'Days in the Life' for the Community
Title: Days in the Life
Recipient: Community
Rating: PG
Warnings: Character death
Summary: Some of the more poignant moments of Relena's career and life.
Author's Notes: Heero/Relena is a bit more than implied in this fic but is not the focus. The names for the first two "antagonists" in the fic were due to the sole fact that I was watching Aliens while writing this fic and so they are bit of Easter Eggs for anyone who can appreciate the references.
Author: kristenell
Politics is a game, and one that Relena Darlian was damn good at it. It was all about deals and compromise and knowing what you want, and how far you were willing to go to get it. And Relena always knew what she wanted and she knew how far she would go. It was why 9 times out of 10 she got exactly the kind of results she aimed for.
Of course at the ripe young age of 22 many people couldn't quite believe it. There were still plenty of politicians who would speak down to her or question her judgment on the simplest of things such as basic procedures and rules. It came with the territory of everyone being twice her age in this business. And the majority of them were men at that.
But that didn't bother Relena, she didn't expect things to come easily and she had learned to be suspicious when they did. She was a pacifist but not a doormat. There was a world that she had sworn to protect and people were counting on her. She counted on herself.
All of this meant that Relena knew exactly how to handle the likes of David Weyland and Alex Yutani. Two up and coming representives of two mega-corporations that had made quite a name for themselves in this new era of peace. CEOs were not to be trusted anymore than politicians. So she smiled at them serenely, sounding sincere as she always did, and told them some of what they expected to here but nothing else.
What they wanted basically was to buy the contracts to the Mars Project.
"If you want the contracts so bad, then make a fair bid," she said, "I'm sure both your companies are well-equipped to make good offers that we can't refuse."
"Well yes, we are prepared to do that," Weyland replied, "but the board of our company as well as that of Yutani would certainly feel better about having your support Vice Foreign Minister. We figured we should make our interest known to you."
Relena knew what would come next, some coded reference to a potential bribe, and then a curt dismissal. It was all so obvious that Relena almost wanted to laugh at them.
"I and the rest of the committee on the Mars Project are willing to respond to any fair offer given to us by any company or individual at any time," she said, not quite wanting to show her hand just yet.
"Thank you, Vice Foreign Minister," Alex Yutani replied, "someone from our companies will be contacting you very soon."
"I'll be looking forward to it," Relena said as she stood along with them and taking their hands good bye, "It's been a pleasure."
When the two men had left her office Relena turned to her assistant Dana.
"Keep an eye on our accounts on any mail, if we receive any communication from either Weyland or Yutani put it into a separate file. You did bug the room for our previous meeting didn't you?" Relena asked her assistant.
"Yes Miss Relena, I did exactly as you asked," Dana replied,"The entire thing was recorded."
"Once we receive further communication I want you to send the entire file to the Capital Prosecutor's office," Relena replied, "And the Ethics Board. Tell them I'm doing them a favor."
---------
Breaking News: David Weyland of Weyland Inc. and Alex Yutani of the Yutani Corporation were taken into custody today after the Prosecutor's office announced that they would be charging the two with bribery of public officials. The Prosecutor's office said they were informed by an inside tip that the two had approached and engaged in illegal transactions with well known officials. Rumors say that the tip came from the Foreign Minister's office, however Foreign Minister Haggard and Vice Foreign Minister Darlian have declined comment.
----------
Thirty five was a good age to run for President, Relena thought. Now a little closer in age to the rest of her peers,she no longer had to fend off questions about her competence or perceived lack of experience. 15 years and two terms as a well respected Senator was apparently long enough for her to prove herself.
She was confident in her chances. She was extremely popular with people at large, and as much as she hated it, her reputation from her brief stint as Queen of the World put the odds in her favor. It would be the only time in her life that she would be proud of having worn that title.
Relena reflected on this as she mingled with the crowd at one of the many fundraisers she hosted. Thanking people for their support, trying to convince more people to donate, and to just spread goodwill towards her campaing was the play of the day. They were things that she could do in her sleep.
One person who took interest in her was Dominic Costis, a powerful lobbyist whose presence was often required functions such of these. He was slick, saavy, and charismatic. And Relena couldn't stand him. She detested violence on a whole (being a pacifist and all) but she wondered whether she could make an exception just so she could punch him in the face. And of course because this was a fundraiser where she had to garner support she had to talk with him.
"I must say I couldn't have run a better campaign than this Senator Darlian," he said to her as he met her at the bar, "I daresay that other bloke is a fool for even attempting to run against you."
"It wouldn't look that well for the democratic process if I ran for the highest office uncontested would it?" Relena asked.
"So you're saying you put the guy up to make you look better," Dominic said, and the smile on his face let Relena know that he was thinking they were sharing a 'moment'.
"Of course not, I'm a good politician, but I'm not that conniving...or desperate," Relena said.
"Be that as it may, as much as you clearly are the people's choice, I do weep that there is a lack of a challenge to you," Dominic said, "I imagine some of us would like some of our qualms about you answered."
