"The Agency: Meeting of Souls "

Written By: Karina

Pairings 13x6 [eventual], 5xS, 3x4, Others undecided at this time.

Warnings: Extreme Alternate Universe setting. Unbetaed, Aussie spelling and grammar, not much else in the early chapters though it will involve murder, stalking and possibly some colourful language down the track. Some Out Of Character depictions are unavoidable considering the alternate universe setting.

Rating: M [In Australia that would be mature adult 15+] Not sure with the new rating system about international ratings. Rated for violence and language and adult concepts.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. That's about as plain as you could say it.

Summary: The world took a very different turn with the acknowledgement of psychic abilities and training of select psychic individuals enlisted in elite fields such as law enforcement and politics. A grading system for the strength of psionic abilities was developed and those who were the top of the elite have been dubbed Prime Talents and are highly sought after. Elite institutions have been developed to mark, train and employ individuals with useable psionic talents. The colonies of canon Gundam Wing do exist in this fic and were constructed before the psionic system was founded. With the advent of psionics in open use in society younger people are appearing in positions of power as they are awakening to their abilities earlier and are highly trained in their fields of expertise.

//…// Thoughts
~/.../~ Telepathy

"The Agency: Meeting of Souls "

Chapter Eight

They found Kushrenada waiting just beyond the door with a smirk on his face reminiscent of a cat having enjoyed a bowl of cream. Chang refused to be baited in front of Yuy and Treize moved off down the hallway, pausing before reaching the first intersection.

Wu Fei resisted the urge to growl in frustration. The man could be infuriating at the best of times and when he was in this type of mood he could be impossible. If they shared full function telepathy private communication between them would have been no problem. The most he could do was receive communications from Treize and while Treize could read his thoughts it was a breach of etiquette for the man to do so without prior agreement except in an emergency situation.

“So would you care to enlighten us as to what we are doing here? We have other matters to attend to of far more importance than stealing honest work from paid couriers.” Chang hissed as he came up behind the Prime.

Yuy joined Chang and glanced behind him. At the moment the hallway was clear and he could hear no oncoming footsteps but there was no guarantee how long that would last. Any of the security personnel in the building could walk in on them lurking in the hallway and no doubt it was a curious enough sight to be remarked on.

“Research, Chang. We are doing research.” Treize whispered and offered a grin.

Yuy scowled at Chang’s puzzled look and followed in silence as Treize stepped boldly around the corner and strolled along as though he owned the building. He heard Chang’s teeth grind together and the low mutter which sounded suspiciously like a four letter word as they followed. A young woman smiled pleasantly at Treize as he approached, noted the security pass pinned to his jacket and nodded as he passed by. The Prime graced her with a smile that oozed charm and Yuy was amused to see her reaction. Clearly she would have liked an excuse to engage the man in conversation.

In his turn he nodded to her as he drew near and she smiled at him, again nodding briefly and as he passed he noted her reaction to Chang. Her eyes hardened slightly and a frown line appeared though she did not make any move to delay the agent. A few steps further he glanced back and almost sniggered. Chang considered the day to have been a bad one from the scowl on his face.

“If you are not careful the wind may change direction and you will be left looking like that.” Treize chuckled. “Loosen up, Fei, you are too tense.”

“Working with you is it any wonder?” The surly growl drew a repeated chuckle from the Prime and Chang snorted in apparent disgust.

Treize paused at the closed door to the office glancing through the glass window. Otto could be seen giving instructions to a group of agents and he settled back against the wall. He was not intending to draw the man’s attention and he turned to Yuy.

“Is there another way out of here?”

Yuy considered his previous visit to the security office and the tour Otto himself had given him. The layout of the building had been straight forward and boasted three entrances overall. “We would need to go through the building to the far side.”

“Then we wait a few minutes if we can without being interrupted and need to dream up an excuse for lingering..” Treize decided, unwilling to chance losing Otto for any length of time and glanced at his partner. “Loosen up will you.”

“We are performing research on what and why?” Chang hissed.

Treize glanced once again through the window and relaxed as Otto and his group of four men departed, the outer door swinging closed behind them. He reached for the handle and glanced at the two men watching him.

“Future working partners.” Treize slipped through the door leaving Wu Fei standing in the hallway with a dumbfounded look on his face.

