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"Boot Camp"Written By: Snowdragonct Disclaimer: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing or the characters, more's the pity. This is for fun...no profit involved. Warnings: AU (sort of), yaoi, swearing (lots), some OOC (probably), some violence, references to NCS (especially in later chapters) Pairings: 1+2, 3+4 (to start with) A/N: This is the first time I'm getting up the nerve to post a story...hope it's not too similar to anyone else's (haven't seen one just like it). Candid, kindly-delivered critiques will be greatly appreciated...please don't rip my head off too much? Um, and the old "don't like, don't read" phrase holds true. Oh, and it's fiction, and I don't have a law degree, so there's sure to be some inaccuracies...can we just pretend, please? Thanks in advance. Rating: NC 17 Summary: Four boys in the juvenile justice system
receive a last chance to make something of their futures. Will boot
camp make or break them? And can they ever learn to be a team? "Boot Camp"
Captain Chang was justifiably furious. Standing with hands on hips, glowering down at a harried-looking secretary, he had a look in his dark eyes that promised death and destruction to any who got in his way. “What do you mean no toxicology was done?! What kind of ‘in-depth autopsy’ doesn’t include toxicology?” The secretary looked down at the report on her desk. “He was in a coma, Captain. Long-term coma patients generally die of organ failure or deterioration of some vital function. Blood tests would only determine which organ or system failed, and the hands-on autopsy did the same.” “Did no one tell you this was to be investigated as a murder?” Wufei snarled. She looked again at the paperwork. “There was nothing to indicate murder, sir. Lowe died of complications from the original incident that placed him in a coma.” “The ‘original incident’ was an assault,” Wufei pointed out. “That means that a resultant death calls for a murder investigation. I want the toxicology done today!” “Y-yes sir.” The secretary pulled out a form and began transferring information. “Uh, I’ll just send the paperwork to Doctor J, and…” “I’ll take it to him,” replied the Captain. “He’s busy in autopsy, sir,” she said with a wary glance up at the gleaming onyx eyes. “But I’ll make sure he gets these…” Wufei reached over to deftly pull the forms from her hands. “Where would I find your autopsy room?” “You can’t go in there!” The Chinese officer placed both palms on the desk, looming over the uneasy clerk. “I will go wherever I have to in order to make certain the appropriate tests are done! This is a murder case, and a young man’s future hangs in the balance! If I have to personally stand over Doctor J’s shoulder and watch him conduct each test, I will!” “Turn right in the hallway and it’s the third door on the left,” she whimpered, slumping against the back of her chair as he straightened and gathered up the paperwork. Wufei gave a small bow. “Thank you, miss. You’ve been a great help.” He turned on his heel, stalking briskly out of the office and down the hall to find the Chief Medical Examiner and order the blood work to be conducted.
“Duo…c’mon…wake up!” Quatre said urgently, shoving Duo’s shoulder. The braided boy mumbled sleepily, swatting at the hand. “Fi’ more min’s…jus’ fi’ more.” “No! We’re almost late already,” Quatre pointed out. Duo rolled over, groaning, and rubbed a hand across his face. “Fuck. I don’t think I slept a wink.” “Why didn’t you say something?” asked his friend, grabbing a uniform out of Duo’s foot locker and tossing it up to him. “You an’ Trowa looked so peaceful,” Duo shrugged, recalling waking from a horrible nightmare in which Heero was the one being beaten and raped, instead of him. He’d been halfway off his bunk, planning to seek solace from his bunkmates, until he saw them curled up together in Quatre’s bed. He hadn’t had the heart to wake them. “Trowa and I can sleep together any time,” Quatre growled in frustration. “You, on the other hand, are alone right now, and if you need support, you’re supposed to let us know.” “But—.” “No ‘buts!’” Quatre grabbed Duo’s arm to steady him as he dropped wearily to the floor, yawning widely. “From now on, if you have trouble sleeping, you wake one of us.” His aquamarine eyes were glittering with determination. “Screw that. You’re sleeping in my bunk tonight.” Duo gave his friend a sidelong glance. “Quat—I’m not putting Trowa out of your bed just cuz I have a few bad dreams.” Trowa walked over then, a wry smile barely curving one side of his mouth. “We could all three try to stuff ourselves in together.” The braided boy chuckled. “You are one kinky