Author’s Note: Here’s the last foundational chapter to establish the timbre of the characters’ attitudes and relationships which will be evident as the plot builds. The next chapters will outline the plans of both sides to use the Whispereds for their own means while tactics are finalized. Thanks to all still supporting this story. Forgive the late update.

Countermeasures and Counteractions

Hong Kong Six months ago…

The room that Sousuke had gone to with the prostitute was dingy with paint peeling and cracks on the wall. But he could not have cared less because all he wanted was to continue the freefall he had taken into the abyss of misery that had consumed him since being ordered to leave Kaname and find forgetfulness any way he could. When he walked into the liquor store the proprietor who was fleeing the chaos being wreaked by Amalgam’s Venom Arm Slaves said he had a death wish and the man was right because since losing his focus during the mission and nearly blowing his and Mao’s cover he had done what once for him would have been unthinkable… abandoned his post. The bottle of Scotch was one way to forget…and the eager girl was another…

While he was wandering the streets of Kowloon he spotted the long blue-black hair, the long lashed brown eyes and pretty face from a distance. His lonely heart leapt and cried...Chidori. However as he walked up to her it was evident that the girl was definitely not Chidori…she was coarse and the beauty was contrived, painted on with makeup. All the same he just could not stop staring and when she spotted the bottle in his hand she seductively entwined her arm with his…and invited him to her place…

By the time they got there Sousuke had done a fair job convincing himself that she may not be Chidori but she was a reasonable enough facsimile for the moment. He conversed with her while she smoked and drank and it was becoming apparent that the difference between her and Chidori had become a chasm that spanned as wide as East to West. And when she straddled him to get down to business the true vision of his Angel hit with the impact of an anvil falling from a skyscraper and proved beyond all doubt that the girl was nothing but a cheap imitation. So he tossed her aside and exited quickly amidst a wave of vituperatives and profantities slung at him…

With a start Sousuke shook his head and woke up, rubbed his eyes and asked why did I dream of that just now? He glanced around and saw the stuffed Bunta-kun and rooster alarm clock on the nightstand; then turned and saw the beautiful girl sleeping on the bed, finally realizing where he was and that he was clad in only a towel. Jumping to his feet he scanned the room and saw first the time; 1:00 AM, then spotted his uniform spread out on the chair near the vanity and then remembered what had almost happened just a few hours ago…

That’s right…Chidori and I were…his eyes were then drawn to Kaname as she slumbered, curled up like a baby, hugging her pillow. The top of her yukata had slipped and gave Sousuke an excellent view of her ample cleavage and generous bosom, framed by the ebony fall of her hair…hair that had felt like watered silk in his fingers. Inadvertently, he reached out his hand to touch again as his blood began a slow boil…then he jerked back as truth hit him like a bucket of ice water…

I’d better get out of here…because if I stay any longer all of my honor will fly right out the window…and I’ll finish what we started before but damn, she’s exquisite…so lovely…

Sighing softly Sousuke stepped away, quickly dressed and exited Kaname’s room, closing the door soundlessly. He then made his way out to the common area and his eyes widened as he saw Yuy and Miss Pax curled up on the sofa with her asleep in his arms. Heero’s eyes met Sousuke’s and holding a finger to his lips he carefully disentangled himself, got up then reached down to gently scoop the petite strawberry blonde into his arms without waking her and carried her into the guest room. A few minutes later he came out and reached for his jacket.

“You ready to leave?” Sousuke asked brusquely, still feeling his oats.

“Yeah. Thought you were staying with Miss Chidori tonight,” the Preventer agent said as he put the garment on.

“Yeah, well things got a bit hotter then either of us is ready for so I left…but I was tempted,” Sousuke admitted. “You too?”

Heero nodded in understanding. “Yeah, that’s why we were out here…and tomorrow’s a school day.”

The Mithril sergeant sighed deeply as he agreed, “Right.” He gestured at the guest room door. “Everything else okay with Miss Pax?”

Heero scowled and shrugged. “I don’t know…she had a rough time at the test when some bastard sabotaged it.”

“Sabotaged?” Sousuke’s eyes widened and then narrowed.

“Yeah…and it’s a damn good thing I checked it out first because it would’ve caused her harm mentally…turns out the program was tampered with. Then afterward she started saying that she was hearing a man’s voice in her head. And just before she told me she thinks it might be Leonard Testarossa.”

Sousuke did a double take. “Leonard Testarossa? What makes her think it’s Leonard Testarossa in her head?”

Heero shook his head. “Beats me…she didn’t say why or how she came to that conclusion.”

Leonard Testarossa? Sousuke scowled as he began to wonder could he be the reason behind Kaname’s episodes of late…is he trying to get at her through her Whispered abilities? Damnit I want some answers!

“Shit!” He uttered the expletive and headed for the door. “Let’s move out.”

The early morning sun snuck through the curtains over at the glass door in Kaname’s bedroom and sent a ray to tease at her eyes to open. At the same time her rooster clock sounded the clarion call…

BWAUK! Get up Kaname! BWAUK! It’s time to get up! BWAUK! If you don’t get up now you’ll be late!

“Alright, alright.” Kaname yawned and requested sleepily, “Sousuke, could you turn it off? I’ll be up in five minutes.” She reached over and her eyes flew open as she felt an empty space beside her.

“Sousuke?”

Puzzled she sat up in bed; glanced about and saw that her room was empty and his clothes gone, with the towel he had used folded neatly and hung over the chair by her vanity. Disappointment stung her belly as she realized that he must have left some time ago as the space beside her in bed was cool to the touch…

So he bailed last night…and didn’t even stay in the room with me like he promised…she bit her lip and blushed as she then remembered what happened between them and Sousuke’s reaction…

But I guess he was right…I mean even though we’ve been getting closer to do THAT would only make things more complicated between us along with all this Whispered crap…although I do have friends who have done IT with their boyfriends…like Shiori who’s on birth control…

BWAUK! Get up Kaname! BWAUK! It’s time to get up! BWAUK! If you don’t get up now you’ll be late! The alarm clock was insistent…and annoying…

“Oh shut up!” Kaname snapped as in a bad humor she leaned over and slammed her hand down on the alarm off button then got up from the bed to head for the shower to get ready for school …

It was almost a quarter to seven and Kaname was in the kitchenette with Relena making up bento boxes for school when her doorbell buzzed.

Glancing at the clock she remarked, “The guys are early.”

Relena smiled and said, “It must be that they smelled your cooking, Kaname…you’re a wonderful cook.” She gestured to the abundant bento boxes and added, “These look absolutely mouth-watering.”

Kaname grinned and said, “Yeah, I thought I’d do something different for us…considering I hadn’t really welcomed you and Heero properly…everything’s been so happening so fast.”

Relena admonished, “Don’t be silly Kaname. You’ve done plenty for us…in fact I’m indebted to you.”

“I haven’t done that much,” she said as she headed over to the door as it buzzed again. With an annoyed sigh she said as she opened it, “Geez Sousuke, it’s not even seven o’clock…we’re still making lunch and not ready to leave yet…”

“My apologies Kaname.” The soft soprano of Mithril’s Pacific Fleet XO startled Kaname as Tessa stood at the threshold, her delicate features tense and earnest. “But I needed to speak to you and Miss Pax immediately…may I come in?”

