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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 " 9) Once he sat down at the computer in his office, Zechs immediately activated the transmission. "Good evening, Treize," he greeted the other man with a nod, still internally trying to calm himself after the trauma of the abortive oral sex with his lover. "Interesting attire... do you always wear that coat now?" Treize couldn't resist beginning with his usual fashion evaluation, smirking. "I remember when you bought it... London, I think. I called it a 'coat to command an army in'..." "Did you call to discuss my wardrobe?" Zechs broke in, exasperated. "Really, Treize, I don't have time..." [Especially when I could be with Duo right now... talk about unfinished business! And we have to talk about his outburst... damn...] "Relax, my friend," Treize purred back, giving Zechs a warm smile. "I thought a light touch would help ease into what I have to say." Zechs was instantly on alert. "What? What's happened?" "Easy there," Treize murmured. From what Zechs could see, he had a plant on his desk with which he was fussing, probably one of his miniature potted roses. "I am sending you one of my own angels, Zechs. Let him be a messenger of hope for you. He is bringing some critical files." The blond man frowned, watching Treize prune the little bush. [What *is* he doing?] "Oh? I have the mobile doll designs you sent already. Our Gundam scientist has developed some impressive upgrades to Tallgeese and the Gundams to more effectively fight against those. What is the nature of these new files, may I ask?" "You may..." Treize paused and set down his clippers, looking back up at the monitor again. "Milliardo, there have been substantial files recovered from the computer systems used by the five Gundam scientists who sent our young warriors to Earth. I am sending you those." [And I still think they left them to be found... strange...] "Thank you," Zechs replied, relaxing. "That will be wonderful, having complete files on our mobile suits at last." [Did they leave them on purpose?] Treize studied the blond's handsome face a moment. [Interesting that he will not lead his new little alliance... yet it is good he recognizes that each of those little pilots is critical... as is he... and I wonder if my dragon knows about them yet. I made sure the Princess could find him...] "Ah, Milliardo, there's more." "More?" [I haven't told him Wufei is here yet...] "The Gundam scientists have been ordered by Lady Une to construct new mobile suits that are stronger than the Gundams." "WHAT?" Zechs straightened, the ice-blue gaze stabbing at the screen. "I included those files of course," Treize replied serenely. "I included many things. Trust me, Milliardo, my very good friend. I am giving you everything you could possibly need to defeat OZ in space." [And I will let you find *that* file on your own...] "My man is Lance duChien. He has orders to report on behalf of the Rose Knight to your committee leader, 'Thirst'... though he may deliver what he is carrying to any of the Gundam pilots as well. I know enough to include them fully." He chuckled. "I'll leave it to Lance to recognize them." "Does he have a code name?" Since the Gundam pilots had expressed wishes to keep their names a secret outside the base, Treize and Zechs had developed code names for them as well. The Gundam pilots' code names were all rather menacing - 'Thirst' for Quatre, 'Hunger' for Trowa, 'Pain' for Heero, 'Death' – of course - for Duo. "Oh, right, I believe you already have spoken with him," Treize murmured, regarding his clippers thoughtfully. "The Dog Squire, if you recall." "Yes, I have." Zechs relaxed completely. Treize had more than come through for them, for him. [I should trust him more now...] "Treize, you have done so much and I have done very little to repay you," he murmured gratefully. "May I send someone to you in return?" [It might be wise to send Bronn away... besides, he is the most qualified and he's finished training the others on the Tauruses...] "That would be wonderful. I would value hearing from someone first-hand how our efforts are going," Treize replied smoothly. [I think my Milliardo is finally getting used to me being a part of this venture... good...] "But I have another favor to ask of you which will repay me immeasurably." "Yes, of course," Zechs sighed. "Milliardo..." Treize leaned closer to the screen, his statement earnest. "I am very worried about my Lady. I was