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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 152 Mars Colony Base Dome 2nd March AC 198 Time: 02:03 [approx Sanc time 23:57] Polnar There was a full hand print on the tan walls, the rusty red of dry blood providing a very visible print. Next to it a pentagram was drawn with what he was certain had to be a bloodied finger. What could have been a child’s drawing of a dog with an impressive array of fangs was sited lower on the wall and he could clearly make out the infinity symbol amongst the seemingly aimless, senseless blood splatter over the walls. Carter locked his fingers over the foot of the bed and released them again and again in an absentminded repeating cycle. Fingers closed around the metal frame, locked and unfurled. Close, lock and unfurl. A continuous cycle, a loop. Once. Twice. A third time. How long had they been standing here looking at the walls and the bloody portraits of a lunatic’s mayhem? //How long is too long? If we delay too long we may have hell’s own trouble. Simpson is back, there is no doubt of that and the medical staff must be just about ready to pull out, if they have not already left the area. How long would he wait before trying the door?// Carter stirred, tilting his head back to stare up at the cover grill now replaced over the vent access. They could no longer hear Barker moving in the ventilation shaft so he must be well on his way back to warn Merquise and Giles. Or had he gone far? Time was distorted, unreal with the tension filling them all. "I guess we’ll have to think about moving." He leaned his back against the foot of the bed and cast his gaze once again across the blood smears painting the wall. Sick bastards had butchered the patients and nursing staff and who could say how many of them there were running loose? At least he could be assured that his partner had not fallen victim to the homicidal agents on a rampage in the base. How many were dead in the dome above them? How many of the terra formers were dead in the sub base? Who was going to survive this nightmare and would they ever feel safe again? //I sure as hell don’t intend to go down easily.// Beside him Carter stirred, glancing toward the door and with a sigh pushed off from the bed frame. He was careful to keep back from the doorway angling himself as best he could to see into the hall. Such careful placement offered limited vision but it would give them an idea if anyone was moving around in their end of the medical center. He rubbed at the stubble on his chin for a moment and shrugged turning to face Polnar. "How long would you say is long enough? If I show my nose out there it will without doubt attract Simpson’s attention and we don’t want that just yet." "Mmm. We have to move sometime and there is only so much time we can waste before his suspicions are aroused. Staying in here too long is as bad as lingering in the hallway. Can you see anything?" Carter shook his head in the negative and after a moment inched closer to the doorway straining to hear any sounds. "I can’t see anything useful, just empty hallway but …" He paused, obviously straining his hearing and nodded slightly. "Yes. I can hear movement. I think someone is talking but there is definitely movement. No one’s talking loud enough for me to make out what they are saying." Polnar allowed his head to fall forward and he glared at his boots. How long was too long? Movement meant someone was still out there. Did they want to leave it until they were the last people in the hallway and be rather noticeable to Simpson or would it be better to move out with a group of medical personnel? Maybe slip themselves in with a couple of the emergency response team. At the moment they had a couple of options available but soon those options would disappear. "Wonderful. Its all a matter of blind timing then. I’m tired and we can’t afford stupid mistakes." Carter shrugged. "I know what I would prefer to be doing now but I’m sure everyone is in the same boat. We’ll get through this and when we do we get to ask some questions and learn some answers." "If we really want to know those answers …" Polnar muttered and at Carter’s arched eyebrow he shrugged. "Do you really want it confirmed that the very government elected to safeguard our way of life considers us to be no more than insects to be squished so they can cover up their diarrhea?" "Jesus, you have a way with words." Carter sighed. "It’s bad no matter how you look at it. I’d prefer not to think about the fall out until it happens. There is enough shit to deal with without begging to crawl through the public sewer." Both men stared gloomily at the door and could not stop their eyes going once again to the blood stained walls. Carter shuddered and turned his back to the room, staring resolutely out the door. "Sick bastards. So what would you normally be doing now?" "Snoring if I was sensible." Polnar likewise turned his back to the artwork and moved closer to the door, settling along side Carter. "If I was an idiot, which I have been describe as being on any number of occasions, I would be playing cards with the boys." Carter snorted his amusement. "Me too." "I’ll be honest. I’d have been stupid and would be in the rec room playing cards." Carter