Papa Zechs, Chapter 9 - They'll never see us coming!

Zechs stood patiently in from of the screen, awaiting the news from the President. If all went well, he would have the boys emancipation papers in his hands within the hour.

He had to give Duo credit... the 'invasion' DID add a sense of necessity to the situation. The Preventers were trained to counteract terrorism... not handle a full fledged attack. The boys, on the other hand, instigated many of their battles, and would be helpful to his cause.

So, while the pilots were scurrying around, looking for their asses... he pushed Duo's plan forward, intent on reclaiming his life after this was over.

:::At least, I get rid of them....:::

Four hours later, he was triumphantly receiving the documents from the courier.

:::Peace in my house, at last!:::

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The five boy wonders walked into the coffee shop across the street from the hospital. Stopping just inside the door, Heero made eye contact with Zechs and motioned the others to follow as he made a beeline for his table.

"What's going on?" He asked, his voice the normal monotone of the soldier at work.

"Your little scheme backfired, and if the president finds out that you were the ones who messed with their computers..." He took out six envelopes, "These will be revoked."

He fanned the white business size envelopes on the table, showing that each had one of their names on it. There was an extra, with Hilde's written in the same neat penmanship. Not daring to hope, they each opened theirs, sitting down hard when they realized what this meant.

"I'M FREE!" Duo shouted, drawing every eye to their table.

Zechs reached out and smacked him upside the head. "We are trying to keep a low profile, Maxwell. As I was saying.. We have to fix this little mistake.. preferably before ESUN finds out that the gundams are destroyed?"

"Hey, we never hinted that they were still around..." Duo smirked, then realized what Zechs had said... "How did you find out about that plan?"

"I watched you and Heero on the docks.. then bugged your shuttle while you went for the next crate. Oh, and I pushed your plan along. I didn't want you to change your plans. After all, you're not the only one who wants you out."

"I told you, Duo! I DID see someone!" Heero grinned, glad that his instincts weren't failing him.

"Later, Heero. What do you want us to do?" Duo asked Zechs, knowing that they had their work cut out for them.

Zechs leaned back, tapping his chin with his forefinger, obviously gathering his thoughts.

"Your friend, Howard..." he said, "Does he have any spare parts from the Deathscythe lying around?"

"Zechs.. it's a little too late to build another gundam." Quatre interjected, "It would take weeks.. and we don't even know if we have days."

"No.. nothing that elaborate. I was just wondering if he had any spare stealth systems... something that can be jury rigged to a shuttle."

Duo got his crazy Shinigami grin as he realized what was planned.

"We're going to their base?" He asked him, already figuring out what was needed.

"Yes. I really don't think we have much choice, do you?"

Wufei listened quietly, then shook his head.

"No. It won't work. This person might be a madman.. but, he hasn't been convicted. We can't just blow up the base. It wouldn't be right."

"Wu, I know what you are feeling, and I even agree. BUT..." Zechs met his eyes, letting the younger man see the pain, "It's about keeping the majority safe."

"We need to try to arrest this man, first. I won't participate in this action without that agreed on."

"Wu! Now who's acting stupid? He has an army, equipped with mobile suits! We only have the six of us, and a shuttle!"

"Seven, Duo. And I happen to agree with my partner." Sally came up to them from the counter, and stood next to Wufei. "We can't run in there half-cocked. We have to plan carefully."

"Woman, I don't need your support!"

"Stuff it, Chang. We can argue later. For now... we all have to go somewhere a bit more private to make plans."

"Duo, call Howard. Tell him to expect company." Heero ordered, handing the braided pilot his cell phone.

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"Howard! I can't believe you kept so much! Damn! What were you doing, stockpiling in case of mass anarchy?" Duo half joked, his eyes filled with admiration as he got his first look at the other man's warehouse.

"Naaa! It's just a few toys, kid! So, what do you think of the new digs?"

"It's big, that's for sure."

The truth was.. Duo thought he had died and gone to heaven. Howard did have spare parts for Deathscythe lying around... probably enough to rebuild the whole thing if they had time.

