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"Alternative Directions: Options "Written By: Karina Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the lovely
boys and their girls in the series. Wish I did. Please don't sue me.
I haven't even got a brass razoo to give you. Rating: Deffinately PG in Australia, at the moment,
but probably safer to say R for later chapters. Not sure about international
ratings Warnings: It will be 6x2, even though it does
not start out that way. After all, Zechs and Duo never met in Gundam
Wing and only spoke briefly over a com line in Endless Waltz. I've
tried to keep them in character as I saw them in the series. A bit
of language creeping in under stressful conditions. Pairings: eventual 6x2, past 2xH, 2+H,6x9, 1+R
Summary: Directions is set post Endless Waltz
and roughly 2 years have passed. Zechs and Noin are on Mars and Duo,
after spending some time with Hilde in a relationship leaves L2 to
join Preventers. Hilde was not happy about his decision. I guess enough
said. Here t'is, and I hope you like it. This is also AU for the standard
setting, as well as the series and Endless Waltz. Spoilers: Gundam Wing Series and Endless Waltz Many thanks to Dulin for volunteering to beta this. //... // thoughts
"Alternative Directions: Options"
Chapter 100 Mars Colony K23 Cavern system 1st March AC 198 Time: 23: 45 [approx Sanc time 21:35] Barker // It could have been worse, but it still should never have come to this. How it will eventually end is still another matter. I have to find a means by which to enter the Base Dome and discover what is happening there.// Barker wished that he could rub at the persistent ache developing in his temple, but matters of physical irritation such as headaches and the ever present need to scratch some real or imaginary itch had never been taken into consideration in the manufacture and design of enviro suits. One thing about the suit he was thankful of was the muting effect caused by the helmet, though despite this unintentional design feature the noise level in K23 had risen to the stage that it induced the pounding headache that caused him to grate his teeth. While K23 boasted convenience of placement to the Base Dome and sufficient size to take the refugees and offer a chance at containing the heat they generated for the night, it lacked for comfort in the more aesthetic requirements of the human body. Everywhere around him people were moving around in search of some spot that might offer more comfort to work weary bodies and in that search they were rearranging the natural features of the cave. Not that there was anything stunning about this cave. Most people had given up on moving the larger boulders and resorted to digging out shallow depressions in the rubble strewn floor, picking out the larger and more jagged edged rocks that threatened personal comfort and the security of their enviro suits. // I'm already feeling somewhat claustrophobic in this suit and these people have already put in sixteen hours of solid work in them. They should all be in the Base Dome now, having enjoyed a good long soak in the shower and be in the cafeteria eating a decent meal instead of sucking food tubes. There has to be a way for me to get in that dome and help sort out this mess. // “Only another ten to process, Simon.” Peter Sanderson, the Team Three supervisor settled on the rock beside him. He glanced over toward the sanitary line where those who had had the most oxygen on arriving at the cave had waited patiently for their turn and now shuffled closer to the big mobile suits to take their turn at cleaning out their sanitary packs, grabbing a change of oxygen and having something to eat to fortify them for the night. He was far from happy with the arrangements though it was the best that they could do. Certainly they had thought of all the necessary survival equipment the group needed, though if anyone should puncture a suit there was little they could do for them. His eyes went again to where people were carefully digging those depressions. Always large enough for two people. He had insisted on that and never more than a half meter between each group, be they a pair or a larger sociable grouping. “How is the water supply holding up?” Water had been the big worry as it was so heavy to transport and there were a lot of people to be catered to. Even more than the oxygen supplies water had been vital for survival. Experience had taught them that after the full days work that these people put in on a regular basis they tended to dehydrate a little more than estimates originally suggested. On coming to Mars they had learned to adjust to the local conditions and rewritten many of the guidelines, one of the main errors in the original projections being that workers here tended to require more to drink. He knew it was a design flaw in the enviro suits that the wearers tended to perspire more than design estimates suggested and they were careful to have the big supply suits stocked with sufficient water for everyone for a day's work. Those supplies were almost non existent after sixteen hours and he had only been able to bring so