As they came closer, they were able to better judge its size. It was two hundred and fifty meters long and sixty meters wide.

"That's where we are going?" someone asked?

"What chance does that have against ESUN?" another asked. "It's hardly the size of Libra."

"By itself, not much," Shtatë said, "It being just a light cruiser. Just one of many light cruisers in our fleet."

"Fleet? What fleet? Where?" a chorus of them asked.

"You'll see. This one will take you there."

"Better get back to your seats," Lieutenant Dotze, the shuttle pilot said. "We are about to make our landing." As they did so, Dotze brought the shuttle behind the cruiser. He made sure to go around the petal-like engines. He deployed they landing gear. He brought the landing gear against the side of the cruiser. The shuttle "rolled" along the side of the cruiser until it was suddenly stopped by an arresting cable. Finger-like grapplers came up from the cruiser and pulled the shuttle along the cruiser (after the cable lowered) to an open hatch. The shuttle was pulled "down" ninety degrees as it entered the hatch, so that the cruisers engines were below it. Now inside a hangar deck, it came to a stop. After a few minutes, the shuttles hatch was opened.

Shtatë led the others, about a total fifty former OZ, White Fang, Barton foundation, and Alliance members, down the ramp to where two naval officers and several security personnel were waiting. Shtatë 's eyes widened when he recognized the one who had on his collar a blue rectangle with the silver ISI insignia. "Thromed Peninta , is that really you? I see you have done well."

"Not as well as you have, Shtatë," Peninta replied. "You are a legend back at headquarters. Your sabotaging the terraforming project was true..."

Shtatë cut Peninta off by putting a finger to his lips, noticing the widening eyes of the others. "There will be time for patting ourselves on the back later." He turned to the others. "Forgive me for not going with the formalities. Welcome aboard the TIS Justinian. This is the ship's commander, Captain Masamaha Sabini and the ship's political officer, Captain Thromed Peninta." He turned to Peninta. "They are all yours."

"What?!" said Rekard Ett, a former Oz commander. "You said that as if you are leaving us."

"I am. I just came here to drop you off and pick some help up. And, I have business to attend to back in the Earth Sphere. After all, I am in charge of intelligence over the Earth Sphere, and that is what they pay me for."

Peninta gestured to one of the security personnel. "Sergeant Tretten, escort the new recruits to their temporary quarters."

"What did you call us?" asked Etta. I cannot believe me, a former Oz major, being led by a mere non-commissioned officer, he thought as they led him and the others away.

November 21, A.C. 199

COLONY L1

The head of the Souls of Space were meeting in a small room at their secret bunker discussing their next move. They were so involved in their plans that they hardly noticed door opening and the janitor casually coming inside, listening to headphones as he mopped the room with a cart of cleaners in tow. Their noses cringed a little as they smelled the ammonia in his mop bucket.

The janitor stopped and opened a bottle of bleach. He sniffed it, looked up, and snapped his fingers as if he just remembered something. He set the bleach bottle down, but accidentally knocked it over as he ran outside. As he pushed the door to the room open, he seemed unaware that bleach was running out of the bottle and into the mop bucket. He shut the door as he left. He was about five meters down the hall, when a maintenance man driving an electric cart came around the corner and stopped right in front of the door.

"Where are you off to?" the maintenance man said.

"I just remembered I forgot to clean out the coffee maker."

"Hey, I feel like a cup of java. Let me help you, and we can drink the last of the old stuff," he said, getting off of his cart.

They were halfway down the hallway when there was the sound of a pounding on the door from the inside. The ammonia and chlorine bleach reacted to form chlorine gas. It was burning the respiratory systems of those personnel inside. The leaders of Souls of Space vainly tried to push open the door that was being held closed by the cart. They tried to vainly breathe for about twenty more seconds before collapsing dead.

In the break room, ISI agents Naht-ahn Muòila and Herson Labingisa toasted their mugs and finished their coffee.

PREVENTER HQ

Trowa was just leaving after giving his report to Une when he met Sally in the hallway.

"Trowa, how have you been?" she asked.

"Not too bad, I guess. Then again, if everything was okay, I would not be here," he said, almost managing a smile.

She was more successful. "That is true. So, did the other guys invite you to the student Christmas party?"

"Uh, yeah, but I do not really have a date. I guess I could take Cathy, but I feel kind of uncomfortable taking my sister."

