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"Boot Camp"Written By: Snowdragonct Disclaimer: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing or the characters, more's the pity. This is for fun...no profit involved. Warnings: AU (sort of), yaoi, swearing (lots), some OOC (probably), some violence, references to NCS (especially in later chapters) Pairings: 1+2, 3+4 (to start with) A/N: This is the first time I'm getting up the nerve to post a story...hope it's not too similar to anyone else's (haven't seen one just like it). Candid, kindly-delivered critiques will be greatly appreciated...please don't rip my head off too much? Um, and the old "don't like, don't read" phrase holds true. Oh, and it's fiction, and I don't have a law degree, so there's sure to be some inaccuracies...can we just pretend, please? Thanks in advance. Rating: NC 17 Summary: Four boys in the juvenile justice system
receive a last chance to make something of their futures. Will boot
camp make or break them? And can they ever learn to be a team? "Boot Camp" Chapter Seven: Strategic Planning Freshly showered, and dressed in dry uniforms, the teams straggled into the dining hall barely on time for supper. And per Captain Chang’s orders from the previous day, the last-place team in obstacles had to work in the kitchen for the duration. Not for the first time, Duo thanked his lucky stars that even on the first day Team Wing hadn’t finished dead last. He'd never have heard the end of that. And the relief he felt at redeeming himself, even in the pouring rain, gave him a better appetite than he’d had in days. Plus, they were serving spaghetti, which was one of his favorite meals. Quatre looked at Duo’s heaped plate as they settled at their customary table. “Are you really going to eat all that?” he asked in amazement. “I’m gonna try,” Duo smirked back. “I love spaghetti.” “At least it’s a meal I can recognize,” Quatre sighed, pleased that it wasn’t more of the lumpy stuff they’d had before. Heero and Trowa as usual settled in to eat in silence, and for once, Duo was content to leave it at that. Though he’d never admit it, he was a little tired of the constant verbal sparring…plus it was hard to carry on an argument with a mouthful of spaghetti. As they were finishing dinner, one of the instructors showed up to announce a meeting at the library. After stowing their trays, the boys made their way across the compound, pleased to notice the rain had tapered off to scattered drops, and seemed about to stop altogether. Not that the obstacle course would be free of mud by the next afternoon, but it couldn't possibly be as horrible as it was in a downpour. Captain Chang was in full soldier mode when the boys reached the so-called library. It was, in reality, little more than a warehouse, converted for the purpose of providing study areas and reference books. It was a model of military efficiency, as was the Captain. “Team leaders…this first part is directed mainly at you,” Chang announced as the last boy dropped into a seat. “First, you’ve had two days to get a handle on your team’s strengths and weaknesses. Should any of you want my input on the subject, feel free to request a one-on-one meeting with me, and I’ll…enlighten you.” He gave a grim smile at that. “So far I’ve seen few surprises. Most of you have performed according to my expectations. Do keep in mind, however, that you come from a wide range of backgrounds, and that as you progress through the program, you should all gain in all skill levels to some degree.” His dark gaze raked the assembled ranks. “On the other hand, the challenges will also increase. We are, after all, attempting to weed out those unsuitable for the Academy. Remember that only the first place team will be assured entrance.” Heero couldn’t help it; he glanced aside at Duo, who promptly stiffened defensively, glaring back. So much for that fleeting sense of camaraderie after the mud fight. The tenuous bond achieved on the obstacle course that day was still too new to be put to a test. Asshole. Duo looked pointedly away, and found Austin watching him from the other side of the room. He narrowed his eyes, glad to have something to hate more than Heero. To his delight, that simple scowl made Austin look away uncomfortably. He didn’t realize that from behind him, Heero had also caught Austin’s gaze, and had sent a deadly glare his way. Quatre chuckled quietly, and decided not to enlighten the braided boy. Trowa shared a conspiratorial smirk with him. Captain Chang had moved on with his commentary, and was gesturing to a table at the front of the room. On it were stacked laptop computers. “Each team leader will be issued one of these computers,” he was saying. “You will use it to keep track of your team’s successes and failures, obtain information not available in this library, and upload assignments. Each team will have library