Author: Karen, The Huntress
Rating: R
Warning: Angst, language, remorse. Set during the war AC 195
Pairing: 1+2
Feedback: Always appreciated
Archive: DHML
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters.
They All Fall Down
Looming against the star-studded horizon Quadrant 145 Maximum Security Complex was an indisputable agent of intimidation. Designed to dehumanize the prisoners of war caged within the macabre hellhole, Q145 was the Alliance's prime embodiment of depraved efficiency for administering physical and physiological abuse.
Unlike an ancient castle's bulwarks of crude cut stone and clay mortar, walls were constructed of iron beams and reinforced steel plating six inches thick. As a substitute for battlements crowned with parapets, the rooftop was ringed with halogen spotlights and defended by A-Class laser cannon turrets spaced thirty meters apart.
Safeguarding the perimeter, double loops of electrified metal fencing replaced the moat and instead of knights brandishing swords, OZ sentries armed with Combat Master assault rifles patrolled the equally secured grounds.
*********
Federation Headquarters-Delta Sector 22
Commander Robert Johnston stood beside a large recon wall map to address a trio of battle strategists and the six squadron leaders assembled in the war room.
"Our threefold objective," he reviewed the newly issued orders, "is the immediate retrieval of all prisoners incarcerated in Q145, to detain any Ozzies who have the common sense to surrender and, finally, to demolish the entire complex."
Captain Chung Lee, a veteran of the L5 conflict, appraised the directive then informed. "At the present time nineteen mobile suit squadrons have been refitted for inner atmospheric combat, an additional fourteen might be ready in five to seven days."
Recently arrived from New Edwards Air Base, strategist Lisa Barnes played the devil's advocate. "Even if every squadron was fully operational and able to engage in an integrated sortie, the cannon emplacements would obliterate forty to fifty percent of the suits before they reached optimal firing range."
The civilian statistician from Tokyo, Akira Morimoto concurred. "That ratio is a higher than acceptable rate of attrition."
Johnston paused to consider the varied evaluations. "It's imperative the cannons' firepower be eliminated prior to launching an attack." he stated their only option, "Any preemptive suggestions as to a course of action?"
"I recommend a stealth team consisting of shot-point director and an expert sniper who can pick off the gunners thus undermining the defensive grid." Chief Lieutenant Shawn Malone advised.
"All right," Johnston decided, "Assign a qualified pair and get Operation Recovery on track ASAP."
*********
Twenty-four hours later: Surveillance Site 96 overlooking Q145.
The waning crescent moon cast vague shadows intermingled in shades of gray. Standing shoulder to shoulder, Deathscythe Hell and Wing Zero blended into the forest's woody camouflage of leafless branches clattering in the breeze like skeletal wind chimes.
Yet again Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell had been partnered on a decisive mission, this time, to whittle away OZ's obstructive fortifications in advance of the Federation's aerial blitz.
Utilizing the Death Gundam resurrected from Hell as a base of operations, Duo monitored the tracking computer, charted wind velocity, calculated sight trajectory and calibrated degrees of descent to keep each proposed shot true to its mark.
Once the readouts were verified he'd verbally relay precise coordinates via the micro-receiver/transmitter inserted into his covert collaborator's ear.
Fifty meters to the east, clad in a commando's black uniform that encased his athletically lean body like a second skin, Heero stretched out on his stomach atop a gloom shrouded hillcrest.
Bracing his elbows on the stony ground, with practiced precision, he synchronized the vertical and horizontal range alignment on his silencer-equipped Viper S32 sniper rifle.
While the ceaseless wind ruffled his bangs, Heero's right eye sighted through a night optic scope. A steadying breath hissed over his lips as he mentally acclimated gradation settings until the initial target materialized into clear focus.
This moment, whilst awaiting Duo's conformation of the shot's accuracy, was always the hardest. The knowledge that a split second separated life and death; that in less than a heartbeat a human would cease to exist still spawned unpardonable guilt.
Despite Doctor J's damnable efforts to eradicate any emotional feedback which could hinder the Perfect Soldier's fighting performance, a spark of humanity survived. Each time Heero pulled the trigger or wielded Zero's destructive powers that piteous spark enkindled flames of remorse that no secretly shed tears could extinguish.
"Three degrees to center. Drop adjustment two-point-seven." Duo's voice sounded so close he could have been lying next to Heero.
"Affirmative."
