Part Twenty-four;
*A Change*

         Paato Chuenchifuoo;
         *Henko*

By looking up at the sky where I can't fly around
   I'm looking for a tomorrow which I cannot see
        tobenai sora o tada miagete
            mienai ashita o sagasu

I was dreaming in your arms
   I answer to your love in my own way
        anata o ude de yume o mita ta
            watashi nari ni ai ni kotaeta

Only the weak pain in my heart
   I left it in you as evidence of my love
        kasuka na mune no itami dake
            anata ni nokoshita ai no akashi

Invisible power is
   connecting the two of us
   My heart feels
        mienai chikara ga
            futari tsunagi awase teru
            kokoro ga kanjiru

I want to teach you who lives in the future
   by stopping the clock
        mirai no atata ni
            toki o koete oshie tai

Please feel me
   By the eyes in your heart...
        watashi o kanjite
            kokoro no hitomi de...

                              [##]

Hiiro stepped into the crowd and immediately disappeared.

                              [##]

Duo sat at a table by the window in a little coffee shop and looked out at the colonial city. He flirted with the pretty waitress and ordered a soda. No need for coffee today, he was officially taking a day off. His newly pilfered sunglasses rested atop his head as he watched the city go through its everyday motions with a feeling that was half envy, half fondness.

" Here you go, " the waitress said pleasantly, setting the tall glass before him. Duo turned from the window and gave her his brightest smile. She smiled back and hugged the tray to her. " Are you new to this colony? "

" Sorta, " Duo answered, " I haven't been to the colonies for ages it seems like. " He watched the Oz Soldiers enter in a clump and take a table near the centre of the room. " Then again, there are some vague differences. "

"  Vague? " She followed the direction of his gaze to the soldiers. " Those are Oz Soldiers, not the Alliance. Oz freed us from the tyranny of the Alliance. We, as colonists, should be happy to have them on our side. "

Duo tipped his chair back and put his arms behind his head, wincing slightly as his shoulder protested with pain. " Maa... if you ask me, a military power is a military power, no matter what name you give it. "

" You're very wrong, " intruded another voice.

Duo turned to face this voice and nearly fell backwards in surprise. Righting himself he exclaimed without thinking; " Sergeant San'nin?! "

Hilde's blue eyes narrowed. " How did you-- " She turned her head quickly and snapped, " Soldiers! Arrest this boy! "

Duo's sunglasses fell down to his nose when he jerked his head. Looking at the girl over the rims, he demanded, " What?! "

Hilde stated formally for him an explanation: " Sergeant San'nin Shriebecker, court marshalled on September 11, in the After Colony Year 195 for aiding and abetting a Gundam Pilot. A Gundam Pilot, which according to surveillance photos taken by Taurus MD was wearing all black and had a long brown braid. " A satisfied smile spread over her face, " So tell me, Zero-Two, where have you hidden your Gundam? "

Duo had that sinking feeling. There went his 'official day-off'...

                              [##]

Looking around, he needed a place to blend in for a long time. Someplace to spend his time while looking for a way to trap Oz in its own folly.

                              [##]

Trowa was looking for much the same place. He needed a place to blend in, and observe his enemy. He shoved his hands in his pockets and fingered the money he'd earned with the circus. It wasn't much, since most of his pay had been the food and shelter. But despite his sternness, the Ringmaster had been a kind man, and gave all his performers some spending money.

Trowa passed by a pair of Oz Soldiers and this got him to thinking. They weren't the first he'd seen since arriving at the colony, and likely weren't the last. That might be a good way to do it. All he would need was access to a computer terminal and the bit of money in his pockets.

The best way to defeat your enemy, afterall, was to become them.

                              [##]

Hiiro happened upon a much different idea. " Gak... " he read the sign slowly, " ...kou... " It had worked for him before...

[Gakkou = School]

                              [##]

" Ungh..... "

The room smelled.... of medicine and antiseptics. Opening his eyes he was assaulted by the harsh whiteness of his surroundings. He raised one arm to shield his eyes against the offending brightness and gazed uncomprehending at his surroundings.

" So, you're awake, " commented a soft voice, accompanied by the sound of the door sliding shut.

Quatre's every instinct fought for a defensive state, but his body was sluggish, and refused to comply. When the face of his nurse entered his vision he could hardly blink.