much with him or the Taurus suits would never have gotten off the ground. “Provided we ration its use, there will be enough until morning but we had better have found a way into the dome by then. I want to send the big suits out to vent their sewerage again before we seal the cave.” Sanderson looked over the gradually settling people, noting that the light level was now sufficient to light the entire main cave. Barker nodded his agreement. “Do it. No need to risk there being a spill at some time through the night when it is not necessary. Keep the heating units under your eye. I know it's going to be uncomfortable but if too many are used you will freeze before morning. We need to keep the temperature up to a level the suits can compensate for and I'm afraid that we all are just going to have to settle for cold.” “It's better than freezing.” Sanderson nodded his agreement, working his shoulders carefully and trying to relieve the aches that troubled him. No one needed to comment on how uncomfortable they were as all shared the same problems with their suits stinking of stale perspiration, no where comfortable to sit or lie down, an utter lack of entertainment other than to consider the long night ahead of them and there was always just one more rock that they had missed that insisted on digging into them, no matter where they chose to settle. Looking over the mass of humanity Barker could see more and more of them working at trying to relieve stiffening joints and earn some type of comfort for aching bodies. Usually one of the highlights of the day on Mars was a long and luxurious soak under piping hot water to sooth the aches and pains earned in a hard day's work, and on Mars every day was a hard day. These people deserved more than being forced into this cave with the barest necessities to survive a freezing Martian night. There was nothing he could do about this other than what he had already done. Many of them would already be dead had he not found the means by which to bring them hope, but there should be more that he could do. He could find a way into the Base Dome and he had confidence in his own imagination and resources to figure a means of breaking into the sealed base. Decision made he turned from the view and eyed the man beside him. They spoke on a restricted radio frequency neither having any wish to cause a panic in what was thus far an orderly group intent on finding comfort. They were a level headed lot on Mars, Barker reflected. Those who were flighty and high strung would not long survive here. You had to have your head firmly grounded and eyes set on safety and survival if you wanted to see a new day dawn. To his knowledge they generally lost two or three people with every shuttle that brought workers to Mars, those too cocky to listen and follow procedures tended to die from stupid mistakes. Those who survived learned quickly to take better care. “I will be taking one of the pilots and a mobile suit back to the Base Dome. I want to have a go at getting into the base, but if I fail I will need the suit to get me back before my oxygen fails.” Sanderson nodded, glancing towards the entrance of the caves and the distant Base Dome before returning his attention back to the group by the re supply suits. “I don't think you will have much of a chance of breaking in. We tried every means we could think of and failed, but I hope that you succeed. I honestly do not fancy spending all of the night out here.” “What were the final numbers?” He had been avoiding asking that question but it had to be asked and with so few still to enter the supply suits it seemed safe enough to voice. Surely if he could get in the dome then they would lose no more. Barker watched as a Leo suit smoothly crouched and exited the cave entrance, admiring the skill of the pilot in the flawless manoeuvre. “We lost twenty two on the trek here.” a low sigh. “Twenty two people who never had a chance …” he sighed, offering mute apology for something that Barker had no control over. “Even using the big suits to help transport them there just was not sufficient oxygen for them to make the trip.” Barker sighed. “It was better than it might have been. I wish that I could have done something more, but there was only so much that we could carry and if we had set down to unload oxygen tanks we would never have gotten airborne again. It was a hair raising flight as it was, without overloading the suits capacity and we almost didn't survive the initial take off. That Leo that just exited the cave. Who is the pilot?” Sanderson scowled, looking to the cavern entrance and shrugged. “What colour was the suit? I never paid any attention.” “Black paint job with red banding on the breast plate.” He knew that the Leo pilots liked to individualize their machines and were recognized easier from long distance by that individuality. The only stipulation the management at the Base Dome had made concerning custom paint jobs was that all suits must not be painted the rusty colour that blended with the landscape. “That would be Chris. Christian Polnar. He's good. Ex-military. Handles the suit like it was an extension of his arms. I usually use him for most of the more delicate work we need the mobile suits to perform.” “Where did he learn to handle a Leo?” “Lake Victoria Academy. He's ex-Oz Specials forces, I believe.” //Oz Specials. Good. Far better than I could have hoped for. He would be likely to know Merquise's reputation and probably not be so leery of him. I'd prefer to take a Taurus, but we are low on fuel for those and the Leo might be the better choice. If I need to create mayhem and destruction when I get into the dome then a pilot who is capable of defending himself and is not afraid to do so would be a bonus. I think it safe enough to assume that none of these people are Sleepers. I doubt that they would condemn their own people to death out here.