//Future working partners? // That was certainly not what he had been expecting.

“What did he mean, future working partners?” Yuy queried.

“With Treize at the moment, who knows?” the agent scowled at the door. “His moods change faster than wild fire changes direction and he makes less sense every day.” Chang shrugged and sighed. “Truth be told though I have learned from experience not to take his concerns lightly. He usually knows exactly what he is doing. After dealing with him for so long though I could well do with a rest. I believe I will put in a request for a vacation.”

Yuy scowled, eyeing the agent with piercing blue gaze and recalling he had been informed previously the Prime was due for vacation time. “You will go with him?”

“Ancestors, no!” Chang looked horrified at the suggestion. “I need to get away from all things Agency related as much as he does.”

“Is there a cause for concern with his state of mind at the present time? It is my understanding a Prime Telepathic Empath must have strong shields to maintain the integrity of his mind.”

“He is stable enough at the moment not to be a danger to himself or anyone else.” The assurance was quick but Chang continued to scowl as he pushed through the door. “He will require seclusion after this case to work on his shields and simply to rest his mind and body. He has had a long period with a high work load and I will ensure the recommendation he be assigned at least two, preferably three months for him to rest is included in my case report. He is a bachelor though he has a young daughter and I believe family time would lighten his aspect considerably. Treize is too much the professional to push his limits to dangerous levels. He has already spoken to Une concerning time off.”

Yuy was well aware there was a certain tension between the Prime telepath and his department Chief. Unlike Chang he actually knew the source of the dispute between the two. His superiors considered it necessary for him to be fully briefed on persons with whom he was required to work. He was finding himself chosen to be teamed with Agency personnel with more frequency over the past eighteen months as unlike many others he did not have a problem working with the Psychically gifted. He did, in fact, enjoy working with them.

“Concern noted.”

He would mention to his Supervisor the need for the Prime to be accorded down time and that worthy would make a notation in the case records. One of his brothers, an agent as uniquely modified as he himself, had been injured during a field operation in which an overworked kinetic talent had been over extended. Since the incident there were standing orders for agents assigned to work with Psychics to report any concerns on the fitness of their partners, temporary or permanent.

Side by side the two crossed the office space, ignoring the unconcerned glances directed at them from desk bound workers. Kushrenada had already passed through the office and they caught sight of the door to the outside closing as they entered the entry foyer.

“He’s not wasting any time, is he?” Chang muttered, increasing his pace.

“No idea what he is up to?”

Striding across the foyer Chang frowned, glancing at the door as he considered his partner and the uniqueness of his personality and abilities. Something about the University’s Security Chief disturbed Treize that much was obvious and whatever it was he had missed it. Not only he but Yuy as well and that could mean only one thing. Treize had picked up on something through his telepathy or more likely through his empathy.

//He has already made telepathic contact with Ms Bloom in an unsanctioned session. There would have been every reason for him to sample the Security Chief looking for evidence of the same type of influencing.//

Was that a possibility? Had something alerted Treize to more psychic tampering be it on a larger or smaller scale? If such was the case then why would he not have said something to alert them after Otto had left the room? The matter of an unknown and possibly unregistered psychic with such abilities frankly frightened Wu Fei and he knew his partner was afraid of what they might find. Lamenting his own lack of strength in the telepathic and empathic fields he could only rely on another’s sensitivity to give him the lead.

“We will need to trust he knows what he is about. As soon as we have reasonable privacy I will be demanding answers though I doubt Treize himself could really explain at the moment.”

Yuy blinked and glared at Wu Fei. “That is not helpful.”

“I know.” Chang smirked. “If his empathy clued him in on something he may not know exactly what it is about the Security Chief that is bothering him. He may have picked up on something that may even suggest Otto has had his memories modified. If that is the case, he is not going to be able to perform so much as a surface scan until he has rested after the work he did on Catherine Bloom.”

“Ah.” Yuy nodded, his concern subsiding. In matters of psychic ability he knew all too little and he must be guided by those who knew more than he.

