A Reason for Living Part 5
Sorting Out the Players

01 cracked open one eye and squinted at his watch. Processed through his groggy brain the digital numbers blurred into a fuzzy red spot. Several blinks brought the readout into clear focus...10:15 am.

Rolling onto his back Heero closed his eyes, let out a heavy sigh then gradually opened them to allow the bloodshot orbs to adjust to the mid-morning light. Luckily the curtains were shut and the thickly lined material kept most of the brightest at bay.

With extreme caution he stretched his arms over his head until the extended posture produced a barely audible pop along his spine. Bracing his elbows on the bed Heero sat up slowly, which was the only speed his liquor-abused body could manage.

He was vaguely aware of certain scents wafting to his nose. The aroma of coffee and strawberry or maybe cherry was easily recognized but there was also an odd odor, a fusion of sweet and spicy there defied identification.

In his peripheral vision Heero could just make out wavy wisps of white that curled and swirled in no particular pattern. Redirecting his sight toward the ghostly images hovering in the corner Heero discovered that the source was three burning incense sticks in a holder on the floor.

On the floor beside the aromatic rods Wufei, dressed solely in his black hakama pants, sat in a lotus position...eyes closed and hands relaxed on his knees. His freshly shampooed hair framed his face in shimmering strands and his expression was a perfect picture of serenity.

"How can he sit like that?" Heero muttered under his breath. The imitation of a pretzel looked very uncomfortable.

Not wanted to disturb his partner's meditation Heero slipped out of bed and fumbled around for his trousers that had somehow found their way under the bed. He quickly learned that bending over with his head lower than his body caused his brain to shift off-center. With an involuntary moan he joined Wufei on the floor.

"Good morning." 05 said without opening his eyes. In his mind's eye he could see Heero sitting in his boxers, hair tousled and a shadow of dark stubble on his chin.

Rubbing his throbbing temples Heero gave an acknowledging grunt in response to his partner's cheery greeting.

Wufei breathed in steadily through his nose then exhaled over his slightly parted lips. His opened ebony orbs locked on his colleague who was definitely suffering from last night's alcohol aftereffects.

"The coffee is still hot." Wufei untangled his legs, sat up on his knees and blew out the incense.

Tying up his robe as he walked over to Heero the Chinese agent squatted down at eyelevel. "You need a shower then food." he declared offering his hand.

Heero took Wufei's hand and groaned as both his head and body protested the movement. "Sit." Wufei ordered as he guided Heero's boxer-clad butt down on the bed.

Wufei turned on the shower, tested the temperature then returned to retrieve his partner. With 05's encouragement Heero slipped out of his boxers and stepped into the steamy mist.

After making sure that Heero was stable enough to be left on his own, Wufei went to Heero's suitcase gathered boxers and socks then selected an outfit of navy blue trousers and a lightweight blue and white striped sweater.

Heero stood with his hands braced on the wall so that the warm water washed over his head and down his back.

"Have you drown?" Wufei inquired as he hung the clean cloths on a hook. Again some sort of fractured sentence was muttered from behind the shower curtain.

"Wash your hair and don't take all morning." 05 ordered.

This time Wufei was able to understand a few words of Heero's reply. "Fuck" and "Bloody Bastard" were the most complimentary of the obscenities aimed in his direction.

*********

"Now you look human." Wufei commented as Heero emerged from the bathroom washed up, clean shaven and dressed.

Heero sat at a small table by the window. Wufei poured a cup of strong coffee. Heero sipped the dark liquid then asked. "Why don't you ever get a hangover?"

"Mind over matter, I tell my body not to get sick." Wufei answered, "I'm going to get dressed then we will see what sights Hamburg has to offer."

Two strawberry muffins worked wonders to improve Heero's hangover and his attitude. He was finishing his second cup of coffee when 05 came out of the bathroom dressed in tan trousers and a black long-sleeve turtleneck shirt. He hair was tied back in the usual ponytail.

As Wufei pulled on his ankle-high leather boots he declared, "I suppose we should call Commander Une with a status report."

