4-July-2000
Title: The Hunt ()()()()()()()() Notes: This is a *direct sequel* to our previous fic, ESO, and picks up about two weeks or so after the conclusion of that story. This is the most recent entry in what I am now dubbing the Frozen Colony Arc (whoo hoo, we have an Arc!!! Doesn't that sound impressive? ^_~). Many references are made to events in the previous fics. I would like to think this would not be annoying to anyone who hasn't read the previous stories, but I might be on crack. In the event that anyone is interested, the *chronological* order of these stories is as follows, and all can be found at GW Addiction. [Discoveries: Her Fallen Count; The Frozen Colony; Down Time in Hell; The Rematch; The Future; The Power of Goodbye; and E.S.O.] ESO SPOILER: for those of you who read ESO or don't mind being spoiled, Wufei revealed to Zechs at the end of that story that Treize was still alive, which events actually happened in The Future. We do not know at this time how many other characters will come into the story. This is a multi-parter, but will definitely NOT be anything like the length of ESO (sigh of relief heard all around).
Author: bonnejeanne (bonnejeanne@yahoo.com) and vonceia (vonceia@yahoo.com>
Archive: GW Addiction http://www.oocities.org/fenris_wolf0/ and if she chooses, Darkflame http://members.xoom.com/riouka/gwpage.html
Category: yaoi, angst
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: 6x5/5x6 so far, mentions of 1x2 and 5x1x2
Spoilers: Series, Endless Waltz, fics of ours
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the copyright owners. Our stuff is ours. No money being made here. As with all our fics so far, while our goal is to stay as in character as possible, any discrepancies are our mistakes.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short or long.
Warnings: Yaoi, LEMON (graphic sex). No one is intentionally bastardized, but we do not guarantee that our interpretations of characters will agree with yours, so a general OOC warning.
()()()()()()()()
Zechs settled in the Tallgeese, noting the changes that had been added or modified by Alfa's scientists. "Alfa be with me today," he muttered, preparing long range scanning.
He did not notice a tiny light that activated in response, it seemed, to his words.
Wufei had done a damn good job of not being found. By anyone.
At some point Lady Une relayed to him that there was some kind of skirmish going on not far from the L4 LaGrange Point. By the time he got there, there was nothing but debris, but the readings were fresh. Four, maybe five small ships had engaged something here, and been demolished.
Frowning deeply, Zechs focused his attention on the readings and plotted possible course directions that Epyon might take to evade. He narrowed it down to two and picked one on a hunch.
Hours later, the hunch had not panned out. He did encounter evidence that someone had been before him, but the indications were for ships, not a damaged Gundam. His thinking was mirroring Treize's.
A little window on his screen popped open.
"When are you going to start using your head, gentleman warrior?" the woman on the screen said to him.
Zech's eyes widened and looked up. "Alfa?" he said, surprised and pleased at the same time.
"Well it's not Relena Peacecraft," the indigo-eyed woman said wryly.
Zechs shook his head. "You know what's going on?" he asked.
She inclined her head. "A little bird chirped in my ear. Wufei's in trouble, right?"
"Yes," Zechs answered. "I'm trying to find him. Treize is after the suit."
Alfa nodded. "And why didn't you just give him the damn suit, Merquise?"
Mentally kicking himself again, Zechs took a deep breath and said tightly, "I was afraid he would start another war." Once the words hit the air, they seemed very true and freeing. Speaking the fear took the bite of it away.
"It takes more than one suit to start a war," Alfa said, raising one eyebrow. "It takes the determined efforts of a lot of people. So that's *your* fear. What is his?"
Zechs looked away and then back, thinking hard. "His fear," he repeated.
"Yes, his fear. He has fears just as you do," Alfa said. "I don't know this man Treize. You do. All I know is what I've observed. From that alone I'd say he's a man dealing with a lack of purpose. I could be totally off base. There's one thing you military boys like to fail to take into account - the way those wars hurt *everyone* - even you. Even him. You tell me, he's your.... whatever he is to you. Either he's a madman like Dekim Barton or he's in pain."
