The Jasmine and The Pine

Chapter 7

By Destiny

When Triniti awoke, the room was pitch black. It took her several seconds to realize where she was. The day’s events flooded her mind. She remembered the appearance of the plans, the poisoned food trays, and her headaches. Carefully, she sat on the edge of the bed. The room didn’t spin, and her head felt clearer.

Hoping to shake her tiredness, Triniti took a quick shower and changed her clothes. By the time she was done her stomach growled complainingly. She decided an apple from the fruit dish on her table couldn’t be that dangerous. Glancing at the clock, she realized that she had several good hours in which to finish some of her new designs. With a clearer head and absolute solitude, she should be able to accomplish a lot.

 With a wry smile, Dr. Kegan felt his patience had paid off. He watched from the corner of the hall as a slender figure in a black jumpsuit silently opened a door. It was Triniti. She closed the door behind her and headed towards the lab. The doctor followed with his hand resting on the butt of his pistol. He paused by the double doors where a slab of yellow light filtered through the crack. Pushing the door ajar, Kegan watched the engineer organize the papers on her desk.

He had to take care of this little issue tonight. Her finicky appetite had thwarted his first plan. Now he was desperate. Javin had ordered him to apprehend the traitor that night! As much as Kegan was annoyed by the slip she had given him, the doctor could not allow his superior to get Triniti in his clutches. With a deep breath, he pushed the door open and noiselessly approached the back of his victim.

Triniti’s hand jerked across the drawing paper as a deep voice spoke her name.

"Dr. Kegan, you startled me!" she laughed nervously without turning around. "I was hoping to get things accomplished while the lab was deserted."

"Triniti, I must speak with you."

She rested her head on her hand and patiently erased her stray mark. "Not now, Dr. Kegan. I need to finish these."

"Trinti, I must speak with you—now!"

"Doctor, please. Can it wait until tomorrow? I was feeling better, but I think my headaches are coming back. I must finish these before the pain gets too bad."

"Triniti, this can’t wait," Kegan unholstered his weapon leveling it at the girl’s head as she began to swivel around in her chair.

"Okay, fine, doctor, but…"

"Triniti, I’m sorry."

Her eyes traveled from the gun in his hand to the doctor’s gray face. She let her hands fall to her sides as she stood and quietly said, "Thank you."

The golden beam that stretched from the lab doors into the hallway caught Trowa’s attention. Instinctively, he pressed himself up against the wall. He hadn’t expected anyone to be working at this time of night. If it was Triniti, he was going to send her right back to bed! Who, besides her, would be working in there now? Maybe Javin had decided to do a check-up on the dolls.

Trowa eased the door open. He stiffened as he saw Kegan’s back blocking his view of Triniti’s desk. There was no question about what was going on. The tech stepped into the shadows that clung to the walls and pulled out his pistol fitting a silencer on the barrel. In his usual black turtleneck, he blended in with the dark, silent shadows. After taking another step or two, he aimed the gun at Kegan.

Triniti felt the thudding of her heart she faced the black barrel before her. She had hoped it would end this way, but now she wasn’t quite ready for it to end. There was so much she needed to say to Triton; so much she had left undone.

Pop!

Her eyes involuntarily closed as she awaited the impact of the bullet. She heard the soft thud of a body hitting the cement floor, and opened her eyes. There at her feet lay the still form of Kegan’s body.

Gasping for air, Triniti reached out to steady herself on the corner of the desk. Still breathing hard, the engineer sank onto the edge of her chair. Her eyes slowly lifted form the floor to the shadowy darkness around her. She was seeking some explanation for the scene that had just played before her. Only then did Triniti see her guardian angel as he stepped forward into the ring of light around her desk.

"Are you alright, Triniti?"

For some reason the quiet concern in his voice angered her. "Triton! I should have known. You always manage to get involved."

"I would think you would be glad this time," he couldn’t keep the edge out of his voice.

"Well, thanks, but I had everything under control."

Trowa arched his eyebrows and cocked his head to the side. "It didn’t look like it."

Triniti stiffened as her eyes glowed with anger. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kegan’s pistol where it had fallen from his outstretched hand. She darted toward it, but just as her fingers reach for the handle, a booted foot kicked it out of her grasp. Livid with anger, the girl jerked upright drawing back her hand.

"How dare you!"

Before the words left her mouth, she found her wrist caught in Trowa’s firm grip. His eyes held hers with a cool penetrating gaze. For a moment she caught the mixture of hurt and tempered anger. She had seen those eyes with that smoldering look before, but she had never thought they would be turned on her. She yanked her hand free and stepped away from him. His touch and gaze brought back too many memories.