//Treize has always been sensible and so grounded on occasion he frightens me. I am missing something he detected and is reacting to and if Yuy has also missed it then I can safely assume it is not something obvious. That clearly suggests either his telepathy or empathy has detected something of interest though why it should cause him to pursue the man in this manner is beyond me.//

Exiting the Security Office they paused to look around, seeking some sign of either Otto and his group or Treize himself. Yuy lightly touched Chang’s arm and inclined his head to indicate an area off the footpath and partially screened by a garden bed. In the deep shadow of a willow tree, partially screened by the fall of the branches stood Treize. Casual observation might very well miss him, Yuy noted, especially for one of the unmodified humans who did not have his advantages.

Chang grunted softly and headed for the willow while Yuy took the time to look around for any bystanders before he too moved to join Treize beneath his willow. Chang snapped his mouth shut on a question when the Prime waved him to silence without turning to face him and indicated the road past the garden bed. A bus turned into the drive and pulled up in the centre of the parking area directly before the accommodations building they had previously investigated. Assembled on the steps of the dormitory stood the security contingent with Otto at their head and a welcoming committee from the faculty.

“Shh.” Treize murmured. “I want the chance to observe without anyone knowing we are here. You never know what might leak through shields on such occasions as this or what body language might reveal.”

Yuy scowled but settled his back against the broad trunk of the tree and focused on the gathering around the bus. Considering one of the students on the bus was the Winner heir and the importance of other students who had taken part in the tour he should not have been surprised there was a reception committee. The school hierarchy would ensure all formalities were catered to when it came to greeting the children of important clients.

It would at the least be interesting to note the degree of formality the students received as he suspected there would be some in the group who would be paid far less attention than others. The Tsuberov Parapsychic Investigation and Research University was, when all was said and done, funded by the fees and donations acquired from the rich and famous and no slight would be offered to those paying the bills.

Otto’s security team moved to the bus, the four men moving to each corner of the vehicle to keep an eye on the surrounding grounds while the bus was unloaded. The faculty members moved to the foot of the steps and the Dean of the University moved to the door as it opened. A nod, handshake and brief word from the Dean to each of the students as they disembark and the teachers and trainers in attendance began to draw the students aside.

Yuy was hardly surprised when Winner was made a fuss of. The short blonde youth was descended on by the Dean before his feet even hit the ground and he was drawn up the steps and to one side. The faculty staff moved in to take the Deans place at the bus and began directing the remaining students away from the Dean and Winner. Words were exchanged, more with some students than others and Otto remained standing mid way between the bus and the Dean, eyes constantly moving.

//I wonder if this is the usual security arrangements for a return to the university or if it is in response to the murder? // Yuy mused. //If this is unusual the students would have to be severely intellectually impaired not to know something has happened.//

“A touch overkill, I think.” Chang growled his own concern. “I thought they wanted to keep this low key?”

Treize refrained from making any comments. While he doubted this was the usual greeting returning students would receive he could not make a judgement. Perhaps it was quite normal for Tsuberov staff to fall all over their wealthiest and elite. He straightened a little when he noticed Maxwell alighted from the bus, that gleaming chestnut braid unmistakable in the late afternoon sunlight. He was immediately descended on by two of the faculty who seemed to have a great deal to say, both talking in tandem and the young man seemed more than surprised. He stepped away from the door of the bus, still listening to the staff, one of whom made a comment, waving a hand expansively and then turned and hurried into the building.

A tall young man with a cascade of silver white hair turned pale gold by the sunlight alighted next and looked around. He noted Winner had the Deans attention, a cluster of students up by the doors to the dormitory and a second smaller cluster at the rear of the bus watching as the luggage was unloaded. He glanced at Maxwell as his attendant teacher waved a hand in his general direction and then hurried to the lingering group of students at the door. The group of students were ushered inside with more hand flaps and Maxwell turned to the tall blonde, beckoning him closer.

//Interesting.// Treize mused.

The security contingent surrounding the bus moved aside as the last of the luggage was remove and with a quiet word between Otto and the driver the vehicle drew away. The Dean had now drawn Winner further up the steps though as yet he appeared not to be inclined to rush him into the building and Winner was nodding regularly in response to whatever the Dean was saying. Treize wished he might have been close enough to hear the conversation and after considering the level of throbbing in his head decided it was not important enough to push his talent and frayed shields to find out.

Chang moved closer to him and leaned forward slightly, marking the three young men who shared the unit. Maxwell had drawn the blonde to one side and was animatedly talking to him with quick movements of his fingers and hands to emphasise whatever he was saying but the topic did not seem to please Marquise. Winner looked up at the upper levels of the building and back to the Dean and nodded in response to what Wu Fei presumed was being informed of the need and location of the new suite.

