Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Solutions For A Small Planet ❯ WithouT EmoTion ( Chapter 1 )

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SOLUTIONS FOR A SMALL PLANET

By Hate dept

 

Holy hell this took about a year huh?! Eheheh bet ya all didn't think I'd ever get it out. Well as you noticed I do get to things eventually, it just takes me a minute to a year. Wahahah well now I'll shut the fuck up so you can read the second installment of WASTELAND

 

 

Ch. 1 Without Emotion

 

I walked from metal plank to metal plank staring down at the whirling O2 machines in the grates of the passing metal, my feet still knowing the path without my mind being apart of the journey. I felt surreal, nostalgic. I couldn't let myself believe I was here. My eyes caught the shaking hand that hovered above the control panel. I knew why my hand was shaking. I didn't want to go down there. It held nothing but bad memories.

 

“Hey get away from there! You don't have clearance to be over there!” The crying whine that was meant as a threat filled my ears and brought a smile to my face. I never thought in all of my life I would feel any joy from hearing his voice.

 

“Been awhile Ripper.” I turned slowly to look at the unchanged spindly man in his too clean uniform.

 

“Duo” The word barley making a sound as it left his lips and disbelief took his features. He moved closer to me but stopped a few feet back thinking better of whatever action he had thought to take. He cleared his throat letting his face fall into its normal irritation.

 

“Well, I'm glad you finally decided to show up for work. That machines been going haywire for some time now. It's about time things got back to normal” I smiled hearing the relief in his last words.

 

“Yeah, when Hex told me to take a week I thought he meant a Mars week cause ya know the times different here then it is on Earth and there's more days in a year here and all.” I laughed scratching the back of my head.

 

“Yeah, yeah. Lazy ass mechanics. Get it fixed because I got a whole list of things for you to catch up on.”

 

I let my face go blank and brought my hand up for a salute. “Aye, aye Ripper.”

 

He snorted, giving me a glare before he walked into the waves of heat that came off the O2 machines. I waited for his shadow to fade into the horizon. I knew he was still on the platform. It was along walk to the other side.

 

I returned my attention to the numbered pad in front of me. My fingers ran over the buttons as I closed my eyes bowing my head. I heard the ding of approval and the elevator being pulled from the pit of hell it resided in. The doors opened and I stepped in. I felt the elevator move. There were no buttons to hit inside. There were no other stops. I rubbed my hand through my hair feeling the ache of my wounded shoulder. The memories surged back and were made even worse as my eyes opened to the hallway molded by metal covered screams.

 

The room opened and I tilted my head back to look up at the skyscraper high machine, each loop spinning at unfathomable velocities. The soft blue glow that radiated from them illuminating the shinning silver screams of pain, shock and death. I walked to the controls pulling off one of the panels and sitting in front of it. My hands mindlessly worked at the wires, reconstructing all the fail-safes and adding more security.

 

I finished with the last panel. I stood resting my head against the machine feeling the sweat dripping down me, my nose filled with the sent of oil and grease. I knew it had already settled itself back into my skin, like it had been waiting for me to come home.

 

“And to believe this is where it all started.” I mumbled to myself as I recalled Heero and my interaction. It was all a set up. I smiled as the words came to my mind. Words I had spoken to him when he was bringing me to the ship in cuffs and sending me to be sentenced on Earth.

 

“Eh, you still down here Big D.” I pulled myself from thought turning to the gruff voice. Manny was flexing his hands and I could see the blood on his knuckles as he rubbed them closing the distance between us.

 

“Uh, yeah I just finished Lil Man.” I said unable to escape the swirling thoughts in my head.

 

“Where's yer drink Big D?” Manny asked with a frown. I looked up at the burly man. His curly black locks already sticking to his forehead as the sweat dripped down his cheeks.

 

“My drink?” I was unable to keep the confusion from my voice. Manny held a flask to me. I glanced at it and up to his grinning face.

 

“Ya got to many demons in ya Duo.” He said offering the flask to me.

 

“Yeah.” I agreed taking the flask and filling my mouth with the strong liquor. “Switched to vodka?” I coughed as I swallowed it down.

