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"Crisis"Written By: Artemis Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: yaoi lemon including rimming, angst,
violence, language, reference to past NCS involving a minor, death,
angst. Pairings: 6x2, 3x4 Summary: Sequel to Interfacing: Regained. GAIA
prepares to go into space and announce itself to the world; Duo and
Zechs' relationship goes through its own crisis. "Crisis " 37) Treize Khushrenada took a deep breath. [Best to come straight out with everything, spoken plainly.] "This morning I resigned as Commander-in-Chief of OZ. I was sentenced to house arrest, but as the soldiers taking me into custody were already mine, they removed me to a private base outside the city where a select group of Taurus pilots and I boarded a shuttle. That shuttle landed an hour ago in the Sank Kingdom where I had an enlightening visit with Miss Relena Peacecraft." "So... you were only in Bremen this morning, sir, it sounds like..." Federi spoke up. [But there's obviously more... and why is Lance so nervous?] he thought, glancing at the young officer across the table from Sally. "That's right." Treize nodded to Federi, then looked straight at Quatre, the group's leader. "The rest I know from frequent updates received while enroute from the remainder of my people in Bremen." He paused, then took a deep breath. "Sometime after my departure, Chief Engineer Tsuberov was assassinated in his quarters at the Romefeller Foundation." By now, everyone there knew that name. They knew that one of the things they were watching for was when Tsuberov went to outer space to begin converting the Lunar Base and the colonies for mobile doll production. But... Zechs was abruptly on his feet, one hand clenched into a fist. "What? Assassination?" His mind was already processing the possible consequences. "Was that really necessary?" "Zechs," Duo said, worriedly and stood with him... his heart racing from his lover's reaction and Treize's extreme solution. "Was that the only way to take out the guy?" Duo asked, looking to Zechs and then back to Treize for the answer. "It was murder," Quatre said, quietly, bowing his head. Even though it was war and Tsuberov's plans could very well have meant the defeat of GAIA, Quatre's heart still felt sick. "We can only hope," he said, raising his head, "that this has brought us closer to peace." Zechs, despite his lover's proximity, felt far less the Wolf and far more the Lightning Count as he glared at his friend's image on the screen. "This was your solution? Just take out the people who are in your way?" Noin couldn't help but feel chilled and stare with disbelief at Treize. [I always knew he was a master strategist, but a murderer? I have to agree with Quatre... this was murder!] Treize, waiting calmly, noted with particular interest how the diminutive "God of Death" looked so earnestly at Zechs. [He can't be the one... surely it couldn't be him... that's not possible...] "Certainly you should know better than anyone that this is war... sir," Lance said to Zechs, matter-of-factly, if not a little bravely as he stood in defense of Treize. "Figures," Heero sighed. [Hoped this one would have been different...] Zechs whirled to face the man. "And so was New Edwards!" he snapped. "But this... killing a man in his own residence... we cannot, as a body committed to bringing peace, condone such actions." When the man's eyes widened, Zechs snarled, "Sit down!" Lance sat. He'd never disobeyed an order in his life, and he certainly wasn't about to stand up against the legendary Zechs Merquise. Especially not with a room full of Gundam pilots who now were his allies. [And that Duo... he'd strangle me for sure! No, I think I'll let Treize squirm his way out this one from here on out...] Turning back to the monitor screen, Zechs regarded Treize warily. "You have more..." Duo sat, too, forced down by the reverberation of his lover's rage against the other man. He stared up at Zechs with eyes as wide as saucers and lips parted to speak, but unable to even gasp. [This is the Lightning Count! Oh, Wolf, you're so... powerful!] Suddenly, the tantalizing image of Zechs fucking him in that red OZ uniform jacket appeared in his brain and sent a jolt straight to his groin. Duo swallowed hard and scooted his chair close to the table to hide the evidence of his stray thoughts. [Shit! Not now!] [Oh, Zechs, you are the best,] Treize thought, relaxing. He was very glad he had nothing more - of his doing - to report on that was at the same level of gravity as the assassination. [And I'd say that little pilot to your left has a very bad thing for you indeed... But if he hadn't given himself away, I'd never have guessed in a million years. Tried to kill you, did he? Hmmm...] Clearing his throat, Treize continued. "It seems that the... demise of Tsuberov triggered a sequence of events that even I did not foresee... much less design. For one thing, the assassination party was surprised in the hallway, and three of my men were downed." He glanced down the table to where Lance was. "Lance, I'm sorry, one was Rejean." "I see," Lance said, quietly, reflecting for a moment on the day that he and Rejean had been called before Treize to discuss the plan. "He knew of the danger, sir... and I'm sure he died