Standard disclaimer # I have no clue. Well, here it goes. I don’t own Gundam Wing. I’m just writing for the fun of it. So please don’t sue me!

The Lone Warrior chapter 3

by Melissa

“This is extraordinary!” Sarah Olnta exclaimed. “The Zero system seems to be almost embedded into her subconscious. But how can the be?”

“I think I can explain that.” Meela said softly.

Noin, Wufei, Colonel Une, Dr. Olnta, Duo, Trowa, and Meela were in the Medical Bay. Dr. Olnta was observing Meela’s brainwaves from the test.

“Yeah. How did you almost kill Wufei? I mean, you don’t just do that so easy.” Duo remarked.

“I saw his moves before they happened. Just like the Zero system.” She paused for second. “When I was trained, the scientists used the Zero system on me to the limit. It was in my brain so they could control me. I was the Perfect Soldier, I had no humanity; none what so ever. Heero had more emotions than I did. Whenever I feel threatened, it reacts. I would have killed Wufei.” Meela finished softly.

“But Wufei said you provoked him. Your life wasn’t in danger,” Trowa said.

“It’s possible someone triggered the system, and I managed to get control before I killed Wufei.”

“So in a since, if you installed the Zero system in your Gundam and used the one in your mind, you would be unthinkably powerful. Better even that Heero?” Colonel Une said staring at her.

“Yes,” Meela said meeting the colonels eyes.

“Can she be trusted?” Wufei said looking at Colonel Une.

“I don’t know. Can you?”

Meela shook her head. “I still don’t understand what happened. But if they do still have the ability to access me, no I can’t.”

“Project Relena,” Noin whispered turning white.

“What?” Duo said.

“You’re Project Relena.” Noin said staring at Meela.

Meela looked at Noin. “What do you mean?”

“I met a scientist named Marie Slogan when I was in OZ. By that time she had already been thrown out of OZ, and was working on her own Zero system, but was still sneaking in and out to get information. She told me about something that she called Project Relena. It was to kill Relena because she was trying to bring peace to space and Marie wanted war. She loved war, so she trained someone to kill Relena. By that time, I guess she had already seen what Heero could do and knew that he was protecting her. So she needed someone stronger that Heero, to get to Relena.” Noin looked out the window for a second before continuing. “She never told me who the person was. I did see a simulation of how she was going to kill Relena but I didn‘t get a good look at the girl, only a general description. So I didn‘t recognize Meela, but it did trigger a memory which resulted in the dreams.”

“Ok, that's just plain weird.” Duo said.

“Professor Slogan, we are unable to reestablish control. Somehow she’s blocking us out.”

“This was unexpected. Reevaluate the reading we took while she was under our control, then recalibrate the system,” a low voice said. “She’s gotten stronger.”

Meela suddenly jerked uncontrollably.

This was the third time this had happened since Meela had left the medical bay. She was now in her quarters constantly being watched.

FLASH- She was in a white room that seemed to have no end.

WHAM! Meela slammed up against the wall and sank to the ground, breathing hard.

She got up and started pacing to keep her mind off of everything.

Noin walked down the hall thinking about Meela. Her brain was full to exploding with information. Suddenly she felt an impact.

“Oh, sorry Quatre! Your back!.”

“Yeah,” said the blond haired boy before her.

Quatre had been on “vacation” helping run the Winner family resource satellite. His sister ran the satellite but she still needed help now and then.

“So what’s been going on here?” he asked.

“Oh, have I got a lot to tell you. Come on,” Noin said turning back towards Meela’s quarters.

“So that’s why you wanted her away from Relena.” Heero said looking at Colonel Une’s face on the computer before him.

“Yeah. She almost killed Wufei.”

A look of surprise spread across Heero’s face. “What stopped her?”

“I’m not sure, but we think someone has access to her. She regained control about a millisecond before killing him. Didn’t even rattle him.” Colonel Une said shaking her head. “There are a lot of thing still unanswered. She doesn’t know a whole lot. We’ve confined her to quarters. She’s being watched by a guard and a Gundam pilot.

He nodded.

“I don’t know if she can be trusted. They’ve already tried to gain control again three times.”

“What are my orders?“ Heero asked.

“For now, stay there with Relena, but we may need you pretty soon.”