Zechs thought about what Alfa was saying. "Not like Barton, " he said. "Pain... yes.." Zechs looked up and then shook his head at the thought he was having. "Wufei ... no, that's not it," he said. "He has no purpose."
"That you know of," Alfa corrected. "Wufei... is doing what he thinks you want - right? Kushrenada... has no closure. Until he gets some... he'll be in pain. How can a man like that find closure?"
Zechs looked at the woman on his screen. "For me, it was finding something to protect. It was a decisive battle, victory or defeat," he said and then smiled a little. "Or maybe finding one heart to believe in." He thought of Heero.
Alfa looked at him for a moment. "Perhaps," she said. "I'd have guessed something else, based on my own experiences. I'd have guessed... finding someone who forgave you. Forgave you for the necessities you performed in the name of what you believed to be right. Because no matter how right you may be, the end never justifies the means, not in your heart."
Zechs nodded slowly, feeling the words pour over him like a balm. "I never believed that I could help him, until now. Thank you, Alfa," he said.
The woman, who still looked far too young, scowled slightly. "Thank me when it works," she said. "As for Wufei, you won't find him until he chooses to be found. It he thinks Treize is watching you, and thinks you don't want to give up the suit, he won't falter. I know you are damn good but so is he. He'll consider your wishes as orders and won't budge until the orders change."
Zechs nodded again. "Understood," he said.
"Talk to Quatre Winner," Alfa said. Then the small communications window closed with a soft beep.
"You're reading my mind, Alfa." Zechs said softly.
He contacted Duo and Heero, feeling a sense of relief when Duo's face appeared on the screen. "Duo, this is Zechs. I need to contact Quatre Winner immediately!" he said.
Duo's eyebrows went up. "Fine," he said, punching the comm code over. "I take it you haven't found Wufei yet. No don't answer that. Say Hi to Quatre-kun."
Trowa, who had been watching Quatre closely for hours, saw the comm activate and answered. He blinked, inclining his head as he saw Zech's face appear.
"Long time, no see." Trowa said, with a smile. Zechs nodded once. "Hi, Trowa, I need to speak with Quatre. It's about Wufei," he said.
Trowa nodded and walked to the bed. "And alakazam, you're back and cured. Quatre, wake up. Zechs is on the screen," he said.
Quatre blinked, and then giggled. " 'Alakazam'? And what am I cured of? I'm hungry... jeeps, Trowa it's been eight hours??? Hi Zechs."
"Quatre," Zechs said. "I need your help... your abilities."
Quatre held up a hand. "Don't ask me where Wufei is. He won't tell me. I keep getting a nice, affectionate, distracted push away from his mind. I'm getting a headache and a... my left arm keeps going to sleep for some reason..."
Zechs' eyes narrowed and then he shook his head. "No. I don't need to you to find where he is. If you are in touch or can get to him... please relay that the orders have changed. Tell him that Treize can have the suit. I don't understand how all of this works, but tell him I'll be on the Resource Satellite waiting for him. Please try."
Quatre's eyes went round as saucers. "Um, you sure? Treize... the Epyon...? Yes, I supposed you are sure or you wouldn't have aid it, would you? Um... I'll see what I can do... can't guarantee success of course. I keep getting the strangest... well it's all strange but it's almost like there's another mind... with his... only not... it's weird. I know the Zero system," he said with a touch of wryness, "And it's like that only... not.... there's something... else..."
"It's Epyon. Like the Zero system, it.... talks to the pilot." Zechs said.
The blond tilted his head. "I know what you mean but..." he shook his head. "Zechs.... did the Epyon even show you... fighting with Treize?"
Zechs' eyes widened. "No," he whispered, thinking of the implications.
Quatre nodded. "I thought so. Don't ask me why. Well, I'll see what I can do. He's tired, I know that, and he's been fighting. He didn't want to, they must have forced it."
Zechs listened, taking in the information. "I copy Quatre," he said, "If you get through, tell him that Treize is forgiven."