guy, Barton,” he teased. “I’m not into threesomes.” “Me neither…especially not with Yuy’s boytoy,” came the snide response. “Hey! I’m nobody’s ‘boytoy,’” Duo declared hotly, regaining some spirit. “Oh, that’s right. It’s looooove,” Trowa teased. “Barton, you’re a fucking asshole,” Duo muttered, grabbing his uniform and stalking off to the bathroom. Quatre eyed his lover suspiciously. “What’re you up to?” “I figure Maxwell’s sharper when he’s pissed off,” Trowa shrugged. “So you’re needling him just to get a rise?” “It’s better than seeing him mope,” came the complacent response. The blonde boy gave his green-eyed boyfriend an appreciative look. “You just amaze me, Trowa.” “Why?” “I wouldn’t have expected you to put so much thought into helping Duo.” “I owe him.” This time Trowa’s tone was more somber, carrying that hint of self-loathing he hadn’t lost completely since the river crossing. Quatre sighed. “He said you’re even. And Duo Maxwell doesn’t lie.” Trowa managed a wry smile. “Even if I didn’t owe him for what I did to him, I owe him as a teammate…and a friend.” The blue eyes widened and warmed, and then Quatre threw himself into Trowa’s arms. “You, Trowa Barton, are wonderful.” “Oh for fuck’s sake!” came an amusedly disgusted voice at the bathroom door. “Can’t you two keep your hands to yourselves for five minutes?” They broke apart guiltily, and then laughed at the same time. Duo walked up between them, throwing an arm around each one’s shoulders. “I appreciate all you guys are doing for me, y’know,” he commented, proving he was keenly aware of the level of support they were providing. “With you for teammates, I just might get through this.” “You definitely will,” Quatre promised. “Then let’s get our asses to calisthenics before Merquise gets pissed at us. I want to weasel a couple of favors out of him.” They sprinted off to the exercise yard, arriving just in time, and managing the appearance of their usual confidence and swagger. After all, Team Wing had an image to keep.
Having Yuy hauled off in shackles had been a good start. At least it gave Maxwell a taste of loss, not unlike his brother’s death had given Treize. And the boy’s desperate attempt at seduction had been simultaneously gratifying, tempting, and insulting. But the warden hadn’t survived so many years in the system by being a fool. He was a brilliant tactician at least, carrying on his drug distribution right under the nose of the prison board. And what’s more, he wasn’t worried about detection. Who’d believe any juvenile reprobate that tried to inform on him? Treize scowled at the sight of Duo walking off with arms slung companionably over his teammates’ shoulders. “Very chummy, aren’t you?” he muttered under his breath. Not that it would surprise him if Maxwell found entertainment elsewhere after Yuy was taken away. After all, gutter trash was gutter trash forever. “Something interesting about my recruits?” asked Major Merquise, having walked silently up behind the glowering warden. Kushrenada stiffened, keeping his hands crossed behind his back, his stance appearing casual. “I don’t see any recruits, Major. Just a bunch of juvenile delinquents.” “I beg to differ. They’ve essentially completed the training. We’re just practicing them with the simulator and testing them on classroom subjects this week to get an overview of their strengths so we can place them in the proper classes and levels at the Academy in the fall.” “There’s still time for them to fuck you over,” shrugged Treize. “And I maintain that the Peacecraft Initiative is the brain child of a bunch of idealistic, ignorant do-gooders.” “That will be up to the board of directors to decide.” The Major narrowed his ice-blue eyes at the warden. “Furthermore, they’ll need to decide whether it’s wise in future classes to mix prison guards with military personnel in the supervision of these kids. If I were you, I’d start job-hunting at my earliest convenience.” With a satisfied smirk, the Major strode off towards the mess hall. “If I were you,” Treize crooned in an undertone, “I’d start watching my back at my earliest convenience.” His face settled into a menacing scowl, and he headed for the guard house to talk to some of his “inner circle” about the annoying Major. Clearly Chang had passed his attitudes on to his superior; but with Chang gone, there was a window of opportunity. With a little planning and proper execution, Kushrenada had no doubt he could eliminate both the troublesome Major, and his nemesis, Duo Maxwell. And better yet, he could make it appear to be the fault of the military training itself, thereby discrediting the Peacecraft Initiative too. Treize Kushrenada’s plotting was far from over.
