Disclaimer: See previous part(s).

Monday, July 29 AC 198-9:00

“Welcome, Miss Relena, Mr. Winner,” greeted Khushrenada.

“What do you want with us?” asked Relena.

“Did you remember my crystal?” inquired Khushrenada.

“We brought it,” Quatre told him, “What do you want?”

“First I want my crystal,” Khushrenada said. Quatre pulled it out of his pocket to show that he had it.

“Good,” Khushrenada smiled, “Now, I want to know how you got those Gundams, hmm? They are quite illegal in this day and age, and I thought you had destroyed them.”

“Why should we tell you?” Quatre asked, “Now where is Amaya and Sylvia?”

Khushrenada laughed, “In time you will see them. It will be soon, I assure you. I do not think you two are in a position to try to bargain with me. I have taken control of the Mars terraforming project. I also now control of the space colonies, so, Mr. Winner, I am in control of all of your ambrosial resource satellites. Moreover I rule over those colonies and stations where your loved sisters are. And with that opportunist, Oleksandr Schbeiker, taking over the world, you both have nothing to bargain with.”

“The people will not stay with Oleksandr,” Relena said defiantly.

“You naïve girl,” Khushrenada sneered, “The people have learned from the Mariemaia incident. You told them all about how peace comes with a price and people must be willing to fight to keep it. That Oleksandr kid has promised to teach them tactics he has learned from his sister and her boyfriend.”

“What do you mean?”

“Haven’t you put two and two together? Oleksandr Schbeiker is the kid brother of Hilde Schbeiker. He has learned many tactics from Duo Maxwell. The people feel safer knowing that their leader will be able to show them how to defend themselves. He has already vowed to give them the right to bear arms,” Khushrenada explained, “How is your ‘peace’ now Miss Relena?”

Relena stood before him and didn’t blink for fear that she might shed a tear.

Monday, July 29 AC 198-10:45

“Miss Mariemaia,” called Jeanine Braun, Mariemaia’s governess, “it’s time for you to come out. Come on, sleepy head, you have to get out of bed.” She smiled and nudged the bulge of covers on the bed.

“Marie,” she exclaimed again, “you can’t stay in bed all day. Lady Une is getting worried.” She smiled a bit. The bulge groaned and stirred a little. Jeanine opened up the curtains to the mid-morning light.

“It’s a beautiful morning! You can go out and have a great day!” she said, “Marie, Marie, are you listening to me?” She pulled off the covers.

She screamed, “YOU’RE NOT MARIEMAIA!” The dog jerked awake and ran out of the room, thoroughly frightened.

Monday, July 29 AC 198-11:00

“Who-where am I?” Mariemaia asked as she pushed herself off of the cold floor of the cell.

“It’s okay Mariemaia,” Sylvia said, “JL Khushrenada had you sent here. That cut on your forehead doesn’t seem too bad. I think it’ll heal quite fine on its own.”

Mariemaia put a hand to her head and asked, “I’m sorry, who are you?”

“It’s okay. I’m Sylvia Noventa,” she introduced.

“I remember hearing about you from Lady Une,” Mariemaia said, “She told me about how JL Khushrenada had you taken from your home. Do you know why?”

“I’m not sure of why I am here. I know he is using Amaya to get Relena back here,” Sylvia said.

“Oh. Do you know why he took me?”

“I’m sorry,” Sylvia said with a sympathetic face, “But I do not know your place in this plot either.”

“Oh. Where is Amaya?”

“I think she was moved to a new cell.”

“He’s my great-uncle, you know, JL Khushrenada. He was my father’s uncle. I don’t know why he’s doing this. He took my cousin, Dorothy, but she’s home now.”

“I know. Do you know what is going on in the world?”

“A little. I know the president cut funding for the Preventers. Then Lady Une quit. She hoped he’d let the Preventers keep on going if she wasn’t in charge. After that, they started to lay off Preventers. Only a few are left.

“My great-uncle has taken control of Mars and the colonies. He’s already using the Winner resource satellites to make mobile suits. During all of the confusion, some boy named Oleksandr Schbeiker has talked to the people and now he rules the Americas, most of Asia, former Russia, and Oceania.

“Lady Une, Miss Hilde, Miss Noin, Mr. Milliardo, and the Gundam pilots went to see someone named Howard. Mr. Howard had a lot of spare suits, including Gundam replicas. He gave them to them.”

