New author's note #1: This fic series was aborted by "Gray Warlock"
but was continued by another author, "KA/GAMI". The title, "Cassan-
dra", was changed to "Shinji" to show respect for the original
author's work.

C&C's are welcome.

---------
WARNING! FIRST FIC!

Disclaimer 1: Gundam Wing and Tenkuu no Escaflowne is owned
by Studio Sunrise, Bandai and Sotsu Agency. Used without
permission. Please don't sue me.

Disclaimer 2: This is NON - YAOI G.W. fanfiction. You will
be disappointed in reading this fic if you expect to see
gay pairings.
(Take note that I do not intend to attack Yaoi/Yuri fans or
their beliefs. If you feel offended with the lack of Yaoi in
this fic, stop reading now.)

This fic, as well as more non-yaoi can be found at:

http://members.tripod.com/releena/index0.htm

http://gundamwing.intercosmos.com/


Shinji

A Gundam Wing fanfiction by KA/GAMI
taking themes from Tenkuu no Escaflowne
original story concept by "Gray Warlock(Juan Rene Chan)"


Chapter 2 : Paranoia

"I've met a lot of cold hearts...
I've learned to smile and deceive..."


    It was about four in the morning. I have been awake for
about 3 hours already. I was on the sofa watching 24-hour TV,
drinking coffee once in a while to stay awake. I was exhausted
and I need sleep.

    Problem is, I don't want to sleep.

    I'd wake up again in fifteen minutes if I did.

    That's very annoying.

    Then again, I'm stuck here watching an old guy sing
about sex.

    o/~ Sexbomb, Sexbomb, you're a sexbomb o/~
    o/~ You can give to me when I need to come along o/~

    *...*

    <long sigh>

    Damn I wish Hilde would wake up. Talking to her sure
beats watching a girl and a guy do sexual gestures on TV.

    "Locked in a contemplative state while watching Classic
MTV, I see."

    *Hilde?*

    She walked towards me as I turned my head to look. She
was wearing a sweater and jogging pants.

    She frowned at me.

    "What's the problem? You seem so surprised."

    She's awake already?

    Oh... Now I remember. Early morning jog.

    "Nothing," I gave her a reassuring smile, "I just
forgot you work out every morning."

    "Forgot?" She relaxed a little, but a small frown
remained. "_We_ have been jogging together for about a month
already."

    She moved closer and sat beside me. She then looked
into my eye. "Are you sure you're okay? You've been zoning
out a lot lately."

    I evaded her gaze for a moment and started to think.
I can't make her worry about me. If I told her everything I
saw yesterday,  she would've dismissed it, saying it was just
an effect of fatigue, then she'd ask me to take a nap, relax,
forget about my chores for the day, etc...

    In a sense, she would baby me.

    'Oh great, Duo,' a little voice in the back of my head
(which could've been my conscience) began, 'You've made this
girl lose her job *and* persuaded her to allow you to stay in
her house. Now you're going to drag her into another fine mess
you've fallen into?'

    Taking a deep breath, I quickly planned a course of
action. First, I'd act normally and lie. Then, I'll continue
acting normally to avoid unwanted attention from Hilde until
I get my drugs. After that, I'll make sure she'd forget every-
thing about this matter.

    (I planned all that in less than a second!?! Man, this
is getting weirder!)

    I met her gaze. I could see deep in her blue eyes that
she is really worried about me.

    Okay, time for step 1.

    "I'm fine," I was still smiling to make her believe that
*I'm* actually fine. Now, all I have to do is to make a false
explanation why I'm zoning out, "A bit shaken up from yesterday,
though, but I'm fine."

    I reached for the remote control and turned the TV off.

    o/~ and you can give it to me when I tell you coz--

    "So," I changed the topic, "how many miles will we jog today?"

-|||-

    "How many miles will we jog today?" Duo asked.

    Hilde rolled her eyes. 'He's doing it again,' she
thought, 'evading me and changing the subject when I ask him
if there's something wrong. He's got to be hiding something
from me.'

    "Oh, the usual five."

    Despite his weariness, Duo was able to force a grin.