“Aw, man—back to oatmeal?” Quatre groaned, eyeing the sloppy mess with disgust. “I showed ya how to dress it up,” Duo reminded him. “But it’s so much work!” Duo reached over and switched bowls, handing Quatre his already-prepared meal. “There ya go, ya big baby,” he teased. Quatre smirked sweetly at him. “Thanks. You’re a pal.” They settled in to eat, though Duo’s eyes kept wandering to the door. “You know there’s no way they’d have cleared it up by now, don’t you?” Trowa asked in an undertone. “I’m not waiting for Heero to walk through that door,” Duo assured him. “But Merquise should be here soon, and I want to start convincing him to let us hack K.’s system.” “How’re you gonna do that?” asked the green-eyed boy. “Charm and tact,” Duo shrugged. “And if that doesn’t work…I’ll beg.” “Of course,” came the sardonic reply. “I should’ve known.” When Major Merquise walked in, his gaze went straight to Team Wing and he headed for their table, settling into the empty seat beside Quatre. “I’ll get straight to the point,” he said curtly. “I got a call from Chang this morning. There’s been a bit of a setback.” Duo paled visibly, but swallowed hard and kept his chin raised. “Is Heero okay?” was all he asked. “Fine.” The officer let his gaze rake over the boy assessingly. “They just didn’t do the toxicology as part of the autopsy, and Chang had to kick some ass in the medical examiner’s office. It’s being done now, though, even as we speak.” He smiled wryly. “Chang’s very persuasive.” The boy grinned, brightening a little. “I love that man,” he said warmly. The ice-blue eyes narrowed. “Hands off him, Maxwell. He’s your guardian. And your commanding officer.” “And your intended,” Duo shot back with a smirk. “Don’t worry, sir. I only love him like family.” He glanced coyly to the side. “Though he does have those exotic Asian looks going for him…” “Maxwell—.” The boy laughed, winking at his teammates before turning to face the Major. He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Since I have your attention, sir, can I ask for a little favor?” He received a very wary look. “Haven’t you been raking in a lot of those lately? Chang didn’t bust you for sneaking in to see Yuy the other night. I got you a chance to say goodbye. What more are you looking for?” The Major also kept his voice low, wary of eavesdroppers. Duo didn’t know whether or not to be alarmed that the high-ranking officer knew about his midnight visit to Heero’s cell. But the fact that he wasn’t being tossed in lockup made him guess there’d be no repercussions. “Heh. You don’t miss a trick, do you, sir?” “I try not to.” “What I need for a favor is simple,” Duo told him frankly. “Give the three of us a couple of hours of library time…unmonitored.” Merquise raised an eyebrow at that. “What do you hope to accomplish?” “There’s a system we’d like to access to find out a few things,” came the vague response. “And the less you know, the better, sir, if you catch my drift.” “You want me to turn a blind eye while you hack someone’s computer system?” Duo shrugged. “Something like that.” “Whose?” “Kushrenada’s.” “What, exactly, are you looking for?” “A connection to L1…a name or number linking him to Lowe’s murder.” “You don’t even know he had anything to do with Lowe’s death. It’s still possible that Heero really is responsible for it.” Duo shook his head. “You don’t believe that any more than we do, sir. It was too convenient; the timing was too perfect. I know Kushrenada set it up. That means it had to be murder. There has to be evidence, right?” Zechs nodded reluctantly. “Still, we may never be able to find it. If the toxicology comes back negative—.” “—the police won’t consider any suspects other than Heero,” Duo finished for him. “I know that. Which is why I need you to help us investigate it ourselves,” he pleaded quietly, almost whispering. “And if you find nothing?” “Then we’ll know Heero’s life is in Chang’s hands, and that proving self-defense is his only option,” Duo said in a pained voice. “But I don’t think that’s true. And if it turns out the autopsy shows that Lowe died of something new…some new trauma or substance…then Heero will be completely in the clear. By the same token, if we find something in K.’s computer that links him to Lowe in any way, shape or form, even with a negative toxicology report, the cops would have to consider other options.” “It would be inadmissible as evidence,” the officer pointed out. “But it would give probable cause for a search warrant, wouldn’t it?” “And you’d have to admit to hacking, which would land you in prison,” came the quick response. “It’d be worth it, for Heero.” “As admirable as your intentions are, Maxwell, I can’t very well let you do something blatantly illegal.” He held up a hand as Duo started to protest. “You know Chang would never forgive me if you ended up in prison. Besides, he’s not exactly out of ideas himself. He’s reviewing the hospital security videos. He’s got an