Description: A new threat... an unknown enemy... a whole new frontier...           

Gundam Wing: Type 2 

Episode 2: Reaching for the Stars

It is the year After Colony 199, and the New Unified Sphere has branched into a more cohesive unit. The controlling powers of the governing bodies distributed more powers to various parts of Earth, dividing themselves into regions that work under the influence of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation. These regions appointed advisors and congressional bodies to work under the sphere and more effectively relay the desires of a unified Earth.

Most of the regions appointed leaders that were to be expected, but there were two appointees that shocked the rest of the Sphere. These two seemingly came out of nowhere to take the roles of advisors, and for a great while, there was concern as to the their goals and aspirations, but they quickly became two of the most respected advisors of the Sphere.

The first was the Advisor of North Am, Aelan Marcus. The second, Kiron Gorrs; advisor to the Space Colonies. These two would soon perform actions that would cause a cataclysmic change in the future of the galaxy…

Aelan rubbed his temple gently, and he sighed dejectedly. No matter how smart a man was no one could manage to take 13 million credits in budget, and fully fund projects that would need at least 16 million.

A knock was heard outside his door. Finally, an excuse to pull out of that Rubik's Puzzle. "Come in." Aelan said, and his three special Gundam Pilots strode into the office.

"You summoned us?" Duo asked, "What do you wish of us, o' master?"

"Cease and desist, Maxwell." Aelan replied, throwing a folder on his desk. Heero picked it up, and started flipping through the files, Duo and Trowa reading over his shoulder as they did so.

"We have reports of some remnants of White Fang residing in the highlands of the Mexican region. I'm not asking for you to engage in any combat maneuvers. All I wish of you is to scout and report."

"I see. Why do you want us to hold quarter?" Trowa queried.

"All these reports have confirmed is that there is unusual activity in an area in which White Fang used to inhabit. I'm not going to blow up something simply out of a suspicion. I know that you guys can be pretty quiet when you want to be, so I think you're the best ones to check this out."

"Very well." Heero replied, "What happens if we meet resistance?"

"Then by all means, strive to defend yourself. If it does turn out to be White Fang, or some other rebel faction, AND you think you can handle it, you have my green light to remove whatever threats you deem necessary."

Heero once again looked over the files and reports. Then he said those all too famous words…

"Mission accepted."

The Mexican Highlands, five hours later…

"We should probably set the Gundams down here, and proceed the rest of the way on foot." Trowa suggested. "We'll be less likely to be spotted, and if things get hairy, we do have the remote signalers installed now. We'll be able to call the Gundams in if there's trouble."

"Agreed. Let's set them down." Heero answered.

Minutes later, Duo finished the adjustments to his backpack. "Why do I have to carry all the heavy stuff, guys?"

Trowa shrugged, and replied, "You got the shortest straw."

Duo sighed, and replied, "Why do I get the feeling I'll always wind up with the short straw?"

"I would suggest that you both keep it down. We have no idea as to who, or what, is roaming this area." Heero chided.

The land was rather quiet and uninhabited. A perfect place for a surface base of White Fang. Quinze had been good at hiding in places that no one would think to look. Hiding on the planet that he had tried to destroy WAS rather crafty.

Stopping on an overlooking ridge, Heero and his companions ducked to the ground, out of sight of the valley below. Pulling out his binoculars, Heero scanned the area below.

"I see some White Fang mobile suits, but they look like they've been through hell. Looks like a battle went on here, not some base of operations. There are a few operational suits, but I don't see Fang markings."

"What about the facility?" Trowe asked.

"It seems deserted, but I really can't say for sure."

Duo pulled out his pistol, and looked suggestively at his comrades, "Then the only way to find out is to go in."

"You called for me, Advisor?" Noin asked.

"Yes, Admiral. Come in, and sit down." Aelan replied. Once Noin had done so, Aelan held up a memo sheet, "Supposedly, The L1 Colony has made an incredible breakthrough. Advisor Kiron suggests that it could break all limits of humanity. I've been invited to attend its first test."

Noin raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What does this have to do with me?"

"I was wondering if you could be my escort for this grand gala."

Noin leaned back in her seat a little, "Gee, it almost sounds like you are, what is the term, 'asking me out'?"

Noin watched as Aelan nearly jumped out of his seat. Was her question that accurate? Had she been leading the advisor on somehow?

