Strike Force Five Part 8
Friend or Foe?
Trowa had insisted that he and Quatre wait in the helicopter for Heero and Wufei's return. In spite of Quatre's reassurances that he had recovered from their close encounter with the Security Drone Trowa decided that Quatre was still too shaky and that the chilly dampness was not the best environment for his lover.
Trowa's arms encircled Quatre's body using their shared body heat to keep each other warm. As his partner's blond head rested against his chest Trowa whispered his promises of love and protection hoping that the soothing words would lull Quatre to sleep.
Some distance from the "copter" Duo stretched atop a pitted outcrop, one of several adjacent to the ravine holding the "Lone Dragon". Spiny ridges pushed up through the sandy crust for forty or so yards then slid back below the surface. The symmetry, the flowing in and out, reminded him of a glossy serpent boring its way along the ravine's edge. He smiled as he playfully wondered which end was the serpent's head and which was the tail.
His backpack nestled snugly in an angled crevice at his feet. The woven material strained against its tightly packed contents. The seams, too, were taut as they held in what Duo prayed would be the Strike Force's avenging retribution.
Many times during the war Duo and other men and women sworn to rid their world of OZ's strangulating grip had stuck what they believed to be the final, lethal blow. In the Colonies and on Earth, with each conquest, he and his fellow freedom fighters thought the reign of terror had been ended. But the vile viper's mere decapitation had not been enough to stop the beast for each time the venous head was severed two had grown again in its place.
Now Duo knew that not until the serpent's total annihilation would the evil be destroyed. He held no delusive expectations that the small but resolute Strike Force could deliver the terminal strike. But if they could cut off one limb, slice through one artery, the resulting trauma might so weaken the one part that the whole would be critically debilitated. If each pocket of resistance could cut away one piece perhaps the entire body would bleed to death.
Duo told himself as he stared into the white mist that as much as the prospect of OZ's dismembered demise appealed to him the appendage amputation could not begin while he was waiting. Checking his watch he figured that the time for Heero and Wufei's arrival was about used up. The dense fog was closing in fast and the night chill was becoming more insistent in its attempt to convince Duo to join his comrades in the helicopter. Again he glance impatiently at his watch realizing that dawn might beat them back to the Winner estate.
A distant echo prodded Duo from his watchful state. Far off, yet definitely somewhere on the path leading into the forest, the repeated droning grew louder. A few seconds more and the hum took on a rumbling quality. It didn't take much intelligence to figure that whatever was coming Duo's way was motorized and therefore it couldn't belong to anyone he was expecting.
Grabbing up his backpack Duo pulled it and his trailing braid after him as he scrambled over the outcrop. Kneeling down behind the rough rocks Duo unsnapped his holster's safety strap freeing his pistol. All the while the echoing oscillations evened out to a steady, thunderous roar.
As Duo braced his body on the outcrop's pitted side and checked his pistol's ammo clip his prior contemplative reflections concerning the slow chopping away of OZ's body parts were renewed for consideration. What better place to start the surgical pruning than right then and there for even the simplest dissections would add up sooner or later. Like a tumorous growth eating away at his adversary's flesh, Duo saw the foe's approach as a suitable starting point to begin his revenge.
Laying another full clip by his knee just in case a small army was heading his way Duo mentally prepared himself for what he had to do. Soon the motor roar bounced over the tree line as two SCAT bikes raced into the clearing. Stopping abreast headlights flooded the area forcing Duo to duck for cover. As each headlight was switched off the concealing gloom blended again around his hiding place.
"Only two." Duo whispered pleased to see that the odds were in his favor.
The leather-clad riders cut the engines pulling the bikes back on their mounting stands. Swinging his leg over the seat one rider dismounted then crossed his ankles setting his hip against the gas tank. His partner leaned his body off center resting on the seat's raised back support.
Duo folded his right hand around the pistol's grip sliding his trigger finger through the guard. Wrapping his left hand over the first he steadied his wrist on the rocky rim. Easing up, bracing one knee against the irregular surface, he sighted down the pistol's slender barrel. With his thumb he moved the agreement lever until the front and back cross-hair circles lined up one with the other.
It wouldn't make much difference if the alignment was not exact. Duo knew that at such close range he could drop his quarry, in turn, with a pair of carefully placed bullets. Even in the swirling mist the silver stripes on the rider's jacket fronts reflected more than sufficient light to be certain of the targets. Two quick shots and justice would be metered out.
The riders talked casually unaware that their executioner was lying in waited to free their souls from their fleshy bonds. The men were too far away for their conversation to be clearly heard; only muffled voices flowed through the shiny black helmets that guarded their heads. The one leaning on his bike flipped back his face-shield but it did little to improve his voice's clarity or give Duo a hint as to the man's identity.
