Masterminds - Chapter 2
Aug. 9th, 2005 09:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
misanagiMasterminds
By Misanagi
Rating: R / M
Pairings: 1+2, 3+4+5, 6x9
Summary: Safety is only an illusion. Unexpected events can happen anytime anywhere. The key is learning how to deal with them, and face them head on.
Warnings: AU, School fic, violence, action. Sequel to "Shattered Glass"
Notes: Fusion with the movie "Masterminds".
Thanks a lot to Anne for beta reading.
____
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Lady Une looked at the several screens showing the perimeter of the school. The new security was much more than she had expected. Almost everything in the school was now computerized and controlled from this very room. Surveillance cameras had been installed all over the campus to be able to monitor everything that happened inside and in the surrounding area. Tsubarov was sitting beside her, using the computers to show her the different improvements made over the previous system.
The main monitor was showing a tri-dimensional map of the school perimeter, and Tsubarov was explaining the modifications made on the structure to incorporate the new electrical equipment. Something in one of the smaller monitors caught Une's attention. She could see the east garden and one of the security guards making his rounds. A man clad in black that she had never seen before was walking behind him. Before she could wonder about the identity of the man, he took out a gun and shot the guard.
"What the hell?" Une pointed at the monitor. "Tsubarov, do something about it!"
"I am, Lady," he said, his voice too calm, and filled with fake sweetness. "I'm taking over your school."
Une turned from the monitor to look at the smiling face of the security chief. "You're what?"
"I am taking over your school," Tsubarov replied. "And it's going rather well if I might say so myself. I was going to wait until my associates were done securing your personnel before informing you about this new development, but there's no harm done in being a little ahead of schedule."
Une understood then. Everything Tsubarov had been doing in the school for the last three weeks had been a plot. She had invited him to the school, practically opened the doors for him, and he had used the opportunity to learn everything about the school, and change whatever didn't fit his needs. Without thinking about it, she closed a fist and aimed an awkward punch at Tsubarov's wrinkled face.
Apparently he had been waiting for it because he blocked it easily and forced her hand down. Standing abruptly from her chair, Une tried to free herself from Tsubarov's grasp. When it didn't work she used her other hand to hit him in the shoulder. This time the fist connected.
She snatched her hand back and turned around. After only two steps the door of the security room opened and Une was faced with two armed men.
"I suggest you take a seat, Lady." Tsubarov's voice sounded behind her. "Cooperation is in your best interest."
Realizing that there wasn't a way out, Une turned and glared at Tsubarov but sat down nonetheless. "This was all planned from the start," she muttered quietly to herself.
Tsubarov let out a hoarse laugh. "This has been planned carefully. I have now complete control of the school, and if you want to spare the lives of the students, Lady, you will cooperate."
With the modifications done to the security system, now Tsubarov could control everything in the school: the phone lines, the internet, the gates, the alarms and the access to every restricted room. The armed men were shooting at the staff, and Une wasn't even sure what had happened to the children or teachers. "You think you can get money out of this madness?" She looked at Tsubarov as if he was no more than an insect.
"I know I can," he said, grinning. "I believe we are late for the assembly, Lady, but before we head out to meet the children we need to make some ground rules. I believe discipline is the pillar of a school."
Une clenched her fists but kept silent.
"You will inform the students that today's classes have been canceled in favor of a security exercise. I'll be in charge with the help of the extra staff," he said, pointing at the armed men at the entrance. "I'm sure you'll make that clear for the students."
"What about the teachers?" Une asked.
Tsubarov typed a few commands on the computer and soon one of the screens was filled with the image of the teachers' room. The whole faculty was gathered there, and surrounded by armed men. "I'm sure the teachers won't be a problem."
Une gulped. She was had hoped that the teachers could do something but apparently that wasn't really an option.
Tsubarov coughed to get her attention. "I'll need you to gather some students for a special class," he continued, handing her a list. "If these instructions are followed, I'll let the teachers and the two upper grades go. It's all in your hands, Lady."
She unfolded the paper and read the names in a soft voice. "Quatre Raberba Winner, Relena Peacecraft, Dorothy Catalonia, Trowa Barton, Silvia Noventa..." She raised her eyes from the paper and glared at Tsubarov.
"You are aware, Lady, that ten of the richest kids of the country attend Saint Charles Academy, right? Now let's go, we shouldn't keep the children waiting."
Une followed Tsubarov out the door. The hallways were filled with armed men, and two more were trailing behind her, making sure she wouldn't try anything. The students were all gathered in the assembly, but only one teacher was there. Lucrezia gave Une an alarmed look as soon as Une entered the room. Une just gave her a reassuring nod. The teacher kept looking at the group suspiciously but remained quiet.
Stepping on the stage, Une asked for silence and when the last murmurs had quietened down, she began. "Good morning students. We called this assembly to bring you up to date with the new security system that was installed in the school and to fill you in the different changes. Since the new system is so radically different from the last, we are going to dedicate today to an exercise."
There were whispers all over the room as the students leaned over to discuss the unusual turn of events. Most of them sounded excited. "Mr. Tsubarov," said Une, raising her voice and effectively getting the students to quiet down again, "will be in charge of today's activities." She turned to look at him, and noticed that he had a file in his hand, with the names and photos of the students on the list he had given her.
