Part one act three

~*~

Chapter Seven

Information Needed

~*~

“Tell me what's wrong.” Duo said firmly.

"I was supposed to die with honor."

"Heero, come on, at least let me know if you are still awake. Heero?"

“I... I don't...” He closed his eyes and grit his teath. More Moble suits were on his gundam. He could hear them taring the metal apart.

“You don't what? Heero, talk to me!”

“I was suposed to die...”

“Hay, you are alive... whoah.. but just barly.”

“ZERO... stop...”

He was in the most desolate of places. Death all around him... only death...

A girl... the mission he had been sent on... it had been warm that day. It is always the right tempeture in a colony. And he had seen the field of flowers that never really die. That was where he ended up. Laughing, feeling that he had done some marvelous thing...

"Heero, come on, at least let me know if you are still awake. Heero?"

"...to die with honor."

She had the sweetest eyes...

"...a long time ago...."

"I know you can hear me... I'm not leaving you here alone... I'm not."

“I was suposed to die...a long time ago...with honor.”

Heero felt his body beeing nudged by cold hands. “Come on Heero, that's good, open your eyes.”

“Sally?”

“Yes Heero, it's me.” He felt her sit down behind him on the bed. “You want to talk about what your dream was?”

“No.”

“Ok.” He felt her hand slide over his forhead. “Your tempiture is climbing again. If it get's any higher I'll need to give you some thing for it.”

“Fine.”

“Do you want any thing? Some water, a bite to eat? You hardly touched your dinner last night.”

“I'm fine.”

She sighed and he felt her rise to her feet. “Trowa wants to talk with you.”

“Now?”

“Yes. Do you want me to go get him?”

“I supose.”

She sighed again and left the room. In the breef moment the door was oppen Heero could hear Duo asking questions. The door shut and silence engulffed him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His heart was thundering in his chest and he was covered in sweat.

“Just a dream.” He said slowly. “Just another dream.” Wearily he shoved him self in to a sitting position and winced at the pain that shot through his stomach. Taking a slow breath he settled him self in to a sitting position and tried to relax. Just as the pain was ebbing away Trowa knocked on the door and opened it.

“Heero? Can I come in?”

Heero grunted. He couldn't trust his voice to be stady enough to hide the pain he felt.

Trowa entered the room, turned on the light and shut the door. “Quatre called.”

“And?” Heero said slowly.

“Releena was with him.”

Heero sucked his breath in and held it for a moment. “Releena? What did she say?”

“She and Quatre both sent a greeting and a wish for you to get well.” Trowa replied. He then grabbed the room's only chair and sat down. “Some thing is up.”

Heero nodded.

“Quatre says that his soon to be father in law has a plan to build peace using our gundams.”

Heero's eyes narowed. “How?”

“I don't know. I detected interfearence with the network. I think some one may have been tagging out little chit-chat.”

Heero frowned. “Could you trace it?”

“No. But I told Quatre to send me a full report.”

“Have you told Duo or Brekke?”

“Brekke was with me and I filled Duo in this morning. I would have told you sooner but Sally for bid me.” Trowa shifted in his seat. “She would have made me wait much longer but Duo heard you talking in your sleep...” Heero's eyes darkened. “...and he went to get her. I persuaded her to let me see you.”

Heero was silent for a moment. “Who is the man proposing the peace plan?”

Trowa blinked then shook his head. “I didn't ask. All I know is that his son is gong to marry Quatre's sister.”

“Hn.”

“I told them to use your old frequincy. I didn't think you would mind.”

“That's fine.”

Trowa was going to say some thing else but some one knocked on the door. Duo opened it and poked his head in. “Hay, Sally has orders to make it quick. Heero needs rest.”

Heero gleared.

“I'm just the messenger.” Duo said quickly. He tilted his head up and look down his nose at Heero. “Though I agree with Sally's order. You look like hell, Heero.”

Trowa rose to his feet and returned the chair to it's place. “I've said all the importent things. I should run some system checks on my gundam any way. I'll keep you informed, Heero.”

Heero grunted again and folded his arms. Trowa pulled the door open all the way and slid past Duo. Duo stepped in side and closed the door behind him.

“What do you want?” Heero asked dryly.

“Glad your awake Heero.” Duo said, ignoring Heero's dark mood. “I have good news.”

“What?”

Duo grabbed the chair and turned it so that it's back was facing Heero. He then strattled in. “My gundam will be done in about an hour. Howard and I will start on yours next. I overestimated my suit's damage so when all is said and done we should come out ahead with spare parts for our gundams. That is asuming your evaluation was acurate.”

“It is.” Heero grunted.

“Right.” Duo leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the back of the chair. “I may have to start your Gundam up and I don't want any suprises.”

“The ZERO system can't hurt you, Duo, so long as you don't let it engage.”

“Let it? I thought you had to activate it.”

“During a battle there are times when the ZERO system will engage on it's own. If you want to head in to a battle with it on you have to engage it your self.”

“I see.” He said with a small nod. “Well, I guess I should go get back to work. Do you want any thing? Some thig to eat, or drink?”

“No.”

“OK, well, I'll keep you posted then.” Duo stood and shoved the chair back to it's place. With out another word Duo left the room and closed the door behind him.

Heero gleared in to the darkness for a while before he atempted to move. Slowly he swung his leggs over the edge of the bed and winced. Still, he realised, he hadn't regained controle over his ability to ignore pain. Dispite that fact he was ditermined to do some thing other than just lie around. He planted his feet fermly on the floor and stood up. Instantly the room started spinning. He stumbled forward and dropped to his knees. It was at that moment Sally entered the room.

“Heero!”

He looked up at her blankly, to dizzy and startled to be upset at her presence during a moment of obvious weekness.

“Are you all right?”

He tried to say some thing, but instead he felt his stomach lurch. Dizzy or not Heero jumped up and bolted from his room and down the hall way to the comunal bath room. There his stomach evicted what ever had been left from the christmass dinner he had eaten the night before.

“Heero?” Sally called softly.

“This is the men's room.” He said grufly.

“I'm a doctor.” She said. “Doctors know no gender.”