“You know a lot of what’s going on for a little girl,” Sylvia commented.

“My grandfather, Dekim, taught me. I have a curiosity for what’s going on, so naturally I know,” Mariemaia explained.

“I see.”

Monday, July 29 AC 198-12:30

“Now, what’s the matter?” asked JL Khushrenada. He sipped his tea. Quatre and Relena hadn’t touched what had been set before them.

“You haven’t had a thing to eat or drink since you have arrived here. Do you think I would poison them?” Khushrenada mused.

“I have had that way too often for me to remember. I refuse to take anymore chances,” Relena said with her nose slightly up in the air.

“I see you both have been taught manners. You use them splendidly,” Khushrenada said, “I wish my daughter, Melita, had been able to do that.”

“You had her killed, didn’t you?” asked Relena.

“My daughter? She was incapable of satisfying her duties to me. She was quite a weak link, and a chain is only as strong as the weakest link,” JL explained.

“She was your daughter!”

“You pushed her into the plan!”

“My, my, you two seem to think that parents should act differently towards their children. Like your parents did? They’re dead now. This time, the parent survived and the child died. The insubordinate, disobedient child died.”

“STOP THAT!”

“I seem to have found a sensitive subject for you both,” JL smiled, “Now, I’m sure you both want your parents back, but we have other matters to discuss first, your party, Mr. Winner, for example.”

“What about it?”

“You will have it this Friday. At the party you will meet with Miss Vandivier. I’m sure you’ll have much to talk about. At the party I will also attend. Around eight o’clock, we will discuss what my demands are next.”

JL Khushrenada looked at the two “children.” They had seemed to space out.

Monday, July 29 AC 198-16:15

“How did it go?” asked Noin.

“Well, he wants me to have a birthday party. He said he’d talk with us then,” Quatre said.

“So he is going to wait until whenever that party takes place to talk with us?” Duo asked.

“He’s already told us to have it Friday,” Relena told them.

“Friday? That soon?”

“Yes.”

There was a bit of silence as everyone expected Relena and Quatre to say more.

“Did he say something else?” Zechs asked.

“No, he didn’t say anything else at all,” Relena said.

“Are you sure? He must have said more, you two were there for a long time.”

“The rest was meaningless,” Quatre said, a bit defensive. Then he and Relena went to their rooms.

“I have a feeling that man said a lot more than what those two told us. He must have hit a nerve or something,” Duo said the obvious.

“I wonder what that was,” Hilde said.

“It probably had something to do with their parents,” Noin said.

“What makes you say that?”

“They both lost their parents and I think that is the only thing they wouldn’t want to discuss anyone,” Noin explained.

“I guess maybe you’re right…but what could he have said to them?”

“All he’d have to do is voice what they already thought,” Heero clarified.

Tuesday, July 30 AC 198

“Now, take two aspirins and call me in the morning,” Iria told her patient as he left the hospital.

“I will, thanks doc!” the patient called back.

“Another patient discharged,” Iria said as she put the final signature on the forms and set it down at the reception desk.

“So, you had another success?” asked Thylma Jegzul, the receptionist.

“Yep, that man is a total hypochondriac. I wish we could find a cure for that,” Iria said with a laugh.

“Dr. Winner have you thought about my offer?” asked Dr. Steve Ater.

“You mean dinner, an expensive one, a night of dancing, and the prospect of something more if I discharge and help ten people today? With one taken away for every patient that dies or gets worse?” Iria asked to clarify.

“Yes, that offer. By my calculations, you make it…twice in fact!” Dr. Steve said.

“Well, I suppose that means I get two nights of fun,” Iria said with a smile.

“Excuse me, Dr. Winner, you have a call from your little brother. He sounds very distressed and urgent,” Thylma interrupted the two doctors’ flirting.

“Quatre? What line is he on?” Iria said with genuine concern.

“Line nine.”

Iria thanked her and went to the lounge to take it privately. She let Steve go with her.

“Quatre? What’s wrong?” Iria asked him.

“Nothing is wrong Iria. I…just have a date for that birthday party you want to throw me,” he said, not noticing Steve.

“Okay, are you sure? I thought you didn’t want it.”

