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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 127 2nd March AC 198 Sanc Stephansbourg The Coachman's Rest Time: 02:20 Heero The fire hissed and crackled in the silence, flames merrily eating wood, dancing light over the dimly lighted room. The gathering was quiet, all eyes on the old man who so looked like a figure out of legend. He stared into the dancing flames, heavy brows pulled down into a frown. There was nothing comic about him, nothing jovial. He was a man who looked to have seen too much and wished not to have taken actions that ultimately had a baring on the course of what now was history. //White King? // He glared at the old man who seemed not to notice the silence or the weight of his stare. // I am beginning to think the old man is deluded. This is not good. I think it best if I remain awake to guard Relena myself.// “A …White King?” Sally queried. The Preventer's Chief Medical Officer was eyeing the old man with what Heero considered to be an assessing look. Perhaps considering what size straight jacket they might need to restrain him should he perchance turn violent. Sanc this might be but Heero knew only too well that many of the citizens were not so inclined toward total pacifism as they once had been. To have their home invaded twice under the rule of total pacifists, father and daughter, seemed to be too much. Their Parliament even advocated the use of weapons in defence of peace, much to Relena's disgust. //She had to ask. Why could she not leave it and we might be on our way to bed now? No doubt she will regret it, as I already do. White Kings, indeed.// He resisted the urge to snort his disgust. // Relena should be in bed, not sitting here listening to these fairytales being sprouted by a delusional old man who looks like he is something out of a fairy tale himself.// “The White Kings of Sanc.” Mrs Kruger breathed, lightly stroking her husband's hair, a light soothing caress. “They are legend within Sanc and there have not been so many of them that their legend has spread beyond the borders of the country. There are not many beyond Sanc who understand their powers and those who did in times gone by feared the attention of the Kings. King Stephen was one, poor fated man that he was. He simply could not bring his powers to bare on so many at once.” Her blue eyes seemed to be looking into the past, a melancholy light within their depths. “Milliardo was another. The White Kings are not all that uncommon in the bloodline but circumstances do not always warrant they be noticed in the world at large. The lighter the hair, so legend has it, the more magical they are.” This time Heero did snort aloud his total disbelief at the turn the conversation had taken. At least, he noted, Relena seemed to be as shocked as he. “Magical?” Relena shifted back on her seat, staring at the couple in disbelief. //Wonderful. Magic now. For all that Sanc exists in the modern world it seems to be immersed in the Dark Ages. I should insist Relena go to bed and … Why is Quatre looking at me like that?// The aquamarine eyes of Quatre Winner were serious as he looked from the old man by the fire to Heero and then to Relena. He pressed a hand to his chest, over his heart as though he was suffering some deep pain. It was a gesture that was disturbingly familiar to Heero from long ago days when Quatre had spoken of his Space Heart and which he now knew to be caused through genetics engineered by Romefeller to produce a functioning empath. The thought of Romefeller stilled Heero's initial reaction of disbelief and disgust immediately. As yet he had not informed Quatre about the stud book Romefeller had run on the aristocracy of old Europe nor had he had the chance to explain that Romefeller seemed to have an interest in Zechs but he knew that he was going to have to remedy that oversight the first opportunity that presented itself. Yet still, magic? That was hardly in the same reality as genetic engineering. “In the old days it was called magic and we of Sanc thought nothing of calling it that. They had no other words to describe the unusual and the miraculous deeds that the Kings could perform. Yes, in less enlightened times it was considered magic. During the Dark Ages the Kings would have been called Witches, Warlocks or Sorcerers. They would have been labelled as the Devils Get. Filled with unearthly and demonic powers though we of Sanc preferred to think of them as Saints. Saints, not demons though the things they did without flinching would hardly seem to be a true gift of God at the time of the doing. Yes, at the time they would be called the Devil's Brood but it was later, in the light of reason when there was time for reflection that one could understand the why.” The old man smiled into the fire and it was not a very pretty smile at all. “Ignorance and superstition. They were very dark days when cruelty was a way of life and the poor were considered chattel. A poor man in Europe might be lucky to live to his thirties. Dark days.” He sighed and shook his white maned hair, running a hand through his beard before he looked to Relena. “A great many people in Europe died because of ignorance in those unenlightened days.” Relena pressed a hand to her forehead, rubbing gently as though in pain. “I don't understand.” //She should be in bed, but Quatre is still holding his hand to his heart and he clearly wants me to shut up and wait. He is giving the old man such a strange look. I don't recognize it.