wondering if you could possibly send someone to her now... to protect her..." Stunned, Zechs sat back, all his internal alarms going off again. "Treize! I... I know how you feel about her, but in effect she is our enemy in space..." [Now??] "No, no, you don't understand..." Treize almost looked... frightened? Was that what appeared in his controlled statement for a brief second? Now he just appeared resigned... "Milliardo, we have no one on our side in outer space. Lady Une is, I believe, conflicted... drawn to the hopes of a new peaceful era in space while still bent on domination of the colonies, if not precisely by military force, then by economic coercion as the colonial industries are being made to adapt to weapons manufacturing. Which, it is hoped, has not exactly yet begun, only awaiting the arrival of Chief Engineer Tsuberov to outer space... which is mere days away. I anticipate they will get along very well... but... how shall I say it?" Zechs, trying to catch the drift of what his friend was saying, noted that Treize had resumed pruning the little rose bush, distractedly picking at dead leaves or faded blossoms. [OZ,] he thought, musing that the bush was like the shining star, the OZ organization Treize had built so painstakingly for so long... and now must be cut back in order for it to grow into an even more beautiful rose bush. [GAIA? Another metaphor.] "I don't know what you mean, Treize," Zechs sighed. [How can he trim plants at a time like this?] Treize stopped fussing and looked shrewdly at his friend. "You're... different. What has changed in you, Milliardo? I am beginning to believe it may be similar to what changed in me." "And what did change in you?" Zechs replied, though he thought he could guess. [Wufei... his dragon...] "You know very well," Treize sighed. "I met a dragon who taught me to look beyond the beauty of fighting to something greater... the beauty of peace, forged when one sacrifices even their own ideals in lieu of something greater. There is, of course, a problem with this. One cannot easily become accustomed to peace." [I do not expect to, that is for certain...] "I used to think that, Treize," Zechs commented thoughtfully. "And then I met someone who showed me that one can love peace and live in it easily when they have another with which to share that peace. Alone, peace does not feel much different from war, for one is still lonely. But if you are not alone... it makes all the difference in the world." Unconsciously he smiled a little at this last. [The peace is for us, my Dancer...] "This is what has changed in you!" Treize exclaimed, delighted. "My dear Milliardo, are you in love?" Gaping, Zechs realized what he'd admitted. [And I just left the man I love unsatisfied,] he recalled, his heart sinking. "Yes... I am." And then he shut up about it. [Would Treize think it terrible of me to be in love with a Gundam pilot? Does he think they're too innocent and young and pure to touch? If I'd left OZ and then met Duo and knew up front he was a Gundam pilot, would I have thought the same way about him? But I cannot believe that it was wrong to love Duo... or that he was not ready or old enough to be loved...] On the contrary. He knew Duo had been desperate for love, and very willing and eager and ready to be loved thoroughly. [And he just proved that again. Then why can't I...?] Treize was studying the handsome face of the blond, reading his closed statement all too well. [Don't ask, he's saying...ah, so that's how it is. And I think I know...] "That's wonderful, Milliardo," he replied with warmth. "You must tell me about him someday." Zechs unfroze from his reverie. "Yes, I hope to, Treize," he replied. "So, you wish me to send someone to your Lady. Perhaps they can get closer to the Gundam scientists as well, enlist their cooperation." [Hmmm, if a Gundam pilot were to go...] "I don't see a problem with that," Treize commented, looking and poking at the plant on his desk again. [Yes! Send her one of your bright warriors...] Zechs could hear the unspoken question as if Treize had come out and said it. [He's hoping a Gundam pilot will have the same energizing effect on Lady Une as on ourselves! He could be right. But who would go? They'd be isolated possibly for a while until we can effect some change in the colonies' stance toward OZ...] "Very well, I will seek a volunteer. They can be on their way by mid-day tomorrow, possibly." [Maybe Heero would go... the isolation would make little difference to him, I'm sorry