nodded, stretching slowly. "I’d probably be in the shuttle bay with the chief engineer swigging that rot gut they make in the hydroponics after hours and losing my pay check. What do you think of Mars, anyway? Would it suit you as a permanent home?" He had a home, though he could not tell this man about the stations. He had no desire to become planet bound and he was looking forward to returning to Station One when this mess was sorted. He’d ask if he could spend a year or two on the station before reassignment. If they had enough agents he might not have to leave again. There was nothing wrong with desk jobs. Still, he could not offer that information to Carter. He needed to come up with something else entirely to suit his supposed origins and employment. If he was fortunate Carter would settle for something superfluous. "It’s okay. Better than I thought it would be to be honest. It has the makings of a decent place to live. The Alpha Dome lacks for no amenities you can find in any of the colonies or on Earth. It’s a pity about the snakes that visited but if the powers that be let this incident drag the colony down then they would be making a mistake. A big mistake." "Yeah. Mars could be a good place to live." Carter rubbed a thumb absently against the doorframe. Polnar sighed. "Mars needs to be developed. This area of space needs a place like Mars to become a center pole. A jump point. The hub of the Earth Sphere’s just too far away. We need something closer than Earth when we work out here and the population of the mining colonies in the asteroid belt has trebled since the wars ended. All those repatriated soldiers with nowhere to go … they need somewhere and Earth’s just not it. I didn’t feel welcome last time I was there … or in the colonies. Mars doesn’t have that history." "Yeah. Yeah, soldiers are shunned there. Ungrateful bastards." He was surprised Carter was so bitter but it was not such an unusual reaction amid the discharged veterans. If it was not for Station One he would be one of the bitter men and women who had their personal sacrifices thrown in their faces by those who sprouted the virtues of peace and had no understanding of what and who had brought them their peace. "It’s a long way to Earth and the colonies from the Belt." Carter rubbed a hand absently over the stubble on his jaw, scratching at the dried sweat that annoyed him. "Mars is needed as the anchor and support base. It needs to be made into a new hub to service the asteroids and the big explorer ships heading for the outer system planets. It needs to become the industrial and mining center for the solar system. The Earth’s too pretty to bugger up now when we have a dead world to bring alive and no one to complain about the environment." "It’ll come. Space is vast and the solar system is a dust mote in the galaxy. I can’t see mankind sticking to home territory for long. It’s already started. They have to find something to do with the soldiers and they are picking the best to man the explorer ships but even those big bitches are not enough to take them all. They will have to find the financing to make new colonies. There are not enough places for people as it is and the population is expected to boom in the next twenty years. What about you? When this is all over what will you do? Stay on here?" "I don’t know." Carter frowned. "I was happy enough here but if they shut the place down because of this … I don’t know where I’ll go." //Says a lot that neither of us has mentioned we may not survive to consider what we might do after this.// Polnar rubbed his palms against his thighs longing for the security and safety he had come to associate with Station One. "Well, I think it a fair assumption that Barker might be inclined to offer you a place training as a Preventer. He’ll be needing reliable staff out here." "If there will be an out here to protect. I admit I’d be tempted to take it if he offered me the position. Still … This just proves that we can’t even trust our own government. I have to ask myself if I really want to work for the bastards who are trying to kill us." //I wonder just how deeply you believe it is the government behind this? Certain people in the government, yes and in very influential positions. The movers and shakers in this are possibly isolated to the highest echelons of the political circles on Earth and in the colonies mixed with a liberal dash of big business would be my guess. If even a hint of this gets out there will be some back stabbing and ass covering going on. It would be enough to make your hair stand on end. // Raydon would want to know as much as he could about the thoughts of the people involved in this idiocy. It was possible that Station One might pick up a boost in population out of this besides Merquise. Skilled additions to the population would be welcomed with open arms. Raydon was always on the lookout for talented people and that was one thing Mars had in abundance. It was interesting to hear Carter’s views on the situation and see how they compared to his own. "So you think its political?" Carter snorted. "Of course it is. With Milliardo Peacecraft involved how could it be anything but politically motivated? It’s a pity though. I was surprised the first time I saw him. He