Tsubarov had played his cards smartly. He had used the parents fear for their children's security as a way into the school. There was no doubt that the real targets of the operation were the kids on the list, and Tsubarov had managed to get them all. Une didn't want to help, but she knew that if she didn't do as Tsubarov said, then all the kids would be in danger. She needed to focus on getting as many students out of the school as possible, and then she could focus on the remaining ones.
She took a deep breath and continued. "Some students were picked to attend a special class today that will give you more information on the workings of the system." Tsubarov was already walking down the stage and heading towards the students, file in hand. "Please remain seated while we gather the group." Une hurried after Tsubarov.
He was already in front of a student and Une felt a knot in her stomach when she saw who it was. Quatre Winner and Duo Maxwell were known for skipping assemblies, why in heavens name had they picked today to start assisting?
"Quatre Raberba Winner," said Tsubarov, grinning. "Please come with me."
Quatre didn't look too sure. He turned to Une, possibly searching for answers. She could only lower her eyes and nod. Quatre stood up but before he could follow Tsubarov, Duo stopped them. "I'm not in this special class?" he asked Tsubarov, standing beside Quatre.
"What's your name?" asked Tsubarov, regarding Duo with contempt.
"Duo Maxwell."
Tsubarov shook his head. "Maybe another time," He turned around, and put a hand on Quatre's shoulder.
Quatre immediately took a step back and removed the hand. He and Duo were glaring at Tsubarov.
The armed men that had followed Une and Tsubarov into the assembly stepped forward. There was a moment of tension before Tsubarov shook his head and they moved back. "Well, if it means that much to you, young man, you can attend this class."
Quatre and Duo, however, didn't move, glares still in place.
Before another word could be said, Lucrezia stepped between Tsubarov and the students. "Can I ask what this is all about?"
Tsubarov was quiet for a moment. Behind him Une gave Lucrezia a sad look. Things were out of their hands.
"Why don't you accompany the students in this special class?" asked Tsubarov. "Just to make sure that everything runs smoothly." He gave her a smile and then turned to Une.
"Get the rest of the kids," he whispered, to her, the anger evident in his voice. He waved his hand and one of the armed men stepped forward. "Nichol, go with her."
Tsubarov went to the stage to address the students, and Nichol pushed her forward, keeping her away from Lucrezia, Quatre and Duo. With a silent curse, Une went to find the rest of the students on the list. Hopefully some of them wouldn't be there.
* * *
"I have no signal," said Wufei, glaring at the cellphone in his hand. "We've never had signal problems here." It was getting increasingly difficult to hide the worried tone from his voice. Almost at the same time Trowa had contacted them, Heero had gained access to the security cameras and what they had seen was not good.
All the teachers and staff of the school were being held in a room at gun point or were sedated. There were unknown men all over the school, all of them carrying guns and portable radios. Someone had taken over the school. Duo and Quatre were probably trapped in the assembly room with all the other students, and Wufei couldn't get a signal to call the police.
The new security system seemed to control everything and while Heero had access he was still getting familiar with the system as he tried to get around undetected. The students in the assembly room seemed to be oblivious to what was happening. Wufei and Heero could only watch, feeling helpless, as the men executed their plan. With the cellphone signals dead there was no way to contact the police.
Heero pressed a button in his radio. "Zero three, where are you?" They had decided to use only their code names from now on. The men taking over the school all had radios and it was possible for one of them to stumble onto their frequency.
"On the East roof," Trowa's voice replied, "just above the library."
Wufei turned down the volume of his own radio. He could hear everything well enough from Heero's. Duo and Quatre had probably turned theirs off. Just a week after they got them Trowa had forgotten to turn it off during class and the teacher and students had heard Duo and Heero coordinating how to skip Latin. Since then they were very careful to turn off their radios when they were involved in academic activities.
Heero spoke into the radio. "Do you have a signal on your cellphone?" He had just taken out his own phone from his back pocket and was glaring at it. "Mine's dead too," he told Wufei.
"No," answered Trowa. "What the fuck is going on?"
"Someone has taken over the school," said Wufei, using his own radio. "You'd better lay low." Right now, Trowa was in a very risky situation. One of the men had seen him and they were probably searching for him. If someone knew his way around the roof tops it was Trowa, but no matter how many acrobatic skills he had acquired growing up in a circus, he was no match for men with guns.
"Oh fuck!" Heero cursed, and glared at the laptop monitor.
Wufei moved closer to get a better look, and Heero moved to the side.
"What the… What the hell is that man doing with Quatre and Duo!?" The screen was showing the assembly room, and Heero had zoomed to the front row where an armed man was escorting Duo, Quatre and Miss. Noin out of the room, while another one was followed by other students.
Wufei felt like his chest was being crushed. He recognized the feeling as panic, something he hadn't truly felt in four years. His breathing was getting faster and he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on taking slow breaths. He knew how to calm himself. His father had taught him to meditate since he was very young, it was part of the martial arts training, but now focusing was taking longer than usual.
Inhale, wait, exhale.