THUD verified the silencer-muted discharge.
*********
Within Deathscythe Duo employed his own moderately successful methods to cope with his complicity in the executioner's task Yeah, Heero might be pulling the trigger but he sure as Hell was validating his reputation as the ruthless God of Death.
Absentmindedly Duo hummed as he fashioned an Origami crane from portions of the magisterial warrant filed by Lieutenant Colonel David Paxton charging Duo Maxwell, codename Zero Two, with the theft of 5,000 fuel cells from an MS maintenance facility on Colony 01.
Additional charges of insubordination stemmed from Duo's refusal to disclose the altered access codes to Gundam XXXG-01D2 registered as Deathscythe Hell.
Lastly, threats of bodily harm and destruction of property had been duly recorded as evidence of 02's predisposition to violence and his belligerent disregard for authority which, in Paxton's opinion, directly contributed to the pilot's unorthodox and often reckless mode of combat.
Near the sheet's roughly torn bottom edge, a final entry also named Howard (no surname or citizenship listed in either the Earth or Colonial Database) as coconspirator for transporting Romefeller's pilfered property.
"I told that crazy old bastard not to get involved." Duo muttered before making the last fold in the fantasy bird's wing.
With a sigh meant to lessen his culpability, Duo set the completed crane on the console beside its twin then issued the next target's death sentence. "Left correction four-point- eight degrees."
This time silence preceded the hollow THUD.
A depleted paper supply, except for Scythe's dog-eared technical manual, coerced Duo to stare out the viewport at the amber aura betraying Q145's site placement.
Appearing to float over the shatterproof pane's concaved surface, his reflection mirrored distorted images as if he'd been transported into a bizarre dreamscape.
In an effort to regain some sense of self, an answer to a nagging question was sought.
"Heero." was called before Duo realized he'd spoken aloud.
"Hai."
"Do ya think Quatre and Trowa are doin' it?"
Puzzlement was evident in 01's response to the out-of-the-blue speculation. "Doing what?"
"Sometimes you can be so dense. The horizontal tango. Ride-em-cowboy. Damnit, Heero, I'm talkin' 'bout sex!"
"Why should I be interested in their personal relationship, sexual or otherwise? Transmit another targeting sequence." Heero demanded with noticeable annoyance.
"Elevation adjustment twelve-point-forty four."
"THUD!"
*********
Eclipsed in darkness, Heero was but an enigmatic silhouette backwashed in moonlight.
A motionless apparition among brittle stalks of fox grass, he'd donned the cynical mask required for each mission. Eyes glared with the cold calculation of a loyal warrior and nothing short of the Grim Reaper's claiming would dissuade the assassin from enduring his duty.
Heero took a moment to loosen kinks in his hunched shoulders then tilted his head to ease knotted neck muscles. His instinctual clock was ticking, counting down the time span between successive shots and how long before the Ozzies began seeking the source of the gunners' demise.
Activity had definitely intensified on both the rooftop and grounds of Q145. Although the scurrying about resembled an anthill stirred with a stick, there was a familiar cadence to the organized confusion.
Reckoning time was indeed running short, Heero's sixth sense demanded with urgency. "Finish up!"
When the receiver's open channel clicked, Heero prepared for another series of numeric correlations, instead, Duo inquired "How much longer 'cause I gotta piss."
01's reply was curtly succinct. "I don't need a babysitter."
Shuffling preceded WHOOSH as the cockpit hatch was released.
No more humming or indistinct mumbling or baffling noises like paper being torn.
"Blessed quiet." Heero sighed then lined up the final sequence of shots.
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
*********
Upon Duo's return from "taking care of business" he was greeted by an array of manic lights proclaiming a bad omen. Also the pulse radar screen was speckled with scarlet dots that definitely were not fireflies.
Flopping more than sitting, Duo switched on the external monitor for visual confirmation.
"No detectable objects within scanning range." he whispered as if any increase in volume might evoke more mainframe poltergeists.
The thermal imager had isolated a pale yellow profile with a reddish core parallel to the ground that was undoubtedly 01. A secondary shape, displaying a dull heat signature, was too small to be human and moved in an erratic pattern which indicated an animal, most likely a fox, rabbit or raccoon.
Duo glanced back at the radar screen, the dots had grown larger. "This doesn't make sense." he augured with the contradictive imagery. "Could be ghost refractions or system malfunctions or---"
"Shit." was proclaimed as the riddle was suddenly deciphered. "Heero?"
