Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Resistance is Futile ❯ Countdown ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3 - Countdown

Duo chewed nervously on his lower lip and stared magnetized on the timepiece. Only ten minutes left and then they would start the attack. What was that suicidal lunatic still doing on Gamma-3-Zeta?

Duo fidgeted restlessly on his seat. This was one of the reasons why he couldn't stand Heero to go on his own on such reconnaissance missions. The Wing pilot was always risking too much. He should have left the base with Wing and met them here long ago. So that they could attack the OZ-base together.

What use would it be if the Japanese youth found out something really important on Gamma-3-Zeta but couldn't get away before the attack started? They hardly would be able to get those important data from a dead Heero.

By the thought of a dead Heero Duo narrowed his eyes. That was never allowed to happen! And he would never forgive himself if that ridiculous fight yesterday would have been their last conversation. Duo looked again restlessly on the timepiece.

Only nine minutes left. Duo wanted to play with his braid to divert himself. But his hands were grabbing hard around the joystick while he started to panic. Why oh why hadn't he just ignored Heero's order an had simply followed him? He would have seen to it that they both had left the base in time. Even if he would have had to beat Heero unconscious to do it.

The waiting nearly drove Duo insane. He would have preferred to be with Heero all the time even if he had to endure his bad mood. Everything was better than having to wait here while not to know what was going on.

With incredible effort Duo loosened one hand of the joystick and pressed the button to open the com-link. Although they should maintain absolute radio silence and only communicate in case of emergencies. Only eight minutes left, the emergency was approaching rapidly.

"Quatre, can you see anything?" he sent his desperate question through space. Quatre's Sandrock was the closest one to Wings' hiding place. Quatre would be the first to see something if, no when Heero was leaving his hiding place.

"No, nothing yet, Duo." Was Duo mistaken or had Quatre's voice sounded worried?

"Damned, where is he?" Duo cried with blatant anger.

"Maxwell, calm down. He will arrive in time. And now shut down the com," sounded Wufei's calm voice.

But Duo wasn't even thinking of following this order. "And what if he don't arrive at all, Chang? There are only seven minutes left. How long are we going to wait for him?"

"Heero has left very explicit instructions to attack the OZ-fortress at exactly 0732. According to our information it's the best moment because all scout-Leos of the base will reach the farthest point of their circuit. Of course we are going to carry out the original plan. Otherwise we would jeopardize the whole mission."

Duos voice nearly broke. "What, you want to attack although he is still there? Do you want to kill him, Wufei? You couldn't be serious!" Duo screeched.

"That are our orders, Duo. We can't change anything of it. Heero knew the risk and he decided to take it. Any delay would endanger ourselves. We can't risk it."

"Are you totally crazy, Wufei? I thought Heero was the cracked up lunatic who only lives for missions and orders! Our friend and comrade is still down there, you couldn't really take into consideration to attack as planed!"

"Duo, shut up already! The com could alert OZ. Do you want to put us all at risk?"

"Fuck OZ, fuck the mission! We're gonna discuss this till the end! I won't shoot at Heero. Instead of planning his death one of us should go down there and search for him!"

"Maybe he'll arrive soon," Trowa tried to smooth ruffled feathers.

"You're not even believing yourself! There are only four minutes left! Heero is always risking too much but even for him time is going to run too short! I won't let him die down there! I'm gonna rescue him!"

"Damned Duo, you're not! If something happened to him you wouldn't be able to rescue him anyway! And we can't afford to loose another Gundam! You're endangering the whole mission!"

"Fuck the mission! If you're able to shoot cold-blooded at Heero, feel free to do it. I can't! I'm going now!"

But just as Duo wanted to steer his Gundam towards the base Quatre's panicked voice sounded, "By Allah!"

Duo's look flickered to the displays. He had to swallow hard seeing twenty Leos on attack course.

"By Nataku, the base should have had only ten! Be ready to attack." Wufei hadn't even finished his last sentence when the first Leos opened fire.