"Okay, so when are you leaving? Kegan’s dead, who’s next? Me?"

"Triniti, what are you talking about? I’m not leaving without you. Why should I?"

"You did once before. You left when I needed you most."

"No, I didn’t. I told you then, and I keep telling you that I love you. Don’t you believe me?"

"No! Because you lied to me! You made me think you cared. I told you everything; I trusted you and gave you my heart. Then, I find out that you are a traitor. You used me, and then left! Is that to happen again? Just go on, leave. Do you hear me, Triton…Leave!"

"You listen to me for a minute. I never lied to you; I never used you. I was on mission, so I had to fit in as if everything was normal. When I left, it was because my job was over. If you remember, I wanted you to come with me. I knew you didn’t belong there any more than I did," slowly Trowa began walking towards her, but she continued to back away form him. "I never tried to take anything from you. I did love—cared for you. That is why I wanted you to share things with me; why I wanted to learn all about you. I also told you what I could about me."

Triniti kept retreating until the wall was at her back. As the truth of his words sunk in, her eyes changed from furious to repentant.

"Triniti, I thought you loved me in return," he reached out a hand to brush back her hair, but instead, he drew it across his forehead. "But you’ve changed."

At his last words, tears welled up in her blue eyes which were dark with sorrow. "I’m..I’m …so sorry, Triton. How could I have been so wrong? Obviously, I didn’t trust you enough. Will you forgive me for how I have acted?"

"Of course, my love."

With a sob, the girl fell against him. Soothingly he stroked her hair and held her tight. Taking her face in his hands he tenderly kissed her cheeks. Triniti’s sobs stopped as the tears continued to squeeze out of the corners of her eyes. With a ragged sigh, she closed her eyes and basked in the warmth of his breath on her neck. He tilted her head up, and she waited barely daring to breathe. She felt his head bend toward her mouth. As their lips met, she wrapped her arms around his waist and longingly returned the kiss.

Gently, he held her at arm’s length. "We still have a problem on our hands. There’s a body here, and only you and I know about it."

"You’re right. I almost forgot. What do we do now?"

"Make a clean get away, like they say!. I have my Gundam and the Oracle hidden in the cargo bay. We’ll get them and join the other pilots. You realize there will be a battle."

"Yes, I know. Something has to stop Javin, and I want to help end all of this horror. So, you’re a Gundam pilot?"

"Yes, one of six pilots in the Preventer organization."

"Did you say that you have the Oracle here? How… how do you know about it?"

"It’s a long story, and we don’t have the time for it now. Come on, we have to hurry."

"Please, Triton," she grabbed his arm looking up into his face. "Just tell me quickly."

"Well," he hesitated. "Well, when I finally found some information about you, it was about your being kidnapped. I first went to your apartment in the New Cinq Kingdom. I hoped to find some clues, but all I came up with were more questions."

"But all the Oracle’s details are on my laptop."

"Yes, and I hacked into it hoping for some answers."

"You’re a computer hacker as well as a Gundam pilot?" Triniti laughed in disbelief.

"Sometimes it is a necessary option. I only searched files that suggested anything about your disappearance. That’s how I came across the design for the Oracle. I knew you designed mobile suits for your father at the Barton Foundation, but I didn’t know you had your own Gundam."

"Well, like everything else, it started out as a hobby, but turned into something else," Triniti sadly turned her eyes to the floor.

"Can you fly it?"

"Of course, Triton," she put her hands on her hips looking at the tall man before her. "I wouldn’t have built it if I didn’t plan to use it!"

"Then, that was you and the Oracle that wiped out that section of suits during the last battle!" Trowa seemed impressed as he put the two issues together. "We’ve all been wondering who that was."

Triniti ducked her head, "How…how is Bow?"

"Bow? Oh, the cat!" Trowa placed his hands on her shoulders. "He’s fine. We actually hit it off pretty well. He misses you like I did. Triniti, while we are on the subject, please tell me something," he lifted her chin with his finger and waited until she met his gaze. "Why did you change so much? Everything was so… cold and… heartless. Where were our books and all our pictures?"

Triniti just looked at him as tears formed in her eyes. She fought to keep them back, and he waited for her to speak. "I…I. Oh, Triton, I’m so sorry," she whispered.

"After you left, I was…upset…totally lost. I disbanded the Foundation, since my father was dead, and tried to put all my past completely out of mind. I was so…angry…that I tried to throw away everything—books, pictures, everything. But…I …couldn’t," she took a shaky breath and leaned against his chest as he encircled her with his arms.

