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"Baby Series 3"Written By: Karina Rating: PG Spoilers: None Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine. Pairing: Milliardo, Wu Fei Notes: Challenge 87. Baby Series 3 #26. Takes
place immediately following A Matter Of Compensation Many thanks to ShenLong for her work betaing this fic. Authors Note: Fifth and final chapter for the
87th 500 word challenge issued by the 5x6ml. Special extended chapter
dealing with the revelation of the identity of the murderer. Hope
you enjoy it.
No Simple Murder “Your Majesty, I hardly think…” “You have not been given leave to speak in the King’s presence, Mr. Krashen.” Pagan cut off the protest, face carefully blank. “The King’s Justice, gentlemen, is an act which has never been repealed and stands in the Laws of Sanc to this day,” Wu Fei spoke up. “This law grants the King the right to stand in judgement of crimes of a certain, delicate nature should they be perpetrated within the borders of Sanc. Murder of a foreign dignitary is one such area where the King may invoke this law.” “Anyone involved with the murder may be held accountable in the eyes of the King.” Chief Inspector Guttenson glared at those assembled from his place by the fire. “After having expressed his interest in the death of a foreign dignitary it was my bound duty to bring my findings to His Majesty.” “In the matter of compensation to Lady Rowena, I propose the figure of one million credits be sufficient compensation for the duress she has been under during her stay in Sanc. Lord Cartwright, my liaison department will oversee the deposit to be made into the Lady’s accounts within the week. We do not deem it necessary compensation be paid to the parents of Lord Richard as we are aware of the estranged nature of their relationship, though we extend our condolences to his mother. Lord Richard’s remains will be released and his sister will be granted parole to return his body to his mother for internment in the family vault.” Wu Fei was finding it difficult to keep a straight face. He was delighted, not with the situation, but with the manner in which Milliardo was fronting these men. This was the King of Sanc, not the man who had quietly accepted the parade of painted women for the space of a month with little hint of his anger. Before an hour was past after this meeting the remainder of the parliament would know their puppet king was capable of biting the hand which professed to pet him. “You mentioned compensation for Sanc, Sir?” Lord Howard Carter sat seemingly at ease, but Wu Fei could see the tension about his eyes and mouth. “I did.” Milliardo’s blue gaze remained on Carter though his finger briefly indicated Lord Cartwright once again. “I believe you are on the Board of Directors of the European Energy Commission, Lord Cartwright?” Wu Fei saw the man frown. “I am.” “You are also a member of the British House of Lords and have the ear of my fellow monarch.” “Yes, Sir, I believe you could say I have his ear.” Lord Cartwright looked anything but comfortable and did not appear to understand where this line of enquiry was going. “Pagan.” The old man moved smartly to the side of the elderly Lord and proffered a diplomatic pouch sealed with a royal purple ribbon beneath crimson sealing wax. The ancient seal of the Kings of Sanc could be clearly seen impressed in the wax. “Lord Cartwright, I bid you kindly convey this correspondence to your King on behalf of the House of Peacecraft and the people of Sanc.” “Sire.” The Lord rose, bowed formally to Milliardo and took the packet from Pagan. “Thank you. In the matter of compensation for Sanc I will make known to you one of the documented items contained within the missive to your King. The headquarters of the European Energy Commission is in London and the Board of Directors of the company will be meeting in five days to discuss the power needs of the European sector over the next five years. A submission from Sanc is to be discussed requesting an increase in the power allowance for this country.” Lord Cartwright stiffened, eyes widening as he raised his head to stare at the King. Clearly he suspected what was expected of him. “As compensation for the murder taking place within the borders of Sanc, we demand the release to Sanc of an additional 3,000,000 gigawatts of power per month, for a period of three years and at a reduced credit rate. To allay your concerns, Lord Cartwright, a full breakdown of the power usage is included in the diplomatic pouch you now carry. In short, the additional power will be used to effect repairs to damages done during the occupation of Sanc, including the refurbishment of the old subway system in New Port City. In return for this compensation, Sanc will not make mention of some of Lord Richard’s less than sterling practices in the past revealed during the course of the