Metamorphosis Part 2
"Heero." a voice called in a faraway tone. "Heero wake up."
Heero blinked bringing a fuzzy image into focus. Quatre leaned closer, his silky blond bangs slipping over one eye.
"Come on, get up. We have rescue plans to make."
The quartet of rebel pilots sat around a large table overspread with site maps and a rough sketch of the OZ Compound Headquarters. Since time wouldn't permit any extensive area reconnaissance, the plan for Zechs retrieval had to be kept as simple as possible.
Sending someone in a Gundam for a "fly-over" was discussed, debated and quickly dismissed. In spite of Deathscythe's stealth capability, even if the "Death Angel from Hell" didn't register on the radar monitors, they could not take the chance it would be detected.
If OZ had the slightest notion that something was not right they would go on the defensive. If so, they might transfer Zechs to a maximum security facility making the rescue more difficult and dangerous, if not impossible. Zechs newly found allies had to come to a decision fast and implement a workable plan without delay.
"Nothing we do goes off exactly right anyway." Heero announced with a frustrated sigh.
Trowa slouched in his seat stretching his long legs, "I still can't believe what Zechs did. I understand his reason...but...I just don't know." he conceded to his confusion.
"The only reason OZ agreed to the exchange is because Zechs is a far more valuable prize." Wufei declared, "They can use his Court Martial as an effective example of how OZ deals with traitors. What better way to dissuade any further dissension in the ranks."
Trowa sighed rubbing his temples as stress, lack of sleep and eyestrain combined into a nagging headache, "Hell the propaganda value alone was worth giving up Duo."
Quatre shook his head in agreement as his fretted sight was drawn to Duo's pale form. "Do you think we will find Zechs alive?"
Trowa pulled in his legs, "Yeah, OZ can't get the necessary "Brass" together for their flashy pseudo-trial sooner than four or five days. I guess this is one time it is to our advantage to be in the fringe sectors.
Anyway they can't afford to kill Zechs. If he is dead they couldn't parade him around to show off their prize trophy. No, he's alive, but what kind of shape he'll be in when find him, well, we will deal with that when we get him out."
*********
Bent into a compact fetal curl Duo panted in labored breaths. Heero had worked for over an hour to cool him down. Despite his best efforts he knew by the asthmatic wheezing rattling in Duo's chest that the stubborn fever was making another assault run.
The anxiety of losing his friend had stirred strange sentiments in Heero. Before Duo's release he told himself that it was the strain of worry. "When we get Duo back," he augured against the disquiet sensations, "everything will be all right."
But the odd emotions had not faded with Duo's return. Certain passions lingered in a tenderness that, until then, Zero's Master had successfully kept shrouded in his soul's darkest regions. These resurfaced feelings were no longer compelled by fear but by a genuine sense of caring. As Heero's partner faded away and he could do nothing to halt the dire downwards slide he found it was harder to guard his heart.
This ardent intensity had aroused an uneasy sexual reaction that had taken Heero completely by surprise. Yet in its pure, innocent simplicity the newly discovered sensuality seemed the next natural step in Duo and Heero's maturing relationship. The next phase in their journey to, perhaps, becoming lovers.
Sitting on the bed, Heero held Duo's limp hand. Despite his constant care nothing seemed to ease the horrific hallucinations that Duo's fever-struck mind generated. Nothing vanished the OZ induced visions plaguing each psychotic dream.
Wringing out a cool cloth Heero wiped over Duo's hot forehead. "Shit he's burning up." he hissed as his frustration boiled to surface. He had to find a way to fight the steady deterioration before dehydration claimed Duo's body and madness claimed his mind.
Driven by desperation Heero gently brushed his mouth over Duo's parched lips. "Duo." he called.
Duo's eyelids parted but his dull eyes displayed an unfocused stare. Sliding his hand under Duo's shoulders Heero used a second kiss to encourage his feverish friend awake. "Duo look at me." he ordered moping back damp bangs from his partner's vague sight.
Duo's once bright violet eyes slid partly shut then reopened with some marginal improvement. "Heero?" the name struggled through a raspy throat.
"Drink this." Heero urged softly pressing a glass of water to Duo's dry mouth.
The first taste of liquid washed over running away at his mouth's corner. He elevated Duo's head a little higher and tried once more. The next drink trickled inside gathering at the base of his tongue. He slowly increased the flow until enough water pooled inside to allow Duo to swallow.
Duo's dehydrated system begged for more moisture, the meager amount triggering his thirst response. A trembling hand enfolded over Heero's hand. Shaking with frantic pleading in his touch Duo applied persuasive pressure tipping the glass too quickly. The water coursed down his throat before his impaired reflexes could cope with the flood.
Strangulated contractions, to keep the fluid from his windpipe, racked Duo's frail body with rattling fits of chocking. The strong gagging retched through his throat threatening to bring up what little water Duo has already swallowed.
Heero tightened his support as a violent shudder followed each pain-laden seizure. "Take it easy." he whispered shoring up his embrace, "Come on Duo, breathe!" he ordered as each gasp for air stuck in Duo's restricting throat.
Heero rubbed Duo's back, "Damn it breathe." Gradually the spasms decreased in severity. Slowly he began to take in more regulated respirations.
