Disclaimer: You know the routine! All the usual rules and regulations applyÖand you guessed it! No, I do not own or claim to own Gundam Wing in any way, shape, or form. So please, please, pleaseÖdonít damage my already fragile psyche by taking me to court. I can only plea insanity.

With that out of the way, and for those of you just tuning in, you should really go back and read Episode One of Legacies before proceeding. To those of you who have read it, and reviewed. Thank you! All your positive responses have inspired me. Gotta warn you, though, I donít know where this story is heading, but I place the highest degree of Angst into everything I write. The more blood, sweat, and tearsÖthe better! Since I have never seen the Japanese version of Gundam, I have become a fan of the Trowa and Catherine pairing, and would prefer to envision them as working toward a relationship. If you agree that they are indeed brother and sister, donít worry, there is no kissing or references that would taint that image for you. And now, Episode TwoÖ

Legacies of Victory and Defeat by Luvspook

Episode 2: No Home to Return To

It had taken only minutes for Heero to tap into the encrypted database for the Earthís delegation, once he had arrived at the colonyís historical archives. A few more and he would have everything he needed to decode the list of scheduled assemblies between the Vice Foreign Minister and colony representatives. Although the minutes from these meetings were a matter of public record, only special representatives were allowed to sit in on the actual conferences.

ÖThis is too easy!Ö Heero thought, smiling inwardly as he scanned the continuous flood of information, the smile fading abruptly, as his focus returned to the extensive list of dates and times.

"There it is." Heero commented, quietly, as information concerning the assembly at the L5 colony came up on the screen. He quickly hit the print button and settled back in his chair, his head heavy with unanswered questions.

"Huh? Whoís this?Ö"

His eyes turned as the image of a young woman, roughly his age, appeared on the screen before him, her delicate features shrouded by shoulder-length ebony hair. The numbers flashing across the screen faded, as the all too familiar beep of an incoming transmission set his body on edge.

"ÖHeero Yuy. I have come to you at great risk to my own life, but it is a far greater risk to the continuation of peace in the colonies if I do not. My predecessor was a man you knew well- your mentor and trainer- as well as my grandfather. A scientist known only to you as Dr. J.

The image faded out as mysteriously as it had appeared and Heero examined the small pile of printouts lying on the table beside him. Scanning the blueprints of the new mobile suit, his eyes narrowed, the soldierís cry of destiny burning in his veins once again.

"Mission acceptedÖ"

* * * * *

Commander Fallon Dasenya made her way out of the mobile suit docking bay, stopping briefly to admire her perfect weapon before climbing into the lift.

She could still remember the first time she had glimpsed the glory and sufferings of war; her mind still tainted with the blood of too many innocent lives. She could remember the first life she took as a soldier for OZ, and her days spent serving under Treize Khushrenada. She was reminded of them every time she donned her uniform- the mark of her distinction as an OZ Special.

"TreizeÖ" She whispered, absentmindedly, drawing her fine auburn locks into a loose ponytail, catching all but a few errant strands framing her face and neck. Having finished with the task, she tossed her hair back over her shoulder, and stepped up to the window overlooking the base. Her mind began to wander as she watched the soldiers training below.

ÖThis could have all been yours, Treize. It should have been. Without conflict, people have given up caring about anything anymore. They have completely lost sight of themselves and those emotions that separate us from machines. Manís insatiable desire for conflictÖthat will to fightÖdefines us as human beings. But has been lost in the delusions of this peaceful world. Peace is for a world that has lost the power to love- or hate. People that are unable to find conflict in this world are simply machines of flesh and blood, incapable of truly understanding peace. For a peaceful world is a world with no soul. A world that mourns the death of our own humanityÖ

"Commander?Ö"

"What is it?" She demanded, her gaze still transfixed on a bustle of engineers, carrying out their duties below.

"MaíamÖ" The young rookie officer stammered, shakily saluting her before continuing. "We have made the necessary adjustments to your mobile suit, reloaded the explosives, as well as reconfigured the advanced weaponry according to your specifications. ButÖ"

"Is there a problem?" Dasenya asked, the mildest hint of irritation flowing in her tone.

The young man cleared his throat, feeling the knot that was slowly beginning to form there, tighten with each passing minute. She abruptly turned to face him, radiating an aura of power that left him searching for his voice.

"No, Commander. Itís just thatÖwell, neither Earth nor the colonies have met us with any resistance. Is this kind of weaponry really necessary?"

She fought to suppress a chuckle at the boldness of his inquiry, admiring the young manís honest naiveté, even enough to allow him to live.

