P.O.W.

P.O.W.



Chapter 2



From Desk to Sword





~*~





"General! News from Grant."



The objective of the young soldier did not seem to be paying any attention to the loud call he had received as he continued to walk before the line of the brand new mobile suits. These were the first of there kind. All of them were a beauty to behold at the least. Each one was different in there own subtle ways. All three of them were built for a different battlefield. The aquarius suit, ground suit, and air suit. They were built to be the best in there area type but it was also fortunate that they could be used out of there function type though not with the same results that could be gained in their target landscape.



While they were still prototype models, it was still heartening to see them geared up and ready for action. The only problem was the control panels. The complexity of the new suits echoed in the control panels. They would have to find and train soldiers that could handle the pressure and agility the suits demanded. The extra power would be worthless if the soldiers were unable to efficiently use them to there advantage. That was another reason Trieze had come here personally. He was to determine if these were even worth the effort to train a special unit on them.



"General?"



With an inner sigh, Trieze looked over at the young recruit he had brought along with him. He had picked him from the line of military office workers and had immediately begun working with him in order to see where the other's potentials were. As it happened the recruit, Robin, had a photographic memory that had come in handy many times though it was unfortunate that he often clumsy when he became excited. Though his enthusiasm was refreshing it was also difficult to take at times, when small mishaps happened. But his ability far outshone his faults and in the end Trieze was glad that he had the other around… now if only he could teach the other patience.



"Magnificent aren't they?"



"Sir?"



"These weapons, the perfect weapons that are imperfect because they require perfect solders."



"As you say, Sir."



Giving the other a small smile he walked past him towards the room he had been given as his temporary office. His aide followed behind him obviously relieved that his current duty was being fulfilled. Being part of the Council of Arms had its merits as he was often given the finest and most private quarters on his travels to each base. Unlike the other members, Trieze tried to stay on top by operating with the others on a personal basis. He found many more people willing to accept him if he treated them with the respect they rarely got from their superiors.



He entered the small double room suite that was the best the rather old base had to offer. Trieze had been given worse rooms before so he clearly did not mind the tight quarters as he took a seat in a rather old lounge chair. Looking at Robin he paused for a moment or two as the other closed the door behind him leaving the outside world unaware of the two in the room. With no windows the room made a perfect place to talk about less savory materials.



"So, Grant sent a message… more bad news no doubt. Grant is rather like a bee to honey the way he gravitates to the most depressing things out there."



"It seems that the council met earlier today."



"Not exactly surprising though I do wonder how they roused some of the members to get out of their beds on a off day."



"It seems they held court and made a decision on the Merquise case."



"…"



This was indeed interesting, that the council thought he would be willing to oppose all of them and some how miraculously save the young Captain. Trieze had never been brought up to be stupid. He knew enough to realize that the others had it out for him but as long as his supporters were willing to stand by him, the council would never get the courage to relieve him of his duties. He had been voted by the people as a representative to the council and by law he was a permanent member of the council until someone else took his place.



"General?"



"Yes, Soldier?"



"Should I get the plane ready to take you back?"



"No, the case is finished and I have my own work to do. We leave tomorrow right on schedule."



"As you say, Sir."



~*~



Trieze knew something was wrong the moment he stepped from the jet. There was too much tension in the air and the guards seemed extremely agitated and attentive. Bad signs if any of problems that had occurred during his time away. Robin made his way down the stairs from the jet not seeming to notice the unusual quite of the base.



"Shall I write up the report, General?"



"Please, give it to Grant when you are finished."



"To Grant, Sir?"



"Yes, and to no one else."



"As you say, Sir."



Trieze watched his aide wander off towards his office. He could be paranoid about the situation but it was clear to him that it had not only been the Merquise case that had put the soldiers in a state of unease. With him as the only member unaccounted for in the meeting, there was an obvious connection to his position. What were they cooking up now?



He knew the build of the council all to well. He could place them into two groups the old and the new. Due to his recent rise in power he had become an entity in the council games. Had the council any idea of what he was really doing they would have marked him a traitor and send him to his death long ago. As leader of the secret inner group of the Euro military known as Oz, he had power that few on the council could believe. He had founded the group the moment he came into office allowing none of the others to realize his workings.



They were a group that wanted only one thing, the end of the war. After years the war was taking it's toll on everyone and the way to stop it was the driving factor of his late nights and secret meetings with other individuals of Oz. But it would be impossible for the council to learn of the group. All of them were too good to be caught. They had all been hand picked by him and their loyalty unquestionable.