Aelan quickly shook his head, "Let's not make that assumption, Admiral. I was merely wondering if you would be interested in seeing a new era unfold. I would never be as bold, or as incompetent, to make such a statement. I do not believe in two people in such positions would be wise to interact in such a manner."

Noin breathed a sigh of relief. "I readily agree."

Aelan smiled again, then said, "Now that this particular discomfort has been cleared, would you like to attend this test?"

Noin returned the kind grin, and replied, "I'd love to."

The door opened without even a creak, raising Heero's level of alertness. Someone must have been here, recently and often. Once the path crossed away, Heero pointed Trowa to the right, Duo to the left, and he continued on straight.

As he walked through the pathway, he noticed several of the rooms in the facility in disrepair. Whoever had been here obviously had found little use for several of the rooms.

"Heero. Come in, Heero." Duo said softly over his comm-unit.

"What is it, Duo?"

"I've found what appears to be a living quarters. It looks like someone has been here, very recently. The bed is all made and everything."

"Any indication as to who might have done this?"

"Not so far. I see a picture of a man and someone who I think is his daughter, but other than that…"

"Very well. Contact me if you find anything else."

Finally the path opened into a large room. In the center stood a giant piece of technology, which didn't seem to be made by human hands. It was cylindrical, separated into three sections. It didn't seem to be activated, standing lifeless like a mechanical corpse.

Heero quietly stepped in front of a console in front of the device. There was no dust on the console, suggesting it had been used not to long ago. Suddenly, he heard footsteps. As they got closer, he was able to distinguish the type of shoe. Either Duo had taken up wearing high-heels, or… Heero quickly whipped around, pulling out his pistol.

The woman at the entrance also had a gun, pointed at Heero.

"Had I wanted to kill you, I would have done it when my sensors picked you three flying your little mobile suits in."

"In that case, drop your gun." Heero retorted.

"You first." The woman snapped back, "I don't want to kill you, but I will."

Heero complied, throwing his pistol in her direction. He had learned a lot from Relena, that sometimes the best way to win a fight is not to start one. If she didn't seem as honest as she appeared, well… that's what his second pistol was for.

"You aren't from L1. What are you doing here?" The woman demanded.

"My name is Heero Yuy. I am from North Am, and are investigating the White Fang presence here."

The woman laughed, and replied, "Well, you're four years too late. I took care of them."

"Who are you?"

"I am Amore Doran, daughter of the great scientist Julio Doran."

"Where is your father now?" Heero asked.

"He went into the Fold Generator fifteen years ago. He hasn't returned yet. All the rest of his team left about five years ago, giving up all hope. He's even been declared dead by the North Am government. I'm the only one who stayed. I know he's alive… somewhere."

"What is this Fold Generator?"

"Twenty years ago, an alien vessel crashed here. By the time my father arrived, whoever or whatever had come in this thing was long gone. It used an advanced mechanism to cross the void of space. When my father found it, the entire ship was scrapped."

"Somehow, he was able to figure out how they crossed all this way. In time, he built what you see behind you, the Quantum Fold generator. He took the coordinates that he discovered on the crashed ship, and went into the generator to test it."

"And he hasn't returned? Well, I think his team had the right idea. He's probably not coming back."

"Yes, he is. I know he is." Amore snapped back, "You don't know him. Nothing would come between him and his Amore, not even death itself."

Heero decided to concede the issue. There was no point in smashing her hopes. "Very well. Since you claim that there isn't a problem, and there is no evidence to suggest the contrary, I and my comrades will take our leave."

"That's probably the best idea you've had since you came to the highlands." Amore replied. As Heero called Duo and Trowe, and informed them to pull out, Amore said, "Next time knock. I'm not averted by strangers, but I am by trespassers."

Heero nodded, and picked up his gun as he left. "I'll remember that."

L1 Colony

Aelan felt the shuttle shake slightly as it connected with the docking bay for the L1 Colony. The pilot then appeared, and said, "We're docked. If you are ready, you can disembark the shuttle now."

Aelan nodded, and unbuckled the harness around him. Looking over at Noin, who had already unbuckled herself, they proceeded to leave the shuttle, and into the reception bay for the L1 Colony.

Waiting for them was none other than the Advisor the Colonies, Kiron Gorrs. "Aelan!" Kiron greeted warmly, "It's been too long since we've met in person."

