Post by Azrael on Oct 6, 2014 0:57:04 GMT -5
"And so it begins....Again."
Act 1: Roll Call
"Something wrong, little sister?"
The whispery rasp of Milliardo Peacecraft's voice awoke Relena from her thoughts whilst pretending to read. He stood in her office, adorned in his traditional Sanq Kingdom ambassador's suit of decorative white, which seemed to make his platinum blonde hair look more natural rather than a shock amidst most clothing. A small smile was on his still-youthful face as his ice blue eyes looked at his siblings with warm concern and curosity.
Relena gave a slight sigh as she sat there, in a comfortable white dress with her legs crossed. Time had changed all of them and her girlish features had given way to the curves and beauty of a young woman but at times she felt still a little girl before her brother. The soldier, the fencer, the duelist and the leader, his piercing blue eyes were known to pick up the slightest difference in her attitude. Sometimes even if she wasn't aware of it. While Milliardo remained almost impossible to read, lest he chose to reveal something.
"Nothing is wrong, except that I keep expecting things to change," she said while closing her book and stood up.
Milliardo kept that same warm, small smile. "Are you talking about our current political situation with the colonies or with Heero?" Blunt and to the point while being polite. That was his usual manner. Probably what made him such a good diplomat. Milliardo crossed his arms and eyed his sister with mild curosity...which hid a deeper feeling.
"Not a very good trait of mine, is it?" Relena said as she turned to the window. "The colonies are still complaining about independence while we still strive to convince them unity is what's most important. And yet...I can't even convince a single man to believe in that himself."
"The colonies struggle with their own self-identity," Milliardo stated matter-of-factly. "As I once did. As Heero does. Heero was prepared only to be a soldier. He was not equipped with the ability to understand life in peace. I once thought I was the same. And yet, he does it everyday without even knowing it. He sits and waits for when he is needed. Until he is prepared to accept the life of a pacifist, he can't become what you want him to be."
"But why does it have to be this way?" Relena looked at her hand, curled up slightly into a fist of frustration as she squeezed her eyes tight. "I know how he feels about me. He doesn't deny it. He knows how I feel about him."
"The love between a pacifist and a soldier will always be a troubled one but ultimately significant and necessary to the success of perpetual peace." Milliardo's voice now took a stronger tone. Relena turned to look at her brother, so withdrawn but also so open about matters of emotions. How could someone so strict and militaristic be so very open about his own feelings? It was a unique trait. Relena prided herself as being one of only a few individuals that Milliardo would drop the mask-like face he often carried with him but it still surprised him when he spoke so. "A soldier who has seen war and known his significance and importance in it often fears and rebels to peace, in that he feels his importance is no longer valid. It is the pacifists job not to change the soldier but to let him know that peace is a battle and a struggle within itself. To ensure peace, one must always have soldiers prepared to keep it and those skills and beliefs must be passed down. The issue is that some soldiers believe war to be inevitable and peace a weakness as pacifists believe war to be meaningless. Neither are true and both must come to learn to live with each other. That is why I have chosen to be an ambassador and have succeeded for the glory of the Sanq Kingdom. I believe in the need of both pacifists and soldiers."
Relena gave a smile at him. "You almost sound like Treize Khushrenada."
"Treize knew more about peace and war than many of us," Milliardo replied. "His problem, was seeing the significance of peace."
"It seems to be a difficult thing for soldiers to accept." Relena said with a sad smile.
"Soldiers need something to come home to, in order to appreciate peace." Milliardo walked over and gently took his sister's hands in his. "Heero has something to come home to, but he won't accept it. But I know I do. You and Noin have given me purpose as a pacifist and a soldier. Something to fight for and to acheive peace for."
Relena smiled kindly and wrapped her arms around her brother. "I just wish Heero would come to the same realization as you have."
'So do I,' Milliardo thought as he looked out past the window. 'I have struggled and handled my problems with duality.' It was a hard thing for Milliardo to accept. After his return, he had stood trial but it had been proven that the Zero system had caused temporary insanity and therefore Milliardo was pardoned for his crimes. But for Milliardo, pardoned was not the same thing as redeemed. The political issues between the space colonies and the planet Earth had always been in conflict. Even with all mobile suits destroyed, there were still riots, terrorist factions and rebels. None posed a serious threat but it showed a struggle that everyone had: A struggle to accept peace. Milliardo had to work hard as a diplomat and ambassador to achieve trust after his actions. He eventually did and became recognized and respected both as a man who had fought for the colonies and for the Earth while his time was in Oz. Pacifists saw him as the perfect example of a "rehabilitated soldier" and soldiers saw him as one of their own.
'If more politicians had seen war, negotiations might have been much easier,' he thought to himself. So many politicians lacked the understanding of pain, anger, hunger and horror, but also faith in a cause and comraderie that was experienced by military individuals. And how it could take such a toll on the human mind. Because of these struggles, people suffering from poverty could appreciate soldiers as one of their own as well. That, in Milliardo's mind, was what gave him such a powerful edge in negotiations. He fought for the underdog, the poor, the homeless, the soldier's that had been cast away and the civilians that suffered in the crossfire. Many of his negotiations worked around compromise between said people and the politicians that sought to establish their own view of order and structure to society. 'Still....' Milliardo's ice blue eyes narrowed as his mind took an angry turn. 'Heero. Why do you put my sister through this? Hasn't she suffered enough for your sake?'