"Oh, do not worry. There are going to be lots of non-couples there. For instance, Wufei so far is not going with anyone. And many other single go there to find someone. Who knows" -- she nudged him with her elbow-- "You might find somebody yourself . Otherwise, I am sure we could hook you up with someone."

"Yeah, in fact, they already offered to get a date for me. But I understand that the guys already got someone for Cathy. She seems raring to go."

"Yes, that is right. So are you coming?"

"Yeah. I guess I will be there. Wait, you said Wufei so far had nobody. Are you going with anybody?"

She laughed. "Yeah, several Med-students have asked me out. I have narrowed it between one in orthopedics and another in psychiatry."

"Okay. Well, I better get back to the circus. Take care." He turned around and went off.

Trowa still has not found anybody. Hmm, I wonder if Trowa and me......nahhh!

November 29, A.C. 199

COLONY L3

A former OZ officer settled in tub, anxious for some action with the ditzy blonde he picked up earlier the day later on. Speaking of which she walked into the bathroom in a robe with a towel over her hair. She had a blow dryer in her hand. She giggled at him as she plugged in the dryer, took of the towel, and finished drying her hair. When she was done, she walked out of the bathroom tossing the blow dryer over her head, apparently oblivious to where it would land. He was also so entranced by her sexuality that he did not notice the dryer falling into the tub with him. Manina Szescdziesiat only slightly smiled as she heard his scream before she casually got dressed and left.

December 16, A.C. 199

HEIDELBERG

Duo walked into the apartment with the biggest grin on his face.

Noticing this, Heero asked, " What are you so happy about?"

"What? You mean besides that finals are over?"

"Yes, especially since you had your last final three days ago."

"Well," Duo looked around and reached inside of his jacket and pulled a small velvet box from the pocket. "I got this for Hilde." He opened it to see a humble, but beautiful diamond ring.

Heero looked down at the ring and whistled. "That is a beauty but maybe a bit much for a Christmas present." He looked up at Duo and managed a smile. "Or, is that what I think it is?"

Duo let out a breath then made a smile of relief. "It is, Heero. I am going to propose to Hilde."

"When are you going to pop the question?"

"The night of the student Christmas dance."

"Well, I knew that it was only a matter of not if but when."

"Yeah, I guess me marring her was enviable. Just had to at least wait tell we were at least adults? Speaking of which, Heero, I have always considered you my best friend. Would you please be my best man?"

"Sure. As long as you return the favor."

Duo's eyes widened. "Whoa. You mean you and Relena?"

"I have been thinking about it a lot lately. She really means a lot to me, Duo. Plus, she wants me to have Christmas at her home and meet her mother."

"Wow! Meeting her mother. That is a big step in a relationship. Of course, I met Hilde's parents just as we were starting to get serious."

"Yes, but neither of you were quite adults at the time. Anyway, I think I am going to propose to her while we are back at her home."

"Great. So where is the ring?"

"Uh, um, it is on order. I guess that is another thing I am waiting for. I should get it in a few days."

"Well, I am sure it is a wonderful ring if you had to special order it."

"Of course, it is. Only the best for Relena."

"Well, I am sure she would love whatever you give her. She probably wouldn't care as long as it came from you. But I guess you already paid for it," he added with a smile. "By the way, let us make sure to keep this between you and me. I do not want Hilde to find out I am going to propose to her, and I am sure you do not want Relena finding about your proposal."

"Right. It will be extra hard keeping things quiet after you propose to Hilde; Relena and for that matter the other girls are going to be going gaga on being proposed to as well."

"Good point. Dorothy, I am sure, will be begging Quatre to take her to the alter as well before too long." Duo laughed along with Heero. "It is going to be quite a night. The whole gang together, each with a member of the opposite sex, except maybe Wufei."

"Oh, by the way, who Hilde did set up to go with Trowa?"

"Hilde? I thought you said Relena was going to."

They looked at each other for a moment before rushing to the phone.

THE MOON

A former member of Romefeller wondered around the shops of the new mall. He left the organization soon after the end of the Eve war because he disagreed to where they headed with Dorothy Catalonia in charge. But soon that would change, after he returned to take over. He was so lost in thought as looked in the store windows, that he did not even notice the many people who bumped into him, including the one person with a high powered pneumatic needle-less syringe who casually pressed the syringe against his wrist which painlessly injected a toxin through his skin. It was not until about half an hour later when he dropped dead.

December 18, A.C. 199

COLONY L5

"Are you sure about this?" Sagun Satrah, a member of the L4 legislator asked the others around the table in the restaurant's private room. "What if we get found out?"

