Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Sex, Substances, Sin, Salvation ❯ Page III - In the Concrete Jungle ( Chapter 16 )

“Sex, Substances, Sin, Salvation”

How these 4 s-words are intertwined with one another

By Masamune Reforged

WhenShootingStarsFall.com

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the Gundam characters, they are the property of Bandai, Sunrise or someone else, but not me. I use them for no-profit whatsoever, but for entertainment's gain.

Warnings: Yaoi (including graphic lemon, multiple multiple pairings, although primarily 1x2 and 3x4) cursing, drug use, violence, angst, insanity, cameos, AU, lunacy, sanity.

 

Note: This is one of the parts where I introduce characters to the story who are not part of the Gundam Wing universe. Don't worry. You don't need to know anything about other Gundam shows/series, and I sincerely promise not to spoil anything about those shows in this story. Characters from other Gundam series do not play the same roles that they do in their respective series. This is just an AU story using Gundam characters.

 

Part A of “In the Concrete Jungle”, Page III of the s4 arc.

Politics As Usual.

3rd person narration

 

“And that concludes the final meeting of this, the 214th National Senate. I hope that you will all enjoy the long, much deserved break and get some rest. But given the large number of elections coming up this fall, I know that many of you, myself included, will have very little time for relaxation. The best of luck to you all! I hope to see you around the Capital, even if the polls fall against you on Election Day.”

 

“It's been a pleasure, Chief Senator Kushrenada!”

 

“Thank you, Senator Weyridge. The pleasure was all mine.”

 

The chairs shuffle and groan under the rising, shifting weight of the politicians. Most of their occupants are fat and old, having greatly strained the seats of power that have supported them for so long. Many chairs are already vacated before this, the final meeting of this year's National Senate. The political campaign is an effort that demands stupendous amounts of time, effort and money. Lawmaking is secondary to securing the lawmaker's privileges.

 

“Senator Kushrenada.” A soft, professionally friendly voice catches the man in the hallway. There are flights to catch, matters to be attended to, but the call of a fellow politician must be acknowledged. To turn a deaf ear to senators could mean subsequent, and disastrous, impaired response to your own calls, as Caesar found out in the worst way possible.

 

The calling voice belongs to Gilbert Dullindal. Together, he and Treize Kushrenada are the two senators for the largest, busiest, and most difficult province in the land. The difficulty of their charge lies largely in Metro City, the nation's largest urban area, falling under their jurisdictions. It also brings them the largest tax collection and the richest of lobbyists.

 

“Ah, Senator Dullindal, how are you?” Kushrenada, the younger statesmen of the two, most recently Chief of the National Senate, smiles and extends his gloved hand to the other, slightly older gentleman. Treize carries himself with the straight-backed resilience of a military man, yet simultaneously eases those he encounters into an alluringly intimate amicability.

 

Gilbert Dullindal is tall and only a few years older than Treize, with long black hair, endless calm, and rare foresight and wisdom. His greatest gift is that most revered by Pericles of Athens, that of the tongue. Gilbert Dullindal is best known for his rousing speeches and suave handling of other politicians, both foreign and native. His great diplomatic care gives some the impression that he is insincere and false. Such is politics.

 

Treize Kushrenada is hardly a man who needs introduction. He hails from a family of revered public figures, upholding that noble heritage to the utmost. Born into politics, his network of supporters and allies is vast and enviable. A decorated military career and his personal charm also contribute to his popularity. He is often outspoken on issues closest to his heart, much to the chagrin of important movers and shakers, but he offers a sincerity and genuine warmth that is rare in politics.

 

“I am well, as I hope you are,” Dullindal responds.

 

“At this time of the year, I am often left rather drained and sometimes frustrated at the hindrances that the governing body has been unable to overcome,” Treize sighs openly, confiding in a man that many would consider his rival. Both are young (for politicians) and ambitious (again, notably so even for the brood deceptively labeled 'public servants'), and it is no secret that their agendas have clashed several times in the past. “But it is too fine a day to let such drabs into the spirit.”