"Sir?"
Milliardo released his sister from their hug and turned to see one of his aides standing in the door. Milliardo looked at him plainly. "Yes?"
"You might want to see this," the aide said. "Someone sent you a...VERY large package."
"Hm?" Milliardo lowered his chin and narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
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The Sanq Kingdom grounds were a beautiful sight with their aged but still stunningly artistic buildings and gardens. Aides and bodyguards were looking at something within the grassy grounds of their large garden. Ugly and plain amongst the aesthetically pleasing stone buildings and walls with their decorative flowers, a massive steel box of some sort towered several stories high, flowers crushed beneath it.
"This note was found nailed to the side of it, sir," the aide said and handed an envelope to Milliardo.
Relena stared in awe at it. "How could this have just shown up here?"
"It was dropped via parachute from a plane that flew overhead, ma'am," the aide replied. "We've no idea who it was or how it got here. There are no flights scheduled in the area."
Milliardo opened the envelope and pulled out a letter. Decorative with fine print, it read "The stage is prepared, my friend. Here are your props. I look forward to seeing you take the spotlight. -- T."
The heir to the Sanq Kingdom's eyebrows arched. 'It can't be...'
"Milliardo?" Relena looked over at her brother with concern. "What's wrong?"
Milliardo walked over numbly to the large metal box and looked for something. There. He found it. In it's regular place from back during his time with OZ. He touched a spot in the metal that gave way. Standing there firmly, he watched as one whole side of the giant steel box suddenly fell to the ground, safely from everyone. Walking over, he stood there and observed the contents. The sunlight shone inside, sparkling off a silver mask on the ground.
The mask of Zechs Merquis.
"Tallgeese," Milliardo said distinctly as he observed the massive mobile suit. It was the Tallgeese...and yet a design distinctly different from it's 3 predecessors. Winged and majestic with a much larger knight-like shield holding the eagle symbol of freedom
on it, it's armor painted with shock-white. Milliardo could simply look at the metal and tell that it was Gundanium, despite the fact that mining it was outlawed.
"Milliardo!" Relena gasped and held her hand to her cheek. The aides and witnesses began to murmur behind them.
"Oh my gosh, what's happening?" "Are we going to war?! After all this time of peace?!" "Maybe it's just decorative!"
Milliardo simply stood there, staring at the mammoth mobile suit. He didn't at all question that it was fully functional. Relena looked over at her brother with concern and fear. "Milliardo, what's going on?"
"So he's still alive," Milliardo stated.
"Who??" Relena said urgently. "Milliardo, who's still alive? Milliardo!"
"Where is Lady Une and Dorothy?" Milliardo said firmly. Relena stared at her brother in shock and horror. This wasn't the ambassador of the Sanq Kingdom speaking. The body language, the one...this was Zechs Merquis. "I want their whereabouts immediately."
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Murmuring was heard on the grounds of the Shaolin Temple where Wufei Chang resided. Standing there with his arms crossed, he looked at the open metal box, the very same type that was found at the Sanq Kingdom grounds. Inside was a new and improved Gundam. "Tien Lung" as it was named but Wufei could easily tell what it was based off of. New but still the same.
Wufei walked over to it. "So, Nataku... looks like we're back at it again."
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The Winner Mansion was quiet as Quatre ran out to the back grounds of his beautiful home. An unusually stern expression was on his often kind, boyish features as he sprinted to the back. The metallic box was open and revealed his old friend....new and yet the same.
"No!" Quatre said, clenching his fists. "Hasn't there been enough pain?! Hasn't my family suffered enough?!"
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The travelling circus was abuzz and stared as the large metal box that was just dropped in the trees near them was opening up. Trowa stood above them, stoic-faced as ever. Catherine looked on with horror. She had a terrible feeling as to what this might have been. Fearlessly, Trowa walked over to the opening to see an upgraded version of Heavyarms.
"This is a surprise," he said calmly. "Looks like Trowa Barton is alive again."
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Duo Maxwell ran out to the back of the junkyard that he worked in. Heero was already standing there. The wind picked up as a storm was about to take place. Duo couldn't believe what he saw.
"Heero! Dude, what is going on?!" Duo was in shock and amazement.
Heero simply stood there with his hands in his jacket pockets. "Mobile suits have been appearing all over the place. Zechs has already had one drop in on him in the Sanq Kingdom. Wufei's temple had one as well. I expected us to get ours."
"Whaddya mean, 'you expected'?" Duo demanded as he stood there, staring at the two mobile suits within the boxes that landed amongst the junk metal and twisted machine parts. "I dunno about you pal, but this was a surprise to me!"
Heero remained as emotionless as ever, his face maintaining that same calm tone and naturally stern look to his face. "Looks like we'll be needing these."
"Man, tell me this is just a joke," Duo said with a grimace on his face. "My buddy was just fine sleeping for good. They oughtta know not to wake up the God of Death."