“Uh…sure.” Kaname stepped back and let her in.

Tessa entered and greeted Relena, “Good morning Relena…how are you feeling?” She turned and addressed Kaname as well. “The both of you?”

Relena replied, “I’m fine, Tessa…but Kaname’s had a rough ride for the last few days.” She cast a meaningful glance at the Japanese Whispered who glared back and shook her head.

But astute as always Tessa addressed Kaname, “You don’t have to hide anything from me…I have a hunch that my brother has been behind your difficulties of late…am I right, Kaname?”

With no other choice as she was pinned by the XO’s steady silver gaze Kaname heaved a sigh of surrender. “Uh-huh…how did you know?”

Tessa saw the strain on Kaname’s face and reached her hand to place on her shoulder to offer support. “Because he’s resonated with me…and because we’re blood siblings I can sense his resonance ripples…I picked them up yesterday… I figured that’s why your test with the Arbalest was interrupted.”

Kaname nodded, “Yeah”

“Mmmmm.” She gestured to the sofa and asked, “Can we sit down and talk?”

Kaname glanced at the clock and demurred, “Well, we have to go to school now…as a matter of fact we were waiting for Sousuke and Heero to come and pick us up. They’ll be here any minute…but okay.” They both sat down.

A shadow passed over Tessa’s face as at the mention of the Mithril sergeant she again remembered the way Sousuke had accused Mithril and in turn her of neglecting Kaname and she bit her lip as she dealt with the sting she still felt from his words. The heated exchange with him had upset her so much that she barely slept, obsessed with the need to prove that he was wrong…along with a desire to vanquish the measure of guilt that made her believe that in some way he could have been right.

“I know it’s Monday and a school day…however what happened yesterday and what’s been happening with your resonance with Leonard, I think that---,”

The doorbell buzzed and interrupted the discussion so Kaname got up and apologized, “Excuse me.” She went to answer and opened the door to Sousuke and Heero dressed in their Jindai uniforms.

“Morning guys,” she greeted the two young men, both who looked somewhat haggard like neither had gotten much sleep. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the Mithril sergeant whose own gaze rested affectionately on her.

“Morning,” Sousuke’s voice was soft, caressing.

‘’Morning,” Heero returned the greeting then seeing the private bubble that had formed around the two stepped around Kaname to enter leaving Sousuke to come forward and place his hands on her shoulders…

“How are you feeling today?” he asked his eyes soft with concern.

With her head lowered Kaname shrugged. “I’m okay but you weren’t there when I woke up,” she said softly. “You promised you’d stay with me.”

“I know…I’m sorry but after what almost happened I felt it was best for me to leave…forgive me.”

She shook her head. “It’s okay…you’re right, things were getting a little too intense between us.” Gazing up at Sousuke she changed the subject. “Uh, Tessa’s here.”

Sousuke blanched a bit and stammered, “T-the captain’s here?”

“Uh-huh…she dropped in just before you guys came…said she wants to talk to me and Relena.”

“About what?” he wanted to know, his gaze steady and penetrating like arrows shot to hit their mark.

I-I can’t tell him about Leonard…not yet Kaname averted the arrows with a shrug and replied, “Dunno…but she’s waiting for me so we’d better go inside.” And she whirled about to go in leaving nothing for Sousuke to do but follow…

Inside Heero went over to the sofa where Relena was sitting, talking to Tessa. Spotting him as he entered she got to her feet and went to him.

“Heero…”

“Relena…”

Wrapping an arm about her he greeted her with a kiss on her cheek, asking, “How are you feeling this morning?”

She looked up into his gentle Prussian orbs and said, “I’m fine.” She then turned and acknowledged Tessa, who was sitting quietly on the couch looking a bit uncomfortable. “Colonel Testarossa came over this morning to speak to me and Kaname.”

Still holding Relena Heero nodded and said coolly, “Colonel Testarossa.”

She rose and nodded back. “Agent Yuy.”

Relena glanced at the door and inquired, “So where is Kaname? Didn’t she let you in?”

“Yeah, she and Sagara seemed like they wanted to uh…talk so I came in…but it looks like they’re finished.”

He tossed his head in the direction of the door and Kaname entered, followed by Sousuke who had perspiration beads on his frowning face. He marched in to the common area and came to attention right before Tessa saluting her.

“Colonel Testarossa, ma’am,” he said formally.

The atmosphere became immediately thick with the tension between the two. Like Kaname, Heero and Relena both had been witness to the fiery words that Sousuke had for his XO yesterday; fueled by his worry for Kaname true but so out of character for him, the consummate soldier. So they watched as Tessa’s face registered some residual anguish for a fleeting moment…then slipped into the role of commanding officer, her own flawless protocol firmly in place as she returned the salute …

“At ease Sergeant Sagara,” she said with quiet authority.

“Ma’am.” He relaxed to Parade Rest as Tessa sighed and addressed the entire group, both bodyguards especially.

“I’ve come here to discuss specific business with Kaname and Relena that has to do with their being Whispereds…so gentlemen, you both can leave since what I have to say is classified and exclusive to them…”

Scowling Heero cut her off, “With all due respect Colonel Testarossa, you can forget it…because I have no intention of leaving…not until I get some answers.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to protest when Sousuke’s tenor echoed the same sentiment. “I’m sorry ma’am, but I’m not going anywhere either…Yuy and I have been assigned to protect these ladies and have every right to know everything that affects them. Everything.” He folded his arms and stood beside Heero; the two men obstinate in their stand…

Kaname gasped, “Sousuke…” and took out her harisen to slap some sense into him but hesitated at the cold concrete resolve on his face…no matter what happened to him it was plain that he was not budging.

Relena too, was appalled by her bodyguard’s attitude and addressed him with reproach. “Heero…” but he ignored her and was adamant; the very definition of an unmovable object.

For a pregnant moment there was a textbook Mexican standoff. The petite platinum blonde pitted against two very determined young men…the three slabbed in granite; neither giving one centimeter until Tessa took another tact and sighed in assumed surrender…

“Gentlemen, I understand your views…as a matter of fact they are commendable, a very admirable and necessary attitude toward these very important young ladies…it proves why each of you was chosen for your jobs.” She then met them eye to eye and showed the infamous tempered steel beneath the XO’s dainty appearance. “However, as the two of you are both top notch soldiers in your respective organizations I don’t need to remind you of the importance of keeping certain information classified because of the delicacy of the circumstances connected with that information. I’m sure that’s as much the case at Preventer as it is with us at Mithril.” She focused her silver orbs on Sousuke and added, “As my subordinate Sergeant Sagara, you know this better than anyone.”

He sighed and agreed, “Affirmative, ma’am.”

Not finished Tessa then addressed Heero directly. “Agent Yuy…Heero…I understand according to your dossier that in addition to being proficient in all use of weaponry and explosives, you are expert in computers…in both hardware and software application…is that so?”

Eyeing her with mild but guarded interest he replied, “It is…so what’s on your mind?”

