Gundam Wing : The Battle for Freedom (an alternate universe)


Part I: News of the Virus

*We see chelle get out of her Aries and run for the jeep. In a few minutes Duo and Quatre appear. They ditch the bike and get in. *
Duo: *hops in shotgun seat* nice bit of fighting there lady. You saved my ass.
Chelle: *flooring it* yeah, well you can thank me later *she looks over at him and sees blood* Duo! youre bleeding...
Duo: just a flesh wound.
Chelle: take the wheel *Duo takes the wheel for a minute. She strips off her shirt, muscle shirt beneath. Hands Duo her kacki shirt* wrap it up and try not to get blood all over the seat. I'd have a bitch of a time explaining that one.
Duo: *wrapping his arm* gee, thanks for your concern
Chelle: Quatre, you all right?
Quatre: yes...and thank you for coming after me.
Chelle: hey, you Gundam pilots are my guys now.
*Duo studies her, for a minute she glances at him. they smile at each other.*

*Later we see Quatre, Duo and chelle sitting in the living room having coffee.*
Chelle: I'm sure Heero is ok. He had to hide the Gundam after the battle. He'll be along any time now
Quatre: thank you both for rescuing me. Oz is serious about executing us Gundam pilots.
Chelle: not on my watch
Duo: you pilot that Aries pretty good. I have to say I was impressed with how quick you got the battle together.
Chelle: I have my sources. Like I said, I'm just waiting for the right time to hit oz. They'll be running in circles for days trying to sort out the mess we made of the base. Nice job blowing half the place there Duo. You took out almost half their ground troops
Quatre: its a shame so many lives had to be lost...all for me
Chelle: all for peace, Quatre. You shouldn't let it bother you. They were going to kill you. The Gundams are oz's biggest threat. They will stop at nothing to wipe you guys out. In order to bring peace to this planet and the colonies, oz has to be destroyed. I need you all and your Gundams to do that.
Quatre: *nods* I suppose that you're right.
Chelle: *looks at him* hey, I have the guest rooms made up. You look pretty beat. Maybe you should go lay down for a while
Quatre: I didn't sleep last night. I am pretty tired.
Chelle: *gestures* first door on the right
Quatre: *sets mug down, stands* ok, but will you wake me when Heero gets back?
Duo: sure thing
Quatre: *nods* thanks *he exits* Chelle: *looks over at Duo* why don't you let me have a look at that arm.
Duo: its ok. Quatre cleaned and bandaged it pretty good
Chelle: *brow raised* hope so.
Duo: *stares at her* so, what do you do all day around here anyway? When you're not plotting against oz I mean.
Chelle: *smiles* not much. Staying in touch with my connections and planning our strategies is pretty time consuming. Of course I have to do the expected celebrity crap a few days a week. Hob nobbing and feeding the public my poor little me image..... I would much rather be in battle then at most of the social functions I get stuck attending. I have to keep up appearances though. I see a few contacts that way too. You'd be surprised what you can get away with at a book signing.
Duo: *chuckels* versatile. I like it.
Chelle: *smiles back at him* well, its a dirty job but somebody's got to do it. What about you, Duo Maxwell? What do you do when you're not flying Deathsythe into battle?
Duo: I work with this little salvage operation....Deathsythe does keep me pretty busy. Actually I just came back from outer space. The shit is really hitting the fan out there too. The colonies are suffering. Oz could care less if the colonies get hit during a battle. It really pisses me off. There are a lot of innocent people out there who just want to live their lives in peace. I don't get why the earth just didn't leave the colonies alone.
Chelle: that's the alliance for ya. Oz just takes it even further. Romefeller won't be happy, no, they won't stop until they control all people and all things. That's why they must be stopped. We have to destroy them.
Duo: fine by me *leans back, arms behind his head* just tell me when and where. The god of death will be ready.
Chelle: *staring at him* we all will be ready. I have a few technical people working on a side project for me. A mobile suit, something fast and deadly. I just hope its ready in time. They're modeling it after the wing zero....
Duo: wing zero is nothing but trouble. There's a problem with its operating system....
Chelle: I know. I have been on counteractive drugs to prevent the hallucinations. The zero system won't be a problem for me
Duo: *looks at her* a Gundam?