//Plumbing problems, I expect, is the excuse they are using. It is viable enough I suppose but they have to be wondering about the reception committee. Surely Otto or one of the members of the faculty might have met the bus and directed them to their new quarters. The Dean appears to be a particularly long winded individual. I wonder if something else is being discussed? It surely does not take this long to say your room is unavailable your new room is the next floor down.//

The long haired blonde Treize had no trouble identifying as Marquise flicked a hand in the direction of the dormitory building and at a comment from his companion turned toward the one remaining Master who had hustled the group of students to the door. Maxwell grasped the blonde’s arm and firmly pulled him to the side and away from the other group talking animatedly all the while.

Treize seriously considered extending his talent just enough to gain a reading from those two. Body language suggested Marquise was highly unamused and Maxwell intent on smoothing troubled waters. He could not understand why the two young men were still outside and had not been permitted to enter the dormitory. Otto seemed concerned, he noted as the security chief interrupted the Dean with a quiet word and was waved inside with a head shake in the negative.

“Heero, can you hear what is being said?” Treize turned to Yuy and inclined his head toward the steps.

“Not a great deal, just an occasional word from the Dean and Winner.” Yuy frowned. “Otto has been instructed to perform a security scan of the dormitory and ensure all is secure for the night.”

Yuy straightened his posture and leaned forward a little as he concentrated on the Dean who now had turned his attention back to Winner. Otto hesitated for a moment longer then moved to gather his security contingent to him.

“It appears the Dean is attempting to convince Mr. Winner to take a single bedroom apartment while the dormitory suite is repaired. One is available and has been cleared by security for use.”

Treize nodded slightly, that was much as he had expected. The Dean would not have been exactly ecstatic at the quality of the company young Winner was keeping. “You can’t hear anything Marquise and Maxwell are saying?”

“Something about it not being worth the hassle of saying anything.” Yuy shook his head slightly. “I can’t hear much. They are keeping their voices down.”

“No doubt it would not do to make derogatory comments about the Dean and Masters within their hearing.” Treize murmured.

“Winner is certainly the golden boy, isn’t he?” Wu Fei mused. “The Dean has not so much as twitched in the direction of any of the other students since Winner alighted from the bus.”

Treize watched as the security chief turned and scowled at the Dean before looking around the gardens, no doubt wishing the man would give up and take Winner inside. He was plainly not pleased to have any of the three students outside and only Maxwell and Marquise were now standing on the steps, the last of the other students having vanished into the building with the attendant teacher.

“I was under the impression if you had the talent to be enrolled at Tsuyberov and the financial backing to cover training you were considered equal to everyone else.” Treize commented quietly. “I don’t like this. Maxwell and Marquise should have an attendant. A security guard at the least and a Master of the University should be in attendance while they wait.”

“And just why are they being made to wait on the steps anyway?” Chang rubbed at his nose thoughtfully. “Far from adequate security arrangements considering the reason we are here.”

Yuy grunted softly, staring at Maxwell and Marquise with his head canted a little to one side. “I noticed the extent of that equality between all students myself. Do you think it a deliberate snub or do they just not notice Marquise is around? They spoke to Maxwell and he has basically the same background as Marquise.”

Chang frowned, glancing at the agent and back to the two young men. “What do you mean, not notice him? He is rather large to miss I would think.”

Yuy sighed and shrugged his broad shoulders watching as a security guard vanished into the undergrowth at the side of the house. Otto was giving orders to the other three and apparently no longer watching the two youths. The Dean was slowly drawing Winner toward the door and they appeared to be arguing now.

“I’ve had occasion to see it amongst street kids before, especially amongst those who have a higher degree of psychic ability. I suppose the best way to describe it is as a ‘no see zone’. They do not want to be noticed by authority figures and try to make themselves invisible. Generally after a time they do not even realize they project a shield that somehow turns awareness of them away.”

Treize had heard of the ability though he had never actually come across any psychic who could do it. Yuy had described it fairly accurately too as it was rather hard to find the exact words for best effect. Marquise would have been well and truly out of his element on arriving at Tsuberov and Treize could well believe he had wanted to vanish at every opportunity. The problem was such shields became habitual and if not nipped in the bud the user could find themselves alone and unseen in a crowd whether they willed it or not.

