Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Perfection Breakdown ❯ Trust ( Chapter 4 )

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

Perfection Breakdown-by masamune

Part 4- Trust

The metal restraints went tightly over Wufei's wrists. It had taken 8
guards to finally pin down and carry the battle-hardened Chinese man
into the medical room. But at least he'd given a few of the goons a
shot or two that they'd feel in the morning.

/Doesn't matter much now/ Wufei thought grimly as gloved hands took a
small clamp and braced it around his arms, the cold steel plating
sending a shiver up Wufei's spine. /Torture is the coward's way to
discover the enemy's plans. But I won't tell anything to them/

"Ready to start?" a deep, brooding voice came from the right side of
the room.

Wufei turned his head, because he couldn't move any other part of his
body, and saw a short, mustachioed OZ officer working feverishly over
a control panel. A slight buzz from the monitors and a soft mechanical
whir from a machine behind him made Wufei tense up. There was no honor
in any of this process.

"Name's Ocelot," the mustachioed soldier turned and bowed mockingly.
"And you my dear, brave, freedom fighter, are about to have your will
completely broken."

Before Wufei could spit out his angry retort it was lost admitted a
torrid flood of pain as the short OZ officer pushed a button on the
console. A sharp bolt of pain attacked, beginning at Wufei's wrists
and surging through all of his body, the pain tremendous to behold. He
cried out, despite his hardest intentions not to. Wufei's mind quickly
began to work to take focus away from the pain, lest he betray any
secrets.

It must have only been a moment but the pain and mental struggle just
to stay conscious was huge. The middle age officer smiled, enjoying
inflicting pain on Wufei. He pressed another button and the electrical
current stopped. Wufei's head slumped forward suddenly and his mind
cleared.

/Gods! I can't tell them anything. I won't divulge any secrets to the
enemy/

"How was that for starters?" Ocelot asked, a twisted grin forming on
his face. "Don't worry boy. I'll make sure you breakdown. Nobody can
hold out forever."

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Trowa slept on his side, or more accurately tried to sleep. The silent
pilot of Gundam Heavyarms turned away from the quiet silhouetted form
of Heero Yuy. Neither slept Heero more from his fear of the nightmares
that would attack him the second he drifted off, Trowa...for some
different, strange reason.

/He's so well built and handsome/ the thought snaked into Trowa's
mind, every sense of reason and right trying to stop it. It wasn't
right to have such feelings toward another guy was it? Most certainly
not a fellow pilot.

"Trowa," Heero's voice came soft and calm, with only the slightest bit
of sleepiness behind it.

Trowa sucked in his breath for a second, not sure whether to breath or
speak first. Then he whispered back, although there was no real need
to whisper, "What is it Heero?" He tried to make his voice sound dead
and calm, but the still night air seemed to take down the masquerade
and show his words as true feelings of concern and sincerity.

"Do you think I'm a monster Trowa?" The thought was expressed in the
utmost sincerity and Trowa rolled over to face the depressed Wing
pilot. Heero's eyes convened the sense of opening and vulnerability.

Trowa propped his head up an his arm and said softly, taking his hand
and bringing up to caress Heero's cheek, only stopping inches away and
decided better of it.

"Heero I've never met anyone in my life like you," Trowa responded,
his voice cool and measured. "When I first met you I wanted to be more
like you, you really had that large of an effect on me."

"Why would you want to be like me?" Heero asked, scorn and doubt
stained his question and sent a shiver through Trowa's thoughts. "Why
would you want to be a heartless killer like me? A killer of children
and innocents. I might as well not have a heart, it doesn't do
anything. I'm a shell of a man. I feel so dead inside that sometimes I
just want to end it all. All I'm good for is killing."

