Not Born From The Streets (Part 2)

Revenge of the Lost headquarters

"Crystalia?" One of her members, Sapphire, who had been with her for a very long time approached. "I have news you need to see."

Crystalia was crunching away on a bag of chips. "Funeral today?"

"No, Duo Maxwell never left her on Earth alone after all so he caught it." Sapphire approached. "There's something else."

"Middie Une was taken away for lessons in discipline?" she asked.

"Um?" Sapphire was having trouble talking. "Yes, but that's not what I'm here about."

Crystalia crunched on another chip. "This is the worst we've been and it's all because I had to trust another group." She threw away her empty bag of chips. "What news do you need me to see?"

Sapphire handed Crystalia a sheet. "I don't . . ." Sapphire cleared her throat. "I don't know how you missed-"

"I didn't."

" . . . but-"

"It's not just me in charge. It's not just me who makes all of the decisions." She gave the paper back. "I gave them what I could. Not a word." Damn Sapphire. Always had to get up in her business. "Go."

"I couldn't do it," Sapphire said. "How can you?"

"It's all five or it's none!" Crystalia announced. "We aren't about the big things. We never have been. This is what was decided."

"Why-"

"Because one of the leaders will not let it go. Okay?" Geez. "They won't let it go. Revenge of the Loss works as a whole, or not at all. Not everything we do is beautiful."

"We're killing unborn children."

"Not all and not us, just circumstances."

"We are making the circumstances, Crystalia! This is insane. This is the opposite of what we do! Can't we work this out?"

"You haven't quit." Crystalia smiled at her oddly. "Because the group is so big, it doesn't feel like it's all on you. That's how we operate. That's how we work. Bits and pieces. Share the shame, it's not so bad. Whether good or bad."

"I don't see the point."

"It hasn't changed. We can't deny them anymore than we can deny anyone else." Crystalia watched her hand the paper back to her. "Fair is fair. I did what I could without . . ."

"Showing favoritism for your own son?" She questioned Crystalia. "For your own grandchild that you created? With an ex-spy?"

"It fit all the rules that we as a group had to follow." Crystalia kept the paper this time. "I'll shred this. Don't share it with a soul." If she did? So much more would fall on Catherine and Triton. Trowa. Whatever he wanted to call himself. Bad enough she had to make a grandchild with an ex-spy. "Dismissed."

"When did you find out?"

"Dismissed!"

"No!" Sapphire rebelled. "When did you find out?"

Crystalia hung onto her ear. "Right beforehand. Not long ago," she admitted. "Not a word."

"It wasn't Jewel, was it? Who warned them?" Sapphire had to ask. "She took the fall. She'd argued. A good patsy." She nodded. "A good patsy to save the children."

"It didn't save anyone," Crystalia denied. "It just gave them a fighting chance is all. Dismissed. Get out."

"I did it too."

Hm? Crystalia turned to look toward Sapphire. The most judgey person ever since they met all those years ago. She often stated her opinions for both good or bad. She gave it her all, always recommending the best way to go. If this was only an option. Crystalia though had a cover, and she was willing to sacrifice that cover for her needs. If Sapphire did anything stupid. "Did you have a cover?"

"I stole Jewel's finger for it before it was discarded. I have to leave now and hope they don't find me." Sapphire went over and hugged Crystalia. "I just needed to know that you, as a person, were still there deep inside. Crystalia. I'll probably never see you again."

"What did you say in it?" Crystalia demanded.

"It's pretty general. It might even be looked over, but? If they pay attention, they'll get everything they need. The gundams were machines of war, true, but they were used for peace too. None of them deserved this, and especially not these young ladies." She moved away. "I'll finish out the day and then I'll be out. Goodbye, Crystalia."

Crystalia gave a small wave. No longer would Sapphire be in her business. Too bad that didn't make her feel better. If only the world could see from Sapphire's point of view. It was too big now. Too out of her hands. She did what she could and everything had to fall as it would.