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The Sanq Kingdom throne room was abuzz with reports all over. Lucrezia Noin herself had shown up from the Preventers Agency to report. Relena sat on her smaller throne in her white ambassador uniform as Milliardo stood in a different outfit, having changed into his attire that he once wore with the White Fang, complete with grey trench coat in his larger throne. He looked stern and militaristic. Not the Milliardo that Relena once knew.
'I can only pray that Zechs Merquis doesn't come back,' Relena thought to herself as she eyed her brother. 'I've been happy to have my brother back in my life...for so long I never had one. He filled the gap that was left when my father passed away. Milliardo...please don't leave me. I lost my father. I lost Heero. I can't lose you too.'
Lucrezia walked over with a similar look of concern. 'He already looks like he's ready for combat again,' Noin thought to herself. "We can't find Lady Une or Dorothy. They've both been missing for the past few days. The Preventers didn't want to say anything in hopes of avoiding rumors spreading."
Milliardo didn't look in the slightest surprised. "I know where they are."
"Sir," one of the aides said as he walked over. "There's been reports of similar boxes landing in various places with Gundams. Other have mobile suits resembling Leo models but vastly upgraded, both on Earth and in the colonies. Other mobile suits as well, some with designs we've never seen before. Serpent models included but without any markings identifying them as part of any faction. The aircraft and space shuttles seen sending them are unmarked and don't seem to have any weapons. They also don't seem to be hostile at all, they just drop their packages and leave."
"They're not designed for combat," Milliardo stated. "They're only messengers."
"Hm? Messengers for what?" Relena said.
"For what's to come," Milliardo responded. "I had hoped my good friend had passed away. But it seems he's still alive. And as long as he's alive, peace is assured to never be."
As if on cue, the large view screen in the room flickered on to a familiar face. Clean-cut and smooth-shaven, hair properly combed and adorned in a handsome blue dress uniform, the long-time infamous political leader and military strategist Treize Khushrenada stood in an office with Lady Une behind him, a small smile on her face.
"Treize!" Relena said in a hushed tone. "He's alive!"
'If I could survive the blast in the Epyon, I know that the Tallgeese could have survived a puncture wound,' Milliardo thought as his eyes narrowed at the sight of his old friend. 'It was specifically designed for that purpose in mind. I found the blueprints later, showing how the cockpit had an emergency life-support system in the event of an explosion or deactivation. It appears he found somewhere and lived in secret. It's much like Treize to go for a dramatic turn.'
"Citizens of Earth and the Space Colonies," he stated in his tone of authority. "I am Treize Khushrenada. I have been watching the progression of mankind ever since the end of war. I have become sorely disappointed. Therefore, I'm about to make history once more and take the stage again. I will do what must be done to put an end to this once and for all. Even after enduring their wretched history of war, human kind never tried to get back on it's feet. At this rate, the Earth will become filled with worthless people. If it's to change the course of history, I am willing to become the notorious bad guy. This is a soldier's world. And with my new forces and my new mobile suit, the Hydra Gundam, I will ensure that it the world once again is inherited by soldier's. You have been given your props and you know your roles. Let the play start again."
Milliardo immediately stood up and hit the transmit button on his remote. "Treize!"
Treize offered a warm smile to his old comrade. "Why, Zechs. How good of you to respond."
"I'm not playing your game anymore, Treize," Milliardo responded.
"If you want to decide the fate of the world, you have the tools necessary to try."
"The world is not mine to decide," Milliardo responded. Treize started in spite of himself and raised an eyebrow at the King of the Sanq Kingdom. "I inherited the Sanq Kingdom and my father's name. The Peacecraft name is not one of war or conflict. I only have the right to command the Sanq Kingdom. I hereby declare it neutral. We will take no side in any conflict. The Tallgeese will be used only in defense of these lands. We will not engage any enemies, nor will we assist in any faction's operations. All that seek peace over war have the right to claim sanctuary."
Treize's eyebrow remained raised as Dorothy herself turned and stared at Milliardo. "A clever move, old friend," Treize said. "But how long can you hold it?"
The transmission ended abruptly. Milliardo stood near his throne and looked around him. Relena smiled with warm admiration at her brother. "As of this moment, I relinquish the throne of the Sanq Kingdom to my sister Relena Peacecraft." Relena's eyes widened as she reared back in surprise. Even Noin and the aides were taken aback by this statement.
"What?" Relena exclaimed. "Milliardo....why?"
"A Peacecraft should never be involved in any form of combat, be it defensive or otherwise," Milliardo said. "As Milliardo Peacecraft, I cannot both defend and lead this nation without tainting the family name. Sister...I plead with you: Fulfill my request and ensure that the Sanq Kingdom remains neutral, a sanctuary for all who desire peace. You are an accomplished ambassador and leader. I know I can trust you."
Noin looked at Milliardo with concern and confusion. "But what will you do? Where will you go?"
"Milliardo Peacecraft is retired for now," He said as he reached over and pulled the silver mask from beside his throne. Putting it on his head, he stood there. "Zechs Merquis now stands in service to the Sanq Kingdom, as defender and guardian."
Relena looked over at them, then stood up and took the throne. "Very well. My brother's wishes will be fulfilled. Let it be known historically that Milliardo retired during this time. And that Zechs Merquis, a soldier, was appointed the Commander of the Sanq Kingdom Defense force and Guardian of the nation."