“Understood,” he said and turned the computer off. “The gaps are not irrelevant anymore,” he said and left the room.

Meela sat in the lounge looking out the window. She was alone but she knew that Trowa and the other guard weren’t far away. She was fingering a ring that she had had since she was a baby. Trowa stepped in and she allowed the ring to slip easily over her thumb.

He sat down across from her. Aside from the ring, she did nothing to show that she knew he was in the room. He studied her. She was tall and fairly thin but muscular. Her eyes were the same green as his. This girl was a lot like him in many ways.

“You know what wars do to people Trowa?”

“Yes I do.”

She ignored his answer. “It turns people into pawns.” Her voice was flat and emotionless.

“Meaning yourself.”

She sighed and turned towards him. “It sounds like self pity doesn’t it? But war makes pawns out of everybody.”

“I know what you mean. But self pity is only harmful if you let it effect you. Don’t let it. Most people feel sorry for themselves from time to time. I’ve learned not to wallow in it and to take life as it comes.”

“I can’t have pity on myself because I let this happen to me.”

“You stopped it though.”

“The point is that they did have control over me.” She said angrily. “I let them train me on that thing in the first place!”

“Meela. You were around six when you were taken for Project Meteor. Now unless you were a very impressive six year old, you could have done nothing to change what happened. There are people in this world who would hurt children. Not physically but mentally, destroying them. Like you,” he said fixing her with his hard stare.

Meela sighed and looked out the window once more. She took off the ring and began playing with it again. “I know,” she said.

“All of us do. They burned away our lives,” Trowa stood, then looked down at Meela. He smiled sadly, then left.

Meela watched him go through the reflection in the mirror. She finished eating and followed him out.

“You wanted to see me Professor Slogan?”

“Yes I did. I want you to go to Peacemillion and put the Zero system in Meela’s Gundam.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I want you to leave three days from now. I have business to take care of and I don’t want you there when I do. Get a shuttle prepared for me.”

“Of course.”

“Hey ya know what Meela?”

“What?” Meela and Duo were walking down the hall towards the conference room. Behind them was a guard.

“Never mind,” he said looking at the floor. He had become kind of distant since she had attacked Wufei.

Meela opened the conference room and found that she and Duo were the only ones in the room.

Then the colonel came in. “You may leave now Duo.” After the door had opened and closed, the colonel looked at Meela. “How have you been doing?”

“They haven’t tried anything in awhile. They‘ll probably try later though.”

She nodded. “Yes, but how have you been?”

Meela was taken aback by the question. “Fine. I guess.”

“That's good. I heard from Heero what you proposed the Une Foundation is doing. That is what they want. Miss Relena has been captured. So far nothing has been discovered, Heero is still looking for anything that might lead to where she is.”

“And where was Heero during this little mistake?” Meela said coldly.

“He never told me but that's not the point. Now, the thing is that the Une Foundation has Relena. And you need to go get her.

“Why would I risk my life for her?”

“Because I think they will try to get the people off the colonies using her, and if she refuses to help they will kill her, and all the colony inhabitants. They won’t hesitate to kill her. It would be one less leader they have to worry about.”

Meela looked down. Then she felt a hand on her chin lifting her head to look at Colonel Une. “Meela, I know that you can control the system.”

“What if I can’t? I could kill all of you. That risk should not be taken.”

“You will have all of the Gundam pilots out there. You can’t fight all of them.”

“Fine. Your giving them an open invitation, but I trust your judgment.” Meela stood. “I just hope your right,” she said and left.

Marie Slogan smiled as she took off Colonel Une’s glasses. “You still follow orders very well Meela.” She opened the door to the closet where the real Colonel Une sat glaring at her. Marie took off the gag. “Oh don’t worry about your little Meela. Or I should say my Meela. She’ll be alright,” she said and took out her gun and hit Une over the head.

“She’s allowing her to fight? Why?” Wufei said angrily as they got out of a conference with Colonel Une.

“Wufei, shut up,” Trowa said calmly.

“Yeah. You wouldn’t want her going Zero on you again. Would you Wufei?” Duo sneered.

“Sticking up for her now are you Duo?” Quatre glared at Duo and Wufei. “I say both of you shut up,” he said and stormed off.