// Barker nodded slightly, watching as two suited figures exited the service suit and two more clambered into the bulky machine. These people were proving to be efficient and knowing that lives other than their own hung in the balance had made them even more so. The turnover in the suits to renew their survival systems had been far quicker than he had allowed for, hence so few having died of oxygen deprivation. The workers were under instruction to keep close attention focused on the levels of oxygen of their own suits and the people who settled near to them during the night. It was a real danger that someone might fall asleep and not notice when their suit ran dangerously low until it was too late. “What is the call sign for that Leo? I want to talk to the pilot.” “BTC 639. Baker Tango Charlie.” Peterson stood, still working his shoulders in an attempt to relieve the discomfort and sighed. “He's a good man, and I guess you need combat experienced people if you do make it into the dome. Look, are you sure that these people are intending to kill …” Baker snorted interrupting the supervisor with a slow shake of his head and swept an arm out, gloved hand gesturing at the gathering in the cave. “Look around you.” A defeated sigh came clearly over the radio. “It could just be a technical problem.” “I only wish it was. I will want a few words with your pilot and I am not inclined to make my departure a general announcement. I'll let you and the other supervisors know when I leave and who I take with me. A small force has a better chance of getting into the dome than a frontal assault and we will do what we can to get the airlocks open. Don't rely on it, but we will do our best.” The man nodded, his helmeted head barely moving and for an instant his hand rested on Barker's shoulder then he was moving toward the line of people waiting to enter the re-supply mobile suits. Barker took a moment to settle back against the cavern wall and survey the scene and use it to firm his resolve. These people were not going to spend the full night out here, of that he was determined. With a soft sigh he set his radio to the frequency used by the mobile suit pilots for private conversations. The pilots were specialists who tended to stick together and be set a little apart from the general work force, a mystique left over from the war that would now serve his purpose. He knew that they always kept this particular channel free for pilot to pilot communications. “Leo BTC 639. Repeat, Leo Baker Tango Charlie 639, you are instructed to meet with Preventer Eagle outside the caves. Do you copy, Chris Polnar?” An instant of silence followed by a sharply indrawn breath. Obviously the pilot had not expected to be singled out by the Preventer agent and no doubt was wondering what he had done to earn that particular distinction. “BTC 639. Acknowledge that, Eagle. Will await you outside the entrance.” “Acknowledged. Eagle out.” he surveyed the cave for a moment and nodded. He had to have a reliable team and there was one man he was willing to rely on. “Taurus OCA 105. Repeat Taurus suit Omega Charlie Alpha 105, you are requested to meet with Preventer Eagle outside the caves a.s.a.p. Do you copy, Daniel?” Almost instantly the reply came back in the affirmative. “Taurus OCA 105. Acknowledge message, Eagle. On my way.” “Eagle out.” //I need to talk to this Chris Polnar and find out if he would be willing to assist. I need to judge whether he would be reliable or not. I've no idea of his capabilities other than he was an Oz Special, but I have never found one of those to be a fool. The Taurus will have to stay here as it may be needed, but Daniel has combat experience and I know that he would be willing to help in the dome. If Polnar will agree to at least get us to the Base Dome and hang around until we succeed or fail in getting in, then that would be a big help. It would be a big ask to have him forego the safety of the Leo to go into the dome and leap into whatever shit the situation warrants, but I will know when I see him if I dare to trust him. Maybe Daniel knows the man? They are both pilots and that crowd tend to stick together. // He wandered through the workers, noting who comforted whom, who sat apart and would need watching, and who seemed to be inclined to try to sleep, though in many cases that seemed more a result of just plain exhaustion and not nerves of steel. He knew