“A good point, Heero. How did you detect it or are you simply surmising?”

Yuy shrugged. “I watch people I note their body language and the body language of those around them. Marquise gave the appearance of not being comfortable with the reception committee.”

“Perhaps Mr. Marquise is unaware he is projecting a ‘you don’t notice me’ shield. It could account for a certain measure of the friction we have surmised surrounds him though I would have expected the Trainers would have detected it. Once noted they should have worked to bring him to a level of comfort with his surroundings where he not resort to it as a defence.”

Chang grunted softly and shook his head. “It should not be necessary for anyone to want to vanish into the background. Where is the equality reputed to be so important in this day and age? Winner is fawned over by the Dean, the University Masters whisk off the remaining students and Maxwell and Marquise are left standing on the doorstep.”

“It is difficult to say if it is the result of Marquise’s abilities. I would think Maxwell’s Sweeper connections would be sufficient to ensure all protocols of the University be strictly observed. It is the Sweepers who control the space lanes. They have the monopoly on the outer system trade routes and from what I know they keep close tabs on their prodigies.”

“The Sweepers have manipulating fingers in many pies.” Chang agreed. “So why does Maxwell have no difficulty in seeing Marquise?”

“I would suspect Marquise is comfortable with Maxwell and possibly Winner too. They would probably be exempt from his nerves and reaction to being noticed. I think Mr. Marquise’s mysterious benefactor should emulate the same level of care for his ward as the Sweepers do for theirs.” Treize murmured. “I would suspect his bills are paid and a directive would have been given to the Dean and provided those conditions are met to the letter his benefactor would not be inclined to do more than occasionally review his progress.”

“That would suggest it is a business concern paying the bills. Someone who pretty much is guaranteed to be able to buy a contract… ah.” Chang closed his eyes briefly. “I see.”

“Yes.” Treize murmured, glancing at Chang. “They have rescued a street kid and provided adequate facilities and exemplary education. They would be reasonably assured of being able to pick up the working contract for a high level psi for next to nothing compared to his true value. Such grey areas in the laws could lead to the equivalent of legal slavery if the laws are not adjusted for modern times.”

Chang scowled and crossed his arms over his chest, studying his partner for a long moment. “That is what you meant about checking on future working partners, yes? As I recall Une did mention the agency might bid for his contract. There is the need for another Prime level operative that would justify the expense of a pair of high maintenance Psi’s.”

Treize arched an elegant forked eyebrow at Chang, refusing to be baited by the sly grin or the goading words. “Yes, she did make a suggestive comment. However even the agency might have trouble winning such a contract considering no one else had expressed an interest in rescuing this particular street kid and providing him with a secure future. This is his graduation year from memory and for a potential Prime to get so far without being noticed smacks of manipulation. Someone wanted his presence at Tsuberov kept low key. I believe it might pay to have his background investigated to learn the identity of those eager to keep a Prime cheaply.”

Chang nodded, eyeing the blonde on the distant steps with more thoughtful reflection. Though Treize had not reacted to his teasing he knew the man understood his meaning. It was an expensive business providing for the needs of men and women who required shielded living and working quarters, rigidly maintained diets and regular medical and psychological evaluations. There was also the high fee to be paid to the psychic himself for his time and effort expended to the profit of the company or organization he worked for.

“Why?” Yuy scowled, clearly not understanding where the conversation was leading. His had been a sheltered and planned upbringing and he had little true concept of the every day lives of the mass populous. “Is this not a good thing? He’s off the streets with its inherent dangers, being properly and exclusively educated and has the assurance of future employment. It is my understanding that is exactly what the government wishes, to clean up the streets and do away with poverty. What more could a street kid want?”

Treize sighed. Yuy really needed an education in real life. He was brilliant but he knew only what he had been taught and his education and contact with the world had been carefully controlled.