bravely." "I'm sorry for the loss of your soldiers," Zechs murmured to Treize. [That will sober up our Dog Squire...] "You mentioned a *sequence* of events. Please, continue." "Yes... well, it seems that the chief representative of the Romefeller Foundation, Duke Dermail, had just returned from a visit to their mobile doll factory when he received the news about Tsuberov. The Duke... had a heart attack there on the steps of the Foundation. I'm told he's resting, but must retire from his position unequivocally." Treize took a deep breath. "That... was unexpected. But though I regret the suffering Dermail has endured, this event nevertheless opened doors for our cause that I'd feared would take months to open." [It's like a domino effect,] Quatre thought, soberly. [I'm beginning to wonder how much or how little control Treize has on things.] Heero shifted in his seat, restless all of a sudden. [Treize is beginning to understand that his large and rash decisions have wide-sweeping consequences... yet he continues to make them. Can we rein him in? What effect will his influence have on Relena? Will he try to move her away from her pacifist stance?] He glanced up at the screen, at the somber statement of the ex-General. [Hmmm, Relena is quite a fighter. I think she could be up to the challenge...] Zechs had calmed down... and not just because Duo's foot was firmly wedged up against his own under the table. [Treize is a nephew of the late General Catalonia... and Dermail is related to the General's wife. Almost a great-uncle... though obviously there isn't any affection between Treize and Dermail. Well.] "So there's been a change in the leadership of the Foundation?" he asked, his index finger tapping on the table. Treize noted the finger-tapping. [He's thinking hard... and is he going to forgive me for allowing the assassination?] "Yes, though I'm suspecting it won't be any surprise to you to learn that the new chief representative is a coalition of three members, one of which is Marquis Weyridge." Zechs straightened, surprised. "Weyridge!" Then he noticed that everyone in the room was frankly staring at him. Except for Sally and Lance, the others knew that Zechs had asked his great-uncle to watch Treize's activities. Hastily he explained to the newcomers, "The Marquis is my great-uncle on my mother's side. I'd contacted him some weeks ago to enlist his help in observing Treize's activities. But I had no idea he was scheming on his own..." "You enlisted the help of your great-uncle to *observe* me," Treize suddenly accused, his tone icy. "You have men killed just because they get in your way!" Zechs threw back. The temperature in both rooms dropped dramatically. "I think Zechs was right to watch you," Noin interjected carefully as she looked at Treize with a soldier's intensity. "GAIA cannot afford a betrayal." [Noin... you always were more loyal to Zechs,] Lance thought a bit skeptically. The ex-General did not look at his colleague beside him, but only at his challenger. It was a bitter pill to swallow that the only person present digitally or otherwise at this meeting who fully trusted him was Lance. And that the deep distrust earned at New Edwards ran even to his oldest friend. [But unless I prove myself a liar, I must accept this affront. I have sworn to atone for my sins; that must involve all the consequences of those sins as well.] "Very well," Treize replied, hoping he sounded calmer than he really felt. "You were right to watch me." Throughout the exchange, Duo sat wide-eyed, staring between the ex-OZies as they verbally sparred. The tension was discomforting, but also amusing. [Treize needed a good kick in the seat of his pants.] Across the table from Duo, Quatre felt more than heard the debate. [We really can't afford this animosity, but it seems like they've needed to clear the air for a long time.] He suspected that Treize's rule as Commander-in-Chief of OZ had been like a dictatorship and that he'd stepped on a few toes in his day. [Zechs has tolerated a lot from him...] "However," Treize was continuing, "from the information I've received, the Marquis and a handful of associates had only been discussing the possibility of making a move to challenge Dermail at some point in time. With Dermail's abrupt loss of power, they saw fit to step into his place if only to assure the stability of the Foundation leadership." Zechs relaxed. He knew he'd been taking a risk in enlisting his great-uncle's help. He didn't think the old man had the temerity to take over the reins of the Romefeller Foundation, but if he was one of a consortium to manage the institution... all the better. [An unexpected blessing...] "So with the change in leadership - and I assume his group was successful in establishing themselves? - what does that mean for OZ?" He was careful to speak more evenly, just inquiring. Treize's pride was obviously stung. "I left behind a good man in my stead," Treize replied, also relaxing. [Good, Milliardo isn't pressing the issue...] "Count Nigel Townshend is a peace-minded fellow, a good and stable leader, and comes from a nation of pacifists. I charged him to lead my faction to follow a leadership that rejects the push for mobile dolls. It seems he has already found that leadership. We had been expecting a long, slow