"So I packed everything away and moved. I kept my crossbow and taught, but I hid the Oracle. I couldn’t destroy it, but neither did I want it as a reminder. As I tried to change things, I actually changed myself. I was never happy; the only enjoyment came from my classes and walks on the beach."

"My love. I’m sorry," Trowa’s voice was thick with emotion as he cradled her head against his shoulder. "I never meant to hurt you like that."

As he lowered his head to kiss the top of hers, she whispered back, "It’s okay, Triton. I should have trusted…and loved…you more."

She moved in his arms to look at him again. Once more, their lips met. This time it was a healing kiss to make up lost time. Trowa broke the kiss only to pull her closer as he kissed her forehead murmuring, "I love you, Triniti."

"And I you."

"We have to hurry now," Trowa muttered as he pulled away.

"Wait. I have to get my designs. I can’t leave those! They are in my office; it won’t take long."

Trowa nodded, "Fine. You go get them and then meet me in the cargo bay. I’ll go make sure everything in clear."

The engineer turned to her desk as the tech headed for the doors. "Triton, thank you—for everything."

Trowa dipped his head and smiled in response.

Javin studied the computer screen on top of his desk. Kegan’s tracer signal had not moved from the lab area for over an hour now. That could be quite all right, but how long does it take to apprehend a defenseless girl? Out of suspicion, Javin had secretly planted the tracer on the back of the doctor’s collar. Kegan had become too fond of the new engineer; he was too lenient with her. The commander did not put it past the doctor to try to save Triniti somehow.

He quickly pressed a button under the ledge of his desk. Then he turned toward the door waiting for his guards. Javin rested his elbows on the armrests and steepled his fingers in anxious anticipation. At his curt summons the door opened, emitting five uniformed guards.

"I want you five to go to the lab and see if Dr. Kegan needs any help. By the intercom, tell me what you find. Stay there until I issue new orders."

"Yes, sir!" saluted the five.

Javin watched the door close, then leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes and waited for his message. He could not keep the nagging thought out of his mind—the night’s plans may have suddenly gone awry.

Eventually, the intercom buzzed. Reaching out, he slapped the receive button. "Go ahead."

"Sir, Dr. Kegan is dead, and the lab is deserted!"

"Stay there, pending my further orders."

Switching off the intercom, Javin turned back to the computer and toggled over the motion-detecting screen. He quickly scanned the layout of the Chiasmus Corporation. Two flashing red signals arrested his attention. One was where he expected—Triniti’s office. The other was located in the cargo bay. He turned back to the intercom.

"Three of you go to the cargo bay. Arrest anyone you find there, and put them in one of the cells. The rest of you stay where you are. I will be there shortly to investigate."

Impatiently, Javin hammered on the locked door again. He didn’t have time to wait for sleepy doctors. Once more he raised his arm, but the door opened to reveal a rumpled, half-dressed man.

"All right, already! I’m coming. Do you think I’m deaf or some…." His bleary eyes came into focus as he put on his glasses. "Oh, Commander Javin, it’s you."

"Yes, Dr. Talbot. It is I," Javin answered with a chilling smile.

"Well, what can I do for you, sir?"

"I require your assistance tonight. Immediately!"

"Of course, sir. If you will just step inside…"

"No, you fool!" Javin uncrossed his arms angrily. "I’m not sick. You must take Dr. Kegan’s place tonight. I have reason to believe he has been murdered, therefore, I need a doctor’s diagnosis. Later, I will need your presence for another little matter."

Dr. Talbot took notice of the commander’s enraged spirit and quickly complied. "Yes, sir. I will be most glad to help you—in any way."

Javin turned on his heels and headed towards the lab. Dr. Talbot reached behind his door for a white lab jacket and hurried after the imposing figure. Replacing Kegan was serious business; this evening would prove interesting. Perhaps his lot in life was to take a turn for the better.

Arys put a warning hand on Heero’s arm as she held a finger to her mouth. He looked at her questioningly, and then his eyes followed her arm in the direction it was pointing. In a corner of the conference room, Duo sat propped up in a chair, fast asleep. He had balanced the chair on two legs and had his head against the wall, mouth open.

Heero nodded as he silently moved forward. Arys followed wondering what her companion had in mind. He stopped in front of the dozing pilot. Then, in one swift movement, Heero sent the chair flying as it dumped its companion unceremoniously on the floor.

"Huh? What? Ohh, that hurt!" sputtered the heap as Duo tried to figure out what had happened.

Heero had rejoined Arys in the middle of the room. She was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

"Say, did you guys see who did that?" asked the dazed pilot as he rubbed his head.

Heero shrugged, glancing around the room, "No, not really. We just got here."

"Yeah, sure."

"What’s the matter, Duo? Did you have a bad dream?" Arys faked a concerned tone of voice.