 

“My livers been crampin from that moonshine.” Manny said as he took the flask from me pulling a long drink from it. “He can't get you here.” Manny was looking to the Gravitation Machine. I took the flask from him.

 

“It's not that. I just remember telling Heero when he had everyone sent back to L2 that it was a lot like when the first war started and here we are about to start one.” I pulled more of the liquid into my empty stomach not caring for the out come.

 

“It's the natural flow of things Duo. It would inevitably happen whether it is you or Zechs. When something grows in power others begin to notice and with notoriety comes jealousy.” I pulled the flask from my mouth looking to the door seeing Donavan limping towards us.

 

“You alright Donny J?” He took a swig from the bottle of dark liquid and handed it to me. I noticed the label and gladly took the Johnnie Walker.

 

“Yeah. Just lost my balance a bit kicking Wufei in the stomach.” I couldn't stop the smile, which grew into a full out laugh that echoed off the silent screams to fill the room.

 

“Ja think we were just gonna put them bitches in some fuckin cells. Motherfuckers trying to fuck up my shit. I should go back there and…”

 

“Love! You're done!” Harry yelled grabbing the smaller black man by the arm. Gabe was staring at the elevator like I had to the sky when I was stuck on Earth. Knowing the moment he wasn't watched he would go back there.

 

“Yeah for now, but damn Duo. You fucked the shit outta Yuy. Man that kid was fucked up. Shit, `Arry had to actually treat his ass otherwise I don't think he'd a made it through the night.” Gabe said turning to me with eyes full of sparkling madness. I smiled at him and turned my gaze to the Gravity Machine where the others were looking.

 

“So what now?” Donavan asked.

 

“Now. Now it's time we make an announcement. We got a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it in.” I replied my voice sounding a little deader as I took a drink of the Walker handing it back to Donavan.

 

“We got some time though. I mean shit. You think a bunch of Pacifists are gonna wanna jump right into war.” I glanced over to Gabe who was looking slightly up at me.

 

“It's human nature to fight.” Donavan said grimly.

 

“I know Releana. She acts like a scared innocent girl, but the aristocrat is in her. She'll fight because the insult I gave her and she'll fight even harder to get back what she thinks is hers.” I closed my eyes shaking my head knowing in the travel time back to Mars that she had probably already gave a speech spading across the Earth and Colonies telling all of my escape and turning all of us into a pack of rapid animals. Making the pilots, Zechs, herself and the ECA into the victims.

 

“What is it that she thinks is `ers love?” Harry asked as if he already knew, but wanted me to say it.

 

“Heero.” I turned away from the room and heading towards the elevator. The others were quiet as we stepped in. We headed to Zechs' room. Donavan, Gabe and Manny went to the side room to lie on the couches and slouch in a chair. I knew they were tired from the beating they unleashed on the pilots. I knew the exhaustion, but I needed to make the announcement.

 

I fell into the tall black chair that sat behind Zechs' desk. I stared at the black desk. A desk I never thought I would see the other side of, but here I sat about to tell everyone in the colony that we were going to war. I felt the hand on my shoulder. Harry smiled down on me.

 

“You can do this love. Just think of what it means to you and the words will come.” I nodded to Harry before turning to the com. I cleared my throat and went into it as I go into most things. Blindly.

 

The static ring filled the room for a moment before it cleared and I felt the squeeze on my shoulder from Harry telling me it was time to charge ahead.

 

“This is Duo Maxwell.” I paused letting out a sigh. I didn't want to start there, but it was too late for that now. “I want everyone to listen carefully to what I'm about to say. A lot of things have happened in the past few months and I'm sure most of you don't know the whole story and I don't have the time or energy to go into the whole thing. The ECA is coming here and it is not for a friendly visit. They will bring ships and men and women ready to fight. I will not lie to any of you. They are coming because of me and because of the prisoners I hold. I will not ask you to fight a war for me, but I will ask you to fight a war against them. Against the ECA who promised us everything when we lived on L2 and only gave us the poverty we had begun with. I'm not fighting out of revenge for what they did to me on Earth or for the betrayal of the Gudam pilots I once called friends.