Quatre made a little noise. "I think that's something you need to say in person. I'm not Interspatial Bell, you know!" he said, and grinned to take the sting out of it.
Zechs smiled, fully. "This from the guy who jumped me on Mantasail.." he replied.
The blond shook his head. "I did not." He blushed slightly and grinned again. "I did want to...."
Zechs eyebrows rose. "Ok," he said. "Think I'd better get to the Resource Satellite. Thanks, Quatre." he said, feeling his skin warm as he blushed also.
"Geraldine, the Interspace Operator, out," Quatre said, as the connection ended.
He turned to Trowa. "I feel like I should have some chewing gum and my hair in a bun."
Trowa made a face. "Not," he said. "I can get you a sandwich, if you'd like, though? To quell your hunger, while you work."
Quatre nodded vigorously. "Please! Then I guess you better put me under again. This is getting too complicated."
Trowa leaned over and kissed Quatre's lips. "When was it ever simple?" he said, standing.
Quatre grabbed Trowa's hand before he could leave and kissed it fervently. "Only in my dreams," he said, smiling up into Trowa's emerald eyes.
Trowa sighed and squeezed Quatre's hand. "I understand that too well," he said. "And later, after you're through with your part-time stint, I'll distract you... bodily."
Quatre sighed dreamily.
We exist to fight.
Wufei sighed wearily. "Now it's 'we'?" He anchored the suit to piece of debris, of which there was still many metric tons in space, remnants of the wars. "I won't be able to fight if I don't rest."
Your enemy is still pursuing. Your enemy won't relent.
"Neither will you, it seems," Wufei muttered. "If I didn't know better I'd think you were..." he stopped, his body which had been tiredly slumped suddenly sitting bolt upright. "... trying to... help... him..."
Zechs had reached M02, when he got a sudden tightband message blip. It was scrambled and sent super high speed. The console descrambled it. It was simply a set of coordinates.
Zechs nodded and prayed. Moving the Tallgeese away from MO2, he set a course for the coordinates at top speed.
"Incoming!" Duo yelled, pointing to the blinking message blip.
"Hn," Heero remarked, suddenly materializing over Duo's shoulder.
A set of coordinates, nothing else. Duo frowned, chewing his thumbnail. "Hey... I know that place." He looked at Heero and raised his eyebrows.
"Let's go!" Heero said, pulling the braided pilot to his feet.
When Zechs arrived at the coordinates, he saw five small fighter-equipped ships circling the small installation that had once been the launching point for the mission to stop the ESO.
The ships spotted Tallgeese also and immediately turned to come towards him.
"Preventer, how nice of you to join us," a surly voice greeted him. He barely recognized the voice of a soldier he'd met once or twice. One of the Treize loyalists.
"What are your intentions here? This is a restricted area. Stand down." Zechs relayed, sending the coordinates and signal back to Preventer HQ.
"Our intentions are none of your business, Preventer. We're just repo-men these days," the man replied. "We've been attacked - we have every right to take down the bastard that resisted our rightful reclamation efforts."
"What you are is heavily armed near a civilian populace. That makes it Preventer business. Your dispute must be settled by the courts. What you are attempting is illegal. I say again, stand down... or you will be fired upon." Zechs relayed.
One of the five ships broke off and headed for the installation. At the same time, a new transmission cut across the ex-soldier's reply.
"Break off. Operation aborted," the voice said. It did not identify itself but the voice was well known to everyone who heard it.
The other four ships hesitated, and a couple of them looked as if they might fire on Zechs, then they all backed away and took off.
The fifth ship had made a landing next to the small facility and disgorged its lone occupant who entered the bay.
Zechs brought the Tallgeese down next to the facility. He debarked and walked into the bay as well.
The big bay that had once housed five Gundam Alphas and briefly, the Tallgeese, was abandoned and empty. Well, almost. In the middle of the huge hangar, the Epyon knelt, at rest, its cockpit yawning open and empty.