Heero considered the suggestion, "Let's see...you hung around the docks while I went to a seedy tavern to meet Weisman. The crazy German and I snooped around a rusty steamer and found nothing but rats and one possible clue in the hold. Weisman and I were discovered, we got to play with two bad guys and their vulgar shipmate then you killed a sniper and all three of us got sloshed. Does that about cover the report?"

"A lot of action but no substance." Wufei agreed, "We could always make something up."

Heero wiped muffin crumbs from his lips, "We leave for Switzerland in the morning. After we arrive we'll call in and make something up then."

*********

The next morning found 01 and 05 on a plane bound for Geneva, Switzerland. The season was late spring and the snow Heero so fondly remembered had melted away. Mingled patches in multi-hues of green lay out below as their flight descended into Cointrin International Airport.

After clearing customs the agents were approached by a man inquiring if Heero was Mr. Yuy from Aero-Tech. Heero slipped into his cover as naturally as if he did indeed work for Aero-Tech.

Mr. Yuy and his associate Mr. Chang were escorted to a helicopter for a flight that would put them in Montreux before noon. As the helicopter flew high above the gleaming waters of Lake Geneva, well out of earshot of anyone with a listening device on the ground, the pilot formally introduced himself.

"I'm Marty Ross, Central Division, Switzerland. Glad to have you both aboard."

Une says you're a good man," Heero complemented as he shook Ross's hand, "and a fairly good pilot." he teased.

"I suppose that depends on whom you talk to. Here is the latest recon information concerning your assignment." Ross said handing Heero two large envelopes.

One envelope contained the grounds layout for the complex currently being used by Khushrenada Electronics which included floor plans for all the main buildings. According to the enclosed map the complex sat outside of Montreux at the base of the Bernese Alps. Heero recalled that Khushrenada had a chalet in the Alps.

Wufei opened the second envelope and pulled out the most recent surveillance photos of Treize Khushrenada, Zechs Merquise and the mysterious Duo Maxwell. Of course Heero took a few extra minutes to study Mr. Maxwell's picture closely. Not only was Maxwell naturally handsome but from the list of colleges he attended it appeared that he had the intelligence to match his looks. One thing was certain, Duo Maxwell was not just another technology nerd with software for brains.

A fourth picture was of a large man known only as Septum. "We're not sure where this bastard fits in." Ross indicated towards the picture with a nod of his head.

Heero's fingers tightened around the photo's edge hard enough to wrinkle the stiff paper. "If Septum is involved it is not good." he stated from first-hand experience.

Septum had all the charms of a Southern gentleman and the lethal temperament of a pit viper. He had a morbid fixation with anything bladed...the longer, the sharper, the better. He also had a nasty habit of showing up just before someone turned up dead. But he wasn't the "company" type, as he preferred his jobs to be on a free-lance basis.

Septum and Heero had a long and violent history. There were warrants out for the madman in just about every country around the world. Last year 01 and an American Interpol agent almost caught Septum in Bolivia but the snake slithering away into the jungle. After that near miss, Heero swore that one way or the other, their next meeting would be their last.

"Yes," Heero thought to himself, "if Septum is connected with Khushrenada in any way it meant deadly trouble."

*********

The Le Montreux Palace Hotel dominated a hillside overlooking the Grand Rue. The Rue followed the busy shoreline of Lake Geneva. The afternoon sun glimmered on the waterfront and glittered over the vividly colorful silken sails unfurled before the breeze. Pleasure crafts of the rich and powerful bobbed in their slips rocked by the constant ripples produced by powerboats, launches and water taxies.

As Heero and Wufei registered the desk manager confirmed that their reserved suite was ready and the car that had been requested was waiting in the parking area. The suite's sitting room brightened as the porter pulled back the satiny drapes to revealed a wide double window and a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Rue and Lake Geneva's azure water.

Pastel tones of beige and peach accented the tastefully appointed room. Amenities such as fresh flowers and a well stocked bar added to the gracious atmosphere of the Montreux Palace.