Chelle: no, no gundanium available. It's being adapted for outer space as well. It will be superior to the dolls, but not quite as indestructible as a Gundam. I guess I'll just have to be careful, huh?
Duo: well, I'll tell ya what.........I got your back, chelle. I think your pretty ok. *smiles at her, she smiles back*
Chelle: we'll see
*Evening has come. Chelle is in the kitchen doing up the last of the dishes. Quatre is drying for her. He keeps looking out the window watching for Heero. Duo is at the table they're all talking.*
Chelle: so, do either of you know where Wufei or Trowa is?
Quatre: Trowa. Wufei...they knew if things got to be like this they were to find Miss Noin in the Sanq Kingdom.
Duo: like what? Disastrous? I wouldn't be surprised if Wufei was still fighting with Sally Poe
Chelle: Sally is a good woman. She knows her shit. If Wufei is with her I can find out. She and I stay in touch. We have worked together before.
Duo: why am I not surprised
*the door opens and Heero comes in*
Quatre: Heero!
Heero: I see everyone made it out alive *grins*
Duo: yeah, well you wernt the one who got shot.
Chelle: aww poor baby. I thought you said it was just a flesh wound
Heero: *sits at the table* Zero one isn't that far from Deathsythe.
Chelle: *pours a glass of lemonade and hands it to Heero* Any problems getting out of there?
Heero: no. the place was in total chaos. They had no real way to pursue. *drinks* any word on the others yet?
Chelle: I was just about to check on that. *takes towel from Quatre and dries her hands.* I'll put in a message to Sally Poe to see if she knows the whereabouts of Wufei. Any ideas on how to find Trowa Barton?
Quatre: maybe he hasn't returned from outer space yet
Duo: I'd give him a few days. Sooner or later he'll end up in the Sanq Kingdom. They'll send him on over.
Heero: umm hmm. Trowa will turn up.
Chelle: *walking out* I'll go send that message. *Duo watches her go, Heero raises a brow* Quatre: I'm glad you're safe Heero. Listen guys, I just wanna thank you for coming after me. This isn't the first time that you've helped me out.
Duo: hey, us Gundam pilots gotta stick together right.
Quatre*sighs* they've been broadcasting the attack on the base all day. There was a great loss of life. Our pictures are on the news...
Heero: *concerned* they didn't see chelle lee did they?
Quatre: no
Duo: *smiles* I gotta hand it to her. She's slippery. You know, she told me she's got someone building her a mobile suite modeled after the Wing Zero
Quatre: A Gundam?
Duo: no, didn't have any gundanium.
Heero: hmmm. Probably something like the Tallgeese.
Duo: yeah, I think so.
Quatre: what's the operating system like? Not like Zero's I hope.
Duo: *sits up straight* yeah, a zero system.
Heero: a zero system is not good for the pilot...
Duo: she says she's been taking drugs that counter the zero's side effects.
Heero: anti psychotics to prevent the hallucinations...pretty smart. Now there's a girl that does all her homework. judging from the way she piloted that Aries today, she must know what she's doing.
Duo: I would hope so, if we are following her.
Heero: well, I think after today we can follow her. I've never seen an attack come off so well with such little planning.
Dou: I heard c.s. was capable of such feats, but to see it in action...impressive.
Heero: yes...very impressive.
Quatre: I would like to know more about her. I know she isn't much older than we are, but she fights like a true veteran.
Heero: she was raised by an assassins. First her step father, a brilliant tactician for the alliance. After the death of her parents she had a governor. My guess is that he was an assassin.
Duo: *whistles* man, I'd bet she'd win a butt kicking contest.
Heero: *loose grin* I'm sure she would
Duo: *cheerily* well, remind me not to piss her off!
Quatre: *after a moment* Heero, you must be starving. We saved you a plate. I can warm it up for you.
Heero: anything good?
Duo: *to Heero* don't you know it. The girl can cook too *winks*
Heero: well, I guess I am hungry. Three hour hike will do it.
