I don't own GW or their characters! That privilege belongs to Bandai! Warnings? Not many... well.. not much blood, but only because lasers cauterize wounds.. er..one ATTEMPTED rape..Chappy NOT for the meek... but it DOES set up next chappy... Pairings?? 2xh and 5xSP

The Capture - Chapter Ten
By Caliko

The rebel army lay spread out before them, resting and eating the noon meal before they began the tedious trip across the single lane rope bridge. Unseen by them, an Outland soldier came up on the other side and silently cut the ropes as the unsuspecting warriors began to unpack their food.

"Everyone ready?" Duo asked, as they hid in the tree lines.

"Not yet, Duo. I'm bringing the other team over ."

"Why? I think we can handle this without them." He looked around him, stretching his arms wide to remind her of the combined forces of Warriors and Outland Soldiers.

"We don't want any of the rebels using the trees for cover. It would be too easy for some to get through."

"I don't see Schbeiker, do you, Hilde?" Sally asked, trailing her binoculars over the mass of humanity.

"No.. and that worries me. Do you think he went ahead before we got here?"

"Camp was already set up when we arrived. It's more than possible." Yuy replied. "Only one way to find out, unless you women would like to hide a bit longer?"

With no other warning, he stood up and motioning to his warriors. The men wearing his colors gave a barbaric shout, and ran, drawing their weapons on the lax enemy.

"SHIT!" Duo cried, motioning his men to follow, "That man is destined for an early death!"

Wufei and Duo drew their weapons and joined the mêlée, leaving the Outlanders in the trees.

"Shall we?" Sally asked, standing up.

"Might as well. God knows, Lord Yuy will never shut up if we don't." Hilde replied. "Alright, men, here we go! Try to keep the pistols down, use your laser swords when you can! It will be a tight battle, and we don't want to hurt our allies! Understood? Good, ATTACK!"

The soldiers ran out from the trees, activating their laser swords as they came up to the fighting. Slowly, the allies cut into the mass, minimizing the enemy's numbers, while watching to make sure that they didn't become surrounded.

The battle went on and on, changed only by the direction of the light. The hot sun beat down on the fighters, forcing sweat to roll into their eyes as their arm muscles grew numb from the shock of their striking swords.

Hilde slowly made her way to Duo's side, following the swing of his long braid as he fought. He was between two men, each determined to cut down the Lord Of Hell. She reached him just as he finished off one opponent, but too late to stop the second from attacking his back.

Incensed, she pushed Duo down, out of range of the lethal blow. Then, with a low growl, Hilde slowly advanced. Keeping her head, she held up the laser sword, waving it in front of the mans dazed eyes. Fear radiated out from his foul smelling body, fear as he remembered the horror these devil weapons had caused that day.

Almost coldly, she cornered him against a supply wagon, deliberately feeding his fright, then, with a hiss, she swung her weapon against his, slicing the metal sword in half. Hilde smiled, giving a slight moue, as if to say, 'Oh, too bad.', before she raised the weapon again.

Her face a mask worthy of the bride of death, she soullessly cut him down, the heat of the laser cauterizing the bloodless death wound before he fell.

Hilde turned and reached to give Duo a hand up. Looking into his eyes, she didn't bother to hide her expression, letting him see the frigid determination that ruled her actions.

"Don't be so clumsy. I might not be there the next time." she said, releasing his hand.

Duo watched as she went to fight the next warrior, the memory of her gaze chilling him. There was no trace of his rebellious bride, only this cold valkrye of the battlefield. Her face... It was so.. expressionless as she delivered death to that warrior! She played with him, knowingly pulling at his fears, and then smirked as she snatched his life away with that glowing weapon. If he were the Lord Of Hell, then she was something akin to a demon!

Around them, the rebels broke and ran for the trees, only to be caught up short by their troops. One by one, they were subdued, some by force, while others simply surrendered to the more heavily armed force. Then, the slow work of questioning was begun, as they began the search for the missing rebel leader.

The campfires were lit, beckoning, as Cathy set down the shuttle in near the new camp. Tomorrow, they would begin to ferry the prisoners to the kings camp, but not tonight. Tonight, the fighters were weary and battle torn, seeking only shelter and sleep.

