Pairing: 1+2, hints of 13x6x2
Warnings: AU, angst, post-apocalyptic, violence, death of somewhat major
character
Genre: Drama, Romance, Angst
Rating: R (for language and graphic descriptions)
07:
To say he was pleased beyond words would have been the understatement of the
century. Those six quiet words had done more for him than any relaxation phase
program could have ever achieved. He chided himself for feeling so – dare he
say it – happy at the notion of Duo not hating him for his selfish
needs. However, Heero was a realist and knew that his happiness was going to be
short-lived if he didn’t get Duo out of the program as soon as possible.
Now clean-shaven and dressed in his usual hospital whites, he made his way to
the medical facility, brows furrowed as he thought of possible ways to begin
his escape plans. It was going to be the most dangerous and risky undertaking
yet and he doubted he or even Duo would survive the ordeal when all was said and
done. For starters, he’d have to find someone who would be willing to
co-operate with him from within the Organization and Heero was aware that it
was going to be an incredibly short list of possible candidates.
Talking to Barton and Winner was going to be completely out of the question. He
had seen the two officers around the grounds and each man had looked away,
neither acknowledging the others’ presence. Heero wasn’t surprised to feel a
bitter taste in his mouth each time he thought about the two officers with
their mindless dedication to the program as well as their seeming lack of
humanity. Perhaps under different circumstances they would have been good
friends, but Heero doubted any such thing was likely to happen now or in the
future.
He thought of Doctors J and G, two men who had been in the Organization longer
than he had. Heero had spent a few evenings with the two doctors, drinking or
playing cards whenever there was a rare night of peace and quiet in the
facility. Enough beers pumped into both men had loosened their tongues and
Heero had gotten a first glimpse of their real feelings about the program they
felt they had been sentenced to. Apparently both men could give a shit about
the Organization and its plans but like Barton and Winner, they had sold their
souls to the program and were stuck in it whether they wanted to or not.
“Get out while you still can, Yuy,” J had slurred over his deck of cards, eyes
moist and hazy as if doing his best to hold back tears. “Don’t become old
bastards like us…”
“Puppets!” G had spat out coldly. “Mere puppets!”
“They fuck with us…”
“Make us do their bidding!”
“Use us until we’re no use to them anymore…”
“And then eliminate us without a trace! Poof! Like smoke!”
“It’s all a smokescreen, Yuy…”
“Illusions! Trust me!”
“Best get out while you can before its too damn late…”
Heero could remember himself flushing at the drunken tirade, doing his best to
keep them quiet in the fear that someone would overhear their conversation. How
naïve and timid he had been then - too eager to please everyone and to keep his
ass out of trouble. He winced and rubbed his chin, absently greeting several
nurses who called out to him. He doubted speaking to the doctors now about
their anti-Organization sentiments was going to be a good idea. They would only
deny they had ever said anything and would advise Heero to keep his mouth shut
if he knew what was good for him.
That brought his options down to only one person. The Informant. Unfortunately,
the last time he and the eccentric old man had met, Howard had all but kicked
him out of his office with bitter words that still stung ‘til this day. He sat
behind his desk and pulled a folder towards him, groaning inwardly at the long
list of units waiting to be checked out or repaired. Another mission had taken
place in Port au Prince and although the causalities were considerably less
than previous ones, the damage was no less. Units had been brought in with torn
limbs, burnt flesh or wounds so deep that they bled profusely.
A light knock on the door had Doctor G sticking his head into Heero’s office.
“Busy, Yuy?” he asked, waving something small and white in his hand.
“I have surgery in ten,” Heero replied as he reached out to accept the envelope
thrust in his direction. He really had no clue what it was but from the smug
look on G’s face, Heero was sure it was something quite important.
“Looks like you’ve finally made it to the big time,” G said, motioning for
Heero to open the letter. “Only a select few get invited to these events you
know.”
Heero pulled out the small card with its elegant calligraphy, lips moving
silently as he read the words to himself:
An invitation to
Heero Yuy, M.D
Assistant Surgeon
Your presence is requested at the Annual Organization Gala
Hosted by the esteemed General Treize Khushrenada
In the presence of her Majesty the Queen of Earth and the Colonies, Relena
Peacecraft
Special guests of honor include,
Colonel Tom Allison, Major General Adley McKeen and Major General Henry
Applegate of the Earth’s Forces as well as Colonel Masataka Yanagi (L1 Colony
Cluster) and Major General Pierre Baudouin (L3 Colony Cluster) of the Colony
Alliance.
Date: 15th of August
Time: 7.00pm
Location: The Grand Ballroom in New City
Dress is formal attire or black tie.
“So who’s the lucky gal that gets to be your date?” G asked, interrupting Heero
from his re-reading of the invitation as if making sure he really wasn’t seeing
things.