“Freedom of choice.” Chang murmured, glancing at the ESUN Security Agent with surprisingly gentle eyes. “Even working under a payback contract as I am I at least had a choice of where and who I worked for. The Psychic Institute offered me an extensive education and trained my talent to the furthest extent I could attain. When it was determined I could not improve further my contract was put up for consideration. My details were circulated and I had seven potential employers offer for my services. Portfolio’s detailing every aspect of the work I would be required to perform was forwarded to me that I might take part in the evaluation process with my Trainers. I was not simply assigned to the Agency my input in the decision was required by law. There was a thirty day cooling off period in which I had the option to withdraw from the contract and find something more suited if I found the work beyond me or my abilities. The fees expended on my daily needs and education was detailed and a payback arrangement finalised before I left the Institute. That arrangement ensures I have adequate financial support to live from day to day in an acceptable manner and pay back all moneys expended by the government on my behalf in my training.” Chang shook his head slightly and flicked a hand toward the dormitory. “I somehow think Mr. Marquise does not have the same safety net.”

“I think we could just about guarantee he had no safety net.” Treize murmured and his tone suggested it was definitely past tense.

Yuy looked between the two men, the tall elegant aristocrat and the smaller exotic oriental, and wondered just how much of the ways of the world he did not understand. His work had shown him various interesting aspects of day to day living which seemed more than odd to him. Some days he was only too eager to return to his assigned quarters and turn his back on the confusion of a world that made little sense.

“Does this have any bearing at all on the case?”

“Perhaps.” Kushrenada considered the agent with a small smirk and a thoughtful look.

“I fail to see how.”

Treize considered the implications that seemed so clear to him and which Chang certainly understood from his reaction. Yuy would no doubt return to his base of operations and during his debriefing mention the matter which might or not result in him being more intimately informed on the ways of the world of big business and politics. At the least he should receive a thorough briefing on how contracts worked before they met in the morning. Just to ensure he mentioned the matter however he would provide Yuy with a connection to the case.

“At this time, given our past speculation on the case, I am not willing to forego any consideration, no matter how far fetched it may seem. It is a fact Marquise and Maxwell share Winners dormitory and they have to be taken into account until we determine the who and why of the murder. Here is another slant on the situation for you to consider. Do you not think Marquise might make an easy mark for someone to manipulate into helping them gain Winners attention?”

Chang arched an eyebrow and pursed his lips. “Alternately Marquise might be used to draw Winner to a specific location at a specific time where he might be collected more easily away from the watchful eye of the security guards. There are a variety of methods where by both Maxwell and Marquise might be used against Winner.”

Heero considered Chang Wu Fei for a long moment, and the possibilities of one or both of the young men being manipulated into being used against Winner. The two, particularly Marquise, had considerably less resources to draw on in life and certainly might be considered possible security threats. Maxwell had the backing of the Sweepers and for this reason it would most likely be Marquise of the two who could be considered the greater threat.

“Acknowledged. I understand where he might be a threat.”

The Prime let the matter drop there, granting Chang raised a valid point to set Heero thinking. He personally had another view on the matter and it was one he was not as yet willing to voice. Much would hinge on his next session with Catherine Bloom and what he could glean from her memories.

There was something bothering him on a subconscious level about the memories he had glimpsed. He could not place his finger on the problem but it was there, somewhere in the impressions he had gathered from her mind. He would need to investigate further but it was enough to assure him Marquise was not a danger to Winner. At least not directly. He would need to look into the pasts of both boys to be objective as in his position as Prime and investigator on this case he could not afford to miss any details.

//I can not make the mistake of having preconceived notions and must maintain objectivity at all times. I’ll not have anyone call my methods or abilities into question. Still, he’s a fine looking young man. Damn fine looking. I have to remember not to class him as a boy… there is nothing of the boy about that body. He’s approaching twenty one and is only four years my junior. //

Dragging his thoughts and eyes away from the cascade of pale silver blonde hair and the recollection of enchanting blue eyes he watched the Dean escort Winner into the building. He was surprised to see one of the security guards acting as valet carrying two suitcases as he followed at a discreet three steps behind the two. Otto, he noticed, was gone and only one of the security contingent remained. That individual exchanged a few brief words with the two young men and placed two large duffle bags at their feet before faded into the growing dusk.

“Equal my eye.” Chang grunted.

The lights came on bathing the steps in a soft golden glow as the natural light level dropped further. Treize found himself fighting the urge to walk forward and lead both young men into the dormitory and defy anyone to argue with him.

“What do they think they are playing at?” Chang scowled. “I have no doubts both are quite capable of finding their way to their quarters. Yuy, did you hear what the guard said?”