"And what do you mean by that?" she asked carefully, she knew she could be falling into a trap.
"It just seems that people have seemed to forget that the last time you were a leader of a country, that country burned to the ground," Dominic said, "They say you have saved lives in many a confrontation, but how many did you lose that day?"
Relena stilled and her fist clenched. Whatever she had expected him to say it was not that. And she was caught off guard and angry. And like hell she was going to give him an answer.
"Well, I'm sure you will answer them eventually," Dominic said, the look on his face clearly showing a kind of gloat. He was proud to get a one up on her.
She can't say anything, but his words stick with her for the rest of the night.
"I can't believe the nerve of him," she said, her voice a few decibals to loud. But she was slightly drunk and in the privacy of her penthouse so she didn't particularly care.
She was not alone however.
With uncanny knack of having the absolute best (or worst depending on the situation) timing, Relena had returned home to see Heero Yuy: Eternal Wanderer and ex-Gundam Pilot standing at her door. She wondered just how he did it; how he could possibly have known that tonight she didn't want to be alone.
But honestly that wasn't what was foremost on her mind. His presence while comforting didn't do much to dissipate her anger at her encounter earlier in the evening.
"What did he do?" Heero asked, sitting on the couch sifting through a magazine. Despite making much strides in the way of social interaction over the past 15 years,he was still somewhat not the best at comforting someone or putting a stop to their drunken rants.
However, Relena was sober enough to stop herself and she grew quiet.
"He brought up Sanq," she said, "as if to say that I may be popular but I'm not competent."
Heero doesn't say anything, not that she really needed him too.
"The bastard," she continued, "how could he possibly understand?"
"You shouldn't let hime get to you," he said and walked over to her, "You're stronger than that."
"I know," she said, "but I guess there is a part of me that wonders if he's right."
Heero tilts her head up with his index finger until her eyes meet his. It was oddly reminiscent of that scene in the cockpit all those years ago.
"He isn't," he said, "You didn't fail that day. The fact that you are still here proves that."
"But..." she started but his gaze stops her.
"Believe in yourself," he said, "You're doing the right thing. No one is better for this than you. Believe in yourself. Like I do."
She smiled, he was right. There was no one else but her. She had to believe in that.
I believe in you Relena.
---------
Dear Mr. Costis,
I hope you are enjoying your stay on Colony XG1876. It really is one of the more delightful colonies to visit. I'm sure you are wondering what this letter could possibly be in regards to. Well I wanted to assure you that I was not all put off by your "qualms" with regards to my assumed future presidency. However, I feel that you are grossly uninformed on the matter that you brought up.
To answer your question, I would say that 250 people died that day, and that includes soldier on both sides as well as civilians. I would provide you with all their names but I fear that would make this letter too cumbersome. I suppose you brought it up to deflate my morale and hold something over me. If that was your intention, I'm sad to say that it won't be effective.
What happened that day on Sanq is not weakness for me, but an asset. It cannot break my resolve but only strengthen it. The people who died that day, the people who fought and lived, and the people who lost their homes are the reason I do this. I carry them with me every day. I would hazard that you would not understand that burden, otherwise you would have not brought it up in such a cavalier manner and for such a petty reason.
If you want to break me Mr. Costis, you will have to do much better than that. I'm not being arrogant when I say that I am much stronger and more tenacious than you. Here's to wishing that you have better luck and a better understanding of restraint on our next encounter.
Sincerely,
Senator Relena Darlian
P.S. I would be wary of challenging persons on their competence in the future Mr. Costis. I happen to be well informed of your patronage to certain establishments and I can assure you that you do not want them 'accidentally' leaked to the international press.
---------
Relena gazed out the window of the Presidential Suite. It was the final night of her presidency. After two quite successful terms, it was finally over. Hard to imagine that as she was only 43. Political careers tended to last much longer than that, but Relena smiled. She had reached the highest mountain and when she looked out at her future she realized that there was nothing left for her to do.
Maybe now, 28 years later she was finally free. Free to be whatever she wanted to be. No longer bound by her biological families' legacy or her father's memory, she finally had a choice. Not that she begrudged her life to that point, but it was hard to forget that it had been a life thrust on her. She had relished it, and derived great satisfaction, but now she realized she was ready for something more. Yearning for something that was just hers.
And she knew the best place to start. The place where it all began.
The beach had changed a lot in the past 28 years. The chain linked fence at the top of the seawall was now a row of gently decorated landscaping, benches were strewn along the sideline, and no longer was their filled with the sound of planes or military drills. It was one small piece of evidence of how the world had changed for the better. It barely looked like the place that she had once come across the body of a boy, discarded by the world.
This was where I started, she thought, my story started here.
"Good Job, Relena," she said softly to herself as she stared out at the setting sun in the horizon, "You did well."
She felt rather then heard him come up behind her. She turned and smiled at Heero, the years etched into his face just as they were in hers.
"Are you ready?" he asked, and she smiled as she walked towards him.