No, this was pure council politics. They had been wary of him every since this last year when he had stopped hiding the fact that he was not the brainless idiot they thought he was and proved to them how he had received his position. He had stayed in the background his first years in office, learning the goings on and finding himself with a torn loyalty. That was why he had founded Oz when he realized that nothing could be done in the council.



Then with his network of men working under him and supporting him he finally gained the power to have a true voice in the council. He finally started using it this past year to the shock of the elder members. He had also found friends in the council as well. Though they were a small group of allies they were enough to keep the unwanted rulings of the elder members in a suspended state or at least until Trieze was able to push them into a compromise. Things had been working so well lately. With the elders unable to push all their unnecessary things through the council the system was finally at a pace that was manageable for everyone…except the Elders.



They made it all to clear to him that they blamed him for their loss of power. They hungered for the authority they once held. They refused to look at the results of a better-circulated order system and a cleaner sense of duties. They only saw a man that opposed their god like opinions of themselves. But they could do nothing to him. After all he was voted into the council.



The only way for him to be taken off the council was to get the people to vote him out. Which was extremely unlikely as his popularity among the populous was undoubtedly high. Though it was probably more do to his young handsome looks and charisma then his actual work on the council. To think that people only go as far as the physical embodiment of the candidate then the actually person beneath it was unfortunate. After all that was how this war fist started all those years ago when the wrong man was voted into office in the Empire.



He had remembered the history lessons from his tutors. How the war started so long ago. There had once been a large nation, wealthy and free… but power always corrupted those that had the ability to hurt the world. It had started with a bit of interference to other nations until finally one-day war had broken out. Once the war was over… the nation stayed in the other nation far longer then it should have. When the other nations came together to ask them to leave the land and give it back to the natives they spouted out nonsense of how they where only protecting themselves and that the others should be grateful they had taken care of it before the nation had gotten out of hand.



The foolish leaders of the other nations had not gone against the country's thinking and the next thing you knew they did it again…and again. That was when suddenly everyone went into panic and tried to fight them on too many different fronts… The Empire had worn them down till at last in a final attempt to remain free the Euro Nations were formed from the foundering pieces of the European nations that were still free from the reign of the Empire. Euro is the last barrier to the Empire's complete domination. Politics should be the last thing from the council's minds… were they so blind that they could not see it?



~*~



General Trieze Khushrenada entered into the council room in full regalia having taking the time to completely wash and change into his most impressive clothes. He knew the signs were bad and the only way he saw that would be able to stop the trap was to run straight into the lion's den. It was clear his appearance had the desired effect as his entrance silenced everyone in the room. He was glad about that, in order for this to work he had to command the respect of everyone in the room.



"Gentlemen. I am glad to find you all in good health. When I had heard about the emergency meeting I was under the impression something dire must have happened."



He looked about the room looking for clues on what had happened during his time away. It was clear something that he was not going to like. His council allies seemed to have found the table before them a very interesting sight, as not a single one of them was able to tear their eyes away from it. But the worse part was Commander Tuberaff. He looked as if he was a cat that had just gotten away with stealing a whole bucket of cream…



"You make too much of a simple meeting, Trieze. As it happened, Mr. Winner had taken time out of his busy schedule to come all the way over here to observe the trial. He was in such an agitated state that he even threatened to cut off our supplies until the trial was done. So we of course complied with the request. It was nothing to bother you about."



"Thank you, Commander. It seems you have everything at hand, then shall we continue from where you left off since I entered the room?"



Trieze said as he moved towards his seat. He heard the sound of movement before the familiar noise of a gun being prepped. Obviously they expected trouble from him. Not that Trieze blamed them after all he had been quite a wildcat before he learned how much more power a few words and gestures could get him. He did not even look at the soldier that was holding a gun to him. He did not need to look behind him to know that the other was there waiting for him to make one false move in order to have an excuse to blow his head off.



It seemed he was not going to even be given a chance for compromise. Though how would they be able to get away with this. Even if they were the council they still had to follow the laws. He could only do one thing now make his case before them showing he would not be pushed into this willingly.



"A simple word would have been sufficient. I see that you have indeed been very busy with you…"



"That will be enough Trieze. I am afraid that on behalf of the council we simply cannot allow you to stay here any longer. The news has already been sent out and the elections for your replacement will occur next month."



"And what news may this be? That I have been forced out of the council?"