/It's not fair/ Trowa thought, listening to Heero. /Heero never had a
chance to live a normal life, a happy life. He's always been raised
for war, like me. Everyone he's ever known just wants him for his
power; they don't care about him. And it's those same bastards that
break him down and hurt his heart every chance they get/

/And even through all that he's become such an incredible person that
I think I'm falling in love with him/

/Comb, comb. Make sure you get all the knots out. Straighten the bangs
on the right. Better. Damn this side's a mess. Comb more/

Such was Maxim's train of thought as he stood in his dormitory staring
intently into the mirror. On the bed closest to him lay Duo, curled up
and sleeping soundly. But Maxim had forgotten about Duo almost a full
half-hour ago when he'd began his regular morning routine.

Clean bathroom, make sure everything's in place, and take a shower,
wash hair, brush hair out. The tall OZ soldier religiously kept this
morning routine, always focusing all of his energy to the task at
hand. Staying clean and keeping his room in complete order was almost
a necessity to him. He washed sometimes four times a day, sometimes
even if he didn't need to. It was as if his very life and soul
depended on his body and room being perfect and spotless.

In short, habits die hard.

A knock came at his door, behind him and a person entered. Thinking it
was his friend Justin Maxim turned around, a slight smile on his face
even thought he was annoyed that his morning routine had been upset.
When he saw who his unexpected visitor was however, his smile melted
away quickly replaced by the stoic, lack of emotion that normally
occupied him.

"What brings you here Ocelot?" Maxim asked, keeping his voice calm
although his fiery red eyes betrayed him and showed his dislike for
this cruel man.

"Business, dear Sergeant," Ocelot replied crisply, taking a step into
the small dorm. He hadn't taken his boots off and upon seeing the
small stain they left in the white carpet Maxim winced and internally
vowed to make Ocelot pay for this obvious act of disrespect.

"If you don't know I'm interrogating 05, the one called Chang Wufei
that was captured this past weekend," Ocelot's voice was always deep
although he barely reached Maxim's shoulders. "I had my first
"session" with him early this morning and I must say he's stronger
then I'd imagine just a boy could be."

"Don't waste my time with this bullshit Ocelot," Maxim said coldly,
his distaste for torture showing. "What do you really want?"

/Him and his disgusting love of torture/ Maxim thought. /It's
disgusting the way some take advantage of people in a weaker position
then they. Torture is almost as horrible as those new mobile doll
prototypes/

"To the point as always," Ocelot sighed and stroked his long mustache.
"Since you've been assigned to interrogate the other prisoner 02 I was
wondering why in the world you'd ask to be put on Special Assignment
to him."

"I've received consent from Treize," Maxim snapped back. "It doesn't
matter what my reasons are but I'm on Special Assignment to him now
and that's that."

"You do know that Special Assignment was originally created so certain
officers could ensure the safety of certain loved ones that were in
jail," Ocelot's voice had a small twist. The mustached tormentor loved
putting others in an uncomfortable place, whether in the interrogation
room or not. "So it only struck me as odd because..." Ocelot's
brooding voice fell away as he spied Duo laying curled up on the bed
near Maxim, fast asleep.

Maxim took a step up towards the madman, thoroughly upset by the mad
glitter that had just flown through Ocelot's eyes. Ocelot however made
no move and after almost a full minute of looking at Duo glanced back
at Maxim, as if surprised to find him still there waiting.

"My, he doesn't even look 15," Ocelot noted with a devious smile. "Why
don't you let me have one or two "sessions" with him ne? I'm sure I'll
be able to snap his will in no time."

Maxim spat something he only did if he was immensely upset. But he
kept his face steady and even though his eyes burned red with an
intensity that even reached Ocelot he managed to keep his voice
steady.

"As you said I'm on Special Assignment to him," his voice was dead, a
machine's could have replaced it, almost, and this was the way he
should act. "And he'll remain in MY care until I think it better
otherwise. But I thank you for your time Sergeant, good day." And with
that swift closing Maxim basically pushed the stout middle aged man
out of his dorm and shut the door, just a bit too hard.

Maxim gazed around his room again. His hair was a mess, dirt on the
floor, his own spit. Shit, he'd need to clean the floor today, and
then take another shower. Then a rustling from the bed snapped him
back into action. Duo sat up straight and looked at Maxim, his hair
also disheveled but his face showing no signs of weariness.