Zechs nodded and saluted his sister appropriately. Noin smiled warmly at her lover. "Is there room for a 2nd in command?"
"Always," Zechs said as he offered a smile. "I'd love nothing better than for you to stand by my side." She took her place next to him and looked at Relena. "I officially resign as a member of the Preventers and offer my assistance to the Sanq Kingdom."
Relena looked more than a little relieved. This was unsettling that her brother would return to the persona of Zechs Merquis but nonetheless she was willing to accept it was symbolic and necessary to maintain the purity of the Peacecraft name. But with Noin to help keep her brother balanced, her fears and concerns were soothed. "Thank you, Miss Noin. Welcome to the Sanq Kingdom."
The stage was set.
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Treize stood in the docking bay of his massive space station as he looked at his new Gundam, the Hydra Gundam. "Very clever, Zechs," Treize said aloud. "Whoever attacks the Sanq Kingdom is now the bad guy that most everyone else will jump on. Even if you lose, you'll be a martyr that will be something people remember. But there are ways around that. I've found them before. We both know that, Zechs. We found ways around things in the Romefeller nation. We'll find them again. The stage won't end until the final duel is decided. Only one of us can be right. And now, everything is set. All we have to do is let the acts go in accordance. It'll lead to you and me. That two men could have such importance...that the fate of the world and colonies would rely on a single duel. Magnificent. We'll find out what's right, Zechs. Just like we always do."
"Sir, we've the final touches added to what you want," Lady Une said as she walked over to Treize with a clipboard.
"Excellent." Trieze smiled and took the clipboard. "I see the new Vayeate and Mercurius Suivant models are exceeding what we expected. That's good. Who have you chosen to pilot them?"
"I was wanting to volunteer as the pilot to the Vayeate," Lady Une said. "I've practiced in the simulators for some time. I believe I can pilot it better than anyone else."
"That settles the Vayeate," Treize said. "And what about Mercurius?"
"I was hoping I could, Lord Khushrenada." Dorothy suddenly walked over to him, her cold blue eyes as soulless as ever with her unusual eyebrows and that chilling smile. Like a viper's. "I have extensive knowledge in fencing and with the Mercurius' defensive abilities, I'd adapt quite well."
"Think you two can work together?" Treize said lightly. Both the women looked at each other, then nodded in agreement. "Seems fine by me. First order of business is to get our army up and running. We need to let them know OZ is back. Is the Lake Victoria base operational?'
"Completely, sir," Dorothy said with that same smile. "All members and leaders not loyal to you have been assassinated. It's entirely under our control now."
Treize raised an eyebrow. "Assassinated?"
"Yes, I thought it was the most efficient way to remove opposing leadership," Dorothy said with a very pleased grin.
Treize turned to look at her. "Dorothy... I would appreciate it if you would clear these types of actions with me or Lady Une first."
"Huh?" Dorothy's smile evaporated as she looked almost a little hurtfully surprised. "But--"
"Assassinations are necessary from time to time but should not be anything but a last resort," Treize said in a calm tone. That calm, polite tone he always used whenever he was disappointed in someone. "This is a soldier's world, not a politician's. While politics and assassin's all have their roles to play in the grand play of history, their use should be minimal. Constant use of assassin's is undignified. Try to remember that."
Dorothy looked down as she said softly, "Yes, sir." It was a gentle chiding but it was a chiding nonetheless. It also clearly established that Lady Une was Treize's second...not her. Treize calmly walked past Dorothy as Lady Une followed suit. Dorothy sent a scathing look at the back of Lady Une. 'You may be the lady to his gentlemanly heart but not for long. You don't even know how you are. A man like Treize deserves a woman who knows who she is and what is doing.' A cold smile crossed Dorothy's features. 'It won't be long before Treize realizes that and it's you that's second to me'. She smiled calmly as she looked over at the two mobile suits. Vayeate and Mercurius were polar opposites but worked well together. Dorothy acknowledged that wasn't unlike herself and Une. But even in a partnership, there was a leader. And Dorothy would prove who was the leader in their relationship.
"How are the results of the Aquarius going?" Treize asked Lady Une as they continued to her office.
"They're proceeding very well." She said then gave an uncertain glance. "But there's some confusion as to why you would make it a mobile doll."
"Very simple, Lady Une," Treize said as he sat down in his office. "Mobile dolls are an abomination. They don't deserve to be in combat. The Aquarius has a jamming system that will disable any and all mobile dolls near us. But since it itself will be run by a similar operating system, people will realize that futility of it. A soulless creation without value beyond strategy or monetary to counter armies of soulless creations without value beyond strategy or monetary. It will prove the futility of the system itself. Before long...people won't even want to use mobile dolls. They'll be obsolete. A few demonstrations of entire armies falling to one Gundam mobile doll and the term of mobile doll itself will become synanomous with disaster." He clasped his hands together and smiled as he looked at the specs on his computer screen. "It'll be artistically and strategically perfect."
Lady Une stood by his side as she gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "What shall we do now, sir?'
Treize smiled and place his hand over hers. "We wait. Let the play run it's course. It begins...again."