 

“I'm fighting for my home. I'm fighting because I won't be apart of their corrupt government. I won't let them turn this into another L2 or worse off let them take it from me. We are not apart of the ECA and we will never be! I won't let those aristocratic peace loving bastards take this place as long as I have a breath in me!” Harry's hand dug into my shoulder bringing me back from my rant. I took a few calming breaths.

 

“For those of you who do not wish to fight there will be seven ships leaving tomorrow for L2. There we will pick up supplies and anyone who wishes to aid us in our war and drop off those that do not wish to take part in it. You have twenty-four hours to decide. I'm sorry I cannot give you more time. Whatever your decision, know that if this place still stands it will always be your home. For all of you deciding to stay we will assemble in the gravitation room tomorrow at the same time the ships leave to discuss our plans. Thank you for your time.” I flipped off the com and leaned back in the chair.

 

“Duo you look tired love. Why don't you take a rest?” Harry's voice soothed my closed eyes making my mind beg for sleep. I shook the thought away as I sat up feeling the ache in my shoulder and knowing that I had no time for such a frivolous action. I could sleep once things started to happen.

 

“I need the floor plans for the colony. I need them all.” I said to Harry leaving no room for argument. I heard him sigh before he left. I sat there running through all the weapons we would need and how long it would take to construct them. I grabbed a pen and paper quickly whisking out drawings of some of the cannon ideas I had and remembered the ones I'd already built. It would save time to just modify them, to make them more powerful. I got up from the chair and ran to the elevator slamming the button. I waited impatiently and banged the doors with my hand before going with the stairs that I ran down with dizzying speed until I got to my floor. I ran into my junk room knowing the door would be unlocked and smiling at the piles of wires and stacks of blueprints.

 

“And here I thought this was just shit I couldn't part with, but had no use for.” I mused to myself as I grabbed the stack of blueprints and went for the elevator. I didn't want to run up the steps with all the paper and the previous run had got my blood flowing and with it the alcohol found it's way into my system. I grunted to the machine as it stopped on Zechs' floor and the doors remained closed.

 

“You son of a fuckin horse shit! Never change do ya.” I grumbled as I did a one handed tweak and the doors opened. Harry was standing in the entranceway looking nervous.

 

“Christ Duo. I didn't know where you were.” He said sighing his relief. I noticed the tubes he cradled in his arms and knew they were the floor plans. I counted at least ten and they weren't small tubes. At least Zechs' office was ridiculously big.

 

“Blue prints.” I mumbled as I walked past him going into Zechs' office. He followed. “Put them on the floor by his desk for now.” Harry did as I said placing the rolls down as I sat on the floor laying down the stack I had and going through them trying to see what I wanted to use and what was trash.

 

“Harry, I need you to see if the flight crew is going to be apart of this. I'm almost sure all them guys will, but just make sure and tell them to go to my scrap yard. I got a lot of good shit there no one will remember I have. I want them to clear the thing out. There's so much fuckin gundanium there we can make this fuckin thing a fortress.” I said as I whisked through blue print after blue print knowing by a glance what each was. I was studding another cannon print. It would be perfect for the top of the structure, but it was huge and I had to make sure the frame was stable enough to hold it.

 

I grabbed the handfuls of blue prints and crawled over to Zechs' desk scattering them across it. I opened the large tubes empting the thirteen rolls and pushing each open stacking them one on top on the other. They were large enough to cover the 6x10 ft space Zechs had open in his office, with the chairs that sat in front of his desk moved out of the way. I was lucky the one I wanted to look at was on the top. I scampered across the paper to the middle. My finger slowly running down with the rest of my body, darting every once and again to the side's to check the small numbered measurements and weights. I stopped starring at the wall going through a ramped calculation.

 

“Yes.” I smirked knowing it would work. I grabbed the blue print for the cannon and placed it in the center of the larger print and rolled it quickly ready to set up each level with weaponry and stations to create them. I went to set the roll behind the desk and noticed the shinning black shoes. I scanned up the black pants, shirt and cascading hair to see the worried face. I stood up still having to look up at the taller man, but feeling more in control.