Four years ago, he had spent that horribly long day breathing. That was the only thing he could do to remain calm, to banish unwanted thoughts. He had been helpless then. There was nothing he could do but wait and try to be strong for Quatre. Things were better now, not perfect but better. Quatre still hated the silence, and couldn't sleep unless he had some music on, but he could sleep with the lights off, and he was able to fall back asleep after a nightmare.
And now it was happening again.
"Wufei!" Heero was in front of him, his hands were on Wufei's shoulders and he was shaking him.
Wufei blinked. "I have to go and get him." He moved Heero's hand away and stood up, heading for the door.
Heero got to the door before Wufei did and stood in front of it, blocking it. "Wufei, what's wrong?"
"They are taking him. Armed men are taking him. That's what's wrong." Wufei knew he was raising his voice more than necessary. His control, if he had any left, was slipping, and his concern was clear for Heero to see.
Leaning back on the door, Heero spoke in a very controlled tone, looking directly at Wufei's eyes. "Quatre and Duo are together. It's not wise just to rush over there without a plan. What can we do against guns?"
Wufei clenched his fists. He was powerless again. He forced himself to count to five while taking deep breaths. Quatre was with Duo. Even if Duo didn't know about what had happened, he would take care of Quatre. An image of Quatre lying in a hospital bed, looking pale and lost appeared in Wufei's mind. He shook his head and whispered, "He's strong."
Heero gave him a look. "What are you not telling me?"
Quatre's father and the police had managed to keep the kidnapping a secret. Only a few people knew, and when Quatre had returned to school a week later the official story was that he had been in a car accident and needed bed rest. Wufei and Quatre didn't have any other friends in junior high. It wasn't until high school that they met Trowa, Duo and Heero and became close. Still, Quatre didn't like to talk about it, and actually never had, not with Wufei, Iria, his father or the psychologist they had insisted he see after the kidnapping.
One day, just a month after they had all become friends, Duo had told them how his brother had once been in a car accident and broken his leg. He asked if anyone had been in an accident and Quatre had said, "Once, a long time ago," and left the room. That afternoon he had called Wufei and simply said, "Don't tell them."
Wufei exhaled and went to sit in front of the laptop again. "It's not my place to say." He waited until Heero took a seat next to him. "We just need to get them out of there."
Heero nodded and took his radio. "Zero three, they have zero two and zero four." On the screen, Duo, Quatre and the rest of the group were walking outside the assembly room. "I think they are taking them to the art room. Do you think you can intercept them in the labs corridor and signal them to run?"
There was a small pause before Trowa replied. "I'm going. I'll turn the volume down and radio you when we are at a safe distance."
"Take care." Heero put the radio on his lap and brought an image of the corridor on the screen.
Wufei looked and waited.
* * *
Quatre closed his eyes for a moment, trying to keep his breathing even. Relena and Dorothy were walking in front of him, whispering things to each other. Behind him he could hear Sylvia talking with her boyfriend Michael, but Quatre wasn't paying attention to what they were saying. His eyes were fixated on the man several steps in front of him, and more specifically towards the gun he was carrying. Une and Tsubarov had assured the students that the weapons weren't real, but Quatre knew they were.
He disliked guns but he knew how to handle them and had seen enough in his life to recognize a real weapon from a fake one. Ever since he was thirteen Quatre had been surrounded by bodyguards, at least three of them, following him everywhere he went. At first, Quatre had merely tolerated them but little by little they had become closer. They were the first to teach Quatre about weapons, and they even showed him some self defense moves. However, Quatre still found terribly annoying having three people tagging along wherever he went. It was a portable cage, but a cage nonetheless. It wasn't until last year that Quatre had managed to convince his father to lower his security. It had taken a lot of time, arguments and especially the help of the Maguanacs, but now Quatre was free to go anywhere alone, as long as he took the necessary precautions.
Everywhere Quatre went had to be previously checked by his security, and even if Quatre was allowed to go alone he needed to communicate often and always be on time. In addition he carried two cellphones, one on his backpack and one on himself. His father had also insisted in giving him a watch with two panic buttons: one that set off a very loud alarm to alert people that he was in danger, and the other was a silent one that his father's bodyguards could pick up.
After seeing the gunmen, Quatre had been very tempted to press the second button but his father and his bodyguards were probably landing in Boston just about now, too far away to help.
A hand squeezed his shoulder softly, and Quatre moved his eyes away from the gun to see Duo watching him. "Are you okay?" Duo whispered.
Quatre nodded and mumbled, "Yes, it's nothing."
It probably wasn't. Quatre was paranoid and he knew it. It had taken him months to get used to his bodyguards because no matter how much he tried, he couldn't feel at ease with armed men around him, even if they were supposed to protect him. The same thing had happened when he went to the Maguanacs. The first weeks there had been very hard. He had learnt to control his reaction better but he still had a long way to go.
"I don't like this," said Duo, looking at the gunman leading them to the art room.
"It's that why you came with me?" Quatre asked, even though he already knew the answer.
Duo looked insulted for a moment. "Like I was gonna let them take you. We need to stick together."
Quatre nodded but he wasn't really sure about it. Whatever the men wanted, they hadn't wanted Duo, and Quatre wondered how wisely Duo had acted.