“So, anybody seen a good movie lately?” Duo said nonchalantly.

Meela stepped into her quarters. The colonel had told the other pilots that she was allowing her to fight. She had seen Wufei’s reaction. He reacted as expected. Angry. Quatre had said something to Wufei, then stormed off. She shook her head. Personally she thought this was stupid, but she wanted to fight. To do something good for a change instead of causing trouble. For the past four days, she had been staying in her quarters, with guards escorting her everywhere. Not her type of lifestyle. She sat down on her bed and looked at a framed picture of Deathwing. Duo had taken it. Since she didn’t want a picture of Deathscythe in her room, he had taken one of Deathwing since they looked a lot alike. Her Gundam was built off the plans of Deathscythe, but was supposed to be more powerful. She studied the all black Gundam with it’s bat-like wings pulled back. It gave her strength.

Meela pulled her hair out of the bun that it was in and went to take a shower.

“Noin. Are you alright?” came the voice of Zechs Merquise.

“Hmm? Oh yeah, fine.”

“You haven't touched anything on your plate.”

She looked at her husband. “I was just thinking about this thing with Meela.”

“The new pilot?”

“Yeah. I have had to watch her every movement waiting for her to go crazy.”

“She’s your friend?”

“Ha. Well, sort of. She’s a lot like Heero and you can’t get too friendly with him.”

“Well. You came here to forget all that. Enjoy your meal.” He smiled at her.

“Yeah,” she said and smiled back.

Quatre sat back in a chair in his room. He was thinking about Meela. So far all he had seen of the girl, was cold and sharp. But he had to go with his philosophy of there was good in everyone. He knew that had to be true. It had to be hard for her to go through this. And through her emotionless face, he could tell it was getting to her. Suddenly, his door opened. A shape silhouetted against the light stepped in. Quatre blinked. “Hello?”

“Hello Quatre Reberba Winner. How have you been?”

“Colonel? What?”

“What's the matter Quatre? It’s only me.” She smirked and pulled out a tranquilizer gun. “Don’t worry. You won’t feel a thing. And now Heero will come to get Relena, and Meela will come to get you. I‘ve heard you’re friends,” she said and pulled the trigger. “Only five little monkeys left jumping on the bed.”

Noin and Zechs walked hand in hand down the road on the way to the shuttle that would take Noin back to Peacemillion.

When they arrived, Zechs pulled Noin off to the side and said. “Noin, I think I found someone who could help.”

“With what?”

“Well, I remembered this pilot when I was in the Specials. She was up to Gundam pilot standards. After the war she disappeared.”

“Unless she has her own Gundam, I don’t think she will be of much help. Do you know where she is?”

“Well that’s the thing. She was making a Gundam when she disappeared. She‘s been seen on colony New Colorado.”

“We‘re on New Colorado.”

“Why do you think I ask you to meet me here. I’ve got an address that might be hers. She should be about 17.”

“What? She’s only 17?”

“She lied about her age to get into OZ. Come on,” he said leading her away from the shuttle.

Arys Walker put a finishing touch on her painting. She frowned, and tossed the picture down on the grass and flopped down besides it.

“That's good. You drew it?” A deep voice said.

Arys sat up, “Yeah. Who are you?” She said squinting at the man who stood before her. A woman came up beside him.

“Hello Arys. You probably don’t remember me. It has been a long time.”

She turned so that the sun wasn’t in her eyes. “Well well well. Zechs Merquise. Its been a while.”

“Yes, I guess it has. Noin, this is Arys Walker.”

Noin held out her hand, Arys took it. She had a strong grip. “Noin. As in Lucrezia Noin?”

“Yep. It’s a pleasure.” Noin looked around then at the drawing. “Your an artist?”

Arys snorted. “Not hardly. I have no idea what I am doing here. Bored, I guess.”

Noin smiled. Zechs spoke up. “Arys, I’m here for the Gundam pilots.” He nodded to Noin. “She is the pilot of Zero one. We could use you help.”

Arys raised an eyebrow. “Why would I help you?”

“Because you and the Archangel are bored.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know?”

“I have my sources.”

Arys glared at him. “I don’t care who your sources are they can’t just know about Archangel.”

Noin looked at Arys and Zechs. “People are staring. Lets go somewhere more private.”

