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

Gundam Wing: Type 2 

Episode 1: A New Beginning

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…

"Well, Noin, are you going to open it?" Relena asked.

Lucrezia Noin curiously tore open the seal. With a curious eye, she scanned the document, then her eyes opened in shock.

Nosily, Relena poked her head over Noin's shoulder, and her eyes too bulged in surprise.

The letter was signed by the Majority Leader of the North Am Congressional Body. Noin moistened her lips slightly. Ever since joining OZ, this had been her goal, one that always seemed just out of reach. The idea of promoting peace in the belly of the beast so to speak struck a very tempting cord in Noin's soul. At the same time, she didn't want to leave the post that Zechs (Milando) had deeply requested of her.

"What do you think, Relena? Should I accept this?" Noin asked. Perhaps Relena could offer some clarity…

Relena found herself stuck at an interesting crossroads. Her entire message had been one of total pacifism. She had never been fond of the fact that the Unified Nation had not totally demilitarized. At the same time, this was a chance of a lifetime for a good friend of hers.

So developed Relena's dilemma. If she gave Noin her blessing, and allowed her to take a head position in the military, she could be viewed as a hypocrite. On the other hand, if she refused Noin's opportunity, Relena could hurt a person who had become quite dear to her…

'Aww, to hell with what others think.' Relena finally decided to herself. Looking sincerely at Noin, Relena said, "Go for it."

For a split second, Noin wasn't sure she had heard right, "Pardon? You think I should?"

"Yes. This is something big. You've wanted a position like this for a long time. I can't deny you such an opportunity."

"But Miliardo wanted me here to counsel you. It doesn't seem right to back out now."

"My brother was merely concerned with setting me up right. He didn't expect you to dedicate your entire life to me. He'd probably smack you across the back of your head sticking it out this long."

"Are you sure?" Noin asked again. Relena's approval was almost too hurried, like the young woman didn't want Noin around anymore.

Relena put her hand on Noin's shoulder, and said soothingly, "Listen, I'm telling you this as your friend, not as the Foreign Minister. I want you to be happy with what you have. I know for a fact that deep inside, you've wanted something like this. I will not be the one to step in the way of your dreams."

Noin smiled slightly, and looked over the note one last time. It almost seemed too good to be true. Finally, her smirk became a grin, and she said more to herself than to Relena, "Okay. I'm going to do this."

Three Months Later

"Advisor Aelan Marcus has arrived, and is waiting to meet with you, Madame Peacecraft." Relena's secretary said over the comm unit. Relena smoothed out her skirt one last time, a nervous habit of hers. She was about to meet the charismatic advisor of North Am for the first time, and she wanted to make a good first impression.

She had heard a lot about the accomplishments of Advisor Aelan. He had brought North Am, which had been rather battle-torn in the recent wars to a position of prominence once again. In a mere two years, his often admired genius had made his area of control a model for all.

"Very good, Theresa. Send him up to my office." Relena said, then sat in the chair behind her desk. She took three deep breaths to settle herself. She was worried that she might come across as stupid. If half the things about this man's genius were true, he might as well have been the smartest man alive.

Once the advisor entered, she suddenly remembered the old saying, "The camera adds ten pounds." In Aelan's case, it might as well have been a hundred. He had always seemed big on the screen, yet the gentlest word she could come up with to describe Aelan's frame was lean.

There wasn't a spare inch of fat on his body, his skin seemed to cling to his smooth muscle texture like a second… skin? Looking at his face, he was calm, nearly unemotional. His hair was pulled forward, and his head was dipped slightly so that she couldn't quite see his eyes. For a moment, he vaguely reminded her of… Heero.

'No… not now…' Relena's mind hissed, 'When will you stop thinking of that man? You haven't seen him for three years. He hasn't even tried to contact you, and you have had no luck finding him.'

Suddenly, she looked up, and Heero asked, "Is something wrong, Madame?"

Relena shook her head rapidly, and Heero vanished, replaced by the concerned face of Advisor Aelan. She emitted a short, soft laugh, then replied, "No, I'm fine. I was just lost in my thoughts."

The Advisor grinned, and replied, "I do that myself sometimes." He looked around the office for a brief moment, then finally asked, "Can I have a seat?"