The tall man stood in front of the suit, looking up at it. His ginger hair had grown past his shoulders and been tried back with a dark ribbon. His body in the spacesuit was the same trim, well-proportioned figure Zechs knew so well. Facing away, his expression could not be discerned but it seemed almost as if he were communing with the ragged metallic demon who knelt before him.
Zechs looked from the back of the man, then scanned the room for any sign at all of Wufei. Ice blue eyes then locked on the man again as he walked up and removed his helmet. "Where is he?" Zechs asked softly.
The man turned around and blue eyes met blue. Treize's face was a bit thinner, the planes of his features a bit more sculpted. He looked at Zechs as smiled.
"I have no idea," he said quietly. "We picked up a trail and followed it here. I expected him to be in the suit. As you see, it is unoccupied." Treize opened his hands showing empty palms. "No weapon. If I had my foils we could do this properly. Are you going to arrest me, Preventer Wind?"
The news that Wufei was not in the Epyon caused a look of concern to pass across Zechs' face. He watched Treize, listening to his words. Then he took a deep breath, turning to the former General and said, "I should. If no more than to calm Lady Une's nerves." He then stepped closer and embraced Treize tightly.
Treize stiffened, startled, then slowly relaxed. "Not what I was expecting you to do," he said with that soft irony Zechs knew so well.
Zechs chuckled. "Well, you taught me to keep them guessing." he said, feeling the familiar structure and form.
"Yes, I did," Treize nodded. He looked into Zechs' eyes directly. "I thought you were still upset about your failure to kill me."
Zechs smiled sadly. "I was," he said. "But I got over that one. This time I was wildly indignant and angry that you trifled with Wufei. I was also afraid that you would begin another war and that it would all start again."
"I can see why that would upset you," Treize said. "It would mean all your sacrifices were for nothing. But Zechs, if humanity has learned the lesson you tried to teach them, it couldn't happen. And if it could, it will just be a matter of time. It wouldn't take a Treize Kushrenada to break your peace."
Zechs felt sudden tears sting his eyes at the simple words. This time, he did not feel resentment or anger, just a large stone roll away from his heart. His arms tightened on Treize's body. "Yes," he said, tightly. Looking back into the blue eyes that were so familiar, he sighed. "I thought I was here to tell you something like that," he said. "You've bested me again, General. This time, I do not mind at all."
Treize laughed softly. "Have I? Zechs... have a heart. I have a few years on you, are they supposed to count for nothing? As for Wufei.... it wasn't trifling. I promise you there was nothing trifling in our affair at all. Nor was it without his consent. I find it hard to believe he would have lied to you about that."
Zechs shook his head. "He never lied," he said. "He... he just seemed so lost and hurt. I understood that. At the same time, he was strong and courageous. I understood that as well."
Treize snorted softly, stepping back. "I'll let you take that up with your new lover," he said. "I haven't done anything to him, so he must be here somewhere. Now, old friend, if you aren't going to arrest me, I have something I have to do."
Zechs nodded, then touched Treize's shoulder. Looking into the familiar blue eyes, he said, "You told me you wanted to investigate the 'new humanity'. I have a message from that new humanity. It says to tell you that you are forgiven. Go home. Stand down."
Treize looked back at Zechs and there might have been a slight shine in the blue eyes. "I see. I won't ask how you became the spokesperson - you have a habit of adopting causes, don't you? Thank you for the message. I am attempting to do as you suggest. There still remains something left that I have to take care of."
He turned and crossed to the battered mobile suit. Jumping lightly, he made it to the open cockpit and sat in the seat. Then he reached up and began flipping a series of controls. The suit came to life but the hatch did not close, nor did the Epyon rise from its kneeling position. There was a soft keening sound from inside the cockpit.
"I know," Treize muttered softly. "You did your best. You protected him. I'm grateful. Now it's time to take you home."
Zechs felt a light touch on his shoulder and Wufei was standing beside him, his eyes watching Treize.
Zechs looked down at the touch and then impulsively embraced Wufei, hugging him tightly. He then turned back to watch Treize and Epyon.
