|
|
|
|
Part XIV ‘Father, help me keep peace,’ Relena prayed silently. ‘Help us prevent further bloodshed.’
Someone gently nudged her shoulder. “Vice Minister?” Looking up, Relena saw that it was one of the conference aids. “Yes?” “The conference is about to start,” the aid stated. “Maybe you would like to take your place, now, ma’am?” Nodding, Relena rose from her chair and gathered her materials. The security appeared very tight with numerous guards at each doorway and several patrolling through the building. Fleeting, she wondered if he would be here to protect her as well. ‘Grow up, Relena,’ she thought. ‘He doesn’t care about you. You have to move on.’ However, as she entered the main conference chamber, meeting the camera flashes and the scattered applause, she never that part of her will always love Heero Yuy. He was her dream of personal happiness that drove her to fight for a continued peace. Squaring her shoulders, she walked briskly to the podium and briefly arranged her papers. At her nod, everyone in the room went silent, ready for the conference to begin. Taking a deep breath and saying another silent prayer, she began her speech. “Ladies and gentleman, citizens of the Earth Sphere United Nations and of the space colonies, I would like to welcome you all to this conference. As the overwhelming majority of you are aware, a dispute over a newly discovered ore deposit has revived old hostilities and distrusts between the Republic of Ternon and the United Provinces of Levque. “This conference has been called to see that a peaceful resolution of this matter is attained. Many of us saw first hand the horrors of armed conflict. I hope that none of us here are ready to say that a mineral deposit is more valuable than the lives of individuals. I sincerely hope that greed will not overrule goodwill and common sense.” Relena paused, something catching her eye in the uppermost tier. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw a red beam of light move through the auditorium. Several of the delegates were watching her and began shouting as they saw the red dot stop on the Vice Minister’s chest. As she realized what was happening, Relena tried to duck behind the podium as the first shots were hired. She cried out as something hit her shoulder. Clutching the injured joint, she curled up even tighter as splinters of wood and chunks of plaster rained down on her. “Can you walk?” a gruff voice demanded. Relena lifted her head and watched Heero fire several rounds back at the attackers. ‘He came,’ she thought, irrational happiness coursing through her and briefly masking the chaos around her. Dropping down beside her, he turned his dark blue eyes to her. “Can you walk?” he demanded. “Answer me.” “Yes, I can walk,” she replied. “It’s my shoulder that’s hurt.” Moving her fingers gently away from her shoulder, he noticed the blood seeping from the wound. With a fiercer expression, he pressed her hand back against the wound. “When I tell you, we’re going for the door. Understand?” “Yes,” she said, giving him a nod. ‘At least she’s not hysterical,’ he thought. Nodding back at her, he rose and sent several more rounds back at the would-be assassins. “Now, move.” Scrambling to her feet, Relena felt Heero shove her in the direction of the door. All the time, he was firing at the top tier of the auditorium. As she entered the hallway, Heero grabbed her elbow and began leading her through the complex. “Where are we going?” she asked, running to keep up with him. He glanced at her over his shoulder. “We have to get you out of here and then to some help.” “But what about the other delegates?” Relena protested. “It’s you they’re after,” he replied with his usual monotone. Relena was saved from a response as Heero increased his pace and continued to lead/drag her through the complex and hopefully to safety. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|