“Well then...” Before he could finish his sentence he retched again. He heard Sally walk up behind him. After a second he felt her cool hand rest on the back of his neck. Moments latter his stomach calmed and he sat back. Sally handed him a wad of tisue paper.

“Heero.” She said calmly. “Back to bed. The more you ignore my warnings the sicker you will become.”

Heero snorted, but alowed her to help him to his feet. The dizzyness returned but he ignored it and pulled away from her. “I'm fine.”

She gave him a doubting look.

“I've been in much wore shape. Now leave me alone. I have work to do.”

He turned from her and started for the door. “Heero.” She called. “I know some thing is wrong. Some thing more than just a gun shot.”

He ignored her and shoved the swining doors open. He hesitated and tossed a dark glear over his sholder. “I'll be fine.” Then he was gone.

~*~

Trowa sat with the lap top on his lap and a pile of disks to his right. For three hours he had been hacking through the coads that kept him from knowing what secrets contained with in them. Dispite his best efforts, however, he was not a line closser to the information he sought. Again the calm female computer voice chimed 'Access Denied'.

With a frustrated sigh he rubbed his face with his hands. “I'm ready to give up for to day.”

Duo, who was taking a brake from his work, grinned. “Can I try?”

Trowa shrugged and handed Duo the lap top. “Good luck. I think it's easyer to fly than to hack this coad.”

Duo's grin widened. “This, Trowa, is a lock.” He setteled the lap top on his knees and cracked his knuckles. “And I intend to pick it.”

Trowa shrugged and leaned back against the wall. Duo started to type.

“Access Denied.”

“Strike one.” Trowa mumbled. Duo ignored him and continued to type.

“Access Denied.”

“Strike two.”

Duo's typing sped up. “Almost... almost...”

“Welcome to D.B. file net.” The voice chimed.

Trowa bolted up. “How?”

“Lock.” Duo said pointing to the lap top. “Lock picker.” He pointed to him self.

Trowa stared at him for a moment then shook his head. “You have to teach me how to do that.”

“Ah... well... That may take a while. Let's just look at what we have here first.” Duo started to type again. “Hmmm... well well well...”

“What?” Trowa leaned over and looked at the lap top.

“It says that this factory is only one of... one moment plese... seventeen. Some one has been buisy.”

“I'll say.” Trowa scooted over behind Duo and watched over his shoulder. “Does it say where the other factories are?”

“Yeah, hold on.” Duo's brow furrowed as he continued to look through the information. “OK, five of them, that includes the one Heero, Brekke and I took out, are here on Earth. The other twelve are on the collonies. Scattered around. Three are in L1, two are in L2, one is in L3, two are in L4, one is in L5 and there is one on the moon.”

Trowa frowned. “Who ever is behind all of this must have been planing and setting this up for quite a while.”

“Yeah... for... Wow, the oldest collony is only six months old.” Duo typed some more. “Hay, give me the other disks.”

Trowa grabbed the small pile and handed them to Duo. Duo quickly flipped through them. He pulled one out of the stack and swaped it with the one in the lap top. Quickly he scanned it's contents. His eyes darkened.

“What?” Trowa asked.

“Acording to this one of the factories was at one point ordering all the parts nessisary for a gundam's frame. Another two were amassing gundanium.”

Trowa sat back down. “Another Gundam. Who would build another gundam?”

“Obviously some one who wants to pick a fight with us.” Duo replied grimmly.

~*~

Heero closed the door to his room and slid down to the floor. He wasn't sure if Sally had followed him, but it wouldn't suprise him if she had. After dinner the night before Heero remembered her leading him back to bed. He couldn't recall much of what had happened, but in his mind's eye she seemed to have been woried. Even more woried than she was now. Heero concintrated on the memories of the night before and breefly recalled how at the end of dinner some one, Brekke prihaps, had asked him if he was OK. He couldn't remember what he answered, but he could remember that that was when Sally had taken him back to his room.

A knock inturupted Heero's reminicing. “Heero, can I come in?” Duo's voive drifted through the door.

“Just a second.” He replied. Gritting his teath he pushed him self up to a standing position and opened the door.

“I know your suposed to be resting and all, but Trowa and I have hacked the disks we recovered. I really think you should come look at this.”

~*~

Brekke looked at the three faces around her. Trowa was calm, but his eye spoke of an inner fire being kindled; Duo was grimly holding back some sort of anger; and Heero was compleatly ashin. His eyes, still glassy from feaver, could only hint at the feelings he had in side. A lap top was before the four of them. Trowa had gotten her out of bed and brought her down to the mess hall telling her that some thing very importent had been discovered. Normaly she would protest to being woken up after she had spent most of the night cleening up a massive dinner mess... after cooking a massive dinner... then getting little sleap because all of the food she had eaten was disagreeing with her stomach... But some thing in Trowa's voice told her that her personal feelings were, at least in this matter, irelivent. By the looks on the three boys faces she knew he was right.

“Well? What's going on?” She asked.

“There is a nother gundam being built.” Duo replied.

“We don't know that for sure.” Heero argued. “All we know is that suplies for a gundam have been shipped and created at verious factory bases.”

“We do know that the Lunas suits are being built though.” Trowa added calmly.

“Gundam or no we're looking at the creation of an army of some sort.” Duo said darkly. “But for what reason? Haven't people goten tierd of fighting yet?”

“I have.” Brekke said quietly.

“We all have.” Trowa said with a dip of his head.

“When we entered the base we knew that we were heading in to a fight two days ago. We accepted it.” Heero looked at all of them. “We knew that, from the reports and research, there were moble suits being made. Now we know where and how. What I want to know is why.”

There was a moment of silence as the pilots tried to think up a reason why any human would want to buld weapons after the war had clearly ended. Finaly Trowa spoke up. “I will pose as a worker in one of the bases. That way I can clearly disern why they are being built.”

“I'll go with you.” Brekke said.

“No.” Trowa folded his arms. “It would be both safer, and less conspicuious if I went alone.”

“Where will you go?” Duo asked.

Trowa thought for a minute. “Quatre's collony first. I want to speak to him in person about this.”