haul against Dermail and his followers. Townshend is one with us... and eventually so will all of OZ on Earth. The war is not yet won, but we are actually farther along than I had expected." "It seems that many were ready for a change," Quatre said, surprised by the number of higher-ups in Romefeller and OZ who were jumping ship. "We're more than happy to have their support, so long as they know GAIA will not be another OZ." Duo nodded in agreement. "That's right. We don't want these guys coming on board if they think they're gonna tell us what to do!" "This Townshend," Heero spoke up, "is he willing to take orders from this committee? If he, as the new leader of OZ, is intending to align with GAIA, he should look at us as his central command, not himself or Romefeller." [Like you did, you bastard...] Zechs didn't say a word; it was well and all to the good if the Gundam pilots put Treize Khushrenada through his paces. [If Treize is serious about being with us, he'll now completely put himself under our command. It's time. And then I can go back to being friends with him, but now...] Treize nodded, accepting the challenge. "Townshend has informed me that he announced to the Foundation that he supports another organization dedicated to the peace of the Earthsphere, though he was careful not to name it or say anything other than it was not military and that it was peace-minded." There was much shifting in seats in the main meeting room. No one liked that GAIA had even been mentioned. Although Treize was clearly allowing himself and his group now transferred to Sank to be fully under the GAIA mantle, apparently the version of OZ he'd left behind didn't fall into that category. "You're not answering my question, Treize," Heero retorted. "Will Townshend take orders from us?" [This is the one I have damaged most of all by my actions,] Treize thought soberly. "It is a very good question, Heero Yuy. The answer is yes. There is still a core group of my faction in Bremen; Townshend is their leader as well. I have instructed him to contact you tomorrow morning to discuss with you how to proceed with OZ... and he will obey your commands. He is very intent on joining GAIA. OZ itself... is the difficulty. But he will certainly need your guidance, Zechs... and the rest of you. "Well, since you've thought of everything," Duo said with a derisive snort, "I guess I can take that vacation I've been wanting." Chuckles went around the room. Zechs, facing away from Duo, caught Noin's glance on the monitor screen. He gave her a quick wink, which she returned, suppressing a giggle. Leave it to Duo to use pointed sarcasm to say the obvious. "Duo," Quatre said with a sigh to temper his friend, but then gave him a little smile. "It does feel like things are a little out of our control," Quatre said in agreement, looking at Zechs and then to Treize. "But that's what this meeting is for. To get us all on the same page again. And to make it clear that we are a peace-loving organization and that the people sitting around this table are in command." [And that the favor of God has indeed passed beyond my grasp,] Treize thought with irony. [It is clear I must conform fully to their wishes now, or else earn their contempt further.] He noticed that Zechs, except for being amused by Duo's statement, was pointedly not speaking up. "I understand," Treize murmured. "I promise you all that from this day forward, I and my associates here in Sank firmly consider ourselves nothing more than the northern base of GAIA and under your command. The rest... I have yielded control of the rest already, but I am certain Townshend will do the same. And I'm sure the Marquis will be contacting you as well." "Sounds good," Zechs murmured, but his glance slid from the screen to Quatre. "This may be all we can expect right now. Though tumultuous events have taken place today, it may be a while before the dust settles." Quatre gave a firm nod. The dust would settle, but the events in Bremen were not something he had expected or prepared for. [My thoughts were with getting the Gundams ready for space and with Trowa...] "Right, and now we need to plan for the next step in getting us to outer space. Trowa's mission is underway and we should be receiving a message from him soon." [I pray he's okay... I really thought we would've heard from him by now.] "Trowa?" Treize inquired politely. "Trowa Barton," Zechs explained. "Pilot of the 03, the Gundam Heavyarms. He is seeking to go undercover in OZ in order to get access to the new mobile suits which you said the Gundam scientists were developing." One ginger, forked eyebrow sailed upwards. "And how does he propose to do that?" Treize inquired, hoping he didn't sound too wary. [I know these boys are good, but...] "He's got help," Heero murmured. "Orders from His Excellency, Treize Khushrenada, to report to a Lieutenant Trant at Space Fortress Barge as a mobile suit specialist to assist in testing the new designs." "It was necessary to act quickly, Your Ex.... Treize," Lance added quickly and a bit nervously. [I hope he won't be angry.] "I worked with Heero using the regular OZ protocols, so that the directive would appear to be coming from you... in Bremen. I knew, of course, that you could not be reached for some time, and that you wanted