to think...] "Good, good," Treize was replying, leaning back in his chair, looking over the rose bush with satisfaction. [There, now it will grow to an even more lush fullness...] "My Dog Squire should arrive tomorrow as well." He looked at his friend's image on the screen. "Milliardo, as always, go with God..." [And you're going to need God's good graces when you see what I'm sending you... and with what I'm trusting you...] Zechs smiled, feeling the most relaxed with his old and dear friend than he had since his rebellion started. "And you, Treize. Thank you, my friend. But before I go, I have a bit of news to share with you." Treize had already been reaching to close the transmission. At this, his hand froze. "Yes?" The younger man could not help smirking. "Your dragon is here, Treize. As well as another ally whom you may know, although she was Alliance and never OZ. Her name is Sally Po." "Wufei... is there?" Treize breathed, staring intently at him, the rose bush forgotten. Zechs smiled. "He doesn't like us much. I'm not expecting him to stay. Sally, on the other hand, could be a wonderful asset. She's a doctor..." "Wufei must fly free," Treize interrupted, his eyes going thoughtful. "Is there a chance he would support us covertly?" [My dragon is on Antarctica! They made it there after all!] The other man shrugged. "Who knows? I cannot believe he would betray us to OZ, of course. But it may be that his agenda will intersect with ours from time to time. Dr. Sally has won his respect and perhaps can manage to remain in occasional contact with him. I'm expecting that she *will* stay." "Good," Treize murmured, absently. [He's completely ignoring everything I've said about Dr. Sally,] Zechs noted with interest. [Ah, Treize... what charms *does* that Chinese pilot hold?] [What is it about that boy that keeps him in my thoughts?] Treize wondered. [But they're all so marvelous...] Then he remembered something else he wanted to discuss with his friend. "Milliardo, do you have time? There's another issue I would like to discuss with you." Zechs bowed his head for a moment. He was aching to get back to Duo, but there was a nearly pleading tone in the other man's voice. [Even with his "angels" there, he must feel very alone. Lady Une has been gone from his side over a month now...] "Certainly, Treize, what is it?" "Your sister," Treize murmured, setting the rose bush aside. He bent down, moving out of the monitor's range for a moment, then came back up with a potted azalea with double pink blooms which he set before him, ready to go to work on it. "My... sister?" Zechs stared as Treize started snipping off a few fading blooms. [And yet another damn metaphor... I really am starting to believe they help him think or something...] "Is she getting into trouble again?" "Oh, no, no, no." Snip. "Your Noin tells me Relena is collecting the daughters of pacifist nations to her doorstep for her little educational endeavor. A laudable effort, but is she aware of the attention she will be garnering?" [Oh, really...] Zechs thought, exasperated. "Treize, that's why Noin is at her side, hopefully to rein in my headstrong little sister so she won't be an embarrassment to our nation. Is there a problem? Noin has not admitted to me if she is finding her task difficult." "No, of course not," Treize replied, clipping off a wayward twig that marred the graceful shape of the plant. "Milliardo, Relena is beginning to turn some heads... in good and in bad ways. Some in Romefeller are starting to wonder if she will cost them irretrievable support. As one who is capable of seeing these dynamics as they unfold in front of me, I am concerned that the scales will tip against her all too rapidly." "You mean..." Zechs felt alarm rush through him. [Relena, are you in danger?!] Treize looked at him seriously. "It's entirely possible that Romefeller could move against her very soon. Too soon. Before my plans here have had a chance to bear fruit. The timing is exceedingly critical. I have my doubts as to whether our stalwart Lucrezia is up to the challenge. Relena... will need a more experienced hand." Zechs stared sharply at him, stunned. ""What... are you suggesting, Treize?" The OZ General glanced back at the azalea. "Milliardo, my days here are limited. I may resign... probably tomorrow." "Oh, God, Treize... then it's come," Zechs breathed. "Yes." Treize took a deep breath. "They will not execute me. Even Romefeller knows I have too much personal influence for that. So it will be house