Suddenly Duo's eyes widened and his entire body tensed. "Make them stop." he begged weakly raising a quivering hand to ward off his recurring delusional mental mirages.
"Shhhhh." Heero sighed hoping that his comrade's almost depleted stamina would not abandon him totally. Intercepting Duo's hand Heero intertwined his fingers. "I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you." he pledged.
Giving into his own fading fortitude Heero collapsed resting his forehead on his frail friend's clammy arm. "Duo please don't leave me." he implored finally giving in to his helplessness.
That night Heero moved to Duo's bed. Every night after that he cradled his gentle comrade's fragile body. In the darkness Heero would lay awake watching Duo twitch and listening to him moan as he battled his twilight demons.
And each night Heero Yuy would hold Duo's cross and do something he seldom did...pray that the lost wounded warrior would soon find his way home.
*********
Heero's communicator's open channel hissed with static, "Wufei can you hear me?"
Heero had felt an acute sense of urgency since the rescue team left the Rebel Base. He knew that Duo was in good hands, Sally Po promised she would not leave his side until the team's return, still each passing moment multiplied Heero's worry.
The overwhelming desire to get back to Duo tugged at his mind and heart but he couldn't let the vexing sensations cloud his thinking. All his mental focus had to be sharp if the mission was to be successful.
"Chang!" he called again. "Where in the hell is he?"
Quatre's voice popped over the com-link. "Are you ready to go in?"
"Yeah, but I can't reach Wufei."
"He's taking the long way around." Quatre advised, "The hills are blocking the signal."
Heero checked his watch. "I can wait much longer."
"I'm moving in now." Quatre replied, "Go on, Wufei will catch up."
Heero paused where the forest and the enemy's real estate met. Several portable storage units, thoughtfully stacked by some considerate OZ lackey, provided the perfect transition point from outside to inside.
The gradual introduction was just as well, Heero knew he and his teammates would have to dodge the "unfriendly" residents soon enough. It was certainly a comfort to know that Trowa and Heavyarms were standing at the ready should his Gundam's ruthless destructive force be needed.
But Trowa would have to hold his place until Zechs' detainment cell was located. They couldn't risk Zechs being hurt or killed as the result of "friendly fire" from Trowa's massive mecha.
The Gundam quartet and eight men from Quatre's personal Maganac Corp, merged into the compound from each side. Stealthy, carefully, the freedom fighters narrowed the circular dimensions of their encroachment.
Checking his watch again Heero peered around a building's side. Soldiers, techs and Officers mingled among the steady traffic moving around the stronghold's center. A few meters in any direction and Heero could "reach out and touch" any brand of OZ employees he wished.
However becoming "pals" with OZ was not Heero's wish or goal, finding Zechs was. But how to pick out the correct location among the twenty or so structures without being caught, now that was the trick.
The trespassing insurgents had been equipped with Tracker Bands. These handy devises "linked" through a scrambled signal allowing everyone to know where each member was at all times. Much to everyone's frustration Zechs was not wearing a Tracker so his prison location remained a mystery.
Before the exchange of Zechs for Duo, Heero had debated, rather harshly, about Zechs wearing the devise. Heero augured if the Tracker was found Zechs would be put in more danger. He further contended that the Lightning Baron could not afford to antagonize the OZ Officials because most of them would just as soon shoot the rogue Ace on sight.
Zechs had angrily countered stating that the decision was his alone to make without some hotshot Gundam flyboy's opinion.
Trowa's cooler head prevailed. He pointed out if, even with Heero's threat of total annihilation at Wing Zero's hand, OZ might still retract their deal and keep Duo. If Zechs gave OZ any reason, no matter how lame, to suspect him the High Commander might accuse Duo of being a coconspirator putting both prisoners in the same dangerous plight.
Considering that Heero's was always methodical in his actions, that he did not do anything without thorough planning for every possible contingency, he was surprised to find himself resisting the urge to snag the first OZ soldier he encountered, press a pistol to his head and say the hell with planning.
Suddenly the strangest thought flickered through Heero's mind. He recalled an argument that he and Duo had just a week before the failed mission. Ironically he had been irritated with Duo's lack of patience.
Heero had pointed out that Duo's tendency to make spur of the moment decisions was his major weakness and that explained why he often got the worse of the fight. Patience, after all, was not Duo Maxwell's most virtuous quality.
Duo had stood there with a smug smile and refuted Heero's critical analysis. "Lighten up." he replied to his partner's opinion concerning his lack of prudent restraint, "Sometime you have to stop listening to logic and trust your instincts."
Instincts. The advice echoed in Heero's head. He had to put his intuitive powers to work to ferret out Zechs. "Find Zechs." he mumbled drawing back into the shadows as a land transport passed near his hiding spot.
"What is the easiest way to find Detention?" he asked lowly under his breath. "To find detention you get caught."
*This is not a game.* Heero's inner voice warned against any reckless action.
"I know." he whispered. "But I have to find Zechs to save Duo and I can't wait. Forgive my impulsiveness." he begged his council's pardon as the gripping sense of urgency intensified.
Heero's cobalt eyes flashed with a malevolent glare. "Get ready you bastards, I'm coming."
Laying his pistol by the building's corner Heero Yuy set aside his logic, took in a steadying breath and stepped out into an uncertain future.
TBC...
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