“I’m sure. I’ve changed my mind. I want to have the party on Friday.”

“Which Friday?”

“This one coming up.”

“Are you sure? That’s only a couple of days away!”

“I know. And make sure that JL Khushrenada gets an invitation.”

“Him? Quatre are you insane? He’s taken over father’s company along with all the colonies! How could you think of inviting him?”

“Iria, he has Amaya…”

Iria gasped.

“…And Sylvia. We also believe he has Mariemaia. If we don’t have the party then and don’t invite him, then he might hurt you or any of our sisters.”

“I…I see now. I’ll let the others know.”

“Thank you Iria. Good bye”

“Wait, little brother, is there something else?”

“There’s nothing else.”

“Quatre, you have a look in your eyes.”

“I…I’m just worried for Amaya, Sylvia, and Mariemaia…and all of you.”

“Are you sure Quatre?”

“Yes! I am!” Quatre almost yelled. He abruptly hung up.

“Sounds like something is really on your brother’s mind,” Steve said.

“I wish he’d tell me. I think it’s more than just being worried,” Iria said.

“Well, I’m sure he’ll tell you later,” Steve said.

“You had better be right.”

“How old is your brother?”

“He just turned eighteen.”

“I remember when I was that age. I hadn’t been a Gundam pilot, but I still had my secrets I had to keep. He’ll come around soon,” Steve consoled.

“Well, you better be right. Or you’ll suffer the consequences.”

“Consequences? What consequences?”

“I’ll let you know over that expensive dinner!” Iria said with a smile.

“Oh…I think I’ll like this!”

Thursday, August 1 AC 198

“I’m bored,” Amaya said to no one. She had been given a new cell, a better one than before, but no one was with her. She looked out the window she now had. The colony was very active despite JL Khushrenada. People kept bustling along with their normal lives.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” a voice said from behind.

Amaya spun around to see man standing in the shadows. “What do you want? Who are you?”

“I believe you know my ‘partner,’ JL Khushrenada?” the shadowed man said.

“I know he has me captive here.”

“Soon you will have the company of a celebrity, Relena Dorlian.”

“Why? Why are you doing this?”

“I do not think you could understand. You seem too idealistic….”

“Too idealistic?”

“You think peace is so easy. It is, but you think that peace will be good. Peace is nothing but oppressive to those with conflicts!”

Amaya just stared at him.

“You don’t understand. Your mind is too young. You blindingly agree with that young girl,” the shadow said in disgust, “Tomorrow you will go to Quatre Winner’s birthday party. You will be a normal guest. Do not tell them anything more.” He then left the room in a hurry. His face could not be seen, but Amaya could tell he had blonde hair. For a few seconds she just stared at where the man had been.

“That man…he needs to learn how to word what he feels better. He didn’t come off convincing at all,” she said, “I completely understand what he meant.” Of course, she thought to herself, I agree with him. Sometimes peace seems to make the world appear fake, but I am not about let them think I side with them for one second.

Something caught Amaya’s eye. She walked over to where the man had been and found a crystal.

“This must be very important to them,” she said very softly, “I wonder what would happen if they happened to…lose it. Forever.”

Friday, August 2 AC 198

“What time is it?” Quatre asked Rasid.

“A little after seven, Master Quatre,” he answered. Quatre had already asked about fifty times.

“Well, shouldn’t he be here by now?” Quatre asked, “And where is Amaya?”

“I’m right here,” she said from behind. Quatre turned around and exclaimed her name.

“I’m fine. I’m perfectly safe…not even a bruise,” she said, “I’m apparently a smart hostage. I only got slapped once!”

“They slapped you?” Quatre asked. He seemed to really not like that part.

“Quatre, it was a little slap. Not even a blemish was left. My little sisters have hit me harder than that,” she said easily. She wasn’t bothered by it and didn’t see any reason someone else should either.

“I suppose if you don’t care about that,” Quatre said, though it was clear he didn’t like it.

“I don’t. Now, please come and dance with me! It’s your party and those brutes made me late,” she pointed at two men who were very built. Quatre looked at them then guided Amaya to where all the dancing was taking place. They started to dance and a conversation arose.

“Do you know if he has Mariemaia?” Quatre asked her.

