Eighty-Four

Good Boys

      “She’s such a bitch!” Kyle came in, aggravated.
      “Who is?” I asked, turning to look at him from my computer.
      “Nikki, of course...”
      I gave him a level look, it was good and well for him to hate her. But my only problems with her was that she didn’t agree to my cause.
      He sighed, “Sorry, Nikol.”
      I stared at him a moment longer, then nodded, “What did she do?”
      “She’s a fuckin’ ice princess...”
      I chuckled, “Of course she is. What did you expect? Her to be all sweetness and delights?” that, if anything, was a ludicrous idea.
      He snorted and looked away, muttering something about ‘I wish...’ I decided not to call him on it, looking to my watch.
      “You’re back early.”
      “They left.”
      I frowned, “Why didn’t you go with them?”
      He sighed, “You know it’s not as easy as that. Mr. Winner has closed himself off from his peers. He doesn’t care what they think about him letting so many people just live off him...”
      I smiled, “Nikki and Sam have a way of getting their way...not to mention Kris. That little girl...what’s her name...”
      “Kitty?” he offered.
      I shook my head, “That’s their name for her...it’s Katie, isn’t it?” she was most interesting, she had their fire...their confidence...
      He nodded.
      I smiled a bit, “You seen her eyes? She just has to open them wider and I’m sure everyone just caves. She’ll make a great hostage. I can tell she has them all wrapped around her little finger...”
      “Daddy?”
      I looked to the door as Nikki walked in.
      “Hey, sweet-heart, what’s going on? Where’s your mother?”
      She shrugged, “Mommy’s putting Cory to bed. It’s nap time.”
      I gave her a look as I lifted her onto my lap, “So why aren’t you taking a nap?”
      She smiled at me, “I’m a big girl, Daddy, big girls don’t take naps.”
      “Aww...” I nodded, “I forgot. So why did you come in here?”
      “‘Cause I wanted to.”
      I loved how impulsive she was.
      “Well, sweet-heart, Daddy’s busy right now.”
      She looked to Kyle, “Hi, Mr. Price...”
      He smiled, “Hi, Miss Nicole.”
      “I’ll be quiet, Daddy, I promise.”
      I pretended to think about that for a moment. I wasn’t going to send her away.
      I nodded finally, “Fine. But remember, you promised.”
      She smiled at me.
      I looked back to Kyle, thinking back to what we were talking about, “So where did they go?”
      He shrugged.
      “Mr. Price...” I started.
      He held up his hand, “I asked. He said he and his girlfriend were going out to lunch, then they were going out and about. I have no idea what he meant by it and no idea where they might be going.”
      I sighed, “Why are they being so difficult?” I shook my head, “And you’re sure they don’t recognize you?”
      He got the uncomfortable look he always got when this came up, “Yes. I’m sure.”
      Well, I wanted to know.
      “How?”
      He studied me a minute, “Because Mr. Yuy and Mr. Maxwell would kick my...” he looked to Nikki who was watching us with wide innocent eyes, “And I’m sure the others would as well.”
      I studied him, “You avoid the resoning behind this everytime. I think I’m tired of that. Why would they attack you?”
      He looked to Nikki again, this time it was more imploring...more scared.
      “Mr. Price?”
      He shook his head, not meeting my eyes.
      “Kyle.”
      He still didn’t meet my eyes.
      I sighed, sliding Nicole off my leg, “Can you go tell Mommy that I need to talk to her?”
      She nodded and started for the door.
      Kyle seemed to fade into himself as she went.
      “There.” I said, “Now we can speak plainly. I have a feeling that I wasn’t told everything.”
      Kyle sighed, pulling himself together, “You weren’t.” he agreed.
      “So now I want to know.”
      He met my eyes, “Nikki and I had...a relationship...”
      I laughed at that, “Really? That’s a funny idea. So were you just a one night stand? Is that why you hate her?”
      His face darkened, “Almost. But not quite.”
      I grinned at him, “So you hate her ‘cause she wouldn’t sleep with you?”
      His face went a little darker, “Heero and Duo kicked my ass because of it, Nikol. They put me in the hospitol with a broken arm, nose, missing teeth, and a couple of broken ribs.”
