Chapter 3 / 37
Written by Jessi Maxwell - send C&C to Megami_no_Remon@hotmail.com
Zechs looked at Duo long and hard for a moment after taking note of the gun. //Is that one of the Gundam pilots?....I think it is. Perfect. As if being in this condition isn't bad enough. // He spoke, and it was an obvious effort, judging by the wheeze in his voice. "Do you REALLY...think that's necessary?"
Duo grinned cheerily and pulled a chair up, sitting backwards in it, waving the gun casually. "Eh, just a precaution that you won't do somethin' stupid. And, y'know, always smart to have protection. I've got enough respect for ya that I'm not taking ANY chances. I've seen you fight."
Zechs blinked, then managed a breathless chuckle.
Duo flashed him another sunny smile. "So, tell me what sorta weapon is out there that can so smash up OZ's ace pilot, eh?"
Zechs eyed Duo for a long moment but didn't answer. The braided pilot hopped to his feet and began pacing, waving his gun idly to punctuate his speech. "Hey, look, I know something tore you up. And I know it wasn't one of us. We just want to know what we're up against."
Zechs managed another weak chuckle. "You...think I would tell you...even if I knew? What little I know...you wouldn't believe."
Duo smirked and flopped on the end of Zechs' bed, drawing a slight wince from the injured man. Duo looked sheepish for a moment. "Er. Sorry about that. But yeah, you really should tell me. It's a threat to all of us. Hell, maybe the colonies too. I don't know. And you'll find I'm a believin' kinda guy. Come on, tell me."
Zechs smirked slightly, amused. "Your negotiation skills...need work."
Duo frowned. "Hey, I happen to think I'm GOOD at negotiating. I've been smiling, an' friendly, and I haven't kept my gun in your face."
"I'll keep you in mind if I ever need a mediator....so...which one are you...?"
Duo grinned and pulled his braid free of his shirt and struck a triumphant pose. "I'm Shinigami. But you and all your goons tend to refer to me as the infamous 02."
"Infamous?" Zechs asked, slowly looking Duo over, more than a little disturbed at the first thought that entered his mind. //Exquisite.// Zechs closed his eye and shook his head slightly to clear the disturbing thought away. //One should not ogle the enemy, especially while under a gunpoint interrogation..//
"Eh, yeah, you all know me, the colony's all know me. The big bad terrorist 02, come to slaughter your puppies and feast on your children. At least some people respect you for what you do. I spend my time saving the asses of people that would celebrate if I was killed."
"Then why bother?" Zechs asked. // Surprises, surprises...//
Duo grinned and shrugged. "Eh, passes the time. Besides, I know I'm savin' the world whether they realize it or not. Maybe they will someday. But enough about me. I need to know what you know. What took you down. So tell me."
Zechs didn't respond.
"Hey, y'know, I was talking to you. Just because I'm playin' nice doesn't mean I'm going to KEEP being nice. I need answers. I didn't risk my damn life comin' all the way in here to leave without getting anything!"
Zechs scowled. "I don't make a practice...of giving confidential information...to the enemy."
"Dammit, Zechs!" Duo scowled, throwing his hat to the floor. "I'm through with bein' Mr. Nice Guy here. If I have t--" Duo stopped abruptly as he heard a distant alarm go off. "Oh...shit." He ran quickly to the door and unlocked it, poking his head out and looking around. Several nurses were hurrying down the hall.
//Think! // Duo mentally chided himself. //Alright, medical wing. Has to have an exit nearby for bringing in wounded. And if the nurses and them are heading INTO the base...// Duo hurried over to the side of Zechs' bed. "Well, I hope you're bloody well pleased with yourself. I NEED that damned information."
"Treize...will be happy to see you." Zechs said with a faint smirk.
Duo's grin was wider as he reached up to examine one of Zechs' IVs and then spun a dial open, increasing the flow. "He'll never know I was here, because you won't remember. Morphine. Wonderful stuff."
Zechs turned his head to look, seeming about to protest, but his vision went glassy a few moments later and he slid slowly into a near catatonic stupor.
"Goodnight, sweet prince." Duo quipped, reducing the flow back to normal. After all... he didn't want to kill the guy.
// And why not? // Duo mused as he peeked back out the doorway, already formulating a plan. // He's tried to kill me plenty of times...and my friends...and who knows who else...and here I am. OZ's ace pilot helpless before me, I have more than a clear shot...// Duo shook his head and sighed. // Eh. Focus on the escape plan. I'll never hear the end of this from Wufei....//
~ * ^ * ~
Quatre was startled awake by the sound of his intercom going off. It was a call on his private, secure line. He fumbled for the button, almost knocking it off the table in his haste to answer it. "Hello?"
"Hey, Q-man, this is Duo! The rest of the gang all there?"
"Yes, of course. Why? Do you need something?"
"Naw, I'm just on my way in. I had to steal a chopper from Oz to get out. But yeah, I can't WAIT to see you guys."
Quatre eyed the communicator warily. "Why...is that?"
Duo chuckled a bit. "Eh, I got big news. Epyon looks like it was dumped through a wood chipper.
Quatre gasped. "What? No...how?"
"Eh, I'm still workin' on it. You think that's big, though, you won't believe what else I got."