"Miss Relena, how did the meetings go?" Quatre asked after shaking hands with the Sanq Kingdom leader. "It went quite well, I think," Relena gestured, "Please sit down." "You don't sound too sure," Quatre questioned, lowering himself into the velvet chair. "Many countries have agreed to lay down their arms and consent to follow the terms of my proposal, however, there were a few countries and organizations were not convinced that pacifism was the best way." "I'm very glad that many have joined our cause, and I'm sure you will find a way to get through to those who cannot see the benefits of peace," Quatre changed the subject, "I requested to speak with you on behalf of my brother, Cliff." Relena looked up in surprise, "Brother?" "Yes. He apparently has lived on Earth with his mother. She was killed by OZ soldiers raiding his city," Quatre continued, "He is a good worker, and wants to join our cause." "What exactly does he expect to do while he's here?" Relena's brow furrowed in curiosity. "He wishes to destroy OZ," Quatre sighed, "I tried to explain our present situation, but he is determined to fight. If you will let him stay and help out around the HQ, then I will take personal responsibility for him." Relena pressed a button on her intercom phone, "Miss Noin, may I request your presence in my office regarding the boarding of a new hand?" Relena released the intercom button and looked back at Quatre, "I believe we would do well to have Miss Noin's input on the situation." Quatre nodded in agreement. A sharp knock at the door brought Miss Noin and Nimitz in. "Miss Noin, Quatre's brother, Cliff has requested to join us in our efforts in the Sanq Kingdom; what would you suggest?" Relena looked searchingly at Noin, smiling slightly at Nimitz. "I have met Cliff, Miss Relena; he seems to be a capable and competent boy with quite a bit of confidence," Noin walked and stood by Relena's desk, "I believe it would be fine to let him stay with us at HQ." "Very well, then, it's settled. Cliff can stay at the GW HQ. Quatre, could you show him the ropes?" Relena raised her eyebrows in question as she looked at the blonde pilot. "Sure, and thank you Miss Relena and Miss Noin."
*****
"Cliff, I'd like you to meet Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, and Chang Wufei," heads nodded in turn as Quatre introduced his brother to the Gundam pilots, "Everyone, this is my brother, Cliff. He'll be staying on from now on at the GWHQ." "Well, it looks like you get the privilege of being my friend, then," Duo slapped Cliff on the back and grinned. Cliff grinned back. "You might--just might be able to get a word in a conversation if motor-mouth would shut up," Wufei said, glaring at Duo. "It's nice to meet you all," Cliff smiled. Heero looked at the sandy blonde-haired boy and his eyes narrowed. This boy would have to earn his respect. Trowa nodded and turned on his heel and walked down the corridor. The pilots dispersed and soon only Quatre and Cliff were left in the room. "Are they all Gundam Pilots?" Cliff glanced down the hall where the pilots had gone. "Yes, all of them," Quatre sighed as he sat down on the couch, "What do you think of them?" Cliff quirked his mouth and bunched his eyebrows, "Not too talkative...except that one...Duo, was it?" "Yep, they're always like that, don't mind them," Quatre looked up at his brother, who remained standing, "Want me to show you around?" "Sure."
*****
"Miss Noin, what do you think of Cliff Winner?" Relena and Noin were dining together at a small cafe. Nimitz was quietly chomping away at his sandwich on the chair next to Noin. "Well, he seems like a good enough boy, but he's got all that bitterness locked up inside. I wonder how he's getting along with the rest of the pilots?" Noin sipped her cola. "Well, Quatre tells me that he's doing great at his new...cleaning job," laughed Relena. Noin chuckled. Cliff had been assigned the job of maintainance in the Headquarters; a job no one would fight for. "That's good," Noin commented, "he's doing well in his training, although he still lags behind the others. He hasn't been raised a Gundam pilot." "I think he'll adjust fine," Relena glanced at the panoramic view of the ocean and changed subjects, "The peace talks have drawn many to believe that total pacifism is the path that their country should follow. On the other hand, others...just don't want to see the truth." "Relena, I know you're worried about the Dermaile Association, Dorothy Catalonia, in particular; that girl has no sense in her. She isn't what I'd call a peace-loving citizen of the Universe," Noin looked worried. "I just can't believe that she can love war and destruction so much. It destroys Earth and its beauty." "I fully agree with you." *****
...More to come... *****