Act 1: Roll Call
"Something wrong, little sister?"
The whispery rasp of Milliardo Peacecraft's voice awoke Relena from her thoughts whilst pretending to read. He stood in her office, adorned in his traditional Sanq Kingdom ambassador's suit of decorative white, which seemed to make his platinum blonde hair look more natural rather than a shock amidst most clothing. A small smile was on his still-youthful face as his ice blue eyes looked at his siblings with warm concern and curosity.
Relena gave a slight sigh as she sat there, in a comfortable white dress with her legs crossed. Time had changed all of them and her girlish features had given way to the curves and beauty of a young woman but at times she felt still a little girl before her brother. The soldier, the fencer, the duelist and the leader, his piercing blue eyes were known to pick up the slightest difference in her attitude. Sometimes even if she wasn't aware of it. While Milliardo remained almost impossible to read, lest he chose to reveal something.
"Nothing is wrong, except that I keep expecting things to change," she said while closing her book and stood up.
Milliardo kept that same warm, small smile. "Are you talking about our current political situation with the colonies or with Heero?" Blunt and to the point while being polite. That was his usual manner. Probably what made him such a good diplomat. Milliardo crossed his arms and eyed his sister with mild curosity...which hid a deeper feeling.
"Not a very good trait of mine, is it?" Relena said as she turned to the window. "The colonies are still complaining about independence while we still strive to convince them unity is what's most important. And yet...I can't even convince a single man to believe in that himself."
"The colonies struggle with their own self-identity," Milliardo stated matter-of-factly. "As I once did. As Heero does. Heero was prepared only to be a soldier. He was not equipped with the ability to understand life in peace. I once thought I was the same. And yet, he does it everyday without even knowing it. He sits and waits for when he is needed. Until he is prepared to accept the life of a pacifist, he can't become what you want him to be."
"But why does it have to be this way?" Relena looked at her hand, curled up slightly into a fist of frustration as she squeezed her eyes tight. "I know how he feels about me. He doesn't deny it. He knows how I feel about him."
"The love between a pacifist and a soldier will always be a troubled one but ultimately significant and necessary to the success of perpetual peace." Milliardo's voice now took a stronger tone. Relena turned to look at her brother, so withdrawn but also so open about matters of emotions. How could someone so strict and militaristic be so very open about his own feelings? It was a unique trait. Relena prided herself as being one of only a few individuals that Milliardo would drop the mask-like face he often carried with him but it still surprised him when he spoke so. "A soldier who has seen war and known his significance and importance in it often fears and rebels to peace, in that he feels his importance is no longer valid. It is the pacifists job not to change the soldier but to let him know that peace is a battle and a struggle within itself. To ensure peace, one must always have soldiers prepared to keep it and those skills and beliefs must be passed down. The issue is that some soldiers believe war to be inevitable and peace a weakness as pacifists believe war to be meaningless. Neither are true and both must come to learn to live with each other. That is why I have chosen to be an ambassador and have succeeded for the glory of the Sanq Kingdom. I believe in the need of both pacifists and soldiers."
Relena gave a smile at him. "You almost sound like Treize Khushrenada."
"Treize knew more about peace and war than many of us," Milliardo replied. "His problem, was seeing the significance of peace."
"It seems to be a difficult thing for soldiers to accept." Relena said with a sad smile.
"Soldiers need something to come home to, in order to appreciate peace." Milliardo walked over and gently took his sister's hands in his. "Heero has something to come home to, but he won't accept it. But I know I do. You and Noin have given me purpose as a pacifist and a soldier. Something to fight for and to acheive peace for."
Relena smiled kindly and wrapped her arms around her brother. "I just wish Heero would come to the same realization as you have."
'So do I,' Milliardo thought as he looked out past the window. 'I have struggled and handled my problems with duality.' It was a hard thing for Milliardo to accept. After his return, he had stood trial but it had been proven that the Zero system had caused temporary insanity and therefore Milliardo was pardoned for his crimes. But for Milliardo, pardoned was not the same thing as redeemed. The political issues between the space colonies and the planet Earth had always been in conflict. Even with all mobile suits destroyed, there were still riots, terrorist factions and rebels. None posed a serious threat but it showed a struggle that everyone had: A struggle to accept peace. Milliardo had to work hard as a diplomat and ambassador to achieve trust after his actions. He eventually did and became recognized and respected both as a man who had fought for the colonies and for the Earth while his time was in Oz. Pacifists saw him as the perfect example of a "rehabilitated soldier" and soldiers saw him as one of their own.
'If more politicians had seen war, negotiations might have been much easier,' he thought to himself. So many politicians lacked the understanding of pain, anger, hunger and horror, but also faith in a cause and comraderie that was experienced by military individuals. And how it could take such a toll on the human mind. Because of these struggles, people suffering from poverty could appreciate soldiers as one of their own as well. That, in Milliardo's mind, was what gave him such a powerful edge in negotiations. He fought for the underdog, the poor, the homeless, the soldier's that had been cast away and the civilians that suffered in the crossfire. Many of his negotiations worked around compromise between said people and the politicians that sought to establish their own view of order and structure to society. 'Still....' Milliardo's ice blue eyes narrowed as his mind took an angry turn. 'Heero. Why do you put my sister through this? Hasn't she suffered enough for your sake?'