"The Preventers are too busy looking for those who are in building up military forces, not us who are just dealing with discussions," responded Nadecheka Visim of L3, also a legislative representative, as were all of them at the meeting.

"But the people who we are discussing with said they would overthrow the ESUN government," commented Nina Tekvsmeti of L1. "Will that not require military activities?"

"Of course it would, woman!" Saamsap Fu of L5 blurted out, "Do you expect weaker ways to work?"

"How dare you say that!" Tekvsmeti snarled.

"Yes! What is with you, Saamsap?" asked Kfister Åttio of L2, "You almost seem partial to the views of the Dragon Clan."

"I should hope not!" came a voice from behind. "We have made it clear that those who feel they deserve political positions due to birth will not be tolerated."

They all turned to see that Shtatë had just entered the room along with Huit, Devät, Samsip, Shopedi, Devetdeset, Níutíu, Cxetiri, and Dow. All were in formal business suits. However, all eyes, including Shtatë's, were turned to Níutíu.

Níutíu turned to Shtatë, somewhat embarrassed, "Sorry, sir, I did not mean to blurt out like that."

"Apology accepted," Shtatë said as he and his entourage sat down, "but please, all of you, do not go blurting out stuff like this. After all we do want to keep this quiet. Now, then what is this bickering all about."

"Well, sir," Kamraan Saad of L4 started, "there is still confusion on how we are going to conduct military action without the knowledge of the Preventers."

Shtatë made a bewildered expression. "What is to be confused about? The Preventers are concerned about military action within the ESUN. Our forces are of a separate nation outside the ESUN."

"Outside? But how...?" Satrah started before Shtatë cut him off.

"That is all you need to know. All I ask of you right now is your political cooperation." He turned to Saamsap. "Will I receive that Mister Saamsap?"

Saamsap nervously forced a smile. "Of course. I apologize for my outburst at Ms. Tekvsmeti. There are similarities between my upbringing and the Dragon Clan due to culture, however," - his tone became darker- "I never had any love for them. I am glad they practically eradicated themselves. And you can be assured that the Colonial Socialist Workers Party has my full loyalty, even though it is not public knowledge." He ended with a smile.

"As well as mine," Jiuvshí Phu-hung, the other Chinese rep, said, "but how can be assured that our involvement will stay secret? Can we be assured that the Preventers or some local authority will not find this out and act against us."

Shtatë smiled with a sigh. "My associates will never leak anything out. If anything is leaked out, it will be because of you."

"Is that why you are not telling us everything?" Satrah asked. "You do not trust us?"

"I do trust you intentions, and I do know that you would never deliberately reveal this to the authorities. But you have to understand; I just cannot take chances. Loose lips sink ships and all that. But do not worry. Even if one or two of you are found out, it will not affect the overall scheme. Anything the Preventers plan will be known to me personally within minutes," he ended with a cold serious tone.

He suddenly became more cheerful. "Now then, any more questions?"

"Yes." Åttio gestured to Samsip. "Who is the new member?"

"Oh, yes. This is Lee Samsip, my new bodyguard."

Samsip, in his suit with his long hair neatly done in a ponytail, bowed in his seat and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Shtatë then picked up his menu. "Now before we proceed with other business let us order. I am starved."

YAKIMA, WASHINGTON

A group of New OZ members were traveling north on the freeway. They just got halfway on the high bridge when another car came up and forced them off of the bridge and into the ravine.

December 21, A.C. 199

HEIDELBERG

"There they are," Duo said to Quatre as they waited at the rail station. He then called out to the distance. "Yo, Trowa, Cathy, over here."

Catherine ran over with Trowa her luggage in tow. "Duo, Quatre. It is great to see you."

"You two all set for the big night?" Quatre asked.

"Guess so," Trowa said.

"You bet," Cathy said. "So what is the plan?"

"Well," Duo started as he took Cathy's bag, "first of all, we will drop you off at Hilde's place. There all of you girls will get ready, including Sally and Trowa's date."

"Oh, yeah, who did set up for Trowa?" Cathy asked.

"Well, actually," Quatre interjected, "there was almost a close call for getting him a date due to poor communication between Heero and Duo here. Fortunately, Dorothy and I already set up someone for him. Her name is Sara."

