Him to Die Part 7
"... we have captured pilot 02. He will die within the week unless pilot 01 turns himself over to us for justice...." The news anchor's face replaced the picture of Duo. "This was sent to the studio from an organization known as the Pride of White Fang..."
Heero watched the surprise cross Duo's face and waited for the anger he was sure would follow.
"White Fang? Again? But...?"
"Pride of White Fang," Heero corrected and pulled up a file. "A terrorist group- supposedly the survivors or family members of the originals. I've followed them for a bit, but this is the first time they've tried something big."
Duo leaned over his shoulder, scanning the report. "Do they have that kind of money?"
"They could. They hint that they have powerful backers."
"Well, I can think of at least two people who are pretty damn powerful at the moment- and who used to belong to White Fang. What do you think?"
"I thought of that." Heero sighed and rubbed his eyes. "But-"
"One of them is on Mars."
"And the other one is on Relena's staff."
Duo's eyebrow arched. "Well, maybe even Relena can't please everyone, hm?"
"It's possible." Heero nodded. "I haven't found any connections, but- to be honest, there are a lot of these little groups and most, well-"
"Just make a lot of noise- understandable. So, we need to do a little research."
"I think that would be a good idea."
Duo's lips curved in a smile. "Bet you've already started."
Heero tilted his head towards the laptop beside him. "As soon as I saw the broadcast the first time."
"One thing I don't get," Duo snagged a chair and pulled himself up to the laptop. "Why trade me for you? I did my share of damage-"
"Who says they actually plan to trade anyone? They hired me as an assassin- not a jailer."
"So it's a trap."
"More than likely." Heero was surprised Duo hadn't gotten angry yet. "I am sorry. I didn't know this was tied to me- if I did, I wouldn't have dragged you into this-"
"Hey, no worries." Duo patted his shoulder. "They dragged me in- not you. What are you going to do?"
"Haven't figured that part out yet." Heero frowned at the file. "They want me to surrender to them- but no place or time was mentioned. Otherwise-"
"You'd run right in."
"Not run, but-"
"No. Not an option." Duo tapped the screen, pulling up the news report again. "Wanna bet that the other three have seen this?"
"It is a sphere broadcast."
"Did you send them a warning earlier?"
"Of course."
"So, let's see if they have any ideas. Q was always good at that strategy stuff- and it wouldn't hurt to have some extra firepower."
Extra firepower sounded good at the moment. Heero pulled up his email program and blinked at the screen. "Hn."
"What?" Duo looked and laughed at the messages already in the box. "Oh, looks like Q and Chang have already anticipated that you'd be looking for some help..."
Heero nodded as he ran the first message through the decoder. "Looks like Winner's ready to launch a full scale rescue to get you back."
"You didn't tell him you were responsible?"
"Of course not. I only sent a warning."
"You don't think he's involved?"
"Winner? No. I'd know if he was."
Duo gave him a speculative look. "Been keeping tabs on all of us?"
"After what happened with Mariamaia?"
"Good point."
TBC...
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