" Can you see? Or speak? Do you feel like eating at all? "

" Where am I...? " Quatre inquired quietly.

She smiled at him. " That answers my second question. You're in the medical bay of a mining station on a meteorite in the L4 sector. A patrol picked up your space pod and brought it here. You've been unconscious since we brought you in. Hai. " She handed him a paper cup of water and lifted him to a sitting position.

" Arigatou, " Quatre drank deeply, finishing the small cup quickly. Remembering himself he offered, " Boku wa Quatre desu. "

[trans => I'm Quatre]

She smiled again. She had such a kind smile, it was almost familiar... " My name is Iria. Pleased to meet you Quatre. "

" Iriasan... " interrupted an overhead speaker, " We are ready to launch when you are. "

Iria walked over to a comlink and pressed a button to respond. " Hai, just let me finish up with the patient and we'll be right over. " She turned back to the befuddled Quatre, " I assumed you were heading for the L4 Colony, and have made arrangements accordingly. "

" I wasn't really sure where I was going, " Quatre admitted cheerfully, " but thank you. I'm most grateful. "

                              [##]

Hiiro headed for the school, his mind made up.

                              [##]

Wufei opened his eyes as the sensors alerted him of an approaching vessel. Floating over to the controls, he noted that it was an Oz Space Carrier, and watched as the readings changed to indicate it was deploying Space Leos and Taurus MD.

" Che, " he swore and headed for Shenlon. Getting into the cockpit, he strapped himself in, put the Gundam on standby... and waited.

He didn't have long to wait.
 

" Fire! " commanded the officer in the lead, and all the others complied. Soon all that was left of the capsule was a brilliant yellow explosion. Explosions in space were generally small, confined to whatever atmosphere was released from whatever was exploding. But this one was big enough to cast light upon the Oz M.S, big enough to shroud their failure.

And from within that explosion, emerged the reason why they had fired in the first place.

Shenlon Gundam raised its right arm, which was already partially extended and ready to fire the dragon on command. In the other hand it held the thermal lance, and the glowing green eyes were an eerie sight in the deepening blackness of space. The explosion died around Shenlon, as if dispelled by its very presence, and in the darkness the stars seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the dance to begin.

They were not disappointed.

Hydraulics and the booster pack launched Shenlon Gundam into battle. The Mobile Dolls scattered, their computer brains anticipating Shenlon's initial attack pattern. But some of the human piloted M.S were not so fortunate. Shenlon whipped past, slicing and colliding with whatever came in its way. Spinning on the other side of the group, he graced them with the dragon's fiery breath. An MD from behind got him with a blast between the shoulder blades, but when Shenlon turned to retaliate, another MD got him from the side.

Chikushou!!

The lead Oz Soldier righted his Space Leo and took stock of the initial damage. His eyes opened wide. " He took out half the Leos in his initial attack!! "

Over the com, Tsubarov's chuckling sounded, " That is why MD are the weapon of the future, they will defeat that Gundam. "

The soldier gritted his teeth at the condescending tone in Tsubarov's voice. ~Damn that Gundam Pilot... he's proving Tsubarov's theory all too well...~ He watched as Shenlon continued to fight a losing battle with the Tauruses, It's funny, I almost feel like rooting for him, just to see Tsubarov fail...

Feeling the need to vent, Wufei flicked to an open channel and shouted, " You people are weak! Using machines to fight your battles for you! " He hollered in anger as he swung his lance at a Taurus and failed.

Tsubarov looked at Une and smiled thinly, " My, they really are children piloting those things, aren't they? "

Une looked at him stiffly, saying nothing.

Wufei gripped the controls tightly as one blast sent him spinning. Clenching his eyes tight he rode out the backlash and when it slowed, he violently took control of the Gundam and prepared to fire the dragon right into the middle of all those damned Mobile Dolls... But halfway through lining up, his booster failed and his energy levels dropped.

" Damn! " Wufei looked at Nataku failing around him. " DAMN! " He wasn't outfitted for space battle-- why hadn't he kept that in mind?! " DAMMIT!! "

" We have you now, Gundam Zero-Five, surrender yourself, " came the voice of the Oz soldier leading the attack.