 

They stand for an awkward moment, facing each other. Pleasantries exchanged, the real flesh of the dialogue will emerge soon. Both men are too intelligent and skilled to require further beating around the proverbial bush.

 

“About Duke Dermail,” Dullindal starts, an unpleasant twang evident in his pronunciation. “I have heard that the scandal is not just confined to simple... prostitution-” Dullindal seems to almost choke on the foul word- “but into affairs with characters of... dubious nature, abuses of office.”

 

“Alleged assistance to criminal organizations.” Treize does not blink an eye. “As you know, my position restrains me from speaking freely of certain sensitive matters...” He tries to duck the question, to brush the other off quickly. He has never liked Dullindal, never completely understanding his goals. Such is distrust bred.

 

“Of course!” Dullindal replies, an air of disdain at Treize's even suggesting that the raven-haired politician ever desire rules and laws to be broken! “I was merely wondering what your personal feelings on the matter were. Your tenure in that area is quite lengthy, but Dermail has been in Metro City longer than even you.”

 

“He has been a fixture in the Mayor's office for almost as long as I have been alive. But time does not stand still, not even for men of power. I also assume that you have heard the news that Dermail will be stepping down from his position?” This is a compliment, an acknowledgment of the capabilities of the other Senator. Only a few of the eldest and most important statesmen are privy to such information. And Dullindal, although Treize's elder in years, is a relative newcomer on the political stage.

 

“For personal matters, resignation is not always necessary,” Dullindal continues without giving away the extent of his own knowledge, “but for corruption...”

 

“If such charges were made against any government official, they would require them to step down during the actual trial, if it ever came to that,” Treize says. The unsaid rule goes that resignation is the `more honorable' option, in the face of the scrutiny that comes with a public official being put on trial. Finding honor in politics is much akin to seeking gold from the brackish mud astride a riverbed; flecks of great brilliance may be prospected, and those fortunate enough to not be cheated by Fools' Gold may indeed become the stuff of legends, but the whole process still retains a decidedly funny stench about it...

 

“Is it true that you are considering taking over for Dermail?” Dullindal stabs, finally, at the point.

 

“I am sure someone suitable will take the stage to fill the role left by Duke Dermail.” Treize's answer is pointedly vague.

 

“But it was also rumored that you would take a chance in the Presidential elections, running against President Garma Zabi...” Dullindal smiles. Such news is not supposed to have left the Kushrenada camp. The election for the presidency is still three years away.

 

“We shall see,” the elder replies, checking his watch. It is the classic way of announcing one's intended departure from a political entanglement.

 

“Ah, I do not mean to keep you...” Dullindal is always courteous.

 

“Not at all.” Treize smiles chilly.

 

They part ways. It is just politics as usual.

 

-end “Politics As Usual”

Part A in Page III in the Sex, Substances, Sin, Salvation arc.

 

Next: Significant Others - Heero - Odin Yuy

 

ID Notes:

Gilbert Dullindal is the Chairman of PLANT in Gundam SEED: Destiny, the sequel series to Gundam SEED, and the most recent of the Gundam shows. Here he and Treize are senators from the same province.

 

Marquis Weyridge is a minor character from Gundam Wing. He is the elderly aristocrat who befriends Relena at a ball in Moscow, where Relena tries to kill Lady Une. He also briefly serves as the (replacement) leader of Romafeller.

 

Garma Zabi is a major character in the original Gundam series. Here he is the President of the nation the story is set it.

 

Time note:

The National Senate and all other federal legislative bodies take a formal recess on January 20th of every year for installment of new members (although Senators are only elected every four years). It has been just over one month since the robbery at the 24/7 store.

 

I have decided to make Treize quite a bit older in this story, in his late 40's. I just don't find it believable that someone in his position of power could be in his 20's...