Special Note: "The translation's rights to portuguese the works by this author were given in to the principal translation's team of the website www.xyzyaoi.org"
"Os direitos de tradução para o português dos trabalhos desta autora foram cedidos para os tradutores oficiais do site www.xyzyaoi.org"
Woke Up One Morning... Part 16
Heero is on his feet and walking towards my desk, his face showing just as much fear as mine over my slip. Shaking my head, I keep the receiver to my ear and try desperately to come up with something to say. Then, like a bolt of lightening, the answer comes to me.
"Duo?" Lady Une's voice asks after my brief pause.
Chuckling, I reply, "Well, you know how when you call one of us you get the both of us. We may as well have always been answering our calls, 'Yuy-Maxwell' or 'Agents Wing and Scythe'." It's not much, but it may be enough to cover my mistake.
My husband swallows roughly and I bite my lip in waiting for the Commander's return. Shit, this could be really bad for us!
The smile on Lady Une's face can be heard in her tone as she responds, "Very true. Sometimes, I have a hard time telling where one of you ends and the other begins." A mental image of Heero and I engaged in our morning bout in bed almost has me choking with how appropriate the comment really is.
Waving his hand at me, my partner is worriedly looking for some kind of clue that we're in the clear since he cannot hear the other half of the conversation. Nodding to him, I smirk, "I wonder that myself from time to time." And instantly, the tension in 'Ro's shoulders eases with a long sigh from his mouth.
I run a hand through my bangs and find them a little damnp from sweat while I inquire, "So, I take it you're ready for us to come up? You know we've been dying for details on what Harrison spilled."
Quickly giggling, the Commander comments, "Oh, I have very little doubt of that. And yes, you both may meet me in my office. I have also assembled the team of agents that will be working with you from here on out, so I will be briefing you all on what we know at the same time."
That answers whether or not Harrison gave anything good enough to work with. If there is already a team picked out, things should be moving along from here on out. Good, good.
"We're on our way, then," I conclude and lower the receiver back into its cradle. Letting out the breath I have been holding, I groan, "I am such a baka! Can't believe I made a slip like that. The last thing I want is for us to be split up on our last mission."
Grinning, Heero reassures, "You recovered nicely. I don't think that I would have been able to come up with an excuse on the spot as quickly as you did." Now that coming from him is one hell of a compliment that has me smiling.
As I reach for my pad of paper and pen, I inform, "We're really about to make some headway. Lady Une already formed a team that will be in on this meeting."
His back straight at attention. my lover moves back to his desk to gather up his own supplies for the meeting. "Then, let's not keep them waiting," he suggests. Standing and following him out of the office, I can't help the grin of my face knowing that he is clearly just as anxious for our last case to be sealed up as I am.
* * * * * *
When Heero and I head for Lady Une's office, we're both taken by surprise to find one of the team members waiting for us in the waiting room just before the receptionist desk. Blinking my wide eyes, I smile widely, "Hey, Tro! So, we'll be working together again, huh?"
Our tall friend grins and accepts my one-armed hug as he replies, "Just like old times." Pulling back, he nods to my partner and they exchange a firm handshake. "Very good to see the both of you again."
"This certainly is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't aware that you were interested in signing on for this investigation," Heero comments.
Snickering, Trowa admits, "Neither was Quatre until yesterday. I had asked Lady Une for follow-ups on where the case is going so that I could be called in to assist as soon as there was a clear plan in motion." His smile fades a bit as he says, "Quatre was not very happy that I had to leave his side, but I would much rather be where I can be of the most use when it comes to his protection."
I pat him on the back and nod, "I'm sure that he understands that, man. He would do the same if he was in your shoes." My face turns up in another smile. "And we're certainly happy you'll be on the team. Nothing like working with people you're familiar with in a case like this."
Tro eases at that and shakes his head with a smirked, "Thank you, Duo. I'm sure that he does appreciate what I am doing here. It's just been a very tense few days for the Assembly after the attack on them. But seeing that they will not be meeting together other than through video conferences any time soon, there is far less worry over their individual safety."
A small smirk tugging the corner of his mouth, he suggests, "I personally think Quatre is just frustrated over the fact that he cannot get away from his responsibilities to be here to help, himself."
"Well, look at what the cat dragged in," Wufei's voice greets as he approaches. Chuckling, the two reunited friends shake hands and catch up quickly. When he looks over at us, our Chinese comrade greets, "Yuy. Maxwell."
I hear my partner let out the breath that he had been holding since Chang's arrival. While he never actually told me about it, I know that Heero had his worries over how Wufei would act around him. Now that it's clear that all is back to normal, we can both breathe a little easier.
Once we have our confirmation that all is cool with Lady Une, we're in the clear.
Soon, we're joined by four other agents in the waiting room- all of whom 'Ro, 'Fei and myself have worked with in the past on other assignments.