“Before we do any thing we should review the facts.” Heero leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “The Lunas suits we fought are a form of Moble Dolls. They learn to fight as they go. The network Duo hacked in to is called D.B. file net. That could be anything from a company name to a randome word coad, but it's importent to take note of. And we have the posibility of a new gundam. In what stage of compleation, or if it even exists at all we don't know. We know the bases are spread out on Earth and in the colonies, so who ever is behind this is making sure he has a lot of ground covered.”

The pilots all nodded. “Plus the ZERO system... what would you call it?” Duo leaned back in his chair and folded his hands behind his head. “...malfunctioned?”

Heero nodded slightly.

“The ZERO system malfunctioned and Wing Zero was badly damaged in the fight. My gundam, though not sustaning quite as heavy of damage, was faltering ever so slightly in that fight.”

Trowa thought for a minute. “Only hours after you guys fought the base all evidence of the battle had been cleaned up compleatly. It would take a lot of man power to do an over night job like that.”

“Not to mention skill.” Brekke added.

“It would be no problem for Sweepers.” Duo said. “Or people who had once worked for the sweepers.”

“It doesn't matter who they were, who they are now is the importent isue. They are helping an unknown orginazation build weapons capible of distroying a gundam.”

The room fell silent again for minute. Then Trowa stood. “I'm going to go pack. I will leave Heavy Arm's here. If I need it, Brekke, will you bring it to me?”

“Of corse.” She said. “But I still don't see why I can't come.”

Trowa glanced at Heero. “For one you can keep am eye on him.”

Brekke looked at Heero and frowned. “I think your job will be less of a chalenge.”

Heero gleared at them both.

“Don't give them that look.” Duo scolded. “They are woried about you. Because they are your friends.”

“Hn.”

Duo sighed. “How will we all keep in touch?”

“The original ZERO frequincy. No one has used it sence I detonated my gundam during the war.”

“Isn't that what Quate is going to use?” Brekke asked.

“Yes.” Trowa replied.

“Ok.” Brekke stood as well. “I'll help you pack.”

Duo grinned. “Pack, so that's what kidds are calling it these days.”

Brekke smacked him. “Shut up, Duo.”

Trowa rolled his eyes. “Heero, what are you going to do?”

Duo answered before Heero could. “He's staying right here untill he's got a clean bill of health.”

Heero gleared at Duo.

“It's for your own good, Heero.” Brekke said gently.

Heero gleared out from under his bangs. “I want to read Quatre's report. Then I'll make up my mind as to what I want to do.”

“What ever you do Heero, take care of your self.”

"Take better care, of your body, I mean."

“Hn.”

“I wish I knew where he picked that line up from.” Duo said with a sigh. “'Hn' isn't a word.”

Heero tossed him a particularly scathing look.

“Just an obsevation.”

Brekke smiled and shook her head. “Trowa, if you leave who will I talk to to keep me sane?”

Trowa thought for a long moment. “Sally.”

This time both Duo and Heero gleared at Trowa. “Just what are you implying here?” Duo demanded.

“Nothing.” Trowa said wth a shrug. “Any way, I'll see you guys latter.” He reached back and tugged on Brekke's hand before walking off.

“Duo, make sure Heero goes to bed.” Brekke said, then she followed Trowa out of the mess hall.

When they were gone silence filled the mess hall. Duo made him self usefull by shuting down the lap top and orginising the disks. Heero remained in his seat. As Duo finished up his tideing Heero folded his arms over the table and burried his head in them.

“Hay, are you OK?”

“I'm fine.” Heero's voice was muffledd.

“Yeah right.” Duo grabbed the back of Heero's chair and pulled it away from the table slowly. “Come on, Yuy, it's time for you to go back to bed.”

“I'm not a child.” Heero snaped. “I don't need to be baby sat.”

“Fine. Get sicker. Then I'll get your gundam.” Duo said with just a hint of iritation. “After all I've only spent nearly all day trying to fix it for you.” Duo turned then, lap top and disks under his arm, and walked away.

Heero frowned. “Duo...”

The braided pilot stopped and looked over his shoulder. “What?”

“I... I want to see how much you have gotten done.” He stood slowly. “Then I'll go to bed.”

Duo's frown fadded slightly. “Sally will be upset.”

“Sally doesn't have to know.”

Duo let a small smile creep up on to his face. “OK. But let's do this quickly. You still look like hell.”

~*~

Chapter Eight

~*~

Releena glanced in the mirror of her hotell room making sure one last time that every thing was perfect. Satisfied with her reflection she grabbbed a note book and opened the door. It was no suprise to see a hand full of Maganacs milling about in the hall way, they had been here sence Quatre had arived. Rasid was among them idaly talking about the people here on the colony. Releena nodded to him before starting her way towards the elivator. His strong hand wrapeed around her thin shoulder and he cleared his throat.

“Parden me Miss. Releena, but Quatre wanted me to escort you.”

She turned and raised her eyebrows. “Escort me?”

He nodded, took her arm and started walking towards the elivator. “Yes. You see there is still bitter blood between Quatre's family and the colonists. He feared that any one who is asosiated with him or his family might be in danger.”

“So you Maganacs have been guarding this hotell?”

He nodded again.

“Did Quatre asign you to protect me personaly?”

Rasid smiled. “No, I asked for that privelage my self.”

Releena blushed a little. “Thank you.”

“It's nothing.”

They stopped infront of the elivator doors and Rasid pressed the down buttion. For a moment they wated. Then Rasid spoke up again. “The Maganacs have been asked to join the peace plan Daustan Briggs is setting up.”

“Oh?”

“He wants us to protect suply convoies as they bring matirial to rebuild the collonies.”

“I see. Are you going to accept the job.”

“I don't know, I want to hear what Master Quatre thinks first.” He replied. The elivator dinged and the doors slid open with a hiss. Rasid stood aside. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you.” She stepped in and took a spot in one of the corners. Rasid stood dead center.

“I would like to know your thoughts on the situation, Miss Releena. If you don't mind.” He said politely.