She disembarked from the ship, and was met by Sally and Wufei. They had been walking slowly in the dark, talking with their heads bowed close. Cathy had been watching them in her monitor, smiling quietly as she realized that they were falling in love. She smiled, slightly, knowing that they hadn't intended to meet up with her, but both were too well mannered not to walk her into camp.

"Any news?" Cathy asked, referring to the missing Will Schbeiker.

"Not yet. We think he might be hiding nearby. We found some footprints, but then they disappeared into streams and boulders. Nothing that could lead us to him before nightfall." Wufei replied, his hand squeezing Sally's shoulder.

The other woman was worried for Hilde's sake. From what they had learned from the prisoners, the rebel leader hated his sister with a passion, calling her a traitorous slut, and a conniving bitch.. Many times, they had seen him watch a woman that resembled her, a knife in his hands as he ran his thumb along the edge. Once, he had even taken one of the women to his bed, nearly killing the poor woman in his insane rage. When it came to Hilde, Will acted more like a lover scorned, than a brother betrayed.

She shuddered, then closed her eyes, breathing slowly. Duo had been there when the reference was made, but Hilde had been getting dinner. Determined that she didn't need to know this, he stormed off, refusing to allow her to remain alone and unguarded. Will would be dangerously unpredictable in his insanity.

She brought Cathy to the center of camp, showing her where her tent was already sent up. Then, motioning her inside, filled her in on everything that was going on.

"Lord Maxwell forbid us to warn Hilde?" Her voice was shocked, ringing with disbelief.

"Yeah, well, he's trying. I plan on taking her aside tomorrow, but now? You didn't see her, Cath. She had just fought in her first battle, had killed god alone knows how many men. She needed her rest."

"How bad was the fight? Was it as bad as the Lithway Rebellion back on your home world?"

"Nothing is that bad, Catherine. But this was close. It wasn't really a fight! Slaughter would be a better word."

"Does anyone suspect that it was her first?"

"No." Sally smiled at that. "That girl is scary... she waited until she was alone, while everyone else was eating or washing up, then closed herself into her tent. I DID tell Lord Maxwell, but only so he wouldn't follow her. She would have closed up then, and she needed to get it out."

"Well, here's hoping that all this is over soon."

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Shouts rang out in the night, rousing the uneasy camp almost instantly. Duo opened his eyes, his hands tightening over his wife's cool shoulders. Checking, he realized that she still slept, and relieved, he carefully eased out of the camp bed.

He pulled on his trews and boots, grabbing his sword as he left the tent. Nodding to the guards on duty, he motioned for them to stay there, then he went to investigate.

Catching site of the guards, he pushed through the growing crowd to stop next to Lord Yuy and Captain Chang.

"What's happening?" Duo asked Heero, nodding to where Sally and Cathy were questioning some men.

"He was here, inside of camp." Wufei replied, spitting. "He tried to free the prisoners, and rally them to fight, but they didn't want anything to do with him, not when they finally realize how crazed he is."

Sally shook her head, then approached the two earls. "No information, other than that he was here. I don't like this! How did he get into the camp so easily?"

"He doesn't care about his own safety, just in taking as many people down with him. He's desperate, taking chances we wouldn't expect." Lord Yuy replied, as if he understood perfectly. "We need to increase the guards. Put them in the trees as well as the..."

A woman's scream sounded in the night, cutting off Heero's suggestions. Clanging metal rang out into the night, then hoarse shouts followed by pounding footsteps.

"Hilde!" Duo's blood ran cold as he ran back to his tent, afraid for the first time in his life at what he might find.

He found the guards bleeding on the ground, lifeless. Around the tent milled alliance soldiers, their weapons drawn at the ready. One of them, a young woman from his wife's division, came up to him, her face white.

"It was Schbeiker, Lord Maxwell. I was awake from the earlier noise, and had stepped outside to get a drink when I saw the guards down. I drew my weapon, then called out for help when he rushed past me. I'm sorry, sir, I didn't think. I was worried about the Lieutenant. I let two others chase him down and I went to check on her." She grimaced, dreading this, "I summoned the medic, and he's with her now, but she won't let him examine her."