privileges two nights a week…there will be four teams in this building per night, which will leave you enough room to avoid conflict over the same materials. Your liaison will accompany you, and provide guidance, as well as internet access.” He gave a stern glare. “Bear in mind, your internet use will be closely monitored…” His dark gaze seemed to focus on Team Wing for a moment, and Duo and Quatre both looked down at the floor. Heero just smirked, having never actually been arrested for computer crimes, although he professed to be better at them than all three of his teammates. He’d have a chance to prove that later, he decided. “Furthermore,” Wufei continued. “You will be using your laptops to design solutions to assigned scenarios. For example, you will be given a ‘mission,’ with prescribed goals and parameters. The opposition will be loosely described. You will have to produce a strategic solution to the problem…i.e., a way to get the job done.” “Now that sounds cool,” Duo whispered to Quatre. “Kind of like casing a joint.” “Oh, wrong mindset,” Quatre hissed back, trying not to laugh. “I gotta stick with what I know.” “Quiet!” Heero murmured in an undertone, glaring at both of them. Trowa appeared to be paying strict attention to the Captain. Either that, or he was asleep under that mop of hair that covered most of his face. But the smirk he gave at Heero’s exasperated tone suggested he was wide awake, and well aware of the whispered conversation. “Any questions?” asked Captain Chang. Heero raised a hand. “Will we be able to back up data?” “A supply of backup media will be provided, and more will be issued as needed.” After several more minutes of questions and clarification, the Captain prepared to end the meeting. “Very well…our last order of business…” He swept the room with a cautious gaze. “I’ve observed a certain lack of… interaction…between teams.” Duo snorted quietly, glancing at Quatre. “Oh yeah…Austin and his buddies sure wanted to ‘interact’ with us, didn’t they?” he muttered. “I don’t think that’s the kind the Captain’s talking about.” Heero glared at both of them. “Can’t you just keep your mouth shut, Maxwell?” “He’s talking too,” Duo argued under his breath, jerking a thumb in Quatre’s direction. The team leader’s eyes narrowed a death glare at the braided boy, who gave him a wide, innocent look, and then stuck out his tongue in a brief taunt. Take that, Yuy! Yes, childish...but so satisfying, since it made 'stone-face' turn away in a huff. “Before I issue the computers,” continued Wufei. “I want you to form a line. We’ll start at one end, and the person there will make his way along the row, exchanging introductions. The next man will follow, and so on. By the time we’re finished, everyone should have met everyone. You will state your name and team to the person you are meeting, shake hands, and be civil. There will be no insults traded…no power struggles during the handshake…and no threats of any kind. Is that clear?” A wan chorus of “yes, sir” answered him, and he waved them into line. Heero felt the tension as Duo’s shoulder bumped his when they were walking up to the line. “Don’t even think about it, Maxwell…” he murmured. “Think about what? Putting a fist through Austin’s face?” came the snide reply. “Exactly.” “I’ll think what I want, Yuy. And I'll do what I want.” “Do it and die,” Heero growled, echoing Duo’s words from the first day on the obstacle course. “That’s right!” Duo said hotly. “I still owe you for touching the braid!” He’d almost forgotten about it. But then, thinking about that brought to mind Heero’s hand stuffing the braid down the back of his shirt…and that brought to mind other things. By the time Duo was shaking hands with the first stranger, he’d forgotten his desire to throttle Austin. He only remembered it when Austin’s hand closed around his. Amused green eyes looked up from under sandy hair, and a faint sneer curled Austin’s lips. “Well, we finally get a proper introduction…” Duo glared back, trying to pull his hand free. “Not till we’re done, gorgeous…I’m Austin Pritchard…Team Chase.” “Duo Maxwell…Team Wing…and if you don’t let go, I’ll break your fucking hand,” came the deadly response. Heero firmly elbowed Duo aside, reaching over to disentangle their hands and take Austin’s in his own. “Heero Yuy…Team Wing…and I’ll help him.” Austin’s eyes widened, and then narrowed to a glare of enmity. “Go ahead and protect the little girl,” he sneered. Only Heero’s solid presence kept Duo from taking action at that point. The Team Wing leader firmly shoved his teammate along the rest of the line, warning him with an ice-blue look not to make trouble. They made it through, and soon were lined up for Captain Chang to hand out the computers. And mercifully enough, within a few minutes they were on their way back to the barracks, Heero looking almost smug with the laptop tucked under his arm.