investigation, including the instances of espionage he practiced against the best interests of Great Britain. Further we will not release publicly the identity of the murderer of your aristocrat. The matter will be permitted to die a quiet death in the cold case files.” Watching the faces of the men gathered gave Wu Fei a warm glow of pride and he could not help the appreciative glance he directed at the King. Milliardo had gained from this murder a great benefit for Sanc and he had no doubt the demanded additional power would be fed through to Sanc. It was all a matter of saving face and in political circles that was very important. Milliardo had demonstrated he would not lie down and roll over on command like a well trained dog. He had demonstrated he had a brain and the will to use it. He had reminded not only the visitors to Sanc but his own parliament that he was dangerous and they should never forget it and he had advanced the recovery of Sanc by at least two years. “Sir. To arrange the compensation for Lady Rowena I must ask for the identity of the killer.” Wu Fei dragged his attention back to the matter at hand. Lord Cartwright was looking pale but holding up well beneath the King’s scrutiny. Wu Fei almost felt sorry for the man facing the full brilliance of the Peacecraft seated so casually before the fire. “Indeed you must, Lord Sanderson and I suggest you remain behind with Lord Howard. We have certain matters to discuss, however no one else is required to remain.” The members of Sanc’s Parliament were ushered unceremoniously out of the room by Pagan and the Chief Inspector, along with the security chief and Lord Richard’s aide, leaving only the two British Lords in the sitting room. Milliardo waited for Pagan and the Chief Inspector to return to their place by the fire before he continued. “Lord Carter, I have included you in this final chapter of the meeting so that you know what has happened and may take over for Lord Cartwright, who will be leaving the palace to catch a plane waiting at the air terminal in a few minutes.” He held up a hand to forestall comments from both men. “I am certain you will understand my actions when you are informed of the exact nature of this murder.” “I am certain you are sure of your facts, Sir, but I have to wonder why the melodrama surrounding the murder.” Carter leaned forward in his seat. “What you are asking in compensation…” “Is little enough given the gravity of the matter. Sanc did not ask to become involved in the machinations of the British aristocracy. We did not hang out a sign and say murder your traitor here, we’ll just ignore it and it will go away. We became involved because someone saw fit to involve us, no doubt thinking it would be amusing to see this backwater country cowering beneath the gaze of the entire ESUN, unable to find the murderer of a diplomat.” Wu Fei watched as the quiet voice set both older men sitting back in their seats, backs ramrod straight, faces pale. What Milliardo suggested was anything but a simple case of murder. “Gentlemen, the full details of this investigation are included in the diplomatic pouch. What your sovereign decides to do with these details I leave solely in his hands; once you depart this room it will no longer be a concern for the Sanc Police Department. The details are for your King’s attention and this brief summary of events should be sufficient for you to understand your places in this matter. Lord Richard Rochester was murdered by his aide, Christopher Cordell, with the assistance of Michael Barrison, Lady Rowena’s Chief of Security. The slaying of the man was no simple murder but perpetrated at the direct instruction of a man whom I will not name, who is placed highly within a certain prominent family resident within Great Britain. As I said, I will not name this individual or publicly name the instruments of his execution beyond this room. The incident rests within Sanc and the rest is up to your King to determine where this matter now goes.” Wu Fei stepped to one side as the King rose and cast his eye over the older men. Both had lost colour and he could see they each understood the unspoken message of the King, and Wu Fei would have given anything to peek in the diplomatic pouch now clasped in stiff fingers. “You will be escorted to the waiting plane, Lord Cartwright. I will look forward to hearing from my counterpart that the matter has been satisfactorily closed. Gentlemen.” Milliardo, with Wu Fei on his heels, swept from the room and with his departure Lord Cartwright dropped his head into his hands and swore softly. He had a headache which would only become progressively worse the closer the plane came to his home country. He was uncertain if his King would be more concerned with the identity disclosed within the pouch, or with the knowledge he would owe Milliardo Peacecraft a very large favour. ~ * ~ |