Wufei fumed. They thought he was out... he'd show them all. He'd be back another day. He had to live... so self-destructing was out. What to do... he needed a way to propel himself. He looked at his energy levels... his mind raced. That was it, he had just enough, just enough juice left to power the left arm. Haughtily he stated through the still open com, " I'll be back to fight you another day, " before stabbing his own Gundam right in the power generator. The breach triggered an explosion that fired outwards around the lance, and threw Shenlon far into space, away from his enemies.

                              [##]

Hiiro walked through the quiet and dark halls of the school. It was Sunday, so there were no classes that day. All he needed was a computer terminal.

                              [##]

" Please excuse the wait, " he said, entering the large office and closing the door noiselessly behind him, " Miss Rilina Peacecraft. "

Rilina turned from the large window across the room to greet Duke Dermail upon his entrance. She nodded her head curtly, but politely, " Duke Dermail. "

With swift steps he crossed the distance between them and offered his hand. " It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face. "

Rilina took his hand and returned coolly, " Thank you. "

Dorothy watched this from her position at the back of the room. It was quietly spectacular, the meeting between these two fearless enemies. Her heart pounded with anticipation. Rilina looked so beautiful, dressed in the white and silver military dress of the Sanc Kingdom. How very contrasting of a pacifist. Dorothy felt privileged to know her, for Rilina Dorlain-Peacecraft was the very centre of the universe in this war.

This meeting with Duke Dermail was potentially the big bang that would throw all order into chaos. How exciting, and she was there to witness it.

                              [##]

Hiiro sat himself at a computer terminal in the Principal's office and started it up. As he waited for it to be ready, he sat back and contemplated a moment: wondering absently what Rilina was doing on Chikyuu...

                              [##]

Treize turned away from his conversation with Duke Dermail as it ended and steepled his fingers. Leaning back in his chair he stared thoughtfully into the darkness shrouding the library in his Luxembourg home.

So... Duke Dermail wanted Zechs eliminated. Well that wouldn't do, it would ruin the morale of all the soldiers who put the Lightning Baron on a pedestal. Rightly so, he might add. Still, he had to follow orders if all his plans were to come to fruition in the end. It might be good to cut Zechs from Oz in the long run anyway.

But how to do it...

Dermail had been hinting at an attack force, but that wouldn't do... with the Epyon Zechs would just defeat them anyway... unless...

Treize turned back to the computer and opened a link with the Epyon. Without greeting or hailing, he said simply, " Zechs... I think it's time for you to leave the stage. "

                              [##]

Hiiro sat back from the computer and allowed himself a moment's rest. It was done. He was now a registered transfer student, beginning classes tomorrow. He was to pick up a uniform an hour before classes started. As he turned the computer off and got up to go, Hiiro's mind flashed an image of the sky, and of the glinting lights of battle in the far off distance. The image made him pause, and he looked out the window at the colonial city that spread out and upwards; a world without horizon.

That had been what he loved about being on Chikyuu... being able to see the end of the world.
 

**
 

[Oro? Hiiro's seeing things again... XD Finally I got to write an action scene! Go Wu!! Will he survive his brash method of leaving the battle? What's Hilde going to do with Duo? Is Treize really going to launch an attack on Zechs? Find out in the next chapter of Gundam Wing, Mugen no Dansu!]

[Written by Inseiko, 2001]
 [Song: "Looking With the Eyes of the Heart" by Rika Matsumoto, ED for Dirty Pair Flash   Mission 3
  Lyrics taken directly from the ADV Released video cassette]

[Additional Notes on the Lyrics:]
(1) Some of the wording was altered minorly to make it more poetic, in no
way did I change the actual translation in these cases, I just changed things like just 'tomorrow' to 'a tomorrow' etc
(2) The only major change I made to the translation was the line 'mirai no atata ni toki o koete oshie tai' Originally it was translated as 'I want to teach you who lives in the future by jumping the time dimension' but I didn't like that so much, so I changed it to the literal translation of 'toki o koete' which is 'stop the clock' so the line then changed to 'I want to teach you who lives in the future by stopping the clock' At first it doesn't seem to make much sense, but I thought it fit Mugen no Dansu a bit better. I could be out on a limb, but it's my story I can do whatever I want, ne? ^_~

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