Duo: *stands* I think I'll go see if she got a link to Sally. *walks out*
Quatre: *takes plate from fridge to microwave* I do hope we can find the others soon. I hope Trowa's back from outer space
*Trowa is sitting on the couch in the trailer he shares with Catharine. He is watching the news about Quatre's escape*
Trowa: I'll bet Heero is responsible for Quatre's rescue. Hmmmmm. Maybe I should consider returning to the earth. *relaxes back into the couch and sighs* no, maybe just not yet. *closes eyes* my heart just isn't into it right now....
Duo goes upstairs. The computer is running something on the screen in binary code. Chelle is sitting on the floor Indian style.
Duo: *looks from computer to her* hey
Chelle: I'm sending the message to Sally now.
Duo: *looks at computer* binary?
Chelle: something like it. Actually it's an obsolete alliance code I toyed with a bit. I took the basic binary function and use it to spell out words in an ancient tongue. Only those I transmit to and maybe a handful of archeologists would be able to decipher it
Dou: *impressed* ahh, so that's how you do it. How did you learn ancient languages?
Chelle: my governor was a history buff.
Duo: who was your governor?
Chelle: *looks at duo* I just called him sir.
Duo: *nodds silent for a moment* he was an assassin right?
Chelle: a ninja. A friend of my fathers. He came to take on the responsibilities for me after my mother died.
Duo: *brows up* I thought the ninja were a legend.
Chelle: *sighs* that's what they want you to think. There are so very few left. They stay in hiding. The alliance would have hunted them to extinction.
Duo: *plops down on the floor beside her* how old were you when you started all of this training?
Chelle: I traveled with my parents from birth. I was about seven when my father was murdered. A little over a year later my mother was in an accident and she died too. By the time I was twelve, I was well on my way to becoming what I am now.
Duo: how did you meet Relina?
Chelle: she was Dorlin's daughter. Our families moved in the same circles. Two years ago, I was in combat with a rebel squadron going up against the alliance. I was fifteen. My Leo was hit pretty bad and I had to self detonate. I didn't clear the blast site in time and did some damage to my right knee. My governor sent me to Relina's school to recuperate from what he played out to be a car accident. That's when we really got to be friends. It was a pretty convenient set up really. A lot of alliance officials, a lot of information for the taking, if you knew how to take
Duo: I suppose you knew just what you were doing.
Chelle: *nods* umm hmm. After four months I left the school with a list of confidential acess codes as long as my arm. *twits, cracks back it pops* oz uses different codes, but they're pretty easy to crack.
Duo: yeah, well oz aint all that creative now are they.
Chelle: I doubt they think they have to be. they took care of the alliance in one big swoop. You should know, you were there. Heero destroyed all of the alliance pacifists in one shot.
Duo: we were tricked by oz.
Chelle. Yes, I know. Mr. Treiz Kushranada is a brilliant man. A dangerous man. I am hoping oz and the Treiz faction will cancel each other out
Duo: then we can go in and take out whoevers left over.
Chelle: that's the plan. when the Treiz faction makes their move I have no doubt the majority of their forces will be in outer space. We will need the Gundams up there to finish off whoevers left in outer space while the guerrilla armies take care of things here on earth. if Treiz takes outer space...the colonies will be in deep shit. Even more so then with oz in control out there.
Duo: then you think Treiz is insane?
Chelle: no, he is a soldier. What good is a soldier without a war? He is just trying to perpetuate things so he doesn't outlive his usefulness. I don't know...he's a tough character to figure out. It's something that I would like to talk over with Wufei. I met him once. The guy looked right through me. Told me it was a good thing that my parents had a protégée. Thing is, I don't think he meant my mother.
*computer ends sequence. Transmission complete blinks on the screen. She gets up and types on it. New screen appears, data being sent.* I think they got the message. Looks like someone is trying to respond.
Duo: Sally Poe?
Chelle: hope so. *types a command* this will take a few minutes. It has to come over the secure channel then my computer will automatically run the decode program. of course only I know where it will end up in the computer
Duo: you don't take many chances, do you.
Chelle: I can't afford to.
Duo: *lowers head* I know how that is.
Chelle: *looks at duo a minute* I've heard that oz is developing biological warfare. Some sort of super virus.
Duo: *looks at her* What?! Are you serious?
