Metamorphosis Part 6
The sun late afternoon dipped lower. Long purple shadows elongated copying their hosts. Quatre and Wufei knelt at the compound's dusky border and both were fretfully aware of Heero's impetuous exploit.
Trowa, from his lofty perch in Heavyarms' cockpit, had seen Heero in the "company" of OZ Security. From the slouch of Heero's body it was obvious that the Perfect Soldier had managed to get on the guard's bad side.
"Shit!" Wufei exclaimed upon hearing Trowa's report.
Trowa tried to put the unforeseen situation in the best light. "At least we will have an idea where Zechs is. In a compound this size there shouldn't be but one Detention Unit." he reasoned, "So wherever they lock up Heero it should be in the same building as Zechs. Follow his Band signal and, hopefully, you'll find them both."
Wufei couldn't find fault in Trowa's logic. "We can't do anything about the baka's stupidity." he declared, "We are going in. Stand by and we'll let you know when we find them."
"Then you and Heavyarms can rain down some much deserved havoc on those spawns of Sheol." Quatre added his ardent expectations of OZ's impending destruction.
*********
An unguarded side door provided an easy entry point. Quatre held his automatic pistol by his hip as he carefully cracked opened the door and peered inside.
Wufei's sidearm was tucked into his belt. He had never been as ready as his fellow Gundam pilots to use weapons. His personal protection choice was his superb natural fighting ability enhanced by years of Martial Arts training. And of course an occasional bout of swordplay was never refused.
In this case, however, there was a very pragmatic reason to abstain from using guns: "GUNS MAKE NOISE--NOISE ATTRACTS ATTENTION"
The whole idea of sneaking in was to avoid "dancing" with the compound's personnel. Quiet infiltration was not only advisable but absolutely necessary. A hefty measure of judicious prudence concerning their "visit" was vital to the mission's successful completion because getting caught or killed would not be helpful to anyone.
The corridor was vacant but distant voices sounded somewhere in advance of the trespassing pair. Quatre took the lead. Wufei, copying his comrade's watchful attitude, served as rear guard. At the corner Quatre's pistol became a natural extension of the outstretched arm as he leveled it at the unseen voices.
A shadowy form moved down the hall. Quatre silently let his gun slid down palming it in his hand. If the person decided to come his way Sandrock's master was prepared to quietly and efficiently "lay him low" with a single blow. Luckily for all parties concerned the lone figure took an opposite route from their location.
"It can't be much further." Quatre declared as the small green dot on his Tracker that matched Heero's band signal flashed faster. When Heero's location was pinpointed the light would emit a continuous glow.
"I hope Zechs is with Heero." Wufei whispered.
Quatre nodded in agreement as straight ahead the voices grew louder.
Three Security guards were supposedly on watch but their lax posture conveyed an apathetic attitude. Their indifference stemmed from boredom supported by routine duty and lack of any hope of change. One nonchalant soldier puffed on what appeared to be a roughly rolled cigarette. From the strong odor drifting in the air, Quatre and Wufei had no doubts that the cigarette's ingredients were of the illegal variety.
The soldier drew in deeply, holding the bluish smoke in his lungs for as long as he could. His slow exhaling sent another cloud to join the foul haze swirling just below the ceiling. The clearly unfocused glaze over the watcher's eyes told the Gundam duet that he was floating somewhere between relaxed and very relaxed.
"Maybe this will be easier than we thought." Wufei commented watching the guard rock back on his heels with a wobbly sway.
Bracing his shoulder on the wall, the stupefied consumer inhaled once more drawing the burning end almost to his fingers. Snorting the last of the smoke through his nose, the stoned sentry flipped the spent cigarette against the hall's opposite wall where it expelled a spray of red sparks then bounced out of sight.
Quatre drew back pointing at his Tracker. "Two doors to the right.' he announced as the light glowed steadily.
With a noticeable totter the tipsy guard leaned over to retrieve the assault rifle which had slipped from his drug-loosened grasp. One of his fellow troopers grabbed his arm keeping his teammate from pitching over on his head.