“No, but I’m sure he does. I didn’t know she was missing, but he moved me to a new cell, away from Sylvia. If Mariemaia is missing, I’m sure she’s with Sylvia now. Sylvia will look after her.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Has JL said anything to you?”

“You mean anything that be of some use. He’s said tons of things to me, most of which would be of no use to you or any of the Preventers.”

Quatre laughed a little.

“I was told not to tell you anything, nothing at all.”

“So JL wants you to keep your mouth shut while you’re with me.”

“No, not James. This was a different man. He came to me just yesterday, in my ‘room.’ He told me I was too idealistic, that we all were, and that we were all too young to be doing what we’re doing.”

“Hn. I’ve heard that a lot of times.”

“He also told me not to say a word to you or anyone about what has happened to me while I was with them. Like I’ll keep that. I don’t do that for my own mother, what makes them think I’ll do it for them?”

“I’m sure they don’t know you very well. You’re horrible at keeping secrets.”

“Aren’t you suppose to be supporting me? I didn’t think I’d hear you saying that.”

“Saying the truth?”

“Ha, ha. You’re very funny Quatre Raberba Winner. Are you happy? I said your full name. I don’t see why everyone says you’re so kind. You’ve been quite rude to me,” Amaya said, keeping a straight face but it was a mock hurt.

“Have I?” Quatre asked with a smile.

“Yes, you have. I expect my money back for paying for this party. I try to make your birthday a big success, and this is how you repay me?” she acted like she was about to cry.

“You paid?” Quatre said with astonishment, “I think this all came from my sisters, which means that I basically paid for my own party.”

“Oh, right. Well, I don’t feel so bad anymore.”

“I’m sure. Who was that man that came to you?”

“Back to business and out with pleasure,” she sighed, “I don’t know who he was. He kept in the shadows, so I couldn’t see his face. When he left I caught a glimpse of his hair. It was blonde. That doesn’t narrow it down though. Look around, this whole crowd is practically blonde. Well, except for those who are too old that their color has gone to gray.”

“I see your point. Did the man have a distinctive voice?”

“No, it was deep like a grown man’s, but just about every man has that. He did have a European accent, but I couldn’t place the country.”

“I see.”

“I’m sorry-”

“It’s okay.”

“Well, you didn’t let me finish. The man dropped a crystal of some kind. At first I thought it might be a diamond or cubic zirconium.”

“JL Khushrenada ordered an arcet from Duo. Inside was something like that. I had to give it to JL when I met with him last. He must have given it to that man.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me since the man called James his ‘partner.’ Anyway, some ‘soldiers’ came back and took it. It must be important.”

“Yes, it must be. You say their partners? So JL isn’t working alone?”

“No, he apparently isn’t. Most people don’t, though they try to make others think so.”

“Too bad he has it again.”

“Not really.”

“What?”

“That crystal? If you want to see it, all you have to do is look at my left earring.”

“You mean you…” Quatre started.

“I figured it was important if that shadowed man had it on him. As you know, I like to hide things. I noticed the crystal looked almost exactly like the diamond in my earring. It took them an hour before they realized it was gone and in my room. During that time, I switched the crystal with my diamond, and they haven’t noticed yet,” she explained. Quatre smiled.

“Excuse me,” a man a little older than Quatre tugged on his arm.

“Yes?” Quatre stopped dancing and turned around.

“Mr. Khushrenada would like to see you now,” the man said.

“Okay,” Quatre said. He turned back to Amaya and said a good bye for now and then went with Trowa, who had also been dancing when he was told about the meeting, to where they had been instructed.

“If you want, Miss, I’ll finish dancing with you,” the man offered.

“No thank you, my feet hurt. I want to go sit down,” she said and turned around. She went to a table where Midi Une soon joined her.

In the meeting room, everyone was present.

“What do you want now?” asked a man introduced as Will Scampi.

“I want the Preventers to totally and ultimately disband,” JL Khushrenada said, not beating around the bush at all.

“What?” exclaimed a few people.

“There is no need for them and soon there will be no one to fund or keep them around,” Khushrenada said matter-of-factly.

“We were willing to bargain before, but now we—”

“Still will. After you disband and the public never sees you again,” JL started, “You may once again become rebels that you are so fond of being. I’m sure your views of this war that is about to happen would be much better if seen as rebels. If you do not disband, I will have Relena Peacecraft.”