“Da…date?” he stammered. He had never been to anything so formal – at least
nothing since his graduation from medical school and his acceptance into the
Organization. This event looked like something that would be televised all over
the damn planet and beyond!
“Well yeah,” G said with a smirk, clearly enjoying Heero’s discomfort. “Don’t
tell me a handsome devil like yourself doesn’t have a line of girls waiting to
date you, hmm?”
“I don’t go out much,” Heero mumbled just as his pager went off signaling that
it was time for him to head to the operating room. Grateful for the
distraction, he rose to his feet and began to peel out of his coat, reaching
out for his green robes.
“Ah, guess the rumor floating around now,” G began in a conversational tone as
he began to leave the room. “That agent of yours, 002? Seems like he’s not been
seen around the units’ quarters lately.”
Heero’s hands trembled slightly, refusing to give G the satisfaction of showing
his concern as he continued to dress quietly. The last time he had seen Duo was
two days ago as the units had been making their way to their levels. His
requests to see the agent had been denied as usual. According to Richardson, he
was not to be with Duo until they were assured of his safety.
“Rumor has it that he’s been taken…you know…up there.”
Heero’s pager slipped from his fingers, falling to the floor with a loud
clatter. He gritted his teeth and bent to pick it up, still refusing to look at
G. He was sure he would see amusement in those eyes as clearly as he could hear
it in the older man’s voice.
“And you are telling me this because…?” Heero managed to ask coolly, pleased to
find that he sounded quite unperturbed.
“He is your unit,” G said with a snicker. “Surely you’d want to know
what’s happening with him.”
Taking a deep breath, he finally spun around to smile coldly at the other
doctor, who now looked slightly confused at Heero’s reaction. Perhaps he had
expected the younger man to be more upset or distressed. “I barely have any say
in what happens to him now, Doctor G,” Heero said with a light shrug, walking
past the stunned man. “So what do I care if he’s been taken by the higher ups?
After all, when it comes right down to it, they have complete control over
everyone and everything, don’t they? Including you and me,” he finished with a
smug grin as he stepped into the elevator.
But for all his fighting words, Heero’s heartbeat continued its hard rhythm,
his mouth dry with worry and fear. If it was true…if it was really true that
Duo had been taken to Merquise’s quarters, then all hope was lost. There was
simply nothing he could do now but wait, see and hope for the best. That, to
Heero, was going to be the cruelest punishment of all.
002 had been living in hell for the past few hours or at least some semblance
of hell. He had been denied the right to see since his impromptu ‘kidnapping’
from his room the other day. Blindfolded with a cloth as black as night, his
wrists and ankles shackled with heavy chains, he had been taken on a journey to
a place he would never be able to describe to anyone who dared ask. For a
moment, he had thought they were going to de-commission him after all and he
had wanted to struggle and fight his way out of it. However, the officers who
took him away reassured him that everything was going to be all right. He was
just going to be escorted to one of their bosses and that was it. Who was to
say if the boss in question wouldn’t hate Duo’s guts on sight? He might very
well be shot on the way there and that would be the end of his life whether he
liked it or not.
Sighing for the one-millionth time, Duo tried to get some circulation back into
his legs and arms but it was next to impossible. He was still shackled like a
prisoner, still blindfolded and as if his humiliation couldn’t be any worse,
they had stripped him down to his birthday suit and shoved him into this place
(after a quick investigation on his hands and knees) – a small steel walled
room that couldn’t be any bigger than a cardboard box. At least he could
breathe which meant there had to be a ventilation shaft somewhere above him.
His stomach growled and he pressed himself against the wall, trying to control
his breathing as he pulled his knees to his chest and hugged them tightly to
his body. It was cold in here. Cold, miserable and downright lonely. He wished
that whoever had called him up here would get done with him and send him back
to his quarters. At least he would be able to see if nothing else.
He closed his eyes - ironic since he was already ‘blind’ - and thought of the
young doctor with the messy hair and mesmerizing eyes. It had felt good
agreeing to become his friend, although how they were going to establish that
relationship when they weren’t even allowed to see each other was going to be
the toughest part of it all. Duo chuckled softly as he lowered his head,
wondering what Heero could be doing now. Hopefully the guy had taken a shower
and shaved or something by now. There was no doubt that Heero had come looking
for him and the relief he had felt from the doctor had been a sign that Heero
assumed he was already dead.
No, still alive and kicking, doc. Although, I’m not doing much of the latter
at the moment. Why don’t you come rescue me like a knight in shining armor,
hmm?
But in all honesty, it was good to know that someone did give a damn about him.
It sent a feeling of warmth down his spine each time he thought of Heero coming
to visit even if it was for just a quick check up. Duo almost regretted hurting
the doctor the other day but he had been angry, confused and just plain…
(scared)
…frustrated with the way things had turned out in his life. How he wished he
could remember something…anything from his past. Anything at all! Having the
world’s greatest case of amnesia was turning out to be a major pain in the ass.