expert analyst going over them to enhance the images and check every person coming and going in the past few weeks. They’ll have hospital staff identify every face, and if there’s even one that doesn’t match up, they’ll have a possible suspect.” “But we might be able to find something that would link Kushrenada to any suspect they find,” Duo pointed out. He gave the man his best pleading look, and most beguiling smile. “Please, sir. We need to feel like we’re doing something to help. And this is all we could come up with.” The Major smiled to himself, seeing the dogged determination and devotion shining from the indigo eyes. He knew how hard it was to stand helpless while a friend was in trouble. He sighed deeply. “Well, if you did it while I wasn’t aware, and turned up anything, I might be able to steer Chang in the right direction…covertly, of course,” he suggested with a small shrug. Duo grinned at him. “I think maybe I love you, too, sir.” Major Merquise shook his head ruefully. “You’re still jail bait, Maxwell…and as I said, my affections lie…elsewhere.” He gave a wry smirk. “I think Team Wing will need some extra study time in the library this evening,” he said in a slightly louder voice. “I’m not pleased with yesterday’s test scores. I think you all can do better. So be there at nineteen-hundred hours tonight.” “Yes, sir!” Duo replied with a cocky salute.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Duo smirked, pulling Quatre after him to the computer. He settled in behind the keyboard and keyed up the internet connection. “Okay, Quat. We’ll start out slow. Y’got some cd’s for storing anything we’re able to steal?” “You know I do.” “Always the tactical genius,” Duo crooned happily, forgetting for a moment that Heero was a world away, as he began exploring the data links to the prison communication system. Trowa leaned on the other side of Quatre, eyes intently fixed on the screen. “There!” he said, pointing to a file name. “Try searching under less important functions. Find a back door in.” “Gotcha.” Duo spared him a glance as his fingers flew across the keyboard. An hour later, he was muttering curses. He’d made it through the prison system defenses, and even been able to hack into personnel information, inmate lists, and maintenance inventories. But he still couldn’t locate any log of calls from Kushrenada’s vid-phone to outside contacts. “Sure are a lot of inter-colony prison shuttle trips,” Quatre commented, eyeing a list of flights. “Drop that data onto a cd, would ya?” “For—?” Duo asked, simultaneously carrying out the request. “Not sure yet. But see if there’s a prisoner list on those shuttles, and maybe the names of guards and pilots.” “Don’t want much, do you?” Duo chuckled, pausing and flexing his fingers. “How ‘bout I take the keyboard for a bit?” The braided boy relinquished his position, watching with open admiration as Quatre flawlessly hacked files. “So you weren’t bragging the first day of camp. You really do have some talent, Winner.” “You doubted me?” “Never.” Another hour passed while Quatre dug up schedules, flight logs, and anything else he could think of. Yet they still didn’t find a way into Kushrenada’s system. “Firewall,” Quatre sighed, glowering at the screen. “The man’s managed to completely isolate access.” He looked up wearily. “We won’t be able to get what we’re looking for unless we can use the terminal in K.’s office.” “Well, shit,” Duo muttered. “Fuck!” He threw himself against the back of the chair. “K.’s hardly ever out of his office. And when he is, he’s usually within sight of the building at the very least.” “We’d need a solid hour with his system,” Quatre said, shaking his head ruefully. “Y’think we could slip into his office at night?” “Maybe,” Duo conceded. “But I think the warden’s quarters are attached. The chance of his coming in and interrupting is pretty high.” Trowa was standing behind Quatre’s chair, massaging his shoulders as the blonde leaned back in the chair to rest for a moment. “How are we going to get into that office then?” he asked quietly. Duo snorted. “I’ve worn out my welcome with him.” “That’s putting it mildly,” Trowa smirked. “What about you?” Duo asked. “Would he start supplying you again if you pretended to play along?” Trowa shook his head. “After the things I said when the fucker pulled his shit at the river crossing, he knows I hate him. And even though he got me to take the stuff afterwards, he’s got to have figured out that they were gone a long time ago, and that I’m clean. He may not know how I got through withdrawal, but he must know I did.” “He’d never believe it if you asked for drugs again,” Quatre agreed. “And since Duo’s attempt at, er, winning him over…” “Nice way to put it,” Trowa said wryly, giving Duo a sly glance. “Look, it was all—.” “That’s old news,” Quatre cut him off. “Except that it means K. will be expecting us to try anything to help Heero.” He shook his head. “We need to come up