“And what about the current hostages you have?”

“I’m sure you can rescue them soon enough.”

With all the other guests, Amaya had stricken up a conversation with Midi.

“How long have you known Trowa?”

“Well, we originally met when we were ten. It was only for a few days though. After the war, I went to see the circus, and there he was. I’ve run into him quite a few times since then. We’ve been a couple for five and a half months now,” Midi said, “What about you and Quatre?”

“During his brief stay at Relena’s school, we had a few brief conversations. They didn’t have any real value. We’ve kept contact with each other for a little over a year now.”

“You went to Relena’s school?”

“My parents forced me to. My father is a high-ranking officer and they wanted to show her they supported her pacifistic ideals. Believe me; that’s one thing my parents know how to do, get into someone’s favor. Those tutors my grandparents paid for did a good job.”

“Tutors?”

“Well, yes, some things they don’t teach you in school.”

“Oh, I suppose so.”

“Um…do you know anything that is going on?”

“I know that Trowa has been up a few nights trying to think of a solution. That kid, Olek, is taking over the world ‘with smiles’…and guns. JL Khushrenada has Mars and the colonies. I don’t see how the people follow him.”

“Well, he is the one who has all the weapons. I didn’t know that Oleksandr had guns. I thought he had no weapons.”

“He didn’t when he started, but since then, he’s manufactured weapons. He claims he’s going to give them to the people to keep them and peace safe.”

“Oh…. His last name is Schbeiker, isn’t it? Is he then related to….”

“Hilde? Yes, he’s my little brother,” Hilde finished and explained. She had just walked up to the table. She at that moment sat down at the seat offered to her by Amaya.

“Oleksandr is a horrid child,” she said, “He was always a little violent as a child, though he didn’t like to pick fights. I don’t understand why he’s doing this. But when I get my hands on him…!”

“What have you been up to since you arrived here,” asked Midi.

“I’ve been talking with Relena,” Hilde sighed.

“Something the matter?”

“Oh, Miss Relena’s nice and everything, but sometimes her voice gets on my nerves.”

“You too?” asked Amaya, “Look, here come the boys.” The men came out and went to their dates.

“Duo what…” started Hilde, but Duo looked like he’d rather not talk about it. Midi went with Trowa. A man came and took Amaya away. The party was officially over.

Wednesday, August 7 AC 198

“I repeat…at approximately three-twenty-three this afternoon, giving a speech to millions, Vice Foreign Minister Relena Dorlian was shot in the head. She was transported to St. Elmo’s Women’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead at approximately four-ten p.m., Eastern Standard Time. The president has declared tomorrow a day of mourning and remembrance.

“The Preventers are searching for the murderer. Anne Une reports they have many leads but are not releasing any names. No word yet has come of the security around the late Vice Foreign Minister, but Preventers Yin and Chang have been suspended without pay until an investigation takes place,” the anchor reported. The screen went blank as the set was turned off.

“So Relena Dorlian is dead?” asked a woman.

“Yes, she died in the hospital from a gunshot wound to the head,” answered another woman.

“And you would be then?” asked the first.

“Marie Rose,” said the former Relena Dorlian, “The people do not need the other girl.”

“So she fakes her death? How very much like her brother,” said the still unnamed woman.

“What is your name, ma’am? Heero didn’t tell me,” Marie asked.

“Well, ‘Marie,’ I can’t tell you my real name, but you can just call me Bruja,” the woman clarified.

“Bruja?”

“Yes”

“Such a strange name….”

“But it suits me better than you know,” she said.

Thursday, August 8 AC 198

Lady Une was swamped with phone calls and paperwork. The president had practically begged her to come back. She needed to be here to stop thinking of Mariemaia anyway.

“Ms. Une, you have a call on line four from a Mrs. Dorlian,” her secretary said.

“Thank you Lainaj,” Une said, she picked up the phone, “Hello Mrs. Dorlian.”

“Ms. Une what exactly does your department do?”

“Well ma’am we-”

“Because you obviously cannot guard people very well. Look at what happened to my daughter.”