Hauling the staggering man upright, his supporter cursed wildly. With creatively vulgar language the trooper voiced his slanderous analysis of his co-worker's questionable lineage. Finally the swearing soldier's scathing descriptions concluded with an equally curt comparison to some lab generated asexual sub-species.
Quatre rolled his indigo eyes at Wufei, "We don't have time to put up with this foolishness." he proclaimed as he poked his sidearm into his belt and stepped out in plain sight.
It took the distracted trio a few seconds to decide if the young man standing before them was real and if he was indeed flesh and bone what in the hell was he doing wandering around the Detention Unit? Their confusion doubted as a second mysterious figure stepped out of the shadows. Wufei issued the first summons to action gliding smoothly into a defensive stance. Hands held high at fighting level the Lone Dragon narrowed his black pupils staring down his opponents.
The guards looked blankly at each other, each waiting for the other to move first. Finally the intoxicated soldier raised his rifle, the barrel weaving as much as his body.
Wufei cocked his head with an air of obstinate pride. "You don't want to use that." he smiled nodding at the weapon, "What's wrong, can't take me without it?" he inquired with a saucy wink.
A puzzled vexation crossed the rifleman's face as the weapon drooped in his hand.
"Ah, come on." the Chinese pilot teased, "We don't have all day to duel."
Wufei's insolent demeanor quickly produced the desired results. Two guards started forward figuring to make short work of their smart-ass challenger. Wufei waited patiently giving no indication that he was either going to charge or back down.
As the rushing pair reached Wufei's attack range, he suddenly exploded into a flurry of strikes and kicks. With a blood chilling "KIAI" that echoed along the hall, the first foe was neatly dispatched with a mid-level lunge punch followed by a spinning snap kick sending the dazed trooper into the wall.
The thoroughly trounced man's partner in their ill-fated charge was stopped short by Wufei's graceful execution of a perfectly targeted and extremely lofty flying jump kick. Now two senseless soldiers laid one atop the other. One moaned; his fallen crony offered no sound or movement.
Quatre didn't bother to use the finesse of Wufei's stylish Martial Arts skills instead he reverted to simple raw, "street fighters" combat. Ramming his boot into the last guard's crotch he abruptly halted the man's forward progress. Yelping in pain the wounded watcher bent over grabbing his aching groin.
In a most sincere attempt to ease the man's misery Sandrock's master followed through with a solid uppercut under the chin swiftly ending the brawl. The cold-cocked trooper went down in a heap near his bested companions.
Satisfied with their silently accomplished victory Quatre offered his Chinese comrade a pleased smile. Chang bowed from the waist in a show of respect for a job well done.
"I hope we are in the right place." Quatre stated as he relieved one loser of a Code-Card that would unlock any of the cells.
Wufei stepped over the limp form closest to him scooping up a discarded rifle, "And that Heero and Zechs are together." he added starting off down the hall.
*********
Zechs stood his ground. Unfortunately Rico's Executive troopers did not seem impressed or threatened. Even though the longhaired man swayed, bombarded again by lancing chills, his rage-enlarged pupils never lessened their piercing glare.
"Stand aside traitor." one guard ordered bringing his weapon to bear directed on Zechs' chest.
The Rogue Ace did not move.
Rico's thug raised the targeted rifle higher, more in line with Zechs' face. "No, better yet, stand there." he stated narrowing his sight, "I would like an excuse to execute OZ's most famous renegade. So please indulge me."
The guard took a step forward. "Just give me one reason."
The second Executive stooge shook his head in agreement. "Go on shoot him." he urged, "With the bastard gone Rico's new "pet" will be completely alone. It will make it easier for the Commander to break the boy's spirit."
A leering grin broke across the sentry's lips. "And who knows, as quickly as the Commander gets bored with his new "toys" this fine, ripe plaything might end up servicing our entire squad."
"You know," the guard with the weapon trained on Zechs continued, "even for a Rebel this one's not a bad piece of ass." he grinned poking at Zechs' groin with the business end of his rifle.
"Maybe if we keep Rico happy by delivering his "pet" in good condition, he will let us have some fun."
