In Conquest Born [3/?]

[Terra]

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing and this is not for profit.


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Chapter III- System Anomalies
by Terra
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?Defected?? I inquire, the pristine poster child of surprise. ?Surely, I didn?t hear you correctly. We are talking about Heero??

?I know it?s difficult to swallow.? Lady Une sighs, as her shoulders visibly slump a fraction. ?But our latest intelligence offers no other explanation.?

I sit down heavily in the swiveling leather chair. ?Perhaps?you?d better explain from the very beginning??

?Six months ago, I sent Yuy to infiltrate a terrorist cell. It was of vital importance that he be the one assigned the mission because our information networks revealed that one of the leaders of the cell is a man named Shinji Koizumi.? She turns to me, her back now facing the window in a pose of defeat. ?The group, Kowakyaku*, was originally based in the L1 cluster. I knew Heero would have the greatest chance of infiltration.?

?Was this supposed to be a reconnaissance mission??

?Yes,? Lady Une pauses, as if deliberating her next words. ?Do you recall the assassination attempt on Neville Reinard??

?How could I forget? I was almost promoted.? I say, wryly. As the ESUN?s Foreign Minister of Interstellar Affairs, he is my boss, so to speak.

?Well, it appears that in the commotion immediately following, agents of Kowakyaku hacked into the mainframe of the Foreign Affairs Consulate and downloaded very sensitive intelligence.?

?Why was I not informed of this breach?? I ask, bristling. ?Am I not a senior official??

?I?m sorry for leaving you out of the loop.? She looks at me, apologetically. ?We needed to act as if we weren?t aware of the leak. My thinking at the time was that it would be easier to keep up appearances if very few people knew about it.?

?I suppose I?ll have to swallow my wounded pride.? I smile, bestowing forgiveness. ?I?m in the loop now, at least. Tell me more.?

?They?re professionals. That?s for certain. They also knew exactly which files they were looking for which suggests that there?s a mole in our staff.? Lady Une?s face contorts in disgust.

?What did they take??

?They lifted all of the Gemstone files.? She sighs gravely.

?The what??

?Project Gemstone was an offshoot of Operation Meteor. Dekim Barton had just commissioned the construction of the Gundams and saw no need to continue with Gemstone. Although it was officially terminated, it continued under the leadership of his nephew, Ambrosio Barton. The project involved the development of super soldiers, genetically modified human beings, who would pilot the mobile suits. At the time, no viable clones existed. Dekim saw no reason to sink funds into breeding pilots who would not exist by the time the mobile suits were completed.

?Ambrosio, of course, saw things differently. He was a young, up-and-coming, genetic engineer, a genius in his own right. He was hailed as one of the brightest minds by Jacques Montague, his mentor. As you know, Montague is a pioneer in the field of genetic therapy. Ambrosio, unfortunately, had delusions of grandeur. He idealized a world without casualties, with wars fought by expendable clones, not unlike the concept of Mobile Dolls. Ultimately, Gemstone produced twelve clones, only two of which survived past the age of four.

?Once we secured Colony X-18999 in the aftermath of the Mariemaia Incident, we began to fully investigate the Barton Foundation. Eventually, we discovered a trail which led to this project. We have the names of the scientists and much of the research data. In fact, we have enough information that we could theoretically recreate the project.?

?But surely, that is unethical!? I exclaim, jumping from my seat.

?Without a doubt.? She nods, solemnly in agreement. ?When Kowakyaku hacked into the database, they left with enough information to restart Gemstone.?

?These two clones who survived??? My voice trails off as I consider the possibilities.

?We don?t know where they are now. I have strong suspicions that they are no longer alive.? Lady Une answers, her eyes narrowing. ?The scientists were of the opinion that each had a rather short lifespan. The project was abruptly terminated in AC 185 when infighting among the organization resulted in the assassination of Ambrosio Barton. The laboratory was destroyed. One of the head scientists, Sergio Oswald, fled with the research and the two clones.?

?And you believe that Kowakyaku intends to reinitiate Gemstone?? I ask, incredulous.

?I don?t know what their true objectives are but I do know that they are formidable.? Lady Une states, without a hint of hesitation. ?They?re very well-financed. The latest intel from Heero shows that a Japanese corporation, Hajime, Inc., is one of many business fronts for the terrorist cell.?

My eyes widen, startled by the revelation. ?Hajime, Inc.??

?That?s where your role begins. I understand that the CEO, Yoko Tanaka, has attempted to contact you??