"Not at all, that you have been diagnosed as mentally incapable. I am afraid that the law forbids you to remain here in this position."



"I see. Then I shall take my leave of you gentlemen."



"One thing more Khushrenada. We feel that simply allowing you to leave would be detrimental to the security of the nation. Thus we believe we have found the perfect position for you to hold until you are considered capable of handling your old position."



So they wanted to cut him off from the world did they? They must think that this would bring him down. True he would no longer be able to push the council in the right direction fast enough to make things effective but their were ways to effect the war even in a lower position. He still had Oz and no matter how much they clamored about his 'insanity' he knew that his friends would still stick by him. No, the council had not heard the last of Trieze Khushrenada. He would bide his time until he could come back in power.



~*~



One week later found Trieze sipping upon the slightly chilled cheap wine with a look of complete disgust. One week in the pitiful excuse of a prisoners of war camp and already things were starting to strain his nerves. Hidden deep in the forest far from any of the borders in an attempt to keep the place a secret to the enemy and to the populous of Euro. There were no questions about being able to fight here. With no battle fronts nearby he had little to no worries about an external attack.



As for the internal affairs, it seems much more likely that his soldiers would be the one to attack him then the actually POWs. That is if you could actually call them POWs. Most of them were refugees from the Empire or 'traitors' from Euro that were sent here as a place to hold them until a date when they could be dealt with. What actually enemy solders there were had come here by luck. It was an unfortunate fact that hatred towards the Empire was rampant throughout the nation of Euro and most enemy solders were 'accidentally' killed or simply never given leniency on the battlefield.



His meaning of existence had turned into a simple desire to set things right in the camp. He had set a strict schedule of fighting practice for him as well as his men and made sure the prisoners were treated fairly. He had already shown men that he could understand the common tongue of the enemy so they could not gain anything by mistreating them. So far, he had been met with nothing but complaints about his leadership. His men were a bunch of rabble. They were the very lowest of the army, placed here to be out of the way of the real army. They bucked against his demands for order and cursed about how they never had any previous need to be battle ready.



It had seemed that for the longest time that they had been without a true commanding officer. It seemed they simply allowed the oldest soldier to be put in charge of the whole camp. The soldier seemed to have no idea what he was doing and thus allowed for disorder in the troops and pretty much let them do what ever they wanted while he drank himself to death. It was indeed lucky that he had died or else Trieze would not put it over himself to put him on latrine duty for a year.



But with the troops in disorder, Trieze had made some quick decisions, creating more upper level soldiers and forced discipline on everyone. That was the reason he forced them all into weapons practice. It was the only sure way Trieze knew that would teach the soldiers strict discipline and how to follow orders. It was like boot camp all over again with fresh new recruits. Though Trieze was working with them he knew that it would still be a while before he could make anything out of those men.



"Khushrenada."



Trieze looked up from his wine at the man who had just entered the room without even the politeness of knocking. That would have to be fixed soon. Trieze loved his privacy too much to allow this to keep up too much longer. But there were other things that were more important to fix first. He would just have to remember to keep his door locked when he wanted his privacy. But there was one thing that he would not allow the other to go further with.



"Soldier, as your commanding officer I request that you with either use the term Sir or General when you address me."



He saw the burning anger the other's face that the soldier had not even bothered to hide. It was obvious that no one had ever taught him manners before. It was a shame that this was also the next highest man in the whole camp. Kino had thought that with the last leader dead that he would be the one to take his place. Trieze knew many people like him and he had no time to train the other to get back in line. Being as it was Trieze probably would just have to raise a few people's rank before him in order to actually get things done.



"Was there something you wanted to talk about with me soldier?"



"The new shipment has come. Also we have a few more POWs that have come without any warning."



"Very well, I'll be down in a minute."



"Many of the prisoners need immediate medical attention."



"Then send them to the infirmary. That should be obvious."



"…"



"Is something wrong soldier?"



"The POWs… they… you should see them, Sir."



Trieze blinked. That was the first time he had ever heard the other actually use an honorific on him. Something was definitely wrong if the other was losing his usual attitude. Not that it was something to complain about. Obviously it was something Kino could not handle or else he would not have come to him when the delivery just arrived.



"Very well."



Walking out the door Trieze wondered to himself about what had shaken the other so. He slowly walked down the stairs of the office-building unit the other taking a place behind him to follow him down. The complex was only two stories with a basement at the bottom that doubled as a holding pen for soldiers or POWs that needed to be away from society for a while. The lower floor held the infirmary and the officer's dining area. While upstairs held offices and living spaces for four officers.