    "Let's go then."

    He stood up and *jogged* *happily* out the door.


    Hilde sighed.

-|*|-

    We jogged the early morning streets of L2 colony. At
this time, the Radiation Emitters which manipulate the light
and heat of the colony create a climate similar to Earth's at
4 AM. In other words, it was cold and dark.

    But in *other* words, it was dull and boring. The
route we took had endless rows of houses to provide the
*lowest* amount of sightseeing pleasure. I wasn't amused
by jogging also. Besides, I could jog for over 20 miles
without catching my breath.

    Hilde, my faithful companion, was beside me trying
to keep up with my pace. Though she looks like a normal girl
of her age, the OZ military training she underwent made her
stronger and tougher than other people. That means, while
ordinary people would break down at around 700 yards, she
could go as far as 3 miles nonstop. Her limit also sets the
boundary where we should jog back home.

    We have covered around 2 to 3 miles already. She'll
stop to catch her breath any second now.

    "<pant><pant>"

    There goes my queue.

    I stopped to look at Hilde, who was now sitting on
the ground, breathing heavily. She stared at me, waiting for
one of my mock insults ("Tired already?"). I was a bit
playful at the moment so I was happy to oblige.

    "Tir-"

    Just then, her weary appearance reminded me of last
night's dreams.

***

<...wasn't wearing beret...>


<...frayed hair, signs of a struggle...>

***

    In the middle of my musings, Hilde kicked my shin.

    "OW! What was that for!?!?"

    "You were zoning out again!"

    Oh great, I was making sure she'd forget all about
that by teasing her then I zone out again. Better make up
something quick before she begins interrogating me.

    "I was just pondering on how cute you look when
you're like this." I gave her a mischievous grin.

    She responded by giving me a stronger kick to the shin.

    "Do you think I'd fall for that stupid trick?"

    "Hmm... mayb-" I stopped mocking her as she threatened
to kick something higher than my shin.

    She murmured something like "idiot" under her breath
and stood up without asking my help.

    "Ready?" She was visibly annoyed so I asked politely.

    "Sure. whatever." She began to jog ahead of me.

    I never knew she was *that* sensitive regarding
comments on her looks.

-|*|-

    The rest of the morning went on smoothly. We cata-
logued the amount of salvaged materials we had and sold
some scrap metal to another vehicle construction company.

    After lunch, we took the day off. Hilde had to study
for her Colonial History, Math and Physics exams tomorrow,
giving me the freedom of doing anything I want.

    It's also the perfect time to buy my drugs. She won't
even know I bought some.

-|*|-

    I took a stroll on the streets of L2. It wasn't as
dull as before because of the increased presence of citizens
and vehicles on the road. But still, it is boring.

    On my way to the drugstore, I occupied myself by
brooding over the technological advances that could've been
used for better purposes other than war. For example, the
Inertia Stabilizers which prevent Mobile Suit pilots and
shuttle passengers from crushing themselves from forces over
10 g's could be used in cars.

    If it wasn't for the "Retro" law of 1 AC, which
prohibits technological advances to be used for non-military
purposes and major advances in lifestyle beyond 1995 *AD*,
we would be driving hovercars which also protect the drivers
from ramming their heads on the steering wheel even though they
didn't wear a seatbelt.

    Speaking of car accidents, a group of curious onlookers
a block away surround the scene of a head-on collision between
2 cars . Help has arrived in the form of police cars and para-
medics. Being curious myself, I decide to ask someone what
happened here.

    "The red car lost control and crashed onto the green
one on the next lane," The man answered, "The driver of the
red car wasn't wearing a seatbelt so he rammed his head on
the steering wheel and died on the spot."

    Funny, I was thinking about people ramming their heads
into steering wheels because they weren't wearing seatbelts.

    I thanked the man and continued on my way.

-|*|-

    It took me quite some time to find my medicine. Most
drug stores in L2 carry small amounts of the drug, especially
in these troubled times. But today, it seems that the number
of people suffering from insomnia due to war trauma has risen
dramatically. I have gone through all of the major pharmacies
and yet none of them had any stock of the drug available. By
the time that I was finished, it was already getting dark.