?Yes, I believe so. I will need to verify with Trish but I think that I canceled on her today to be here with you.? I inform her promptly.

?I want?no need your assistance.? She admits. ?The last contact we?ve had with Agent Yuy was over two months ago. Since that time, the group?s activities have increased dramatically. It appears that they are now operating with new information, the sensitive kind that Heero would be in the position to divulge.?

?I really do not believe that Heero would betray us.? I insist, stubbornly. ?What kind of sensitive information would he alone be privy to??

?Most of the public does not realize that many Preventer bases across the world are undermanned strongholds, decoys, so to speak, meant to bolster confidence in our organization. Personnel often rotate throughout these bases in order to keep up appearances. In the last month, Yuki has attacked four bases while they were understaffed.?

?Why hasn?t any of this been made public knowledge??

Lady Une shakes her head, smiling wearily. ?It?s been all we could do to keep a media blackout over this. I?ve had to quote quite a few sections of the Preventer Charter in order to keep them at bay.?

?I?see. And I assume that it is statistically unlikely that they could?ve accidentally targeted the undermanned ones??

?That?s right. Their movements are coordinated with intelligence they shouldn?t have access to. Agent Yuy certainly at one point had clearance for the rotation schedules. Since the first attack, I?ve revoked it, of course but it doesn?t pay to underestimate his abilities.?

?How much damage are we talking about here??

?Relena?? Lady Une says softly, staring at me intensely. ?They don?t exist anymore.?

?Oh?I see.? I say, visibly shaken. ?And we?ve lost contact with Heero??

?Yes, we have. I can only assume the worst case scenario now. I need you to pick up the pieces of the puzzle he?s left behind.? She states, in a voice accustomed to obedience. ?I want you to meet with Yoko Tanaka and determine her level of involvement with Kowakyaku.?

?Of course, I?ll do the best I can.?

?That?s all I can ask for.? Lady Une looks at me, her face forming an expression of pity. ?I understand that you have?unfinished business with Heero Yuy.?

I laugh easily. ?I hope that I have escaped the raging teenage hormones of my younger days by now.?

I stand with an air of finality. She slides across the table a manila folder I hadn?t noticed until that moment. I open it gingerly, leafing through Yoko Tanaka?s biography. The meeting is over.

As I step back into my car, my thoughts swirl in upheaval. What did it mean if Heero Yuy was now on the enemy?s side? Who was the enemy in this case? What was their objective? And most importantly, how was I going to use these unexpected circumstances to my advantage?

Trish eyes me oddly. ?What did she want with you??

?You know better than to ask me to discuss sensitive information with you.? I comment, dismissively. I have no time for her idle chatter. Reflecting on the unexpected meeting, I am content that I have played my part of mildly shell-shocked, conflicted woman to perfection. Let Une believe that I suffer emotional turmoil thinking of Heero Yuy. So long as she believes in a false vulnerability, she will be distracted from realizing my true weaknesses.

How was I to approach this Yoko Tanaka? Glancing at my wristwatch, I count six hours until the gala this evening where I will undoubtedly run into her. Familiar music ringing in my ears, I shiver lightly, recalling a previous meeting with Lady Une.


?Excuse me, ma?am, but do you have an invitation??

?No.? I answered honestly, caught off guard.

?I'm sorry, ma'am, but tonight we are hosting a reception for specially invited guests only.? The doorman states, apologetically.

?Relena! Glad you could make it!? A warm voice reached my ears.

?Lord Marquis! I?m terribly sorry.? He stuttered. ?I didn?t know the lady was a guest of yours.?

?That?s alright.? Marquis dismissed, putting his hand on the small of my back. ?Now, shall we go inside, Relena? The party?s about to start.?

?Well?? I hesitated.

?Don?t be embarrassed.? He said, with a fatherly smile. ?This establishment is for elderly people like myself. A young, beautiful lady like you naturally draws everyone's attention.?

A passing gentleman ventured towards me. ?May I have a dance with you??

?No, no. I?m first in line.? Lord Marquis held my arm possessively. ?May I have the honor of tonight?s first dance with you, if you don?t mind??

?If I don?t mind??? I gracefully blushed. ?Please, I?d be honored.?

As we waltzed to the ballroom music, he gazed at me, a pensive expression on his face. ?You do possess a trace of the Peacecrafts.?

?Do you know the Peacecrafts??