hardly looks like the devil incarnate does he? I honestly don’t think that he’s as bad as he’s been made out to be. There has to be more to the story and I’d say it’s the most interesting parts that we are ignorant of. The Terror of Earth? Hardly seems like it. He’s quiet, unassuming. He doesn’t push himself on you or hang around where he’s not wanted. I wish some of the others here would be as considerate." Both fell silent at the sound of hurrying footsteps. There was an air of urgency about the low voices they could hear. Neither could quite make out the words but it seemed that a large number of people were moving around out there. "They always say it’s the quiet ones you have to watch." Carter murmured. Polnar grinned. "I know a few who are nice and quiet until they get a skin full and they come to life fast enough. I like a happy drunk, not a nasty bastard. With Merquise I guess it would be safe to say that if you stamped on his foot he’d swat you down to size pretty quick. Wish I could see him go toe to toe with Simpson if he was up to it. That would be a fight worth watching. I wonder exactly what’s wrong with him?" Carter shifted his gaze around the room at the bloody walls and shook his head. "Looking at this, I’d hate to think. If he tangled with one of those sick bastards …" He rubbed at the back of his neck trying to dispel the creeping sensation and glanced at his companion before inclined his head toward the door. "What do you think? About time?" Polnar sighed and nodded, a short sharp tilt of his head. "I’m thinking we can’t leave it too much longer. If we go out and kick the bedding around a little into a tighter pile and then latch onto the mattress we can at least get an idea of who is left in the area. It will give us a few extra seconds at least. We can make the mattress look awkward to handle and take our time moving. Provided Simpson’s not in a nasty mood that might buy us a bit of time." "Yeah, why not? I’m fed up with waiting around in here and expecting the shit to hit the fan at any second. So … We go?" //He’s not the only one ready to pull his hair out waiting for something to happen. I need to check in with Giles and work out with him how to get Merquise out of harm’s way and secured until we can get off this bloody planet. I wish the doc had told us exactly what’s wrong with him so I know what to plan for to keep him comfortable.// Time was passing and standing here counting the blood smears on the walls was not conducive to either his peace of mind or progressing the situation. With a low sigh he straightened his back, firmed his resolve and motioned to the door. "Let’s tackle that mattress." //I only hope we’ve allowed enough time for Barker to get back to Merquise and I sincerely hope we haven’t waited too long. A lot of this plan has to be played by ear and I hate having next to no plan at all.// Squaring his shoulders he stepped out of the door and swept his gaze around the hallway aiming a kick in the general direction of the untidy pile of bloodied bedding Carter had thrown piece by piece from the room. He restrained the shudder on seeing Simpson standing with Frazier near the door to the examination room. The pair were watching a cluster of medical personnel approach and then pass them and neither of the agents seemed inclined to interfere with the group. Closer at hand he saw Preston Kurtz talking to a group of men at the next door down from Blue Squad’s position on the opposite side of the hall. //Promising. We may be able to get to Kurtz and find out from him exactly what is going on.// Carter moved past him and bent to make some effort at straightening the pile of blood soaked material and their eyes met. Both had had the opportunity to place the locations of everyone in the hallway and it was time to move themselves along. He hoped that the men Kurtz was speaking to would move out ahead of them as he really wanted himself and Carter to be the last ones in the area. Had they moved too soon? Carter shrugged slightly and he knew the man had shared his thoughts. There was no help for it however and to linger without an excuse was to invite attention so when Carter straightened he walked to the near end of the mattress and Carter moved to take the far side, carefully arranging his grip so as to avoid the worst of the bloodstains. He gave himself time to watch as Kurtz stepped into the room across the hall and wished the man would get his team organized and moving. He needed them to be out of the area though Simpson seemed not in the least disturbed by their presence and while that one was relaxed he supposed they had time. //Barker wanted as few people in the danger zone as possible and I agree with him. No need to have civilians caught up in the line of fire needlessly. They may be able to use this opportunity, whatever it is, to get to those computers.