Blind Target 1

Hiiro sits alone with Wing Gundam Zero, typing away at a computer terminal. "Data purge completed. Energy cut. Core systems deadlocked." He looks up at the dormant Gundam. "Wing Zero. From now on, you are no longer needed in this era. Sleep well. Nobody will disturb you."

GUNDAM WING - BLIND TARGET

"Amidst the silence of the tomb, a dark, baneful shadow once more creeps up unnoticed..."

The year is After Colony 196. Inside one colony, Relena Dorlian works in her office. She looks down at the birthday note that Hiiro gave her, taped up after she ripped it apart (at the end of episode 49), and the teddy bear he also gave her. There's a knock at the door. "Yes, come in."

Chris Marly walks into the room. "Vice Foreign Minister Dorlian, the preparations for the interview are ready." Relena stands up. "Thank you, Chris. Well, let's go." They walk down the corridor together. Chris, "I hope you have not been inconvenienced in any way. For the duration of your stay, I am to serve as your private secretary. I have been told spare no expense with the details." Relena, "Thanks to you, it has been a pleasure, Chris." Chris smiles. "It is a priviledge to hear that from you."

They reach a large double door. Chris rests her hand on the doorknob. "Well, this is it." The door swings open to reveal flashing cameras and screaming reporters. Reporters, "Vice Foreign Minister Dorlian! What is your intention in your latest visits to the colonies? How far has the structuring of the Earth Unified Nations progressed?" Chris and Relena stand at a podium with microphones. Chris, "I'd like to ask you to pose your questions one at a time."

Duo Maxwell and Quatre Raberba Winner drink tea watch the broadcast from Quatre's hotel room. Duo, "It must be pretty tough on her." Quatre, "Quite likely. We've just made our first move towards becoming a nation within the Earth Sphere. She must be pretty busy, always on the move like that." Duo, "Look who's talking. You going, too? To the Colony Summit?" Quatre, "Yes. The colony representatives are currently gathering to negotiate the problems involved with the entry into the Union." Duo makes a strange face (it's kind of difficult to describe, because it looks like fear or nervousness, but that really doesn't fit the context of the situation). "Being head of the Winner house is tough too, eh?" Quatre, "And you, Duo? Does this fit into your work schedule?" Duo leans back, smiling. "Ah, just a little delivery work. Can't help it if the cargo is a little late..." Quatre grins. "Duo, you... I wonder how the others are these days." He sips some tea. Duo, "True, we haven't been in touch for a while. Hey, that doesn't mean they're not well, eh?" Quatre smiles. "You're right."

At Wu Fei's dojo, several students train. Their hair is tied back like Wu Fei's. A fairly old man, the teacher, stands at the front of the room. The students shout out as they train. Teacher, "Put more spirit into it!" Another student runs into the room. "Master! Wu Fei-dono is no where to be found again!" Teacher, "In that case, leave him be. He's earned his rest."

Wu Fei stands outside, staring up at the sky near some city buildings. He begins training, but after practicing a few moves, he suddenly stops. "Don't hide. How about showing yourselves?" Four men in suits step out of the trees. "Are you Chang Wu Fei?" Wu Fei, "It appears that I need not even ask why you're here. You did not make a secret out of your bloodlust when you approached me." Man, "We asked you once already. Be nice and come with us." Wu Fei smirks. "And if I refuse?" Man, "We'll make you." Wu Fei shuts his eyes, looking away. "You just won't take me seriously, will you? Fine with me. If that's how you want it, I'll accept." Wu Fei lunges forward and hits one of them in the stomach. Man 2, "What!?"

Catherine and Trowa still work at the circus. Trowa feeds the animals. Catherine, "Well, I'll leave the rest to you, Trowa." Trowa crouches in front of the cage, petting the lion. "Hm. There, eat plenty." The lion notices a man approaching from behind. Ralph, "That's the first time I've ever seen a real lion. My, they're big fellows." Trowa turns to him. "You're...Ralph Kurt." Ralph Kurt looks remarkably like Hiiro Yuy. Really the only difference is the age, and the hair is shorter. Ralph, "Wow, you still remember me? Back then you acted like you weren't concerned with anyone else." Trowa frowns, unamused. "So, you call yourself Trowa Barton now. Just like that name back then... How ironic. I wonder what your comrades would say if they knew." Trowa, "Why have you come here?" Ralph, "Is that anything to say to an old war buddy who came to inquire after you? I required some effort to find you. And such an unexpected place it is... You used to be one of our best." Trowa, "There is no need for soldiers in this time." Ralph, "That may not be the case." Trowa, "Your point being...?" Ralph smiles. "You will understand very soon."

Duo walks through a metal door into another room. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." He pushes a button on a panel. "Yes, this is Duo Maxwell." Hiiro, "Duo." Duo, "Hiiro? Hey! Well, this is a surprise. What on Earth have you been up to?" Hiiro ignores his attempt at conversation. "Is Quatre on this Colony?" Duo, "Huh? Yeah, he's off to the Colony meeting. We just said goodbye." He asks, concerned, "Is something the matter?" Hiiro, "Quatre is being targeted." Duo, "What? What are you saying?!"

Quatre and his assistants reach the building where the conference will be held. They get out of the car. Assistant, "Quatre-sama, please hurry." Quatre, "Yes, I'm coming." Suddenly, he gets one of those deals where everything in his head just stops with some realization (the translation I'm using for the dialogue calls it a "flash." Never heard it called that before, but for future reference, that's what I will use whenever one of these happens). Assistant 2, "Quatre-sama?" Quatre looks disappointed. "I had a feeling like someone was calling..." He goes into the building.

A bomb sits in the darkness. Its counter reads 00:16.

Duo rushes through the crowds of people, trying to catch up with Quatre. "Please let me be in time!" A police officer stops him. "Hey! Where do you think you're going! There's no trespassing from here!" Duo, "Shut up! Let me through!" Suddenly, the entire building explodes. People panic and flee. Duo, "Damn it! Let me through!" Duo stares up at the hole in the side of the building. "QUATRE!!"

-- TO BE CONTINUED --

Written by Dash