?Yes, I did.? He closed his eyes, nostalgic. ?The monarchs of the old Sanc Kingdom... We were close family friends of the House of Peacecraft?until the Kingdom was destroyed some 13 years ago.?

?What happened to the Peacecrafts?? I leaned in, curious.

?It was an unfortunate tale.? He continued. ?There are always those who wish nothing but peace, and those who wish to gain everything from war. The House of Peacecraft was the former, and the World Federation was the latter.?

?The dove was killed because it disagreed with the hawk?? I murmured softly.

?These days, everyone tries to solve everything with arms. And what is this OZ!??

?OZ?? My attention swiftly retrained onto him.

?I demanded Trieze show up tonight so I could confront him over what he's been doing. But apparently he sent his representative here instead.? Lord Marquis scoffed at the affront.

A familiar voice drifted over. ?I?m just another guest. Marquis Welitz invited me. I'm a representative of his Excellency Treize. I'd like to say hello to the host.?

I turned towards her, barely checking my animosity. My dancing partner voiced my sentiments. ?Roses don't go with military suits. It's the kind of flower for a sweet lady like you, Relena.?

I smiled at the subtle flattery. Surely this senile, old man did not believe that he could charm a young woman like me? My thoughts were again interrupted by her harsh voice. ?Marquis Welitz? I'm here tonight representing Trieze Krusherenada. My name is Lady Une. May I chat with you for a while??

?Before that, if you don't mind, I would like my granddaughter to wear that rose.? He nodded towards the flower attached to her lapel.

Knowing the element of surprise was on my side, I knew I only had one chance to exact revenge. I wasn?t about to waste it. As Lady Une casually glanced at me, her eyes suddenly widened in alarm. ?Relena Darlian?! What are you doing here??

?Grandfather, I wouldn't look good with a red rose, either. What would really make me look good is the red of OZ's bloodshed.? I whirled around, easily escaping his light grip. My finger pressed the trigger. ?This is for my father!?


I smile ruefully at the irony. My worst nemesis during that turbulent time in my life is now an irreplaceable ally. Although I have never forgiven her for murdering my father, my vengeful thoughts are soothed by the fact that his end was inevitable. Without his death and the revelation of my true identity along with Heero?s abrupt entry into my life, I could not sit atop the world stage as I do today. ?Some things do happen for a reason, I suppose,? I muse silently, stepping onto the threshold of the ballroom. ?Thank you, Lady Une, for breaking me out of my isolated, sheltered life. You were the first person I ever tried to kill with my own two hands.?

The moment I descend down the steps, my presence is announced. I have, more or less, officially arrived. Almost immediately, several people on the dance floor politely excuse themselves from whomever they were conversing with and move to intercept me.

I am approached first by a distinctly Japanese young woman, dressed in a stylish Victorian kimono. Briefly, I reflect on the contradictory choice of clothing. The latest trend in posh wear is paradoxical; the emphasis is on ethnicity while conforming to acceptable European standards. Politics has such a delightful, torturous sense of humor. Lady Une?s voice infiltrates my mind as I realize that she is Yoko Tanaka, the young executive of Hajime, Inc. I meet her halfway. ?Miss Tanaka, I am truly sorry that I was unable to meet with you this afternoon. There was a small emergency that I had to attend to first.?

Yoko Tanaka smiles graciously. ?Don?t even mention it. I hope that it is not forward of me to approach you now. I have a small matter to discu??

?Relena!?

I immediately tune her out as I recognize an all-too familiar voice. It is that woman! Barely concealing my murderous gaze, I turn to greet Lucrezia Noin. ?Miss Noin! How good it is to see you again! Is my brother here as well??





Next entry: SIBLING RIVALRY

?Relena, it?s been a long time.? Milliardo?s eyes soften as they search into mine.

?Too long!? I correct him, a bright genuine smile etched across my face. ?There?s so much we have to catch up on.?

?Yes,? he acquiesces, grudgingly. ?There is much we have to discuss.?

My bubbly demeanor deflates. Frowning, I ask, ?I take it that this is not a social call??

?Unfortunately?no. Noin and I have reason to believe that you?re in danger.?





A/N- Too information-packed? Not enough? As always, comments/criticisms are welcome.

[takisha16]

This was a very angst chappy!
I don't think Heero would help the enemy, I hope he's okay!
That flashback was great! It made me remember the good old days when the series was still on!
I don't think it was too much info, it was just right, it gave us an inside view of what was going on.
Hopefully Relena will not be in too much danger.
Nice update!