First, we have Tyson, AKA Agent Talon. A husband and father of three girls, he comes from a military background that makes him extremely valuable to any team. The oldest of the new arrivals in his early forties, he is one of the most experienced of soldiers the Preventers have to offer.
Then there is Danielle, AKA Agent Hawk. At only her mid-twenties, the small-framed girl can fly anything that can get off the ground in any condition including an attack. Had she ever been a Gundam pilot, she would have been a force to be reckoned with.
Agent Bridge, or Penelope as we know her best, is an expert in our communications ring. Not only can she speak in over twelve languages fluently, she is an expert in our handling the red tape that comes with the many cultures and public relations we potentially cross when on the hunt for someone in foreign territory. Hence, her code name since she acts as the bridge between us and the public at large.
Last but not least enters Agent Link, who we all know as Adam. If ever the was a better researcher on aliases, backgrounds and connections to anyone under the sun, Lady Une would have them working for us. Dark-haired and stockier in build, this guy leads our intelligence team to finding the quickest way of getting to the bad guys out there.
It then hits me when I look at the four of them and my three fellow former Gundam pilots that I realize the team we all make. Holy shit this is a big deal for Une to have called all of us to work together.
I think that same thought is sinking in with the quartet that's just entered the room as they freeze and stare wide-eyed at the four of us that have been waiting.
Broad-shouldered and head shaved bald so that his dark skin shines under the florescent lights, Tyson is the first to snap out of his shock. Smiling, he loses his intimidating presence a bit as he approaches and extends his hand out to me.
"Maxwell," he begins with his deep, rumbling voice. "Looking forward to working with all of you on whatever this case is."
Returning the grin, I nod, "Same here, Tyce." I'm probably the only person in the whole office that could ever get away with using that name.
After having worked with him as many times as I had, the former army sergeant has gotten so used to me that I could probably call him anything and he would snicker in amusement the way he is now...
...Not that I would press my luck in that. He is still a pretty scary bastard at times.
We all continue in a round of handshakes and friendly greetings when Kathie pokes her head in the doorway to announce, "Everyone, Lady Une is ready to meet with you now."
Back to being all business, the lot of us follow her out of the room. Passing the receptionist's desk, we head into the Commander's office. Two rows of four chairs are sitting in front of Lady Une's desk when we enter. Looking up from her own seat, she smiles as we file in with the door closing behind us.
Heero and I take the first two seats in the front with Wufei and Trowa taking the last two. Behind us, the rest of the group fill in the remaining chairs.
Paper and pens ready, we're all perfectly still and at attention as Une begins, "For those of you in the back row, I assume that you have come to the conclusion you are in for a hell of a ride considering who the other half of your team consists of." I peer over my shoulder, smirking at the anxious nods that are given in response.
Folding her hands on her desk, our Commander states, "Ladies and gentlemen, the investigation surrounding the hit against the Assembly less than one week ago has opened Pandora's box to an untold wealth of dangers we never even knew existed before now." A few throats in the back row gulp down hard at the news.
Une straightens further in her seat as she continues, "The information that we are only now learning is shedding light on a new wave of organized terrorists and a weapon that we have not yet seen the full potential of.
"Everyone linked to this weapon must be found and taken off the streets as soon as we can possibly see to it. One of those connected would be the person or persons responsible for this last strike. However, there are many more we are sure to learn that are every bit as threatening, if not more so."
She takes a deep breath and slowly pans to watch all of us as she states, "Those of you in the back represent the best in your fields as Preventers- strength, transport, communications and intelligence. We will need all of you to lead in your areas of interest with all of your conviction and experience to see that we apprehend these criminals."
Keeping her focus on the back line, Une advises, "There will be yet more teams that will work under each of you and all responsibility for their getting the job done will fall on your shoulders and your shoulders alone."
A mixture of pride and a bit of nervousness at being selected for such a role fills the eyes and expressions of the elite four. Once the realization kicks in, they each mutter quite affirmatives in acceptance of what they are being called to do.
Not one of us in the front need to raise an objection. Having seen these four in action before, there really would not be anyone better suited for their departments.
The Commander pans her eyes across the front row and smiles, "Of course, there be no need to explain why I need the four of you on this case. Since there is not a thing that any one of you cannot do along with your personal interests in this, you will all be stationed wherever you will be needed most at any given time. That means anything from being out in the field to staying here to oversee the searches we will be running."
I nod firmly along with my friends at either side of me.
Brown eyes lock on me as Une says, "I would like you, Agent Scythe, to tell all of us what you know about this weapon so that those who have not heard of it know exactly what we are up against."
More than happy to help, I rise to my feet and turn so that I can look on everyone present. Pens are set on paper as all attention turns to me. "The chemical that was used as part of the bomb used against the Assembly is called Glycaminum," I start. Adam, as well as the whole back line, writes feverishly as I go on, "Production of it is illegal because of just how destructive it is. The right amount could level a city as large as New York."