“Not at all. I think that the arms are unneccisary, but the rest of the plans look promising. If the Eath and Colonies were finaly united then wars could be forever avoided.”

Rasid nodded, but frowned slightly.

“You disagree?”

“I agree that the Earth and Colonies should unite, as I do think that would build up peace. But I doubt it can eliminate all conflict forever.”

Releena frowned. “The people need to be united. I think that if weapons of war were out lawed and the magority of the people unite in the effort of peace then wars can be avoided.”

Rasid was about to speak, but the elivator jurked to a stop. Both nearly fell. The doors Hissed open.

“I hope that's the first thing to be fixed.” Rasid grumbled good naturedly.

“Me too.”

He stood aside and offered her to pass him, wich she did with a smile and a small thank you. They walked in silence along the dimly lit hall way untill they came to a dirty door at the end. Rasid opened it and again Offered Releena passage. She entered and blinked at the overly bright lights.

Sitting in the center of the room was a long oak table surounded bu a dozzen or more matching oak chairs. Daustan was seated at the head with Mark and Hutari on ither side of him. Quatre was seated next to his sister. Spread out before them were several papers and blue prints. Quatre loooked up from one of his documents and smiled.

“Rasid, Releena, your right on time.”

The head Maganac smiled a litle and nodded. “And you are oviously early, Master Quatre.”

“He's always been over punctual.” Hutari said with a warm smile.

Quatre blushed a bit. “I hate to keep people waiting.”

“Take a seat, friends.” Daustan gave his own friendly smile.

Rasid ulled out Releana's chair and offered her her seat. She took it with a kind smile. Rasid sat down next to her and folded his hands in front of him. There was a moment of silence as Daustan looked through his notes.

“First of all I thank you for coming. I have set before you all the heart of my plans. I belive that, with the proper forces, properlyaplied, with constant comunication betwen the citizens and officers, we can aceave lasting peace in space, and on earth.”

“Mister Briggs, can you go in to detail about this force you have planed and what sort of technology they will be using?” Releena asked.

He nodded. “Of course. The force will be an orginasation that is both police force and task oriented. Each officer will not only be trained in croud controle and defece against terorists but will have a specific job to preform such as bride building, or medical treatment. They will be using mecha that will have the capibility to asist them in thier jobs. A medical mecha, for instance will be able to open cars with traped citizens in it. Or a builer mecha may be able to tare down and rebuild a building with minimal rish to human lives. WIch is the point to this task force, minimal risk to the lves of individual humans.”

Quatre glanced at Relena and she glanced at him. She seemed to like the idea so far. Quatre cleared his throat. “What about arming the mecha. Will that happen and why?”

“There are times when, even in total peace, some men arm them selves and indanger the people around them. It can be caused by almost any thing. From greed and power lust, to paranoia. In those times the force must be prepaired to defend those who have chosen pasifisem. If they do not defen the defenceless then there will only be needless blood shed.”

Releena frowned. “If there is total pasifisem then there should be no uprisings.”

Daustan smiled warmly and leaned forward a little ways. “Releena, as I said, some people might be paranoied. They are sick in the mind. Bombs can be made from every day items. Items we, as a sosiety may need. THese sick people may think we are out to harm them. What if they make a bomb and threten a full building? What do we do then?”

Releena thought for a moment. “We must stop him, but arms arnt nesisary. If the situation is handled corectly then non leathal forces could be used.”

“What if he hid the bomb? What if he has a gun. What if he made the gun?”

Quatre spoke up. “Though its unfortunet armed forces would be needed to insure swift control of the situation. Police forces are nesisary to contain lawless people.”

Releena frowned, but held he peace.

“I think that Quatre is more than corect.” Hutari said frankly. “We'll need a police force because the citizens will be un armed. What if a lunitic is on the loose? What about wild animals. Untill we have a weapon that can take some one out with out killing them then we need to use leathal forces to defend human lives. Even if it's defending them from other human lives.”

“I agree.” Rasid said firmly. “I have seen hundreds of people disreguard the law simply for thier own gain. They care noting for the lives of others.”

“Then its agreed?” Mark asked. “The arms are nesisary?”

Releena nodded slowly. “It is nesiscary.”

Daustan smled a little and leaned back. “Don't look so glum, dear Releena, it's because of pasifisem that I wish to make this force. All of those defencless people will be at any armed person's mercy. It's my mercy I want them under. I will protect them.”

She looked up and a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “If that's how you truly feel then I must confess, I only want to protect the people who will be defenceless.”

“As do I.” Quatre chimed.

“And I.” Rasid added.

Mark glanced at Hutari. Both smiled.

“What else is there to discus, Mr. Briggs?” She smiled and crosed her arms.

“Next is the plans for the re building of the colonies. I was thinking that with the start of the forces we could rally people together from each colony, have a fund raseing drive of some sort. The money from the drive would aid in the rebuilding of the war torn colonies. Then we would be able to conect the colonies through comunications and kinship. People are interestid in the tings they invest in, after all.”

“A very good idea.” Quatre said. “I can host the fund raser my self, if you would like...”

“No.” Daustan said quickly. “I think it would be best if Releena, former queen of the world, hosted the fund raser. She is, after all, very beutiful. And well known too.”

Releena blushed and smiled. “I would be honored, if that is what you think will be most benificial.”

“I do.” Daustan replied with a smile all his own. “Now, if we could discuss some of the finer details we should be able to come up ith some solid plans for our goals...”

~*~

Releena was a little suprised when, after the meeting as she was heading for the elivator, Quatre came up behind her and took her arm.

“May I walk you to your room?” He asked politely. He spead up, however, indicating that she should acompany him.

“Thank you, I would like that.” Sheglanced at him and tried to read his mood. For the most part he looked excited, but there was some thing else. She waited to speak further untill they were around the corner and out of ear shot from the others. “Quatre...”

“Shhh.”

She nodded. They entered the elivator and Quatre closed the doors. “OK, First of all I want to know what you think of every thing? Were you being agreeable, or are you really consenting to arming Daustan Briggs army?”