Exiting the building Trieze stopped as he came face to face with the most feminine man he had ever seen. He was also clearly of a noble heritage from his stance and the one in charge of the group before him. He was also extremely beautiful. That was one thing about Trieze that sometimes made people uncomfortable. He was a homosexual. It was not something he was ashamed of but he tended to keep it quiet because he found mixing pleasure and work to never have the correct results.



"Are you in charge here? Soldier Merquise reporting."



The soldier before him asked as he gave him a salute as his other hand held out papers. Trieze almost smiled. It was very nice to finally get the army discipline he expected from him own men. Taking the papers he saw them to be simple paperwork for the POWs. It seems these were actually enemy soldiers that had been captured. Interesting that they actually came here in once piece.



Shuffling through the papers for a quick overview he soon learned he had a total of five actually POWs on his hands… and it seems a new member for his soldiers… Looking up at the other, he paused for a moment. He had thought he had heard the other's name before. Milliardo Merquise, the man whose trial he had been, unfortunately, unable to go to. Somehow he doubted the council knew of this. He could not see them sending someone of his quality out to the middle of nowhere. Then again it was rude to look a gift horse in the mouth. Here was a real soldier for the taking and by god he needed him here.



"Very well, it's a pleasure to have you in our ranks. I'm your new commander General Trieze Khushrenada; you shall be taking the role of 1st lieutenant. I need you to..."



"Sir, I am unable to..."



"That was an order soldier. As your new commander I command that you do the job even if I am unable to give you the actually position. I know all about you and your little sentence but I need a strong soldier that can control men. Understood?"



Trieze watched as the other gave him another salute before turning though not before Trieze saw the smile on the other's mouth. He was definitely lucky in that respect. The other would be perfect for the job even if it was below his abilities. Turning back to what was going on about him he noticed his men hauling crates back and forth from the supply truck.



"General!"



Looking over at the woman who had called him he saw her waving him over to the last truck. It was the oldest of the lot and definitely not part of the supply trucks. Sally had already turned back to the object of her attention. He noticed that Milliardo had already taken a place by the truck talking with a soldier that was not part of his men. He was probably the one who had driven the truck considering the dust and sloppiness of his uniform.



Coming over to where his head doctor was shouting orders to her staff and quickly had them haul out large lumpy bags… no children. Trieze stared for a moment at the sight before him. The nurses and doctors were slowly moving one of the children over to the infirmary. The child was in a very sad state. He had obviously been starved and bruised badly from the look of his skin in the places where it was not covered. It seemed the likelihood of its recovery low or else Sally was over reacting. Trieze found that unlikely as for the time he had known Sally she seemed a competent and hard working military doctor.



"All five of them are in the same condition."



He turned as he heard the rich voice of his new lieutenant reach his ear. It seemed he was being faced off by a very pissed off head doctor who was demanding at the top of her voice why he, an incompetent idiot, moved them in that condition. To then run over to yell at one of her helpers for not being gentle enough with her patients. Looking around Trieze noticed that Kino was nowhere to be seen. He would have to confront the other on his responsibilities. Kino was probably off getting drunk again. That was one habit he had shared with the last commander of the camp.



"Sir, the children are all in the infirmity. It does not look good but they seem more durable then they look… they have to be after moving them in that condition."



Trieze almost smiled as he saw Sally shoot off a look of hatred at the poor Merquise who was coming over to stand by them having helped deposit the last one into a bed. He had figured by now the five children were the so-called POWs, if that was really what he could call them.



"Those were my orders. I was not allowed to even let them get a medical examination before being forced to move on. It seemed that all the doctors were to busy to be bothered with enemies."



"Children are not enemies. The only crime they could commit was being in the wrong place at the wrong time."



"Those children happen to be the best troop of fighters I have ever gone against."



"You fought them!"



"Yes, I did. As it happens once both sides are in mobile suits it's very hard to tell ages."



"…"



"Sally, leave Milliardo alone and get to work on your patients I will expect a report on them later tonight."



Though it was obvious Sally did not like her orders, she complied with his request and left the two together to watch as she left. Looking at Milliardo he gave the other a look of apology for the doctor's behavior. It was apparent that Sally was simply worried about the children… hopefully it meant that she was overly concerned by there injuries and that they would all be able to survive.



"Follow me, Lieutenant. I want a complete report on the capture."



"Of course, Sir."