"How long have you been awake?" Maxim asked coldly, upset at himself
for not noticing Duo's feint. He'd probably heard the whole
conversation with Ocelot.

"Since before you got out of the shower," Duo replied, his voice also
calm. The Deathscythe pilot yawned loudly and stretched his limbs,
lifting his shirt just slightly, to reveal his belly button. Then he
swung his legs around and dangled them off the small bed and looked up
at Maxim.

"So, what's this Special Assignment stuff mean?"

"Quatre-sama! We've gotten word that Auda and Abdul have made it into
the OZ base."

Quatre turned away from the waning twilight, facing Rashid. The sun
glittered down on the small valley they were in, reflected back
sharply by the gleaming figures of the Maganac Corps and Gundam
Sandrock. Quatre was dressed in long trousers and a green T-shirt,
covered by a khaki vest. It had been hard since they had managed to
escape from their safehouse, making sure to blow the place up so OZ
couldn't make any use of it.

"Any word from Trowa?" Quatre's voice was calm and restrained but
unable to hide the wisp of emotion and angst that always seemed to
accompany Trowa's name.

"Iie Quatre-sama, gomen nasai," Rashid's deep voice echoed faintly
across the canyon walls that surrounded them.

Quatre turned away sullenly and faced the failing sunlight,
disappearing rapidly over the hills to the west. "How many prisoners
do they confirm from Saturday's attack?"

"They've only been able to check half the database but they've only
found two new prisoners."

/Trowa...where are you? You haven't contacted us and it's almost been
a week. Are you captured? Are you safe? If anything's happened to you
I'll.../

"Quatre-sama?"

"Huh? Nani?" Quatre's concentration broke as Rashid gently placed a
large hand on the Winner heir's shoulder.

"We'll find them. Don't worry about it."

"How long were you awake?"

"Since you got out of the shower," Duo turned to him but Maxim looked
away, unable to make eye contact with the young prisoner. He'd heard
the whole conversation about 05 and the torture. "But I finally
learned your name though. You've never told me it I just realized.
Maxim...got a nice ring to it, of course it's nothing compared to oh,
well, say Duo perhaps but it's still cool."

"You don't need to babble bullshit," Maxim's voice was hard and cold.
"I can tell you're worried about your comrade, there's no need to
ramble on and try to make me think you're perfectly happy."

"That man," Duo said, a shiver sent down his spine from the
remembrance of Ocelot's curved, wicked grin. "What will he do with
Wufei?"

/And what will you do with me?/ Duo couldn't help but wonder.

"He's Sergeant Servanis Ocelot," Maxim said, interrupted by a quick
cough. "He was a full Major once but he was caught for doing some
pretty unsavory things to POW's in Zanzibar. He barely missed begin
court-martialed but was demoted permanently to Sergeant. He
specializes in interrogation, but it's really cruel and heartless
torture."

"Can you do anything to help Wufei?"

"My hands are tied. I'm the same rank as him and although I can
override anything he does towards you, because of Special Assignment,
I still can't do anything with his interrogation process. You'd better
hope that this 05 is one tough kid."

/Wufei's tough...but that bastard will torment him just for kicks even
if he can't get answers. But I'm sure MY torture will be strictly
business right Mr. OZ-Sniper-Perfect Soldier-Maxim?/

All remained quiet in the small dorm room for a moment, and then Duo
asked, "Aren't you supposed to be in the same position to me as he is
to Wufei? Interrogator? What are you going to do with me?"

Duo's voice was distant and dispassionate, only barely coated in hints
of fear. He realized now that he was totally at the mercy of this
young OZ officer who he'd barely met a few days ago. Maxim walked over
and sat down on the bed next to Duo, who scooted away just slightly,
suddenly not wanting to be too close to the sullen OZ sniper. Maxim
opened his mouth to speak but Duo quickly silenced him.