“Come on. We can go to my place,” Arys said not taking her eyes off of Zechs.

Arys’ apartment

“Fine. I’ll become a Preventers agent.” Arys said shaking her head.

Zechs smiled. “Where’s the Archangel?”

“On Earth. I’ll go get it and meet you...” She trailed off looking at Noin.

“I’ll go with you and we’ll meet Colonel Une there.”

Arys nodded. “Fine,” she stood. “Well this ought to be interesting.”

Noin laughed. “Don’t worry it will be.”

Noin stared at Meela. She had contacted Peacemillion and found out about Quatre and Colonel Une.

“So, you found a new pilot?” Meela said changing the subject.

“Yeah. This is very unexpected. I guess the colonel can’t come down and meet her,” Noin said trying to joke. “We’ll be up pretty soon.”

“Okay. See ya then.” Meela turned off the computer and leaned back in the chair. Quatre gone, Colonel Une in medical bay. Too many slip ups. She couldn’t believe that she had let this happen.

“Meela, this is Arys Walker.”

Meela stared into the expressionless face, then the eyes. Grey and emotionless.

Arys looked at the younger girl. Her green eyes were unreadable. They were a lot alike. Arys could tell from one look.

Noin glanced at the two and smiled. Meela had met her match.

Meela’s intense look softened a little bit. “Hello Arys Walker.” Her voice was soft.

Arys smiled. “Hello. Your the pilot of zero six aren’t you?”

Meela nodded and Duo came in with Trowa.

“Whatever. Deathscythe would kick Heavyarms’ butt any day.” Duo said. The he noticed Arys and Meela. “Hey Meela. And who is your friend?”

Meela rolled her eyes. “Go away Duo.” Then to Arys she said. “That is Trowa Barton, and Duo Maxwell.”

Arys smiled at them. “Meela. I was wondering if I could perhaps fight you in a simulation?”

Meela smiled. “I‘d be happy to,” she said and left with Arys following her.

“Ready?” Arys voice came through Meela’s helmet.

“Ready.”

Then Duo’s voice. “Simulation begins in five seconds. This ought to be good.”

Meela’s blank screens suddenly lit up, showing her a view of the Archangel with a starry background. Without preamble, Archangel rushed forward, activating both its beam sabers. Meela activated her double-ended scythe and met Arys’ blow. She counter attacked and Arys blocked. Meela backed away and used Deathwing’s speed to maneuver behind Arys and slashed at her engines. But Arys responded quickly , reaching a saber behind her to block and swinging her other in an arch that met the other side of Meela’s scythe. They stayed locked together for a few seconds.

“Very good. I like what’s been done with the Deathscythe design,” Arys commented.

“Thank you. And I like your Gundam as well.”

They broke apart and Arys brought her Shiv rifle to bear on Deathwing. Meela dodged the half moon shaped blasts and returned fire with the Vulcan cannons on her shoulders. Arys broke off her attack to deflect the bullets and Meela used the opportunity to throw three of her throwing disks. Arys dodged the first one and managed to catch the second one on her shield, but the third penetrated Archangel’s right elbow joint, rendering it useless. Knowing Arys couldn’t use one of her sabers now, Meela drove in with her scythe. Arys blocked one side of the scythe with her one saber, and then, to Meela’s surprise turned Archangels right arm into the middle of the scythe, pinning it to Deathwing’s chest. Then with her saber, she reached around and stabbed it into Deathwing’s engine. Seeing her only opening, Meela rotated her scythe and Archangel along with it until her scythe was freed enough to bring it into the other suit’s left arm, severing it.

A buzzer sounded and Meela’s hatch opened. She pulled her helmet off, letting her sweat-soaked hair fall over her face. Across from her, Arys emerged. She grinned at Meela.

“Well, nice job. I didn’t expect you to be able to disable me,” she said.

“Yes, that was impressive,” Trowa said from the ground. “Both of your Gundams were effectively disabled.”

“In other words, that was one high scale cat fight!” Duo said.

Hey! I know it’s taken me awhile to write this chapter but hopefully it’s worth the wait. For all you Arys fans out there, I know I changed her background but I wanted her in my story so I had to make some changes. Oh and a big thanks to Starling for all her help.