Duo took a deep cleansing breath then relaxed and relaced his grip on his weapon. With balanced pressure the front sight moved up one living target until the barrel's black hole centered on the Crossed Swords patch over the man's heart.
Slowly, firmly, Duo's finger drew back on the trigger. A soft click confirmed that the bullet was engaged. Sweat beaded on his forehead causing his bangs to stick in the salty moisture. With one concentrated effort Duo brought his mind and body and spirit together as the Grim Reaper's perfect partners.
As the anguished cries of those men and women who had paid the ultimate price for freedom screamed in Duo's mind, the trigger tightened again. Long ago a solemn pledge had been made...promised compensation for their suffering and loss. The time of recompense was at hand, the sights were set and there was no turning back.
The condemned rider undid his helmet's chinstrap and with a single fluid motion began to free his head from the protective covering. "Good." Duo growled as the tension on the trigger sent a shiver through his hand. "A head shot will make a nastier impression when the bodies are found."
The helmet came up; the pistol's marker scope matched its lifting. As soon as the head was cleared, the face in full view, the fatal shot would be delivered. And if the man's eyes mirrored the horror of his impending death, if only for a second before the end, so much better. Duo's finger tensed once more.
"Prepare to return to hell you bastardly son of Satan." Duo hissed with malevolent delight.
Then in a fleeting instant, one no longer than a human heartbeat, Heero's facial features materialized through the cross-hair target. Instinctive responses overruled Duo's reflex impulses. With a forceful exhalation, as his heart skipped a beat, Duo threw up the pistol's barrel, the jolting action finishing the trigger pull. The consequential discharge sent the deadly projectile ripping through the overhead tree limbs. Shredded leaves and ragged bits of bark from the shattered branches showered down pelting Duo's panic-stricken body.
As Heero scrambled for his crossbow, Wufei drew his sidearm jerking into a stiff-legged defensive stance. Aiming squarely at the outcrop attack site Wufei's pistol became a natural extension of his body as he sighted down his outstretched arm.
There was no fear in Wufei's ebony eyes instead a hardened, cold-blooded glaze washed over his enlarged pupils. It took all of his willpower to control his automatic, battle-honed reactions, to repress his inherently primordial inclination to empty the pistol's entire clip at the anonymous ambusher. Oddly something beyond Wufei's stress-heightened readiness stayed his hand. His calm inner voice was speaking, no debating, several opinion points.
*********
At the beginning of his training Wufei was not even aware of his inner voice's tangible sounds, at least none that he actually heard in his head. Until he began studying with his Sensei he did not sense anything out of the ordinary.
The first time the internal voice spoke he had dismissed the callings blaming the puzzling pronouncements on fatigue or some such ailment of his intensive training. It was not until his Master made reference to his own private counsel did Wufei disclose what he had experienced.
Wufei surmised that his "little voice" had been acquired through osmosis although he was not certain that humans were capable of such functions. His Sensei was not impressed with his student's reasoning since Wufei was but a man-child who was constantly expounding on universal truths that he was too young to understand.
As he matured in both mind and body Wufei stood by the belief that everyone had a inner guide but his Sensei warned that most people were either too busy or too prideful to heed its advise. His Master then determined that Wufei would heed and listen and so his life lessons began.
The learning process had come in gradual stages with Wufei's doubting, his unwillingness to let go and trust his feelings being his greatest hindrance. Learning to face his fears he had to overcome his uncertainty and to believe in something outside of his self-centered ego.
Initially Wufei's voice took the form of a nagging restlessness that proved to be more of a nuisance than a help. Over time, with careful attention, the bothersome whispers matured into reliable perceptions. Wufei could not recall the exact moment when he, by his free choice, acknowledged and accepted his private counsel but now it seemed that it had always been a part of him.
*********
Wufei's self-debate continued. Two points vied for consideration and resolution. The shattered branches overhanging the outcrop attested to a weapon being fired but the questions were whether the shot had been a misfire or incredibly bad marksmanship on the shooter's part. Each theory was equally valid. While the malfunction hypothesis was the more plausible explanation, one couldn't dismiss the gunman's lack of skill. However both problems could easily be corrected and to drop your guard for thinking otherwise was inviting trouble.
Heero cursed under his breath as he pushed unruly bangs from his eyes then took a defensive stand beside his comrade...crossbow cocked and ready. All either man could see through the swirling haze was the outcrop's outline but no sign of the shooter.
"What in the hell just happened?" Heero whispered sighing down the loaded arrow.