Chelle: when it's ready they intend to use it to keep the colonies in line
Duo: I've seen what a runaway virus can do to a colony. Belive me, it aint pretty.
Chelle: oz hasn't used it yet because they're still working out their antidote. They will inoculate all oz personal against the virus *looks back at the computer* it will be follow oz or die. The future doesn't look bright if oz is in control.
Duo: *slams fist on floor* we gotta stop em
Chelle: *looks back at Duo* I know where they're working on the virus. I think we should go knock the place out. I don't want oz to have that virus before the Treize faction can make their move.
Duo: where's the base
Chelle: outer space...
*later on that night they are all sitting in the living room*
Chelle: Lieutenant Sally and Wufei are out on a mission. They should be back by tomorrow. I left word for her to get into contact with me.
Heero: tell us about this virus that oz is working on. how did you find out about it?
Chelle: I intercepted a transmission coming from space. Apparently oz has seized control of one of the resource satellites near the L4 colony. At first I was monitoring them to see if they were developing new mobile suits up there, but its worse then that. Shortly after Treize left oz a new player appeared. He goes by the name of Christof. He was earth's leading bioengineer a few years ago before he was recruited by oz and disappeared. In the transmissions I have decoded I found out that he's taken a flue like virus and given it a new life. The bastard has tested it on animals...and prisoners of war. The tests showed that by exposing just one soldier to the disease, the rest in his cell block also came down with the symptoms.
Heero: is it an airborne virus?
Chelle: it doesn't look that way. Body fluids, saliva. A bite, a sneeze in someone's face...even tears...
Quatre: that's awful!
Chelle: yeah, well it doesn't just make your body sick. It effects the mind as well. It was like the test soldier went rabid. he infected his comrades with a bite.
Duo: damn that's fucked up.
Chelle: oz is finishing the work on the anti toxin. They should be ready with it in a few days...then they plan to try a controlled test on the people of the colonies
Quatre: what? How can they get away with such a thing?
Chelle: in the first stage it looks like the ordinary flue. They'll test it out for a few days and then line up the colonists for what they'll think is a flue shot.
Quatre: we can't let them do this. We have to stop them
Heero: do you have a plan?
Chelle: I do.
Heero: lets here it
Chelle: all right, there's only one command center here on earth that has any information about this virus. Oz is keeping it as secretive as possible. Problem is it's the desert base, and its well guarded. Whatever else we may need to do to that base, its entire computer network needs to be destroyed.
Heero: that should be easy enough. I can take it out with the zero one.
Quatre: I'm going with you. Between the Zero and Sandrock we can destroy the entire base.
Chelle: Quatre, can you get the Maganac's to cover you guys? Lieutenant Sally's troops are too far away.
Quatre: I'm sure of it.
Chelle: good. I'm sure as soon as the attack begins, they'll send out the SOS. That base is important to oz. They'll have reinforcements there as quick as possible. We need to knock out their satellite from space, preferably before the battle so they cant call out for help. I need someone to hit the transistors on the ground here too. Wufei can handle that. They'll be guarded, but it won't be anything his Gundam can't handle.
Duo: *wicked look* and I'll head up to the satellite base and destroy it.

Chelle: yeah, well, you aren't going alone. I'm going with you.
Duo: but it will be dangerous
Chelle: no kidding. We are going to have to Shanghai a shuttle. I'll swipe it while you cover me in Deathsythe. You'll have to hop on quick before we leave the atmosphere.
Heero: sounds good. Where are you planning to steal the shuttle from?
Chelle: they're rebuilding the Victoria base. They'll have one there.
Heero: we don't have much time
Chelle: one other thing. The physician that has been working with me, I gave him the information on the virus. He has developed a weak vaccine. It will keep the virus from killing you, but you'll probably end up with pneumonia. I want each of us to be inoculated with it especially us. Just in case ya know
Quatre: are there civilians at these bases.
Chelle: not that I've heard. Top secret military personal only.
Quatre: *sighs* good. We don't want innocent people getting hurt.
Chelle: if we can find Trowa in time I want him up there with us. Heavyarms will come in handy when we go to blow the satellite base.
Heero: why don't you get me a secure channel to the Sanq kingdom. I can see if Noin has any news.