Since even Trowa has not heard that much before now, he freezes and stares up at me with eyes as wide as the newbies to the team. "My God," he breathes. His skin paling, I am sure the realization of how lucky we all were to not already have shuffled off this merry coil.
Tilting her head of black hair, Penelope thinks aloud, "Then whoever constructed the bomb did not know what they were doing. If they did, they would have used the right amount of the chemical to take out all the entire Assembly."
"Unless they only meant to send a message," Trowa suggests as he folds his arms. "If that's the case, they were certainly successful in containing the explosion as much as they did." Shrugging, he adds, "Or it could be that they simply used everything that they could get their hands on at the time."
Lady Une breaks in, "There are endless possibilities when it comes to why so little of the Glycaminum was used. During his interrogation yesterday, Toby Harrison had admitted that the seller he was in contact with had expected quite a lump sum for the weapon. It is entirely possible that who we are after could only afford the little amount used."
At the mention of Harrison, Tro's green eyes widen once again and he snaps his head towards Wufei. Waving his hand, our Chinese counterpart levels him with a calm look that tells him he will fill him in more later and the taller ex-pilot eases a bit.
Tyson takes a break from taking notes to meet our Commander's eyes and asks, "Considering the buyers would most likely have money, are any of the Assembly members, themselves, being investigated?"
"Yes, they are," Une answers. "At this point, no one is being left out as far as a check into their possible involvement in the hit. However, as you are all now more aware of this chemical, you see the threat that we have now realized is working against us."
Somber nods respond. For those in the back row that had been completely in the dark before now, I can imagine the concern building in them. The sweat that's beginning to bead on their foreheads is enough of a sign of that.
I return to my seat as the Commander sighs quietly. "Right," she speaks again. Gazing from the left to the right of the last row, so the orders are given. "Agent Talon, by the end of the day, I want a list names of the Preventers that you most trust to be on call to spring on a moment's notice to serve as your team. Even if there are any agents you want on your team that are on an assignment, they will be called here as this case takes precedence over any other."
Centering on the girls, she informs, "Agents Hawk and Bridge, your teams will likewise be assembled so that we will have a full staff to safely transport the field teams as well as prepare the Colonies and nations that we may have to work with to find our targets."
"Agent Link," Lady Une addresses the final agent in the group. "Your intelligence branch's sole task as of this moment will be to finding Sergey Ivanov. We came to learn that he had attempted to make a dealing with Harrison years ago."
Holding out a classified folder that is passed back to Adam, she informs, "In that folder is what Harrison was able to tell us about mister Sergey and his aliases. I want to know everything that you can gather on him as quickly as you and your team can manage."
The corner of the agent's mouth curls up as he shrugs confidently, "Give us twenty-four hours of time on this and I'll be able to tell you his favorite color if you want."
We all chuckle at the much-needed tension breaker. For as humorous as Adam's remark was, it's actually probably true. The guy has somehow always managed to find every bit of data out there on all of the people we're after. I don't have a doubt in my mind that this search will be any different.
Smiling, the Commander says sincerely, "I appreciate all of your efforts for this organization. You are all a great asset on protecting the peace. And I am especially grateful to you, Barton, for volunteering your efforts to this cause as well." Trowa smiles back and respectfully bows his head.
"I would like regular updates to myself and your team, here, as far as progress in the search for mister Ivanov," Une concludes. "As soon as we have something solid to work on, a team will be sent out immediately to detain him. The sooner we can get information from him, the sooner we can start putting these very dangerous people away for good. With that, you are dismissed and thank you for your time."
One-by-one, we all rise to our feet and salute or offer a quiet salutation on our way out of the office. His notes and file in hand, Adam all but runs down the hall to get started on his hunt with Tyson, Danielle and Penelope close behind.
Brushing his fingers over his hair, Wufei frowns, "Well, this is shaping up to be one hell of a case. Nothing like the open-and-shut case that I first thought that it would be in the very beginning."
And, of course, it would have to happen that it is also the last mission that Heero and I will be working for the Preventers.
...Maybe we'll get to retire some time this year if we're lucky.
That brief moment of silent self-pity melts away when my husband's hand rests on the small of my back when we all start walking down the hall together. Looking over, I find him offering me a small smile that reminds me everything is right in the world with him beside me.
I don't care if we're headed right into Hell with this case. Somehow, we'll see to the end of it so that we can finally enjoy the happiness we're earned together. If anything, this experience will only make what we have to look forward to when it is over that much sweeter.
For that alone, I gladly accept whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Agent Wing and Agent Scythe," Lady Une's voice calls. Pausing in our tracks, Heero and I look back to find her standing in the doorway of Kathie's office. There is a strange... something in her brown eyes as she smirks, "I would like to meet with the two of you. Privately in my office, please."
That something strange has me frozen in place in fear. Whatever this sudden meeting is about, I can't help but feel like the shit is about to hit the fan.
'Least I'm reminded I'm not alone when I hear my partner, ever at my side, gulp quietly.
It just gets better and better, doesn't it?
TBC...
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