"I heard Captain Rogers already has his sites set on this one." the second guard stated with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Yeah, maybe, but with the right request the Captain might share. What do you think Rebel? Do a good job and you might live longer." he finished reaching for Zechs' invitingly silky hair.
Zechs raised his fist batting away the sentry's hand. "I would rather be dead." he announced with an icy glare.
A strange half-smile tugged the guard's lips. "Yeah but then you couldn't save your lover boy."
"I will kill him myself before I let you touch him." Zechs swore sincerely.
"Really?"
The Lightning Baron's eyes narrowed into steel-blue slits. "If I have too."
Without warning the rifle came around. The length of the cold, hard barrel caught Zechs under the jaw. A shockwave coursed up from jaw to temple in seconds before the sharp jolt ended in an explosion in Zechs' brain that rocked him backwards.
As Zechs' legs gave out, the guard grabbed a fistful of silver mane using the gathered tresses to force Zechs to his knees. Another hard yank pushed Zechs' face into the guard's pant's front.
"Like I said." the man declared using a rougher jerk to keep the rebel's head centered. "Do a good job and you might live a little longer."
"Hey!" the sentry's partner called. The grip on Zechs' platinum locks twisted sideways turning his head so he could see to his right. The second soldier copied his counterpart pulling Heero into a seated posture by a firmly attached handful of hair. A tug snapped Heero's head back sharply and held it while a pistol was pressed to his temple.
"You're so damn anxious to protect your lover, even to the point of killing him. Let's see just how far you're willing to take this." he hissed, "Do you really want your whore dead?" Well, make up your mind, I don't have unlimited patience."
Zechs' sight locked on Heero's pain-glazed eyes. There was no pleading in their dull pupils. Nothing to show fear of dying or, maybe, the fear of living knowing what abuse awaited both him and Zechs.
Zechs closed his eyes hoping that if he hesitated the guard would make the decision for him and free his friend from a fate worse than death. Then he drew in a breath knowing deep in his soul that he could never hurt Heero...that the sentry had indeed called his bluff.
If there was even a slim chance they could escape, if giving into the lustful sentry's wishes might buy some time. If Zechs could stall just long enough to give the Heero's comrades a chance to rescue them. If that's what it took.
"Well!" The guard jerked Zechs' head back around.
"All right." Zechs whispered then began to unzip the guard's pants.
Heero struggled against Rico's trooper's firm grip. "Zechs, no." he whimpered weakly. Ignoring the painful pull on his hair Heero gritted his teeth as the pistol bore deeper into his temple.
Zechs didn't turned away from his impending duty. He could not let Heero see his anguished expression. What he was about to do was for Heero's sake and, perhaps, it would buy the extra time they needed.
"No." Heero begged as he could do nothing but watch the horror unfold.
"Damn it Heero, shut up!" Zechs growled, "Just shut the hell up!"
Tightening his tangled fingers, keeping Zechs' face centered the guard literally purred in anticipation. That's right play nice and we won't hurt the boy." he grinned with a licentious gleam in his eyes.
Zechs' fingers fumbled with the unzipped fly pulling the seam apart. The sentry's penis sprang from the opening swollen and already wet. The lecherous man thrust his hips forward stopping inches from the submissive Rebel's mouth.
"All the way in." he ordered with a hard tug on Zechs' hair. "And do it slow I don't want to come too soon."
Zechs' hand wrapped around the hot, quivering center of sexuality. The guard tossed back his head in an expectant posture eager to feel Zechs lip's supple fondling.
Suddenly the enamored trooper straightened sharply but not from Zechs touch. The controlling hand slipped from his mane with a startled release.
"If you don't want your shit-for-brains splattered all over this room." a familiar baritone voice stated, "You will drop the rifle."
Wufei's face appeared over the shocked sentry's shoulder. His ebony eyes were filled with fire and his angry expression made Zechs glad he wasn't in the guard's shoes.
"Are you all right?" his Chinese comrade asked.
Zechs let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "I am now."
Quatre, pistol in hand, stepped up beside Wufei. His normally gentle eyes locked onto the man still grasping Heero's hair with an angry acidic glare. His pistol's hollow end, with unwavering aim, fixed its sight's dead center between the Executive guard's eyes.