“I never caught it all. Something about one of the Masters returning to give them assignments and I think escort them to their room.”

Treize considered the pair waiting on the steps. “It might pay to make mention of this in our reports.” He dared loose the constraints he held on his empathy and extended a tendril toward the two. “Maxwell is fuming and I would not be at all surprised if he does not offer a complaint to his sponsor. Marquise… is very good at shielding but his body language suggests he is all too accustomed to such slights.”

“I would suggest a point be made of suggesting Marquise might be suitable for work within the Agency.” Chang arched an eyebrow at the look his partner turned on him. “What? I know the Agency is understaffed and you are overworked. We require either half a dozen lower level telepaths and empaths or one high powered Prime level individual. Marquise fits that requirement for ability if nothing else.”

“If he is to be given a fair chance at an acceptable future the Agency will need to be prepared in advance for any interference offered by his sponsor or their backers. You are correct I have made it plain I am not willing to tolerate the work load I am currently expected to fulfil. I think one Prime level telepathic empath would be cheaper to cater to than upwards of a dozen lesser talents.”

Yuy considered the two men and the calculating gleam appearing in onyx and sapphire eyes. They seemed to be in perfect understanding and he wondered if their section head would be in agreement. Une had not struck him as being a woman with a sweet disposition who would take kindly to manipulation.

“This would be an expensive contract, would it not? Would the Agency be capable of outbidding a corporation with such funds already invested in his future? Tuberov fees do not come cheap. Could they not demand reparation of their expenses in a lump sum?”

“By law the contract for a Psi’s working time must go up for public review. From that review interested parties make known what they are willing to expend to garner the employment of the talent. Deals might be done on the side lines but the entire proceedings are supervised by a neutral body under government supervision.” Chang mused. “I suppose it is possible they might demand a return on their expenses to date as a part of any contract.”

“It has been done before and is not so dissimilar to your own contract with the government. If you know who to talk to it is easy enough to circumvent the accepted protocols of these things.” Treize smirked at Chang’s arched eyebrow. “I did after all and no, you do not want to know any more than that. Anyone who has gone to the trouble of setting up someone of Marquise’s talents has to be assured they can get what they want out of it in the end. We need to learn the identity of this benefactor if only for the fact we need to take genetic scans to eliminate the three students from our forensic studies. For that we need parental consent… or in the case of Maxwell and Marquise that means their guardians.”

“I presume we will be required to go through the Dean and the University to ascertain the identity of the Guardians. If you are correct in your assumptions that something not entirely legal is involved it may not be so easy to obtain direct contact.” Chang turned at the sound of booted feet on the walkway. “I think we will need to abandon our position. If I am not mistaken, they are looking for us concerning the surveillance disks.”

“Unfortunately with a good solicitor everything we have speculated on can be quite legal.” Treize murmured. “I suppose we will need to make ourselves known.”

“Certain guidelines can not be circumvented involving international cases. Winner is of L4 origin, Marquise a Terran and Maxwell originally from L2 and now a Sweeper citizen. In murder cases DNA evidence can not be discounted and there is definitely a murder and a possible stalker involved. We need to identify everyone who has been in that suite of rooms and to do that we need DNA evidence. I will have my supervisor identify who it is we need to approach to secure a DNA sample from Marquise and who amid the Sweepers can sign for Maxwell.”

“I somehow expect it will require something more that a straight forward request to your supervisor.” Treize sighed.

The thought of garnering DNA evidence and the requirements of gaining samples gave birth to another idea and Treize found himself scowling in the gathering darkness. The space beneath the willow’s canopy was now quite dark and he could barely make out Yuy and Chang.

“I wonder… There is the possibility Marquise may be wanted for more than his talent… or rather, for more than just the use of his talent.”

“That use being?” Chang queried, shifting in the darkness and taking a step back towards the security building.

“Breeding purposes, my dear Chang. Empathic telepaths are about the rarest talents you will find because of the difficulties in rearing one who can keep their sanity intact against the forces brought to bare by the pressures of living amongst fellow human beings. Sane telepathic empaths who have not been brought up in a cloistered environment suggests strong character and a stubborn streak a mile wide and the determination not to give in. We might want to do more than just confirm the identity of Mr. Marquise with a DNA scan.”