What about the guy from that mission? The one with the tattoo? The one you…
(a Dragon Warrior)
…almost recognized?
But that was impossible. Duo didn’t think he had ever been in a gang before and
besides the doctor would have told him that, right? All Heero had said was that
he had worked at some salvage company and that was it. Duo really had no clue
why he’d want to work such a menial and somewhat arduous job. If he was to get
any job at all, he would have wanted to be something cool like a race car
driver. Maybe when he got to see Heero again, he would pump the doctor for more
answers to his questions. He wanted to know so much more about this Duo
Maxwell, the man he had been before this unfortunate incident.
The sudden rattling of locks had Duo sitting up quickly, his senses heightened
as a familiar smell assailed his nostrils. He shrank back against the wall and
groaned in knowledge, not needing to see who his ‘rescuer’ was. He could never
forget that scent for as long as he lived and the soft chuckle was only the
icing on the cake as to who his visitor was.
“My beautiful agent,” came the low murmur as Duo suffered the feel of the soft
cloth of a glove against his cheek, down his chin and to his mouth. “You will
please General Khushrenada very much.”
General Khushwho?
“Now come with me!” Zechs demanded as he rose to his feet to tug the chain
attached to Duo’s wrists. The agent grunted softly in surprise, falling to his
hands and knees before being forced to his feet to follow the older man.
Zechs’s boots overshadowed the light patter of his bare feet on the cool floor.
However, marble soon gave way to plush carpeting and Duo sank his toes into it
gratefully before grunting again as he was shoved to his hands and knees. This
room was much warmer and there was the tantalizing smell of food and good wine
which had him moaning in helpless want.
“Hungry?” Zechs asked with faint amusement. “That’s odd. I thought units
weren’t supposed to feel hunger.”
Fuck. I’m still human! Duo cried inwardly but stiffened as he felt the
presence of another. He felt his body shiver – a dull sense of impending doom
filling his mind as he listened to the silent steps approaching. He swallowed
tightly and held his breath.
“So this is the agent?” It was a low voice rich in timbre – a smooth talker,
Duo thought quickly, someone who could charm the pants off a baby without even
trying too hard.
“Yes,” Zechs replied, a foot sticking out to kick Duo’s exposed rear gently.
This caused Duo to bow even lower, his chin hitting what was undeniably a boot
or shoe. “You may lick it, 002,” the blond added with a smirk on his features.
“Since you’re now in the presence of the leader of the Organization.”
Duo gritted his teeth and snarled at the humiliating thing he was being forced
to do but this only seemed to amuse his unseen captors. “And…if…I…don’t?” he
managed to blurt out coldly, trying not to wince as Zechs continued to smack
him gently with that damned boot of his.
“Then, my dear agent,” Zechs drawled lazily, his tongue slipping into Duo’s ear
to lick gently. “Consider it the last time you will ever see that doctor who
seems so very fascinated with you. We do have ways of getting rid of
incompetent personnel.”
Duo gasped at the threat, his stomach churning with revulsion and yet fear at
what would happen to Heero if he didn’t cooperate. A part of him wanted to say
‘to hell with Heero’ but remembering the desperate look and plea in those blue
eyes was Duo’s undoing. He couldn’t bring himself to disobey.
Dear God forgive me for this, he prayed silently and squeezing his eyes
shut, he stuck out his tongue and had his first taste of fine English leather.
The Grand Ballroom was a magnificent building, its sloping rooftops and dome
reminiscent of Greco-Roman architecture and design. Tonight, it was adorned
with a million lights, the grand staircase leading up to the entrance decorated
with a plush red carpet. Paparazzi and fans alike lined the streets, eager to
catch a glimpse of some important political figure or a movie star. Tonight was
one of the rare occasions when the people of Earth and the Colonies could come
together for an evening of fun and relaxation – a time to get away from the
chaos of a meaningless war that surrounded them. Of course, a harsh reminder of
cruel reality could be seen by the picket lines and protesters who were being
kept away from the scene by soldiers and law enforcement officers. They yelled
and tried to make their voices heard, holding up signs and boards with words
like ‘DOWN WITH THE ORGANIZATION!’ or ‘STOP THE WAR!’ written on them.
Inside the building, men in expensive tuxedos and women in gowns of lace,
silver and gold mingled and talked in low tones, soft laughter interjecting the
uniform mumbling sound every now and again. Flutes of champagne passed through
the crowd as handsome and dashing young men served as ushers and waiters for
the night. All the guests wore or held masks adorned with feathers, colorful
glitter or brilliant gems which sparkled beneath the lights. On a makeshift
stage sat a 64 piece orchestra, their lively tunes sending many couples to the
dance floor as they danced to their heart’s content. A buffet awaited the
hungry ones, a long table heavy-laden with succulent dishes of roast pork,
sizzling steaks, filet mignon, curried stew, white rice, sweet cakes and so
much more.