"02?"
"MOVE YOUR ASS!"
Trained to react then wonder why, in one fluid motion, Heero rolled up, clutched the rifle to his chest and was running before his boots hit the ground.
Less than ten meters were counted off before a high-pitched drone heralded the airborne assault. Five meters more and three squads of Aries surged over the hill like a swarm of angry hornets.
Duo took a split second he didn't have to secure his harness. The cockpit shuddered when Deathscythe Hell was roused from its shutdown slumber.
Branches shivered, parted with creaks and snaps prior to the perfect grade titan emerging from its night-shrouded cocoon. In a terrifying transmogrification, eyes glowed golden, black demon wings unfurled and a double-bladed Beam Scythe arced up to deliver a searing slice.
Heero settled into Zero just as Duo, with one proficiently executed swipe, severed the lead Aries' shoulder linkage. The return swing decapitated a pair of mobile suits baffled by the Gundam's Active Cloak.
The Zero System was forgotten. For this battle Heero would fight along side his partner using experience, skill and a goodly amount of piss and fire.
Beam Saber in hand, Zero spread its "feathered" wings and, like a banished archangel, maneuvered through a labyrinth of beams and bullets to dispense punishment and clemency.
Neither the Perfect Soldier's nor God of Death's goal was absolute slaughter. Their mission parameters had been limited to taking of a few lives to save many more and the Aries were no exception.
Both Gundams would inflict minimal damage to cripple machines while sparing the pilots inside. All Heero and Duo were obliged to do was engage and deter their opponents pending the Federation forces launching Operation Recovery.
Throughout the skirmish communication channels remained silent. No trading quips or witty banters or shouts of forewarning. Also dormant monitors divulged no sweaty faces scowled in concentration or grimaced in pain.
Deathscythe sidestepped a missile. On impact thirty meters to the right, the explosive projectile gouged out sizable chunks of ground that buffeted the mecha with dirt, stones and splintered tree roots.
Duo's retaliation was a carefully measured strike across the offender's chest meant to miss the cockpit by inches.
Heero spun in a graceful riposte, Beam Saber parrying an energy-depleted Chain Rifle's strike aimed squarely at Zero's head. Much like Duo, his reprisal was merciful as he cut the aggressor off at the knees.
*********
Thirty-two minutes later:
Disabled suits minus arms and legs, belching gray smoke, sputtering blue-white sparks and bleeding inky hydraulic fluid, littered the battle-scarred hilltop. Still determined to fight, two Titanium adversaries staggered on wobbly hip joints, but their compromised balance made them more a nuisance than a threat.
A quartet of latecomers had wisely decided retreat was the best choice. Whether the withdrawal was voluntary or they'd been recalled to Q145 was not apparent-not until a hundred shooting stars blazed through the midnight sky.
Rendered inoperative by lack of gunners, laser cannons offered mute testimony to the Gundam dissidents' expertise. Rifles and grenade launchers were fired in desperate resistance, however, the Federation's foray quickly accomplished its mission to overtake and liberate.
In less than two hours 620 male and female prisoners of war, many incarcerated for a year, gained their freedom. Nineteen Federation troops sustained minor injuries, six were transport to the Med-Center and, fortunately, there were no fatalities.
The OZ Tally: One hundred-fifty guards, eight Officers and forty-seven MS pilots were taken into custody. Fifteen were removed in body bags. Once the evacuation concluded the entire complex was blasted into pulverized dust.
*********
From their wind-swept observation point 01 and 02 stood beside Zero and Scythe to survey the aftermath with exhausted relief and traces of poignant regret. After all they'd followed orders, done their duty and 620 people had been freed from horrid maltreatment.
Still Heero couldn't forget how each unsuspecting gunner centered in his scope or how the flesh and blood target went limp when each bullet found its mark.
Duo was also experiencing his own brand of blame bordering on self-reproach. "Ready to return to base?" he wondered without looking at his Gundam partner.
Cobalt eyes blinked as if Heero had just awakened from a dream. "Yeah."
With a shrug Duo pivoted toward his black demon then paused. "Heero." was uttered so low the wind almost carried the name away.
"Hai."
"Someone once told me the wages of sin is death."
Taken aback by the unpredicted statement, Heero fixed his sight on the repentant God of Death. "That may be true," he agreed in part, "but what is the price of redemption?"
OWARI
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