While Wufei gave a generous tip to the bellboy Heero organized his belongings on the bed. He opened Howard's briefcase wanting to be certain that everything was secure.

The gadgets were simpler this time, no laser beams or jet packs, but that suited 01. Instincts and street smarts were Heero's weapons of choice. But he ever turned down help of any kind especially where "Uncle" Howard's brand of assistance was concerned.

Wufei joined his counterpart looking over their new "toys". He noticed a tab on the inside lid and pulled. As the false top came down a wide grin filled 05's face. Nestled snuggly in its own space a Walther P38 gleamed silver against the black velvety lining.

"Howard you old devil," Heero shook his head as the regulation weapon was discovered, "still determined as ever."

After a quick shower Heero picked out a smartly tailored gray suit. A silky black shirt, a silver and wine striped tie and a wine pocket square completed the stylish outfit. He much preferred more casual attire, usually something not so stuffy but he had to put on the camouflage of a businessman for his meeting with Herr Khushrenada.

Once again Heero chose to ignore the Walther and slipped his Beretta into his coat's inside breast pocket. He stood before a full-length mirror to check if the gun interfered with the line of the suit.

"Nice." Wufei commented.

"Only the best for Khushrenada." Heero grinned.

Wufei checked the chip on his pistol and stored it away in the shoulder holster under his jacket. "I'm meeting Ross to go over the surveillance information and see where there might be kinks in Khushrenada's armor. Call me when you get back."

*********

Khushrenada Electronics sat in a flat plane framed by the rising foothills of the Alps. As Heero drove along the complex's private road he stopped the car in the last bend before the security gate to spy from a discreet distance. He picked out at least four main buildings recognizing each one from the layout supplied by Ross.

01 presented his business card and false identification for Aero-Tech to the security guard at the gatehouse. After a conformation call to the main office the guard issued him a visitor's pass and gave directions to correct building.

Activity picked up as Heero drove deeper into the maze of buildings, warehouses and access roads. The desired office was located in a two story gray stone building in the heart of the continuous action. Once inside he handed his card to a woman at the reception desk announcing his appointment with Herr Khushrenada then followed the woman to a receiving area down the hall.

Heero made a mental note of each exit just in case a hasty departure became necessary but he felt sure that there would be no need for a hurried retreat. He was standing by a large window watching a line of trucks roll by when a voice called from behind. "Mr. Yuy."

Turing around he found a slender woman in a form-fitting red dress standing in the doorway. She was put together nicely with a trim figure and long legs that seemed to go on forever. By far her best feature was the cascade of blond hair that hung well passed her waist and fluffed in wispy strands around her high cheekbones. The color was not bright but a pale shade of gold and Heero immediately decided that the shade suited her well.

"Mr. Yuy, I'm Dorothy Catalonia, Mr. Khushrenada's Executive Secretary." she smiled offering her hand.

Heero was a bit surprised that since Catalonia's job put here so close to the German industrialist that her picture had not been included in Khushrenada's dossier or the latest recon report.

"Ms. Catalonia." Heero replied. As his hand closed around hers he noticed the jingle made by the charms on her bracelet hitting together.

"Mr. Khushrenada is waiting." Dorothy informed as she guided Heero to the door. They stepped across the hall to Khushrenada office.

Treize Khushrenada was a tall, well-built man with platinum blond hair and ice blue eyes that instantly captured your attention and held it with a commanding gaze. He greeted Heero with an aristocratic accent that spoke of a lineage of wealth and power. Khushrenada had a certain charismatic charm but Heero's instincts told him that the German's genteel facade was as deceptive as quicksand.

The two businessmen wasted no time in getting to the particulars of their meeting. Mr. Yuy expressed his company's interest in a contract on electronic switching systems for communication equipment produced by Aero-Tech. Heero proposed an exclusive deal especially if the Altron Corporation was included as a subcontractor.