“I understand you must be upset-”

“Upset? Upset?! I’m outraged that you had two incompetent fools guarding-”

“Preventer Yin and Preventer Chang are very competent. They did their best according to our-”

“Your records need upgrading then. I want those two fired. Relena’s dead, so they obviously did not do their jobs. I expect to hear of their dismissal by the morning news. Good day.” With that, Mrs. Dorlian hung up. Une stared at the phone with a mix of anger, hatred, and despair. As much as she hated to admit it, Mrs. Dorlian’s demand was what she had to do. More influential people would be calling and using coarser language.

“Lainaj,” she called to the secretary.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Please send Yin’s and Chang’s paychecks to them with a note that says…” she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“That says they should write letters of resignation?” suggested Lainaj.

“Yes Lainaj, that’s it.”

Saturday, August 10 AC 198

Marie walked into the house that would now be hers. Bruja had somehow bought the place. She didn’t ask questions. Looking around, she saw that Dorothy was right. This place was much smaller than what she was used to. There were no servants to cook or clean. There was no limo to take her where she wanted to go.

A bicycle was in the small part of the house called a garage. That was how she’d get around the village. If she needed to go farther, she’d have to rely on neighbors. Her blonde hair was up in a bun, she wore glasses, and her clothes were in the village’s style. No one would think she was Relena Peacecraft.

“This is what I wanted,” she reminded herself as she realized she had no real job skills. Perhaps she could get by on a waitress’s salary. She had never had to worry about money before, and she couldn’t touch Relena’s vast fortune.

“Hello new neighbor!” called a woman as she knocked on the open door. She had a baby in her arms and little girl cowered behind the mother’s skirt.

“Hello” Marie greeted with a smile.

“I’m Amanda Hugginkiss,” she introduced.

“Marie Rose. Are these your children?”

“Yes, little Adelaide is behind me, come out and say hello Adie. In my arms is Ibrahim, he’s nine weeks old.”

“And how old are you Adie?”

“Quatre” the girl pointed across the street.

“Quatre?”

“She means ‘four,’ don’t you honey? Sometimes she mixes up her French and English,” Amanda clarified. She said good bye and took the children home so Adelaide could get ready for ballet.

“Why did Adelaide point across the road if she was telling me her age?” Marie wondered. She dismissed the mystery. Nothing was happening in this little town. She went back to organizing her things.

Sunday, August 11 AC 198

“Where is Relena? Surely your men did not kill her,” the shadowed man said. His voice was husky this time.

“Bad cold Adolfo?” asked JL Khushrenada.

The shadow grunted.

“My men had nothing to do with her death. I don’t know who killed her or why.”

“James how are we to get her with Peacecraft dead? Everyone will suspect you for her death. You won’t get the girl.”

“Peacecraft died, and so did my daughter. Death will not stop her nor will it stop us.”

“You better be correct.”

“I am. Oh, and Adolfo….”

“What?”

“Next time, take a throat lozenge before you talk to me.”

Tuesday, August 13 AC 198

“How is ‘Marie’?” asked Duo.

“She’s fine,” answered Hilde as she made a shake, “Amanda says she’s settling in very nicely.”

“And Marie doesn’t suspect Amanda’s a Preventer and your friend?”

“Nope. Amaya’s grandmother lives next door too”

“That’s good”

“How was Miss Relena’s funeral?”

“There was a very gloomy atmosphere. Lots of important people gave speeches about her,” reported Duo.

“Well she was well-loved.”

“So how is my new baby and mommy?” he asked and put a hand on Hilde’s swelling abdomen.

“We’re both very well. The doctor says she should start kicking soon.” Before Duo could respond, an explosion rocked the house.

“Damn what was that?” asked Duo. He ran towards his office where the explosion had come from. Hilde followed after him.

“Duo, Duo what happened?” Hilde asked.

“Fuck!”

“What? What is it?”

“Some fucking bastards blew up my office!”

“Oh no, why would anyone do such a thing?”

Duo walked over to where his safe used to be. The door was open so it had to have been broken into before the explosion. Explosives couldn’t open the safe.

“They broke into the safe and exploded the place to cover their tracks.”

“What’d they take?”

“That arcet I’m sure of it,” Duo ran back to the house and grabbed a few things.

“Where are you going?” demanded Hilde.

“To Heero and the others”

“I’m coming too!”

“No you’re not”

“But I helped last time”

“We had no choice then now you’re going to a friend’s house. Stay there until it’s safe.”

“Duo you’re being paranoid.”