that it should be safe enough to leave the caves for a time as the supervisors were imminently sensible men and women and he had impressed on them the needs that must be fulfilled if these people were to survive a night out here. He had promised that he would do all in his power to get these people into the safety of the dome with all speed and it was a promise he intended to keep. If the worst should happened and he was unable to find a means to open up the dome then he was sure that Mako would have one of the shuttles up at first light, and thinking of Mako reminded him that they were just a few minutes away from attempting to establish contact with the Alpha Dome. If they could succeed in establishing radio contact then he would feel better about leaving the caves. Slipping out of the entrance he found the two massive suits standing to one side, huge hulking dark shapes in the gloom. The lights that surrounded the cave entrance at this time would be taken within the caves before they sealed it to maintain a constant temperature within, but for now they shed welcome illumination. Sufficient light existed for him to scrawl a frequency in the Martian dust that he was certain both pilots would be able to read. He gave them a moment to notice what he had done and read the frequency and then scrubbed it out carefully with a foot. He wanted the conversation to be as private as possible and he knew that it was possible that their radio conversations might be picked up within the Base Dome. A chance that had to be taken, but he was not willing to allow all of the survivors to overhear this conversation. The chosen frequency was one little used and should provide the best security possible at this time. “Daniel?” “Got you, Chief.” “Polnar?” “On line, Eagle. What can I do for you?” Satisfied Barker settled his frame on a convenient boulder and stared up at the suits using them as a focal point. “It is time for me to try to enter the Base Dome and I need some help to do that. I want you with me, Daniel if you would agree and I want to know if Polnar would take us there clinging to his Leo and wait to see if we can make it into the dome. We will have only a set time to make the attempt and then we have to get back to the caves before our oxygen expires.” “You have me. It's better than hanging around here waiting to die.” Daniel Carter responded, his Taurus offering a thumbs up to the watching Barker. “I'm willing to give it a go.” He grinned at the gesture and resisted the chuckle. He had known that Daniel would agree, but he felt better asking rather than taking things for granted. This could get the man killed and enough men and women had died tonight. “Polnar?” “Chris, please. I can give you a lift to the dome but I need to recharge the Leo's oxygen tanks if you plan on being there for any appreciable length of time and I will also need to flush the sewerage system on the suit. I'm willing to go. Do you have any ideas on a means to enter the dome?” “Beyond the obvious knock on the door and ask to be let in, no, I have no idea but that will not stop me. I want to avoid damaging the integrity of the dome, of course, but I want in there and I want in there bad.” The Leo shifted to kneel smoothly before Barker, the metallic head tilting in imitation of the pilots personal action. Barker had to admire the way the man moved the suit as one hand lowered, palm flat and facing up offering a point by which Barker could hop on board if he wished. It was a blatant invitation for Barker to climb on. “How delicate are your sensibilities?” the question came over the radio laced with a fair amount of amusement. “Delicate?” Carter queried from his Taurus, eyeing the extended hand with a raised eyebrow marking his curiosity. “How do you mean, delicate?” “You have a suggestion, Chris?” Barker slipped from his chosen seat and walked over to the Leo's hand though he did not as yet climb on board, pausing with a gloved hand resting on one of the massive fingers. “I might have but I would prefer not to suggest it over the radio. Could you two hop over here and I'll come out?” Barker arched an eyebrow and looked over to the Taurus as the cockpit opened and the suited figure of Daniel Carter appeared, grasped the lift line and let himself down. In seconds both men were standing on the Leo's broad palm, bracing themselves as the hydraulics of the suit whined and they rose smoothly into the air to stop abreast of the cockpit. Barker was surprised that the ascent was so smooth, a further indication of the skill of the Leo pilot. The cockpit hissed open and Polnar's suited figure appeared and moved out onto the hatch. Polnar leapt across the gap to the hand of the suit and motioned towards his helmet, slapping a palm against the face plate and then beckoning them to lean close. He swept his hand across the general area of his throat, signaling that they should kill their radios and leaned toward them, bringing his helmet to rest against both helmets so that he had physical contact with both men. “Can you hear me?” he shouted within the confines of his helmet and noted the two men start, eyes widening. There was