Treize continued to work in the cockpit. The soft keening seemed to rise in pitch and then suddenly stopped. The green eyes dimmed. Then Treize reached up and lifted down a module he had released from the inner console. The small block was small enough to carry in two hands. Across it, small lights played. He tucked the device under his arm and jumped down from the cockpit. Looking up, he saw Wufei and nodded, his lips curving slightly.
"That was quite a chase you led me on," he remarked.
Wufei simply bowed.
Then from around the edges of the hangar, several other figures stepped from where they had been watching the whole process. Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Quatre Raberba Winner, Trowa Barton.
Treize swept his eyes from one to the other.
"The new humanity," he said softly. "Gundam pilots all."
Heero's eyes moved from the great red suit back to its owner. "Think you'd better include yourself. You're a Gundam pilot too," he said.
Treize smiled and shook his head. "I'm a bit beyond flattery, young pilot," he said. "There are things I would like to know, Heero Yuy. Things I've only guessed at. This place, for example... It has the feeling of something sacred. Is that my imagination running away with me? I think not. I haven't been idle. Neither have you," he said, his look including them all.
Duo said, "Treize, what *is* that thing?" He pointed to the box tucked protectively against Treize's body.
Treize looked down for a moment. "Something that belongs to an old friend," he said simply. He looked at Zechs. "She protected you as best should could, Zechs. I hope someday you'll thank her for that. But I've kept her waiting much too long. As much as I would like to stay and ask my questions, I have an appointment that I must honor, and an honor that I must bestow."
Zechs shook his head. "Of course," he said. "Please send her my regards," he added.
"Maybe we can have a... picnic sometime, Treize," Trowa said. "Those things are always good for having questions answered." He then looked around at his fellow pilots and shrugged.
Quatre smiled, beaming at Trowa. Duo rolled his eyes.
Heero duplicated Duo rolling his eyes at the same time.
"What?" Trowa said.
Treize looked at Wufei. Wufei went up to the tall man and kissed his cheek. "No more geas," Wufei said quietly.
"No more debt," Treize answered. He reached up and caressed the Chinese boy's cheek. He glanced up at Zechs and smiled slightly then tossed something at Heero.
The Japanese boy caught the small object deftly.
"I think you know what to do with one of these," Treize said, and then, sweeping the room with a last look, he left.
The object in Heero's hand was a self-detonation device.
"Hn," Heero replied. He looked around the room and said. "Mission Complete." He then held the device away from him in salute to the great machine. "Evacuation would be optimum," he said to the assembled.
They scattered, all but Duo who simply ducked behind Heero. "If you think I'm leaving you alone with one of those things again you got another thing coming."
Heero looked down at the braided pilot and smiled. Taking Duo's hand, he began walking them out of harms way. "I'm not as young as I used to be," he said, then punched the button.
The Epyon exploded, leaving blasted fragments in a remarkably small heap. It was as if the great suit had already died, and had simply been waiting for the order to rest.
Heero found Wufei later and hugged him severely. "You look tired," he said.
Wufei nodded. "I am tired," he said. "No wonder the Epyon was so difficult to deal with. Did you hear him? He called it 'she'!"
Unable to help stop himself, Heero laughed.
Duo scratched his head, now feeling even more weirded out that he'd had that dream. He decided to say nothing at this time however. He settled for slapping Wufei on the shoulder. "Well you showed her who was boss, didn't you, Wu-man?"
Wufei rubbed his shoulder and scowled. "I doubt it," he said, deciding to be childish and poking Duo under the ribs, hard.
"Owww!"
"Next time don't slap me!"
Duo grinned and said, "Okay." Then he grabbed Wufei and kissed him instead, a nice invasive kiss.
"There. No slapping, poking or pinching."
Wufei sighed. "I am just too tired for this. Maxwell!"
Duo dodged neatly and hid behind Heero.