“I am not. Now promise me you’ll go to a friend’s”

“I will Duo. But will you give this note to my cousin for me? Please?”

“Okay, which cousin? What is it?”

“An invitation to my baby shower. My cousin is Lucrezia Noin.”

“Noin…your cousin?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Hilde which friend are you going to?”

“Zxyu. Now go!”

Thursday, August 15 AC 198

Duo arrived on Colony D-26533, part of the L1 Colony Cluster. Heero was supposed to be staying there. He looked up where Heero was living. As he pulled up to the apartment complex, he noticed a woman frantically driving away.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for Heero Yuy,” Duo asked an elderly couple inside.

“Heero? That nice boy?” asked the man.

“Uh…yes,” Duo clarified. Heero? A nice boy? Ha! Yeah right! Duo thought.

“Yes, he’s living in B5,” the man said. Duo thanked him and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

“Man, what a run-down old place,” Duo mumbled. He came to B5 and knocked on the door.

No answer.

He knocked again. A little girl, who had been playing in the hall, walked up to Duo.

“Mister, he’s gone.”

“What do you mean?”

“Laraine took him to the hospital. He’s hurt. Bad.”

Friday, August 16 AC 198-11:35

“‘…[W] ith Relena Peacecraft dead. There is no reason for us to do business with each other,’” Zechs read a delivered note, “‘I have what I want and what you want. You have nothing I desire.’ So is that it?”

“He doesn’t sound like he’s open to negotiations,” observed Noin. Zechs, Noin, Sally, Trowa, and Wufei were discussing JL’s latest letter. Wufei was trying not to sulk about his sudden unemployment.

“No,” agreed Sally, “It doesn’t.”

“What did they want with Relena that they don’t need her now? What threat did she pose alive?” pondered Trowa.

Friday, August 16 AC 198-13:15

Lady Une looked around and sighed. There was no way she’d get home before Mariemaia went to bed tonight…if Mariemaia was home that was.

“I wanted this job back. There’s just too much paperwork for my taste,” she said to the empty office. She rubbed her eyes and groaned.

“Are you Christy Une? Lady Une formerly of Oz?” asked a man who had appeared out of nowhere. He looked like he had just braved a hurricane with his tired eyes, messy hair, and sporadic breathing pattern. He was wearing a buttoned trench coat.

“Yes,” she answered cautiously, “Who are you?”

“Mr. Treize wants to meet with you.”

“What do you….”

A gunshot made the secretary, Lainaj Bicl, jump out of her seat with a sharp yelp.

Friday, August 16 AC 198-14:23

“No!” screamed Mariemaia, “She’s not dead! She’s not! You’re lying!”

“Dear child, I am not lying. Boris Koulkov shot her. It is all over the news,” JL explained.

“Une can’t be dead! She can’t!” she screeched. The tears and anger swelled in the small child until she couldn’t hold it in and started to scream and cry.

“Take her back to the cell,” instructed JL. Guards dragged her to where Sylvia was staying. Mariemaia flung herself into Sylvia’s arms.

“They’re saying she’s dead! They said they killed her!” sobbed Mariemaia.

“Who?”

“Une! Lady Une!”

“Oh…dear!” said Sylvia as she cradled her.

“Why? Why are they doing this? Why?” she cried.

“I don’t know Mariemaia. I wish I did know. They’re after someone, but I don’t know who,” comforted Sylvia.

“Well…they’ll…they’ll never accomplish anything!”

Saturday, August 17 AC 198

Duo checked the time on his watch. He was pretending to read a newspaper as he sat in the waiting room of a hospital. He looked around for any sign of Heero, but there was none. An attractive receptionist giggled.

“I found your friend,” she happily announced.

“Oh really?” asked Duo. He walked up to her.

“I do!”

“Where is he?”

“He’s in room 9. I’ll show you the way!” she squealed with excitement.

“Thank you ma’am,” Duo smiled. He looked in and saw the same woman who left the apartment complex frantically in the room with Heero. He moved quickly as she bolted out of the hospital room.

“He should wake up any minute now,” the receptionist said and went back to the desk. Duo walked in.

“So here you are. Man, I didn’t think they’d get you that bad.”

“They didn’t attack head on. They came in the middle of the night and sprayed gas into my room so I couldn’t fight back,” Heero explained.