“You do know that several of the inmates have been convicted of crimes involving computers, don’t you?” Captain Chang stiffened at the implied criticism, his dark eyes going flat. “I’ve read all the files. I know these boys as well as you do…probably better.” “You think so?” The warden strolled over to a shelf, idly running a hand along the books. “I’ve made the penal system my life, Chang. Do you honestly think you can stroll in here with noble intentions, spend less than a week training them, and tell me something I don’t know about these punks?” “I do,” shrugged the Captain, gathering papers off the table and stuffing them into folders. “I’ve watched every training session…every class. I’ve watched them at meals, and I’ve watched them during free time. Can you say the same?” Kushrenada gave a low chuckle. “Well I watched the little debacle on the obstacle course this afternoon.” He gave Chang a sly glance. “The brat did better than you expected, didn’t he?” “As a matter of fact, he did,” replied Wufei candidly. “I was pleasantly surprised.” “Enjoy it while it lasts,” the warden said ominously. “He’s just biding his time. I told you he’s devious.” “Yes…but you haven’t told me why you hate him so much,” Wufei observed. “I hate ‘em all, Chang.” The warden shook his head. “Do you know the crime statistics in the Colonies?” “That would be your area of expertise, not mine.” “When I say that these boys will end up in prison eventually, I’m not guessing, Chang. I’m quoting statistics.” “Is that all they are to you? Statistics?” Kushrenada eyed him with a gleam in his tawny eyes. “What are they to you, Chang? Potential cannon fodder? Train ‘em, stuff ‘em in a mobile suit, and watch ‘em get blown away?” “You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Wufei said coldly. “After the time and resources poured into training a mobile suit soldier, the last thing I want is to see him destroyed.” “And yet you’re willing to pour that time and those resources into a bunch of ungrateful punks, who’ll either desert or turn on you first chance they get.” “This training is just preliminary, Kushrenada. It will weed out those who are unsuitable, unwilling, or unable. Thus, the resources expended to complete the training will only be going into the most promising candidates.” The warden laughed at that. “And you think Maxwell’s one of them?” “Stubborn defiance aside, he has some potential,” Captain Chang shrugged. He eyed the warden with a piercing gaze. “Again, I can’t help but wonder why you have such a personal hatred of the boy. Why is he different from all the others you’ve arrested?” “Because the little bastard got away with murder, that’s why!” blurted the man angrily, pacing across the room and glaring out the window. “He got away with it,” he repeated, his voice laced with frustration. “His record says nothing about murder,” Chang noted. “That’s because we lacked the evidence to charge him.” Treize turned a scowl towards Wufei. “The first time Maxwell was arrested, there’d been a string of break-ins…one of which resulted in a murder. Needless to say, my officers were quite zealous about apprehending the perpetrator,” the warden continued. “When they picked up Maxwell, he put up a hell of a fight…injured two officers, and ended up a bit bruised in the process.” He gave a brief, bitter laugh. “Of course his public defender made a big deal of it…stood Maxwell up before the judge and tried to make him the victim…babbled about police brutality, and said we didn’t have enough evidence to bring charges. One look at those big sad eyes, and that long, pretty hair, and the judge went along with it and cut him loose.” The man’s eyes darkened. “Maxwell got away with murder.” Captain Chang absorbed that information for a moment, dark eyes pensive. He finished stacking the folders on the table in preparation for taking them back to his office. “According to the records, the boy was twelve the first time he was arrested,” he said calmly, glancing at the brooding warden. “And you think that excuses murder?” “Even if he’d been charged, tried, and convicted he’d have been out on parole by now,” Wufei noted. “Instead he’s been in and out of juvenile detention numerous times…with more serious offenses each time.” “--and yet no other accusations of such gravity as murder.” Wufei shrugged slightly. “Since many criminals increase the level of violence in repeat offenses, that fact alone suggests he wasn’t guilty in the first place.” The warden threw up his hands in frustration. “Hell, I don’t know why I’m trying to talk sense to you, Chang! You’ve got forty delinquents you think you can turn into boy scouts. You’re a goddamned idealist! It’s clear you haven’t got a sensible bone in your body!” Wufei stiffened, drawing himself to his full height, his dark eyes all but boring holes in Kushrenada. “Regardless of your opinion of the Peacecraft Initiative, sir, you are bound to abide by its dictates. That means you provide a support structure in which I can work with and train the boys. I’ll thank you to stick to your job…warden…and allow me to do mine.” He gathered up his things and walked