"You realise you’re in a lot of trouble, don’t you Saber?" Noin questioned as she studied the seemingly too relaxed teen.
"Yes," He answered coolly. He didn’t even blink as Noin’s frown deepened and she fixed him with a glare. Saber studied the occupants of the room. The Gundam pilots were there, the former pilots and a few other Preventors who had dropped by to see what was going on. He even saw that idiot Jeff standing next to Instructor Helen. His faced darkened when he saw just how confident Jeff seemed about his relationship with her.
Helen’s look was cold as she stared at Saber. He knew what she was thinking, and he hated to disappoint her. She thought of him as a traitor and a murderer. Sighing, Saber waited for the military jury to come up with a punishment. Most likely he would be in jail for the rest of his natural life. Miss Relena had dissolved the death penalty years ago.
"Saber Trong, you have been found guilty of two counts of treason, murder for hire, and conspiring with the enemy. Do you have anything to say for yourself before I read your sentence?" The judge asked.
"No, I do not." Saber stated firmly. The judge seemed surprised but continued, "Very well, I hereby sentence you to life on penal colony 1975, with 20 years of hard labor and no possibility of bail." He banged the table, signaling the end of the trial, and Saber was brought in shackles out of the room.
"Look at that jerk," Jeff grumbled to Helen, "He acts like he’s the greatest thing since microwave popcorn! Even after he’s just been sentenced to like, a zillion years in prison!"
"Actually Jeff, a life sentence is only fifty years." Helen sighed.
"What!"
"But relax, in 1975, he will probably only last ten."
"Oh…" Jeff paled, "That’s one tough place."
She shrugged and shoved her hands into her pockets as she left. Jasmine would probably be happy with the ruling. She knew as well as the rest of them how terrible penal colony 1975 could be.
Jeff was talking to her, but she ignored him and left for the dorms. Now that Saber was being taken care of, she could finally get some rest.
"Hey, Helen where are you going?" Jeff cried. Helen didn’t answer him, she just kept going. Jeff sighed and decided to leave her to her own devices.
~~~
Alexis sighed and tied her cherry colored hair back into a ponytail as she watched her parents scurry about.
"Why can’t I go with you?" She complained.
"You’re far too sick, dear." Her mother cooed
Alexis sighed and rested her chin on her hands. "It’s not fair. I’ve never been to Paris before." She coughed into her hand and groaned.
"Flying will be no good for you, next time." Her father said.
"Fine, be that way!" Alexis snapped. She stormed back upstairs to her room and slammed the door, immediately being thrown into a fit of coughs. Her parents were already heading outside and climbing into the car. She was stuck all alone.
~~~
Cassius smirked as she heard the news of Saber’s trial. She never would have expected for things to turn out so well.
She spun around on her chair and started going over the next move. "Three down, five to go."
She looked at who was next on her list and smirked. After this next one she could start having some real fun with the Gundam pilots.
~~~
The entire Preventor base in Zimbabwe was quiet, for once. The Gundam pilots were catching up on some well-needed rest. Only Noin remained awake, typing steadily away on the computer, trying to fill out the reports on Saber’s trial.
Zechs had finally given up on trying to get her to sleep. After the incident with Jasmine he’d been even more protective of her. Her laptop sat beside her, monitoring world activities. Nothing was happening at the moment that required the Preventor’s attention.
She yawned widely and continued typing. She was just about to fall asleep at her desk when her laptop began to buzz frantically. Her head shot up and she blinked at the screen. "What the…?"
A little light flashed on the screen. Noin looked at the map and tried to figure out what was going on. She studied the screen intently until…"OH MY GOD! THERE’S A MISSLE HEADED FOR PARIS!!!!"
She jumped from her seat and started out the door when a message came up.
"Now, now, Miss Noin, don’t get so frantic or you’ll hurt the baby."
Noin spun around angrily and glared at the woman on the screen.
"Cassius," She hissed.
"Cassy will do just fine, if you’d like." Cassius ginned maliciously. She rubbed her chin as she studied Noin.
"My, my," Cassy said thoughtfully, "Pregnancy just doesn’t sit well with some women."
"What the hell are you doing?" Noin growled.
"Why, ruining your lives, what else would I be doing?"
"Like you did to Jazz?"
"Yes, I did her a favor. That poooooor girl just wouldn’t be able to handle it. And the way those French women treat their children. Wasn’t that dear Indigo turned away? Don’t you think they should be punished?
"You monster!"