"Quatre," Duo's voice sounded firmer than before. "We are going to be alright."
Quatre nodded again. He didn't want to lie with words. He was getting more worried by the minute and no matter how much he tried to convince himself that it was just his mind playing tricks, he couldn't help but be suspicious.
Something hit Quatre on the side of the neck. He looked down and saw the small paper ball on the floor. Raising his head as little as possible, he looked up and out of the corner of his eye saw Trowa, sitting on one of the roof beams. Shifting slowly to get a better view without drawing attention, Quatre looked directly into Trowa's eyes. With a simple movement of his hand, Trowa signaled the labs. Trowa was telling them to run. It was risky and Quatre knew it but he didn't trust the gunmen and he was ready to take any chance to get away.
Leaning slightly towards Duo, Quatre whispered. "Don't look. Trowa's here. After I nod, count to three and run to the labs. We are getting out of here."
There was a deep intake of breath from Duo. "Got you."
Taking a deep breath himself, Quatre nodded, and counted to three. He and Duo dashed towards the lab at the same time. The man holding the rear shouted at them to stop, but they ignored him. The heavy steps behind them told Quatre that they were being followed. Something flew right by his ear. Damn! They were shooting at them. Just when they were about to reach the labs door, a blurry figure fell from above; it was Trowa. The three of them got inside the room, closing the door harshly behind them, and locking it from the inside.
"Now what?" asked Duo, trying to catch his breath.
Trowa took his radio from his pocket, turned the volume up and pushed a button. "Zero One, we're in the physics lab. Which way?"
They were hitting the door hard from outside, trying to break it.
"The ducts," Heero replied. "It's the only clear way."
They had never used the ventilation ducts to move around the school. When they didn't want to be seen they usually used the roof, but the ducts ran clearly visible around the whole school, and they would probably fit in there.
Trowa jumped on a table and reached up, trying to move a panel so they could climb up. "The lid is screwed on. I can't open it."
"I'm way ahead of you." Duo had moved to the supply closet, coming back with a toolbox. He handed a screwdriver to Trowa, one to Quatre and took one himself. "Let's move quickly. I don't think we have a lot of time."
Quatre and Duo climbed on the table and between the three of them they had the lid unscrewed in a few minutes.
Duo grabbed the edges of the duct and, with a little push from Trowa, climbed up. "Good news is that I don't think any of those guys will fit here," he said, giving Quatre a hand and helping him up. "Bad news is that we are going to have trouble moving."
The moment he squeezed in the duct Quatre knew Duo was right. He needed to stay on his hands and knees, and he could feel the top panel pressing against his back. Trowa handed him the three backpacks before climbing up himself.
"We can't put the lid back from the inside," said Trowa. "We better get a move on then. Eventually they'll open the door."
The duct was dark and after they moved away from the opening Quatre could no longer see. He bumped into Duo many times and he could feel Trowa's hand brushing his legs from time to time.
"Any idea where we're going?" asked Duo.
"Just move ahead until you find an intersection," replied Trowa. "Then we ask Heero. He has the building plans."
Quatre stopped and Trowa bumped into him. "So they are really taking over the school." His voice sounded way too sad to him. "They are kidnapping us." His breathing was uneven again and Quatre felt his heart beating faster and faster.
"Yes. The new security system... it was all a plot." Trowa brushed Quatre's leg again but Quatre was sure that this time it was intentional. "Quatre, we need to keep moving."
Trowa was right. His hands were shaking, but Quatre still tried to crawl forward. He didn't like small dark spaces, he didn't like the silence that had settled but worse of all he didn't like the feeling of losing control. "Duo? Talk to me."
Not sound came for a moment but then Duo started to whisper. He talked about the repairs he was making in his car, and Solo's new girlfriend. He told the story of how Howard had once been arrested for refusing to take off his sunglasses off after a policeman had stopped him for speeding.
Quatre listened and forced himself to focus solely on Duo's voice. Once in a while Trowa would use the radio to ask Heero for directions, and sometimes it was Wufei who replied. Quatre held on to those voices. He wasn't alone and he wasn't helpless. They were getting out.
"You are nearly there," said Heero, after they had been crawling for about twenty minutes. "Take the next left and you'll reach a dead end. You'll be above the basement stairs."
"Is it clear?" Trowa asked.
"There are no cameras in the basement," said Heero, "but we have been monitoring the hallway and no one has stepped in."
That was good enough for Quatre. Just a few more minutes and they would be able to get out. He could hold on a few more minutes.
Trowa's small cough was the first sign that something was wrong. Quatre felt the smoke entering his lungs before he felt the sting in his eyes.
"They are smoking us out," said Duo, between coughs.
Quatre closed his eyes, trying desperately to breathe. They didn't have a few minutes anymore.
* * *
TBC
By Misanagi
Rating: R / M
Pairings: 1+2, 3+4+5, 6x9
Summary: Safety is only an illusion. Unexpected events can happen anytime anywhere. The key is learning how to deal with them, and face them head on.
Warnings: AU, School fic, violence, action. Sequel to "Shattered Glass"
Notes: Fusion with the movie "Masterminds".
Thanks a lot to Anne for beta reading.