Releena had expected this question and all during the meeting she had been formulating her answer. “Yes, I think it's nessisary. I think that, given the volitial nature of some human beings we must protect the people who refuse to bare armes. But that in it's self doesn't mean I condone weapons. I am mearly trying to prevent mad men from wrecking havoc should the case arise. The weapons can be inactive during the times of peace.”

Quatre was silent for a moment as he rolled her answer around in his mind. “Weapons will always be a temptation for mad men.”

“I trust that you gundam pilots will be able to keep that from happining.”

Quatre smiled. “So your pinning Daustan's success on us pilots?”

“You said it your self that 'Though its unfortunet armed forces would be needed to insure swift control of the situation. Police forces are nesisary to contain lawless people'. I agree, after giving it much thought. You were right. But in order to police all of humanity special people are needed. I firmly beleive that the gundam pilots can suport a pasefist Earth Sphear.”

“Maybe Heero and the others could, but I don't know if I qualify for that job.”

“Of corese you do.”

The elivator pinged and the doors slid open.

“Quatre, stop doubting your self. We need you.” Relena stepped off of the elivator. “Remember that.”

Quatre nodded as the doors slid shut. Releena smiled, pleased at the conversation, and continued towards her room.

~*~

Quatre stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced at the ground. The prospect of peace finaly becoming a reality was joious beyond words. Daustan's plans and ideas were sound in thier reasoning, yet Quatre felt some thing forboading. They were going to except armed forces and he felt that one wrong move and he could ruin the peace prosses and plunge humanity back in to war.

So deep in thought was he that when the elivator pinged and the doors slid open he didn't notice.

“Quatre, dear?”

“Huh?” Hutari was looking down at him with wory.

“Quatre, are you all right? You look lost.”

“No, I'm fine. I'm just woried.”

“About what?” SHe entered the elivator and slid her arm around his sholder.

“About... well... every thing. I'm woried that I could really mess this all up.” He force a smile and looked up. “That sounds silly, doesn't it?”

She shook her head. “Not at all dear. I know just how you feel. I feel the same way.”

“You do?”

“Yes. But don't worry, every thing will be fine. Daustan Briggs is more than capible of handeling this projet. Plus we have Releena on our side. And you are a gundam pilot.”

“Gundam pilot or not I make mistakes.”

“Quatre.” She said softly. “We all do. But I have faith in you. More faith than in Releena. So don't wory about any thing. Every thing will turn out just as our father in law says it will. Now try to have some faith. OK?”

“OK.” He smiled. “I trust you. And I trust him.”

“Good. That's good, my dear Quatre.”

~*~

Chapter nine

Gearing Up

~*~

Duo yawned as he finished scewing the last gundanium plate on to the Gundam's sholder. Heero had long ago returned to bed after giving Duo's work an inspection. Heero's only coment was that Duo's skills seemed to be natural. Fuled by the complement Duo had dove back in to his work and skipped both lunch and dinner. Every one had wandered by at one point or another to see if he wanted any thing. He told them all that he simply wanted to finish. And finish he did.

He tossed the tools scattered around him hap-hazeredly in to his tool box and fell back against the cold metal. He stiffled a yawn and gazed wearily at the ceeling.

“Looks good.”

Duo rolled to his side and pered down at the lone figure watching him. “Trowa, how long have you been standing htere?”

“I came just in in time to see you finish.”

“Ah, well then your not in trouble for not helping me. You all packed?”

Trowa nodded.

Duo grabbed ahold of a roap ladder and swung him self off the gundam's shoulder. Hand under hand he desended untill he was on the open hatch. Then he slid down the cable lift to the ground. Trowa watched him silently untill Duo hit the floot with a small 'oof'.

“I'll be leaving first thing in the morning. I have some thing to ask of you.”

“Oh? What's that?”

“Look after Brekke.”

Duo smiled and leaned against Wing Zero's foot. “You know I always do.”

Trowa's dark eyes fixed on Duo.

“What?”

“I also want you to keep an eye on Heero.”

Duo straightened up. “Why?”

“He's willing to die for any thing and every thing that comes his way. If there is a gundam being built he may have to face a gundam pilot. We all know that, in his curent state, any one of us could kill him.”

Duo frowned. “We would never do that.”

“He trusts us, especialy you and Brekke. Keep an eye on him.”

Duo nodded. “But we would never hurt him. We're all friends.” Duo folded his arms. “Arn't we?”

“Yes.” Trowa answered cooly. “That's why we look out for each other.” Trowa glanced up at Wing Zero. “You fixed his gundam and even got him the parts. I trust you to look after him the most.” Trowa looked back at Duo. “No matter what happens to the rest of us you have to keep Heero alive.”

Duo stiffened. “Is there some thing I should know?”

“We don't know who will end up piloting the gundam that is being built. We all have some thing we should know, but don't.”

Duo frowned. “Heero can be a handful.”

“So can you.”

Duo's frown faded a little bit. “True. I supose if I'm the only one avalible...”

Trowa gave Duo a hollow smile. “I knew I could trust you.” He turned then and walked away.

Duo watched him go and sighed. Keeping Heero alive was more than a simple request. “Why? Why is it always me?”

~*~

Sally, Howard, Brekke, Duo and Heero were gathered together in the docking bay. Trowa had placed the last suit case in the truck and was now ready to leave.

“I supose it wouldn't be to much of me to ask you to keep me informed?” Brekke asked.

“I'll call when and were I can.” He replied.

“Keep us all informed.” Heero added.

“Like I said, where and when.” Trowa turned and looked squairly at Duo. “I'll want updates as well.”

Duo nodded.

Brekke and Sally exchanded woried looks. “Trowa, watch your self out there.” Sally said when she returned her gaze to the eldest pilot.

Trowa nodded.

“Good luck Trowa.” Howard extended his hand. Trowa took it. “Call me if you need any thing.”

“I will.”

Brekke grabed him in a loving embrace. “Die and I will folow you.”

Trowa wraped his arms around her. “Keep and eye on Duo and Heero for me.” He whispered.

“I will, that's my job, you know.”

Trowa let her go and climbed in to the truck. He waved and turned his eyes on the snowy road out side of the confines of the stranded ship. “We'll all meet again.” He pulled out of the hanger. A moment of silence filled the large room before Howard shut the masive door.