me to assist GAIA in any way I could." [This guy is sure backpedaling. Is Treize that much of a tyrant?] Duo wondered as he stared at Lance, though Lance's eyes never wavered from the large digital image before them. [Then, this truly is out of my hands now, though I was the one who requested someone be sent to outer space,] Treize considered, then replied smoothly, "You did exactly what was needed, Lance. Not that my name will be good for much from now on, of course." He gave them a wry, little smile. "Trant will watch your man like a hawk, but if he's any good - and I trust your judgment in that, of course - he'll impress the hell out of him." An ironic snort was added. "A Gundam pilot. That's just perfect..." "He has experience in this sort of work," Zechs murmured. He glanced at Quatre, understanding the boy was concerned about his lover's situation. "I believe he's more than capable. He'll be fine." "If he can find out how my Lady is..." Treize bowed his head briefly. Then he looked up at them again, his statement more determined. "I know I have given all of you considerable grief in the past. I apologize for that... for all of it..." He paused. Most of "all of that" had to do with New Edwards. "I repeat to you again that I am determined to atone for my sins and to fully ally myself with GAIA... myself and those who have chosen to follow me." He raised his chin, still the proud aristocrat, but tempered now by his own resolve to win their respect again. "I am through in Bremen, ladies and gentlemen. My time there is over, as is my time of leadership on the Earth's stage. It may be that my skills and experience are called upon in the future, but that is not for now. It is right that I have no power. My only task now is to instruct the Princess of Sank in the arts of diplomacy. And to function as your humble servant if you need me." With that, he stood and bowed formally. [Why doesn't he just speak plain English?] Duo wondered as he scratched his head. [Geez... does everything have to be such a production with this guy?] But the meaning behind the man's words was clear... he was apologizing... humbling himself before them... and Duo was quite pleased. "Wow, he's apologizing," Duo said, quietly as he looked across the table at his fellow Gundam pilots. Suddenly, the room seemed warmer. "Yes, he sure is, Duo," Quatre replied and then looked up at Treize. "We know all too well how difficult apologies can be." [I imagine that was very hard for him... I'm sure he's not used to humbling himself like this.] Quatre felt deeply moved by the effort their former enemy was making with them, and so he stood and placed his fist over his heart, a gesture he often used when he felt things deeply. "I thank you for your apology," he said and then, not sensing any intense animosity from the group, went on to speak on their behalf as was his right. "Please know that your talents and personal resources are a great asset to GAIA and that we regard you as a strong ally." Treize straightened and nodded to the little blond who had spoken. "You are welcome, Quatre Winner, and I thank you." Heero, too, stood up. "Thanks, Treize," he said, looking sidelong at the former General of OZ. "Not that we'll trust you completely yet, but an apology helps in clearing the air." He glanced quickly at Duo when he said this, then ducked his head in a bow and sat back down. "I imagine it will be penance enough, Treize," Zechs spoke up, his tone amused, "to have to deal with my headstrong little sister. Isn't that right, Noin?" Then he leaned forward, wondering. [Did they tell Relena about me? I bet they did... damn them if they did! Well, she's already survived getting in between two Gundam pilots, one of whom had a gun which he'd already fired... I don't suppose it's going to hurt her to know about her brother... damn...] As Quatre took his seat, Noin cleared her throat to respond to Zechs's comment. [I wonder if I should tell him?] "She's a handful," Noin said, cheerfully. "But you'd be amazed at how well she listens to Treize. I think she was bowled over by his chivalry...." [Kissing her hand was a great idea, Treize.] "Isn't that right, Treize?" "She can respond well, to be sure," Treize murmured. "However, I don't consider working with her to be an easy task. She's a challenge." "Don't underestimate her, whatever you do," Heero said. "She's capable of understanding a great deal about what's going on. And... she can be persistent if she feels strongly about something." [As I know all too well...] "Yes, of that I have no doubt," Treize replied. [He has had multiple dealings with the princess, it seems. Interesting...] "Yeah, Heero's our Relena expert around here," Duo said, grinning at his friend across the table. [I spent time with her, too, but she only had eyes for Heero. Man, I hope that's not how I look around Zechs.] "There's something else, Zechs," Noin said, timidly, looking sidelong at Treize. [Damn you, Treize, for telling her...] She swallowed and then turned her eyes back to her best friend and simply said, "She knows." The long, gloved finger was tapping again. Zechs was openly glaring at his friend, his back rigid, his jaw tense. "You told Relena about me," he stated with a dangerous quiet. (tbc)
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