/Or are you going to try to rape me and keep me as a sex slave? Is
that your fucked up idea? No...you're too fucking professional and
cold to do that/ Duo thought coldly to himself, his lower lip
quivering as he felt himself ready to burst. He couldn't hold back his
anger much longer. /All I am is a mission. You're just using me to get
to the others. You're just using me.../

"I'm just some objective huh?" Duo's voice had lost its calm edge, he
was now thoroughly open and upset. "You fucking OZ bastard! I almost
came to trusting you!"

Several times Maxim began to speak but Duo cut him off everytime;
rambling on, not caring that Maxim could easily throw him back in his
cold jail cell to be at the mercy of the cruel guards.

/Why am I so angry with him? I barely even know the guy! Why should I
care about my relationship with an enemy so much?/

"You were probably just taking the friendly approach!" Duo shouted.
"Just act nice and I'll gush all my fucking secrets and tell you every
fucking thing you want to hear! Is that right? Well..."

Suddenly Maxim's arm snapped out and he placed a strong hand over
Duo's mouth, startling Duo and cutting off his oxygen for just a
second. Then he brought his hand away and took a firm grip on Duo's
face and forced the Deathscythe pilot's head to turn to him, their
eyes meeting with a spark of energy.

"Now you listen to me," Maxim whispered, his voice undeterminable but
definitely keeping it's strong, serious tone. "I don't like people
yelling and I don't like people jumping to conclusions." His voice was
almost a hiss as his eyes burned deeply into Duo's, the eerie red aura
seeming to bore into Duo's violet depths and search for something. "If
you'll calm down and listen to me then I'll tell you exactly why I
requested to be Specially Assigned to you."

Silence filled the room where angry shouts and accusations still
echoed off the walls.

"Ever since you Gundam pilots started fighting I've been awed by you.
I've always held you pilots in high regard and I was actually very
happy when we learned of your mission here. I shot you, and helped
capture 05. But when I was supposed to interrogate you I found that
among other things, my respect got in the way. I couldn't bring myself
to torture you, not even properly interrogate you."

"Commander Treize and Romafeller are basically satisfied with just the
capture of you two pilots. I don't really need to interrogate you, in
fact I could have asked permission to work elsewhere and you'd just be
left in the prison until you faced trial, probably years later."

Maxim faltered and the burning glow in his red eyes dwindled, leaving
instead a genuine look of concern and jumbled emotions. Duo found
himself holding his breath; his anger long fizzled away.

"But I became aware of what the guards might do to you, or what Ocelot
might do to you," Maxim continued, suppressing a cough. "So I asked to
go on Special Assignment to you. This way I could personally guarantee
your safety. And there were other factors too...but that doesn't
matter really."

Again, stillness and silence resounded through the dorm. It was almost
as bad as a piercing scream to Duo. Maxim's speech had been powerful
and had taken away the anger and fear that Duo had felt after hearing
Ocelot's conversation with the tall sniper. But the braided pilot
turned his back on Maxim and replied his voice barely above a whisper.

"How do I know you're telling the truth? How can I possibly trust
you?"

/People've turned on me before. People've hurt me before just to get
kicks and better themselves. Why not again? Why not now? Could you
possibly be different?/

Again the silence and then Maxim reached out towards Duo again and
turned him around to face him, but this time his touch was much
gentler, almost as if Maxim was afraid of hurting Duo. For an eternity
and a few instants their faces were less then inches away, each
feeling the warm heat that the other gave off. Their eyes locked and
both were encased in silence for minutes.

Duo couldn't pull himself out of the solemn red eyes. There they were,
open, vulnerable, willing to show Duo everything that had been part of
the past and every last feeling felt by Maxim. Saddened past, hard
solid training, cold professional habits and soldiering.

And wonder. Respect and the feeling of responsibility for Duo, for
him. Caring, the will to protect him come Hell and high water. There
was caring and still, burning deeply in the pupils the shadow of an
emotion that Duo racked his brain to find a word to match.

/Love?/

-end part 4-

Feedback is welcome. Please send C&C to MasamuneEHS@hotmail.com