“Well, you were there at the test site yesterday…and you were the one who brought attention to the fact that the test program was tampered with…leading me to come to the conclusion that you could lend your assistance in finding out how the saboteur did it. Our test and simulation programs are written by techs that know our exclusive operating system and have installed firewalls. Besides that they set the sequences for the tests…and the passwords that we all use. With all our security measures in place I want to know how that could happen. Since they work for Mithril we assume they have top clearance and are above reproach.”

Heero smirked and scoffed, “Are you sure of that?”

Tessa sighed as she admitted, “In light of what almost happened at the test it may be wishful thinking on my part.”

Sousuke added, “Begging your pardon ma’am, but Mithril is not impregnable…remember the Toy Box incident.”

“That’s why I have my suspicions, Sagara,” Tessa said coldly. She then inquired of the Preventer agent, “Then there are ways to get around our security?”

“Oh yeah…sequences can be easily changed…and passwords overridden,” Heero pointed out matter-of-factly. “Any two-bit hacker can get into any program through a backdoor…then again firewalls usually are used to block intrusion but a BH can find a way to circumvent it.”

“A ‘BH’?” Sousuke asked.

“Black Hat…that’s hacker language for cybercriminals…individuals that have a malicious purpose for hacking like identity theft. This person who tampered with Relena’s test yesterday had harmful motives in mind. When I find him…and I will… he’s toast.” Heero looked at Tessa and added, “I take it you want me to try to search him down within Mithril’s computer network.”

“Precisely,” Tessa affirmed.

“Consider it done,” Heero stated without hesitation. “Truth is I’d have done it even if you didn’t ask me.” His Prussian blue eyes burned like flames. “Nobody is going to hurt Relena…not as long as I’m alive.”

Relena sidled over to him and entwined her arm with his, giving him a kiss. “Thank you.” In return his face underwent a transformation, from hard edged soldier to gentle lover as he gazed down at her with his heart in his amazing eyes.

Tessa watched the tender exchange between the vice foreign minister and her Preventer bodyguard and saw the obvious. Then for some reason she glanced over at Sousuke and her heart twisted as she saw him and Kaname in seemingly private conversation I feel like a fifth wheel here…

Kaname snuck a glance at Tessa and grasped Sousuke by the sleeve. “You know you need to apologize to Tessa for the way you lit into her yesterday,” she whispered in his ear.

He sighed heavily, “I know.”

“She’s here because she wants to help me…and Relena…deal with certain things having to do with being a Whispered.”

“What things?” He wanted to know.

Kaname opened her mouth to answer but Tessa overheard and stepped in to rescue her. “I told you before Sergeant Sagara, that information is classified for Whispered subjects only.”

Sousuke scowled but answered smartly, “Aye ma’am.” Kaname nudged him and he cleared his throat nervously. “Uh Madam Captain may I speak to you in private?”

Arching a slim brow Tessa eyed him askance then nodded in acquiescence as he gestured for her to precede him out the door…

Once outside Tessa turned and stood before Sousuke with her arms folded over her chest. “You wished to speak to me, sergeant?”

He cleared his throat again then stood stiffly at attention and plunged in. “Ma’am, I am deeply sorry…my behavior yesterday was out of line and unbefitting of a top soldier under your command. I know I don’t deserve it but I ask your forgiveness.”

Tessa looked at Sousuke’s face and saw regret in his eyes that was genuine…like everything else about him it was what made him the authentic man of honor that made her love him so. She took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart and looked into his eyes. “I forgive you, sergeant…I know you think differently but I understand why you did what you did.” She added softly laying a hand on his, “I just want you to know…that Kaname’s safety is just as important to me as it is to you. She’s become far more than a Mithril objective, Mr. Sagara, she’s a friend.” She then looked up and entreated, “I’m on your side.”

Sousuke responded softly, “I know you are.” Breathing a sigh of relief he added earnestly, “And you can count on me ma’am, to assist Yuy in searching down whoever it was that sabotaged Miss Pax’s test.”

With a sigh Tessa withdrew her hand and answered, “I’m certain you’ll do what you always do, sergeant…your very best.” She said crisply, “Apology accepted.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Sousuke said with a salute.

“Dismissed.”

As he whirled about on his heel to head back in Tessa watched and wondered will there ever be a time when he’ll talk to me in any other way than proper military protocol? She sighed and followed…

Once inside Sousuke approached Kaname. She saw the calm etched on his features and inquired, “Well…did you apologize to her?”

“I did.”

“And she accepted?”

“Affirmative.”

Kaname smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Good man.”

Tessa re-entered the room and addressed everyone in a brisk manner. “All right everyone we need to get to work. So gentlemen, if you’ll please…”

Heero grunted and nodded as he turned to Relena to take hold of her shoulders. “Call me if you need me.”

She nodded, “I will.” She pressed her forehead against his as they embraced…

Sousuke asked Kaname, “Are you really okay?”

She nodded, “Sure…you go ahead….besides, Tessa’s with us. I’m sure that she’s got a whole team of bodyguards from Mithril posted around here…right, Tessa?”

The platinum blonde XO interjected, “Actually there’s about three plainclothesmen in an unmarked car parked down the street.”

Sousuke nodded but still looked dubious. “Understood …but still if you need me…”

“I know.”

He ran the back of his hand across her cheek in a caress that was gentle and assuring; displaying his attachment to Kaname clearly to Tessa, who turned her head as her heart constricted he’s so attentive to her, far beyond his Mithril duty toward her as a bodyguard for a Whispered…along with the way he behaved yesterday…more like a beau than a bodyguard…I was so foolish to believe that he was incapable of emotional involvement…

‘’Madam Captain…”

Sousuke’s voice reached through the mist of regrets swirling in her head and penetrating the fog Tessa saw his earnest pewter eyes gazing at her, causing her to become momentarily dazed. However at the same time she remembered her position so she once again cast her personal feelings in exile…

“Yes sergeant?”

He hesitated then continued, “Ma’am, I’m sorry but I still believe that Agent Yuy and I should be better informed then we presently are concerning the Whispereds. Since we are responsible for the safety and well being of two of these very important individuals, I think we should remain to learn what it is we’re dealing with in order to perform our jobs at optimum levels.” From his place beside Relena Heero nodded, his eyes like daggers on the Mithril XO

Tessa heaved a sigh and addressed Sousuke like one would an obstinate child. “Mr Sagara…I hope you don’t intend to make an issue out of this.”

Sousuke stubbornly insisted, “I merely want access to the information that will better equip me to guard Chidori.”

With a thoughtful look Tessa then inquired, “Tell me Sagara, since you say you are so uninformed about the Whispereds how exactly have you been guarding Miss Chidori all this time?”

He looked nonplussed. “As my XO you know how, ma’am.”

She rejoined, “As your XO allow me to play devil’s advocate and tell me.”

He replied, “Using my training and whatever means at my disposal.”

“So that being the case, regardless of whether or not you’ve known or will ever know all the facts about the Whispered I can assume that you’ll continue to do your best to protect her…is that so?”

Understanding her line of rhetoric he sighed and replied, “Affirmative.” Sousuke’s eyes then rested on Kaname and his features became soft as she gazed back. “With my life.”

Tessa saw the subtle but ardent exchange between them and again ignored the ache inside it produced as she continued, “However if it will set your minds at ease I will see to it that you both have full access to classified information about the Whispered.”