// "Ready?" Carter queried. "As ready as I’m likely to be given the circumstances. Shuffle along and make it look awkward. We’ll see if we can’t give Kurtz and his team enough time to leave ahead of us if at all possible." They had shuffled only a few steps from where the mattress had been placed before Kurtz appeared from the room and paused in the doorway and looked around. His eyes rested on them for a moment and then he was striding down the hallway toward them and motioned to them to stop. Polnar was quick to stop glad for the opportunity to keep as much distance between them and Simpson as possible while they found out what was happening. Kurtz strode toward them and he looked serious, not in the least relaxed though he had made an effort to be at least all business when Simpson could see his face. He nodded briefly to both men and motioned to them drawing them closer to him so that there was no chance Simpson or Frazier might overhear provided they kept their voices down. "I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but Simpson has ordered the team out of here. We are to search the medical center and find two secured locations where we can keep the non combatants safe while they hunt for the killers. He intends us to gather the non-combatants when we decide on the designated zones, assign guards and wait it out." Polnar’s eyes flicked to Simpson and he tried to keep his features neutral. //Like hell he does. He’s got more on his mind than hunting down Sleepers.// Carter grunted softly and he did not look exactly impressed by the instructions either. "What are you doing now?" "Not much. Delaying as much as I can hoping I can get the opportunity to have a word with Barker." "No chance. He’s otherwise occupied." Polnar inclined his head down the hallway to where one of the emergency response team had appeared in a doorway. "Get your men out of here as quickly as you can without making it look suspicious. I think Simpson’s only waiting to clear the field which means there is likely going to be trouble very soon now and I doubt it will involve the sleepers." "Jesus. Merquise? Damn. What the hell is Barker up to?" He motioned back down the hallway from the direction he had just come, trying to give the impression he was issuing instructions. "Not enough time to explain now. We can’t talk here and time’s marching on. Get your people out of the danger zone now while the opportunity exists. Don’t forget to see if you can’t access the computers and maybe find out who is still alive in here. Be sure to find those safe zones. We may still need them." ‘I’m not exactly certain of what is going on but I do know that Broadham’s called his surgical team into action. Someone’s hurt but who it is and how badly I don’t know." Carter sucked on his lower lip for a moment and shifted the mattress in his hands. "I wonder what’s been going on?" Polnar shrugged, less concerned with events that happened out of his area of influence and more concerned with clearing the area for the long awaited confrontation to take place. The night had already lasted forever and he was tired. Tired people made mistakes and the longer this dragged out the more likely they were to make a stupid blunder. "Get your men as far away from here as you can and get those techs of yours into the computer room. Until someone comes looking for you don’t allow anyone to come back this way. Place a couple of your team on the main hallway as guards and don’t automatically assume whoever turns up is either the victor or a friend. Is there anyone left in these rooms?" He inclined his head to the hallway ahead of them and Kurtz shook his head. "I sent the last of the medical team off to look for a room they would consider suitable for use as a safe zone if we have injured to be dealt with and to locate Broadham and see if he has any need of them. There is just my team here now." "Then get them out. If you are asked Carter and I will be clearing the hallway and then moving on to find you." He knew it was a reasonable excuse for them delaying and returning to the hallway repeatedly. The bloodied bedding was a health hazard and certainly not pleasant on the eye. "Reasonable." Kurtz nodded agreement. "I’ll take the team out of here and see what we can do about computer access." "Luck." Carter muttered. "Watch your backs." Kurtz returned before turning and hurrying back up the hallway. Neither of the men made a move to pick up the mattress and move until Kurtz had moved a good distance down the hallway and one of his team appeared from the room down the hallway to meet him. Kurtz shepherded his team member away from the door and toward the ESUN Commander. "Simpson doesn’t look bothered." Polnar caught Carter’s eye and adjusted his grip on the mattress. "Looks okay." "Good, but I want this over with. I don’t think my nerves can take much more." Carter sighed and picked up his end of the mattress. Polnar sucked in a warning breath as they took their first few steps and stumbled, covering his sudden anxiety with the awkwardness of the mattress. Ahead of them Simpson had motioned Kurtz to stop and the two were exchanging words. //Ah, shit. Let them just be confirming orders.// Kurtz and Simpson were talking and he reduced their pace to a slow shuffle, visibly adjusting his grip to cover for their pace. The last member of the emergency response team was close to Kurtz and he looked far from happy to be there but Simpson nodded and inclined his head and Kurtz, with a responding nod was striding away taking the last few civilians involved with him. Polnar sucked in a deep breath and stumbled when Carter dropped his end, waiting for the man to lift the awkward piece again and watching Simpson warily. Through it all he was relieved to see that Simpson made no move to suggest he was growing impatient or alarmed. //Looks good for us making it past him. The question now is will he do anything or say something as we come abreast of them?