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Part 11

"I told you she would betray you."

Zech's looked hatefully at the small blonde beside him. Dorothy Catalonia had been a pebble in his shoe since Noin had left, never leaving him alone. The only reason the Lightning Count didn't kill her was because she was useful...and she was loyal. //Noin, why haven't you contacted me?//

"What do you suggest we do, Dorothy?" His tone hinted that the wrong answer would result in her death, regardless of her loyalties.

Dorothy turned to him, ice-blue eyes gleaming. "I say we take the Gemini to the moon base and find out for ourselves what's going on."

Zechs frowned. The Gemini was his new base since Libra was destroyed. While smaller than Libra, the Gemini speed was unsurpassable by any other ship. It was equipped with the latest in cloaking devises and only few knew of its existence.

"We would be taking a great risk."

The blond woman placed her hand on Zech's shoulder daringly. "We would be gaining a great deal. The Gundam pilots, all of them, and a certain Queen of the world. Nothing could stop us then." Zech's looked at her, eyes wide.

"Relena? What is she doing in space?" //Don't try to stop me, sister. My course is set.//

"Probably to rescue the Gundam pilots, since she's engaged to one of them." Dorothy tittered. //Relena-sama, you were always so courageous.//

"How did she get here?" Zech mused aloud. Dorothy bent over and whispered in his ear.

"Apparently Howard has a new toy."

Zechs sat back in his seat with a sigh. //Howard. The Gundam Pilots. Relena.// There was indeed much to gain if he decided to leave the comfort of Jupiter's shadow. Much to gain indeed.

"Contact the bridge." He told her. "Tell them to set a course for the moon."

Behind him, Dorothy smiled.

Noin walked resolutely down the hallway. She wanted answers and she wanted them now. She paused outside the lab, uncertain. Shaking her head and taking a deep breath, she entered.

The scientists were nowhere in sight. In fact the only people around were a couple of guards and the Gundam pilots. The boys sat, heads bowed, around one of their comrades. Noin walked up to the guards.

"Take a break." The two guards looked at her uncertainly. "Get out of here. Now." The guard hastily left their posts, muttering something about coffee and highhanded commanders. Noin ignored them.

"What happened?"

The four boys looked up at her with varied expressions, ranging from hatred to distrust to sorrow. Now that she was closer, Noin saw that it was Duo that they were leaning over. Noin repeated her question. WuFei glared at her.

"The scientists happened, Onna. Their petty quibbling did this."

Noin looked down at the motionless form, confused. "I-I don't understand."

"Duo was telling the truth, Ms. Noin." Quatre said softly. "The ZSA is a dangerous and harmful system. The scientists have been testing it on Duo before they give it to Zechs. They're planning on controlling your leader." The braided boy started to shiver slightly, and the blonde started rubbing his back in soothing circles. "The ZSA almost destroyed Duo. He asked us to kill him." The last was said in an agonized whisper.

Noin sank to her knees in front of the cell, placing her hands on the glass. "Oh, I'm so sorry, guys. I had no idea. How can I make this up to you?""Help us escape." Trowa spoke up. "Get us out of here." Noin nodded and closed her eyes. I'm sorry, //Millardo.// " I'll help you."

Suddenly a harsh voice penetrated the room. Noin backed into the shadows, crouching amongst the machinery.

"What do you mean, Gemini is headed here?" Professor G came into view an officer beside him.

"I-it's true Sir. I've confirmed the reports tha-at the Gemini is set for the-is location."

G sighed. "Fine. Report to me regularly." The guard did not move. "Well? Get out of here, you stuttering ninny!"

"B-but Sir! There's more. An unidentified ship has left Earth's orbit and is also headed this way." The officer backed away hurriedly as G's continence darkened. "Th-that is all, Sir!"

"Leave me." The officer gladly complied.

"What am I going to do, now?" Professor G asked himself.

"You finish the integration."

The Professor turned around. "Who-J? How did you get out of your quarters?" Dr. J walked over to him, claw clanking irritably.

"No time for that! Finish it G. Soon, this base will be overwhelmed."

"But he's not even conscious yet! Such a high percentage will kill him!"

J snorted. "He survived it once. He will survive it again. Your little pet has the attributes of a cockroach. He'll survive anything it seems."

G remained indecisive for a moment, but there was really no other choice. "Fine! Help me get him."

Noin pressed herself closer to the wall. //Zechs? Coming here?// What was she going to do? She glanced up at the pilots. Quatre looked back pleadingly. She looked at the normally boisterous Duo, now a crumple heap on the floor. Her eyes hardened. //These are my friends. I won't let any harm come to them.// She stood.

"Stop!"

The scientists glanced at her in surprise. G raised one bushy eyebrow. "What are you doing back there, my dear? Help us retrieve this pilot."

"I will not!" Noin shouted. How she wished she had brought her gun! "I won't let you hurt them!" Dr. J pulled a gun at her but G stopped him.

"Millardo would be upset if you shot his First Officer. Ms. Noin, I'm afraid you have no choice. If you don't help us, we'll be forced to do this to your Commander. We wished to test the ZSA first, so as not to injure Zechs. If we don't finish the process, we'll be forced to restrain Zechs and use him."

Noin saw Quatre's head bow. Zechs...she had to protect Zechs. She looked at Duo, then the scientists. Her shoulders slumped. "I'll help you."

She walked into the cell warily, keeping an eye on Heero. She bent to retrieve Duo. WuFei's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.

"Onna, I will not forget this."

"I'm sorry. I had no choice." She bent down a little farther, seemingly firming her grip on the unconscious boy. Something slipped out of her pocket. A large ornate pocketknife.

"Its handle is Gundanium." She hissed. "Take it." Quatre quickly grabbed the knife and hid it.

"Thank you Ms. Noin." He whispered.

"I only wish I could do more." She dragged the limp body of Duo out of the cell.

Chapter 12

Shin Kidousenki Gundam Wing © Sunrise, Bandai, and Sotsu Agency.