 

“Why are you standing here wasting time?”

 

“Duo, love. It's just; I've never seen you like this before. You're acting so much like Zechs. I mean…” My hand crushed down on the rolled up blue print.

 

“Drop it. Drop it now Harry. I'm not the same person anymore. You know that as well as I.” I snapped as I pushed passed him throwing the blue print on the ground. I watched him jump at the sound of it hitting. “Don't waste my fuckin time Harry. If ya can't do this shit then get on one of the ships to L2 or get ready to see people die. Why do you think I'm having everyone meet in the Mass Grave? Because that's what you're going to be surrounded by in a few months. Nothing but death. It's us or them.” Harry looked away from me with my last words.

 

“I know, I'm sorry.” I grabbed him hard by the arm forcing his attention back to me.

 

“Don't fuckin apologize. Go do what I asked.” My voice was even and I felt the killing instinct rising in me. I let go of Harry as he nodded quickly and ran from the room. I stared at the door he'd ran out of to see it fill with the wall of Manny only able to see the feet of Donavan and Gabe behind him. He stepped in and the others to his side. Gabe was glaring at me.

 

“If you have something to say. Say it quick. I don't want to waste anymore time.”

 

“No, I ain't got shit to say. Just wanna help ya plan and I'm sure these guys do to. Ya can't do this all on yer own.” Gabe's voice held some anger and I knew it was for how I spoke to Harry, but I think he knew as well that Harry needed me to say all those things.

 

We all sat upon the blue prints and came up with plans that Donovan wrote down. The night turned to a storming day. I missed it. The way reality played here. It was easy to lose time.

 

I flexed my hand leaning back to see the almost finished alteration for one of the hangers on the colony. I glanced around the room remembering the others where there. Manny was sitting in the chair behind the desk with his head down. Donovan was slouched in the corner, the pencil he held resting against the pad, like even in sleep he was still taking notes. Gabe was sprawled out on the floor next to the desk snoring softly. I rubbed my eyes feeling envy of the dreaming. I shook away the thought of sleep. I only had a few hours till the ships left for L2 and I had to have the blueprints ready. Construction had to begin immediately.

 

“Duo.” I jumped at the soft voice next to me. Harry crouched down in front of me. “The flight crew is staying and they want to bring an extra ship to make sure”

 

“No. No extra ship. We need to modify them all. We can't have that many gone and expect to be on schedule. They'll have to work with what they got.” I cut Harry off. I rubbed my hand down my face taking in a few deep breaths trying to pull everything together in my head. I stood making Harry fall to his ass with my quick movement. I flipped on the com.

 

“Commander O'Malley.”

 

“Aye, this the infamous D?” The gruff voice questioned. I'd met Ed O'Malley a couple of times when he needed a ship tuned up and all the other flight mechanics were busy. He was Irish as they come. Fair skinned, red haired, green eyed and the hottest tempered alcoholic I knew. He wore a thick red beard and his accent and mannerisms always made think he'd be better on a pirate ship.

 

“Heh, yeah guess I'm infamous now. I gotta cut the formalities man. You can't take another ship. You're gonna have to make do with what ya got. If there's too many people that want to go back your gonna haveta try and talk em into stayin.”

 

“Oh my boy. Ye got it all wrong. This deck is bout as barren as any wasteland ye everdid see. Ain't a onna them a leavin that we kno. I don't kno if we can get all yer gadgets on des little tin cans.”

 

I let a sigh of relief slide from my mouth. I figured at least half would leave, though they still had about four hours to change their minds. I was just happy we'd have more people to help construct all the weapons.

 

“That's good to hear. If that's all we got fer a problem. Well then Malley. I trust yer judgment. Just make sure to get the gundanium and anything else you deem worth takin.”

 

“Aye capin. Good luck ta ye. O'Malley out.”