      That stopped my grin, “What did you do?” I demanded. Those boys wouldn’t just attack him because he offended the girls. They wouldn’t use that degree of violence just because he pissed them off. It was something more. Much worse.
      He shrugged, “I’d rather not talk about it.”
      I studied him, realizing any number of things...all of which pissed me off, “Then they probably know!”
      Suretta came in as Kyle shook his head.
      “Know what? Who?”
      “Nikki and them...they probably realize he’s working for us!”
      She blinked, “Why would they...”
      “Our dear Mr. Price here just informed me that something happened that made Yuy and Maxwell put him in the hospitol with broken ribs, nose, arm, and missing teeth...”
      She turend to him, her eyes also going wide, “Why didn’t you tell us?”
      He made a face, “They don’t recognize me.”
      “My ass they don’t. You dumb-fuck! What did you do to her? They wouldn’t attack that badly on a whim...especially not the two of them together!”
      “Then why haven’t they attacked me?”
      “That day...when they attacked our base...they told you six, right?” she looked to me, “They put him off everytime...”
      I had buried my face in my hands as I realized our last link was done. That they had probably slipped him the false information on purpose...I hit the com button, “Get ahold of all of our bases. Tell them to be extra vigilant. The Gundams may be attacking shortly.”
      Kyle was staring at me in shock.
      “You are an imbecile. There is no way in hell that they don’t recognize you. You had better push up our plans for Winner. Don’t let them realize we’ve caught on...” I got an idea, “But let them realize you’re working for us.”
      He frowned, “But you said...”
      I shook my head, “Admit to them...but don’t let them know...”
      “All the funders of the foundation know they’re the pilots.” Suretta broke in.
      I sighed, thinking, “So...we...”
      “Let some information slip.” she said, looking to Kyle, “You let them think we’re planning something...”
      “Like what?” I asked her.
      She looked back to me, “Uh...” she closed her eyes.
      I tilted my head back, “We should make them think we’re starting to move.”
      “When?”
      “In two days...” I smiled a bit, remembering that he’d set his party for that day, “That’s it. In two days...and try to make our little party on the same day. Mr. Winner couldn’t possibly miss that. That would leave them a man down...”
      “Then what date will we tell them?” Suretta asked, following the bit I’d neglected to say out loud...we would move on the day of the party.
      I thought about that, “Tomorrow.” I looked to Kyle, “Get ahold of Winner if you can. Tell him that tomorrow afternoon you’d like to meet with him.”


      Quatre hung up his phone, looking pensive.
      “Who was it?” I asked as Nikki lounged even further against me.
      “Price.” he muttered, “He wants to meet with me tomorrow afternoon.”
      I nodded.
      “When are we leaving?” Nikki asked...even though he’d already told her a few times...
      “After that party.” he said tolerantly...it made her extremely happy.
      She smiled a bit.
      He had his own slight grin, “I hope it’s a fun one.”
      I sighed, “So do you think they’re planning something?”
      He nodded, “But I don’t understand why they’re doing it tomorrow night.”
      I shrugged.
      There was a tap on the door and I moved to be in front of Nikki as Quatre went to the door. We’d come home and Quatre had went out with Sam. They’d been home for an hour and a half or so now, and Sam hadn’t come out of her room. The others were also not with us...a couple of them were in Sally and Wufei’s room, and a couple were in Sam’s...I wasn’t sure where everyone was exactly.
      Quatre allowed a man in who looked scared as he focused on Nikki.
      She sat up, her eyes going wide, “Tran!” she held herself back from jumping at him.
      He swallowed, “Nikki...I...”
      I had drawn my gun and he now stared at it, utterly and completly still as Quatre also held his gun up.
      He swallowed again.
      “What are you doing here?” Nikki asked, moving so not to hinder me.
      He pursed his lips, holding both hands up for us to see, “I wanted to let you know something...Suretta told me...”
      Quatre gestured with his gun for him to sit in a chair.
      “We have no reason to trust you, or Suretta.” I informed him, “One wrong move and we’ll claim it another attack on Miss Kaze.”