____
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Lady Une looked at the several screens showing the perimeter of the school. The new security was much more than she had expected. Almost everything in the school was now computerized and controlled from this very room. Surveillance cameras had been installed all over the campus to be able to monitor everything that happened inside and in the surrounding area. Tsubarov was sitting beside her, using the computers to show her the different improvements made over the previous system.
The main monitor was showing a tri-dimensional map of the school perimeter, and Tsubarov was explaining the modifications made on the structure to incorporate the new electrical equipment. Something in one of the smaller monitors caught Une's attention. She could see the east garden and one of the security guards making his rounds. A man clad in black that she had never seen before was walking behind him. Before she could wonder about the identity of the man, he took out a gun and shot the guard.
"What the hell?" Une pointed at the monitor. "Tsubarov, do something about it!"
"I am, Lady," he said, his voice too calm, and filled with fake sweetness. "I'm taking over your school."
Une turned from the monitor to look at the smiling face of the security chief. "You're what?"
"I am taking over your school," Tsubarov replied. "And it's going rather well if I might say so myself. I was going to wait until my associates were done securing your personnel before informing you about this new development, but there's no harm done in being a little ahead of schedule."
Une understood then. Everything Tsubarov had been doing in the school for the last three weeks had been a plot. She had invited him to the school, practically opened the doors for him, and he had used the opportunity to learn everything about the school, and change whatever didn't fit his needs. Without thinking about it, she closed a fist and aimed an awkward punch at Tsubarov's wrinkled face.
Apparently he had been waiting for it because he blocked it easily and forced her hand down. Standing abruptly from her chair, Une tried to free herself from Tsubarov's grasp. When it didn't work she used her other hand to hit him in the shoulder. This time the fist connected.
She snatched her hand back and turned around. After only two steps the door of the security room opened and Une was faced with two armed men.
"I suggest you take a seat, Lady." Tsubarov's voice sounded behind her. "Cooperation is in your best interest."
Realizing that there wasn't a way out, Une turned and glared at Tsubarov but sat down nonetheless. "This was all planned from the start," she muttered quietly to herself.
Tsubarov let out a hoarse laugh. "This has been planned carefully. I have now complete control of the school, and if you want to spare the lives of the students, Lady, you will cooperate."
With the modifications done to the security system, now Tsubarov could control everything in the school: the phone lines, the internet, the gates, the alarms and the access to every restricted room. The armed men were shooting at the staff, and Une wasn't even sure what had happened to the children or teachers. "You think you can get money out of this madness?" She looked at Tsubarov as if he was no more than an insect.
"I know I can," he said, grinning. "I believe we are late for the assembly, Lady, but before we head out to meet the children we need to make some ground rules. I believe discipline is the pillar of a school."
Une clenched her fists but kept silent.
"You will inform the students that today's classes have been canceled in favor of a security exercise. I'll be in charge with the help of the extra staff," he said, pointing at the armed men at the entrance. "I'm sure you'll make that clear for the students."
"What about the teachers?" Une asked.
Tsubarov typed a few commands on the computer and soon one of the screens was filled with the image of the teachers' room. The whole faculty was gathered there, and surrounded by armed men. "I'm sure the teachers won't be a problem."
Une gulped. She was had hoped that the teachers could do something but apparently that wasn't really an option.
Tsubarov coughed to get her attention. "I'll need you to gather some students for a special class," he continued, handing her a list. "If these instructions are followed, I'll let the teachers and the two upper grades go. It's all in your hands, Lady."
She unfolded the paper and read the names in a soft voice. "Quatre Raberba Winner, Relena Peacecraft, Dorothy Catalonia, Trowa Barton, Silvia Noventa..." She raised her eyes from the paper and glared at Tsubarov.
"You are aware, Lady, that ten of the richest kids of the country attend Saint Charles Academy, right? Now let's go, we shouldn't keep the children waiting."
Une followed Tsubarov out the door. The hallways were filled with armed men, and two more were trailing behind her, making sure she wouldn't try anything. The students were all gathered in the assembly, but only one teacher was there. Lucrezia gave Une an alarmed look as soon as Une entered the room. Une just gave her a reassuring nod. The teacher kept looking at the group suspiciously but remained quiet.
Stepping on the stage, Une asked for silence and when the last murmurs had quietened down, she began. "Good morning students. We called this assembly to bring you up to date with the new security system that was installed in the school and to fill you in the different changes. Since the new system is so radically different from the last, we are going to dedicate today to an exercise."
There were whispers all over the room as the students leaned over to discuss the unusual turn of events. Most of them sounded excited. "Mr. Tsubarov," said Une, raising her voice and effectively getting the students to quiet down again, "will be in charge of today's activities." She turned to look at him, and noticed that he had a file in his hand, with the names and photos of the students on the list he had given her.
Tsubarov had played his cards smartly. He had used the parents fear for their children's security as a way into the school. There was no doubt that the real targets of the operation were the kids on the list, and Tsubarov had managed to get them all. Une didn't want to help, but she knew that if she didn't do as Tsubarov said, then all the kids would be in danger. She needed to focus on getting as many students out of the school as possible, and then she could focus on the remaining ones.