The air was one of general relaxation and goodwill but beneath that lay a sense
of unease, a tangible feeling of an impending event that none could foresee or
prevent. Queen Relena sipped her drink slowly, listening idly to the
conversation that swelled and ebbed around her. She had managed to maintain an
air of polite interest throughout the evening, although her arm ached from
having to hold it out for numerous kisses or handshakes. She looked resplendent
in a couture ball gown of white and black lace designed by one of the most
famous designers in the world. The dress revealed her pale shoulders and
slender neck, which was enhanced with the most expensive diamond necklace ever
created. On her coiffed locks sat a small crown made of pearls and rubies and
around her wrist, holding the long white gloves in place, were matching
bracelets which gleamed beneath the lights with every movement she made. A
white feathered mask covered her face and she felt like an overstuffed doll
with all her accessories. However, she knew she had a role to play and she was
going to keep up the act for as long as she could.
“You don’t look too pleased,” came the soft whisper beside her.
She turned to smile warmly at her uncle, glad for his company this evening or
she was sure she would have excused herself earlier. “I must have eaten my
filet too fast tonight,” she replied with a soft chuckle, her gaze drifting
towards the tall man and his companions huddled together at a corner of the
room. A shiver ran through her as amused blue eyes, behind that garish mask,
met hers. Treize lifted his glass in a silent toast and she must have responded
for he turned away with a small nod of acknowledgement.
“He seems relaxed tonight,” Applegate said bitterly, noticing Baudouin
approaching Treize with Yanagi in tow. “I wonder what those three are up to.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Relena said quietly, sighing softly as she noticed another
group of awed guests approaching her. She fixed another smile on her face.
“Tonight is a night for celebration and the promise of peace amongst all
nations. I will not allow anything to ruin it.”
She glanced towards Treize’s party again and this time, her breath caught as
dark violet eyes, behind a black and green mask, met hers for a brief moment.
She blinked quickly, sure she had been seeing things but there was no mistaking
it. Now standing beside the General was a young man, barely older than she was,
dressed in a tuxedo, with his long chestnut-colored hair done in a tight braid.
He wasn’t involved in the conversation but seemed to stand to the side,
observing everyone and everything around him with that blank look on his
handsome features. Feeling her heartbeat quicken in awareness, she flushed
darkly as her uncle nudged her gently, forcing her attention back on the bemused
businessman bowing before her. As he finally left – after a few mundane words
were exchanged – Relena tried to see the mysterious man again, but this time it
was another young man with slightly tousled brown hair that caught her
attention. He looked uncomfortable in his tuxedo, a hand reaching up to tug his
collar gently as if he felt hot beneath the lights. He had taken off his mask,
his piercing blue eyes surveying the room with a cool detachment. However, it
was only for a moment as the man noticed the one with the long hair beside
Treize. Relena watched with mild fascination as both men seemed to recognize
each other and even though she was a considerable distance away from them, she
could still feel the jolt of awareness like an electric current sent between
them. They looked away, both flushed and slightly embarrassed as if they had
been caught doing something naughty but the one with the long hair seemed to
recover quickly, his mask of cool indifference back again as Treize leaned
close to whisper something to him.
Perhaps they are partners who have been forced apart by opposing sides.
Her curiosity getting the better of her, she motioned for her uncle to lean
closer. “Tell me,” she began, trying not to show her nervousness. She had never
asked another man for a hand since it was always the other way around. “Who is
that young man with the brown hair?”
Applegate squinted and ‘hmmed’ to himself before calling out to Colonel Tom
Allison, who was engaged in a loud conversation with several other military
personnel behind them. “Colonel, perhaps you could tell us who the young man
is?”
“Ah, I think that is one of the doctors from The Organization,” Allison replied
with a nod as he eyed the man in question. “I never forget a face. He’s a good
man, your Majesty.”
“A doctor,” Applegate said with a knowing smile as he noticed the flush on his
niece’s cheeks. “Young, handsome and…”
“A member of The Organization,” Relena finished weakly. “We might not have the
same agenda…”
“Tonight is a night for peace, weren’t those your exact words?”
“Oh, Uncle Harry…”
“Go now,” Applegate said with a warm smile, as he held out a hand to lead the
shy queen towards the doctor who was now staring at them with bemusement and
wariness on his handsome features. “I think he’s waiting for you.”
Heero, doing his best not to look too flabbergasted at the sudden turn of
events, bowed politely as the Queen was introduced to him. He was now aware
that all eyes were on them and he felt even more uncomfortable with all the
attention. He had hoped to spend at least ten minutes in here before making his
escape but all thoughts of doing that had fled his mind the moment he had seen
Duo across the room. His heartbeat still hadn’t steadied from the heated look
they had shared but seeing the agent standing so close to Treize as if he was
his personal slave, was a crushing blow to Heero’s pride. It was only a matter
of time until Treize and Zechs would brainwash Duo into becoming yet another
mindless drone of The Organization. So much for being friends. Fuck!