arrest, probably here at Bremen. We've already planned for this, and I'll be escaping shortly afterwards." The sapphire gaze swung back. "I'd like to go to your Relena and guide her... secretly, of course. The underground caverns - I can set up our northern base there, Milliardo. Just a small one. Relena doesn't even have to know." "But she'll know you're there," Zechs murmured. "Treize, I want to discuss this with the others." "I won't even use the name GAIA," Treize added. "Not until I have convinced you of your sister's safety. Not until Romefeller is already toppling from within as we've engineered. Not until Romefeller has no chance of harming your kingdom. Then we will declare ourselves proudly." "Oh, Treize..." Zechs was wondering if he should be worried about Treize's internal plans for Romefeller. Would there be assassinations? Exactly what kind of support did Treize have? And what would be the consequences down the line? When the war was over... what then? Could a demagogue like Treize Khushrenada retire quietly? He remembered Treize's own words: "One cannot easily become accustomed to peace." [If Lady Une is not already lost to him, he'll have her... and could he also have a connection to Wufei? What's with that?] "Milliardo," Treize was continuing smoothly, "do not concern yourself with me or your northern allies. I will gladly protect your sister for you. You have enough going on there about which to worry." Frustration welled up within the younger man though he knew there was nothing he could do about it. He had plenty of responsibility already without having to deal with his energetic sister. [And I'm not even sure Noin could keep her in one place for long...] "Very well, Treize," he replied, lifting his chin in acceptance of this personal challenge of trust. "She will benefit from your experience, I am certain. If she is to become an independent voice for peace to the nations of the world, then she will need a strong support." Treize nodded, relieved. "And Noin, I understand, has procured a small fleet of White Tauruses, also hidden there. I will provide her with the best pilots, Milliardo." Zechs nodded. The idea was growing on him: Treize in the Sank Kingdom, hidden but secretly guiding the Princess as she took her first steps on the center stage of the world. But he had to ask one more thing. "Treize, my friend, what of the future? When all this is over?" [Do you still hope to govern the world? Where are your ambitions now?] For a moment, Treize did not answer, continuing to work on the little azalea. Then, satisfied, he set the plant aside and returned his gaze to the screen. "Milliardo, my dear friend, you really must not worry so much. I suppose I will grow the finest roses and make exquisite wine. Does it matter?" "No, I suppose not," Zechs replied, sighing. He had a thought. "Treize, did you want to speak to Wufei while he's still here? Although we haven't told him about your involvement with us... still..." There was a brief flash to the sapphire eyes. "That one... is fiercely independent. I don't..." To Zechs's wonder, Treize seemed indecisive. "I doubt he would listen to me. How... how did he seem when you met him?" Zechs couldn't help chuckling. "Well, he was angry - rightly so, for one of our Gundam pilots rushed their shuttle, which prompted Wufei into attacking. It wasn't pretty... but he believes us to be traitors and he does not want to work with traitors. As if we could really go back..." [Although I wish I could go back to Cairo... before...] "Indeed," Treize murmured. "You know, I've respected the wishes of the Gundam pilots to remain anonymous within our alliance for the time being... but, before you go, Milliardo, can you tell me what they're like? Just briefly..." [He wants to be in the thick of things with us,] Zechs mused with sympathy. [But he's got enough of his own heat to handle there...] "Certainly. Let's see, I'll start with Thirst. He seems so young and sweet, but I've seen a core of strength within him. He, more than the others, seems very unlikely to be a soldier. And he's very sensitive to others' feelings, our Thirst." "Intriguing," Treize murmured. "A soldier who is empathic - how strange and how difficult it must be for him to fight." "Yes. Then, his partner, Hunger... very quiet and enigmatic. I sense great power and great hurt within him," Zechs continued. "He's not easy to know. But a powerful soldier." "Fascinating... ah, did you say 'partner'?" Zechs didn't flinch. "Yes, I did. They're