-|*|-

    Hilde was still studying for her exams when I arrived
home. She was reviewing some notes in the living room while
munching on a slice of pizza. Though she had noticed my entry
into the room, the didn't even bother to look at me. Instead,
she absent-mindedly pushed the pizza box towards my direction.

    "I don't have the time to cook so I called for pizza,"
after taking a last bite from the pizza, she wrote down some
numbers on a pad paper and began punching in numbers in the
calculator. "Don't worry, I left some for you."

    I didn't have something witty to say for the moment (she
wouldn't listen to me anyway, she's too engrossed in studying)
but I thanked her for the food.

    I went to the kitchen and started to eat "dinner".
After consuming the remaining pizza, I took out the little
cylindrical plastic container in my pocket and washed down
three tablets with a glass of water. I haven't forgotten my
lack of sleep last night; I was using a lot of effort just
to stay awake. But with the medicine I had taken, I was sure
that I wouldn't need to stay awake anymore. I went to my
room and slept.

    I hoped I would get a good night's sleep.

-|||-

    Having spent over seven hours in reviewing for her
*finals*, Hilde decided to take a short break. She went to
the kitchen to drink. A small plastic container on the counter
caught her attention.

    "That must be Duo's medicine," She thought.

    Partially due to worry ("Duo is sick?"), partially
out of curiosity ("Maybe they're steroids or some other body-
enhancing drug."), she took a closer look. Without touching
the container itself, she took note of the name on the container.

    "Esilgan? This sounds familiar."

    She went to her computer at the garage and searched
the internet for any info about the drug. A few minutes later,
the following info was displayed on her monitor:

----------------

Name of Drug... Esilgan

Manufacturer... B Takeda

Contents... Estazolam

Indications... Sleep disturbances due to nervousness, anxiety,
           tension, psychoses & organic disorders eg.
           post-op pain, trauma, night before operation.

----------------

    Hilde felt worry building up inside her. Even before
discovering the drug, she was already afraid that there was
something wrong with Duo. Now it was clear to her that his
brush with Wing Zero has caused a greater damage to his system
than she'd imagined.

    But beneath this worry, she also felt a breach of
faith. She remembered that he lied to her when she asked him
about his state.

    "Does this mean he doesn't trust me?" she asked herself.

    A weird idea popped into her head.

    "Or maybe he doesn't even treat me as a *friend*? After
all he made me lose my position in the OZ and dragged me into
his mess."

    She shook her head.

    "NO! Duo's not like that! Even though he has killed many
of my former comrades, he's really a nice person underneath," She
tried to disperse any amount of suspicions she has for him.

    "He even gave me a better source of income than
working for the OZ."

    But another dreadful possibility came into mind.

    "Maybe he's just using me, someone with knowledge
about the OZ (and a sucker for cute guys), to help him in
his war. And when this war's over, he'd leave me..."

    "Or worse, he'd kill me to cover up the evidence."

    "..." Hilde paused for a moment when she realized
all that hours studying Physics has turned her paranoid.
And remembering Physics, she also realized that she still
doesn't know how to calculate for the gravitational acceleration
of an object on the surface of Jupiter so she went back
to the living room to continue with her studies.

    She also took a mental note to pass by Duo's room
later to see if he's sleeping well.


End Chapter 2

Written by: KA/GAMI (formerly known as "Duo")
Original story concepts: Team Gray Warlock

Creator's notes:

I got bored with this fic. Furthermore, my group (Gray Warlock)
has split up because of the summer vacation and college ("Duo"
will go to UP while I, "Kamui", will go to DLSU). Luckily, "Duo"
(now "KA/GAMI") has shown interest in continuing this fic and
here is the second chapter.


New author's notes #2:

I like playing with words. So for those of you Pinoy readers
out there, the real title of this fic is not "Shinji" but
"maniwala".
Cherish the weak "Sexbomb" type of comedy now. In the later
chapters, you'll be saying "Wha?!?".