      He nodded, “I understand.” he hadn’t sat, “Pat me down...I have no weapons.”
      Quatre thought about that, then did it. When he straightened he nodded, “Nothing.”
      I nodded.
      “So what did you need to say?” Nikki asked, looking like she felt more at ease.
      “Well, she told me to tell you first off...” he thought a moment, “...stars...” he looked like he felt silly.
      Nikki nodded, “I can’t trust our code any longer, however. This could just be a trick.”
      He nodded, “She said you’d probably say that, but to try it anyways.”
      “Go on.”
      He sighed, “Nothing’s happening tomorrow night.”
      I rose an eyebrow.
      “Suretta said that it was all a trick. They found out somehow that you knew about Price...”
      “What about Price?” Nikki asked sharply.
      He sighed, “You know he’s working for them...”
      “What do you mean?”
      “He told Nikol that Yuy and Maxwell put him in the hospitol with some major violence.”
      I nodded, we had...but I made it seem like he needed to go on with his story.
      “They know that you guys don’t do un-provoked attacks, and that there had to be a major reason behind it. Thus you would recognize him on sight.”
      I frowned a bit, “That doesn’t mean that we suspect him of dealing with the enemy.”
      “Except that you kept putting him off on your major offensives...like that base when you told him not to come until six...and had the entire thing destroyed by four.”
      I studied him, “So why did you risk your life?”
      He looked down, “Kris, Nikki, and Sam were some of my closest friends back on Barge and the Lunar Base. Nikol and Suretta were also part of the group. Now Suretta is questioning Nikol’s cause. I started the same after Kris showed up...did she tell you...” he looked to Nikki hopefully.
      Nikki nodded.
      “So...uh...I came to let you know something of major importance.” he glanced to Quatre.
      “What?” Nikki asked gently.
      “If I tell you this, then I’ll betray Nikol. If I betray Nikol, then he’ll kill me...if he finds out.”
      Nikki nodded.
      “They’re going to kill Mr. Winner.” Tran focused on Nikki as if we weren’t there.
      Quatre blinked, “They’re going to try, you mean.”
      Tran shook his head, “No. It’s not that simple. You’re throwing a big party. That leaves plenty of opportunities...”
      “Yeah...” Nikki muttered. She was studying his eyes, “If any of what you tell us is lies, I won’t hestitate to let them kill you.”
      I turned to her in shock as Quatre did the same thing.
      “I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.” she ignored us, “But one wrong move...”
      He nodded, “I swear to you that I’m not lying.”
      She nodded, “We won’t let him know. Are you going back, then?”
      He nodded again, “I can’t very well stay here.”
      “Very well. You be careful.”
      He nodded, “You too.” he tilted his head at me, then at Quatre, then stood.
      “Tran?”
      We all glanced back.
      Sam was staring at him.
      He smiled a bit, “Hi, Sam...”
      Sam was just staring at him.
      “I...uh...”
      “Tran?” that was Kris.
      Nikki stood and stepped forward, they joined her.
      Tran was watching them, his eyes looking close to tears.
      He glanced at us, but turned and went to them...I was sure he’d noticed my tense and Quatre’s movement. I could tell he wanted to hug them...and wondered just how close they’d been. I had understood that it was like a family in their group...but hadn’t realized that Nikki actually let boys get close to her...like she did now...
      Quatre and I exchanged a glance, I wasn’t sure exactly what I could do if he tried something right now...they were close. Of course, Kris had her gun and was probably ready to grab it...seeing an old friend was good, but he was still the enemy.
      They started talking amongst themselves, exchanging greetings...then laughter. Before long they were sitting on the floor telling stories...I didn’t let myself relax, however. He was still the enemy.
      Quatre’s phone rang.
      “Hello?” he gave me a look of aggrivation, “Oh, Mr. Price...”
      Ristran fell silent.
      “Tonight? Right now?”
      “Shit...” Ristran muttered, looking to Sam with his eyes wide.
      “How about twenty minutes...no. I can meet you somewhere, if you’d like...by myself?” Quatre rose an eyebrow.
      “Don’t.” Tran hissed.