“When?” Heero demanded.

Calmly Tessa met him eye to eye as she replied vaguely, “Soon Agent Yuy…now if you and Mr. Sagara both don’t mind…” She made a dismissive gesture and ever dutiful Sousuke responded.

“Let’s head out, Yuy.”

Heero scowled and grunted but did as he was told. The men broke away and exited, reluctant but resigned leaving Tessa and the two Whispereds to their devices…

When the bodyguards left Tessa wasted no time in getting down to the business at hand. So after Kaname poured the tea she had offered, the Mithril XO reached in the jacket pocket of the business suit she wore and withdrew a small, well worn notebook…

“Here,” she said as both Whispereds flanked her, sitting on either side. “When I was 12 I came into full realization of my abilities as a Whispered…coinciding with my entrance into puberty.” She opened the notebook and went on…

“Since I am analytical by nature I wanted to discover the origin in the brain from which the Black Technology is gleaned as well as the ability for resonance.” She then pointed to her notes. “In my research of the inner workings of the brain I ascertained that the Black Technology formulas must float up from the parietal lobe, where we recognize numbers and spatial elements, to the frontal lobe. And the ability to resonate in the case of Whispereds comes from the unconscious mind which I feel comes from workings in the frontal lobe. Also, since resonance can be considered a psychic ability of sorts, I determined that it can be suppressed or circumvented especially since overuse can cause severe and harmful mental distress. So I devised an effective way to do just that.”

Relena, her head already spinning with the complexities of the entire situation asked, “How?”

Tessa took a deep breath. “When I reached 12, my brother, who was older and I would, like all children with special abilities, test them out. Our uncle, who was our guardian since both our parents had died, had told us all about the Whispereds and since we both knew we were Whispereds since we were young children, we used to resonate with each other as a way to communicate without the adults interfering. However, as I mentioned before, too much resonance because it involves the unconscious mind can cause a Whispered to become lost within…because of their heightened mental capacities they can lose the ability to return to consciousness…and my brother was so filled with the notion of possessing the powers of the Whispered that he went beyond just communicating, he tried to control me through resonance. It was causing me much distress so I researched psychic abilities that dealt with the unconscious mind and came across the method of reaching subconscious called transcendental meditation. I studied the writings of Maharishi Yogi that described the technique to enter the meditative state and found that it not only brought me peace but helped me to escape the burdens of my Whispered episodes…it was miraculous, as if I were liberated from prison. Then I figured I would try to thwart my brother’s attempts to control me by resonance so I employed the same technique used in transcendental meditation to use an altered state to block him out…and it worked.”

Both girls sat in silence to allow everything Tessa just said to sink in. Then Kaname spoke, “Tessa, when Leonard last resonated with me he said that there was no way to block him. He seemed pretty sure of himself.”

“I’m sure.” Tessa affirmed as she imagined her brother’s arrogance. He had changed as he grew older; became proud and almost maniacal about his Whispered abilities then began to rebel against their uncle and disappeared. It was just recently when she discovered that Leonard was the one behind Amalgam and used his Whispered abilities to construct an army of Venom Arm Slaves equipped with Lambda Drivers. And although Amalgam had been severely crippled when the Arbalest had single-handedly destroyed the fleet six months ago in Hong Kong, Mithril Intelligence had confirmed that Amalgam had begun rebuilding their AS arsenal…

The petite XO thoughtfully fingered her platinum braid. “Yes, he’s very sure of himself…however using the TM techniques were quite effective in blocking him. And he was never able to override me so he eventually gave up trying to control me through resonance.” She gave a placid smile and added, “My will won out over his…and that’s how you’ll be able to block him as well.”

Relena nodded, still quite overwhelmed by it all but Kaname, who had been under almost constant siege by Leonard’s resonance scowled in determination as she stated, “Well, he sure as hell won’t get to me…my will‘s strong too I’ll never let him get what he wants…so let’s get going!”

Tessa smiled and flipped the page in the notebook. “Here we go then…”

Heero sat down in front of his laptop and cracked his knuckles. It’d been awhile since he had a good reason for hacking. Sousuke set a can of Crush down next to him.

“So you’re good at this?” he asked.

“Yeah.” Good wasn’t the right word. Computer systems and firewalls shushed under his steady fingers and expert knowledge. Heero went to work. His eyes grew narrower with each screen he passed, each chain of computer command breaking and letting him enter. “Firewalls aren’t too bad.”

Sousuke scratched his head. “How’d you learn this?”

A smirk tipped Heero’s mouth for a second. “Can’t say.” The smirk fled when he came across a firewall that wasn’t being conducive to his hacking. What is this? Scowling, he tried a couple of different tactics, but nothing yielded what he wanted. He cracked open the Crush and drank half of it, his mind searching possibilities.

“At least the Colonel’s going to let us in on the Whispered,” Sousuke said. He met Heero’s hard gaze.

“You really believe that?”

“You don’t?”

“No offense, but I don’t trust your Colonel that much.” Heero set his eyes on the dancing cursor again. The firewall seemed impenetrable, but he knew better. He’d learned from the best BH in the world: there was always a way in.

“She wouldn’t lie to us.” Sousuke’s voice was cool. Heero sighed. He didn’t need to explain himself, but thought maybe he should. He and the Mithril sergeant were just friends, and he didn’t want to turn him away. He wanted all the allies he could get.

“Her interests are tied to Mithril. Mithril wants the information the Whispered have. So she’ll tell us whatever we want to hear,” he said. He hit the enter key, and another screen popped up. “Nice.”

Sousuke leaned down for a look. “Got in?”

“On my way.” Heero resisted the strong urge to back the other man off. He didn’t need someone looking over his shoulder. Be glad when Relena’s done here. The idea that she never would be was too cold to think about, so he didn’t.

Sousuke must have sensed he wasn’t wanted at that moment so he moved away and began fiddling with an assault rifle, checking the ammo clip. The room became near-silent, with the constant clacking of keys the only noise.

Heero’s scowl deepened as he traced the path the other hacker must’ve used. Guy is good. But not good enough to stay free. No, he was going to pay for tampering with Relena’s test when Heero found him.

“Anything yet?”

“No.” Heero didn’t spare him a look.

He was getting closer, but the guy hadn’t been stupid. He’d managed to slip through cracks in the firewalls, and Heero’s anger was starting to build. No one was going to beat him at this. Not when he’d learned from the very best. He heard Sousuke go into the bathroom, and expelled a few curses. Why am I having trouble with this?

It shouldn’t be this hard. Mithril wasn’t any more complicated than Preventer was, and he could hack their system in fifteen flat, easy. And that was with the new security. Hmm. Heero entered a different code line, and sat back.

“I’m in,” he told Sousuke when the other man rejoined him.

“You have the name?” Sousuke didn’t try to hide his surprise.

“Give me some credit.” Heero pointed at the screen. “Guy’s name is Lorant Varga. You know him?”

“No. But I’m guessing someone in my unit will.”

Heero jotted the name down, along with some hacker information. “I’ll be seeing him.”

Sousuke snorted. “Laying him out, you mean.” When Heero shot him a nasty glare, he quickly added, “I would, too.”

