Chapter 2: DARK INTENTIONS
Author: Konoe Yumi
The room was dark and cold, sending a shiver down anyone who enters his domain. His name was Andrei Rienzi, eldest son to the late baron of Italy. The 'supposed-to-be' next ruler of Italy if the war hadn't taken away everything from him and his family when he was still young. He was wearing this dark blue military uniform that nonetheless appeared black in the poorly lit room.
There were only a few lights on, and the desk lamp was one. The vidcom gave a silent beep and he pressed a button on the side of the screen. A soft humming sound was heard, then a flash of light as a young man's face appeared on the screen.
"Sir, I have reports." The man was Dirk Garth, and his green eyes were as firm as his superior's was. He was a relative to Andrei, his cousin on his mother's side. And just like him, equally eager to take revenge for what had happened. Both eager to set the right things in order, and rise where the Federation, Oz, and White Fang had fallen in their path. Garth was a year younger than 28-year-old Black Crescent leader Andrei. And he stood second in rank.
"Begin," the commander ordered.
Garth grinned and began, "Our plans are almost operational. A few more days, Andrei, and we'd have everything in our hands,"
"That's good news." Andrei muttered.
That didn't seem to interest him much. Garth stopped himself from rolling his eyes at his superior as much as he wanted to. "We have also already tracked the whereabouts of your dear sister."
At the mere mention of his sister, Andrei leant forward and marred his eyebrows in anticipation. "Go on,"
"We have found out that she had just arrived the other day and is currently staying in a hotel..." Garth trailed off, watching his boss's expression for a moment before spilling the rest of the information.
"Go on, Dirk." He mumbled impatiently.
"Well, I do hope that it's not new to you about her relationship with this man..."
"Merquise?"
"Yes, sir. That's seems pretty obvious enough." Garth replied, then continued, "She is currently staying with him in the Palace. A hotel north of the Peacecraft mansion."
Ah, yes, the Palace. Such a wonderful place to stay...It had been quite popular lately. That hundred-storey hotel, Victorian style. It was a well-known hotel for tourists and all those people with the money. The commander frowned and huffed. That guy seems to always get into everybody's way. He knew he had to do something to get Lucrezia to join them.
"Andrei?"
The commander snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Garth.
"What do you require us to do now, Drei?"
The commander sneered and told him in just one quick statement, "Destroy."
Garth grinned lopsidedly, and bowed, saying, "As you wish, cousin."
He swiveled in his seat, facing the large bay window that looks out into the deep space. He closed his eyes and grinned. God, he can smell the sweet aroma of victory.
* * *
Even after the A.C. 196 'war' and being a Gundam pilot, Duo Maxwell still had the blood for military sorts of work. He and Hilde Schebecker still ran their junkshop back in L2, but it seems that both of them weren't contented on just that kind of work. Speaking of Hilde, the German ex- Oz recruitment officer was making an errand for the whole Preventers: buying coffee in a nearby grocery store.
He had his feet rested upon his desk when Sally came in. "Duo," Sally groaned as she perched on his table. "How many times do I have to tell you -"
Duo waved a hand at her dismissively and put his feet down with a sigh. "You don't have to tell me, Sally," he said with one of his trademark grin.
Sally rolled her eyes and skidded towards her table. "Hey, is it true?" Duo asked boisterously before she even had the chance to sit down.
"Huh?"
Duo leaned on his desk and rested his chin on his fist. "I heard that Zechs and Noin are already back. Is it true?"
Sally flopped down her swivel seat and nodded. "Yep, and they're more than that."
Duo raised an eyebrow at her with mere interest. "Whaddya mean, Sal?"
Sally giggled softly and motioned for Duo to come nearer. "It's really sweet," she started with Duo nodding at her, "Cause they're gonna get married."
Duo pulled away with wide cobalt blue eyes. "Way!" he exclaimed, then he simmered down, leaning on the edge his desk "So where are they? Aren't they supposed to still be part of the Preventers?"
Sally sighed. "Nah. As of now, Noin doesn't want to work for any military organizations. And so does Zechs. But 'as of now' being the operative phrase suggests a strong possibility that they will still be."
Duo frowned. "I kinda miss Ms. Noin. She's fun to have around."
Sally shrugged as she turned her laptop on. "Yeah, she's the only person who could hold us all in one place." She said with a grin.
Duo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, by that, 'Wu-man'?"
"And what do you mean by that, Braidy?"
Duo waved a hand at Sally and walked towards his desk in resignation. "Pointless is what I call this argument with you, Sally."
Sally rolled her eyes and sighed as she proceeded to tack on her laptop.
"Hey, Duo!" Sally called as Duo sat down to do his work.
"What?"
"Wanna go visit them in the hotel where they're staying?"
Duo grinned and gave her a thumbs-up sign.
* * *
Vice Minister Relena Darlian sighed as she walked out of the conference hall. At last, she thought, it was over. She had been seated there for almost five hours, starting to get cramps. They think that they're enjoying every bit of what she's done, and yes, she admits it, but that doesn't mean that the she enjoys doing the same things over and over again. Sometimes, she wished she could have more time for herself and do things just like every ordinary teens do.
Duh, she reminded herself, Relena, you're not a fifteen-year-old girl anymore. You're like nineteen! You're not a teenage anymore! You're entering the adult life. You've got a whole lot of responsibilities at your hand and everybody's expecting you to do greater things.
"Oooh, Milliardo. I'm gonna get you for this!" she hissed as she clenched her hands into a fist. She sighed. Oh, well, I can't blame him, she told herself. Then she sighed again.
"But why?"
"Why do I have to be the one who has to take all your responsibilities?! Why didn't Noin-sama just take over? She's a lot more trained and experienced, and responsible, and..."
She lowered her head. She knew there would be a lot more 'ands' as she tries to reason. She looked up as she sees the persons who are to take her to lunch that afternoon. She smiled, as she walked towards Quatre R. Winner and Dorothy Catalonia.
Quatre had lately been involved in politics - that and taking care of their family's business back in L4 - and have been Relena's constant companion alongside with Dorothy. And as usual, the Maganacs always had to follow.
"Hey, ready to go?" asked a smiling Quatre.
Relena gave him a nod and let the young man lead the way. As soon as she got into the car, her cellphone suddenly rang.
She flipped the cover, pressed a button, and gave a 'Hello?'
"Relena?" a familiar voice said in the other line.
Relena raised an eyebrow. She knew that voice. That braided American with the widest grin... "Duo!" she exclaimed. Quatre nearly jumped out of his seat with the volume of her voice. Dorothy just patted Quatre on the shoulder.
"Yah, it's me."
"What did you call for?" she asked, turning around to face the window as the car moved.
"With the tone of your voice, princess, I now know that you do not know."
"Know what?"
Quatre and Dorothy looked at her instinctively.
Relena heard Duo sigh. "Geez..." he muttered, "Your brother and Noin's back. Actually we're going to visit them..."
"What?!" Relena's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to face the two. "What?" Quatre asked, almost in a worried tone. "Okay, lemme guess... there's a war?" Dorothy joked, raising her twin eyebrow.
Relena shook her head and grinned as she turned of her cell. She bent forward and told the driver in a cheerful voice, almost child-like, "Head for the Palace."
TO BE CONTINUED