Unable to help himself, Heero laughed. Heero looked down at Duo. "Hn," he remarked. He then walked over to Wufei and slid his fingers into Wufei's hair and down to a spot at the back of his neck. Stroking the skin delicately, he found the small object and removed it. "I don't think you'll be needing a bug now," he said.
Wufei's eye's widened. "You bugged my hair fastener???" he exclaimed. Then he looked around for Zechs, blushing furiously.
Zechs cleared his throat, significantly then blushed a bright crimson.
"Yes," Heero admitted. "Are you all right? Wanna come back to Duo's?" he asked.
Wufei looked at Zechs, his eyes searching those ice-blue ones.
Zechs looked back, sighing a little. He then raised his chin. There was no hesitation in his voice when he said, "I would love to have you, Wufei.. for as long as you would like."
Wufei hugged Heero and kissed him warmly. Then he said, "I'll take a rain-check, okay? And I *will* take it."
Duo pouted. "Oh, so now you have your new, important friends like Preventer Woosh or whatever and you don't wanna come slumming with us, eh?"
Heero gave Duo a healthy slap on the butt. "Shut up, Duo." he said, softly.
Duo grinned and said, "That's baka to you!" Then he hugged Wufei and bit his ear. "Just kidding. Go give the big guy a real sore fanny, okay?"
Wufei turned the exact shade of a tomato. "Duo! Shut up!" Then he whispered in Duo's ear, "I'll see what I can do."
Heero turned to Zechs. the disparity in height was not a problem at all. "Ok. You can have him again... but if you lose him, I'll kill you." he said.
Zechs looked down at Heero Yuy and nodded. "Understood, Heero." he said.
"Like he'd kill anyone," Trowa said softly.
Quatre nodded. "You ever notice that we get left out of the important conversations? Now when they want to make a free phone call... it's, 'oh, Quatre!' But afterwards..."
The blond bounced up to Zechs and held out his hand, flat. "That will be one million seven hundred and sixty two dollars and thirty seven cents, please."
Zechs looked down at Quatre's hand and then back to Quatre. "Hmmm," he said. "Which will just about cover the shipment of Wild Turkey that you seemed so fond of once before.... when you jumped me?"
Quatre put his hands on his hips and glared. "Who are you trying to fool?" he said. "Think I don't know the going price of Wild Turkey, do you? You may not realize this but I am a business man... sometimes."
Then he turned his back to Zechs and crossed his arms, huffing, "Not even a 'good job, Quatre, thanks for relaying my life or death message, Quatre,' oh no... just get stiffed on the bill and a bunch of sassy talk."
Zechs took Quatre in his long arms and bent down, looking into the aqua eyes. "Thank you so much Quatre. Only you could do what you did and so very well," he said, then kissed Quatre soundly. "Would you consider that a.. downpayment?" he asked, later.
Quatre blinked, looking over at Trowa and then back. "Well," he said breathlessly. "Hm. Maybe... depends. We'll see," he said finally, with a somewhat satisfied smile. Then he went over to Trowa and grabbed the tall boy's arm. "I'm sleepy. Wanna take a nap before going home?"
"Sure," Trowa said, winking. "Take care everyone. The glamour is now leaving the building!" Trowa called.
Wufei smiled and waved at the two. Then he looked at Zechs. "I'll have to meet you back on Earth. I don't think Tallgeese takes passengers and my ride is a pile of junk."
Zechs held his arms out. "What? I guess you don't wanna sit in my lap and work the controls?" he said, with a smile.
Wufei's eyebrows shot up. Then he smiled brilliantly. "Cool!" he said, sounding about thirteen. "I mean, um, well that would certainly be one option, Zechs Merquise."
Duo shook his head. He grabbed Heero's hand. "Come on. I want to be well clear when Tallgeese takes off."
"Hn," Heero remarked.
Zechs held his hand out and beckoned with his fingers. "Tallgeese takes off in sixty seconds or less," he said, heading back to the big suit.
End of Part 8 - TBC
Sure would like to hear what you think of this!
bonnejeanne & vonceia
Please send comments to: bonnejeanne@yahoo.com or vonceia@yahoo.com