Heero glared at the computer screen, wishing all manner of evil down on Lorant Varga. But Varga was only one man, and Heero knew from experience that there would be someone bigger at the top. Doesn’t matter. I’ll find out who it is. He wouldn’t stop until he had made Relena safe again, though a doubt persisted that now she never would be. Damn Whispered powers. “Your Colonel’s too trusting of her men.”

“Colonel Testarossa really does want to help.”

Heero threw his new friend a quick look. Sousuke’s face was hard, as was his voice. “That may be, but she’s in it for Mithril. Don’t tell me she’s not.”

“No different than your Lady Une in Preventer.”

“No.” Heero didn’t exactly want to admit it, but he couldn’t deny it, either. Both women were loyal to their respective groups. He supposed they couldn’t be faulted for that, except when their loyalty put Relena in danger. “I have what Testarossa needs. Let’s go.”

Sousuke nodded, but didn’t move. “Listen, Yuy, I have my own doubts about Mithril, which you already know. Obviously I’m not crazy about what’s been happening to Chidori. But the Colonel should still get your respect.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Heero met his pewter eyes, his own Prussian ones dark and foreboding. “But she’s your CO, not mine.” He started to turn away, and quietly added, “Just so you know, the only person I trust in Mithril is you.” He again met Sousuke’s eyes, seeing the impact of his words. “Come on.” This time when he started for the door to the apartment, the Japanese sergeant followed him.

If Testarossa wants the name, she’s giving me information on the Whispered. I want to know exactly what’s happening to Relena during her spells. It was that easy – or hard – depending on how the Mithril Colonel reacted...

Back at Kaname’s Tessa was finishing instructing her and Relena in reaching the altered conscious state necessary to achieve the detachment to the outside world needed for transcendental meditation. Because resonance between Whispereds was a form of the same altered conscious, the technique to reach that state was employed through the emptying of the mind and concentrating by silently chanting a chosen mantra. Both young women were instructed to use words that elicited a sense of peace so Relena chose “rose”, her favorite flower. Kaname, however chose a rather unusual word, “whoosh” the sound that her friend the river made and uttering it over and over as her mantra almost re-created the continuous soothing sound that gave her serenity in the midst of the turmoil she felt as a Whispered.

When it appeared that both young women had reached that state, Tessa closed her eyes and addressed them in a soft voice, “Now I’ll communicate to you in the Whispered realm and then you block out my voice by fully concentrating on your mantra.” She then silently communicated with them by using the Whispered power of resonating …

Kaname…Relena…It’s me, Tessa, can you both hear me? If you can, hold your right hand up…

Both girls complied with Relena reacting to a very tiny voice; barely discernable…all she heard was the last words Tessa spoke so she responded. She continued to listen but heard nothing else. Has Tessa spoken again? she asked herself, uncertain. However Kaname as an advanced Whispered could hear everything…

I hear Tessa loud and clear…

Satisfied Tessa continued Now, I’ll speak a phrase to you and using your mantra, try to block me out…Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of the world…Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of the world…

Kaname, hearing every word in the Whispered realm began repeating her onomatopoeic mantra and gradually like the soothing rush of the river washing away her distress the words Tessa was speaking faded to nothing as they too were washed away geez, it works…it really works! Now Leonard can’t get to me. She was exultant…

However, Relena’s experience was different and try as she could to concentrate all she could hear was silence, she had not even enlisted the use of her mantra. Confused and a bit dismayed she opened her eyes and saw that both Tessa and Kaname had their eyes closed and looked for all intents and purposes like they were in a deep sleep but she knew differently. She found herself feeling left out until she told herself that both of the other women were advanced Whispereds whereas her own capabilities were as yet untested. Yet she could not help feel a bit disappointed because she was certain she did hear Leonard’s voice yesterday in her head…

I don’t understand what’s happening…why I can’t hear Tessa now? Isn’t part of being a Whispered being able to resonate? So why can’t I? Her feelings were overwhelmed with a myriad of doubts and recriminations as she questioned her level of abilities and subsequently her usefulness. Her growing sense of inadequacy was broken up by the buzz of the door. Noticing that neither of the other girls was aware with a sigh Relena rose to answer it and saw that Heero and Sousuke had returned. The Mithril sergeant nodded a greeting and politely stepped around her to enter leaving the vice foreign minister alone with the dour Preventer agent.

Seeing Heero there was like a welcome reminder that she did have significance and she greeted him with enthusiasm, “Oh Heero, I’m so glad you’ve come back…”

But his mind was on his discovery and he asked, “Is Colonel Testarossa still here?”

Relena nodded, a bit irked by her bodyguard’s seeming inattention to her then putting aside her own insecurities she remembered what he had been doing and asked, “Did you find something?”

Heero’s face was stormy and his eyes narrowed with grim intent as he grabbed her shoulders. “Nobody…and I mean nobody is going to hurt you,” he said fiercely.

Frightened now Relena asked with wide eyes, “What are you talking about?”

Grasping her by the elbow Heero replied, “Come on inside…”

Once he was inside Sousuke saw Kaname and Tessa still deep in the trance of Whispered resonance and he was at a loss, just staring at the two young women while his own deep seated sense of unworthiness surfaced. Look at the two of them…I may be a crack professional soldier trained in all phases of guerilla warfare but I can’t hold a candle to either of these ladies and the abilities they both have…they’re…amazing. And at that moment as if both women had heard him they opened their eyes and greeted him…

“Hey Sousuke,” Kaname said with a wave.

“Hello Kaname.”

When Tessa rose he smartly saluted her. “Ma’am.”

“Sergeant.” Tessa acknowledged her subordinate with a salute then inquired, “I take it Mr. Yuy has found something?”

“I have,” Heero said as he and Relena re-entered the common area. He went to the table and pulled out his laptop as everybody gathered around.

“The saboteur was not an amateur…he circumvented the password key and changed the test program using a very complicated method. But he got sloppy as he logged out, leaving a cyber footprint that was easy to trace…and I found out who he is.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed. “Who?”

He answered, “Lorant Varga.”

At the mention of the name Relena’s face paled and she stammered, “N-no…it can’t be!” Her reaction drew a sharp look from Heero who grasped her by the shoulders.

“It’s the same guy, right?”

She nodded, biting her lip as the memory of her past ordeal came back like a torrent.

“Shit, I figured as much.” With a dark scowl he wrapped his arms around her and said gently, “I meant what I said before...nobody is going to hurt you…not as long as I’m alive.”

Tessa addressed Relena, “You know this man?”

She nodded. “Two years ago at a formal social event an attempt was made to kidnap me. This man Varga was one of the men involved in a group that claimed responsibility.” She swallowed hard as she went on. “After I identified his picture in an Interpol mugshot book I knew he was the one who tried to abduct me.” She shivered in remembrance and Heero squeezed her to him.

Tessa heaved a sigh as she said resignedly, “I guess I was wrong to be so sure about those under my command.” She grasped the back of a chair with whitened knuckles as she glowered.

Seeing his XO’s distress Urzu-7 reasoned, “It’s not your fault, Madam Captain. Mithril is a mercenary organization, hiring soldiers bought for the right price…the practices for hiring are somewhat looser than the average military; no CORE or background checks…thus its appeal to the occasional maverick or soldier of fortune.”