"I'll kill him!" the desperate man shouted shoving his already targeted weapon harder into Heero's temple.
Quatre stone cold stare never wavered as it bore straight into the quaking man's soul. "If I get the slightest notion you are going to do anything to Heero." he stated with a chilled edge that cut through his words, "I will take you out so fast that your heart will stop beating long before the rest of your body realizes you are dead."
The guard, now totally convinced of Quatre's sincere intentions to do bodily harm, fully complied with the no-nonsense request. Without moving a muscle except to loosen his grip and let the weapon slip from his quivering fingers he signaled his unconditional surrender.
Still too stunned to comprehend his freedom, Heero make no attempt to move. With his weapon keeping its deadly aim Quatre moved to his comrade's side and offered his hand. "Come on Heero let's go home."
Heero blinked then realization flickered over his confused sight. "Quatre?"
"Give me your hand."
Cautiously Heero lifted his hand. Quatre took it in a firm grasp and pulled his brother-in-arms to his feet. Then without any encouragement from Quatre, Heero scrambled to the side well out of his former captor's reach.
With extra effort Zechs stood up and moved forward until he was face to face with his OZ tormenter. The fear-struck soldier drew back as he saw sparks flash in the Lightning Baron's steel blue eyes. But his retreat was promptly cut short as he bumped into Wufei.
"This is for Heero." Zechs growled plowing an anger-clenched fist into the trooper's stomach. "And this is for me." he finished with a powerful punch that impacted with a sickening crunch.
The sputtering soldier's head snapped sideways with a sharp POP. Color washed from his face just before vacant eyes rolled backwards and his limp body hit the floor with a bone-jarring thud.
"Is he dead?" Wufei wondered leaning around his enraged friend.
Zechs directed his pitiless sight at the heap of flesh and bone crumpled at his feet. He shrugged poking the twisted figure with the toe of his boot.
"Who cares." was all he said before turning towards the door.
"Let's get out of here." Wufei instructed as he guided Heero in line behind Zechs.
"What about this one?" Quatre called after his exiting teammates.
Zechs slowed his pace but didn't look around. "Do what you want."
A broad smile curled the corners of Sandrock master's mouth. "What I want." he repeated with a strange sense of delight in his voice.
The unarmed trooper, helpless on his knees, swallowed hard but the dry lump wouldn't go down. Quatre took two long strides. Now he stood only inches from the quaking OZ trooper.
"Please." The single word was whispered through a throat constricted with fear.
Quatre's callous stare remained fixed. It gave no clue as to his impending actions, revealed nothing to tell the petrified soldier what revenge was to be visited upon him.
"Please...don't." the trembling trooper begged.
"I bet Heero asked the same thing." The pistol rose in line with the guard's colorless face. A peculiar gleam flickered in Quatre's deep indigo eyes.
Now totally terrified the man was held spellbound by the blond boy who seemed so much older than his years. There was a ruthlessness mirrored in Quatre's hardened gaze that was borne from his loss of innocence and tempered by the fire of combat.
"Prepare for your punishment." Quatre announced with an icy tone that sent chills coursing up the soldier's spine.
Like a striking snake Quatre's foot sprang up with a front kick that hooked under the OZ employee's nose. Blood gushed with such force that it splattered his boot with tiny spots of crimson. The man let out a throaty grunt, balled up then pitched over without another sound.
A satisfied sigh flowed over Quatre's lips. "You don't always have to kill to prove your point." he stated as his trailed his fellow rebels down the hall.
*********
At the forest's edge, well clear of the compound's interference field, Wufei contacted Trowa who was waiting impatiently in Heavyarms.
"We have them." Wufei's succinct message announced through the cockpit's speaker.
Trowa straightened in his seat. "Are they all right?"
"They're a bit ragged around the edges but they'll live." His Chinese comrade reported.
Quatre's voice sounded over the open channel. "Give those OZ bastards a taste of hell for me lover."
"Coming in hot!" Trowa exclaimed.
TBC...
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