"You don't mind throwing me the stealth system?" He asked, not wanting to split up the guys collection.

"I have the plans for it. Don't worry, kid! I can always build another. Now, let's see if we can get it hooked up to the shuttle."

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Meanwhile, Wufei was in the backroom, watching Sally mutter to herself as she looked at the plans for the research colony. They had just managed to find them, thankful that the old Alliance insisted that all colony plans be put on file for public regard.

She nibbled on her lower lip and tapped her heel on the leg of her chair.

:::I can't believe I missed that!::: He thought, remembering that he always yelled at her for distracting him.

"Woman..." He said, trying to get her attention.

She held her hand up, gesturing 'one minute' before tracing an imaginary route over the paper.

"Woman!" Wu said, just a bit longer.

"Hmm? Oh! I'll be right back!" She pushed her chair away, and headed for the door.

Wu panicked, just a bit. If he didn't say it now, he never would. More than likely, they wouldn't have any private time until all this was over.

"WOMAN!" He shouted, moving to stand directly into her path.

"What?!" She asked, trying to walk around.

He grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her towards him. Kissing the tip of her nose, he moved back, and bowed.

He quietly smirked at her dumbfounded expression, and said, "I missed you." Before turning to rejoin the others.

Sally stared after him, rubbing her nose. :::Just when I think I have him figured out, he goes and does something adorable.:::

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"Zechs, I think I have a plan." Sally began, walking up to the men. "We divide into two teams. One team is in charge of apprehending Randolph Cecil, the other team has to destroy the mobile suits."

Once she was sure that everyone was paying attention, she went expanded on her plan.

"According to Carter, Cecil spends most of his day watching his army train. The prison was here, overlooking the courtyard. in what used to be the low security research division. According to the maps and the reports on this place, they used to do research for biological warfare The really nasty stuff is deep in the center of the colony." she gestured on the table, using a sugar packet to mark the spot. "On the opposite side, is the barracks," another sugar packet marked that, " and Cecil's private quarters are at the top. ."

"Sally, can we trust this guy?" Trowa asked, not wanting to walk into a trap. The escape was too easy, almost arranged.

"Zech's and I think so. Carter wants this guy nailed, one way or another. According to him, he's not wrapped that tight in the head."

"It's settled, then. We get the shuttle outfitted, and we go in." Heero said, heading towards the shuttle bay.

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Wufei knocked on her door, needing to clear the air before he could go into battle with her again. Did she really question his honor like that, or was she simply being Sally? It was but one question that needed answering.

She opened the door, her blond twists loosened and finger combed. She held the door open wider, asking him in. Truthfully, Sally expected her partner to show up earlier.

"Tea?" She asked, holding out a cup.

"No, thank you. "

He stood there, watching her fidget. Finally, he said, "I got your message."

Sally didn't need to ask which one. "I know. Wu..."

"Did you really believe that I wouldn't go with them? They had orders, from ESUN, to take me into custody."

"I didn't want you hurt, Wufei. Yes, I knew that you would go with them.. but I also knew that you would give them a hard time, first. They were under orders to drug you if needed!"

"So you thought I was childish enough to be stubborn about it? Damn, what faith you have in me!" He yelled, sarcastically.

"Oh? Look me in the eyes, and tell me that you weren't about to fight your way out of there." Sally challenged, smirking when Wu looked about two inches over her shoulder. "See? Wu... I have faith in you, but, I was not about to let you screw up your future. By going easy, you guaranteed your future position in the Preventers."

"What? That's ridiculous!" he sputtered, "My position was never in danger! My past successes would have spoken for me."

"Oh, your past record definatly would have! Let's see.. you fought against Oz, you were part of the battle that assassinated the peace leaders of the alliance, you joined Mariemaya army....and then.. you would have hospitalized the bearers of bad news. Wu.. they were looking for a reason, any reason, to get you out of their ranks. They considered you a temperamental risk. That's why I sent that message. I knew that you would sulk.. but you also would have gained control over yourself."