"Sir?"
Milliardo released his sister from their hug and turned to see one of his aides standing in the door. Milliardo looked at him plainly. "Yes?"
"You might want to see this," the aide said. "Someone sent you a...VERY large package."
"Hm?" Milliardo lowered his chin and narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
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The Sanq Kingdom grounds were a beautiful sight with their aged but still stunningly artistic buildings and gardens. Aides and bodyguards were looking at something within the grassy grounds of their large garden. Ugly and plain amongst the aesthetically pleasing stone buildings and walls with their decorative flowers, a massive steel box of some sort towered several stories high, flowers crushed beneath it.
"This note was found nailed to the side of it, sir," the aide said and handed an envelope to Milliardo.
Relena stared in awe at it. "How could this have just shown up here?"
"It was dropped via parachute from a plane that flew overhead, ma'am," the aide replied. "We've no idea who it was or how it got here. There are no flights scheduled in the area."
Milliardo opened the envelope and pulled out a letter. Decorative with fine print, it read "The stage is prepared, my friend. Here are your props. I look forward to seeing you take the spotlight. -- T."
The heir to the Sanq Kingdom's eyebrows arched. 'It can't be...'
"Milliardo?" Relena looked over at her brother with concern. "What's wrong?"
Milliardo walked over numbly to the large metal box and looked for something. There. He found it. In it's regular place from back during his time with OZ. He touched a spot in the metal that gave way. Standing there firmly, he watched as one whole side of the giant steel box suddenly fell to the ground, safely from everyone. Walking over, he stood there and observed the contents. The sunlight shone inside, sparkling off a silver mask on the ground.
The mask of Zechs Merquis.
"Tallgeese," Milliardo said distinctly as he observed the massive mobile suit. It was the Tallgeese...and yet a design distinctly different from it's 3 predecessors. Winged and majestic with a much larger knight-like shield holding the eagle symbol of freedom
on it, it's armor painted with shock-white. Milliardo could simply look at the metal and tell that it was Gundanium, despite the fact that mining it was outlawed.
"Milliardo!" Relena gasped and held her hand to her cheek. The aides and witnesses began to murmur behind them.
"Oh my gosh, what's happening?" "Are we going to war?! After all this time of peace?!" "Maybe it's just decorative!"
Milliardo simply stood there, staring at the mammoth mobile suit. He didn't at all question that it was fully functional. Relena looked over at her brother with concern and fear. "Milliardo, what's going on?"
"So he's still alive," Milliardo stated.
"Who??" Relena said urgently. "Milliardo, who's still alive? Milliardo!"
"Where is Lady Une and Dorothy?" Milliardo said firmly. Relena stared at her brother in shock and horror. This wasn't the ambassador of the Sanq Kingdom speaking. The body language, the one...this was Zechs Merquis. "I want their whereabouts immediately."
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Murmuring was heard on the grounds of the Shaolin Temple where Wufei Chang resided. Standing there with his arms crossed, he looked at the open metal box, the very same type that was found at the Sanq Kingdom grounds. Inside was a new and improved Gundam. "Tien Lung" as it was named but Wufei could easily tell what it was based off of. New but still the same.
Wufei walked over to it. "So, Nataku... looks like we're back at it again."
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The Winner Mansion was quiet as Quatre ran out to the back grounds of his beautiful home. An unusually stern expression was on his often kind, boyish features as he sprinted to the back. The metallic box was open and revealed his old friend....new and yet the same.
"No!" Quatre said, clenching his fists. "Hasn't there been enough pain?! Hasn't my family suffered enough?!"
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The travelling circus was abuzz and stared as the large metal box that was just dropped in the trees near them was opening up. Trowa stood above them, stoic-faced as ever. Catherine looked on with horror. She had a terrible feeling as to what this might have been. Fearlessly, Trowa walked over to the opening to see an upgraded version of Heavyarms.
"This is a surprise," he said calmly. "Looks like Trowa Barton is alive again."
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Duo Maxwell ran out to the back of the junkyard that he worked in. Heero was already standing there. The wind picked up as a storm was about to take place. Duo couldn't believe what he saw.
"Heero! Dude, what is going on?!" Duo was in shock and amazement.
Heero simply stood there with his hands in his jacket pockets. "Mobile suits have been appearing all over the place. Zechs has already had one drop in on him in the Sanq Kingdom. Wufei's temple had one as well. I expected us to get ours."
"Whaddya mean, 'you expected'?" Duo demanded as he stood there, staring at the two mobile suits within the boxes that landed amongst the junk metal and twisted machine parts. "I dunno about you pal, but this was a surprise to me!"
Heero remained as emotionless as ever, his face maintaining that same calm tone and naturally stern look to his face. "Looks like we'll be needing these."
"Man, tell me this is just a joke," Duo said with a grimace on his face. "My buddy was just fine sleeping for good. They oughtta know not to wake up the God of Death."