"Do not concern yourself with what is necessary for this battle. Just follow your orders, soldier."

The young man nodded sharply, before making himself scarce, and Dasenya made her way over to the viewscreen in her room, switching it to a private line.

"ÖThe weapons have been loaded and all preparations are complete. Iím awaiting your orders." Dasenya announced, to the young, blonde, civilian scientist on the receiving end.

"The Vice Foreign Minister will be conducting business with representatives from the Lagrange Point 3 districts, at approximately 1400 hours." The young woman replied, calmly. "Await her arrival to commence your attack. Take as many additional troops as you deem necessary, Dasenya. I fully expect that the Gundam pilots have figured out our plans, and will counter with whatever means are at their disposal. It would be foolish to assume otherwise."

She didnít bother to wait for the Commanderís response before terminating the connection. Fallon Dasenya had been a soldier for every well-planned organization on Earth, and knew not to question orders.

She turned to examine the blanket of stars just outside her window, allowing her thoughts to wander.

The animals seemed unusually restless today, and Catherine Bloom could feel a distinct chill hanging in the air as she made her way out to their cages for feeding time.

"There you goÖ" She whispered, softly, making a special stop at the lion cages to visit the largest male in the group, who she noticed was still lounging lazily in the shadows. "You miss Trowa, too, huh?Ö"

She never liked it when Trowa was gone. She missed his soothing voice, and couldnít help but wonder what had made him take off so abruptly. She had overheard the reports about some new attacks against the colonies, but Trowa had never been one for getting involved in other peopleís conflicts. Whatever had happened-it was personal. But he had given her his word that he would be back before nightfall, and would leave his Gundam behind. She had tried to dismiss the idea that he would be going off to fight again, because something in those soulful green eyes of his, screamed at her to believe him.

"Hurry home, Trowa." She whispered to the wind, before turning to go back inside. "Huh?Ö What is that?"

The sky in the distance was ablaze with an eerie and unnatural light, and she felt her ears begin to swell to the sound of a low-pitched growl that seemed to emanate from deep within the colony. The growl turned to a roar as the once bright sky began to change violently, transforming into a massive, suffocating cloud that flooded her vision.

The ground beneath her feet began to tremble; heaving and finally splitting open to reveal jagged splinters of rock, which ground against one another like gnashing teeth, threatening to devour her. Struggling to keep her balance, she did her best to avoid the immense precipice that rose up before her, forcing her to her knees, as the sky grew bright with flames once more.

A dense wave of smoke surrounded her, as a shadowy chaos descended on the colony, consuming everything in its path, until she could no longer block out the destruction.

Her world began to crumble and the tears streamed steadily down her face, her body and soul wracked with a torment that was beyond words.

She closed her eyes and her body surrendered to its pain, an image of strength and goodness delivering her to the tranquil darkness that softly beckoned to her. An image that for the briefest of moments, even made her smile slightly. It faded as another explosion ripped through the colony and a sensation of peace overwhelmed her.

* * * * *

"All troops report to base immediately!" Dasenya ordered, smiling in satisfaction as she observed the dancing orbs of fire still blazing on the colonyís vast surface.

She had been only slightly disappointed that the Gundam pilots had not shown up, but the feeling of loss was quickly replaced by the notion that it had only made for a stronger victory. The pilots would suffer a far worse punishment in failing to protect those closest to them, then in any physical pain they themselves could endure.

"Your time is coming, Gundam pilots. A new era of destruction is upon us, and none of you can escape it!" She screamed, punctuating each threat with maniacal laughter. "Come and greet your death with open armsÖfor my Avenger is coming for you all!Ö"

* * * * *

"Thatís absurd!Ö" Relena screamed, pounding her fists against the polished surface of the table, in frustration. "The delegation, as well as both Miss Noin and myself, have been fighting to prevent exactly these sorts of battles from happening. That is the reason that I have taken on the responsibilities of Vice Foreign Minister to both Earth and the colonies. I have no desire to see another war break out, and place a certain value on the lives of those soldiers that would be forced to sacrifice themselves to one, if it did."

Relena couldnít help but glance over at the vast double doors of the conference room, carefully scrutinizing Lucrezia Noinís severe expression. Dressed in a midnight blue dress jacket and fitted black pants, Noin stood motionless, her uncompromising glare fixed on the older representative seated beside Relena.