 

“All right that's takin care of. Harry.” Harry jumped at the call of his name. “What's gottin you so jumpy?” I couldn't fight the suspicion in me. I could see all the old habits when I was a gundamn pilot resurfacing.

 

“It's just seeing all this. I don't know love.”

 

“You've never been apart of a war. Always been on the sidelines watching from a TV screen. It's much more glorified that way. A lot of people are going to feel like that once the weapons start being built. You just have to find something to fight for.”

 

“What do you fight for love?”

 

I moved to my place on the blueprint sitting down and picking up the pen to continue drawing. “I fight because everyone needs me to, because I don't want to let anyone down again.” I smiled sadly thinking of Solo and the church. I glanced over at Manny and the other two sleepers wondering how many were sleeping on the decks below dreaming peaceful dreams.

 

“I need some coffee Harry.” I said dryly. Harry said nothing as he left. He set the coffee next to where I was drawing. I didn't even stop as I picked it up with my other hand not feeling the scalding heat in my mouth. Everything was beginning to feel numb.

 

“Ey D, whacha got now?” Manny whistled behind me. “You settin up a place to build mobile suits.”

 

“We need something maneuverable that can pack serious fire power. The ships are good, but we need more. The ECA can move and evade us. The colony is just a stationary target. I'm gonna give them hell for even thinkin of steppin on the God of Death's territory.” I sneered as I finished the details of the revamped hanger.

 

“The meetings in five Duo.”

 

“Alright Donny J. Just finished. Can you guys roll up the blue prints and grab em. `Arry I need nother refill on the coffee. Donny J, I need your pad and pen. I wanna get a couple more sketches for the suits.” Each did as I asked and we got on the elevator. The others talked amongst each other as I leaned in the corner trying to finish the sketch as we moved to the next elevator.

 

We walked into the gravitation room. We could barley get through the throng of people. I noticed a stage set up towards the back. A sound system and microphone were also set up. I glanced at Harry.

 

“I figured you'd need something love. I set it up after I talked with the flight crew. The speech will also play over the com system for those who need to stay on duty.” Harry explained. I nodded my thanks to him as we reached the stage.

 

Applause filled the room as we took our places on the stage. I stood in front of the microphone while the others flanked me two on each side. I adjusted the microphone clearing my throat to inform all of them what was to come. I waited for the cheering and applause to settle knowing it wouldn't come again.

 

“I brought you all here for a reason. I want all of you to look around this room. Look at the walls and to the person next to you and imagine them in that amount of agony or even yourself because it may very well happen. This is not a game. We aren't children playing war and the wounds you get you won't be able to imagine away.

 

“People will die on both sides. I want all of you to be aware of that. People you love and know will die. It's us or them. Hold that in your minds at all times. It's us or them.” I went quiet letting my words sink in and watching the people glancing at the walls and each other, hearing soft murmurs of realization. I wondered if anyone had changed their mind and wanted to leave.

 

“Why don't you just hand over the hostages and this whole thing will be over.” An unnamed voice yelled from the crowd to be followed by seconding agreements.

 

“It would be worse if I let them go. Now we fight Relena. If I release the hostages we fight four ex-Gudam pilots and Zechs.”

 

“But you're a Gudam pilot.” Another interjected.

 

“One against five. I know you all can figure out the odds. We will win this fight. Gabe holds blue prints of the colony with all the modifications that we will complete in the coming month. The ECA will not stand a chance against us. As we speak ships are already in route to L2 where we will be getting a heavy load of gundanium and other materials. The ECA will fear our planet if we let them leave alive.” The last was a dark promise. The room remained silent. I knew some were stunned to see the darker side of me. To know the joker they'd work next to for the past years had a homicidal streak.

 

“The four men that stand next to me will be delegating duties for all who remain on this colony. There is a lot of work to be done in a short time. I will be helping on construction and teaching groups how to use the weapons on their decks. Also, I need pilots. We will build modified mobile suits from what the ships bring back from L2. I will train all those who volunteer how to maneuver and use the suits. I want everyone to go back to his or her rooms and rest. We will call floors by number and assign projects for each. There is no room for fear or negativity. We will win this war.” I finished the speech and went to the elevator with my entourage in tow.