Relena jolted, then said, "Oh, of course, sit wherever you like." She took a few more deep breaths as Aelan sat in the seat across the desk from her, glancing quickly at his watch. Composing her thoughts for a minute, she finally began, "As you well know, A new president of the United Nation was sworn in a week ago, and before the first address of the state, he wanted all the advisors to be familiar with his goals for this term." She handed a sheet across to Aelan, who accepted it with a nod.

"I am impressed with our new president's approach. It is always a exceptional idea to make sure that the entire governmental structure is familiar with the aspirations of the new head of state in order to insure we are all on the same page." Aelan said as his eyes perused the material.

As he looked over the sheet, Relena continued, "I was simply going to send it to you all, but when I learned you were here on a visit with the Advisor to Euro, I figured I might as well give it to you personally."

"A kind gesture, I assure you." Aelan replied, still looking over the paper. He slid it into his briefcase, and glanced at his watch again.

"I've noticed you seem to keep looking at your watch." Relena asked, "Is there somewhere you have to be?"

Aelan quickly looked up, and replied, "Not really. I need to be back in North Am by tomorrow, and I would like to avoid the late shuttle."

"Why do you need to be back in North Am?" Relena asked.

"Admiral Noin has scheduled a meeting for me." Aelan answered.

"Pardon me if I ask, but how is Noin?"

Aelan pursed his lips in thought, then replied, "She fit admirably into her new role, just as I expected she would."

"You expected?"

"No one told you? I was the one who nominated her for the position."

Relena leaned back, thanking her good luck. "I've been wanting to ask the person who nominated her something for a while now. Why did you choose her?"

Aelan pursed his lips again, then answered, "Well, frankly, because of her association with you. I'm not in favor of keeping a good amount of military units, which is something that I will address to the new president at the state's meeting. However, if I must have a military unit at North Am, I wanted it to be run by a peace-minded individual. However, the Congressional Body demanded that the person also have military and leadership experience. Lucrezia Noin was an excellent choice on both counts."

"I see." Relena nodded, deciding that she was going to like this man, "I don't mean to pry, but I am curious as to why Noin would be so adamant that you have this meeting tomorrow."

"Well, from what I understand, this particular pilot is not a person who is known to stay in one place for any given amount of time. She wanted me to meet him before he moved on."

"This pilot?" Relena asked, stressing the last word, the back of her mind banging on her conscious self, as if demanding to speak. "Do you know this pilot's name?"

"Yes. I believe his name is Heero… Yuy? Yes, that's right. Heero Yuy."

Aelan was totally taken off guard by Relena lunging over the desk, and grabbing him by the lapels of his shirt. She shook him violently, demanding, "You know HEERO? WHERE IS HE?"

Aelan waited patiently for the effects of the recent Grade I concussion to wear off, and for the room to discontinue its maddening dance before his eyes. Next, his brain processed the pair of questions that had slipped in during his unexpected bout of vertigo.

"I… know of him. As to where he is, all I know is that he will be meeting with me tomorrow."

Relena suddenly pulled back, her fingers flying to the comm unit. "Theresa, cancel all my meetings for the next week, and book me an immediate flight to North Am."

"Yes, Madame." Theresa replied.

That settled, Relena starting looking at her laptop computer, analyzing the different wardrobe options she had available. "I want something that will get his attention." She muttered to herself. "Perhaps something low cut, but then he might think that I've turned into a floozy. Maybe a simple suit, but I don't want to look like some old maid…"

Aelan interrupted her train of thought, "Pardon me, Madame Minister?"

Relena looked over at Aelan, and asked, "Can I do something for you?"

"Yes. Perhaps… you could release me, please?"

Confused, Relena looked closer at the situation. Aelan had been pulled out of his chair, and was now leaning over her desk. While one of her hands was positioned over the keyboard of her computer, the other was still firmly clamped in a vise-like grip around the lapel of Aelan's shirt.

Embarrased, Relena released him, a flush coming to her cheeks. Even after three years, the mere mention of Heero turned on all sorts of embarrassing emotions. "I think I have covered all that I need to. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, I suppose I shall." Aelan replied, yet couldn't help but eye the Foreign Minister warily as he left her office.

"I'm afraid to inform you, Admiral, but it appears that we will have an unexpected guest at our meeting."

"Who?" Noin asked over the portable comm.

"Foreign Minister Peacecraft."

"Relena's coming? Why?" Noin asked, then seemed to answer her own question, "Ohhhhh…"

"Is our young pilot going to find this acceptable?"

"I don't see why he wouldn't. Why do you ask?"