a couple." There was a long pause. "I thought the Gundam pilots were all quite... young. Fifteen, I thought you said." "They are. But don't let their age fool you. They are not *young*. And might I remind you what you and I were doing at their age?" Treize sighed. Both of them had been Specials officers and mobile suit pilots before age fifteen. But then he remembered... [Milliardo was precocious, too. Damned if he wasn't sexually active at that age as well. Hmmm. He was always so mature, more than I was in that way at that age.] "Yes, you have a point. Still, it's interesting considering they apparently didn't know each other before coming to Earth." [He can't understand...] "Life is unexpected, Treize. Things happen." "Yes, Milliardo... things do happen. Now... the others?" But the General's mind was already working. [So if 'Thirst' and 'Hunger' are a couple, is it one of the others Milliardo's involved with? I'm right, I know I am...] "The most impressive in a military sense is Pain. I've never seen anyone who can detach their emotions like he can and evaluate a situation more objectively. Everything around him is weighed in his mind for its tactical and strategic advantages and disadvantages. They call him the 'perfect soldier'." "A weapon in his own right," Treize replied. [And likely has far too much in common with you, my friend,] he added to himself. [Hmmm, probably not that one...] "Then there is Death..." Zechs closed his eyes for a moment, the terrible image from his nightmares before his mind's eye. "A ruthless killer, yet a chameleon... he's also the most personable and outgoing of the group." [My Duo...] He glanced at the screen again. "Each, I believe, has deep personal hurts in some way or another. They come from wildly variant backgrounds, but each has been damaged by the Alliance in one way or another." Treize was impressed. [Death? Amazing... yet I don't think it would be this one. So, who?] "And you, Milliardo... are a kindred spirit to them. It seems to me that it was inevitable that you become involved with these finely honed weapons. You are all that - masterpieces, and God's avenging angels." "I am no angel... and they are not that innocent..." [Just pure...] But the General only laughed. "Whatever you say, Milliardo. Now, about my dragon... I do not believe he will listen to me at this time. And besides, he will surely suspect subterfuge in learning that you are in contact with me. No, it's best I contact him separately." "I see your point." Zechs sighed, leaning back. "Treize, good luck... and God be with you. I pray for your safety. Shall I send my representative directly to Sank, then?" [Will he really resign tomorrow? Can they get him out of there safely?] "Thank you. Yes, that would be wisest. I hope to be there in a couple days, perhaps sooner. Code name?" [Hmmm... Sangers...] "The Bard." * "Ah." Treize leaned in close to the monitor. "Milliardo, let me add that I am glad to see that love has found your heart. I see how committed you are to peace and to those young pilots - that's what love has done to you. I would only give you one bit of advice, my friend." "What's that?" "You must weigh in your mind," Treize went on smoothly, "whether it is the love you live for now, or the cause that love has urged you to take up. When you know that, Milliardo, you will achieve all your dreams." He sat back, sighing. [He's saying that my love should be the most important thing to me,] Zechs mused, nodding. [And that if I attend to that, all the rest will take care of themselves. But will they? I must be practical! All the details will not take care of themselves if I drop them to spend time with Duo. It's a romantic fantasy, that's all.] "I will take your words under consideration," he replied neutrally. [Not that I don't *want* to spend all my time with Duo, of course...] "Of course, Milliardo," Treize responded. "You go with God as well. I'll contact you again when I have reached your sister's side. In fact, I'll leave it to you to let Noin know what's going to happen." "I'll do that. Good-bye, Treize." "Good-bye, my dear friend Milliardo." Zechs closed his end of the transmission. [... you will achieve all your dreams,] he thought, remembering Treize's words. [If only it were that simple.] After letting Federi know about the arrival in the morning, he was soon striding back down the hall, intent on returning to his beloved to talk about what had happened between them.
(tbc)
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