“Is something wrong, Doctor Yuy?” Relena asked quietly. She had been watching
the gamut of expressions across Heero’s face for the past few seconds with
faint amusement. She was sure she knew what had the man frustrated but it would
be interesting to engage him in conversation as they moved across the dance
floor.
“No, my…your Majesty,” he replied, correcting himself quickly. He had almost
said ‘My Lady’ having to remember he was actually dancing with the Queen and
not just another woman from the aristocracy. He could feel the envious gazes on
him and he flushed as he spun them around in a circle, trying hard to remember
all the steps he had been practicing the past few nights.
“You’re a great dancer,” Relena said with a warm smile and Heero flushed at the
compliment.
“Thank you. I…” He snapped his mouth shut, knowing it wouldn’t do to tell her
he just learned the rudiments of ballroom dancing just two nights ago.
“So you are a member of The Organization?” Relena asked, her gaze drifting to
Treize’s group. She could see that the man with the braid was watching them,
his eyes dark and unreadable. She wondered if he was jealous that she was with
Heero.
“Yes, I am.”
“Do you enjoy working there?”
Heero met her cool blue eyes and struggled for the right answer. “Every day is
a learning experience,” he finally said with a wan smile. Suddenly and for no
reason at all, he flushed, eyes widening for a moment as he missed a step which
had them almost stumbling.
“I’m sorry,” he stammered, steadying the young woman, who was laughing softly.
“It’s okay. Something seems to have gotten your attention.”
You do not want to know just what it was, Heero thought with a weak
smile, his entire body now thrumming with a heat that had nothing to do with
the lights around them. Duo. That evil bastard had just sent the most dirty
message to him yet. How he could keep a straight face and tell Heero that he
had a vibrator stuck up his ass at this very moment was beyond him. He bit his
lower lip to stop himself from moaning out loud while being careful not to be
too close to Relena or he was sure she’d feel the growing erection within his
pants.
“I plan to visit The Organization’s headquarters in a few weeks,” Relena was
saying. “Perhaps we could meet up there…”
“Please excuse me,” Heero interrupted with an apologetic smile as his pager
went off with a low but audible beep.
“An emergency?” Relena asked with concern on her features.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” he replied with a curt nod, frowning as he wondered what
or whom was important enough to have him dragged away from this event. “It was
a pleasure getting to meet you, my Queen.” He bowed, reaching for her gloved
hand to place a soft kiss behind it.
“Oh no, the pleasure was all mine. I hope to see you again, Heero…” Relena said
quickly, her words fading away as she watched him make his way through the
crowd before disappearing from sight. Suddenly, the evening became boring and
uninteresting again. Feeling a headache coming on, she turned to speak to her
uncle, only to gasp in surprise as she noticed Treize Khushrenada taking the
stage.
Treize! What are you up to?!
“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please,” he said. He cut a
striking figure in his black and gold uniform and before long the entire hall
fell silent as they turned to face his commanding presence.
Relena could feel her uncle stiffen beside her as well as the low sound of
disgust that escaped his lips. “That bastard. What the hell does he think he’s
doing?”
“Welcome to The Organization’s annual gala event! A night when we put aside our
differences and come together to celebrate, love, life and freedom!” He lifted
his arms as the guests broke out into another rousing round of applause. With
all their attention focused on the charismatic leader, no one paid much
attention to the hidden figure amongst the red velvet curtains several feet
above them on a balcony. In his steady hands was a semi-automatic sniper rifle
and his targets – as ordered – were the portly fat white-haired man and the
young woman, who was supposedly the Queen.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Heero exclaimed as he strode down the corridor of the
medical facility with two nurses and another surgeon nipping at his heels. “How
the hell did it happen?!”
“No one knows, sir,” one of the nurses replied. He sounded out-of-breath for he
had run out of the building to welcome the young surgeon with the terrible
news.
“He staggered into the building himself and kept demanding to see you,” the
other nurse added, holding open the doors leading to the emergency room. Heero
could see several units scrubbing the floor and walls and if he had doubted the
nurses’ story before, those doubts were erased as he pushed open the thick gray
curtain to reveal the bloody mass on the bed.
“Oh dear God, Howard!” he cried out in dismay, his heart slamming hard within
his chest as he took in the damage. “What the fuck happened…? Don’t just stand
there!” he barked to the gawking team of nurses and doctors around the bed.
“Prepare him for surgery STAT!”
“Yes, sir!” They scurried away like mice, while Heero shrugged out of his
tuxedo jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
“Don’t worry, Howard,” he muttered thickly, reaching down to peel away the
bloody hands which had been holding on to the gaping hole in a useless effort
to stop the flow of blood. Several gunshot wounds to the abdominal cavity,
Heero thought quickly, sharp eyes darting down the length of the old man’s
body. Broken legs, probably hit with something hard and Jesus fucking
Christ, his face! What did they do? Use him as a punching bag?!