"Uh, yeah, thanks, Quatre," Duo said, somewhat embarrassed as they exited the terminal. "Anyways, all of us guys, including Sally's and your date, will arrive in one of Quatre's stretch limos to pick you girls up around seven. From there we will go to the castle."

"Sounds fun." She turned to Trowa. "Something wrong, Trowa?"

"Oh, I am fine. Guess I am just a bit nervous about tonight." Trowa said.

"Come on, Trowa, buddy," Duo said. "It's not like is the first time you have been on a blind date." I just wish you would get serious with somebody and make it be the last.

COLONY L2

Lokman Lapanbelas, head of the colony's miner's union welcomed the arrival of Shonngwe and Labingisa, who were accompanied by Samsip. "Ah, welcome, gentlemen," he said with an outreached hand. He shook Labingisa's hand as he asked, "But where is Mister Shtatë?"

"Oh, he had other business to attend to," answered Labingisa, "so he sent us to attend the rally. Do not worry. Shonngwe here is a very good speaker."

"Ah, yes. And, you must be Mister Samsip. Åttio told me about you. Well, this way, please."

"Sorry," Samsip said, "but I will have to join you later. I have business to attend to."

ZIEGELHAUSEN, 18:45

"Your date will fall over head over heels, Cathy," Relena said as she made the finishing touches on Catherine's hair.

"Yes, well, if Aron's taste in women is as good as Quatre, you should be in good hands," Dorothy said.

"Since I assume you are referring to yourself," Cathy said, "I will take that as a compliment."

All the young women giggled, including Hilde, Sally, and Trowa's date, Sara. "Well, I for one hope that your brother is as good as your friends says he is," Sara said.

"Oh, do not worry about that," Cathy replied, "He will probably even exceed what they told you." The girls laughed again before Cathy turned to Sally, "Oh, by the way, what is the deal with Wufei?"

"Well, he was not able to get a date, so he decided to volunteer to chaperone."

"Did he even try?" asked Hilde. "Did even ask you?"

"Several other guys beat him to asking me. He did ask some other girls, but unfortunately his reputation got the best of him. So after several rejections, he gave up."

"Well, there are always a few dateless girls at the dance," Hilde said, "So, maybe he will get lucky." Then the girls really giggled.

Just then the doorbell rang. "Girls," Janna called out from the living room, "your dates are here." The girls went to the living room where the guys were waiting. The guys, each dressed in a tuxedo, were a bit taken back by how the girls looked. Each girl was in a beautiful silky satin dress. Relena was in her blue dress. Hilde was in burgundy. Dorothy was in a lemony yellow. Sally was in jade. Catherine was in red. And, Sara was in indigo.

Duo was the first to get a hold of himself. "Wow, Hilde, you look beautiful. And I mean even more than that you usually do."

Aron, a somewhat young timid man with dark hair, then walked up to Cathy. "Hi, you must be Cathy," he said nervously.

"Yes, and you must be Aron," she responded with a smile.

The young Czech smiled. "Yeah. I must say the pictures the guys showed me of you do not do you justice." That made him blush.

As Quatre took Dorothy by the hand, Sara walked to Trowa. "Hey, you are cute, especially with those long bangs." That helped Trowa manage a smile.

Cathy then noticed the last man who was now with Sally. "Oh, so you must be Sally's date."

"Ah yes," the man said. "My name is Robert Done. I am studying orthopedics."

"Oh," Trowa said, "so you chose him over the psychiatrist."

"A psychiatrist?" Duo said jokingly. "That's crazy.3 Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"That is okay," Robert replied. He turned to Heero. "Sally, has told me quite about you Mister Yuy, particularly when she first encountered you. Told me about your amazing bone structure and how it was able to take injuries. She even told me about how you snapped a broken bone into place then used a spanner as a brace. If it is not too much trouble, I would like to study your bones as a project some day."

"Um, let me get back to you on that," Heero sweat-dropped.

Cathy turned to Aron, "Oh, I am sorry, Aron. What are you in?"

"Oh, I am a Chemistry major," he replied.

Duo made a quite snort towards Hilde, "Those Chem' Majors think they are so smart.4"

"My dad is into chemistry too you know," she retorted. "Speaking of which, here he comes."

Duo quickly straightened as Karl entered the room with a camera on a tripod. "Okay, kids, let us get a shot of you before you leave. Duo and my daughter first."

Duo led Hilde in front of the tannebaum where Karl took three shots. After that, a couple of group pictures were taken with the other five couples. They then piled in the stretch limo and went off.

