Note: A few people had concerns about Harper, Wufei, Heero, Noventa, and the Preventers as a whole, but all I can say is trust me. Oh yeah... and pick your side. >:)

"Nearly all men can withstand adversity; If you want to test a man's character, offer him power."
      --- Abraham Lincoln
"Politics is made up of two words. 'Poli' which is Greek for 'many', and 'tics', which are bloodsucking insects."
      --- Gore Vidal
"You only have power over people as long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power- he's free again."
      --- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Requiem for the Sinners Part 21
Guardian Redeemed

Wufei slept soundly in the cockpit of the ship, waking only twice when the propulsion systems of the ship cut off to allow for trajectory change. In those cases, it wasn't any large noise that woke him, but the complete and dead stillness that followed. Even the hum of the oxygen generator in the advanced mechanisms of the ship were virtually silent.

The third time it woke him, the alarms were going off, a bright indicator flashing on the ship's panels. He groped for it sleepily like a college student reaching for the snooze button, finally reaching the alarm's stud and pushing it. The computer's voice spoke, cool and ever unperturbed.

"Technician Charles Delrey, reentry into Earth's atmosphere in ten minutes. Beginning countdown. Please secure all personnel."

The comlink beeped suddenly, and after a few moments of trying to figure out the way it worked, Wufei managed to get the screen up. A Cinq guard was on the other end, face carefully impassive.

##You are an unidentified ship attempting to enter the Cinq Kingdom orbital window. Please state your name, rank, and purpose.##

"This is Commander Wufei Chang with the Preventer Forces. I'm returning from L2. Please inform Caleb Noventa of my arrival, and tell him that I would like to speak with him immediately."

##Yes sir.##

~*~

"Chang. I'm glad to see you still alive. I heard you had difficulties on route."

...That's the understatement of the year.

"Just Wufei, please," Wufei said flatly and as politely as he could, bristling at the insult, intended or not.

Noventa gazed at him, and the gaze was not friendly. But it was respectful. He respected Wufei Chang for who he was... but he had not forgotten what Wufei Chang used to be, and the alliances of that past life. The blond man made a small gesture with his shoulders. "As you wish, Commander."

"Let's get on with it," Wufei replied, his voice firm. "You have problems believing that I have been released, since I was a valuable hostage for Maxwell. You also believe that this may be because of our previous relationship. I can see how this would lead you to believe that I have been turned for L2."

"I admit, I am curious. Maxwell has a certain fanatic charisma," Noventa replied mildly. "Did he turn you, Commander?"

Wufei's eyes narrowed. "No. If he had, I would have remained there. As it is, I have returned to inquire about the status of my men."

Noventa looked back at him steadily. "What do you wish to know? You are down to forty men, including 12 officers."

Forty?

"... I don't understand," Wufei stated, even though he thought that he understood perfectly well.

"Maxwell is killing the hostages off, one every twenty-four hours, until the World Council meets his demands. The first was your second admiral. It seems you escaped a most inhospitable host, Commander."

Chandler.

Wufei's expression tightened slightly, his thoughts racing even as he tried to keep a straight, impassive face.

"Are they being negotiated for?"

Noventa smiled grimly. "Commander, we do not negotiate with terrorists."

Wufei remembered what he saw, before he was moved to a different hold than his men. His men... they had been well cared for. And Duo had said he wouldn't hurt them. While he found it hard to believe his former comrade, he had seen truth in Duo's eyes.

And then he remembered something.

There was a card game called BS that Duo had always made them play in safehouses, back during the One Year War. He couldn't remember every nuance of the game, but he remembered there was a big part of it that was trying to bluff the rest of the players into believing you were putting down cards you didn't have.

Duo had won almost every game, and the only other person who ever won was Heero, who beat out Duo's bluffs by memorizing the cards each player was supposed to have. Duo was rarely called on his bluffs, however, because he had the most expressionless poker face Wufei had ever seen. And whenever someone did call him on a bluff, they were usually wrong.