// “Nor are you likely to understand anything the way this Old Fool is going about it.” Mrs. Kruger tartly commented, gently pulling a lock of that heavy white beard. “He never could talk to girls properly. Always going off on tangents that led to confusion. Took the fool years to propose to me.” The old man snorted but he was smiling now, a softer smile, one of love. “You are any better, Old Woman? Just listen to you. Now be quiet and let me explain before these young people are convinced that we are deluded and escapees from a mental institution.” Relena blushed at that and it was sufficient reaction to inform Heero clearly that something along those lines had certainly been running through her mind, not just his. Quatre was staring at the old man in rapt attention, clearly wanting to know something that as yet he had not found in their conversation. Sally, he noted, was curled up in the large chair, feet tucked close and the forgotten cup cradled in her hands. Watching her closely he noted that her eyes were hooded as though she was lost in thought but he knew her well enough by now to know that she was all interest and that her attention was focused on the old couple. “You all know that the Peacecrafts are an old bloodline but it is closer to the truth to say that the Peacecrafts are in fact an ancient bloodline. They have existed for a very long time and the family is far older than most people believe. The family goes back to days before the founding of what later became the Sanc that you know today. Within the King's Archive lie the faded writings that speak of the days of tribes that call them Sorcerers and magicians and Shamans. Some records speak of them as the messengers of the Gods that existed in those days. Later records literally call them Saints for the work they performed. The older records, despite our best efforts to preserve them over the years are almost gone now. My predecessors and I have done what we could to copy those early records before they perish beyond even careful reading.” His eyes, serious now, no the hint of the joviality he had shown earlier remaining, were centred on Relena, as though he spoke solely to her. “Not much has survived two thousand years and the oldest records that are still legible we think date from the early Roman period. The Barbarians of the North are mentioned through out history, early Celts and the Huns. Others. More recent accountings date in the Middle Ages and the Dark Ages, when the days were marked with Viking raids. The Peacecrafts have a great deal of Viking blood in their veins. It shows strongest, of course, in the looks of the White Kings.” “Is that why you call them White Kings?” Quatre queried. “Because they resemble the Vikings of old? The Scandanavian colouring and their height? Vikings were supposed to be tall and very blonde.” The old man looked amused and shook his head faintly. “No. No, though that might well have been why the phrase White King was first coined. Many of the Kings have that colouring, though it had been four or five generations since the last Peacecraft King who was quite so blonde as Stephan. The origin of the term is not recorded in the archive or it might be there and I simply have not come across the reference to date. I personally am inclined to believe it to be some oblique reference to the magic used in the past. White magic. You will find too many references in the dark days to Black Magic and I believe it was an attempt to separate the Peacecrafts from that dark and murky evil. White Magic. Magic cast for good, though in the past, be you a white mage or a devil worshiper, you were no more than fuel for the fire.” Relena winced and sighed. “I just do not understand all this talk about magic and sorcery. There is no such thing as magic.” //The voice of reason.// Heero sighed. At least she was not being drawn in by this foolishness and talk of times long gone. Relena was a girl who had her head firmly centred on reality, though he did wish she would not aim quite so high all the time. She would have more success with her aims if she took smaller steps. Then, surely, she would not be viewed with such suspicion by her peers. It was becoming more and more difficult to protect her from the machinations of those disturbed by her policies. Surprisingly it was not the Krugers who responded to that complaint but Sally. The doctor stirred in her chair, setting the cold cup of chocolate to one side and met Relena's gaze with intense blue eyes. “It is not so hard to understand really, if you look at it from another perspective. Historically speaking Magic is merely a word to describe miraculous or terrible events that cannot be explained by the science of the day. I would think, knowing a little of the past history of the area that the magic referred to is more likely a reflection of unexplained phenomena performed by the Royal Family. Presumably chiefly, if not exclusively, by the direct Peacecraft bloodline, not their mates unless they were cousins of some kind. Psychics?” She looked pointedly at the old couple. “Parapsychic phenomenon? I presume that it was psychic ability that ran in the family?” Mrs. Kruger smiled brightly at her, a bright and charming smile. “I just knew that you were the bright one, my dear. Yes, there was documented evidence of psychic ability within the line. As near as we can understand the older records that is what we have come to believe. After meeting Milliardo … Well, he just proved our beliefs, poor child. Some abilities within the family seemed to reappear continually, skipping some