sufficient atmosphere to allow them to hear him and he nodded, satisfied. While they would have to shout no one not in physical contact with them would have a hope of listening in. “It is possible that the ESUN agents in the dome are monitoring radio frequencies. I thought that this way only the three of us will know what we discuss.” “Good idea.” Barker shouted back. “You have an idea on how to enter the dome?” Within the helmet he nodded confirmation. “I want to go too. I want to be a part of the team that infiltrates the dome. I can lock down the Leo when it comes time to enter the dome but I have my reasons for being in on this, not the least of which is that I have a friend in the dome I want to check on. I'm combat-experienced and I can look after myself and I think you could use all the help you can get.” “You are willing to risk your life?” Carter bellowed. “It will not be easy in there.” “We know that people are dead and we have no idea who we can trust. You have to understand that before we go any further.” Barker brought a hand up to the pilots helmet. “We know that there are ESUN security agents in the dome and we know that there are Sleeper agents but not how many of them to contend with. You could be sealing your own death warrant.” “I want in. If I can stick it to those bastards where it hurts the most I will be happy. We may not be alone in the dome though. My friend is also combat experienced and I hope to find him alive and fighting. He's not an easy man to take down.” “Well enough then. How do you suggest we get in?” Barker nodded his agreement and motioned in the general direction of the dome. “Think like a thief.” the man laughed, looking his amusement at the shocked looks he received. “Hey, don't look at me like that. I don't steal things but I do know people who have, on occasion, held questionable occupations. It is amazing what you can pick up if you just watch and keep you mouth shut. There are some very interesting people out there.” he waved a hand at the star pointed sky. “So, how would a thief get in the dome undetected? It's a sealed environment, fully monitored and at the moment totally locked down. They have no intention of anyone getting in. You seem to be suggesting that it is actually going to be easy to get in there.” Carter shook his head in disbelief. “Hey, I never said it was going to be easy but as a matter of fact it probably will be easy enough to accomplish. Just rather distasteful.” “Jesus. Of course.” Barker laughed, slapping Polnar on the shoulder as he understood what the man was suggesting and disgusted with himself for not having considered the alternative before. “I never gave the sewerage control system a thought. We go in through the waste control plant.” Polnar nodded, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “Exactly. I can take us to the sewerage plant vats where the solid waste is processed for the greenhouses use. There are inspection hatches that should give us access and eventually lead us into the processing plant. There are a number of places we could exit the system, one near building D, another near the compost stores in building H and a third option near the air lock control station. I'm not sure how to get there but I did hear one of the techs mention once that there is an access somewhere in the system that would bring us out somewhere near the shuttle bay. Somewhere near the emergency airlock and in the sub base I believe. I've never actually used any of them, but I do know where the first three outlets are.” “If we could get access into the shuttle bay and get the bay doors open we could get these people into secure shelter. If they remained in the shuttle bay they would be a lot safer there than here.” Carter mused. “Mako to Eagle. Mako to Eagle. Do you copy Eagle?” Barker started at the unexpected voice that filled his ears. From the looks of the other two men pressed to his helmet he guessed they had heard the voice of the Project Chief through their contact with his helmet, not over their own radios. He checked the frequency and gave a feral grin, recognizing it as the frequency Merquise had suggested might be secure and he was delighted that Mako had managed to get a radio working. He signaled the men with him to wait and did them the courtesy of keeping his helmet in contact with their so that they might listen in on the conversation. He was going to be trusting his life to these two men and he had to establish a certain level of trust quickly. “Eagle receiving you, Mako. Nice to hear from you.” “Well, I don't know for how long you are going to be hearing me. I only hope this thing holds together its so ad hoc it could fall apart at any time, not that the techs think it will. How are you progressing, Eagle?” He needed to keep this brief and to the point and always remember that there might be not so friendly ears listening in on the conversation. “Down twenty two, remainder secured. I'll just call the others to change frequency so that they can hear from the boss man. We have a viable idea for that project we talked about. Things are looking good.”
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