"L2-3648 has more homeless and more unemployed citizens than half of the former United States alone. Our people and our economy were decimated by the Occupation. We cannot recover from the wars on our own."
There was another outbreak of whispers behind him, and Duo turned to look around at the leaders of the World Nation accusingly. "I noticed that all of the war relief programs for the Earth Sphere United Nation have been put into effect immediately after the war. Where is the war relief program for the L2 cluster? Where are the war relief programs for any of the colonies?"
The colony councilors looked at each other questioningly. However, John Mahoney, Alderman for the Former United States, stood, glaring back at Duo, an expression of challenge on his face.
"Out of all the colonies, L2 was the one that threw its support almost totally to the White Fang. L2 must be pushed for its flagrant support of the revolution against the Earth Sphere United Nation."
"The people of L2 will fight for whoever will give them food and a word of hope against Earth's oppression," Duo replied, his voice dangerous.
"Then that should say something about the moral character of L2 citizens, wouldn't you agree?" Mahoney answered icily. There was a murmur of agreement among the leaders of the World Nation, while the representatives of L2 began to protest loudly in indignation.
"Be quiet!" Duo's deep voice echoed across the assembly, cutting off the rabble like a razor.
There was a moment of thunderstruck silence.
"So you would withhold food, water, and medical supplies from homeless children to make a point?" Duo asked softly, addressing the Council once it was quiet. "And you would question our ethics…"
Author: danceswithronin (CleverYoungThief) (1x2) (3x4, past 2xOMC) 185k across 13 fics so far
Two years after the Endless Waltz, Duo is a representative for the struggling L2 colony cluster while Heero hangs in the shadows as Relena's bodyguard, hiding from his past. But when the civil unrest in the L2 colonies threatens to boil over into civil war, the two pilots suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield. "I'm done waiting. I've been waiting for four years. We fought for peace, and they called us killers. These same people would have seen us executed. I fought in the cockpit while they called us murderers and then, as soon as we won, we were heroes. I'm done with it. Enough waiting, Heero. We've waited too damned long. And I think we're on the wrong side this time."
My notes: You can find the first, unfinished version of this series back on Gundam Wing Addiction. To my absolute delight, the author has revised and vastly expanded the story with prequels and side stories, all while working on actually finishing the fic that started it all. This is a hard read with characters that make terrible choices for the best of reasons. CW for MCD (Relena), child abuse, angst, war-appropriate levels of violence, political incompetency that is far too close to real life, hurt, betrayal, and more angst.