Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Pepper & China Roses ❯ chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

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

Pepper & China Roses

By Rude.

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Warnings :

AU, Possible OOC, yaoi, other stuff, angst.

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Chapter 6

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Sally regarded the tall blond with worry. His dark green uniform was prim and perfectly ironed and creased, he sat up straight pretending she didn't see him collapsed on his desk when she walked in. The only visible sign of exhaustion was the slight grimace around the lips and the weary look around his eyes. This was the second case of overworked pilot she had to deal with this week.

"This is Treize's medical file?"

"Yes, it seems now that his ashes have been disposed of there is a resurgence of people claiming to be related to him. Some even go as far as to report 'seeing' the general"

Zechs laughed mirthlessly. "Is that so?"

"Its a bit more serious than it sounds, Merquise. Some people hold their claims based on DNA matching, we had his Excellency's file in a secure area to prevent these scams but there was a leak. It could've happen at some point between the transition from the Romafeller's data base to Preventers."

Zechs nodded, pointedly ignoring the file on his desk.

"You want me to track down the culprits? I can assure you your its too late for that, every black market vendor most have these stacked like magazines on a news stand by now."

Sally narrowed eyes told him she new this already, so...

"Or is there a particular claim that interest you?"

"Not really, the only claim I find interesting is my own"

Zechs raised an eyebrow "Oh?"

"I checked the code in these files. There is an obvious slip in them."

She waited for a reaction but he didn't even flinch just sat there expecting her to elaborate.

"I have both Mariemaeia's and Treize's DNA sequences. They are not related according to this file. I need your input on this matter Zechs"

The man read the file with grim detachment. Sally trudged on while he did.

"We cannot discredit these claims if our medical files on him are unreliable. There is no intention to heed these claims anyway, but you can see how the situation could escalate. I for one thing, am not too keen on informing Une of this without clearing a few doubts."

Sally slumped down in Noin's chair with a sigh. She almost felt sorry to do this to him, but the situation was a bit too delicate to be left in the hands of anyone else. Wufei was out on some mission or another Une had picked him for, at least that's what he said. Even if he was free, she would never get him involved in anything Kushrenada related, the boy had many sore spots left by the war and that one was particularly painful. From Zechs tight lipped attitude, she could tell Wufei was not alone on this.

"It's not an official matter yet, just me being inquisitive. So it is as a personal favor, that I'm asking you to help me out. Can you verify the code on this file?"

The blond nodded in acceptance, poker face still up.

"Yes, the code 'is' correct. The contents of the file under this code is another story."

He smiled at the relief written all over the commander's face. She would probably forget it with what he had to say next.

"There is no accurate file in existence, Sally. So there is nothing to match."

"You mean there is no record of him in any Oz or Romafeller archive somewhere?"

"I am afraid not, we did away with every one as soon as they were written"

"Huh?" was her intelligent remark.

"He thought me to fake these registry numbers during our academy years. It was a skill that came in handy later, when the Alliance started the 'purges' amongst their ranks."

He didn't have to look up from the papers in his hands to know the look on Sally's face.

"I think he knew who I was, back then. Funny I didn't realize it until know... That's why he thought me this neat little trick." He added waving the folder.

She knew exactly why people would hide their records, after all she once was an Alliance Medical officer.

The purging of possible spies in the Alliance were often done aided by medical records. Medics in the Earth Sphere where specially dedicated to the cause and had no qualms in delivering their patients records to the government, just in case they could help locate a traitor and ad a shinny star to their badges.

"Every 3 years or so, they renewed their hunting for former enemies and their relatives. Most of Sanq monarchy disappeared within the first decade of the fall. Forging my records was very costly, during that time almost, always impossible."

Did he paled just now?

"I remained undetected during my academy years and after, thanks to Treize's habit of swapping these files. It is very likely that you will never get the original DNA sequence."

"Why would Treize swap these files? Who did 'He' have to hide from?"

Zechs smiled, the first real smile.

"I think he liked keeping them on their toes, Romafeller, Alliance and rebels alike."

Sally bit her lip, itching to ask for more but sensing they had deviated enough from the subject. Besides, she couldn't forget that she was once one of those eager cadets trying to fit in and ready to make a name for herself. While people like Zechs, mere children had to live looking over there shoulder in fear of the like's of her.

She stood up ready to leave.

"His real code is the one stated on the top of the file, but the contents of this is from someone else. If your file was not updated to match the remains you cremated and dumped in the sea, there is no way you can question these claims."

She choked on this one. "You mean... We may not even have the right body?"

"DXTS 54690127 is the ID number corresponding to one Treize Kushrenada. His DNA, finger prints, retinal scan, dental prints they are filed under this number. Since Treize swapped those, you most confirm that the body retrieved was in fact his. If they used the files to verify his identity, you probably have the wrong guy."

He watched the woman turn from surprised, to disturbed to murderous in a couple seconds.

"Why the fuck did you sit on this?"

Zechs frowned and sat back, fingers laced together in his lap. "Une probably knows this already, even if she didn't it does not matter. He is dead. There is a body, a grave, and a grieving crowd. That's more than most people got out of this war."

The man thinks he is made of stone. Hmphf! We will see about that.

Une was a fine one too, if she knew this was a hoax! Well maybe not a hoax, not from the way she acted when the body was retrieved. Yes maybe the files where a mess, but the body recovered was still in their possession. She would begin from there.

She had two or tree Kushrenada family members DNA sequences to couple up to Mariemaeia's. If she truly was his daughter then she had a reliable, if partial, ID.

It will take a half an hour at most to confirm if this body truly belonged to the former leader of OZ. It was late now and she had a couple phone calls to make.