“Don’t…” Howard suddenly wheezed, coughing helplessly as he sent a small spray
of blood upon Heero’s white shirt. He lifted a trembling hand to Heero’s shirt,
tugging him closer. “Come…not…much…time…”
“Don’t talk, Howard,” Heero said with a firm shake of his head. “We’ll get you
fixed up in no time.”
“No!” the old man spat out desperately, although his lids were swollen, there
was still an undeniable glint of defiance in his eyes. “No…time…must…go down…”
“Go down? Go down where?”
“Basement…my office…Duo…”
Heero’s eyes widened at the name and he had to lean even closer to Howard for
the old man’s voice was fading fast.
“What’s in the basement, Howard? Who did this to you? Fuck! You shouldn’t even
be talking. Where the fuck is the…?!” he turned to yell at someone, anyone to
show up but Howard, still having enough strength within him, yanked Heero back
down, forcing him to listen.
“Tonight…” Howard wheezed. “In the ballroom…they will try…to assassinate the
Queen and Applegate…the Earth’s forces…”
“What…what are you saying?”
“Treize…the fuck…ing Organization is behind it…everything…they’ll set Baudouin
up…make him the bad guy…assassinate him too…”
“Who? What…I don’t get it…?”
“Tonight…” Howard coughed again and Heero all but screamed in frustration.
“Listen to…me! The Dragon Warriors…know…their leader is there….”
“Dragon Warriors? Who the hell are the Dragon…?”
“The…Duo…leads…the truth about him…in the basement…you must find out…tell
him…who he really is…”
“Tonight…they plan…bomb the Ballroom…take Duo away…”
Heero felt numb, his entire body as cold as ice as he watched Howard release
him slowly to lift up the hem of his shirt – at least what was left of it.
“We…were…L2’s Dragon Warriors…the basement…has all the answers…I didn’t tell
you everything because…” He coughed again, a heart wrenching sound that had
Heero unable to stop the small cry of anguish that escaped him. He knew he was
losing Howard and no brand of medicine would bring him back.
“Code,” Howard managed to wheeze, “Under…picture…girl in pink
pants…hurry…before it’s too late…help Duo…you…escape from here too…Heero.”
“Howard…don’t…don’t say anything, I’ll make you better, I swear! I…FUCK IT!” He
clutched the limp hand against his blood-stained shirt, watching the light fade
out of those eyes like countless other humans he had worked on in the past.
“Goddamn it! You can’t quit now! We need you, damn it!” He pressed his hands
upon Howard’s chest, forcing the life back into it, needing, praying and
demanding that the old man be given a second chance.
“Doctor Yuy,” came the soft words from one of the nurses, but Heero shrugged
him away, continuing to pump the dead man’s chest, unaware of the tears that
slid down his cheeks.
“It’s all right, Doctor Yuy,” Doctor Richardson said quietly as he placed firm
hands on Heero’s shoulders to pull him away. “It’s all over, Yuy. He’s gone…”
“No, goddamn it! I’m a fucking surgeon! I can bring him back to life if I want
to!”
“I’m sure you can, Yuy but not tonight,” Richardson was saying, eyeing the
nurse who was holding a syringe filled with a tranquilizer. If Heero showed
signs of resisting, he would be pumped full of the liquid until he gave in.
“You had better go back to your quarters, doctor. We will take over from here.”
Heero stilled his movements and stepped away slowly, wary eyes staring at the
blank faces before him. Everything…everyone was a sham, mere puppets being
pulled on a string and controlled by Treize. He felt a chill run through him as
he stared into their empty eyes and he staggered backwards, almost falling to
the floor in his growing panic.
“Let me help you…”
“Don’t fucking touch me!” Heero snarled, his teeth bared as he glared at the
offered hand. “No one…no one touch me…”
Spinning on his heels, he ran out of the building and towards Howard’s office,
his mind whirling with the dying man’s words.
The real Duo. He was going to find out who or what Duo had been and God help
him for what he was about to see.
“…and so tonight, I bring not news of wars and battles, but news of a bright
future for us all!”
The sniper licked his lips and aimed. A professional to the core, he was so
engrossed in his job that he failed to see the two shadowy figures that now
stood opposite him. He pulled the trigger at the cue – a light tug of Treize’s
white glove – and stood back to watch his handiwork, knowing he would have less
than a second to get the girl next.
Relena, who was getting terribly bored with Treize’s speech, tried to stifle a
yawn as delicately as she could. Suddenly, she felt a whiff of air against her
cheek, a sickening low sound of something hitting flesh and the soft grunt of
surprise that escaped her uncle’s lips.