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The Sanq Kingdom throne room was abuzz with reports all over. Lucrezia Noin herself had shown up from the Preventers Agency to report. Relena sat on her smaller throne in her white ambassador uniform as Milliardo stood in a different outfit, having changed into his attire that he once wore with the White Fang, complete with grey trench coat in his larger throne. He looked stern and militaristic. Not the Milliardo that Relena once knew.
'I can only pray that Zechs Merquis doesn't come back,' Relena thought to herself as she eyed her brother. 'I've been happy to have my brother back in my life...for so long I never had one. He filled the gap that was left when my father passed away. Milliardo...please don't leave me. I lost my father. I lost Heero. I can't lose you too.'
Lucrezia walked over with a similar look of concern. 'He already looks like he's ready for combat again,' Noin thought to herself. "We can't find Lady Une or Dorothy. They've both been missing for the past few days. The Preventers didn't want to say anything in hopes of avoiding rumors spreading."
Milliardo didn't look in the slightest surprised. "I know where they are."
"Sir," one of the aides said as he walked over. "There's been reports of similar boxes landing in various places with Gundams. Other have mobile suits resembling Leo models but vastly upgraded, both on Earth and in the colonies. Other mobile suits as well, some with designs we've never seen before. Serpent models included but without any markings identifying them as part of any faction. The aircraft and space shuttles seen sending them are unmarked and don't seem to have any weapons. They also don't seem to be hostile at all, they just drop their packages and leave."
"They're not designed for combat," Milliardo stated. "They're only messengers."
"Hm? Messengers for what?" Relena said.
"For what's to come," Milliardo responded. "I had hoped my good friend had passed away. But it seems he's still alive. And as long as he's alive, peace is assured to never be."
As if on cue, the large view screen in the room flickered on to a familiar face. Clean-cut and smooth-shaven, hair properly combed and adorned in a handsome blue dress uniform, the long-time infamous political leader and military strategist Treize Khushrenada stood in an office with Lady Une behind him, a small smile on her face.
"Treize!" Relena said in a hushed tone. "He's alive!"
'If I could survive the blast in the Epyon, I know that the Tallgeese could have survived a puncture wound,' Milliardo thought as his eyes narrowed at the sight of his old friend. 'It was specifically designed for that purpose in mind. I found the blueprints later, showing how the cockpit had an emergency life-support system in the event of an explosion or deactivation. It appears he found somewhere and lived in secret. It's much like Treize to go for a dramatic turn.'
"Citizens of Earth and the Space Colonies," he stated in his tone of authority. "I am Treize Khushrenada. I have been watching the progression of mankind ever since the end of war. I have become sorely disappointed. Therefore, I'm about to make history once more and take the stage again. I will do what must be done to put an end to this once and for all. Even after enduring their wretched history of war, human kind never tried to get back on it's feet. At this rate, the Earth will become filled with worthless people. If it's to change the course of history, I am willing to become the notorious bad guy. This is a soldier's world. And with my new forces and my new mobile suit, the Hydra Gundam, I will ensure that it the world once again is inherited by soldier's. You have been given your props and you know your roles. Let the play start again."
Milliardo immediately stood up and hit the transmit button on his remote. "Treize!"
Treize offered a warm smile to his old comrade. "Why, Zechs. How good of you to respond."
"I'm not playing your game anymore, Treize," Milliardo responded.
"If you want to decide the fate of the world, you have the tools necessary to try."
"The world is not mine to decide," Milliardo responded. Treize started in spite of himself and raised an eyebrow at the King of the Sanq Kingdom. "I inherited the Sanq Kingdom and my father's name. The Peacecraft name is not one of war or conflict. I only have the right to command the Sanq Kingdom. I hereby declare it neutral. We will take no side in any conflict. The Tallgeese will be used only in defense of these lands. We will not engage any enemies, nor will we assist in any faction's operations. All that seek peace over war have the right to claim sanctuary."
Treize's eyebrow remained raised as Dorothy herself turned and stared at Milliardo. "A clever move, old friend," Treize said. "But how long can you hold it?"
The transmission ended abruptly. Milliardo stood near his throne and looked around him. Relena smiled with warm admiration at her brother. "As of this moment, I relinquish the throne of the Sanq Kingdom to my sister Relena Peacecraft." Relena's eyes widened as she reared back in surprise. Even Noin and the aides were taken aback by this statement.
"What?" Relena exclaimed. "Milliardo....why?"
"A Peacecraft should never be involved in any form of combat, be it defensive or otherwise," Milliardo said. "As Milliardo Peacecraft, I cannot both defend and lead this nation without tainting the family name. Sister...I plead with you: Fulfill my request and ensure that the Sanq Kingdom remains neutral, a sanctuary for all who desire peace. You are an accomplished ambassador and leader. I know I can trust you."
Noin looked at Milliardo with concern and confusion. "But what will you do? Where will you go?"
"Milliardo Peacecraft is retired for now," He said as he reached over and pulled the silver mask from beside his throne. Putting it on his head, he stood there. "Zechs Merquis now stands in service to the Sanq Kingdom, as defender and guardian."
Relena looked over at them, then stood up and took the throne. "Very well. My brother's wishes will be fulfilled. Let it be known historically that Milliardo retired during this time. And that Zechs Merquis, a soldier, was appointed the Commander of the Sanq Kingdom Defense force and Guardian of the nation."