generations entirely and running rampant in others. From the records some of the poor children were driven mad with constant head pains and terrible nightmares haunted some. Of course the vast majority of the records in the archive do originate from the Dark Ages, so it is understandably filled with innuendo, supposition, superstition and down right idiocy by modern standards.” Heero was very careful to make certain that neither his face nor his body betrayed any flicker of reaction to that revelation. Psychics? Was it possible that the people from a dark and superstitious age called psionic ability magic? Perhaps it was not so farfetched and outlandish if the magic the old man described was indeed some form of psionic ability. Such an ability might actually explain some of the records contained on the hard drives stored in the boot of the car now parked in the Inn's garage. //Psychic abilities might explain what Romefeller were breeding for. // He had had no time to investigate either the records that Duo had managed to duplicate or the records that he had copied from the Romefeller database. Magic was not so far-fetched if he considered the spectre of that organization and it now seemed possible that he might find a link, if not THE link, to explain Romefeller's interest in the Peacecrafts. “They were sad times, the dark days. War, persecution. The Inquisition was a terrible thing. Plagues rife in the lands and any country that did not seem so set upon as others earned unwelcome interest. Things were never ever seen in shades of grey, only in black and white in those days. Unhappily even in these more enlightened times that truth still applies. What is not understood is reviled and persecution all too often becomes the norm.” Hans Kruger stirred in his seat, reaching to poke at the fire before settling back again. “Suffice it to say at this time that I have had a considerable time to read through the records that are still legible within the archive. I have in the last forty years made copies of the fragments that survived from more ancient times than the Dark Age as security against losing any more information. We have lost so much already to the march of time and decay and I do not believe that we should lose more. There is so much in the past to be learned from.” Sally nodded her agreement and Heero noted that she was now sitting more erect and alert in her chair, no longer looking almost asleep. It was glaringly obvious that she was interested in the subject and not of a mind to be turned aside now. “What type of psychic ability do you suspect lies within the bloodline? Is there one particular ability that recurs on a regular basis?” Sally queried. He noticed Quatre glance up from the fire at that question, noted the glint in his blue eyes. //Yes, you would be interested. You are an empath. A psychic yourself. There is nothing magical about the abilities you have shown, or the distress it causes you on occasion. Have you now found others like you? Have the Peacecrafts been manipulated as you have been manipulated? // His gaze flicked back to Sally who was glancing between the old couple and Relena. //Does she know something? Does she know anything or suspect something? Does she know that Romefeller still exists and what they have been up to? She seems very interested in the psychic aspect. I suppose that could be a result of her medical background, sort of professional curiosity or it could be that she knows something that I might find of interest. Quatre is looking a little peeked for all his interest. Still holding his heart too. Who is it he is reacting to? I don't think he is looking at anyone in particular. At least he does not seem to be.// “I believe that a number of abilities at one time were noted within the line. The older records make mention of prophetic dreams and some records speak of certain members in the family having an ability to know what lay within the heart and mind of those brought before them for audience. I am certain that Clairvoyance runs within the family. There are records within the archive written in my ancestors hands, not the Kings of those time, detailing instances of dreams experienced by either the King or one or more of his children and linking them to later actual events. Even by modern standards they have to be accounted as eye witnesses and documented evidence thus exists. I am at this point in time uncertain if the records speak of telepathy or empathy in regards to the references of the family knowing the hearts and minds of their petitioners. I am certain that young Prince Milliardo had some clairvoyant tendencies. I have documented the instance that convinced me of this and included it within the Archive as is my duty as Archivist to the King.” “Milliardo … was psychic?” Relena sounded dazed. //Hard to believe. Or … maybe … not.