She took a deep breath and continued. "Some students were picked to attend a special class today that will give you more information on the workings of the system." Tsubarov was already walking down the stage and heading towards the students, file in hand. "Please remain seated while we gather the group." Une hurried after Tsubarov.
He was already in front of a student and Une felt a knot in her stomach when she saw who it was. Quatre Winner and Duo Maxwell were known for skipping assemblies, why in heavens name had they picked today to start assisting?
"Quatre Raberba Winner," said Tsubarov, grinning. "Please come with me."
Quatre didn't look too sure. He turned to Une, possibly searching for answers. She could only lower her eyes and nod. Quatre stood up but before he could follow Tsubarov, Duo stopped them. "I'm not in this special class?" he asked Tsubarov, standing beside Quatre.
"What's your name?" asked Tsubarov, regarding Duo with contempt.
"Duo Maxwell."
Tsubarov shook his head. "Maybe another time," He turned around, and put a hand on Quatre's shoulder.
Quatre immediately took a step back and removed the hand. He and Duo were glaring at Tsubarov.
The armed men that had followed Une and Tsubarov into the assembly stepped forward. There was a moment of tension before Tsubarov shook his head and they moved back. "Well, if it means that much to you, young man, you can attend this class."
Quatre and Duo, however, didn't move, glares still in place.
Before another word could be said, Lucrezia stepped between Tsubarov and the students. "Can I ask what this is all about?"
Tsubarov was quiet for a moment. Behind him Une gave Lucrezia a sad look. Things were out of their hands.
"Why don't you accompany the students in this special class?" asked Tsubarov. "Just to make sure that everything runs smoothly." He gave her a smile and then turned to Une.
"Get the rest of the kids," he whispered, to her, the anger evident in his voice. He waved his hand and one of the armed men stepped forward. "Nichol, go with her."
Tsubarov went to the stage to address the students, and Nichol pushed her forward, keeping her away from Lucrezia, Quatre and Duo. With a silent curse, Une went to find the rest of the students on the list. Hopefully some of them wouldn't be there.
* * *
"I have no signal," said Wufei, glaring at the cellphone in his hand. "We've never had signal problems here." It was getting increasingly difficult to hide the worried tone from his voice. Almost at the same time Trowa had contacted them, Heero had gained access to the security cameras and what they had seen was not good.
All the teachers and staff of the school were being held in a room at gun point or were sedated. There were unknown men all over the school, all of them carrying guns and portable radios. Someone had taken over the school. Duo and Quatre were probably trapped in the assembly room with all the other students, and Wufei couldn't get a signal to call the police.
The new security system seemed to control everything and while Heero had access he was still getting familiar with the system as he tried to get around undetected. The students in the assembly room seemed to be oblivious to what was happening. Wufei and Heero could only watch, feeling helpless, as the men executed their plan. With the cellphone signals dead there was no way to contact the police.
Heero pressed a button in his radio. "Zero three, where are you?" They had decided to use only their code names from now on. The men taking over the school all had radios and it was possible for one of them to stumble onto their frequency.
"On the East roof," Trowa's voice replied, "just above the library."
Wufei turned down the volume of his own radio. He could hear everything well enough from Heero's. Duo and Quatre had probably turned theirs off. Just a week after they got them Trowa had forgotten to turn it off during class and the teacher and students had heard Duo and Heero coordinating how to skip Latin. Since then they were very careful to turn off their radios when they were involved in academic activities.
Heero spoke into the radio. "Do you have a signal on your cellphone?" He had just taken out his own phone from his back pocket and was glaring at it. "Mine's dead too," he told Wufei.
"No," answered Trowa. "What the fuck is going on?"
"Someone has taken over the school," said Wufei, using his own radio. "You'd better lay low." Right now, Trowa was in a very risky situation. One of the men had seen him and they were probably searching for him. If someone knew his way around the roof tops it was Trowa, but no matter how many acrobatic skills he had acquired growing up in a circus, he was no match for men with guns.
"Oh fuck!" Heero cursed, and glared at the laptop monitor.
Wufei moved closer to get a better look, and Heero moved to the side.
"What the… What the hell is that man doing with Quatre and Duo!?" The screen was showing the assembly room, and Heero had zoomed to the front row where an armed man was escorting Duo, Quatre and Miss. Noin out of the room, while another one was followed by other students.
Wufei felt like his chest was being crushed. He recognized the feeling as panic, something he hadn't truly felt in four years. His breathing was getting faster and he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on taking slow breaths. He knew how to calm himself. His father had taught him to meditate since he was very young, it was part of the martial arts training, but now focusing was taking longer than usual.
Inhale, wait, exhale.
Four years ago, he had spent that horribly long day breathing. That was the only thing he could do to remain calm, to banish unwanted thoughts. He had been helpless then. There was nothing he could do but wait and try to be strong for Quatre. Things were better now, not perfect but better. Quatre still hated the silence, and couldn't sleep unless he had some music on, but he could sleep with the lights off, and he was able to fall back asleep after a nightmare.
And now it was happening again.
"Wufei!" Heero was in front of him, his hands were on Wufei's shoulders and he was shaking him.
Wufei blinked. "I have to go and get him." He moved Heero's hand away and stood up, heading for the door.
