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"A War Worth Fighting"Written By: SkyLark DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters.
I just love playing with them. Warnings: Swearing, angst, violence, angst, torture,
did I mention angst? Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm
and Rating: R Summary: Duo is fighting in the second World War when he's captured by the enemy. To view the pic by shiyasim that inspired this fic; click HERE "A War Worth Fighting" Karl Donitz, the replacement leader of Germany, signed the Act of Military Surrender on May 8, 1945 in a battle-worn Berlin, Germany. And so the world was soon advised of the official end to the World War in Europe when the Allies officially accepted the unconditional surrender. All of those nations that served as, and stood behind, the Allies celebrated around the globe. Those soldiers stationed in Europe partook in their own jubilations as they knew, at last, they would soon be reunited with their families. Trowa and his comrades were cheering, laughing and drinking along with those fellow troops stationed in Manheim with them. For the Puerto Rican 65th, their troop of over fifty-thousand had survived the war with a total loss of twenty-three killed in action with Juan as the last life taken. [1] While every life was valued, it was quite the accomplishment for such a small force to come out with so many of their men. In Greece, Quatre laughed and embraced Isis tightly as the Indian soldiers and Greek citizens alike cheered and came together in their celebration. All around, their voices rose up in their joy and excitement at finally having a clear end to their end of the war. Finally, all focus could fall on the country’s rebuilding efforts. Suddenly, all eyes fell on Japan. Those soldiers stationed there had little time to really have their own moment to take in the victory. Despite the news of Germany’s fall, the last remaining Axis power showed no sign of surrendering. The battle at Okinawa had not slowed one bit. Wufei was in the air when the word of Germany’s fall reached the Enterprise. When he jumped from his cockpit after a long shift to find a widely grinning crew, he asked what everyone seemed so happy about. Leaning of the end of the war in Europe, he could not stop smiling himself for the rest of the day. On the island of Hokkaido, many miles north of the city of Hakodate, a heavy and steady rain fell continuously. Every now and then, a flash of lightning followed by a rumble of thunder filled the air. Snug and warm in the shed that they had slept in, Heero and Duo lay in the afterglow of their morning lovemaking high up in their loft. With a deep sigh, the private brushed back his loose hair to nestle closer to his partner. Over the sound of rain and another roll of thunder, he commented quietly, “Looks like we’ll be grounded for another day.” That was both a good and bad thing at the same time. While neither soldier was unhappy about their being able to spend more time together, there was also the trepidation over their still being in Japan. Lightly kissing his lover’s head, the sergeant muttered, “We’ll have a long enough break in the weather soon. Better to be too cautious than endanger ourselves.” Smirking, he reminded, “You saw the Blue Gale. Would you really feel comfortable taking off in anything but a clear sky?” A shudder ran through Duo at that thought. Howard had introduced the pair to his plane the day following their arrival at the Sweepers’ cluster. The plane certainly was blue, a faded shade with the paint chipping away in its old age. Little more than a craft that could be used to dust crops, it did not seem to be anything that could safely cross the ocean to Hawaii. Still, like so many things that had been cared for by the engineers, looks could be deceiving. Howard had assured them that he had already made the flight to and from Hawaii in that very plane several times. With so few other options laid out for them, the soldiers certainly could not do much more than trust the old man. That did not mean that they did not have a little unease at putting that same faith in the Blue Gale. “Point,” Duo agreed with a small chuckle. Sitting up, he kissed the other warrior’s lips soundly and pulled himself from the arms around him. “The Sweepers will be here any minute,” he commented with a gesture to the brightening natural light peering through the windows. “Better make ourselves decent.” Reluctantly, Heero pushed himself up from the blankets and reached for his pack. Once they were dressed and the private’s hair was bound in its usual braid, the couple made their way down the ladder just as the doors opened by the Sweepers. As they headed inside the shed, the crew removed their raincoats and headed to their work stations. Heero and Duo went right to the teams that they had been helping over the prior few days and dug right in. Following their arrival, the soldiers were immediately accepted into the Sweepers’ clan. They were shown the current machines and tools that they were creating. Those projects included those to be sold in town as a way to provide for them and those ‘special projects’ that they could use for themselves. The Blue Gale had been one of those ‘special projects.’ Heero and Duo were all too happy to have something to keep them occupied. And the whole experience was intriguing to them. Mechanics and getting their hands dirty were two things that the soldiers shared in common. So, working with their new friends in the Sweepers was more than ideal as they laid low. The rain and occasional thunder were lulled out by the friendly conversations and laughter in the shed as the teams worked. Nearly an hour later, that banter stopped at the sound of the heavy metal front door opening. All eyes fell on Howard as he entered with a solemn look on his face revealed when he removed his rain cloak’s hood. “Germany officially surrendered today,” the old man announced. “As we feared, Japan's leaders have yet to make the same move.” Biting his lip, Heero lowered his head in a shallow nod. It was only a matter of time before this news came. That still did not make the announcement any easier to hear. Things were going to be going very badly for his home country from that day forward. Duo took no real joy in learning what Howard had shared. Yes, there was relief in knowing that one chapter of the war was handled. But the war was still not won. Knowing that Japan would fight to their last if need be, it did not bode well for them or the forces fighting them. Making his way to his lover, the braided soldier brushed their shoulders together in an offer of consolation. His cobalt eyes closing, Heero leaned against him as a sign of appreciation and willingness to accept that support. With neither being comfortable to display their affections in public, it was more than enough to have some sort of contact in that moment. Scott folded his arms and suggested, “Then enough of this waiting around for a few hours of clear weather. The Blue Gale has handled herself in rain before. So long as the lightning holds off, that’s where the real trouble has been.” Gesturing to their guests with his head, the tall blonde stated, “We need to get these two on their way as soon as possible before things really get rough around here.” “Agreed,” Howard nodded. “Better to
chance less-than-pleasant conditions than a possible raid. Let’s
get the Blue Gale uncovered and the hanger doors open so that we can
head out the moment this rain stops.” Pointing to his wide-eyed
friends, he smirked, “Best get your things packed and get ready
to head out, boys. When I scanned the skies, I spotted that the first
big break in this front of only an hour out. We fly as soon as that
clearing is over us.” Snapping from their stupor, the soldiers grinned and hurried for the ladder leading up to the loft so that they could pack their belongings. Only then did it really hit them that they would be leaving Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido behind them. They were about to be one step closer to safety. While they worked in silence, Duo watched his partner with a looming dread. Now that Japan was the clear and only focus of the Allies, he hated the idea of splitting ways with Heero even more. Regardless of the dangers involved in trying to reach his mother on his own, the sergeant was not about to be talked out of it. In being honest with himself, the private had to begrudgingly admit to himself that he would have been set in the same plan if he were in Heero’s shoes. Biting his lip, Duo focused back on stuffing his clothes and survival tools into his pack. There was time to worry later. For right now, they could only concern themselves with preparing for takeoff. Overhead, the rain pattering on the roof was beginning to slow down as an early telltale of the end of the front approaching. * * * * “You are making a terrible mistake, my friend!” Treize shouted as he was roughly forced down the corridors of Muroran’s prison by a guard at either side of him. “This is not how you treat someone who has come here to help you!” The Sergeant Major watched with a small grin as the liaison was forced into the open cell at the end of the hall. As the barred metal door was slammed closed and locked, he stood before it and smirked, “With all due respect, Khushrenada, I do not believe that someone who has been caught making several attempts at escaping is looking out for anything but his own interests.” Glaring at his captor, Treize growled deeply, “I have no intention of staying and dying here because of your foolish leaders. If you were a wise man, then you would be looking for a way out as well.” His own eyes narrowing, the officer leaned close to the door and replied, “I stand by their decisions. And if it does lead to our demise, I will make it my personal goal to see that you are brought down with us. Your role in this war makes you every bit as responsible for your actions as we are.” To the surprised look he earned in response, he warned quietly, “These men watching you are not exactly thrilled to be here any more than you. Just give them a reason to shoot you. In the meantime, I am needed elsewhere. So, until we meet again, enjoy your stay.” Turning, he headed down back down the hall as a soldier flanked either side of the cell. Face red in rage, Treize contained himself. The way that the men were watching him from the corner of their eyes, he knew that the Major had not made an idle threat about their being a bit… edgy and looking for something take that unease off. It was not the time or place to be making a scene. Snorting to himself, he shook his head, “Well this is an unfortunate turn of events.” * * * * Heero and Duo offered their farewells and thanks to
the Sweepers and their families before joining Howard in the hanger at
the front of the cluster. Rai and some of the other women of the clan
had given their guests homemade snacks and whatever other necessities
they could offer. Scott and his brothers said that they were welcome
back anytime they happened to be around again. TBC [1] That exact number of casualties, along with where and when the Infantry was stationed, is found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_Americans_in_World_War_II
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