Wufei shrugged, "Sounded like a shot."
"I'll take the left side, you take the right." Heero instructed, "Let's see if we can flush out the bastard." In the blink of an eye the space where the two leather-clad riders stood was vacant.
*********
Duo sat on the ground hidden by the rocky projection. At that moment his mind was not on the splintered branches above him. Neither was his thoughts focused on his startled companions and the very real hazard they poised to his life should their alarmed sensory systems call for immediate retaliatory measures.
He could not think not while his wildly pounding heart bombarded his brain with throbbing pulsations. He covered his face with shaky hands giving into his body's uncontrolled trembling. Duo closed his eyes but images of Heero's prone, lifeless body, bloody and twisted, sprang out of their dark hollows. Pressing his knees to his chest Duo fought the seizing nauseous wave churning though his stomach. As the reality of what Duo almost did hit him with a bone-chilling shudder his coping mechanism shut down plunging him into mind-numbing lethargy.
*********
Wufei held up a cautious hand silently signaling for Heero to stay alert. Taking a step forward he maintained a watchful posture. His muscles tensed ready to react to any menacing sound or movement that might spring up from the outcrop's opaque concealment.
This standing around, Heero decided, was not only time consuming but nerve racking as well. He further decided that someone was going to give up or give in and he had made up his mind that "someone" was not going to be him. It was time for action and if prodding on his part was necessary so be it.
Heero cast a sideways glance at Wufei to make sure he was backing him up, fixed his aim then took a calculated step. "I know someone is there." he announced in a loud bold voice. "Show yourself." he demanded in an equally defiant tone.
Silence was the only reply to what Heero had hoped was a display brazen enough to cause immediate and unconditional surrender. With a puzzled look at Wufei who offered no more than raised eyebrows in return Heero had about reached his tolerance level, "All right this is it." he mumbled under his breath. "Show yourself now!" he shouted out the direct order.
*********
Heero's voice booming over the clearing stirred Duo from his guilt-induced lethargic stupor. Blinking his eyes he tried to reassemble his disjointed senses into one functioning unit. Pushing against the ground Duo was not even aware that his weapon was still clutched tightly in his quivering hand. Slowly he stood up not wanting to give a hint of fighting back.
Long shadows crossed Duo's face as he rose above the rocky rim. He hoped that Heero's impatience would not trigged his spontaneous tendency to charge ahead without prior deliberation. Duo did not want Heero's restraint for his own well being but to keep his comrade from the same near fatal mistake that he had almost made. To spare Heero from the shock of a close call and the anguish if the unthinkable did happen.
Heero's entire body tensed at the first sign of movement. His crossbow twitched as Duo's fog shrouded form rose from the rocks. An odd picture, one painted over in white mist, presented itself for inspection. Heero narrowed his eyes trying to clearly see the figure's face, to isolate the shadowy visage from the gloom. Then his eyes widened freeing Duo's full aspect from the overhead branch's dim veil.
"What in hell do you think you're doing?" Heero demanded bending his elbow aiming the razor-tipped arrow upward into a less lethal position.
Wufei joined in Heero's harsh inquiry, "Dammit Duo have you lost your mind?" he questioned Duo's sanity, "I could have splattered your brains all over the clearing."
Duo stood frozen in place taken aback by Heero and Wufei's overly stern pronouncements. Suddenly his violet eyes flashed and renewed trembling, this time borne of anger, returned as his comrade's impertinent scolding caused his high-strung nervous system to snap.
He was not the one, Duo told himself, who came speeding into the clearing perched atop strange motorized beasts and dressed up like gaudy peacocks adorned in OZ's pompous plumage. He was not the idiots who had evidently given little, if any, thought as to what kind of reception might await such an arrogant display of enemy colors.
Oh no it was not the time for Duo to explain, now was the time for teaching the bakas a lesson in common sense. Heero's brashness at what he saw as Duo's lack of proper vigilance was going to be tempered with an old fashion "dressing down". A hard frown tugged at Duo's lips. More sparks flared across his violet vision.
As Duo scrambled over the outcrop he retorted, "What do YOU damn fools think YOU are doing?" he demanded turning the question back on Heero and Wufei.
Wufei and Heero's jaws dropped at about the same rate and speed. Wufei tilted his head convinced his ears must have heard wrong. Duo ignored the Chinese man's confusion as he launched his angry counterattack.
"Look at both of you!" he exclaimed continuing his merciless tongue-lashing. "You two come riding in here decked out in this...this...OZ camouflage." he stammered, "And where did you get those SCATs?" he demanded as his already strained self-control reached the breaking point.