Heero got to the door before Wufei did and stood in front of it, blocking it. "Wufei, what's wrong?"
"They are taking him. Armed men are taking him. That's what's wrong." Wufei knew he was raising his voice more than necessary. His control, if he had any left, was slipping, and his concern was clear for Heero to see.
Leaning back on the door, Heero spoke in a very controlled tone, looking directly at Wufei's eyes. "Quatre and Duo are together. It's not wise just to rush over there without a plan. What can we do against guns?"
Wufei clenched his fists. He was powerless again. He forced himself to count to five while taking deep breaths. Quatre was with Duo. Even if Duo didn't know about what had happened, he would take care of Quatre. An image of Quatre lying in a hospital bed, looking pale and lost appeared in Wufei's mind. He shook his head and whispered, "He's strong."
Heero gave him a look. "What are you not telling me?"
Quatre's father and the police had managed to keep the kidnapping a secret. Only a few people knew, and when Quatre had returned to school a week later the official story was that he had been in a car accident and needed bed rest. Wufei and Quatre didn't have any other friends in junior high. It wasn't until high school that they met Trowa, Duo and Heero and became close. Still, Quatre didn't like to talk about it, and actually never had, not with Wufei, Iria, his father or the psychologist they had insisted he see after the kidnapping.
One day, just a month after they had all become friends, Duo had told them how his brother had once been in a car accident and broken his leg. He asked if anyone had been in an accident and Quatre had said, "Once, a long time ago," and left the room. That afternoon he had called Wufei and simply said, "Don't tell them."
Wufei exhaled and went to sit in front of the laptop again. "It's not my place to say." He waited until Heero took a seat next to him. "We just need to get them out of there."
Heero nodded and took his radio. "Zero three, they have zero two and zero four." On the screen, Duo, Quatre and the rest of the group were walking outside the assembly room. "I think they are taking them to the art room. Do you think you can intercept them in the labs corridor and signal them to run?"
There was a small pause before Trowa replied. "I'm going. I'll turn the volume down and radio you when we are at a safe distance."
"Take care." Heero put the radio on his lap and brought an image of the corridor on the screen.
Wufei looked and waited.
* * *
Quatre closed his eyes for a moment, trying to keep his breathing even. Relena and Dorothy were walking in front of him, whispering things to each other. Behind him he could hear Sylvia talking with her boyfriend Michael, but Quatre wasn't paying attention to what they were saying. His eyes were fixated on the man several steps in front of him, and more specifically towards the gun he was carrying. Une and Tsubarov had assured the students that the weapons weren't real, but Quatre knew they were.
He disliked guns but he knew how to handle them and had seen enough in his life to recognize a real weapon from a fake one. Ever since he was thirteen Quatre had been surrounded by bodyguards, at least three of them, following him everywhere he went. At first, Quatre had merely tolerated them but little by little they had become closer. They were the first to teach Quatre about weapons, and they even showed him some self defense moves. However, Quatre still found terribly annoying having three people tagging along wherever he went. It was a portable cage, but a cage nonetheless. It wasn't until last year that Quatre had managed to convince his father to lower his security. It had taken a lot of time, arguments and especially the help of the Maguanacs, but now Quatre was free to go anywhere alone, as long as he took the necessary precautions.
Everywhere Quatre went had to be previously checked by his security, and even if Quatre was allowed to go alone he needed to communicate often and always be on time. In addition he carried two cellphones, one on his backpack and one on himself. His father had also insisted in giving him a watch with two panic buttons: one that set off a very loud alarm to alert people that he was in danger, and the other was a silent one that his father's bodyguards could pick up.
After seeing the gunmen, Quatre had been very tempted to press the second button but his father and his bodyguards were probably landing in Boston just about now, too far away to help.
A hand squeezed his shoulder softly, and Quatre moved his eyes away from the gun to see Duo watching him. "Are you okay?" Duo whispered.
Quatre nodded and mumbled, "Yes, it's nothing."
It probably wasn't. Quatre was paranoid and he knew it. It had taken him months to get used to his bodyguards because no matter how much he tried, he couldn't feel at ease with armed men around him, even if they were supposed to protect him. The same thing had happened when he went to the Maguanacs. The first weeks there had been very hard. He had learnt to control his reaction better but he still had a long way to go.
"I don't like this," said Duo, looking at the gunman leading them to the art room.
"It's that why you came with me?" Quatre asked, even though he already knew the answer.
Duo looked insulted for a moment. "Like I was gonna let them take you. We need to stick together."
Quatre nodded but he wasn't really sure about it. Whatever the men wanted, they hadn't wanted Duo, and Quatre wondered how wisely Duo had acted.
"Quatre," Duo's voice sounded firmer than before. "We are going to be alright."
Quatre nodded again. He didn't want to lie with words. He was getting more worried by the minute and no matter how much he tried to convince himself that it was just his mind playing tricks, he couldn't help but be suspicious.