Zechs nodded and saluted his sister appropriately. Noin smiled warmly at her lover. "Is there room for a 2nd in command?"
"Always," Zechs said as he offered a smile. "I'd love nothing better than for you to stand by my side." She took her place next to him and looked at Relena. "I officially resign as a member of the Preventers and offer my assistance to the Sanq Kingdom."
Relena looked more than a little relieved. This was unsettling that her brother would return to the persona of Zechs Merquis but nonetheless she was willing to accept it was symbolic and necessary to maintain the purity of the Peacecraft name. But with Noin to help keep her brother balanced, her fears and concerns were soothed. "Thank you, Miss Noin. Welcome to the Sanq Kingdom."
The stage was set.
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Treize stood in the docking bay of his massive space station as he looked at his new Gundam, the Hydra Gundam. "Very clever, Zechs," Treize said aloud. "Whoever attacks the Sanq Kingdom is now the bad guy that most everyone else will jump on. Even if you lose, you'll be a martyr that will be something people remember. But there are ways around that. I've found them before. We both know that, Zechs. We found ways around things in the Romefeller nation. We'll find them again. The stage won't end until the final duel is decided. Only one of us can be right. And now, everything is set. All we have to do is let the acts go in accordance. It'll lead to you and me. That two men could have such importance...that the fate of the world and colonies would rely on a single duel. Magnificent. We'll find out what's right, Zechs. Just like we always do."
"Sir, we've the final touches added to what you want," Lady Une said as she walked over to Treize with a clipboard.
"Excellent." Trieze smiled and took the clipboard. "I see the new Vayeate and Mercurius Suivant models are exceeding what we expected. That's good. Who have you chosen to pilot them?"
"I was wanting to volunteer as the pilot to the Vayeate," Lady Une said. "I've practiced in the simulators for some time. I believe I can pilot it better than anyone else."
"That settles the Vayeate," Treize said. "And what about Mercurius?"
"I was hoping I could, Lord Khushrenada." Dorothy suddenly walked over to him, her cold blue eyes as soulless as ever with her unusual eyebrows and that chilling smile. Like a viper's. "I have extensive knowledge in fencing and with the Mercurius' defensive abilities, I'd adapt quite well."
"Think you two can work together?" Treize said lightly. Both the women looked at each other, then nodded in agreement. "Seems fine by me. First order of business is to get our army up and running. We need to let them know OZ is back. Is the Lake Victoria base operational?'
"Completely, sir," Dorothy said with that same smile. "All members and leaders not loyal to you have been assassinated. It's entirely under our control now."
Treize raised an eyebrow. "Assassinated?"
"Yes, I thought it was the most efficient way to remove opposing leadership," Dorothy said with a very pleased grin.
Treize turned to look at her. "Dorothy... I would appreciate it if you would clear these types of actions with me or Lady Une first."
"Huh?" Dorothy's smile evaporated as she looked almost a little hurtfully surprised. "But--"
"Assassinations are necessary from time to time but should not be anything but a last resort," Treize said in a calm tone. That calm, polite tone he always used whenever he was disappointed in someone. "This is a soldier's world, not a politician's. While politics and assassin's all have their roles to play in the grand play of history, their use should be minimal. Constant use of assassin's is undignified. Try to remember that."
Dorothy looked down as she said softly, "Yes, sir." It was a gentle chiding but it was a chiding nonetheless. It also clearly established that Lady Une was Treize's second...not her. Treize calmly walked past Dorothy as Lady Une followed suit. Dorothy sent a scathing look at the back of Lady Une. 'You may be the lady to his gentlemanly heart but not for long. You don't even know how you are. A man like Treize deserves a woman who knows who she is and what is doing.' A cold smile crossed Dorothy's features. 'It won't be long before Treize realizes that and it's you that's second to me'. She smiled calmly as she looked over at the two mobile suits. Vayeate and Mercurius were polar opposites but worked well together. Dorothy acknowledged that wasn't unlike herself and Une. But even in a partnership, there was a leader. And Dorothy would prove who was the leader in their relationship.
"How are the results of the Aquarius going?" Treize asked Lady Une as they continued to her office.
"They're proceeding very well." She said then gave an uncertain glance. "But there's some confusion as to why you would make it a mobile doll."
"Very simple, Lady Une," Treize said as he sat down in his office. "Mobile dolls are an abomination. They don't deserve to be in combat. The Aquarius has a jamming system that will disable any and all mobile dolls near us. But since it itself will be run by a similar operating system, people will realize that futility of it. A soulless creation without value beyond strategy or monetary to counter armies of soulless creations without value beyond strategy or monetary. It will prove the futility of the system itself. Before long...people won't even want to use mobile dolls. They'll be obsolete. A few demonstrations of entire armies falling to one Gundam mobile doll and the term of mobile doll itself will become synanomous with disaster." He clasped his hands together and smiled as he looked at the specs on his computer screen. "It'll be artistically and strategically perfect."
Lady Une stood by his side as she gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "What shall we do now, sir?'
Treize smiled and place his hand over hers. "We wait. Let the play run it's course. It begins...again."
Hahahahaaaaaaaa!