"I had your empty head in my sights." he informed Heero moving forward at such a rapid pace that he had the Strike Force soldier strongly considering climbing back on his SCAT and getting the hell out while he still could.
Then Duo turned his righteous wrath on Wufei, "You, my cocky friend, came very close to having your brains as you said "splatter all over the clearing"." he yelled waving his pistol about in a less than safe manner.
Duo pivoted about standing only inches from Heero. "You are not off the hook either." he proclaimed in a voice as shaky as his hand. With an exasperated nod of his head Duo slapped his sidearm back into its holster.
Duo took in hard breath determined that his temper was not going to get the best of him. Wufei cut his eyes at Heero only to find his partner in their foolhardiness directing his sigh at his knee-high boots.
"So much for letting everyone know it was us." Wufei half-whispered recalling his and Heero's pervious worries concerning their return reception.
If Heero heard the ironic statement he offered no visible acknowledgement. His eyes remained fixed downward; his shoulders bent under the weight of Duo's harsh but true words.
"Of all the damn stupid...." Duo was going on as the vision of Heero's head in his sights prompted another bout of swearing.
But Duo's words were lost somewhere outside of Wufei's comprehensive range. Suddenly the split-second between life and death now seemed shorter than ever. His and Heero's failure to hold their impulsive behavior in check had put them all at risk. Hard sighs punched inside Wufei's chest. It took all of his control to keep his quickly unraveling nerve endings from making threadbare what composure remained.
In his youth Wufei would have probably come back at Duo. Flew into an incensed fit at the very idea of being called on a mistake. It would have been everyone else's fault but his. This time, though, no quarrel would be forthcoming. Duo was absolutely right he had acted compulsively without any regard to the eventual outcome.
Heero shifted his weight as he, unlike Wufei, was clearly hearing every word. Becoming more and more uneasy with Duo's vocal condemnation he nervously looked down his jacket until the crimson Crossed Sword insignia locked with his sight. A chill crawled up Heero's spine dragging its icy tentacles along every inch until the cumulative mass numbed his body. He, too, sucked in a catching breath grappling with how one error in judgment could have forever vanquished a life.
"Well?" Duo snorted mercifully ending his justified reprimand. "What do you have to say for yourselves?" he finished with a winded puff accenting the question.
A silence followed, an utter stillness so acute that the lack of sound was, in its own way, as harsh as Duo's strident reproach. Heero dared to raise his eyes, to make direct contact with Duo's fiery violet gaze.
After a reflective pause Heero found his voice. "I guess saying that we're sorry wouldn't be enough." he reasoned, uncharacteristically humbled by Duo obvious disappointment. Wufei nodded as he, too, displayed a similar unexpected humility.
Convinced that his penitent companions had received the proper verbal chastisement, that some self-control would be applied to keep future sudden incitements to action in moderation, Duo drew in one more calming breath.
"One question." he stated. A content if not completely relaxed grin pulled at his mouth's corners. Heero braced for another barrage of admittedly well-deserved censure.
"Just exactly how did you two get all this...ah...booty?" Duo inquired allowing a full smile to break through.
Heero and Wufei related how the SCATs had come into their possession. Duo was impressed with his comrade's acquisitive skill but not wanting to undermine their recently learned humility he decided to save his praise for a later date.
Duo retrieved the explosive laden backpack and accepted congratulations from his Strike Force partners. Duo wasted no time in reminding Wufei that he had lost their bet for a beer. "And considering all the shit I have been through," he added for good measure, "I think you owe be a six pack."
As Heero and Wufei pushed the SCATs back to the helicopter the more at ease trio took turns recounting their precarious trek through the opposition's backyard.
When the retelling was finished and all the illustrative descriptions used up, Duo reconsidered withholding his praise. Again not wanting a few mistakes in judgment to overshadow their success he expressed his approval complimenting his partners on a job well done.
Heero and Wufei's accomplishments, carried out under perilous conditions, were to be admired. "You both did very well." Duo stated offering his hand, "But don't get too comfortable this is not over yet."
They did agree that the avenging time was at hand. The prospect that some advantage had been gained, that the odds had been altered in their favor gave them hope. With courage and a lot of luck the Strike Force Five would be victorious.
"When we get to the helicopter I think it would be best if I go in first and give Trowa and Quatre fair warning about you two and your OZ camouflage." Duo suggested wanting to avoid a repeat of what happened in the clearing.
Wufei shook his head in agreement, "It also might be a good idea if we don't mention the near fiasco. If the story were told the merciless mocking, no matter how good-natured, would be more than any of us should have to bear."
TBC...
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