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Trowa moved with practiced ease through the trees careful to make no sound. He sidestepped the pair of soldiers passing him and ducked behind a tree as a third came into view. He was looking for a very specific mark, finally the fourth enemy he saw matched what he needed. He slipped out from his hiding spot just behind his target, the man, a blonde of roughly Trowa’s height and build never even knew he was there before his neck was snapped. Trowa quickly hid the body and then stepped out to greet his new comrades, who greeted him warmly as they made their way to the rendezvous site.
Standing waiting their pickup, Trowa stepped slightly out of the crowd to use his radio. He gave a quick report to the zero AI hearing the faint echo of Heero in the computers report of the success of the other side of the mission. He lifted one hand to acknowledge the other soldier walking up to him frowning suspiciously “What are you doing Jones?”
“Just checking the perimeter as ordered Sergeant” he said casually putting away the radio
The sergeant frowned in confusion for a second Jones’ hair had seemed darker, and he thought he had a radio, then the image faded and his subordinate was standing there “Return to the group, the transport ETA is in 60 seconds.” He said as he forgot his suspicions.
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The Professor looked upset as he rolled up to the jet hatch to greet them, but turned worried eyes to Bobby first “Jubilee, Kitty could you take Bobby down to the infirmary please. If the rest of you would follow me.”
Duo glanced at Heero and Wufei who had both automatically followed behind the adults. Duo sighed to himself, he could sleep later Heero would see to it he got some food and undisturbed rest as soon as there was an opportunity.
“We located the hostile units, the civilians were evacuated and then we engaged three hostile units. We withdrew once the enemy was neutralised, Barton remained to gather further intelligence.” Duo grinned to himself at the X men’s frustration over the very obvious holes in Heero’s recitation, but did not fill in the gaps. Heero slid from attention into a less formal but ready stance once he finished his report, clearly indicating to those who know him that he had nothing else to say.
“So where is Quat?” Duo asked “He’d normally be here.”
“That is a very good question Mr. Maxwell” Xavier said dryly “He appears to have disappeared from the grounds. I don’t suppose any of you have any idea where he might be? He still needs medical supervision.”
Duo flicked his gaze over to Heero in case this was part of some plan he hadn’t had a chance to fill them in on. To anyone else Heero’s face looked perfectly blank, but just the faintest flicker told Wufei and Duo that he had no idea what Quatre was doing either. Duo could feel his stomach tighten in concern but this was not something he’d want to talk to outsiders about.
Duo shrugged seemingly unconcerned “Don’t know. He’ll be back in a bit.”
All three of them wanted to cut the meeting short so they could go and discuss Quatre and get a report from Trowa, but they waited patiently sidestepping carefully the more probing questions about the retrieval units identities and capabilities.
Finally the meeting drew to a close, Duo waved off the suggestion that he rest but gratefully accepted another chocolate bar and a roll, dumping the glucose into his system to ensure he was running at full capacity.
“Anyone have any idea where Quat may have run off to?” Duo asked hopefully
Heero paused for a minute before slowly offering his opinion “He has mentioned concerns over where the funding for the project originated.”
“Damn lets hope he’s not gone to the Winner institute to investigate, we won’t be able to follow him if he gets into trouble.” Duo sighed in exasperation “Which is probably why he hasn’t said anything, what about Tro’ is he doing alright out there?”
“He reported a successful interception and infiltration 22 minutes ago. He hasn’t reported since but monitors show his system is healthy and he is under no undue stress.” Heero reported in what was almost satisfaction.
“Then there appears to be nothing further we can do until we hear from Trowa or Quatre. I suggest we wait and ensure we are at battle readiness when we are needed.” Wufei suggested calmly much to Duo’s annoyance but he eventually nodded in agreement.
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Iria Winner met her brother in the employees lobby giving him a brief but heartfelt hug before quickly leading him off to an unused office. She stared critically at Quatre noting the drawn expression and the dark circles around his eyes. Still he had grown considerably in the five years since she had last seen him and there was a quiet confidence in his stance no longer the harried child torn apart by a thousand ‘voices’.
“Are you going to tell me why we are meeting in secret little brother?” She asked teasingly, but carefully taking in the natural caution and suspicion that seemed to run through his frame.
“I think someone is diverting Winner funds to an illegal government project and I’m not sure who is involved.”
“Quatre, that’s a dangerous accusation, are you sure do you have any proof?” Iria asked taken aback
“Oh I am quite certain, I have seen Father authorising the payments, I am just not sure if he is actually aware what they have been doing with the money.”
“Quatre Father would never give money to anything unethical.” Iria chided aghast at the suggestion “And he always needs details of where his money is going.”
“I know, but it is Winner institute money they are using, so either he has been deceived by people he trusts or something has gone very wrong.”
Iria stared at her brother, she scarcely knew him anymore but he seemed so earnest. Maybe the pressure of his gifts had confused him, but he didn’t look confused he looked more confident and aware of himself than she had ever seen him. Having gone so far as to help him break in she might at least hear him out “OK Quatre what exactly has this money been used for?”
Err lets hope the LJ cut is behaving because I'm on the train and the internet connection comes and goes so I may not be able to fix it.
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