// Shuffling more than walking, taking it as slow as they dared and allowing the mattress to tilt awkwardly every few steps they drew nearer the watching men and then they were there, beside them. Hardly daring to breathe he tried not to watch Simpson out of the corner of his eye and guessed that Carter would be feeling more confident as he would be capable of watching the two men though he himself would be leaving his back exposed to the ESUN agents once they passed them. It was not a pleasant thought. He almost hesitated when he caught the movement but Simpson merely stepped to one side giving them that little bit extra room and taking himself out of any touching proximity, a brief nod and then they were past. Polnar dared to breathed again as they shuffle on and looked hopefully at Carter who now had his eyes glued on the men. "They’re just watching." a whisper. "Standing there watching." //He’s waiting then. Probably estimating how long he’s got before we make a return trip for more stuff. He’d probably give it a minute or two to see if anyone else is going to turn up and then he’ll make his decision about what to do. Damn, he’s a patient bastard and that makes him hard to estimate. We had better get this mattress into a room a.s.a.p and give them a minute or two. Make them think they have the hallway to themselves. He’ll most likely check the hallway to see that its clear around that curve ahead. // Shuffling along at a measured pace and having to watch Carter’s face for any change of expression that would hint they had trouble meant the rising tension was steadily driving him mad. He would give anything for it all to be over and for the chance to enjoy the utter luxury of a long hot shower to wash away some of the filth plastered over him. He was sweating with the tension and that was making him feel dirtier than he knew he actually was. The dirt he felt himself to be covered in was largely psychological but he could not forget the filth in the sewer even though he had been protected from it by the enviro suit. Yet he was feeling unclean, polluted and contaminated by the aura he felt all around him. Evil. Darkness and evil. //Fucking theatrical bastard.// Stupid to think that but he could not help it. The blood from the room of horrors seemed to coat him and he was too aware of the Sleepers who had instigated that massacre. He was walking through not the halls of healing but the halls of the dead and he needed to force himself to move calmly. The hands that gripped the mattress might not have belonged to him and he could hear footsteps surrounding him, growing nearer and then fading only to grow nearer again. He shuddered and forced control. He was a professional and this was hardly the time to lose his perspective. //Surely we are around the bloody curve in the hall by now?// His eyes asked the question but Carter met his gaze and shook his head slightly. Not much but enough to signal that he could still see Simpson and Frazier and therefore they could in turn be seen. He bit back a curse, swallowed his unease and shuffled on, damning the necessity for this subterfuge. His nature was more in favor of a straight out confrontation not this slow creeping but he was not such a fool as to spark the inevitable fight. They had no idea of Simpson’s resources. He might have more of his squad in reserve in the medical center or nearby who could materialize at a moment’s notice. //As if. Reserve forces would have to be standing right where we are aiming to be to take advantage of such an attack or on the other side of the main doors. God. I’m starting to fall apart. It’s been a bloody long day.// "Clear." Carter whispered and seemed to deflate with the release of tension. //Thank you, God.// They were around the curve in the hallway and out of the immediate sight of Simpson and his man. He lengthened his stride immediately adjusting his grip on the mattress to one of more comfort and Carter did the same, increasing his pace and looking around at the hallway behind him to pick a spot for them to use. There was a door a little further down the hall that offered them a room where they could rid themselves of the mattress and give them a minute or two’s respite in which they could plan their next move. "That room will do. We give it two minutes. A count of one hundred and twenty and then we head back." Carter nodded his understanding and agreement, swiping a hand over his face to wipe the perspiration from his brow. Neither had any illusions about the tension in his partner or about the course of action they must take. Once they got in that room which was only a few strides away there would be just two minutes before they made their return journey. Two minutes and they would know if Simpson was going to be content to sit and wait or if they were finally due a confrontation with Blue Squad. "Two minutes." Carter sighed. "Do you think that’s too much time? Or not enough?" //I don’t know. I just don’t know.//
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