Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Hokkyokusei: The North Star ❯ A Blank Check ( Chapter 9 )

A Blank Check

A major migraine stormed through her head as she stepped into her home office, one of her favorites. An impeccably neat classic Chippendale desk and other elegant and vintage décor that suited her tastes surrounded her workspace. Her beloved Heero was out on some type of business, or so Pagon said. The conferences that had just taken place in the Capitol building were the cause of her incredible head-splitting ache.

"If I have to deal with another stuffy, old, tedious, geriatric, fool of a bureaucratic official, otherwise known as a Senator of the People, I will scream," Relena Peacecraft-Darlian Yuy, Prime Minister of the Earth Sphere-Space Colony Coalition, grumbled to herself as she dropped her weary body in her worn brown leather boss seat. "If they would forget about the costs of this campaign for once, I could get something done. I mean, with the Space Colonies' budgets supporting the Earth's economy, there is more than enough money for everyone. Shouldn't the people see some of their taxes put into something other than repairs for the state roads and the expansion of government buildings? It's just insane. The population of poor people in the colonies and Earth has increased since the wars."

"Yes, it's true that there are donations and support funds made for the orphans, but that is hardly enough for a sixth of them. Many of the starving children resort to thievery, making up for at least thirty-five percent of the crime rate in the status quo. If we could only help them at least a little, to show them that we do care, but no. No, we can't. Too much money. That's their miserly mantra. Even Quatre can't help overly much. His money just isn't enough this time and he needs to devote his time and efforts to his wedding, which I understand completely, but that damned business merging is just so stupid. No, he can't donate company money to the cause, because he'll need to go through his new associate." She blew a gust of air through her lips and rubbed her temples. "And see it's getting me to ramble to myself."

Dropping her elbows on the table, she cradled her downcast face in her hands, when she realized that there was a folder with her name scribbled on it and an envelope addressed to her. Frowning with concern, she slit open the envelope with a silver letter-opener that had the dove of peace engraved on the handle and read the note inside.

Prime Minister Yuy,

I heard that you were having a little financial problem with the Senatorial council. Attached is a check that is hopefully adequate enough for your efforts, for the time being. Consider it an investment. Also attached are some photographs that I thought you might find amusing after the meetings. I like to think of them as a reminder for what is to come.

She blinked slowly as she stared at the scribbled and unsigned letter. Her mouth dropped open a bit as she pulled out a check from inside the envelope made out to her for a big six figured number. A loud 'ca-ching' sound sounded in the back of her mind. Her money problems were solved, or at least held at bay until she could raise enough money for the cause. The check was unsigned, the only signature was the printed bank account number, which she would have to follow up on, to check on whether it was clean of bad records.

Relena had never liked free money, because she knew that there was no such thing. There were always strings attached and she planned on finding them out before actually accepting the money.

But it was still fantastic!

Grinning like a fool, she turned her attention back to the unsigned note. Slowly, her euphoric expression faded as she blinked with curiosity and set the check, with the note, carefully back down on her desk. It had been sitting on an old beaten manila folder. Carefully unwinding the seal, she slipped out a few aging snapshots. Scenes of the sea sparkling against a peaceful landscape and a gracefully elegant palace triggered something in the back of her mind. Her breath was suddenly unsteady and she quickly searched through the photographs. More scenes of the sea and some of small children, playing and laughing in the sunlight were revealed to her. The children were beautiful in an ethereal sort of way, almost cherub-like, dressed in the finest clothes and their hair not even the slightest bit mussed.

It wasn't until she reached the last photo shot that she even realized what she was witnessing.

A little girl, tiny and almost doll-like, grinning broadly and posed in a field of flowers, a crown of blue blossoms in her honey-colored hair, ones that matched her eyes, bright sunshine lighting her small features.

It was herself that she was looking at.

As a child, but still herself. She remembered it. Everything was so clear. Bubbling laughter from family and friends, cool water to soothe the parched throat, and lush green grass to lie in. Fresh air and warm sunlight. It had been a picnic. Her brother had given her a piggyback ride. She'd swum for the first time. The ocean water had been so cold and dark that she had not wanted to dip into it at first, but then someone had pushed her into the frigid depths. A panicked shock had shivered through her as she realized she couldn't get back to the surface and she did not have enough breath to stay under for much longer.

Strong arms had then pulled her up for air, to her great relief, and taught her to paddle like a dog in order to stay afloat. Then there had been water games and when everyone had gotten soaked, they went back to shore and ate lunch.

The Sanc kingdom.

Her past.

Her breath caught in her throat and she found that she was having a hard time breathing right. The photographs fell from her limp fingers and she bolted to the open balcony doors, where the wind billowed the white linen curtains into round-shaped cloud puffs. Looking out into the bustling city, there was only friendly sunlight to greet her and the tops of buildings. Nothing and no one was there. Leaving one question remaining in her mind.

Who could possibly have done this?