Brekke turned away and left the hanger wordlessly. Duo was about to go after her, but Heero stopped him. “Let her go, she needs to gather her thoughts. And we need a plan.”

“A plan?” Duo alowed him self to be lead off towards Wing Zero.

“Yes. You have compleated my gundam and now we can fight again. We need to...”

“Oh no you don't. Your'er not going to go any where or do any thing untill you are well again.”

“I'll go with out your help.” Heero gleared. “I'll make it so you can't follow me.”

Duo sighed and shruged. “If that's the case then answer me this.”

“What?”

Duo thrust his hand out and smacked Heero firmly in the gut. “Does that hurt, Yuy?”

Heero crnged and curled around the wound. He gleared up at Duo.

“Even with all of your skills Hero I could easily defeet you.” Duo's face softened a little. “Go to bed. Rest. Then we'll fight.” He pulled his hand away and backed up. Heero leaned against the foot of Wing Zero and coughed.

“I can still fight.”

“I know. But I won't let you go off and get killed. That's not usefull to any one, and it's selfish.” Duo turned and started towards where Brekke had gone. “Besides, what would Brekke do?”

Heero gleared after Duo before forcing him self upright. He tossed a venimos glear up at the patched sholder of Wing Zero before turning again towards Duo. As much as he hated to admit it Duo was right. Feeling defeeted he sank down to the ground and sighed. A freshly repaierd gundam is worthles if the pilot is still broken, no mater how good the skills were in reparing it.

~*~

“Brekke?” Duo knocked on the door and waited. After a moment the door was opened a crack and Brekke looked out with teary eyes.

“Hay, Brek, it's OK.” Duo pushed the door open and pulled her in to a hug. “He's going to be OK.”

“We don't know that.” She took a deep shuddering breath.

Duo rested his chin on her head. “He's an expert, Brekke. The only one who could defeet him is another pilot and we're all on the same side.”

“What about the new Gundam?”

“The new pilot won't have Trowa's expiriance. The new guy...”Duo thought for a moment and looked down at Brekke. “...or gal... wont stand a chance.”

“Are you sure? We pilots can handle just about every thing.”

“But not other pilots.” Duo answered. “In a fair fight we would all probibly come to a draw, with the exception of Quatre. He would either defeet us all or get killed.”

“Don't say that.”

“It's true, though.” Duo smiled. “The new guy doesn't have a chance. I nearly got killed fighting the two mechs programed with Heero and Trowa's minds. That wasn't even the real thing then. So Trowa in person should win with no problem.”

“You just said all of us pilots would come to a draw.” Brekke said slowly.

“Yeah... uh... I've gotteen better sence then...” Duo forced a smile. “Really.”

Brekke smiled a little her self. “I'd kick your but so hard your grand kids would feel it.”

Duo folded his arms. “Prove it.”

She smiled. “I will, just not now.” She stepped back in to her room. “Thanks for the pep talk, Duo, but I have work to do. I'll see you latter?”

“Yeah, sure.”

She closed the door.

Duo sighed and retreated to his room. Frowning he flopped down on his bed. With Trowa gone and Heero on the side linse he was the only guy Earth had as a capible gundam pilot. Well, him and Brekke. Still Duo felt an uncomfortable feeling of familurarity setteling on his shoulders. He had hoped, prayed even, that war was finaly going to be over. For good.

With an agonized grone he rolled over and covered his head with his pillow. The last thing he wanted was to go through another war again. Especialy with the gundams so scattered and Heero out of the game for now. He took a deep breath in and closed his eyes. Memories of the last war were still all to fresh in his mind. Slowly he let his breath out and tried to relax. This was was diferent. There was no OZ, no huge factions. Just a fiew scattered bases here and there working on creating weapons. Besides, Quatre and Releena were working on a peace plan... with... Quatre's sister's feance's father? Duo shook his head and closed his eyes again. He was exhausted after all the work he had done and really just wanted to sleep. He pulled the pillow off of his head and stuffed it under his chin. With a yawn he tried to clear his mind and hopefully shove all of his wory aside long enough to nod off. It was working and he was just drifting off to sleap when some one kncked on his door.

“Enter.” he called, not bothering to get up.

Howard opened the door. “Hay.”

“Oh, Hay Howard, what's up?” Duo asked as he sat up. He tried to look bright eyed.

“I was thinking now that some thing's thretining the peace again you'll probibly need an extra hand. Mind if I stay here a bit, watch the action unfold?”

Duo grined. “We could use all the extra help avalible. Make your self at home.”

“Thanks man.” Howard said with his own grin. “Just let me know what ya need and I'll make a junk run.”

Duo's wory eased slightly. “The second I think about it you'll be the first person to know.”

“Cool man.” He gave Duo the thumbs up. “Well, you look bushed. Get some rest, OK?”

“Way ahead of ya' man.” Duo said with a stiffled yawn.

“Good. I'll be finding a pad if ya' need me.” He shut the door and Duo flopped back in to his bed. Slowly his eyes slid shut and soon he was snoring softly.

~*~

Quatre sat down at his lap top with a cup of tea next to him. The meeting had been over for neatrly and hour and now, with careful thinking and revieewing he was ready for his report. He picked up his cup and sipped at the steeming liquid slowly as he waited for the lap top to load. When all was set and ready he opened his text document and started to type.

'Quatre Reberba Winner, pilot 05 reporting on the plans of one Mr. Daustan Briggs.

Mr. Briggs plans can be sumed up in three basic phazes. Phaze one is the unifying of all colonies along with earth under tha banner of humanity and peace. Phaze two is the deployment of a special police force desinged to prevent criminal acts from roberty to terorisem to acts of war. Phaze three is the rebuilding of colonies damaged by war with the use of moble dolls desinged for civilian and domestic uses such as construction and development.'

Quatre sipped at his tea again and sighed. It wasn't much of a report after nearly three hours in a meeeting. But suprisingly this was all there was to the plans.

'More information and details will be sent as I aquier them.

Give my greetings to all, QW.'