Yuy stopped at the edge of the willow canopy and looked back at the dark form of the Prime. “It’s illegal to perform a deep scan without the full knowledge and consent of the individual involved. If he or she is underage parental consent also must be obtained.”

“If you follow the rules, yes, that much is true.” Treize smirked in the darkness and mindful of Yuy’s enhanced abilities turned a straight, emotionless face to the agent. “Of course, we would not for an instant consider doing an illegal scan, would we?”

“No, we would not.” Chang glared at his partner, willow branches swishing in the darkness as he turned. “What are you suggesting, Treize? Just what is your interest in him?”

“At the moment, Chang, I honestly do not know. Something strikes me as smelling particularly foul about this case. We are missing something and I have a nasty suspicion it involves Marquise and his benefactor.”

Yuy stepped to the cascade of branches and glared across the grounds at the young men standing to one side of the grand entrance of the house. Maxwell had a bored expression on his handsome heart shaped face while the older man glowered at the building with something more than boredom. Mr. Marquise was not amused and making no effort to hide his agitation. Maxwell lightly ran a hand down the taller man’s arm and Yuy could lip read the words “Its okay.”

//Maxwell seems capable of keeping him contained.// He looked again at that heart shaped face, the mouth that was slightly too wide for his face yet seemed to suit him so well and the thick rope of chestnut hair. With a conscious effort Heero dragged his attention back to the matter at hand. //I need to pay more attention to the case and the investigation does not revolve around his hair… or his eyes. Such unusual eyes. The vid did not do him justice. //

“Well, what are we to do now? We have surveillance disks to collect and I for one do not intend to stand around here and admire the stars.” Chang glanced at his partner. “If you have checked out the potential for a working partner what more do we need do?”

//Meet him.// flashed through Treize’s mind.

Dragging his errant thoughts back to the case he motioned toward the security centre and emerged from his dark shelter, giving Chang plenty of time to see him. He was not of a mind to allow the man to know his thoughts had wandered to something entirely not professional in nature.

“Pick up the security tapes, arrange an interview time with Catherine Bloom for a day or so, preferably the day after tomorrow. We still need to walk the stairwell, interview the security staff on duty that night, apply for the DNA samples to be taken for elimination…”

“Fine.” Chang interrupted, waving his hands to cut Treize off. “You may eat at an ungodly hour of the night but some of us keep more mundane hours. By the time we return to the Agency it will be approaching nine if we are lucky.”

“Sally has plans for this evening?” Treize chuckled and motioned toward the security building, allowing Yuy to precede him. “You go back and I will collect the disks and have Otto give me access to the stairwell. Unlike you I am a free agent, Wu Fei. I have no one waiting for me at home.”

Chang snorted ungraciously and glanced at Yuy who shrugged.

“I have no one waiting for me either. I will remain here and accompany your partner on his continued investigation.”

“You know you are not supposed to be working without a Psi partner.” Chang glared at Treize.

“Oh Fei, get real. We are at the Tsuberov University. Every safety feature devisable for the comfort of high level Psychics is available here at call. Should there be a problem Yuy has only to yell and…”

“It’s against the rules.” Chang growled. “You should not be bucking the rules if you are complaining about stressed shields.”

Treize grudgingly admitted Chang had a point but there was only that empty apartment waiting for him and a pre packaged calorie controlled meal in the freezer. “I am in no danger at this time.”

“I remain.” Chang huffed. “We acquire the vids and the rest can wait for a decent hour of the day tomorrow. I will request Une formally apply for the DNA samples to be taken, coming from Yuy’s people and backed by the Agency request there should not be too much trouble acquiring consent. Catherine Bloom made it clear she is not interested in another interview and yes, our work gives us priority over her wishes. I do not care if she finds it inconvenient. Tomorrow will suffice for arranging another interview with her. The security here appears to be adequate and they are forewarned so I doubt a cockroach, if such exist in Tsuberov, could enter Winner’s suite. No one will reach Winner tonight.”

“Why Chang, I did not know clairvoyance was a part of your talent.” Treize glared at his partner, resenting his mother hen attitude to his work hours.

“It is not but common sense is. You are tired after circumventing her neural device. You will do better for sleep, as will we all.”

t.b.c.

Karina Robertson 2006

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Chapter 9

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