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The next morning found the good doctor in her office, packing her lab kit.

Une and a few other people, including Noin, had seen the body and recognized him. Sally new how emotion and certainty could make you see what you needed to see. The body was mangled and found in pieces around the debris, it was possible that they buried parts of another body by accident in the haste everything was done after the positive ID. The pilot suit was burned into the skin so completely they buried him with it. Zechs was in Mars when it all happened, but Sally doubted he would have gone to the ceremony if he could.

The doctor in her couldn't let this mystery go down into darkness. While there was still a body in one of those hold-ups by the shuttle port, there was still a chance to clear this. After a sleepless night and a short talk with commander Une, she was ready to go.

On her way to her car, she came face to face with an equally sleep-deprived, Zechs Merquise.

"May I join you?" he rumbled in that deep voice of his. 'Poor Noin'.

She gave him her best cocky grin and slammed her lab-kit into his chest "You may"

He took the heavy little metal case and followed the swaying pig tails out into the parking lot. 'It is any-man's guess why she keeps such a girlish hair style, the woman used to be the bane of Coronel Une for peace sake!'

"Commander Une informed me this morning of her success in finding a spot. The transfer will take place tomorrow evening, when the new site his ready. She also left me a message for you and a few others, on behalf of Marie. You are invited to assist in the small ceremony that will be held. She will appreciate your presence on behalf of her charge."

The formal speech, was her way of telling him that Une considered this his duty and left no room for argument on the matter.

Zechs was not amused, if Sally had known him better she would have guess his answer to be: "No"

She growled and started the car in a unified roar. "You missed the first one, you may as well show up for the second! I don't think their will be a third for when you finally decided to stop being a jackass..."

He was not going to budge on this and she knew it. She was after all talking to the guy that tried to blow up Earth.

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An hour later they arrived to the cargo area, and drove by slowly in search of the right hold-up building. As the big gray numbers passed by, Zechs spoke softly.

"Noin warned me you will act this way."

"What?"

'Got your attention now mister iceberg.'

"She said you will face a heard of demons in Mobile Suits, armed only with your arrogance and a gun. But you will run away, like your ass was on fire, from anything involving emotions."

He glanced at her with those cold eyes narrowed. "Agent Po you are treading into matters that do not concern you."

To his surprise, she laughed.

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The car was left behind and they went in the building full of crates and boxes, most of which where labeled as colony stock.

He was baffled and horrified that Noin could be talking about him with anyone, and he had a feeling Sally knew it irked him too. His glacial glare had no effect on the woman and she smiled now, while they walked the gloomy isle looking for the box..

"What's it to you?"

She had to take a minute to rewind an remember what he could be asking about.

"I am here now, to get things cleared up because its my duty as a Preventer.

Tomorrow, I will be in that ceremony to pay my respects to a little girl and group of boys who grew up to fast ...and maybe to make sense of a few things."

"The Gundam pilots will be there?"

Sally nodded as she turned to a large crate. She knew now he would go.

Une had given her orders to continue with the plan even if it turned out to be someone else. The woman had changed since the war, or perhaps it was just the same practical mind in motion, 'His Excellency would have understood' she told Sally on the phone this morning.

"We are here"

The container was in the back and when Sally pulled at the door handle, a gust of cool air flushed out on them. They walked into the cooler in silence. There where small boxes pilled here and there but the one in the middle was the only one large enough to contain a human body. The label on its side confirmed it was the one they sought.

Zechs felt like an intruder, it was close to midday and the place was quiet,

'everybody is on their lunch-brake, probably' only the lone guard at the front gate had greeted them.

'Treize is in that box...' his subconscious tried to nock him the joker card. He ignored the stupid thought and took to the task of unhooking the top with vehemence. Sally watched him a bit of worried, his eyes slanted but she could see the slightly dilated pupils.

'There is a rotting corpse in there... torn to pieces, it belongs to the man who called you a friend' His subconscious was stapling little memos like this in every dark corner of his brain.

His movements were heavy and rough from all the unwanted memories flying around inside him. All his experiences with lost and death communed to remind him this was what was left of the person closest to him... Inside a box. 'This is ridiculous! get it together Merquise!'

He took the crow bar from Sally and yanked open the top only to find another box with metal clasps at each end. Po was ready to take the crowbar from him when he dropped it aside and went back to his self-appointed mission.

His mind was calling him a coward. When Treize chose to die, Zechs was already running around for a new kindred soul. Noin, Heero anybody who could point him the way or at least hold his hand till he got there.

"Dammit! How many latches does this thing have?"

"Zechs..."

Too many things he couldn't face where connected to this dam corpse. Treize was no more! It's just a corpse and he had dealt with those for as long as he could remember.

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Tbc

I have finished my research on Treize! (Got me out of writers block...)

Thank you Rogue-sama for the clue! (bows)

Episode 34 does tell a lot about Treize, actually it sums up his core even if at the moment he was at his lowest.

I was always bombarded with so many political view points and philosophy in the series, that its hard to focus on what he is saying (specially with what he is doing going on in the background)

Did anybody catch the look on his face when he push Septem off the shuttle?

He is noooo sweetheart. And Heero is right! he is a poor loser. I would also ad: gracious winner. But that's debatable.

Treize in the GW series is much different than I imagined (less complex) and at the end of his life he... well I don't want to give away my plot. Its base on what I got so far on his character. Just please remember this is AU so his views have changed, although I will try to keep him in character.

Lets just say that you have to read in between the lines to understand him, he doesn't think in straight lines and he is not the best example of positive thinking.