"Well, better wake up. Sleeping pilots are soon dead."

Everyone turned to see Wufei and Mei, their arms around each other, walk into the room. Wufei wore a disgusted expression, but Mei seemed to be having as much trouble with laughing as Arys was.

"Why, Duo, you look rough! Must have been some nap."

"Thanks, Mei. I really needed to hear that," grunted Duo.

Wufei looked around as he dropped his arm from Mei’s shoulders. "Where are Quatre and Nari? Thought we were moving in."

Heero nodded, "We are. Nari was making some last minute adjustments to the control systems."

"Moving in? Whooaa, hold on a minute! What’s going on?"
Arys patted Duo’s shoulder, "That must have been some fall. Have you forgotten we’re at Chiasmus headquarters, trying to help Trowa?"

"Yeah, remember clown-boy got in the middle of something because of some girl?" Wufei threw in.

Mei bopped him on the head, "I told you to stop calling him that!"

"Oh, that’s right!" Duo put his hands on his hips. "Not another girl! Why can’t you guys leave the girls out of this? No wonder in ancient times armies and ships didn’t like females around. They just cause more trouble. Why did each of you have to go find some girl? Am I the only normal one left around here?"

"Hey, watch it!" said Mei as Heero and Wufei stepped out of the way. Duo was left facing the two women.

Arys crossed her arms and gave him a wink. "Now, Duo, who is it that tries to make every nun rethink her vows?"

The braided pilot shrugged, "Can I help it if I’m just so irresistible?"

Amid the groans, Quatre and Nari walked in. "Did we miss something?"

"No," was Heero’s quick reply.

"Well, now we’re all here. Let’s go! This is a job for the Great Shenegami!"

"Or rather, the Bakagami," snorted Wufei.

"Hey, what is this? Gang up on Duo day or something!"

Two guards snapped to attention as Javin burst through the lab doors. Dr. Talbot barely missed being hit be the doors as they rebounded off the walls with a bang.

"You there, both of you! Go to Miss Barton’s office, the one next to the radio-control room. I presume she is still there. Tranq her! Don’t speak to her; don’t touch her. Just tranq her and wait for me!"

He ignored their crisp saluted, and turned to wave the bewildered doctor over to the prone form. "What can you tell me about this?"

The doctor dropped to his knee and feverishly examined the body. "Shot in the back with a hand pistol at short range. Probably had on a silencer, or the noise would have been heard before now. Punctured a lung before hitting the heart. Died in seconds."

"And the time frame?"

"From the looks of things, no more than an hour ago."

"Good, doctor. We’ll take care of the rest later," Javin nodded. "Now for the main event. Dr. Talbot…."

Once again, Talbot followed Javin through the halls of the Chiasmus building.

Trowa hurried to the back of the cargo bay. He had to take a few minutes to send Heero a message. It was time to bring in the other pilots. Sitting at the control panel of the Heavyarms, he quickly typed the message:

As a second thought, he added:

The pilot sent the message and did a quick survey of the Gundam’s systems. Then he climbed back out. There was still no sign of Triniti. Worried, Trowa headed towards the main entrance.

About midway through the bay, he felt a movement off to his right. Before he could draw his pistol, an arm encircled his neck.

In one quick move, Trowa grasped the arm and bent forward throwing his attacker over his head. As he straightened back up, a fist grazed his chin. The pilot steadied himself and blocked a second punch with his forearm. He took the slight opening this gave him to plunge his fist into his opponent’s midrift. The whoosh of exhaled breath told Trowa his aim had been true. As he pivoted, another punch caught him in the mouth. Desperately, he struck out with a sidekick, but succeeded only in grazing the thigh of the assailant. He ducked a wild swing from the opposite side and came up with a vicious roundhouse. That blow sent a body sprawling to the ground.

Trowa was breathing hard as he searched the inky blackness for any movement. Because there was no light he could not tell how many were attacking. He saw another punch coming, and he easily dodged it. Trying to keep himself covered, he edged toward the entrance. If only he could get enough light to see where his attackers lurked. Belatedly, Trowa realized he had three separate assailants. In fighting off the first two, he had left his other side exposed. He saw the silver reflection of metal in the air, but before he could react, a stunning pain racked the side of his head. Helplessly, Trowa felt the cold darkness of the bay engulf him.

Triniti rifled through the stack of papers in her hands. This was all of her drawings. Why had she wanted them so badly? They were of no use to her, but just the same, she didn’t want anyone else to have them. She had to hurry; it had already been too long since she and Triton had separated in the lab. Besides, it was a good distance to the cargo bay and would take longer to reach now since she had to watch her back.