Aelan smoothed the lapel of his shirt again, and replied, "Well, because upon mention of the young pilot's name, Minister Peacecraft reacted in a manner that could have been misconstrued as first-degree assault."

Aelan could hear Noin chuckle before replying, "She's just excited about meeting Heero. It's been a while since the two of them saw each other."

"I see…" Aelan smirked, "Remind me not to excite her ever again."

The following day…

"Advisor Aelan?" Admiral Noin said as she poked her head, "He's here."

Aelan looked up from his paperwork, and neatly placed them in their respective folders, then very impeccably placed the folders in their designated spots. He looked up at the Admiral, then asked, "Still nothing from Minister Peacecraft?"

"If she's here, no one told me." Noin answered.

"Perhaps that is for the best." Aelan commented, then said, "Send him in."

At that moment, a squeal of delight, followed by a distinctive wail of "HEERO!" rang through the office. This was promptly followed with a sound of bodies collapsing to the floor. Concerned, Aelan stepped out of his office.

Admiral Noin was outside the door, and in the middle of the reception area was Foreign Minister Relena Peacecraft, laying on top of a young man that Aelan could only assume was Heero Yuy.

"She tackled him in a way that would make a defenseman jealous." Noin mused, "He never saw it coming."

"I don't doubt it." Aelan remarked, recalling his own incident at Relena's hands. "She is deceptively quick when she wants to be."

Heero remained emotionless, and Relena heard him say "Relena." It appeared to be more like a statement than a welcome, however. She refused to let it bother her. She knew how he must feel.

Meanwhile, Heero was pinned underneath a small mass of human flesh. It wasn't an unpleasant experience, but there was no way that he was going to admit it.

"It's been so long, Heero. Why haven't you contacted me?" Relena asked, looking down into his eyes with a sorrowful expression.

Over the years since he became a Gundam Pilot, Heero had compiled a list of impossible things. These were things that for one reason or another, Heero was incapable of doing:

1. It was impossible for him to accept failure during a mission.
2. It was impossible to get Duo to shut up.
3. It was impossible to kill young blonde girls.
4. It was impossible to comprehend why Quatre was so cheery.
5. It was impossible to figure out why Trowa's sister was so unthreatening yet her promise to get him back kept him up some nights.

Now he had another thing to add to his list. It was impossible for him not to feel something when Relena started pouting. Not that he'd ever show it, but for some reason that he couldn't fully understand, he couldn't help but say something to explain himself.

"It's not a complicated matter, Relena." Heero replied blandly, "I figured it was best to avoid contact for the time being. It would not have done you any good as a pacifist to be constantly in contact with a renegade soldier."

For some reason, that explanation didn't suit Relena. Her eyes narrowed, and she slapped him. "Is THAT the reason you've left me hanging for three YEARS?!" She snapped, slapping him again, "Because you didn't want to inconvenience me? That is the stupidest reason I've ever heard for anything! EVEN FROM YOU!"

Heero merely accepted the verbal and physical beating without even a hint he was feeling anything. It was probably best for her to expend all of her energy now, then perhaps it would be possible to have a rational discussion.

At that moment, Advisor Aelan decided to step in. "Pardon me, Madame Minister, but I'd appreciate it if you ceased your abuse of the pilot in question. There are many issues I wish to discuss with him."

Relena stared over at the advisor that would have probably burned twin holes in the chest of a normal man. Heero could barely hold in a chuckle. At the same time, Relena reluctantly stood up, and Heero followed suit. He strode quickly up to the Advisor of North Am, looking straight into the eyes of the man. Aelan stared right back, seemingly unfazed.

"I'm sure we do." Heero said, "I suggest we get started, I don't want to spend any more time here than necessary."

Relena watched Aelan and Heero walk inside, as she started to follow, Noin stopped her. Relena quickly protested, "But Heero…"

"Heero and Aelan have some business to discuss. You'll have time to talk to him later. Right now, I want to take a walk. Join me."

Relena rubbed her hands together. As much as she wanted to be with Heero, she knew that it wasn't right to come all this way, and not talk to one of her best friends. With a nod, she followed Noin outside the Advisor Building.

The governmental district of New Richmond was probably one of the most beautiful places Relena had ever seen. It was a testament to what Advisor Aelan had done since taking over. Two years ago, this place was a wasteland from various battles, one even involving the Gundams, if Relena wasn't mistaken.

Noin opened conversation, and asked, "You really missed him, didn't you?"