// Heero frowned, considering certain events that had taken place in the past and he was suddenly not so certain of the course of events that had resulted in the destruction of the Libra. // Is it possible that..? I need time to think. To evaluate the information available to me. Something … is not … right. // “Relena? Have you experienced anything in the past that might resemble this?” Sally questioned and her eyes were intense on the young woman. “I … No, I don't think so?” She sounded uncertain and she had definitely ended her denial as a question. Her very uncertainty screamed to Heero that she might be remembering past instances that might now have some significance in light of this new information. Perhaps she recalled vague memories of dreams taken to be nightmares? Or perhaps she re-evaluated some more recent events that might have a significance? He did not like that, the uncertainty. Someone needed to talk to her and that someone had to have a good solid grasp on reality and the ability to keep her grounded and not allow flights of fantasy to interfere with reality. “Perhaps we can talk about it later?” Sally seemed to have caught the uncertainty in her reply too and made the offer. Quatre's hand clenched into a tight fist over his heart, a strained look coming into his eyes and Heero was thankful that those in the room were focused on Relena. He knew that Quatre would not want attention on himself at this time. Heero wanted to learn more but he did not need Quatre collapsing either and he knew he had to end this. Perhaps if Quatre would agree to rest? When he turned to the blonde Quatre shook his head slightly obviously determined to remain and listen if not take part in the discussion. He could see the effort Quatre made to school his features to something more closely resembling normal. “I … would like that. Yes, Sally. I think we need to talk.” Relena spoke softly, barely above a whisper but her eyes betrayed her. She was deeply disturbed and she needed someone she trusted to talk to. The Inn's owner stirred in his seat, watching with intense gaze the Princess seated before him, assessing her reaction and recalling past observations made in secret. It was his duty to watch and listen and record the events that occurred within Sanc and the deeds performed by the leaders of the country and it was not his duty to be observed making those observations. He had been watching the young Princess since she had first made her appearance on the scene and he had developed a few theories about her. “The Peacecrafts have always been persuasive and on occasion, almost unbelievably so. My study of the records have led me to believe in the existence of a very distinctive psychic ability running within the line. On many occasions it is recorded that the King and certain of the heirs had shown uncommon, even an uncanny ability, to turn an enemy into a friend following often lengthy discussions. I became suspect after observing King Stephen. Observing him repeatedly I listened to him talk to guests who came to Sanc with decidedly hostile notions and they would leave firm advocates of the Peace Principle. It was not always so successful, of course, the results of these discussions would vary but quite often it struck me as being almost magical his ability to convince others to turn their thoughts from hostile to more constructive solutions to problems. I studied other references that suggested this ability in the past and I even gathered together the courage to ask him. He …”The old man sighed and bowed his head to Relena. “He said to me that he knew that they truly had wanted peace and did not wish to war on their neighbours. He merely pointed out to them that they did not wish to kill and that there were other ways to settle differences. He would say no more about how he knew what he believed to be their true will, but I know it was more than an understanding of psychology and much more than a glib tongue. He seemed to have the ability to make people see beyond their grievances and he could always see through the murk of politics to the repercussions of actions that might be taken. His ability to persuade people to a gentler path of discussion was made use of on many occasions by our neighbours and I know that it is what drew the attention of the Alliance to Sanc. I can not explain beyond what I already have said and I know it is confusing. It is no true explanation at all but it is the best that I can do. I am certain that your father could look into the hearts of people and divine their truest desires and emotions. Perhaps it is not even too far from the truth to wonder if he could actually read their thoughts.” “Perhaps you have something of that ability, Dear?” Mrs Kruger murmured, watching Relena and the way her hands were clasped tightly together. She looked pale too, and wide eyed and she stared at the Innkeeper as though she expected him to bite her. “I have heard that you also can be quite persuasive.” More colour drained from Relena's face as her eyes flicked to the old woman and with difficulty she managed a shrug of her shoulders. It was plain to Heero that she had had enough but he knew how stubborn she could be. She was not quite ready to run screaming from the room but he suspected that she was not far from that point. Most disturbing of all, though, was the number of times he had wondered how she could have turned a hostile meeting between colony factions and Earth representatives into amiable discussions. Everything the old man said made a horrible kind of sense when viewed against the back drop of some of the meetings Relena had attended. “Perhaps there might have been something there yet he did not see the fall of Sanc coming.” Heero spoke up hoping to turn the attention away from Relena to give her a chance to regain her composure. “Surely he must have had some idea that there was the danger of invasion?” Kruger sighed and lowered his head, looking old and drawn but he pulled himself together and looked up to meet Heero's gaze. “I can not say what was going through his mind at that time, but I do know that he knew something was going to happen. I know this for a fact because some days prior to the overthrow of Sanc he transferred substantial funds from Sanc's treasury