Gray Warlock again:
while KA/GAMI is continuing "Shinji"(or "Cassandra"), here
is a trailer of an upcoming fic (though don't expect to
see Chapter 1 until yr 2001):



D... Death

Relena Darlian is dead, murdered in cold-blood by Heero Yuy while
attempting to question him.
Heero Yuy is dead, shot in the head by Duo Maxwell after witnessing
the vile act commited upon a defenseless lady.

Two key personalities in a war which was about to begin.

D... Destruction

Their deaths triggered a series of fatal events which turned the sparks
of conflict between Earth and the Colonies into a full scale war. The
OZ, funded by the Rommefeller foundation, seeks to conquer the rebellous
Colonies with a seemingly endless supply of moblie suits. The White Fang,
a rebel colonial faction, has allied itself with the Barton Foundation
to gain advanced military technology and agreed to help execute the
"Operation Meteor", a plan to destroy all life on Earth to free the
Colonies.

D... Darkness

There also have been rumors of a third organization hiding in the
shadows. They also pose a threat, for they have been claims that they
are connected to the rumors of the existence of two Gundams, one
capable of creating unlimited destruction, and the other, capable
of withstanding unlimited damage.

D... Delirium

Driven mad by being directly involved to the accelerated bloodshed and
destruction, Duo Maxwell made a decision.

He took both the personality and Gundam of the one who was capable of
slowing down the conflict, Heero Yuy, and tried to merge it with his
own.

He was succesful.

D... Destiny

Armed with Gundam Azrael, which combines the firepower of Wing and
Deathscythe, and the emotionless efficiency of Heero Yuy, Duo led a
small group of Gundam Pilots in a mission to stop the war at all costs.

Even if it means facing both the OZ and the White Fang in a battle
they can never win.


Inspired by a fic idea on the FFML:

"If Heero shot Relena on ep 2, everyone would be happy, right?"


A fanfic by Team Gray Warlock:


Gundam D: "The Angel of Death"



partial fic spoilers ahead!




Cast of Characters:

Protagonists:

Organization: The Hand of God
Leader: Duo Maxwell
Avatar: Duo Maxwell, Pilot of Gundam Azrael
Funded by/Allied to: Winner Foundation
Mecha: Maganac Forces Custom MS
Notable personalities:
Zechs Merquise
 Pilot of Gundam Tallgeese Delta
Quatre Winner
 Pilot of Gundam Sandrock Sentinel
Triton Bloom
 Pilot of Gundam Heavyarms AUG
Sally Po
 Lead Tactician
Howard
 Lead Mechanic
Master Winner
 Patron


Antagonists:

Org.: OZ
Leader: Treize Khushrenada
Avatar: Lucrezia Noin, pilot of Gundam Epyon
Funded by/Allied to: Rommefeller Foundation
Mecha: Mobile Taurus
Notable Personalities
Lady Une
 Lead Tactician
various OZ and Rommefeller personalities(Otto, etc..)

Org.: White Fang
Leader: Dechim Barton
Avatar: Chang Wufei, Pilot of Gundam Altron Advanced
Funded by/Allied to: Barton Foundation
Mecha: Mobile Serpent
Notable Personalities
Quinze
 Lead Tactician


M
A
J
O
R

S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S

A
H
E
A
D
!


Neutral:

Org.: The Peacemakers - secret organization of assassins
Leader: ???
Avatars: Morningstar, Pilot of Gundam Dirac
       The Negotiator, Pilot of Gundam Aegis
Funded by/Allied to: ???
Mecha: none
Notable personalities:
unknown

--

From Gray Warlock(Juan Rene Chan)

"And you don't seem to understand,
A shame you seemed an honest man...
And all the fears you hold so dear...
Will turn to whisper in your ear.
And you know what they say might hurt you.
And you know that it means so much.
And you don't even feel a thing.

I am falling, I am fading, I am drowning..
Help me to breathe..." -Duvet


"Fortune plango vulnera   "I bemoan the wounds of Fortune
stillantibus ocellis,    with weeping eyes,
quod sua michi munera    for the gifts she made me
subtrahit rebellis."     she perversely takes away."
                         -Fortune plango vulnera, verse 1



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