“Yes, Mr. Sagara that’s true,” Tessa straightened up and met him eye to eye. “However, we do have a stricter guideline for hiring that makes us markedly more discriminatory than the run-of-the mill terrorist organization or renegade militia.”

Sousuke looked awkward as he said quietly, “But some can still manage to slip through the cracks, ma’am.”

Tessa blanched as she immediately knew to what he was referring…the Toy Box incident that took place last year. She would never forget how two fine men…former SRT Leader Lieutenant Gail McAllen and Private Lian Xiaoping died because others had been lured by the hefty but filthy lucre of the terrorist Guaron. She was glad he was finally dead; according to the battle reports he was killed by Sagara during his AWOL in Hong Kong but she was no fool, she knew there were other underground organizations that worked toward Mithril’s downfall. A plant was definitely not out of the question.

“I know.” She then turned to Heero. “Well, Agent Yuy…can we catch him?”

Heero nodded with a smirk. “Just turn me loose…I’ll find him.” His eyes lit softly on Relena, still nestled in his arms. “I owe him…big.”

Kaname, who had been standing by silently as all this went down finally spoke up, her face registering puzzlement. “Wait a minute…Relena, why would somebody want to kidnap you? You’re just a foreign exchange student, right?”

Her question hung in the air making everybody uncomfortable. Disentangling herself from Heero finally Relena spoke up, “Kaname, I’m not just a foreign exchange student and my name is not Pax…I’m the UN Vice Foreign Minister and my name is Relena Darlian. I’m also the blood sovereign of the Sanc Kingdom.”

Kaname’s eyes became coffee saucers as recognition lit them. “That’s right…my father mentioned to me that the VFM was my age when you took office. He’s had a lot of dealings with you.”

Relena smiled as she said, “Your father’s work as Commissioner of Environmental Issues has been exceptional in getting support for the truth about climate change. There is no finer or more honorable man in the UN then Kazuo Chidori.”

Tessa then entreated Kaname, “Please forgive us, Kaname…it was imperative that we keep the vice foreign minister’s identity a secret as we test her Whispered abilities to keep the media from becoming a problem.”

“I see.” Over the initial shock Kaname then shrugged her slender shoulders and said, “It’s cool, Tessa…I mean after all I’m not an actual member of Mithril so it’s understandable that you wouldn’t trust me.”

“Kaname, it’s not like that.” Tessa hastily explained, “You know how valuable you are to us at Mithril not to mention the way you’ve helped us…but this has been a very delicate situation with Relena being a suspected and now confirmed Whispered and the decision to keep her incognito was mutually decided by us and Preventer to keep her safe. Which is why we planted her here in Tokyo with you so Sergeant Sagara could guard her along with you.”

Fearing that she might have offended Kaname Relena stepped forward and grasped her by the hands. “Kaname, I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been so kind to let me stay with you and now that I consider you a close friend, I’d be very unhappy if I’ve jeopardized that by not being honest with you about who I really am from the start.”

Both girls exchanged looks of understanding. “Of course not…like I said it’s cool.” Kaname affirmed and then smiled widely as she announced, “Hey everybody it’s almost lunchtime. Relena and I made up bento boxes to take to school but since we all blew off class today we may as well eat them here.”

Tessa smiled but declined, “I’d love to but need to get back to Merida.” She took out her Blackberry and contacted her escort, then said to Kaname, “So do you feel up to coming back for another test with the Arbalest?”

The Japanese Whispered gave her patented victory sign. “Sure…but we can’t miss any more school.”

“No problem…we can do it on Saturday.” Addressing Sousuke she stated, “Mr. Sagara, I’ll have a chopper transport pick you all up at 0900 hours on Saturday.”

“Affirmative, ma’am.”

“Relena and Mr. Yuy, you both come as well because Mr. Yuy, you can work with the IT’s and cyber corps to strengthen our firewalls. And Relena, we can discuss the results of your test.”

Relena, thinking about the way she could not connect earlier nodded and said, “Yes…and I’d like to talk to you about today.”

“Yeah,” Heero approved. “And remember our bargain.” He gave her a significant look.

The Mithril XO nodded and stated, “As soon as I get back to the base I’ll e-mail the research files on the Whispereds to Sergeant Sagara…but be careful the files are highly confidential.”

Sousuke assured her, “You needn’t worry, ma’am…I’ll make sure they’re protected.”

“Very good, sergeant.” Tessa’s Blackberry buzzed and she answered it, nodded and addressed everyone. “Then I’ll see you all on Saturday…thanks for being so accommodating.” She turned and headed to the door where a plainclothes Mithril operative met her and she was gone.

The four stood there a bit tense since the exchange with Kaname. However she seemed blasé as she addressed everyone, “You guys hungry?”

Heero quipped, “Hacking always gives me an appetite.”

Sousuke replied, “I’m always hungry for your food.”

“Okay…just give me a few minutes to get the bento boxes and get them served.” She headed to the kitchenette but sensing the underlying tension Sousuke followed her.

“Kaname…are you all right?” He inquired of her but she paid no attention as she busied herself with getting plates and silverware. “Kaname?”

She continued to ignore him until he forced her to notice. He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her. “Talk to me.”

Kaname pushed herself out of his grasp and met him eye to eye asking, “What do you want me to say, Sousuke? That I’m hurt that I was the only one left out of the loop about who Relena really is? Well, like I said to Tessa everything’s cool…I’ll get over it, as a matter of fact I already have.” She sighed and turned away from him remarking in irony, “But I guess since you came clean it’s time for me to do the same.”

Sousuke leaned forward, sensing what she meant. “I’m listening.”

Kaname took a deep breath and began, “I really didn’t want to tell you this…but since Tessa came and showed me things to counter when--,”

Sousuke took hold of her shoulders and asked softly, “What things? And why won’t you tell me?”

Kaname turned her head to avert him but not to be denied he captured her chin to tilt up to meet his eyes so she was trapped and surrendered, “All right…I’ve been getting resonance ripples from…someone.”

His eyes were pewter daggers and his voice dangerously softer. “Who Kaname?”

There’s no way I can avoid telling him now She sighed and confessed, “Leonard Testarossa.”

“Leonard Testarossa, huh? And what has he been saying to you?”

“Besides the usual garbage about being in love with me he wants me to allow him in to resonate when I resonate with the Arbalest.”

“I see.”

Sousuke’s voice had dropped in timbre and it brought a finger of ice that skittered up Kaname’s spine. She had avoided looking at him as she finally confessed but now she hazarded a glance…and felt instantaneous fear…

Sousuke’s face was a mask of barely restrained violence. His jaw was clenched tightly; causing the scar along its edge to appear more prominent, his breathing was controlled but his eyes especially were expressing his emotions. She could plainly see that the Mithril sergeant was livid. Squelching her fear Kaname tried to explain…

“Look Sousuke, I know I should’ve told you but I was afraid…afraid that you’d overreact and do something crazy…like go after Leonard on your own.”

“So you don’t trust me.” His statement further chilled her.