"The feeling is mutual, Kiron." Aelan replied, "I have just been so busy planet-side that there just simply isn't much time to come up to space. Perhaps you should come down my way."

"I'll have to. Next month is the state's address, remember?"

"Oh, yes. Sometimes I forget the obvious things."

Kiron looked over his shoulder, at Admiral Noin, for the first time. "Who is this vision of loveliness that you have brought with you, Aelan?"

Noin snorted. She knew that her military uniform was not at all flattering.

"This is Chief Admiral Lucrezia Noin. I asked her to join me here." Aelan introduced.

Kiron stepped forward, and took Noin's hand in hers. Raising it to his lips, he kissed the back of her hand gently, "Knowing Aelan, I'm assuming that he chose well. It is a pleasure meeting you, Admiral."

"I am honored to meet you in person, Advisor Gorrs. I hope that my trip up here was worth the time I could have spent on Earth."

Kiron smiled slyly, and replied, "Oh, indeed it will. I'll be holding a gathering in the reception hall. Everyone is invited, of course. I shall explain what I plan to do tomorrow in a little more detail. It is entirely optional, but I do hope you'll be there."

"We will." Aelan stated, "When is it?"

"In an hour. Until then, why don't you look around this fair colony."

Aelan and Noin did just that, enjoying the sites of L1. As they stopped to pick up some pleasant snacks from a street vendor, a cheery voice said, "If it isn't Lu… I mean, Admiral Noin."

Noin turned around, and cheerfully said, "Quatre! What are you doing here?"

"Probably the same thing as you, to see what all the fuss is about." Quatre said.

Noin then remembered Aelan, and said, "Oh, where are my manners? Quatre, this is Advisor Aelan Marcus of North Am. Aelan, this is Quatre Raberba Winner."

The two men shook hands, and Noin added, "He is also one of the five Gundam pilots.

Quatre froze, and said, "Noin…"

"Don't worry. I'm actually pleased to meet you. Now I've met four of you Gundam pilots. If you weren't presently occupied, I'd be interested in recruiting you. I'm assuming the Winner family has a lot going on."

"He's already recruited Heero, Duo, and Trowa." Noin replied, "I'm still not sure if he wants to meet Wufei, though."

"He's not that bad once you get to know him." Quatre replied, "You know, I may be busy, but if you ever need anything, like a decent pilot, let me know, and I'll see what I can do."

"You seem so much more willing than the others. Heero basically had to make me sign a blood oath to get him to join."

Quatre laughed, "If you can convince Heero and Trowa, you already convinced me."

Noin decided to intercede, "Do you have any idea what Advisor Kiron could be so excited about, Quatre? You spend more time in the colonies than anyone I know."

"I wish I knew. All I know is that it is supposed to be something big." At that moment, a group of girls screamed Quatre's name.

Aelan's eyes opened to saucers, when Noin chuckled, and said, "Some of your sisters?"

Quatre rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, then replied "Yeah." I guess they want me to get over there. I'm sure that we will meet again, Aelan, but I really must be going. I want to get a good seat for the speech."

Finally, the pair entered the reception hall. Aelan looked around for a pair of seats then Noin pointed down to the front. Relena was there, motioning at a pair of empty seats. The two took their seats, Noin sitting between Aelan and Relena. Noin looked around to see if she could spot Quatre, but with no such luck.

"When I heard that you were here, I saved these seats for you." Relena stated, "I wonder what is so great that Advisor Kiron called just about everyone and their mothers to see…"

Aelan then gestured to the stage, "I think that we are about to find out."

Advisor Kiron approached the pedestal of the reception hall, where the gathered diplomats and dignitaries of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation waited for his announcement.

With a grin that spread from ear to ear, the advisor to the Colonies began. "Thank you all for coming. This meeting is merely to prepare you for what shall be a momentous event in human history. Not even the great void of space will be able to keep humanity at bay any longer."

"Tomorrow you will witness a new dawn, a new chapter in our history. Tomorrow we shall unveil… the Quantum Fold Generator."

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Next time…

The first test of the Quantum Fold Generator begins. The Gundam Pilots then report back to Advisor Aelan as to what they discovered. Finally, reports that the rebel group White Fang are indeed in control of the generator in Mexico causes the Gundams return.

Coming in Episode 3: Amore's Defiance