Changes Part 2
The code still worked. Heero stepped inside the small bunker, making sure to close and secure the door behind him. Hopefully if the security system still functioned, the rest of the equipment would as well. He needed information. The pirate's shuttle had been built for stealth, but not much else. Heero couldn't even check news reports, and in the eighteen hours since he'd left the pirates' base, he'd worried about all the things he didn't know. Had the others gotten away safely? Had the Preventers shown up in time?
He flipped on the small vid screen and set it to the local network. The wreckage of the pirates' base was floating on the screen, the voice over discussing the Preventers latest 'successful mission against the pirate threat'. Heero sank down into the chair in front of the screen. So the Preventers had shown up- but what about Duo and Trowa...? Had they gotten away safely?
He pushed his hair out of his eyes, still a little startled at the color change. He'd known he could do that- change the tones of hair, skin and eyes with a thought- but he'd been rather surprised by how easy it had been, compared to all those test runs J had made him do ages ago...
Focus, he told himself and turned up the sound on the vidscreen.
The news report continued, switching to a news reporter standing in the lobby of Preventers HQ, a mob of other reporters behind her. Ah- a press conference was about to start.
Sure enough, a moment later, Une stepped out into the lobby, taking her place behind the small podium she used for press debriefings.
Heero listened as she thanked the press for attending, confirmed that there had indeed been a raid that had targeted one of the larger pirate groups in the colonies. She confirmed that this group of pirates had taken out several shuttles and attacked several smaller colonies.
"Most of the alleged pirates have been taken alive and are in secure locations. Some were critically injured during the fight, but we won't have a list of names until those bodies are identified." Une tilted her head just enough so that the light reflected off her glasses, hiding the eyes behind them. "Several Preventers were injured during the raid, and we have one casualty that hasn't been confirmed."
Some reporter called something out at that and the Commander shook her head. "His team heard him go down- but his body is missing. We are assuming the pirates spaced it or destroyed it in some way, we hope the ones we have in custody can tell us more."
Heero frowned. He'd hoped to be a confirmed casualty, but apparently the Preventers were playing it safe. Well, once they didn't find a body, he'd be declared dead and that would be the end of it. They had the information off of Duo's and Trowa's headsets- and those showed that all vital signs had ceased. That should be enough.
Une answered a few questions and left the podium. Heero sighed and leaned back in his chair. No sign of Duo or Trowa, but if he was the only casualty, then they had to be alive at least...
He cast a glance over his shoulder at the computer system in the corner. It was a bit out of date- but maybe he could use it to hack the Preventers database? Just to get the status of the other two?
"What do you want to know?" Duo's voice rasped and Heero turned back to the vidscreen.
The reporter had cornered Duo at the elevators. "Were you a part of the raid?"
Duo, still in his full gear, his headset dangling off of his neck, gave her an impatient look. "Yes."
"Can you tell us about the raid? We understand some pirates might have escaped---"
"If they did, it won't be for long." Duo's expression darkened and the reporter took a step back. "I will hunt them down all over the Earth Sphere until every last one is caught and they pay for what they did."
"Uh... such dedication! I'm sure we all will sleep better knowing you're on the job!"
Duo grinned at her, which made her take another step back. "Let's hope the pirates don't."
The elevator opened behind him and he stepped on- joined by Trowa, Heero saw with relief. Trowa put his hand on Duo's shoulder and started talking in his ear as the reporter turned back to the camera.
Heero flipped the vidscreen off. Duo and Trowa were okay- mission accomplished.
For the moment, he realized and rubbed his forehead. If they really were going to start tracking the pirates down- he had taken one of the pirates' shuttles- brought it here and sold it off. Sure, there weren't any markings, but the Preventers would be looking for those sorts of sales... and with Duo on the trail...
It might be a wise idea to move on soon.
TBC...
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