COLONY L2, 19:20

Samsip ran through the dark streets. He was in a hurry, so he did not put much effort in stealth despite his black attire. Besides, most people would be too busy with their own affairs to bother with him. However, he was stopped by a gang of punks as he ducked down a dark alley.

"Where is the pajama party?" the one commented on Samsip's martial art attire.

"No need for insults," the gang leader said to the first punk. "We just want his money." He turned to Samsip. "So just hand it over, and we will all go our separate ways."

"No," Samsip said simply but sternly.

"Well, that is too bad," said a third punk from behind, accompanied by two others. "Guess we will just have to hurt you until you do." He took hold of Samsip, unaware that Samsip was letting him restrain him.

"Please let go of me," Samsip said sternly but calmly. "I am in a hurry and do not have time to waste with you inferiors."

"I don't like your attitude," the gang leader said, infuriated. He pulled out his switchblade with his right hand and drew out its blade. "Guess we have to teach you a lesson." He then lunged forward to stab the restrained Samsip.

Five times faster than any of them could react, Samsip effortlessly broke free and went forward. He grabbed his attackers wrist and pulled it, still gripping the knife, past him toward the third punk who was retraining him barely a second earlier. The knife continued on an accelerated course into the third punk's neck. Sansip then twisted the gang leader's hand, which was till gripping the knife. Its blade tore the flesh of the third punk's neck, until the pain of bone breaking in the wrist was too much for the gang leader. He let go of the knife which went flying for a fraction of a second before Samsip caught it in midair and then drove it into the gang leader's forehead.

The second punk, who was beside the gang leader, threw a wild punch, which Samsip caught effortlessly. He pulled the punk onto his knee and drove both his hands as a double fist in to the back of his neck. He turned to see the last two remaining punks take off like frightened rabbits. He left the young man to die as he followed the others. Running at high speeds and leaping over obstacles, he was able to get ahead of them before they got out of the alley.

They were stunned to see him blocking their path. "Hey, man. No more trouble. You told us to leave you alone and that is what we are doing."

"Too late," Samsip said. He spun around twice before delivering a roundhouse kick with his right leg to the head of one punk, which hit into the other's head. He then spun around the other direction delivering a round house kick to their heads from the opposite side. He grabbed one by the base of the neck and hit and pushed against the top of the punk's head sideways, using the leverage to breaks the guys neck. He then quickly turned to the last one as he dropped the other one. He grabbed him by the neck and punched him to the wall of one on the buildings of the alley, crushing the windpipe. He then ran back into the alley he was using as a short cut. He ran faster because he lost about eighty seconds.

HEIDELBERG CASTLE, 22:23

The main ballroom was decked in holiday splendor. There were many couples that had been dancing for then entire evening. However, there were still many non-couples, including a group of girls who were noticing a lone young Chinese gentleman.

"Go ahead, I dare you," one girl said to her friend, with the other girls supporting her.

"Oh, okay, I will do it," a young blonde said with shoulder length hair. "Besides, he does look kind of cute...if you look at him right."

Oh, brother. What am I doing here? Wufei thought. They wanted to make sure there weren't any fights or any other trouble, but everybody is just being nice to each other. And it is not just this Christmas cheer. It is all these couples being so close and lovely-duddy with each other that is making me sick. Maybe you are just envious. Who said that? Oh, great! I am having conversation with myself. Maybe the guys are right. Before I actually do go crazy I should...

"Excuse me."

Huh, what, who, "Oh, who me?"

"Sorry, my name is Doris. Are not you one of those teaching assistants that work with the faculty of Philosophy or Oriental and Classical Studies?"

"Uh, actually I am. Chinese philosophy mainly. Name is Wufei."

"Wow, could you quote something by Confucius or somebody?"

"Why not. 'By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest." 5

"Wow. Hey would you like to dance?"

"What?

"Would you like to dance?"

"Well, I am not sure if I can. I have the duty to..."

"Go ahead, Wufei," the head chaperone told him. "Enjoy yourself, besides maybe you can observe while dancing."

Before Wufei could argue, Doris pulled him to the dance floor. On another part of the dance floor, Heero was dancing very close with Relena. He noticed Wufei with his new dance partner. He gestured to them for Relena. "Check it out."

"Wow!" Relena exclaimed, "It seems as if he actually did get lucky."

"Huh?"

"Oh, just girl talk. Oh, look; Duo is being really close to Hilde. I mean a bit more than usual."