      Quatre nodded to him, then chuckled, “No, my baby...” he made it sound like he was saying it to her, “...would get mad if I did that...if I go we’re all going...” he laughed, “Mr. Price, I’m not sure if you’re aware or not, but recently...a little too recent for me...there was an attack on my assistant. I’m not going anywhere unguarded, or letting her do that either. Of course...make it an hour. I need to get changed and...of course,” he chuckled, rolling his eyes to us, “...the girls need to get ready as well. No, don’t worry, it’ll be my treat. I know. I’m not too worried about cost...” he chuckled again, “All right. I’ll see you then. All right...good bye now...uh-huh...good bye...” he flipped the phone closed. “What an arrogant, annoying, son of a bitch.”
      Tran’s eyes went wide.
      Nikki chuckled, “A stupid arrogant sun of a bitch who thinks he can get away with anything...”
      Tran thought a second, “What happened...why did you send him to the hospitol...” the last was to me.
      I sighed, “He tried something.”
      “Like what? He never told us.”
      Nikki had looked away.
      I shook my head, “He was alone with Nikki and ignoring what she said.”
      Tran swallowed as he thought that over, his manner becoming angered.
      I sighed. Wanting to tell him not to do anything, that we were taking care of it...but he was the enemy....even though it didn’t look like it, to see him sitting on the floor with the girls like a bunch of school children.
      He sighed finally, “I guess I’ll just have to share that with Suretta...”
      “And what will she do?” Nikki asked quietly before I could say anything.
      “What will she do, and how will she say she found out?” Sam agreed.
      “Keep it to yourself.” Kris told him.
      He looked at them in turn, then nodded. With a slight smile he looked to me, “I don’t understand how you did it.”
      “Did what?”
      He smiled a little larger, “Managed to remain your own person with them like they are...they still work as a trio...”
      They exchanged a look...he evidenlty wasn’t aware of the current situation between them.
      “It always made people mad that they’d put their heads together and suddenly we’d be doing something that no one with authority had said to do...and the ones with the authority would get all pissy because they hadn’t thought of it first.” he smiled as he thought back, “One ensign actually would join them when they did that so it could look like he had his two cents in...”
      That brought smiles.
      Tran glanced down, and when he looked up again, it was obvious that he was upset.
      “I don’t want to be on the opposite team of you.”
      Kris shook her head, “Right now, you’re the enemy. So unless you can do something to prove that your sincerely on our side, then we can’t...”
      “Like what?” he asked, thinking that over.
      Kris shrugged a bit.
      “I can get classified files for you...”
      “So can I.” Nikki reminded him.
      He nodded, “I can...give you reports on what’s going on...”
      “How?” Sam asked.
      He thought about that.
      “Nikol has some special files that he doesn’t think you can cut.” he told Nikki, “In those files he keeps copies of things...secret things. He has me type things into them all the time. You can get into that.”
      “What’s the path?”
      He thought about that as well, “In the main data bank. It’s called...” he smiled a bit, “...stars. He said Suretta named it for him...”
      Nikki was considering that.
      “I’ll type up thorough reports into it...” then he was telling her about fire-walls and traps...lots of names of things...information of people checking lines. They all three listened intently to what he told her. I was almost posotive if one forgot something one of the others would know...I wondered how similar to old times this was for them.
      Finally they had it all.
      He sat there and looked at them. Suddenly, as if breaking out of a trance, he sat up, “I have to go...”
      They nodded.
      He stood and headed for the door. They followed him to it as Quatre and I got closer...he was the enemy.
      Before he could go, they all stepped forward and exchanged a hug.
      Then he was gone and they were exchanging looks...then in the hall leading back to the rooms.
      I gave Quatre an annoyed look, “What do you think?”
      He smiled a bit, watching the hall, “I think they’re checking.”
      I nodded, “Yeah, but what do you think we should do? Shall we play along with their little scheme?”
      He shook his head, “Naw, let’s not give in. There are two possobiliteis here. One, Ristran was telling the complete truth. Two, it’s all some plot from them to fuck us over.” he smiled, “Let’s have a nice dinner tomorrow night.”

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Kyeian