Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Just a Warrior ❯ Down, but not out. ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

All around me, I hear the sounds of battle. Cannons seem to explode right beside my wounded Gundam, and here I am, trapped in my harness, blood flowing down my face, escaping me to lie on the com-panel in a pool of crimson. Deathscythe is rocked violently as an explosion, closer this time, strikes home, and I wonder briefly if I am going to tip over. No, I forgot, I landed face down. I guess that would explain why I am sagging against my restraints. Wish I could get 'em off though, they're digging into my shoulders..

"Duo. Report."

It's Heero. Huh. Mr. Perfect soldier sounds stoic as ever. I lean over as far as I can, face contorting in pain as I manage to reach the com panel, I'm able to brush it lightly with bloodsoaked fingertips. "Go.. ahead..." I groan softly, surprised that it escaped my lips.

"Damage report."

"I think it's safe to say that I am in a pretty fucked up situation Heero. Uh.. hold on.. Gonna make the system do a self diagnostic." If it can. I add mentally. The bad thing is, I can't reach my controls on the right. Damn.

"Gotta.. slight problem, Heero.." My already aching head hurts from having to hold it up, I let it sag, Heero's face on the view screen beside me the last thing I see before I stare down at the twisted wreckage before me. It's amazing that I even have a com link up.

"I'll be right there." His voice.. Does he know how Impossibly comforting he sounds when he uses that monontone? Probably not, but I won't let that little secret out. Right now, all I'm concerned with is that help is on it's way and that I may not die in the twisted wreckage that was once my small confined cockpit.

More gunplay errupts around me, but this time, it's familar. Lifting my eyes and cocking my head slightly, I see Wing Zero. Amazing how he can just appear out of nowhere and leave such an awesome display of carnage. Heero is awesome when he mows down mobile dolls. I've always said that everyone has a talent. Destruction is definatly Heero's.

He must have gotten that from me. I smile softly to myself as I let my head drop again. Filiments begin to burn out in my computer system, causing a serious of buzzings and cracks. The smell of fried wire assualts my nose as the warning buzzers go off, but I fail to pay too much attention to them. A red warning light is blinking monotonously in the cockpit. Not thinking, I reach over with my left hand to quell the beeping on the instrament panel. I'm so tired. I just wanna rest.

I have no idea how long I must have been out. The next thing I know, I'm weakly fumbling for a gun as an intruder is stupid enough to make their way into my Deathscythe. My hands are restrained after practically no struggle and I relax as Heero's face comes into focus.

"Oh.. Hey, Heero... didn't recognize ya there.."

"Hn." He helps me untangle from my harness. Both of us struggling not to slam into the twisted debris of the front panel. My leg is in agony, I gaze down at it as I cling to Heero's shoulders for support. I don't remember losing consciousness.

Soft voices above me bring me back to a discernable wakefullness. Opening my eyes, I groan softly and touch a bandage on my forehead.

"Lie still Duo." Quatre whispers softly. I can't help but smile. He's such mother hen.

Dry swallowing a few times, I manage to pull my dry, cracked lips into some semblence of a smile. "How did we do?" Did I just lose my voice. Ah man, anything but that.

"Ssshh. Try not to talk." Quatre soothes from above me. He disappears momentarily and when he returns, I feel a straw to my lips, then the cool clear liquid of spring water. Spring Water! Man, where did they find it? It is Heaven as it slides down my parched throat and I thank God for that.

"Thank you." I managed to croak out, then softly I burst into quiet laughter. I sound like I am hitting puberty! My voice is even breaking in my laughter, which in turn, makes me laugh harder. Ow. My ribs. It still doesn't work, so I clutch them and continue to laugh, allowing it to at least taper off into giggles.

Good ole Quatre just sits beside me on the bed, a soft smile on his lips.

I could'a died out there today, don't think I don't know that. But ya know what? I didn't die. I survived. Yeah, yeah. I can't wait for Heero to lecture me on being wreckless. So what, I got the job done didn't I? Shit, I took out as many mobile suits and dolls as he did, it's just that HE had to save MY ass this time. . Bet he's really going to bitch me out if he catches me in here laughing. Better straighten it up.

Sighing deeply, I catch my eyes slipping closed. Quatre says something above me, but it doesn't sound as if he's speaking to me, so I ignore it and get some rest. Man, I hope tomorrow is calm. My leg is aching and I think Deathscythe is in some kind of bad shape.

Good night.


Authors note: I first wrote this fic in January of 01, and last updated it sometime on 02. I've thought about it for the last couple of days and decided that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to update it and put it on Media Miner, as I don't really care too much for ff.net anymore. I think I'm going to revamp everything I have over there and post it. (Yes, I am Dark Neko Shinigami. No, I am not stealing these fics and posting them as my own.) Please review if you like it.