into secret accounts and entrusted me, as his Archivist, with their locations and access codes. The funds were to aid, he told me, in rebuilding after the event. When I questioned him he would say nothing more. That was not the only action he took prior to the invasion. He managed to have a large number of the children from the city and the surrounding countryside taken out of Sanc the day the invasion began. How he managed this I do not know as he managed it despite the fact that it was Christmas and the families wanted to be together at that time. Because of his action when the mobile suits came to Port City they did not snare so many of the youngsters as they might have. We lost many of the older generations in the downfall of Sanc, but many of the children were saved and taken into hiding by their protectors.” “If he knew what was going to happen then why did he keep his own children in the danger zone?” Sally queried. “Because to send us away would have been to alert the Alliance that he was aware that there would be trouble.” Relena whispered, her eyes locked on her clenched fists lying in her lap. Her knowledge of the politics of the world left her in no doubt as to the why. “I believe so, yes.” Mrs. Kruger moved to kneel before the young woman and lightly take the clenched hands in her wrinkled hands and squeezed her fingers gently. “Do not think the less of him for taking care of the children of others before he saw to the safety of his own. The Peacecrafts have always fought for the needs of others above the needs of their own. It is in their blood. They have been trained for generations from the moment of birth to sacrifice their all to keep those who look to them safe. Having the heart to make the difficult decisions despite the odds against success and despite the costs that seem so heavy at the time is why we call them the White Kings. They lead by example, shouldering the burden for the greater good. Nor do they ever ask to be understood or be forgiven for what might seem betrayal. It simply is their way.” “He would never have abandoned you to the mercy of the invaders. He made provision for your safety.” Mr. Kruger assured her. “From what I have learned of the events of the time I believe that he made arrangements for Senator Darlian to spirit you out of Sanc and provide you with safe shelter.” “Pagan. It was Pagan who took me from Sanc and to the Darlians. They were out of the city when it began.” Relena whispered. “He … Pagan … told me what happened after my father … my foster father was assassinated. He told me when no one else would.” Heero scowled at his feet, barely listening to the conversation. Something that had been said bothered him but he could not quite put his finger on it. “Pagan was close to King Stephan. Trusted by him.” Mr. Kruger murmured. “Yes, I can see that he would entrust his children to him.” “But Milliardo …” Relena looked up, meeting the old man's blue gaze with her own and there was anguish and curiosity and no small amount of pain in her gaze. “Why was Milliardo not taken out of Sanc?” The Krugers exchanged glances and the old man sighed. “Something went wrong, I think. I am not certain what happened that day. While your brother was here he never told me all that happened to him, just enough to break my heart to know what it was he had witnessed. I do know that he was there, that he saw your father killed and that he saw your mother die as well. Something must have gone very wrong for you must believe me that the King I knew would not have wanted either of you to witness that horror. Perhaps it was simply and tragically that they got the timing for the attack wrong? I do not know. When he first came here Milliardo would not talk about what he had witnessed during the attack or about his time in the city in the aftermath. For the first few days after he arrived he would not speak at all. He would simply watch every move around him with those eyes that made me weep for what he must have endured. It was a terrible thing for so young and sensitive a child to witness.” “He would not speak, even when the nightmares left him screaming. He had been reared the heir, the Prince, but on those nights he was just a little boy who had seen too much and he was thankful for the arms that held him and promised that it would not come again.” The old woman sighed. * “They have been trained for generations from the moment of birth to sacrifice their all…” * The words came back to Heero as he scowled at the floor. * “Having the heart to make the difficult decisions despite the odds against success and despite the costs that seem so heavy at the time is why we call them the White Kings. They lead by example, shouldering the burden for the greater good. Nor do they ever ask to be understood or be forgiven for what might seem betrayal. It simply is their way.” * // Milliardo … Zechs was a Clairvoyant, they thought. Was, is, maybe.// Heero raised his eyes to stare into the fire. He had so much to think on and the day seemed endless. He was tired and his leg was hurting him, reminding him that he was supposed to be resting his ankle. There was no time to rest though, yet there was nothing that he could do now, either. The weather effectively sealed them off from the rest of the world at this time. They all needed to rest and he admitted that he needed to rest too, but they were in an unsecured situation and there were so many questions buzzing around in his head that he knew he was not going to get any sleep soon. He was going to be thinking too much to rest. //Was I wrong?