“I-it’s not that I-I--,”

He released her and said flatly, “It’s my job to protect you…and whether you like it or not, that’s exactly what I intend to do.” He then whirled around and strode out, slamming the door, drawing the immediate attention of Heero and Relena.

Seeing Kaname visibly upset as she exited the kitchenette Relena asked, “What happened?”

“Nothing…yet.” The Japanese Whispered then asked the Preventer operative. “Will you please go after him?”

Heero asked, “So what happened?”

Heaving a sigh Kaname replied, “I finally told him about Leonard resonating with me…and as I thought, he freaked out.” She then cast a dubious eye and added, “Although it seemed like he suspected all along…how could that be since I know I didn’t say anything?”

At the implied accusation Relena bit her lip but Heero replied firmly, “Sagara’s not an idiot…he can figure things out on his own…even though you did him a disservice by not telling him to begin with.”

Relena then cut in, “I told Heero, Kaname…I had to, especially after what happened yesterday…I could hear him too…talking to you, little bits of what he said but I could hear it.”

Kaname said reproachfully, “You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Relena tells me everything, Miss Chidori…we have no secrets,” Heero pointed out. “I’m her bodyguard, like Sagara’s yours and in order for me to carry out my job there can’t be anything we keep from each other; nothing less than complete and uncompromised trust between us. That could mean the difference between life or death for her.”

Kaname said in irritation, “I know that, Mr. Yuy…and I do trust Sousuke but I don’t trust Leonard. You weren’t on that rooftop that night…you didn’t see what I saw, how that son of a bitch had his Arm Slave snap that poor girl’s neck in two then dropped her like she was a piece of garbage…you have no idea what he’s capable of. And you didn’t see his face just now and don’t know Sousuke and how ruthless he can be…I saw him in action on the De Danaan and if he goes after Leonard… ”

Seeing her point Heero gentled his voice, “I understand what you’re saying, Miss Chidori. But I think you still need to tell him when you’re being threatened…he’s a professional, highly trained to deal with danger and in addition to that it’s not only his job but his deepest desire to protect you.”

Fully chastised Kaname lowered her head as she agreed quietly, “I know…” Then she raised her eyes, made bright with unshed tears. “…but I can’t let him die while doing it. So please…please go after him.”

Sighing Heero nodded. “I’ll go…so dry your eyes.” He turned toward Relena and said, “I’ll be back…” then looked back at Kaname, “…with Sagara.”

As he left Relena apologized, “I’m so sorry, Kaname…I had to tell Heero, he was right there when I heard Leonard in my head. And he demanded to know what was happening.”

Kaname nodded and sighed, “It’s okay…I just hope Heero can stop him before he goes and does something stupid…because when he gets going it can be ugly…”

When Heero got to Unit 505 at the Tigers Apartments he heard quite a bit of commotion within…the sound of things being slammed about so when he entered the apartment he was prepared to see some disarray. However what he did see amazed even Heero, himself a seasoned soldier…

On the long folded table surface there was an arsenal that would make any commando salivate. Besides an AK-47 assault rifle and an M-16 there was a Steyr automatic rapid-fire hand held rifle, a grenade launcher with live rounds, hand launched smoke grenades and a RPG-7. In the corner was Sousuke, in full battle fatigues; complete with a bullet-proof vest loading splatter rounds in extra empty magazines. Surveying the scene Heero gave a long low whistle.

“Planning to take out a city?” he quipped as he picked up the M-16 and hoisted it to his shoulder, staring through the scope.

“If the need arises,” Sousuke replied flatly, continuing to load the clips.

“Yeah.” Heero put the weapon down and straddled a chair right behind where Sousuke was crouched preparing his ammo. There was a period of silence as the sound of rounds clicking into place echoed in the efficiency unit.

Heero then began conversationally, “You know, on my way here I kept telling myself that Miss Chidori was just worrying unnecessarily, that Sagara was fine…he just needed to cool off. But here I am and you’re ready to go off and singlehandedly start World War III.”

Sousuke remarked, “So she sent you over here, huh?”

Heero sighed, “Yeah…seems she had this wild idea that you might have gone ape shit and would do something stupid…turns out she was right.”

“Whatever.”

Sousuke finished loading the last magazine and then took out his Glock 26, snapped it in, cocked the slide and then slipped it into his shoulder holster. He then rose and began loading his backpack with the extra magazines, rifle rounds, and smoke grenades.

Heero studied his companion and asked dryly, “You getting ready to pose for the cover of ‘Soldier of Fortune?”

Sousuke snapped, “Knock off the witty repartee, Yuy…You know damned well what I intend to do. So can the bullshit.” He began to reach for the M-16 but his hand was in Heero’s iron grip.

Eyes narrowed to pewter slits Sousuke growled, “Let go of me, Yuy…now.”

Heero rose and met him eye to eye. “Can’t do that, Sagara…I made a promise I intend to keep.”

Sousuke tensed as if he were about to strike but Heero held firm. The two young men; both almost carbon copies in appearance, mannerisms, and objectives, now comrades in arms found themselves at an impasse…with neither wanting to back down nor inflict damage on the other.

Finally Sousuke yielded with a sigh. “I did too…to protect her with my life…and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Fine,” Heero said as he let go. “But don’t go off half cocked…you don’t even know where Testarossa is.”

“I’ll find him…I’m a trained soldier, I have ways to hunt him down,” Sousuke determined, scowling.

“Yeah…but right now you have no plan and your emotions are showing …as a soldier you know damned well that’s a formula for failure in any mission,” Heero pointed out.

Sousuke glared at him then heaved another sigh. “Yeah…but I want him.”

“And I want Varga…but we need to have cool heads in this. If we just go off to get these assholes with no plan, we’ll end up screwing everything up…and put the girls in even more danger. ”

Seeing the common sense of Heero’s statement Sousuke nodded then pulled a chair over to sit down, his eyes hooded as he stared off into space with his hands balled into fists. “Maybe that bastard Guaron was right…I have changed, I just don’t think straight anymore.” He went on, “Ever since I‘ve been assigned to guard Chidori I don’t handle things the way I used to…like I was trained to. When it concerns her I act on impulse and jump to conclusions, usually with disastrous results even when I know better. Yet when the captain ended the mission and pulled me away from her it was like my whole world fell apart. I couldn’t care less about work, lost my edge…and couldn’t stop thinking about her.”

Heero nodded in understanding as he sat down again. “Yeah…that’s what happens when you fall in love…you do your thinking with your other head.”

Sousuke shot him a quick look then smirked and nodded in agreement. “Yeah.” He then said, “I still want him.”

“And we’ll get him…with a plan that will ensure that we have the edge needed to do it,” Heero assured. “Between the two of us we’ll make Testarossa, Varga, and anyone else involved regret messing with our women.”

Sousuke met the steady gaze in Heero’s glittering Prussian orbs and said quietly, “Affirmative.” His cell phone then went off, the CID indicating that the caller was from Mithril. He flipped it open and answered with his call sign, “Urzu-7.”

“Hey bro,” Kurz’s gravelly tenor was more subdued than usual and held a measure of urgency. “Some strange shit goin’ down over here on the base.”

Sousuke tensed as he inquired, “What do you mean?”