Chelle: all right.*looking at Heero* I'm going to show you how to work my computer, Heero. If something happens to me up there, you'll need everything I have on it.
Heero: *nods* lets do this then *stands*
chelle: *sighs/standing* lets do it

*Heero is sitting at her computer, chelle is standing behind him. They have been going over the codes and crap. Duo and Quatre are down watching the news. Quatre is falling asleep on the couch. Duo looks over and sees Quatre asleep so he goes upstairs. He sits on her bed behind them* Duo: * Heero: well, it's a lot to remember, but I think I've got it
Chelle: I hope so, no cheat sheets allowed. I will give you a disk with some other stuff on it in case you get stuck, but if anything happens...
Heero: don't worry, I'll destroy it
Duo: *yawns lays beak on bed.* What's the word from Noin?
Heero: still no contact from Trowa. He must still be in outer space.
Duo: I'll just have to contact him when we get up there then
Heero: ummhmm
Chelle: *rubs eyes then moves away from computer* there's just one more thing I need to show you Heero. *she walks over to her dresser and slides it away from the wall. Heero joins her. There is a timer behind it*
Heero: *brows up* is that a self detonation switch?
Chelle: yes. Once set you have 10 minutes to get clear of the house. It will take out everything within a quarter mile
Duo: *looks over* your house has a kill switch?
Chelle: there are explosives built right into the walls. It has to be this way
Heero: I understand
Chelle: if oz traces you back here...>br? Heero: they wont. But if they do I'll destroy the place
Duo: how ya gonna explain that one chelle?
Chelle: hostage killed in the blast. Blah blah blah. Bad Gundam pilots.
Heero: it was a good idea. There's just too much information here for oz to get their hands on this place.
Duo: so, when do we head for space
Chelle: tomorrow . I will have had the chance to talk to Sally by then. Wufei will know his mission and we will be on our way.
Heero: and the anti toxin?
Chelle: I'll go get it in the morning.
Heero: *stretches* in that case, I'm off to bed. See you in the morning. *he leaves*
Duo: *sits up* I suppose you're ready for bed too.
Chelle: *slides dresser back into place* I'm gonna pack our bag first.
Duo: this aint exactly a vacation...
Chelle: three sets of clothes for each of us. An oz uniform, an alliance uniform and civilian clothes. We might not be able to come straight back to earth after we hit and run. We'll need to blend in wherever we happen to land, if we have to lie low.
Dou: *nodds* you really do have it all figured out don't ya?
Chelle: *opening closet* I try. *searches through removes 4 black dry cleaning bags. Throws them on the bed* there's the uniforms...*rummages through her dresser. tosses a pair of jeans, a muscle shirt and a button down shirt on the bed* civilian stuff.
Duo: I don't think I got any civilian stuff.
Chelle: there's a closet full of guys clothes downstairs. My governor took nothing when he left and he didn't come back. The clothes should fit you.
Duo: you mean you never heard from him again?
Chelle: *pushes her bangs back* no. I'm sure he's dead.
Duo: sorry to hear that. Looks like he trained you well
Chelle: *smiles tiredly at Duo* he did.
Duo: can I ask ya something?
Chelle: sure.
Duo: you agreed pretty quick to me and Deathsythe going to the satellite to attack. Why me? Why not Heero and Zero one?
Chelle: because those bastards wont even see Deathsythe until it's already too late. Deathsythe is the perfect Mobile suit for a sneak attack in space.
Duo: you're right about that.
Chelle: I'm going with you for a number of reasons. Mostly I feel it's pretty pointless to sit here on my ass giving the orders but not put myself into the battle. You'll need a shuttle to get out of and back into the atmosphere. Maybe we'll get real lucky and get our hands on a mobile dolls carrier. Those things are easy enough to reprogram. Wouldn't hurt to have the extra fire power, but we'll take what we can get. Just do me a favor Duo.
Duo: sure, if I can
Chelle: don't die on this mission
Duo: hey, I wont if you wont
Chelle: *smiles at him* deal
Duo: *stands and heads for the door* well, I'll let you get some sleep

Chelle: night Duo.
Duo: *looks at her* g'night chelle.
*she goes back and sits at the computer, he looks at her for a minute then goes out*

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