"Miss RelenaÖ" The portly man smiled, fakely. "Please try to understand. With the recent attacks on the colonies, certain members of the delegation are concernedÖ"

"I understand your concerns, Representative TiezeronÖ" She argued, softly. "And can find no better reason for not postponing this meeting. These issues must be addressed immediately if peace is to be restored. I am certain that if we all work togetherÖ"

"Miss Relena, the colony citizens are afraid. Afraid of the Earthís vast military power as well as the delegationÖyourself included." He continued, choosing his words cautiously. "We are beginning to question the need for your presence here in spaceÖand quite frankly, wonder what your true intentions are."

"Even if you doubt the Earthís sincerity in terms of peace with the colonies, certainly you donít think they would risk the Vice Foreign Ministerís life by launching an attack on the colony while sheís inside it, do you?" Lucrezia Noin questioned, a bit more harshly than intended.

The Colony H-3813 representative squirmed uncomfortably beneath Noinís intense glare, suddenly unable to find his voice.

"The assembly at Colony C-1013, will be one of extreme importance, if we are to come to terms with these opinions, and put an end to the rumors that are fueling these attacks." Relena announced, confidently, before rising to her feet. "Please stress how invaluable this meeting will be to the colony representatives. It will be up to all of us to find some kind of common ground on how to prevent this from turning into another war."

Sparing a fearful glance in Noinís direction, Tiezeron nodded reluctantly, but did not say anything.

With a dispassionate smile, Relena excused herself, Noin directly on her heels.

ÖI wonít let this turn into another warÖShe vowed to herself, silently. ÖWe have all seen enough bloodshed. I canít allow the same mistakes to happen all over again. I wonítÖ

Something was terribly wrong.

He could feel it, gnawing relentlessly at his soul.

Even before the small shuttle approached the surfaceÖhe knew.

He knew it in his heart.

The shuttle landed on the surface not far from where the attack had begun. He could see the circus on the horizon, and the thick trails of smoke still lingering in the distance.

One thoughtÖone fearÖovershadowed all others.

Her name had crossed his mind more times than he thought possible as he viewed the once quiet countryside, now transformed into a reluctant war zone. The forest where Heavyarms had remained hidden since the war had taken a fair amount of the damage, leaving trees uprooted, and craters blemishing its lush, green surface.

The questions assaulted his mind until he couldnít take it anymore.

He looked to the distance and for the first time in his lifeÖfelt afraid.

Afraid for her.

Afraid of what he would find.

Afraid to lose the only place he could ever call home.

He followed the path of destruction; deep sorrow weighing his every step as he drew closer to the all too familiar surroundings, now so drastically changed. The brightly colored tents were torn and collapsing; the largest, reduced to nothing more than shreds of blackened tarp, littering the countryside.

Everything seemed so void of the color and life, and lights and laughter that were clinging desperately to his memory, as he shuffled through the carnage. His surroundings were no longer vibrant with such energy and life. They were bleak and desolate, reeking of the death and charred remains of the only piece of his life that truly belonged to him.

"Catherine!Ö" He screamed, his eyes frantically scanning the tent for signs of movement, refusing to surrender to the notion that she could beÖ

ÖNO!Ö I canít be too late!Ö His mind insisted.

"Catherine!"

His voice sounded like a hollow wailing in his own ears, like the cries of a child, alone in the darkness.

Then he saw her.

She appeared as nothing more than a shell of her former self, as he ran to her side, gently drawing her frail body into his arms.

She cried out at his touch, her face frozen in the reminiscence of some private nightmare, and tears flowed down her dirt-stained cheeks. He gently traced his fingers down the length of her cheek, following the trail of her tears, until her eyelids fluttered half-heartedly.

"CatherineÖ" Trowa whispered, stroking her face softly. Her light blue sweater was soaked and splotched with blood, her jeans torn and stained at the knees. Her face was smudged with a mixture of dust and ash and a dozen tiny cuts and scratches dotted her complexion, leaving deep scarlet stains across the surface of her cheeks and chin.

He tried to prevent the anger and guilt from touching his voice, as his mind was flooded with memories.

Catherine had been the one to find him after he had lost his memory. The one to comfort the emptiness that had remained when everything he knew had been stripped from him. She had taken care of himÖprotected himÖ

His words of promise returned to haunt him as he looked down at her, feeling her warm blood run over his hand.

He closed his eyes, feeling the tears that he had denied until now, begin to flow down his cheeks.

"Iím sorry, CatherineÖ"

END

Okay, okay, I knowÖSorry to leave you on such a sad note, but I only have room for so much in one episode. Hope you liked it, though. I whipped this up pretty fast so Iím anxious to see what you all thought of it. Please write a review. I need the feedback.