Kurz replied, “Just what I said…freaky things are happening...but I can’t go into detail around here ‘cause everybody’s hinky. So mind if I take a swing up to meet with you to talk?”

With a baffled look Sousuke said, “Sure…when do you want to come?”

“Depends when I can snag a chopper…probably tomorrow around 1400 after the daily maintenance inspections…less likely one’ll be missed.”

“Why all the secrecy, Kurz?” Sousuke wanted to know.

There was a period of silence before Urzu-6 replied, “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”

NOW what? Sousuke sighed, “Understood…meet me after class tomorrow, 1450 Tokyo time on the rugby field at the high school…the locker room will be empty and private because the season’s over…we can talk there.”

Kurz said, “Thanks pal…appreciate it…see ya then.” The line went dead and Sousuke flipped the cell shut, frowning thoughtfully.

“So what was that all about?” Heero asked.

“I don’t really know,” Sousuke answered. “My SRT comrade Kurz Weber is coming up here tomorrow after class to talk to me. He didn’t sound like himself, telling me that some weird things were happening at the base but he didn’t want to say what.”

“Hmmm,” Heero said Sounds like Varga’s dirty work…he’s a master of chaos…man, when I get my hands on him...Saturday, huh…I’ll find him if I have to tear up Mithril’s base to do it. But to be sure it’s him I’ll sit in on that meeting with Sagara and his buddy tomorrow… He got up and grabbed Sousuke’s arm, pulling him up as well.

The Mithril sergeant protested, “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Yuy?”

“I told you…I have a promise to keep…so let’s go.” The Preventer agent headed towards the door with Urzu-7 in tow…

Back at Kaname’s she and Relena sat at the table, bento boxes open and untouched as she fretted about the very real possibility of Sousuke heading off to go after Leonard. After witnessing first hand the overzealous actions of the Mithril sergeant in protecting her since his arrival, leading to numerous mishaps and calamities, she was expecting him to rush out to remove the threat to her. However, the memory of Leonard ruthlessly disposing of the girl assassin played over and over in her head like a litany…affirming her reason for not telling him to begin with…

Oh man I KNEW he was going to freak out…I mean anybody who takes out a plaster bust with 9mm rounds because he thought it was a terrorist…Sousuke’s a piece of work for sure but Leonard’s a psycho and even though Sousuke’s strong…that AS…

“Kaname?” Relena’s soft voice broke through her reverie and the VFM gazed in concern at her new friend, whose reticence was understandable but unusual for the lively Whispered teen.

“Huh?”

“I wouldn’t worry…I’m positive that Heero got to Sousuke before he left and did something reckless,” she reassured.

Kaname cast a dubious eye at her and said, “I hope so…he has a one track mind when he thinks I’m in danger.” She got up and went over to the balcony door to stare out at the billowy clouds in the azure sky.

Relena answered, “Well, he is your bodyguard. If someone’s threatening you it’s his job to find out who…and deal with them in the appropriate manner.”

Kaname gave a short sarcastic laugh. “Ha, right…Sousuke’s idea of appropriate is to shoot first and ask questions later…my own personal Rambo.”

“But Kaname…, ” Relena began but the sound of the door opening startled both girls, Kaname reaching for her harisen as they turned and saw Heero and Sousuke enter. She heaved a sigh of relief and then admonished the men.

“You scared us…why didn’t you knock?”

“Sorry,” Heero replied as he came over to her. They then both backed up and watched as the atmosphere around the other couple became pea soup thick.

Sousuke addressed his charge, “Chidori…”

Kaname came forward and swept her gaze of Sousuke from head to combat booted toe. He stood there as if for inspection at the base, sweat beading on his impassive face while he waited for the inevitable as her eyes met his…

“Ready to go to war, are we?” she inquired mildly.

“Affirmative.”

“Hmmm,” Kaname acknowledged as she strolled back and forth casually, like a drill instructor. Then quick as a bolt of lightning she swung the harisen down on Sousuke’s head, the force of the blow causing him to crumple his stance and driving him to his knees.

“Baka!” Kaname hissed in Japanese and then flounced off to the terrace as Relena and even Heero stood there with shocked expressions on their faces.

“Sergeant Sagara…are you all right?” the vice foreign minister asked as he recovered quickly, rising to his feet and rubbing his head.

“Affirmative, ma’am,” Sousuke replied then turned toward the terrace and followed after Kaname. Completely baffled by what she just witnessed Relena looked to Heero for an answer, who in turn smirked and shrugged…

Out on the terrace Kaname stood before the railing, staring out at the tops of the sakura trees which lined the edge of the parking lot that were still covered with pink blossoms that had not yet fluttered to the ground. Her emotions were in a maelstrom; fluctuating from relief that Sousuke had been stopped from going after Leonard, to worry of what he was planning, and finally to terror of what could happen when he tried. So when she heard him join her she did not even turn around, knowing immediately what he was going to say…

“Save it,” she commanded, her agitation evidenced by her rigid posture and arms akimbo complete with staccato tapping toe.

“But Kaname---”

WHAP! The harisen came down once more as she whirled around in one agile motion, again eliciting enough force to bring the Mithril mercenary almost face down. He got up carefully, massaging his cranium.

“That really hurts, you know,” he protested.

“Is that so?” Kaname’s eyes burned Sousuke as she got into his face. “Well, I bet it’s a hell of a lot less painful than getting your stupid neck broken…dumbass.”

Sousuke frowned darkly as he stubbornly stated, “I’m a specialist…that won’t happen.”

“Yeah…so was that girl that tried to kill me…and that’s what happened to her.”

“My training as a professional soldier is on a higher level so it’s highly unlikely--”

WHAP! This time the blow sent him down collapsing in a sprawl at her feet. He rose slowly, shaking his head.

“I said that hurts.”

“Good…maybe it’ll knock some sense in that one track maxi-military mind of yours.” Kaname heaved a sigh and turned away from him, gripping the railing as she watched a breeze shake a flurry of sakura petals fall from the trees. “You have no idea how dangerous Leonard Testarossa is.”

Getting up Sousuke came over to stand beside her to plead his case. “You know I’ve faced danger all my life…from all kinds of enemies and opponents.” He then said quietly, “I’m sorry I’m making you worry but it’s my duty to confront and eliminate any and all threats made toward you…no matter who makes them.”

“And get yourself killed in the process,” Kaname said acerbically, her voice catching as tears began to fall.

“That’s something I’m prepared for,” Sousuke insisted.

She whirled around, harisen raised to deliver yet another blow…instead she dropped it and threw herself onto his chest, sobbing.

“What about me, Sousuke? What will I do if that happens, huh?” Kaname pulled back and looked deep into his eyes. “How do you expect me to live or to go on with that burden? How do I prepare for that?”

His eyes widened Sousuke again faced what had always been evident and shown but never spoken between them. For some inexplicable reason in this stage of their relationship physical display of their feelings seemed easier than speaking the actual words…words that came hard but were engraved in the depths of their hearts, nevertheless…

Tenderly, he reached his hand to her damp cheeks to brush the rivulets away then enfolded Kaname in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder.

“I live to protect you…as much for me as for you…and I promise to make sure I continue to do so,” he said earnestly; a pledge that became for Urzu-7 a sacred vow…

NEXT…PURSUIT