past the man and out into the compound. Kushrenada glared after him. “Oh, I’ll stick to my job, all right,” he snarled under his breath. “I’ll make sure the little bastards never see the light of day again!” He stalked from the library and headed for his own office, mulling over the methods he could use to achieve his goals. By the time he reached it, he had the beginnings of a plan, and with a close-knit group of prison guards loyal to him, he had a means by which to carry it out. Feeling rather proud of his idea, the warden treated himself to a glass of sherry and one of his finest cigars, settling into his plush office chair and placing his feet up on a stool. “Let’s see how you enjoy watching your little pets get hurt, Chang,” he chuckled in satisfaction. “You think boot camp is challenging? Well, it’s about to get a lot more dangerous…”
While admiring how effortlessly his fingers flew over the keyboard, both Duo and Quatre moved closer…so close, in fact, that they were leaning over his shoulder, almost touching him. Then he looked up with a glare that made them both ease back out of his personal space allowing him to resume his examination of the laptop’s contents. Trowa snorted at that, having kept a fair distance to begin with. But then, he was almost as particular about his personal space as Heero was. He could certainly relate to not enjoying having people breathing down his neck. “Well…we may as well start keeping team information,” Heero said under his breath. He typed in his name, and then the number 01. “Hey…how come you get to be number one?” Duo demanded. “Because I’m team leader…not to mention the one putting information into the laptop,” Heero told him. “It does make sense,” Quatre pointed out. “Maxwell, you’ll be 02.” “Cuz I’m second only to you?” came a sarcastic drawl. “Maybe because you’re full of…” Trowa smirked. “Because ‘Duo’ means ‘two,’” Heero interrupted, before Duo could finish reaching for Trowa to get even for what he was about to say. “Actually, it means ‘twosome,’” Duo pointed out. “There’s a scary thought,” Trowa muttered. “Two of you?” Duo grinned. “More to love.” “Well, if we use names for the numbering system, I should be 04,” Quatre piped up. “Way ahead of you,” said Heero, typing in 03 for Trowa and 04 for Quatre. “There.” Duo looked over his shoulder, easing closer again. “So, why do we need numbers when we all have perfectly usable names?” “Two reasons,” Heero explained, showing unusual patience. “First, it’s quick, clear, and easier to write when making mission plans. And second, if overheard by an enemy, it would give them no information about you.” Duo sat back, eyeing Heero questioningly. “You’re really taking this seriously, aren’t you?” “Aren’t you?” Duo snorted. “Honestly, Yuy…this camp was a better alternative than prison. I’m not expecting to get into the Mobile Suit Corps. I just want to stay out of trouble, finish this damned ‘boot camp,’ and get back to my life.” “Don’t you want a chance to go to the academy?” Heero asked with a scowl. “Not really,” Duo shrugged. “I mean, honestly, it’s just going from one lockup to another. Your life still isn’t your own.” “But it is!” Heero insisted. “You get an education, and then you can do whatever you want.” “Yeah, serve in the Mobile Suit Corps?” “Maybe…but not necessarily. That’s only one possible choice.” “But it’s four years,” Duo reminded him. “Four years of school,” Heero shot back. “It’d be like high school…only more structured.” “Ah, there’s that word,” Duo retorted. “‘Structure.’ You might as well say ‘prison.’ It’s the same.” “It’s not even close,” Heero snarled in reply. His blue eyes narrowed, but a shadow lurked in them. “I’ve been to prison, Maxwell. Real prison…not this ‘kiddy camp.’ They were going to charge me as an adult…and while the lawyers hashed it out, I was in a regular adult detention facility.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.” Duo’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Sorry. I didn’t know.” “There’s a lot you don’t know,” Heero said quietly. “So how about trying to keep an open mind?” Instead of taking offense, the braided boy simply shrugged. “I s’pose,” he conceded. He looked at Trowa and Quatre, who’d been silent during the little exchange. “You both plan to join the Mobile Suit Corps?” Trowa shrugged. “I haven’t decided.” Quatre nodded. “I’d like to.” Duo sighed, pulling away from the others and climbing up onto his bunk. He frowned up at the ceiling, recalling the lecture Captain Chang had given him about not screwing things up for his teammates. He hadn’t been thinking about that when he’d raced Chang on the obstacle course. He’d been more intent on not embarrassing himself. But he had to admit, it felt good when he crossed the finish line to find his three bunk mates waiting to congratulate him. And it had felt even better when Chang said he did well. So, what if he did do his best in boot camp? What if he honestly tried to help the team win? Maybe it wouldn’t be the waste of time he’d thought. He fell asleep to the sound of murmured voices in the
lower bunk and the steady click of computer keys. tbc... |