// The old man's words would not be dismissed but kept marching past him, demanding his attention and bringing to his mind the confrontation on the Libra more than two years ago. //Was I wrong to dismiss what he was doing? Was it more than I thought?// He noted that Quatre was staring into the fire and he knew that they needed to talk. Quatre had been their strategist, he would make more of this than Heero could but he did not have many of the facts that Heero knew. What he wanted to do was get Quatre on his own for a very private discussion and tell him what he knew and perhaps then he might learn if he could be right. If Quatre resolved the information into the same solution as he had then he would know if what he was thinking was possible. It might be that he owed an apology to Zechs Merquise or Milliardo Peacecraft or whatever he wanted to call himself. // I'm sorry. I … I think I made a mistake. Is all this my fault?// What possible repercussions might occur should you place a clairvoyant in a machine that was a problematical computer designed to read future actions? That was the question he had to ask himself. That was the question he had to face. Zechs had been exposed to the Zero System, first in the Wing Zero and later in the Epyon. //Epyon.// He suppressed the shudder that that name always caused deep within him. //Epyon was … different from Zero but … basically the same thing.// Was it not possible, indeed even probable, that the use of the Zero system in either mobile suit would have had far more reaching repercussions for Zechs than it had had for others who used the system? //Quatre.// His gaze rose once again to the blonde who was seemingly lost in the flames of the fire. // Quatre built Zero. He lost it when he used the Zero system. He … He still does not speak much about that time, about destroying the colonies under its influence but he has mentioned … Is it possible? He talked of the pain he felt … That he could feel the pain in the colonies and it was his pain … It mirrored his pain that they killed his father … He said to me that he was insane. It was Zero, not him. He says otherwise but I am sure. It was Zero. Was … was that why the Zero system affected him so much? Because he is a psychic? An Empath. He felt the pain through Zero. // Relena was absently twirling a lock of shining honey blonde hair about her finger, her deep blue eyes were narrowed and she looked lost in thought. He watched her for a moment wondering what she was making of all of this wild talk of the Dark Ages, of White Kings and sorcery that might simply have been local legend and nothing more. He could not say if there was even a single grain of truth in anything they had heard this night. Those people were long dead and had been ignorant of the sciences that now gave birth to words such as Empathy, Clairvoyance and Telepathy but that ignorance of modern terminology did not mean that there was no substance at all in what was local legend. He could not dismiss it out of hand. //It … may have made no difference. Might the events of the One Year War have ended differently if Zechs was not a Clairvoyant? I do not even know that he is one. There is only these people's word on that. // He rubbed at the bridge of his nose, trying to deal with a rising headache and too many questions to sort out into some semblance of order. //If he was one and I for one need a lot more evidence before I will panic that I gave him a machine with the Zero System installed. He was using Zero before I gave him Epyon. I … Damn, my head is pounding. We have only the old man's word for this supposed ability unless … Unless there is something in the Romefeller files to back up his claim of psychic ability in the Peacecraft line and in the files on Zechs in particular. Something like that would substantiate the theory.// “Ah, My Dears. Such a poor hostess I am. It is late and we all are tired. The fires should have aired out your rooms by now and it is only sense that we get some sleep. We can talk about this later.” Mrs. Kruger stirred, rising stiffly from in front of Relena, a hand to her back to rub absently at a pain. Mr Kruger likewise stirred in his chair, nodding in agreement. “I doubt that you will be travelling further for today at least. The snow ploughs will have to clear the road before you can move on and that will not happen until the storm is ended. In these mountains it does not pay to take even a plough out in this weather.” “Your rooms are all ready and Hans will stoke your fires before you settle down. That will keep you warm for the night.” Heero frowned as he watched Relena rise from her chair. //We will be talking more of this, you may be sure of that. You have disturbed Relena with all of this talk of witchcraft and superstition and she looks frightened. Sally is watching her so I can be confident that she will talk to her and probably settle this matter. Sally is sensible. I can trust her to quiet Relena's fears but Relena is not a fool. She is tired and she only needs sleep to realize the truth. Superstition. It just is not possible for …// His eyes settled on Quatre who was rubbing at his heart and whose eyes had a haunted look to them. // Well, maybe I should rethink that. I need to investigate the Romefeller files and prove one way or the other if there is a tie to this talk of magic wielding Peacecrafts. It might not lead to anything though and if it did … If it did … What does it mean? Does it mean anything at all?//
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