Frowning, Quatre took one more sip of tea before he sent the letter. He needed more information and he knew it. As much as he wanted peace there was a part of him that felt uneasy. Moble suits were useful, yes, posibly even life savers if used right. But that in of it's self didn't calm Quatre's nerves. The thought of arming people who, even under the baner of peace, wre little more than an army sent chills down Quatre's spine.

Unable to sit and dwell on it any longer Quatre set his tea cup down and stood. He gathered his coat from off the chair and through it over his shoulders. There were still a lot of qustions to be aked and he intended to ask them.

With haste he hiried out of his hotell room and strode down the hall towards the elivator. He had nearly reached the end of the hall when some thing out side the window caught his eye. He stoped and turned to look. On the streets Hutari and Mark were adressing a croud of people. Quatre frowned and huried down the stairs. Apon reaching the loby floor he could hear the people shouting and, to his amazement, chearing. He exited the hotell and pressed through the masses untill he reached his eldest sister.

Mark spotted him and pulled him aside. “Hay, look at this, isn't this some thing?”

Quatre glanced at his sister. “What is going on here?”

“Some people stoped us and asked us some questions about our family.” Mark grinned. “Your big sister started telling the people about father's peace plans and well...” He shruged. “Looks like your sister has just as much carizma as Relena.”

Quatre frowned. Some of the people in the stree cheereing were the same people who had murdered his father. “Where is your father?”

“He's in the Gundam hanger looking your gundam over. I hope you don't mind.”

Quatre forced him self to smile. “No, that's fine. I should go.”

Before Mark could say another word Quatre was off again pushing his way through the croud. It took him nearly twenty minutes before he reached the hanger. He tossed open the door with all the force of his pent up frustration and gaped. A twinge of fear griped his heart at the sight of Sandrock's cockpit open and a trail of wiers streeming out. Men and woman were buzzing about with papers and lap tops mumrmering and doing who knew what. Quatre sucked in his breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. Then he let his brath out slowly. He again fought his way through a mass of people untill he had reached what apeared to be the focus point of the group. There was one large folding table set up with a dozen or so computers and the like atop of it. Daustan was at the head of the table.

“Excuse me, Mr. Briggs.” Quatre said with much more calm than he felt. “But what is the meening of all this?”

Briggs looked up from a stack of papers Quatre recognised as a recording of pilot feed back information. “Quatre, hello. I'm sorry I was going to ask, but your sister said you wouldn't mind if I did a little study of your gundam. It's a remarkable weapon. I'm very glad you have desided to alow me to use it in the fight for peace.”

Quatre was silent for a moment as he gthered his thoughts and calmed his nerves. “Actualy. Mr. Briggs, I would have prefered it if you had asked me first. The gundam can be a very dangerious thing if the wrong person is doing the wrong thing.”

“I asure you, Quatre, that my science team is expert in all things moble suit. Most of them have studied your gundam before, during the war, and if not yours than one of the other pilots'.”

“I see.” Quatre said slowly. “I would like to go and see for my self what is going on in side my gundam.”

Briggs nodded and waved Quatre on. “By all means. You can help me.”

Quatre refrained from replying and hurried up the foot roap. Once ontop of the cockpit plat form Quatre could see that every port in his gundam had a feed either intering or exiting it. With a small snort he shoved some wiers off the seat and sat down. At once he spotted the ZERO system was active. Shocked and startled Quatre rushed to shut it down. The moment he did he could hear shouts of protest from below. Daustan's face apeared in a comunications window.

“Did you unplug some thing Quatre? One of my scientists is turning the air blue down here.”

“Yes, Mr. Briggs, I deactivated the ZERO sysem. It is a weapon that can ruin people's minds. Under NO curcumstances is it to be touched by any one other than my self or Heero Yuy. Is that clear?”

Briggs looked a little taken back. He blinked for a moment then smiled slowly. “Yes, son. I understand.”

~*~

Daustan killed the comunications and leaned back. “Was any data lost?”

One of the scientists grumbled, then shook his head 'no'.

“Then don't let it get to you. We have what we neded any way. Run what ever else you can untill the pilot sees fit to throw you out.” Daustan smiled. “Because he is curently sitting in one of the most powerful, and dealy, weapons ever created by man.” The smile widened and shifted untill it was almost cat like.

~*~

Chapter Ten

Enter the clown

~*~

Trowa was jolted awake by the shuttle coming to a suden hault. Blinking he sat up and looked around. The captain's voice chimed in a welcome to the collony and advised every one to stay seated untill the stewertes excused them. Trowa waited in silence and started to gather his things. He had every thing in his lap when a young woman stood next to him and smiled.

“Trowa Barton, you may now exit the shuttle. I hope you had a good flight”

Trowa gave a faint smile back and nodded. He stood quickly and followed the steady stream of people out. As soon as he set his foot off the plain he could hear people shouting. the voices were heated, but not angery. Curious he aproached the crowed and listened.

“...and then Briggs will enable us to all rebuild our collony!”

The people started to chear.

“Quatre Reberba Winner has agreed to use his gundam in the aid of the collony and it's move for peace.”

“How can a gundam be used for peace?” Some one demanded.

“It will be used to prevent wars and stop countries and collonies from fighting. That's how.”

Some of the people cheared, otheres seemed rightfully sceptical. Trowa cleard his throat. “How does Mr. Winner pripose to prevent wars with his gundam?”

The man looked down at Trowa and smiled. “By crushing uprisings.” The man stepped towards Trowa and extended his hand. “Mark Briggs.”

Trowa took the hand. “Trowa...”

“Barton, I know.”

Trowa withdrew his hand and looked Mark over. “I wish to speak with Quatre.”

“In about ten minutes I will be heading to the hotell where he is staying. Care to come with me?”

Trowa thought it over for a moment before nodding.

“Good.” He placed his hand on Trowa's back and guided him towars the parking aria. “I am sure you have a thousand questions.”

“I do.” Trowa said curtly. He gave a dark glance back at the hand resting on his back before shaking it off. “Why the Gundams?”

“Because the gundams are unstopable.”