Something hit Quatre on the side of the neck. He looked down and saw the small paper ball on the floor. Raising his head as little as possible, he looked up and out of the corner of his eye saw Trowa, sitting on one of the roof beams. Shifting slowly to get a better view without drawing attention, Quatre looked directly into Trowa's eyes. With a simple movement of his hand, Trowa signaled the labs. Trowa was telling them to run. It was risky and Quatre knew it but he didn't trust the gunmen and he was ready to take any chance to get away.
Leaning slightly towards Duo, Quatre whispered. "Don't look. Trowa's here. After I nod, count to three and run to the labs. We are getting out of here."
There was a deep intake of breath from Duo. "Got you."
Taking a deep breath himself, Quatre nodded, and counted to three. He and Duo dashed towards the lab at the same time. The man holding the rear shouted at them to stop, but they ignored him. The heavy steps behind them told Quatre that they were being followed. Something flew right by his ear. Damn! They were shooting at them. Just when they were about to reach the labs door, a blurry figure fell from above; it was Trowa. The three of them got inside the room, closing the door harshly behind them, and locking it from the inside.
"Now what?" asked Duo, trying to catch his breath.
Trowa took his radio from his pocket, turned the volume up and pushed a button. "Zero One, we're in the physics lab. Which way?"
They were hitting the door hard from outside, trying to break it.
"The ducts," Heero replied. "It's the only clear way."
They had never used the ventilation ducts to move around the school. When they didn't want to be seen they usually used the roof, but the ducts ran clearly visible around the whole school, and they would probably fit in there.
Trowa jumped on a table and reached up, trying to move a panel so they could climb up. "The lid is screwed on. I can't open it."
"I'm way ahead of you." Duo had moved to the supply closet, coming back with a toolbox. He handed a screwdriver to Trowa, one to Quatre and took one himself. "Let's move quickly. I don't think we have a lot of time."
Quatre and Duo climbed on the table and between the three of them they had the lid unscrewed in a few minutes.
Duo grabbed the edges of the duct and, with a little push from Trowa, climbed up. "Good news is that I don't think any of those guys will fit here," he said, giving Quatre a hand and helping him up. "Bad news is that we are going to have trouble moving."
The moment he squeezed in the duct Quatre knew Duo was right. He needed to stay on his hands and knees, and he could feel the top panel pressing against his back. Trowa handed him the three backpacks before climbing up himself.
"We can't put the lid back from the inside," said Trowa. "We better get a move on then. Eventually they'll open the door."
The duct was dark and after they moved away from the opening Quatre could no longer see. He bumped into Duo many times and he could feel Trowa's hand brushing his legs from time to time.
"Any idea where we're going?" asked Duo.
"Just move ahead until you find an intersection," replied Trowa. "Then we ask Heero. He has the building plans."
Quatre stopped and Trowa bumped into him. "So they are really taking over the school." His voice sounded way too sad to him. "They are kidnapping us." His breathing was uneven again and Quatre felt his heart beating faster and faster.
"Yes. The new security system... it was all a plot." Trowa brushed Quatre's leg again but Quatre was sure that this time it was intentional. "Quatre, we need to keep moving."
Trowa was right. His hands were shaking, but Quatre still tried to crawl forward. He didn't like small dark spaces, he didn't like the silence that had settled but worse of all he didn't like the feeling of losing control. "Duo? Talk to me."
Not sound came for a moment but then Duo started to whisper. He talked about the repairs he was making in his car, and Solo's new girlfriend. He told the story of how Howard had once been arrested for refusing to take off his sunglasses off after a policeman had stopped him for speeding.
Quatre listened and forced himself to focus solely on Duo's voice. Once in a while Trowa would use the radio to ask Heero for directions, and sometimes it was Wufei who replied. Quatre held on to those voices. He wasn't alone and he wasn't helpless. They were getting out.
"You are nearly there," said Heero, after they had been crawling for about twenty minutes. "Take the next left and you'll reach a dead end. You'll be above the basement stairs."
"Is it clear?" Trowa asked.
"There are no cameras in the basement," said Heero, "but we have been monitoring the hallway and no one has stepped in."
That was good enough for Quatre. Just a few more minutes and they would be able to get out. He could hold on a few more minutes.
Trowa's small cough was the first sign that something was wrong. Quatre felt the smoke entering his lungs before he felt the sting in his eyes.
"They are smoking us out," said Duo, between coughs.
Quatre closed his eyes, trying desperately to breathe. They didn't have a few minutes anymore.
* * *
TBC
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 04:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 11:34 pm (UTC)*goes to write*
Thanks for the comment ^_^
no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 06:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 11:36 pm (UTC)I need to be good and write so you can find out...
Thanks for the comment ^_^
no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 01:46 pm (UTC)Gah....
*plots cliffhanger revenge*
no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 11:40 pm (UTC)*plots cliffhanger revenge*
Cliffy? What? Where? *looks innocent*
Thanks for the comment. ^__^
no subject
Date: 2005-08-11 08:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-11 07:49 pm (UTC)And now I need to be good and write more. ^_^
!
Date: 2005-10-15 12:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-02 03:13 am (UTC)Very nice chapter. I enjoy this very much. Everything about this universe amazes me. :D This fic isn't really as lighthearted as the little ficlets, more serious and fleshed out with action and interaction. <3 Love it!
no subject
Date: 2008-07-03 05:05 am (UTC)