"Oh, he is?" Wow, he is getting close to her. Hmm, Hilde may think something is up, so I will snuggle with Relena too, so he will not seem so conspicuous. He held Relena closer, which she responded with smile and a happy little groan. She really likes that, he smiled. Wait! His eyes widened. If I am getting close to Relena like Duo is with Hilde, Relena may expect me to propose to her right after Duo proposed to Hilde, but I want to wait a couple of weeks. Heck, I do not even have the ring yet. Oh, well, I already started, and she does smell nice. He buried his face in her hair as they continued to slow dance.

On another part of the dance floor, Trowa was dancing with Sara, or at least she was trying to dance with him. "What is the matter, Trowa?" she asked, noticing a lost look on his face.

"What? Oh, I guess I just get nervous around girls," Trowa answered.

"Why is that?"

"I do not know. I just do."

"Well, I am sure you can still enjoy the evening."

And, on another part of the dance floor, Cathy was dancing with her blind date, Aron. "You dance really well," she said.

"You seem surprised," he responded.

"Oh, sorry. I guess I am stereotyping you as someone who stays in the lab and books and not get out much."

"Well, I could think of us two molecules moving about in space, but I won't; it cheapens the lessons I took." That made her laugh.

On yet another part of the dance floor, Dorothy said to her dance partner, "Oh, look, Quatre. Heero just held Relena closer, almost as close as Duo is with Hilde."

"Huh, oh yeah, I guess they are," Quatre commented

"Is something bothering you?"

"I guess I am just worried about Trowa. He just does not seem to be enjoying himself."

"I know you feel concerned for him, but you can not force him to enjoy himself. So, please just try to enjoy the evening with me?"

"Okay," he smiled and gave her a quick peck on the cheek and held her a bit closer.

On still another part of the dance floor, Hilde was dancing very close with Duo. "Oh, Duo, this is so beautiful."

He looked up at her and ran his right forefinger down her cheek while saying, "Not as beautiful as you." He held her closer as they continued to dance. Man, this feels so right, holding her in my arms. I don't want this moment to end. Of course, if she says yes, that will pretty much be that case. He looked up into her eyes again. She really is so beautiful. Well, here we go. Come on, babe, let's go."

"Go? Duo, it is only ten-thirty."

"I know but I wanted to do a few other things tonight."

"Such as."

"Such as taking a romantic stroll along the river."

"Ooooh. Sounds nice," she squealed, "But what about the others?"

"Well, I guess we can invite them to come with us and go on there own strolls. Besides, something tells me Heero will be easy to persuade."

And finally, on one last part of the dance floor, Sally was dancing with her date. "Well, those kids sure did seem to be getting romantic."

"What do you mean kids? They are not that much younger than us, and they are legally adults now."

"True, but as a one in med school, I feel real old."

"That may be true but what those boys went through during the war, they aged a whole lot themselves."

"Ah, touché. Hey, where are they? None of them are dancing any more."

"Look, here come Quatre and Dorothy. Hello, you two; where is everybody?" Sally asked them as they came up to her.

"We are going to the river for a stroll," Dorothy said latched to Quatre's side, "And you are invited to come."

"Really?" Robert said.

"Sure," Quatre said, "Besides, we are your ride home."

Sally laughed, "Good point, let's go."

"Hey, Wufie!" Duo called out.

"How many times must I..." Wufei yelled out before he was cut off.

"Come on, cheer up at least for Christmas. Hey, it looks like you got yourself a good catch."

"Uh, well, actually..."

"I caught him," Doris said.

"Great," Duo said, "Anyway, want to come with us? We are going to for a stroll along the river. You can bring your new friend."

"Really? I can come?" Doris asked.

"But, I have to stay here to..." Wufei started.

"Go ahead and go," the head chaperone suddenly said from behind. "I think we can manage."

"You are sure?"

"Yeah, and have a merry Christmas."

"Great, let's go, Wufei," Doris said dragging him off following Duo and Hilde.

The chaperone waved off to them and smiled. Good, now that he is gone, we can have more fun.

COLONY L2, 21:30

A former Barton foundation officer was leaving an administration building along with three subordinates. They started walking down the long flight of wide stone steps to the street below. They then noticed the lone figure standing on the landing halfway along the steps. It was a young Korean man with long hair and wearing a pullover shirt and drawstring pants. He seemed to be blocking them.

He looked at them. "Good evening, Mister Davies. My name is Samsip. I have been sent to kill you."