“Uncle Harry, are you all right…?” she began in a soft whisper, only to fight
back a scream as Applegate seemed to be falling right on top of her. She could
feel the scream building from within the pit of her stomach, rising up her
throat, her eyes growing wider and wider until it seemed to eat up her entire face.
The blood – warm and thick seeped through her gloves and into her skin and she
felt cold – oh so cold.
She hitched in a breath and with a harsh sob, the scream finally broke free
from her locked throat.
“Aa…aah…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!
Heero fumbled in the dark until he found the switch that turned on the lights
to the stuffy office. He was aware that he didn’t have much time left. If
Richardson had opened his big mouth to tattle on him, Heero knew that the
soldiers would come bearing down on him in no time. He glanced at the pictures
on the wall, his fevered gaze searching for the right picture of a girl in pink
panties.
“Bingo,” he whispered, tearing down the glossy carefully to read behind it.
Sure enough, Howard had written several indecipherable codes on the magazine –
a combination of numbers, letters and symbols which would help Heero in finding
the way to his secret basement. He licked his lips and followed the arrows, his
heart in his throat as he fell on his hands and knees to search for the uneven
section of the floor.
He could hear dogs barking in the distance. He was running out of time.
The ballroom was in pandemonium. Guests screamed at the sight of the dead man
on the Queen’s lap, her anguished wails of suffering only overshadowed by
Treize’s sudden bellow.
“There he is! The man responsible for assassinating the General! Stop him!”
The sniper’s eyes widened in dawning comprehension as all eyes turned to him.
He had been set up! That son-of-a-bitch Treize and Baudouin had set him up! He
tried to disappear into the shadows again, but cried out in terror as the two
unseen soldiers stepped out of their hiding place to shoot him at blank range.
He only had time to notice how cool and detached they were. Heh, one of them
even looked like a girl with that blond hair of his. He tumbled over the edge
of the balcony and fell to the ground with a sickening thud, cracking his skull
in the process and causing several women to faint at the sight of blood that
flowed freely.
Treize stepped off the stage and walked towards the dead man, his brows
furrowed in consternation as he reached into the sniper’s pocket to whip out a
piece of paper. In that loud voice of his, he read out clearly.
“Be at the ballroom tonight, seven sharp for your orders, signed Major General
Pierre Baudouin!”
The crowd gasped in shock, accusing eyes all turning to the pale-faced general
who was now shaking his head fervently. “It…it’s a lie!” he blubbered. “It’s
all a lie! He set me up! You bastard, Treize! You set me up!” He lunged for the
Organization’s leader, his eyes crazed and deranged as he held out his gun to
shoot. “You set me up…uuurgh!”
Two clear shots rang out and many screamed again as the General fell to the
floor in a slump. Treize lifted his gaze to the balcony, smiling softly at
Lieutenants Barton and Winner, who had done a fantastic job tonight. He gave a
small nod and they disappeared from sight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, do not panic!” Treize announced loudly as he walked up
to ashen Relena, who was now as immobile as a statue. “Our poor queen has
suffered a great shock and its only fitting that we give her some time to
recuperate. Please allow my ushers to lead you out of the building in an
orderly fashion. I sincerely apologize for the outcome of tonight’s events.
Such traitorous acts must be stopped before they become rampant.”
He smiled warmly at the words of gratitude that came his way although he would
have been a fool not to have noticed the cold looks he received from Colonel
Allison and General Yanagi. Ignoring them for now, he turned to face the pale
figure on the floor.
“Come with me,” he murmured softly as he lifted the unresisting woman into his
arms. “I will take good care of you and promise to give you a reunion you’ll
never forget, my Queen.”
Duo hadn’t been kidding when he had told Heero about the vibrator. His sadistic
masters had forced him to wear the device all evening, as well as a cock ring
that prevented him from exploding in his pants. He was in agony and as he
stumbled into the restroom – glad that Treize had finally decided to take the
stage to launch into some boring speech – he staggered into a stall to pull
down his pants quickly.
He groaned as he pulled out the device which had been strapped to his thigh,
wincing at the dull pain that flared up his spine as it fell to the floor. He
leaned his head against the wall and struggled to catch his breath, wondering
how long he would have to continue being Treize and Zechs’s plaything. Day
after day it was the same thing. He would be locked up in his ‘cell’ and only
allowed out when needed. They clearly enjoyed using him and after several days
of being blindfolded, chained, whipped, forced to give blowjobs and receive
endless hours of butt sex, Duo was this close to calling the whole thing quits.
He didn’t care if they killed Heero or not, just as long as they let him go. He
wouldn’t even have minded going on another suicide mission.
Biting his lower lip hard, he began to pull off the cock ring (knowing he was
going to be severely punished for doing this) only to stiffen as the first
gunshots were heard. His body tensed at the sound, the screams from the guests
causing him to reach for the gun within the pocket of his tuxedo.