“What do you plan on using the infirior Moble suits for?”

“Humanatarian eforts. We will be using them to rebuild the colonies.”

Trowa was silent for a while as they aproached Mark's car. Finaly he stopped and looked deep in to Mark's cool steely eyes. “Unless you can unify the people you will only have opposition from the ones who fought the moble dolls and OZ.”

“Then we should have no trouble at all if my father fullfills his plans. Come, every thing will be made clear.”

~*~

Trowa held the plan's rough draft in his hands. The plans were stated in a simple, yet logical order. Smaller meca, made with gundanium, known as Gundam Massproduced, or GMs, were to be the back bone of the peace movement. Some of the gms were to be simple labor mech, while other created a small armed police force. The Gundams them selves were to be the main line of defence against uprisings. The people were to be united with orginized systems of comunication and operations. The population was to respect strict trade and market checks. Things to be bought and sold unaversaly would go through massive inspections. Travlers had to have a pass to get from one collony to another or to Earth. Every thing was in tight control and order.

Trowa frowned.

“When do you plan on anouncing this to the general population?”

“In a weeks time, if all ges well.” Dausan said smoothly.

Quatre, sitting crossleged on Daustan's left side, fshifted slightly in his seat. “Some thing is wrong?”

“This plan sounds logical.” Trowa replied before setting the pappers down in the desk.

Releena, sitting to Daustan's right, smiled. “Then you think it's a good idea?”

“I agree that parts of it sound good. But I have a problem with the arming of moble suits.”

Quatre shifted again. “Yes, well, it is nessasary in the end.”

“Quite.” Daustan said firmy. “In this age it's all to easy to ammas weapons that can distroy whole colonies. We must have a force cappible of protecting all who wish to have peace.”

“I understand.” Trowa said dryly. “But there will be people, solders like our selves, who remember what sorow armed moble suits brought to all of humanity. People who want peace just as much as the rest of us.”

“They must learn the diference between a weapon of war and a weapon of peace.” Daustan replied.

“How?” Trowa asked. Both Releena and Quatre loked at Daustan and waited for his reply.

“We must show them by our example. If Releena embraces the fight for peace then will the world not see her doing so? And Quatre will soon be a man of greate power on the Earth Sphear. His influence will also add to the people's trust of the moble suits.”

“I see. And if they still resist?”

“We can't let that happen, Trowa. For thier sakes.”

Quatre frowned. “This is the only way, Trowa, that we can unify the people.”

“We'll let history be the judge of that.” Trowa replied quietly. He rose from his seat then and bowed slightly. “It has been a long flight, I hope you do not mind if I retier early.”

“Please, rest. Quatre, why don't you acompany your friend?”

Quatre stood and walked up next to Trowa. “I'll see you latter Miss. Releena.”

She nodded and gave a small smile.

Quatre then exited the room with Trowa on his heals. Both were silent untill they reached the elivator. Then Trowa spoke first.

“Some thing doesn't sit well with me, Quatre.”

Quatre nodded and looked down at the floor. “Daustan radded Sand Rock's data banks.”

“What?” The elivator pinged and the doors slid open. Trowa raised his hand to silence Quatre. Quatre frowned and lead Trowa down tha hall to his own room where, once in side, he locked the door and pulled the shads closed. Then he sat down and motioned for Trowa to do the same.

“What did he get?” Trowa asked finaly.

“He had access to every thing that wasn't protected by grade three protection. And he had access to the ZERO System.”

“I must rerport this to Heero at once.”

“I have a feeling all of our conversations have been tapped.”

“What are you planing on doing?”

“I'm going to keep a close eye on every thing. As far as I know non of my suspitions could have any merits for concern.”

“We hacked in to the disks recovered from the base on Earth and some one is planning on building a gundam.”

“What?”

“When Heero and Duo infiltrated the earth base they aquiered soem encrypted disks. Duo managed to hack them and there was evidence that a gundam was in the works.”

“Was it stated planly as such?”

“No. It was on curcumstantial.”

“I see.”

“You don't blive it, do you?”

Quatre was silent for a moment. “I don't know. Who would be crazy enough to want to build another Gundam?”

“Daustan Briggs.” Trowa replied evenly.

Quatre's head snapped up. “Hold on, you don't even now who was working in that base, do you?”

“The initials on the disks are D. B.”

“That doesn't mean any thing.”

“Quatre.” Trowa said quietly. “Those moble suits had to have come from some where. Daustan is the only person capible of creating them that we know of at this time. It all fits”

Quatre hung his head, his face tunrnig a touch reader than it had been the moment before. “It can't be...”

“It can. I hope that I'm wrong, Quatre, but we have to face the posibility that those suits that nearly killed Heero came from Daustan Briggs.”

Quatre sat motionless for a long moment. Then he slowly lifted his head. “What do I do?”

“Watch them, Quatre.”

An uneasy silence fell between them before Quatre looked up and in to Trowa's green eyes. “How is Heero?”

“He's not well. Some thing went wrong with the Zero system. No one knows exactly what happened.”

“Releena has been woried night and day about him. Even though she remains out wardly calm she is torn up in side.”

“How can you tell?” Trowa asked.

“I have sisters.”

Trowa nodded and stood.. “Tell her that Heero needs her, Quatre, but don't tell her about the Zero system.”

“Why? And where are you going?”

“I want to be in the armed divition of Daustan's police force. And I want to be anonomus. I need to start out early.”

Quatre stood and squaired his sholders. “How will we comunicate?”

“I'll be in touch when I can. I'll use ZERO'S old frequincy, like last time.”

Quatre nodded. “Watch your self out there.”

“I will.”

Quatre reached out and pulled Trowa in to a light embrace. “I mean it, don't you dare scare us again. You hear me?”

“I'll be care full.” Trowa replied, slowly returning the hug. Then he puled back and frowned. “Keep your ears and eyes on Briggs. Don't let them get away with any thing.”

“I won't.”

~*~

Trowa glanced out the window at the rapidly disapearing colony. “Quatre, watch your back.” He leaned back then and closed his eyes. Quicky he entered in to a light, dreemless sleep.