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"I read a life form. Someone is here. And he is hiding in the air vents."

Heero twitched and pressed himself instinctively farther away from the ventilation grille. Whoever it was down there, they knew that he was hiding here! How could they know it? He hadn't made a sound and he also couldn't be seen.

"Are you sure that it's a humanoid life form, Seven? Who would stay inside the air vents? And why?"

"The readings on my tricorder are clear. There is a human inside the vents. However, he couldn't be too big if he is fitting there. We can learn the reason for his stay in there through interrogation."

Heero could hear them moving nearer to the wall. Just then Heero's other instincts kicked in. Sure, he was able to fight two opponents, above all if one of them was a woman. But he was stuck in a really narrow space and that would be a clear tactical disadvantage. He wouldn't wait here like a rabbit for the fox. As he hadn't to move silently any more to stay unnoticed he crawled as fast as possible towards the exit. To get away was the only thought that crossed his mind.

It wasn't especially easy to get along inside the vent but he gave his best. He was panting hard meanwhile and the sound covered unfortunately every possible sound his pursuer could have made. Hastily Heero looked back but of course couldn't see if they were following him at all.

Heero's elbows hurt and during his hasty retreat he had scratched his knees as well but that was a small price to escape those two. Finally he could see the ventilation lid where he entered earlier on. Quickly he crawled towards the lid and opened it. Then he let himself glide down. He was standing on solid ground at last. Finally his movement wasn't restricted any more. With a single smooth motion he pulled his gun and headed carefully towards Wing.

His internal clock told him to hurry up. He only had scarcely twenty minutes left till the attack of the base. In view of the firepower of four Gundams he really shouldn't still stay here when his friends started the attack.

Moreover, he had to inform Dr. J as fast as possible of his new knowledge. He had no idea what he had watched earlier. The most sense still made the explanation with the obedience drugs. But why was testing this drug carried out so secretly? And what were those tubes that emerged of the wrist of the commander? They really had freaked Heero out.

And who were those other two? Their way of speaking didn't sound like OZ. And what was that device they used to discover his presence? It really appealed Heero to find some answers to this questions, but he should better disappear now as fast as possible.

He hurried towards Wing while looking out for opponents. Soon he would reach the hiding place of his Gundam. And then he could fly quickly to the others who surley were waiting eagerly for him. The thought if Duo was already worrying about him was briefly crossing Heero's mind. Immediately a half smile was flicking across his face. Duo would certainly be freaking out meanwhile. The Deathscythe pilot always worried too much about him. Perhaps it was because Heero had been ready to sacrifice himself in the name of the mission so often. He had to return fast so that Duo wouldn't get too upset.

Briskly but nevertheless carefully Heero sneaked towards the last junction of the corridor. Only round this corner and he would be there. Sweat was now running down his body. It was still unbearably hot and sultry. Heero gasped exhausted. His hasty retreat had been really strenuous under this conditions.

Heero looked round the corner. Everything seemed to be quiet. Once again looking back for signs of his pursuer Heero decided not to hesitate any longer. Time was running out and he could reach Wing with a short sprint.

Heero started to run. He almost had to do a slalom around all the random machine parts that lay there. Was this place some sort of scrap yard? Or a storage place for spare parts? Heero didn't know, it simply seemed to be the most suitable hiding place earlier on.

He almost had made it, in fact he could already see Wing. Heero breathed a sigh of relief. But suddenly an OZ soldier stood in his way. Heero frightened fiercely. There hadn't been any sign that someone was inside this hangar before. Where did this soldier come from?

Immediately Heero raised his gun and pointed at the soldier. He wouldn't let himself be stopped that shortly in front of his goal! While aiming the approaching OZ Heero recognized the face. He was one of the soldiers who had been injected with those drugs inside of the storeroom earlier on.

Heero was almost sorry for him but he couldn't show consideration. In quick succession he shot three times. He had aimed exactly. He couldn't possibly have missed. He had to have hit him. Nevertheless the soldier continued to approach.