Cassius laughed, "I know, well, try and stop me Noin, I’ll call tomorrow." The leader of the Matatara disappeared and Noin slammed her hand down on the alarm. She was on the phone in seconds. "Get the Preventors in France on the line right away! Tell them there’s a missile headed for Paris, evacuate immediately!"
But Noin already knew it was too late. She knew a few people who were going to be very upset.
~~~
It was a quiet evening in Paris as the couple made their way down the dimly lit streets.
"Do you think it was fair of us to leave Alexis at home?" The woman asked her husband.
"Of course, she was sick and the trip would just make her worse. We’ll bring her back a nice souvenir, OK?"
The woman sighed, "Fine," She clutched her husband’s arm and smiled at the sight of the Eiffel tower, brightly lit with colored lights.
She was beginning to feel better about leaving their daughter behind when she heard a roaring sound above her. Glancing up, she saw a red spot against the sky, and it was seemingly getting closer.
"Honey? Is…is that a comet?"
Her husband looked up and studied the object. "I…I’m not sure."
Others were noticing it too, "Regarde!’’ Someone cried. In another three seconds, the thing was clearly visible. The coupe didn’t react at all until the first person screamed.
"It’s a bomb!" The husband cried. He grabbed his wife’s hand and started to run. The roaring grew louder and louder until the entire ground shook with the force. Once the missile got close, it seemed to speed up. The impact was incredible, and it threw half he city to its knees. Not even a second later, the bomb exploded, sending a wave of energy right through the city.
No one survived.
~~~
"Y-you can’t be serious…"
Noin winced at the French-raised teen’s eyes welled with tears. "Paris?"
She fell down into her seat and shook.
Helen’s eyes grew wide as she listened to the news from the far corner. Jason and Brittney stood on the other side of the room with Seth close-by. His hands rested on Jasmine’s shoulders from where she sat in front of him. David was already trying to figure out where the missile had come from, casualties and anything else he possibly could about the attack. The former pilots were scattered around the room as well.
Joel was stiff and quiet and Indigo cried into his shoulder.
"Oh, maman," She sniffled. Joel remained silent.
"I’m sorry to have to tell you this." Noin said quietly. "It seems that this woman is getting more aggressive. We need to act quickly to stop this from ever happening again."
Indigo was weeping and muttering words in French. Only Joel understood most of what she said, and Helen caught a few words.
"What’s she saying?" Jason whispered to Helen.
She shrugged, "Something about being sorry and her mother."
Jason only nodded.
"So what are we going to do, Noin?" Brittney spoke up.
"We’re working on a plan of attack now. We need to face this psycho head-on. Expect an intense mobile suit battle. We’re sending you all up into space to attack a missiles base there. We believe Cassius may be situated there…"
She stopped when a beeping sound came from the monitors in the back.
"Uh…" Noin paused as she tried to decided whether or not to answer the call. "Excuse me," She muttered finally. She punched a few buttons on the keyboard and a face popped up. The person on the other end was greeted by dozens of deadly glares.
"Why, you don’t look happy to see me," Cassius pouted. "What’s the matter?"
Indigo looked up and blinked away a few last tears. "YOU!" She screamed. Joel grabbed her arm before she could destroy the equipment, and Cassius only laughed.
"What do you think you are doing, woman?" Wufei demanded. "After all the injustices you have caused, how could you dare to show your face to us?"
Cassius eyed the small Chinese man thoughtfully for a moment before answering. "You mean about your grandchild?" She snorted. "Please Fei darling, I did you a favor. After all, your little slut doesn’t have responsibility to take care of a…what was it? A goldfish?"
Wufei’s eyes widened. "You…you were listening to us?"
Cassius laughed. "Oh yes, and you were so upset that I just had to help you out. I mean, this is what you wanted, wasn’t it?"
"NO!" He shrieked.
"Daddy…?" Jasmine questioned. "What is she talking about? She’s lying isn’t she? You didn’t want my child dead…did you?"
"Of course not!" Wufei cried angrily.
"Oh dear, it pains me to see you this way, Fei darling."
"Stop calling me that!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Are you telling me that this sadistic bitch is killing babies because she has a thing for Wufei?"
Cassius glared at Duo. "Have you taken my advice yet?" She snapped, "Or are you still calling yourself a man?"
Duo shut his mouth.
"That’s what I thought."
"Well you don’t have en edge over us anymore, Cassius." Noin growled at her. "We’ve found your mole, and all your surveillance devices."