Heero continued to stroke Khushrenada's ego heaping praises on everything from his many successful commercial ventures to his reputation as an excellent skier and a champion horseman. Via his own brand of charm 01 wove a web of fabrication until Khushrenada was completely ensnared by the flattery.

The German promptly agreed that he and Aero-Tech could have a profitable arrangement and promised Khushrenada Electronics and Altron's full cooperation. Then he called in Ms. Catalonia and asked her to supply the designs and descriptions of their various products for Mr. Yuy's inspection.

Heero promised to look over all the information and contact Khushrenada as soon as his employer made the final decision. Mr. Khushrenada and Mr. Yuy parted with a handshake and a promise of considerable profit for each company.

As he walked down the hall Heero was left with three strong impressions. Firstly with Khushrenada's knowledge, technology and resources the guidance disruptors could easily be produced making the German and possibly Merquise his prime suspects.

Secondly if a potential buyer mistook Khushrenada's sophistication and suave manner for a lack of shrewd business savvy they would be in for a rude revelation. Treize Khushrenada knew his company inside and out and knew how to manage his numerous assets to the fullest degree.

Thirdly the German was not to be taken lightly in anything...business or personal. He was a ruthless competitor who would not let anyone interfere with him reaching his goals and a dangerous man who rewarded disloyalty with brutal swiftness.

01's inner voice told him that he was indeed on the right track but that the path must be tread carefully or the he, 05 and the mission could quickly come to a dead end.

Ms. Catalonia accompanied Mr. Yuy to the main doors expressing her expectations that a mutual arrangement could be worked out. But the flash in her blue eyes and the way her hand lingered on Heero's as he took the product profiles conveyed more than a mere interest in a successful sale. Even the inflection in her voice put Heero on notice that the blond was hoping to invest in more than just products and profits. Ms. Catalonia left no doubt about the kind of business that she hoped to become engaged in and no doubt that Mr. Yuy was her ultimate objective.

Before Heero turned to leave, Dorothy took a small white business card from her pocket. Her bracelet charms tinkled together as she wrote across the card's back: 7:00 pm--main conference room--tonight.

"What's this?" 01 wondered running his thumb along the card's edge.

Dorothy aligned her eyes until they locked with Heero's, "An invitation." she answered, "Mr. Khushrenada is having a reception tonight for his business colleagues and Division Presidents. I thought you might like to attend, maybe you can make some useful contacts. I'll leave your name at the front desk."

"And if I do show up," Heero smiled, "will there really be a reception or just you lying in wait?"

"Mr. Yuy, you don't truly believe I would be so brazen, do you?"

*Anymore so,* Heero thought to himself, *and she would be all over me here and now.*

Dorothy's words brought Heero back from his thoughts, "Please come tonight and enjoy yourself. Then we will see what might happen with the rest of the evening."

"Alright." Heero accepted as he figured the reception would be a perfect opportunity to observe all the players in one place.

Dorothy followed Heero to the outside steps. The sun shimmered over her golden hair while the gentle breeze stirred the lengthy tresses adding more sparkle to the silken strands.

"See you tonight." she offered her hand and the bracelet made music to the motion.

"Interesting bracelet." Heero commented as Dorothy's hand lingered in his.

The flirtatious female slipped her hand from Heero's hand. She raised her wrist at eye level. "Each charm is a symbol for luck and is designed to please the Fates." she stated with a twinkle in her deep blue eyes. "Perhaps luck will accompany you tonight."

"Perhaps." Heero responded with a respectful bow.

*********

Just before Heero's car reached the gatehouse he passed a man walking around the curved sidewalk towards the main office. Immediately 01 recognized the striking features and the unmistakable long braid. Duo Maxwell was indeed as handsome as his pictures.

For some reason Heero wasn't surprised to see Mr. Maxwell, after all the entire afternoon had been a series of unexpected events. "One more player." he thought as the man's easy strides carried him effortlessly along the curved walkway.

Heero decided that he liked the way the braid's tip bounced on Maxwell's trim backside. "Duo Maxwell," Heero whispered, "I wonder what you are up to."

TBC...

 

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