"We don't have time to mess with you. Get out of our way," Davies said.

"Only over your dead body."

"You got that backwards. Buchta, take care of this annoyance." Buchta pulled out his gun and came forward a few steps and fired a few shots.

Samsip came forward to Buchta skillfully dodging the bullets. Samsip grabbed Buchta's gun with his right hand and brought the gun in hand up, bending the elbow naturally. He then twisted Buchta's elbow one hundred and eighty degrees, the loud sound of bone cracking reverberating in everyone's ears. Samsip then brought up his left hand to Buchta's neck with full force, snapping it. Samsip then turned to look at the others as he cast away the body with one great push. He looked at the others with an anticipating smirk on his face.

"Get him!" Davies bellowed to the others.

As another rushed at him, Samsip darted forward and leaped over the attacker, grabbing the attacker's hair with his left hand as he came down. He leaned forward so he went headfirst. He drove his left leg into his attacker's back. As he went down, he pulled onto his attacker's hair. With his leg acting as a fulcrum, he pulled his attacker's head back, putting stress on the spine, too much stress. Samsip snapped the man's spine and twisted his neck. Samsip then came down on his right hand, then kicked away the corpse with both legs then jumped to his feet. (All this happened about three point three seconds).

He ran to Davies and his last associate, both of whom were shocked at the man's skill tried to run. Samsip waited till they got to the bottom of the stairs before leapt off from the stairs. He came down with his fist onto the back of the last subordinate's neck doing extensive crushing damage to the upper spine and windpipe. He then went after Davies, who was running hysterical through the streets. Although he could have easily overtaken him, Samsip continued the cat and mouse game by letting Davies run ahead.

Davies ran for several blocks. He came up to a junkyard. He searched around the perimeter looking for a way in. He was able to find a way over the fence. Once in the lot, he looked for a place to hide. He first considered the house that was adjacent to it, but then decided against it since it may be too obvious. He was trying to decide between a warehouse and a junk pile. He wandered to the base of a large junk pile, when he noticed a figure on top. Against the simulated moonlight he could tell who it was.

Samsip jumped off of the pile and landed right in front of Davies. "You should have joined us when you had the chance." He then quickly delivered a quick series of kicks to Davies' face and kidneys.

"What ever they are paying you, I'll double it, just let me live," Davies pleaded.

"No you won't. You cannot afford me. My honor cannot be bought." He roundhouse kicked Davies' thigh, knocking him into a bunch of junk. Samsip came closer. He stepped on a piece of pipe, which rolled under his feet, making him slip and fall, a sight that made Davies to try to run. The fool seems to have fallen for it, Samsip thought. He saw Davies in a panic try to scale a pile of junk. Samsip ran around the other side of the pile run up to the top and met Davies coming up. "You just made your death easier. If you insist." He grabbed Davies by the collar and threw him straight up it the air. Samsip the jumped straight up and delivered Davies a kick to face sending him reeling back where he crashed at the base of the pile. Samsip looked on Davies mangled form before going down to check for vital signs. After it was confirmed that Davies was dead, Samsip ran out of the junkyard, leaping effortlessly over the fence. Hope I did not miss too much.

HEIDELBERG, KARL-THEODOR BRIDGE, 22:50

A bright moon shone onto the Neckar River. Its reflection shimmered in the water. Despite all the other couples around the river, Duo was able to get alone with Hilde much thanks to Heero, who was able to keep Relena and the five couples at the gateway. "Just stay back," he told them, "and witness history."

About halfway across the bridge, Duo and Hilde stopped. Hilde went to the side of the bridge and leaned on the railing, breathing in the cold crisp air. Duo looked at her, seeing moonlight that was draped across her as it sparkled against tiny ice particles that were suspended the air and settled on her hair. Oh, thank you God, he thought sincerely. This is too perfect. She is so beautiful. Thank you, again. If there were any doubts before they are now gone. He swallowed and let out a deep breath. Well, here it goes. He placed his hands on her shoulders and brought her in for a deep kiss. He looked into her eyes. "Hilde, when we first met, both of us were really cocky and opinionated and felt that the other was misguided. But despite that tension, I must have thought you were attractive because I did call you 'Babe.' Well, in any case, you were the best thing to come out of the war for me. Ich liebe dich, Hilde." He cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her.

"Ich liebe dich, auch, Duo," she replied softly.