 

No applause or cheers followed us out of the room, nor did I expect any to. I did see it in the eyes of the people we passed as we left, the determination and confidence. That was all I needed. I didn't need any outcry of approval. I needed people with a strong constitution. People ready to fight to keep what was theirs and I had a room full.

 

“I want you guys to get some subordinates. You need to find people you can trust to supervise the projects. There's way too much work for you guys to get your hands into all of it. I don't want you guys wearin yourselves thin.”

 

“You're one to talk D. What is that your eighth cup of coffee?” I glared over to Gabe who raised an eyebrow.

 

“I'm fine. I'm used to it.” I said with a hint of malice. “You guys go up to Zechs' office, split the decks between us and start calling them. I'm gonna check on the prisoners. I'll be up soon.” The others grunted their agreement behind me as they stepped on the other elevator and I moved down the hall towards the holding cells. I finished the rest of the coffee I'd had Harry hold during my speech and set the glass next to the door before I walked into see my caged enemies.

 

The cool blue looked up at me as I entered. I smiled at him wishing I could let him out and Zechs could do plan the war. I didn't have the slightest idea what I was doing. I mean I'd planned out a mission before, but not a whole fuckin war.

 

I found it odd that no one said anything to me. I knew they all heard it. I knew they were all conscious. I could feel them watching me as I walked to the other side of the room and took the chair between Heero's cell and the empty one. I stared at the door I had entered letting my hand run through the short locks of hair. I glanced over at Heero, which was a mistake. His lips were twisted in a smug grin. His head was wrapped in a bandage leaving one cobalt eye to watch me hungrily as he clung tightly to the weight that used to rest upon my head.

 

“You will go through with it then.” I turned to Zechs' smooth voice relieved something was able to pull my eyes from Heero's form. Zechs leaned on the wall of bars he and Wufei's cell shared. It was odd seeing Zechs in such a state, his hair a mess, a nice shiner covering an eye. His normally clean clothes caked in dirt and dried blood. It brought a slight smile to my face as I nodded to him. It was nice seeing him suffer for the choices he made and for him to know it was his fault he'd ended up in a cell on a colony he once owned.

 

“It's my colony. What choice do I have?” I saw the effort it took him to keep his face blank at my words.

 

“You can release us Duo. I know you and Relena can work something out. It doesn't have to be like this. You don't have to start a war.” I shook my head at Quatre's pleading words.

 

“I don't have the ability to talk anymore. This is what has to happen. I'm not a fool Quatre. The only way you'll leave this colony is with a bullet in your head. The sooner you come to terms with that the easier this will go.”

 

“That's good Duo, because if I was released from here you would not live long enough to regret it.”

 

“Well, I'm glad that's not an issue Fei, cause you're not goin anywhere.” I smirked. “Now if you'll excuse me I gotta get to work on brining down the ECA.”

 

The bang sounded next to me causing me to jump from the chair and fall into the bars of the empty cell next to me. I turned to see Heero resting his head against the bars as he looked down on me still grinning.

 

“I'll see you soon Duo.” Heero mouthed making sure no other could catch his words. I stayed there unmoving for a moment comprehending the threat. I shook my head as I got up, brushing myself off.

 

“Yeah Heero. I'm sure you will.” I said not letting him get to me.

 

“Good luck Duo.” I glanced over to see Trowa sitting against the back wall giving me a nod.

 

“Thanks.” I replied as I left the room and headed for Zechs office. It was odd, but I actually believed Trowa did wish me luck. I felt a hint of guilt keeping him locked down there when out of all of them he was the only one that treated me like a person most the time, but a moment of kindness is false hope to the eternally damned.

 

I could hear the guys splitting up floors as I walked into Zechs office. “Ey `Arry, I need some”

 

“Ere ya are love. I figured you'd need it.” Harry said handing me a fresh cup of coffee.

 

“So what have you got so far?”

 

“Ah, were done already D.” Gabe said.

 

“Alright, so what floors do I got?”