Gotta pull my damn pants up first, he thought quickly, taking a deep
breath and pulling off the punishing device with a fierce tug. He almost passed
out in a combined sensation of pleasure and pain, groaning as he shot a load
onto the toilet seat. Wiping himself clean quickly, he held his breath as he
heard voices approaching, desperately trying to remember if Heero was still in
the building. He doubted it. The doctor had left much earlier and was probably
safe somewhere.
Good for you, doc. The last thing I need is for you to get into this mess.
Whatever the hell is going on out there. What the fuck…?!
More shots were fired and the screams grew louder. Cursing beneath his breath,
Duo ran out of the restroom, only to come to a screeching halt as he met the
group of five men and one woman standing in a semi-circle in the empty lobby.
They were dressed in army fatigues, but it was nothing like those worn by the
Organization. Dark sunglasses hid their eyes from view while red and white
bandannas covered their noses and mouths as they pointed their rifles at him.
The Opposition, Duo thought with a snarl as he braced himself for an
attack. Fucking fantastic. Now, I’ll have to…
“It’s him,” the girl suddenly said in a low whisper – a voice filled with
complete awe. “It’s really him. Oh my God.”
She burst into tears, burying her face against the shirt of the man standing
beside her. Duo blinked in confusion, now noticing that all of them had looks
of gratitude and relief on their features. Even some of the men were wiping
away their tears.
What the hell…?
“We’ve come to take you back, sir,” the obvious leader of the group said. He
was a burly man as bald as a cue ball but Duo could see he had a good face for
he had taken off his glasses and bandanna. He rolled up his sleeve to show off
the tattoo, a look of hope in his black eyes.
“We’ve come to take you back, sir,” the man said again as the others nodded in
unison. “We have come to rescue you.”
Heero stood rooted in the middle of the room.
Hoert her! Alle hereinspaziert! Eine Versammlung grosser Geister, um Die
Organisation zu zerschmettern…!
There were hundreds of flyers stuck on the walls.
Wse kto ne bojatza pritisnenija i shilajut boy za swobodu, presoidinitis…!
Thousands of newspaper clippings from all over the world.
Movimiento clandestino cobra velocidad. Autoridades preocupadas…!
Le chef du groupuscule clandestin revendique la responsabilité de l'attentat à
la bombe d'un entrepôt de Port Victoria…!
Everywhere he looked. It was all he could see.
The Opposition. The Opposition!! The Opposition!!!
Images of young men and women fighting the Organization’s soldiers.
Bloodied and wounded, yet they stood defiant in the face of danger.
Many of them had one thing in common. A tattoo of a dragon.
Se hacen llamar los Guerreros Dragón, un grupo de asesinos a sangre fría
listos para destruir a La Organización…!
On either arms or legs or lower backs.
Könnte das das Gesicht des Terrors sein? Die Zukunft?
He shivered and stumbled backwards, fighting back a scream as a dull whirring
sound was heard. He spun around quickly, his heart in his throat, eyes wide as
the small television he hadn’t even noticed, suddenly came to life.
Get out of here, Heero. You don’t want to see this. You don’t want to…
But he couldn’t tear his gaze away even if he tried. Shaky images came on the
screen, running feet, the loud chant of an angry mob as they danced around a
wild bonfire.
The Dragon Warriors. The Dragon Clan.
The camera traveled the length of the crowd, before settling on a makeshift
stage of bricks and mortar. A figure, dressed in a flowing black robe with a
hood, leapt to the top and the mob screamed in delirious ecstasy. The person
reveled in the sound, lifting a hand into a defiant fist pump.
“Down with the oppressors!” he bellowed in a loud voice that would need no
amplifier. “Down with the Organization! Seek all units and destroy them all!
Destroy them all for we are the Dragon Warriors and we will make them suffer!
For the sake of peace! For our FREEDOM!”
Heero gave a small breathless squeak as the figure finally lowered the hood to
reveal his face. He took a weak step backwards, shaking his head slowly as the
familiar violet eyes seemed to capture his through the screen. These were the
eyes of a man without fear, rebellious and wild. This had been the man
responsible for supposedly striking fear and terror within the hearts of many
nations. This was the man responsible for destroying three colonies and waging
war against The Organization.
This was the Opposition and Duo Maxwell, now Agent 002, had been its elusive
and fearsome leader.
Translations (in order):
1. Listen! Come one, come all! A meeting of great minds to crush The
Organization…! (German)
2. All those who do not fear oppression and wish to fight for freedom, join
us…! (Russian)
3. Underground movement gaining momentum. Authorities worried…! (Spanish)
4. Leader of underground movement claiming responsibility for bombing of
warehouse in Port Victoria…! (French)
5. They call themselves the Dragon Warriors, a mass of cold blooded killers out
to get rid of The Organization…! (Spanish)
6. Could this be the face of terror? The future? (German)