"Call, Heero."
"... Pass."
"Wufei?"
"BS."
"Nope, Wuffers, gotta say the whole thing."
"This is a stupid game, Maxwell. ... Fine, Bullshit."
"Nope, had 'em the whole time! Take the pile, sucker! Watch me..."

~~Watch me.~~

Wufei scowled. I'm watching, Maxwell. And I see you very well. What's your bluff now?

That was followed by another thought.

...Something smells like bullshit.

"Commander?"

Wufei brought his gaze back to the politician sitting in front of him. "I would like to see the person that told you this."

Noventa shrugged. "You can ask them yourself. Winner and Barton are the ones who saw it happen. But that's not what I called you here for."

Wufei didn't answer. He simply waiting patiently, unmoving and at ease. He didn't look directly at Noventa, aware that his intimidating gaze caused anyone to be uncomfortable, if they were subjected to it for too long. He would save his intimidation for when he needed it.

"I want you to lead our forces in an attack against L2."

Wufei scowled sharply in a mix of surprise and disbelief, meeting Noventa's ice blue eyes. They were not the eyes of an honorable man. One who wished to be honorable, perhaps... but a vigilante, nevertheless.

Maxwell... I call your bluff. And let me not be wrong.

Wufei turned his back on Noventa. His voice was firm.

"I'm sorry. I cannot accept. It is a personal matter."

Noventa's eyes widened, and then his face set into an angry scowl. "I don't believe it was a request, Commander."

Wufei turned to look at him, gaze fierce. "I don't believe I've ever taken orders from you, either. I don't plan to start now."

Noventa stood suddenly, pounding his fist on the desk in fury. Wufei didn't even flinch. "Damn you, Chang, I fund your forces! I am your executive officer and you will obey my orders, or I will have you shot."

"Spoken like a true peacekeeper." Wufei reached into his jacket and retrieved his badge, feeling the comforting weight of it in his hand for just a second before throwing it across the desk so hard it slid across and landed in Noventa's lap. The politician caught it, expression shocked. It blanked quickly, though, sliding into that chilled, vicious strength.

"Walking out of this office without your badge would be a very stupid decision, Commander. I say that as a comrade."

You're no comrade of mine.

He walked to the door and opened it, moving through.

"Chang-!"

He shut it softly.

Maxwell's stupidity must be rubbing off, he thought, then smiled ruefully. He walked quickly, sure that Noventa would be siccing security on him as soon as he got over the shock of the situation.

Wufei walked to the elevator without incident, rode down, and entered the lobby. A small group of Preventers stood at the doorway, waiting for him. He didn't see guns on them, but he knew that didn't mean they were unarmed.

Wufei recognized the one leading them. He nodded his head curtly, but instead of moving aside, the man stepped forward, blocking his way, with two men on either side of him.

"I'm sorry, Commander, but I've been instructed not to let you pass. I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me." The young man did look remorseful, Wufei observed. But he didn't think it was enough to keep the man from stopping him.

"Move." Wufei's voice was hard and inarguable. It was a voice that had dealt with dozens of subordinates over the years, and would deal with hundreds more. Out of habit, the man stepped back enough for Wufei to slip through, but the man's reflexes were sharp. The Preventer grabbed his shoulder, hard enough to hold him still, but still lightly enough to be respectful. Wufei had to fight the urge to throw him.

"I... really am sorry, sir. But Councillor Noventa has told me to retain you."

Wufei spoke softly, just loud enough for the guard to hear him. "Take your hand off me, cadet, or I will remove it. You're one of Noin's, aren't you?"

"Sir..."

Wufei looked at him, into the man's eyes, and knew immediately that he could pull it off. "Let go."

Stricken, the man did.

"Commander... Noventa..."

"Tell him I threatened your families. He'd appreciate that."

Wufei headed out to his car, his resolve set as he slid in and buckled his seatbelt. The irony of the fact that he was taking care not to be injured in a car accident when he was departing on a potentially suicidal mission did not escape him.

Okay Duo. I'll take your bet.

Show me what to fight for.

TBC...

 

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