with bait so enticing he forgets to question who’s offering it.” Both Quatre and Trowa looked squarely at Duo, who blinked cluelessly. “What?” “What does K. want more than anything?” Quatre asked. “—to crush me under his heel?” Duo smirked. “Exactly.” Trowa frowned at him. “What’re you talking about doing, Quatre?” “We give Kushrenada what he wants…Duo. Or at least we pretend to.” “I’m not sure I like where this is going,” Duo said with a frown. “No, it’ll work!” Quatre insisted. “If we can get Kushrenada out of his office and make sure he’s gone at least an hour, we can get what we need.” “Get to the part where you hand me over to him,” Duo grumbled. “What if Kushrenada thought he could nail you doing something completely illegal?” Quatre elaborated. “Like escaping, for instance?” “You want to tell him Maxwell’s planning an escape?” Trowa demanded, raising an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t he rush to stop it?” Quatre added. “I suppose so,” admitted the auburn-haired boy. “But how would you convince him the escape attempt was genuine?” “It’s all in the delivery,” Quatre assured him. “Maybe if we got someone else to take the news to K. he’d take it at face value.” “I think we need a little more specific plan,” Duo pointed out. “You boys get what you need?” called Major Merquise from his position across the room. “Not exactly,” Duo replied. While Quatre shut the system down, the braided boy walked over to the MSC officer. “There’s a whole lot of information, and we need to go through it. But the stuff we really need can only be accessed from Kushrenada’s office.” The ice-blue eyes narrowed. “Do not even think of trying to slip in there at night, Maxwell. I don’t care how good you are at infiltration.” “I promised Chang I’d obey you, sir,” Duo said firmly. “And I will. Besides, I’m sure the bastard has a security camera as well as an alarm system. We need a little more information before we move on him.” “And we need to distract him,” Trowa added, joining them at the desk. “Dare I ask the plan?” “Don’t have one yet,” Duo admitted. “At least not one with specifics. We need to work out the details.” “You’ll let me know when you do?” Duo nodded. “I appreciate how much faith you have in us.” “You’ve earned it,” shrugged the officer. He looked up at the boys. “Why don’t you all head for the barracks? It’s nearly lights out already.” As Quatre and Trowa headed out the door, Duo paused, a somber look crossing his face. “Y’think there’s any chance we’ll get Heero back before graduation?” The Major scowled down at his desktop. “Honestly, Maxwell, if the toxicology comes back negative, there’s a chance the case could drag on a bit.” “We’ve got to get him back,” Duo said miserably. He didn’t want the Major to see a display of emotion, but he didn’t care if his feelings were obvious. “To tell the truth, sir, I don’t sleep much without him on the bunk under mine.” He managed a fleeting smile. “Ever since solitary, he kind of kept the nightmares away.” “If you need to see Doctor Po—.” “No! I-I’m okay…just…I’d be better with Heero back.” The blue eyes pinned him with a discerning look. “I’ve seen your test scores the past two days, Maxwell. And if I didn’t know how smart you are, I’d have doubts.” His expression softened slightly. “But considering the stress you and your teammates are under, you’ve all managed to function adequately.” “Don’t tell Heero. He’d never forgive me if I don’t do as well as he knows I’m capable of.” Zechs smiled. “Sounds like you won’t forgive yourself, either. Excellence is a little addictive, isn’t it?” A trace of a smile touched Duo’s lips. “Guess so…an’ I guess maybe it’s nice to be good at something legal, for a change.” The officer gave a quiet chuckle. “I don’t suppose you’d consider appearing before the board of directors of the Peacecraft Foundation when they hold the meeting to review the success of the program here.” Duo grimaced slightly. “I’m not big on public speaking, sir.” “You know I could order you to do it,” mused the officer. “But I’d rather not.” He eyed the boy appraisingly. “I’d consider it a huge favor…not unlike the one I’ve just done for your team.” Duo smirked at him; the boy understood bargaining very well…his skills had been honed on the street vendors of L2. “You play hardball, sir.” Major Merquise shrugged. “When I have to.” He pondered for a moment. “Are you a gambling man, Maxwell?” “You kidding? Have you even read my file?” “Well, I believe that Chang will succeed. I’ll bet that he gets Yuy back here before the end of camp. If I win, you give a speech at graduation.” “A speech?” “You tell the board of directors what this camp has done for you.” “And if you lose, and Heero’s not back?” Duo asked, his voice a little ragged at the thought. “I’ll give the speech.” The Major smiled grimly. “I hate public speaking too.” Duo laughed. “Then you’ve got yourself a deal,
sir.”
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