“Ah. You’re slipping up Heero. You think it’s the same guys who came at you during that mission?”

“I’m sure it was. Or at least they work for the same person.”

“What are they after? Surely someone didn’t pay them to just beat you up. I mean, I guess it could happen, but surely there’s something else.”

“I don’t know what they want.”

“So who’s the old lady that brought you here? I saw her scold you. This was the last place I would have looked for you, Heero.”

“She’s my landlady. She likes to think she’s my mother.”

“Your mother huh?”

“I told her I lost my family during the war and moved here to start anew.”

“No mentioning of piloting a Gundam or sometimes working for the Preventers?”

“No”

“Ashamed?” teased the visitor.

“Not at all. She seemed too nice for me to tell her my real past, and she hates it when I fight people here, so I didn’t want her worrying over me if I went on missions for the Preventers.”

“I didn’t know you had a soft side like that.”

“…”

“A Gundam pilot?” asked Laraine. She evidently had been standing around for awhile.

“Uh…” said the visitor. Heero stayed silent and closed his eyes.

“Well, that explains this,” she said as she pulled out the jacket she had found. It had the Preventers’ insignia on it. She didn’t look too happy.

“Why didn’t you tell me? And don’t say because you didn’t want me to worry. You lied to me! Your family and their deaths were all lies! You were a Gundam pilot and killed thousands of people!”

“I only killed soldiers and those willing to fight,” Heero said.

“Whatever. Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. She looked into his now open eyes and found her answer. She felt like crying and hugging him, but she knew he wasn’t too fond of those sorts of things.

“Well, I’ll go ahead and introduce myself. I’m Duo Maxwell,” Duo said and shook her hand.

“I’m Laraine Kaeilan,” she introduced with a sob. Then she put the bag of clothes and excused herself to go compose herself in the restroom.

“Boy…she’s just about as emotional as Hilde has been lately,” Duo commented.

“Hn,” grunted Heero.

“Oh, can you get something to Relena for me?” Duo asked, “Here’s an invitation to a baby shower Hilde’s throwing for herself. She’s not sure where her cousin is anymore. She says they used to be so close, this cousin is the one that got Hilde to sign up for military time, but now they haven’t spoken to each other since the war. She doesn’t know where she is nowadays.”

“What makes you think I’ll be able to get it to her? Aren’t you the delivery man?”

“I am, but I thought you might want to see Zechs.”

Heero gave him a questioning look.

“Her ‘close’ cousin is Lucrezia Noin.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. I didn’t believe it at first either. Well, think you can do that for me? Please?”

“Fine,” grunted Heero. He took the invitation and put it up for delivery. Laraine walked back in the room with a tissue.

“Well see ya around Heero,” Duo called and walked out.

Monday, August 19 AC 198

“Yuy can’t make it,” announced Wufei.

“Why not?” asked Noin.

“They came to his apartment at night and now he’s in the hospital,” he informed.

“Heero? In a hospital?” asked Sally.

“Yep. His landlady took him. They got him real bad,” clarified Duo as she appeared in the doorway.

“Don’t you guys ever knock?” asked Sally.

“No”

“So Une’s dead; Relena’s dead but living as Marie; Mariemaia is missing, same with Sylvia; Melita is dead; Amaya is back home, and Duo’s house was bombed?” recapitulated Trowa.

“Yes”

“How did you know about my office?” Duo inquired.

“It was on the news. Your house exploded, too. Hilde was at a friend’s,” Trowa informed.

“We could tell it was your house by the improvement the neighbors said the bombs made.”

“Very funny Wufei,” Duo said.

“We have to figure out JL’s next move.”

Tuesday, August 20 AC 198

“I am sorry to hear about your daughter,” sympathized Mrs. Vandivier.

“Thank you. I hope her memory serves a purpose,” said Mrs. Dorlian, “Please, sit down.” Mrs. Vandivier sat down across the table of Mrs. Dorlian, who offered her some tea, which she gladly accepted.

“I can take comfort in knowing Yin and Chang were fired. How is your daughter?”

“Fine. She says she needs to talk to Quatre Winner.”

“To be young and in love.”

Okay, a lot of the sections were smaller towards the end because I lost the disk this part was on and I had to write on notebook paper until I found it in my lit class. How was it? Quatresprincess2002@yahoo.com