"Oh yes," Cassius chuckled, "Yes, yes, of course. Well, that won’t stop me."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh you’ll see," Cassius grinned. She then decided to change the subject. "I’ve been acquiring allies lately," She said casually as she studied her nails. "Nearly 20% of the colonies are under my control now. You’d better work fast, Gundams, because I certainly am." Then, as was her custom, she left them wondering as her face disappeared.
"Dammit!" Noin cursed. "She always leaves just before we can trace her." She looked at the computers and cursed again. "I really, really hate this woman!"
"Don’t we all," Trowa grumbled.
"We need to get out of here." Heero suggested. "Somewhere where we can still work without being recorded."
"Oh, and do you have somewhere in mind?" Noin raised her eyebrow at the former Zero pilot.
"Yeah…"
~~~
"Come on Helen, please."
"Sorry Jeff," Helen sighed. "My mission is highly confidential. I can’t tell you anything."
"Not even a phone number?" He begged. "So I can see you?"
Helen smirked. "Nope,"
"Can’t I at least get a proper goodbye?" He proposed finally.
"What exactly do you have in mind?" Helen asked suspiciously as she studied him.
"Uh…just…this…" He grinned as he pushed her gently against the wall and locked his mouth over hers. Helen was a little surprised. Jeff was going to get it from her. Still, it was fun, so she decided not to kick him in the balls and flip him over her shoulder. She wouldn’t have anyone fawning over her for a while anyway; might as well fit it all in.
~
"Wow, isn’t that weird?" Brittney pointed out to Jason. "Who would have thought…"
"Huh? Thought what?" Jason turned to see what she was pointing at. His mouth fell open in shock. The last thing he expected to see was Helen and Jeff making out in the hallway.
"What the hell!" He glared at the couple and started making his way towards them.
"Wait, Jason! What are you doing?" Brittney cried. She grabbed his arm to stop him.
"I’m putting a stop to that!" He cried, pointing at Helen and Jeff.
"Why? Look at them Jason, they’re having fun, so leave them alone."
"But…but…but…"
"No buts!" Brittney protested. "Why do you care so much anyway?" She studied Jason’s face for a moment before she gasped, "I get it! You still have feelings for her, don’t you?" She glared at Jason.
"What! No, Brittney that’s not it…it’s just that…"
"That what?" She snapped. "How could you go out with me if all you’re ever going to do is think about her!" She glared at him for a moment longer before storming off. Jason didn’t know what to say to her. "Brittney…" He whined. But she was already gone.
"Have another fight with your girlfriend?"
Jason spun around and came face to face with Helen. Wonderful, He thought. Helen smirked at him. She looked like she didn’t even care that she had been kissing that moron in the hall a few seconds ago. Jason opened his mouth but no words came out. He tried several times but couldn’t think of how to respond.
Helen shook her head and laughed. "You really are pathetic."
"Shut up Helen," He growled as he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked off.
~~
"There is no way you are leaving me at the base." Jasmine stood her ground and glared at bother her father and her boyfriend. "I’m coming too."
"Woman, you are being foolish." Wufei said firmly. "Stay here where it is safe."
"Since when has it been safe?" She screamed. "Seth please, you have to understand."
"Well, it’s not like you can help very much." He said, eyeing her still fragile condition.
"You can’t stop me," She snarled. She picked up her bags and continued towards the shuttles.
"Jasmine…" Seth sighed. "Stop,"
She ignored them.
"Woman! Child! I command you to stop right now!"
Still Jasmine ignored them.
Sighing, Seth ran up to her and grabbed her bag from her hand. "Let’s go," He said in defeat.
Smirking, Jasmine allowed him to carry the heavy bag for her.
~~~
"PLUTO!" Jason smirked as the big golden retriever ran into his arms.
"He’s gained weight," Helen commented.
"Yeah well, he’s old." Jason said.
"I really didn’t think that dog would still be alive." Brittney said thoughtfully. She dropped her luggage in the lobby and watched as an old butler picked them up, along with the rest of them and put them on a dolly.
"Thanks Pagan," Jason said as Pluto ran off again.
"Nice place," Seth whistled as he looked around the mansion where Jason lived, somewhere deep in the former Sank Kingdom.
"It’s only because my mom is the foreign minister." Jason shrugged.
"Very impressive." Jasmine grinned. "Dad, why don’t we have a place like this?"
Wufei just snorted.
"Enough chatter kids," Heero growled. "We have work to do…"