It took Relena a moment to reel her mind back into reality's grip. With a flush, she admitted, "Was it that obvious?"

"I was half expecting you to pull out a club, hit him over the head, and then drag him off to your cave."

Relena shook her head. "I don't fully understand it myself. I am obsessed with Heero. Every time I hear his name, I see him when he's not there. Every night, I swear I can hear him saying 'good night' to me. There are times where I'll be bored, like at a meeting, and I can almost feel him hold me. The funny thing is, he doesn't even appear at all interested in me, but I know better… you know?"

Noin dipped her head, her own infatuations coming to her mind, "I know precisely how you feel…"

Relena pulled out of her own fantasy just in time to recognize Noin's. "My brother is out there somewhere. I'm sure that he'll come around to you eventually. He simply has a lot of things to sort out."

"I know…" Noin sighed, then shook herself out of her daydreams, "Why am I wasting our time talking about silly men? How have things over on your side of the world been since I left? Tell me all the juicy details…"

"I think I understand." Heero said, "You want to duck the the whole messy business of getting the approval of the North Am congressional body by building an elite unit of your own."

"Actually, I have the full approval of the congressional body, Mr. Yuy. We have reached the agreement that there will be some issues in which a quick response, or a discreet one, will be necessary."

"I see…"

"Another reason I agreed to do this is that I'll have direct control over the project. You see… I don't fully trust the congressional body. The people of North Am have historically had a superiority complex, which has not been helped with the recent prosperity. Already, dissident talk that WE should be running the show is surfacing, talk that could become dangerous."

"You want people like me to keep these people quiet."

"Not exactly. It would take an awful lot for me to decide to do make a move with you against someone. We're not even fully sure if such a move is necessary. However, I'd like to be prepared if it does."

Heero leaned back in his chair slightly. Not even looking up, he asked, "I've been used by a lot of people. How am I to be assured that you are any different?"

"Well, this isn't an official organization. You have full control over what you do, and what missions you accept. I really won't have any power over you."

"I've heard that before."

Aelan sighed. This was a little tougher than he thought. Normally, he wouldn't be so persistent, but this pilot had skills that Aelan liked. "If at any time, you question my motives, I give you full permission to terminate me."

Heero's eyebrow raised. This was one he had never heard before. "Terminate you?"

"I have the best interest of North Am and the Earth Sphere Unified Nation in mind. If I lose those interests, than I don't deserve to be Advisor, and I should be removed from my position, by any means necessary."

Heero nodded. He found himself respecting Aelan, but talk is cheap. Well, he'd find out how serious he is when the time came.

"All right, you've convinced me." Heero said, without a hint of emotion, "I'm in. Is there anyone else who is in on this yet?"

"Funny you should say that, Heero." An obnoxious, yet familiar voice said from the next room. Heero frowned slightly as Duo Maxwell emerged into the office. "I knew that you couldn't resist the option to ply your trade again."

"What on earth are you thinking, Advisor Aelan?" Heero snorted, "I'm questioning your sanity already." Duo really didn't aggravate him as much as he let on, but there was DEFINITELY no way that Duo was going to EVER know that.

"He's a sound pilot, and you two have worked together well before. Between you two and Mr. Barton, I have a nice start."

"Trowa's here?" Heero asked, "I'm surprised that Catherine let him get away."

"Ah, Aelan was able to convince her that he was in very little danger." Duo said, "Speaking of girls, have you reached a decision about Hilde, Aelan?"

"I'm still not sure about that, Duo. I'd like to avoid such personal connections inside the organization. I'm not convinced that you'd be able to keep your mind on your… business."

"You doubt me?" Duo said innocently, "Do you honestly think that I can't focus on my duties when she's around?"

From behind Duo, Trowa smirked, and replied, "You can't focus on your duties to begin with, much less when Hilde's around."

"See what I mean?" Duo said, "Right there! I'm consistent. Hilde being here wouldn't change me at all!"

Aelan chuckled, "I'll think about it. Right now, I'd get accustomed to your new roles. I have had special underground docking bays installed for your mobile suits. I'll show you them tomorrow."

He stood up, and shook Heero's hand, "I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship…"

----------------------------------------------------

Next time…

The Pilots receive their first mission under Advisor Aelan. Meanwhile, Aelan and Noin prepare for a trip to the colonies, and a discovery that could usher in a new era for all of humanity…

Coming in Episode 2: Reaching for the Stars