Duo nodded, then stalked into the tent, blanching. She sat on the bed, one hand over the wound, the other holding her pistol on the medic. Her leg had a six inch gash on the thigh, and her face was already discoloring with bruises.

:::The bastard was going to make her suffer first.:::

She looked through him, her haunted eyes seeing only another threat.

"Wife, put it down. He needs to look at that leg."

But, Hilde didn't move as she kept her aim pointed at him. Slowly, he walked up to the bed, freezing in place when the pistol swung his way. She didn't see him, only the threat of someone coming close.

He glanced back at the medic, motioning the man to come closer. Then, while the gun was shifting back to him, he rushed the bed, pulling the weapon from her hand.

Hilde started to beat his chest, crying, her sobs shaking her entire body as she fought him. Duo cursed Will Schbeiker to the lowest depths of Hell, silently raging that he had managed to wring sobs from this woman, when nothing else had.

"Shhh... Hilde, it's me. Everything is alright.. he's gone." He trapped her hands against his chest, and rubbed her back. After a few minutes, her body relaxed as his touch and scent broke through to her awareness.

"Duo?" She asked, her voice trembling.

"Hmm.. Yes, it's me. Let the medic take care of your leg.. you're hurt pretty badly, Wife."

"He.. he tried.. oh my god..." Hilde's cries got harder, "He tried to! I fought him off, but I couldn't find my pistol! He kept hitting me, trying to get me to let him! Cursing at me the entire time, like I had belonged to him! I managed to kick him just as his blade sliced my leg... ."

"Shhh.. It's alright. He's gone, now." He rubbed circles over her back, nodding to the medic t do his job.

"My hand found my pistol, and I fired at him. I hit his shoulder.. and he grabbed it, saying that he would have me, even if he had to take over the entire kingdom to do it! He was cursing at me as he ran out of the tent.. God, Duo.. I want to go home. Please.. take me home!"

Suddenly, Hilde collapsed in his arms, her entire body going lax.

"What happened?" He asked the Medic, his eyes stormy.

"I had to put her out so I could work on that leg, sir. She'll be fine in the morning, and I'll have her leg sewn up and she'll have had a good rest."

Duo nodded, then went outside. Heero and Wufei were taking care of the bodies, and both turned, questioning.

"I want someone to go to King Milliardo. I don't think he'll get that far, but the king might be the next target. Chang? Send word to Lords Trowa and Quatre that they can move their timid asses back to their domains. The big bad rebellion is over, and we all need to set up a watch for Schbeiker."

Not waiting for an answer, he turned and went back into the tent. The Medic was just packing up, and shook his head when he saw him.

"It's not life threatening, but it's bad. He managed to cut into her muscle pretty deep. I can't treat this without doing more damage. You need to get her back to the ship, now while she's out, so that the doctor on board can fix her up."

"Alright. Go inform Major Po to ready one of your shuttles."

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"Lord Yuy!" Cathy called out, coming up next to Heero, "I would like to volunteer to go speak with King Milliardo. I can warn him, and at the same time, open diplomatic relations with your kingdom."

"He won't speak with a woman." Heero walked away, the subject closed.

"Sir! That IS my position on the ship. I will gladly bring one of your messengers with me, but he will have to speak with me eventually."

Heero finally stopped and turned, an amused smirk across his lips. Looking at the willowy brunette, he snorted, and started to walk away again.

"I will go, sir, with or without your reference!" She ran, placing herself directly into his path as she met his gaze.

"Miss Bloom," He stopped, arching his brow, "He's more likely to fuck you than talk to you."

"I'll take my chances, My Lord." If he thought to make her flinch with his coarseness, then he severely misjudged her.

"Fine, fine! Do what you want. I wash my hands of the matter." Disgusted with having his advice thrown back, he left, vowing to stay as far away from independent women as he could.

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OH BOY.. I'm starting to feel sorry for Heero.. NOT!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! God, I can't wait to fix that turkey!

~Leeko