"I am not done yet. You know when we were just close friends, I really enjoyed stay with you in that humble abode at L2. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Hilde, and I want to return to that house with you, but I want to carry you into that house as my wife," he said as he knelt down on one knee, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the ring. "Hilde, will you marry me?"

Tears poured down Hilde's cheeks as she exclaimed, "Yes, yes, Duo, I will!" She offered her hand. Duo took it and placed the ring on her finger. He stood up and kissed her several times. He hugged her torso and swung her around in a circle with her feet swinging over the railing. They laughed with joy as they circled. Duo put her down and kissed his new fiancée. They held hands as they returned to the others by the gateway.

At gateway, the others looked on with wide eyes - that is all but Heero's eyes were wide.

"Did what just happen what I think just happened?" Sally said.

"Duo just proposed to Hilde," Relena said.

"And she accepted," Cathy said.

Noticing he was surprised, Dorothy turned to Heero. "You knew about this, didn't you?"

"Well, he is my roommate," Heero said.

"And, your best friend," Quatre added with a smile.

"It looks like Duo is entering another stage in his life," Trowa noted.

"Took him long enough," Wufei commented.

"Hey, thanks for letting us join your illustrious group for this event," Robert said.

"Yeah, thanks," Aron said.

"Makes one wonder which one of you will be ne..." Sara said before she was cut off.

"Look, here they come," Doris said as Duo walked over with Hilde latched onto him.

"I take it she said 'yes'," Heero said.

"She sure did," he said following by giving her a kiss.

"We are officially engaged," Hilde said by flashing her ring to everybody.

After a round of congratulations, Hilde invited everyone back to her home.

COLONY L2, 22:10

"Look at all the suffering the common people, especially those of the colonies, have received under the aristocracies," Shonngwe exclaimed from the podium to the audience in the warehouse that was being used as makeshift amphitheater. "Romafeller, Khushrenada, Barton, even Winner. Their so called leadership have brought on death and destruction to the Colonies to an unmeasurable scale."

Samsip walked into the building. He looked around with his steely eyes until he found Labingisa near the back with Lapanbelas. He walked over to them.

Labingisa saw him come forward and greeted him. "Glad to see you could make it."

Lapanbelas turned toward Samsip. "Yes, although I am sorry to say that the meeting is almost over."

"That is okay," Samsip said with a smile.

"Were you able to do your errand?" Lapanbelas asked.

"Oh, yes, it is done."

"Well, let us enjoy the rest of the speech."

They all turned to the podium to hear Shonngwe continue, "Now is the time for the working class to prepare for a new age." He raised his fist. "To the new age."

"To the new age," the audience echoed with a returned salute.

Labingisa with Samsip wandered away from the rest of the audience. "Feels like reliving history. Makes me wonder what it was like in the very early days of the party. In the days it was founded before most of us were born."

"Yes, that is right. It is very old for where you are from. But it is young enough for me to remember me of the rallies we used to have when I young." Samsip said.

"Oh, and where is that?" said Åttio as he walked up to them.

"Sorry," Labingisa said, "That is still classified."

"Very well. I must say, your friend surly does know how to rally them up. I truly look forward to this new age."

ZIEGELHAUSEN, 23:15

The group returned the Schbeiker residence. While the others waited in the limo, Duo walked Hilde to the front door. He first let her go inside and tearfully tell her parents the good news. Then her parents let Duo come to congratulate him. After that, they allowed the rest of the gang inside. They were now all drinking a toast to the new couple.

"You're kidding, Mister Schbeiker," Wufei said, "You were impressed with Duo when you first met him?"

"Hilde must have done a really good propaganda job telling you about him," Relena said.

"Well, true" Karl said, I was leery about him with his long hair, but he turned out to be a very fine young man once I got to know him."

"What about twice you got to know him," Heero said.

They all chuckled. Duo then turned to Karl, "So, when can I start calling you 'Dad'?"

"Two weeks after the wedding," Karl said.

"I will let you call me 'Mom' only one week after," Janna said.

They all enjoyed the rest of the evening. At the end of the evening, just before the others were about to go home, Duo took Hilde outside. "This is the happiest day of my life," she said in Duo's arms.

"This is just the beginning," he said. They looked up to the moon. "Yes, I think things are just bound to get better now."

BUENOS AIRES, 20:13

Another former OZ office was walking down the street. He paid little attention to the woman following him. At least he did too late, the last thing he saw was a glint of steel, and the last thing he felt was a slight amount of pressure go from one ear, across his neck, and to the other ear.