"Yes," she said, taking his hand, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."
And then they walked along the shoreline, away from the starting point and towards a new one.
--------
Former President Relena Darlian died today at her home at the age of 75. The former president had been struggling health problemsover the past year of her life. Remembered most for her support and dedication to the veterans of the Eve Wars. She will be most remembered most for her contributions to the advancement in resource sharing between Earth and Colonies as well as her programs to open the doors of politics to more women. International candlelight vigils will be held this Saturday at Town Squares in several major cities.
President Relena had no children in her lifetime and never married. However she had an abundance of friends and is survived by her longtime partner (name undisclosed by request).
"She was a force to be reckoned with," Quatre Raberba Winner, longtime friend and close colleague, remembers, "There were definitely moments where she held the entire world on her shoulders and I don't believe anyone else could've handled it the way she did."
The funeral service will be held at the Capital Church this Sunday. Any who wish to send condolences are asked to donate money to the "Eve Memorial Fund" which helps support widows and widowers to the men and women lost in space and shuttle accidents. It was one of the Former President's last projects before her death.
---------
The five of them stood at the grave in a silent moment of remembrance. It would be the first time in a very long time, as well as the last time that all 5 would be together in one place. It was bittersweet that this would be the occasion.
"Hard to believe," Duo said first, "One would think that she would've outlived us all."
"Well she was always a leader," Quatre put in, "I can't quite see her following any of us to death. She would have to pave the way for us."
"Still it feels like there is no justice in it," Duo said, "with who we are, and what we did, we shoulda been the ones who went first."
"She didn't see it that way," Heero said suddenly.
It was the first thing he had said since they met him at the grave. His voice sounded tired but not hollow as one would've thought having known him. Trowa reached out and put a hand to his shoulder.
"She was strong," Trowa said, "probably stronger than any of us."
They all nodded.
"Well, I guess it isn't like us to just stand here and mope," Duo said, "let's all say thanks and be gone. I feel kind of weird here."
The others nodded, and then each approached the tombstone one by one.
Heero did not hear what any of them said, but he did note that Duo and Trowa saluted while Quatre touched the stone and Wufei bowed. Only he and possibly Quatre had known her as the woman and not the leader, but it didn't matter.
They may have forged the end of the world with their battle and their lives, but Relena had given them a place to live.
She had given him a future. Even if that future now did not include her.
---------
Relena Peacecraft-Darlian
April 7, A.C. 180 - September 16, A.C. 255
Beloved Daughter, Sister, Leader, and Friend
May she protect us in Death as she did in Life.
Recipient: Community
Rating: PG
Warnings: Character death
Summary: Some of the more poignant moments of Relena's career and life.
Author's Notes: Heero/Relena is a bit more than implied in this fic but is not the focus. The names for the first two "antagonists" in the fic were due to the sole fact that I was watching Aliens while writing this fic and so they are bit of Easter Eggs for anyone who can appreciate the references.
Author: kristenell
Politics is a game, and one that Relena Darlian was damn good at it. It was all about deals and compromise and knowing what you want, and how far you were willing to go to get it. And Relena always knew what she wanted and she knew how far she would go. It was why 9 times out of 10 she got exactly the kind of results she aimed for.
Of course at the ripe young age of 22 many people couldn't quite believe it. There were still plenty of politicians who would speak down to her or question her judgment on the simplest of things such as basic procedures and rules. It came with the territory of everyone being twice her age in this business. And the majority of them were men at that.
But that didn't bother Relena, she didn't expect things to come easily and she had learned to be suspicious when they did. She was a pacifist but not a doormat. There was a world that she had sworn to protect and people were counting on her. She counted on herself.
All of this meant that Relena knew exactly how to handle the likes of David Weyland and Alex Yutani. Two up and coming representives of two mega-corporations that had made quite a name for themselves in this new era of peace. CEOs were not to be trusted anymore than politicians. So she smiled at them serenely, sounding sincere as she always did, and told them some of what they expected to here but nothing else.
What they wanted basically was to buy the contracts to the Mars Project.
"If you want the contracts so bad, then make a fair bid," she said, "I'm sure both your companies are well-equipped to make good offers that we can't refuse."
"Well yes, we are prepared to do that," Weyland replied, "but the board of our company as well as that of Yutani would certainly feel better about having your support Vice Foreign Minister. We figured we should make our interest known to you."
Relena knew what would come next, some coded reference to a potential bribe, and then a curt dismissal. It was all so obvious that Relena almost wanted to laugh at them.
"I and the rest of the committee on the Mars Project are willing to respond to any fair offer given to us by any company or individual at any time," she said, not quite wanting to show her hand just yet.
"Thank you, Vice Foreign Minister," Alex Yutani replied, "someone from our companies will be contacting you very soon."
"I'll be looking forward to it," Relena said as she stood along with them and taking their hands good bye, "It's been a pleasure."
When the two men had left her office Relena turned to her assistant Dana.
"Keep an eye on our accounts on any mail, if we receive any communication from either Weyland or Yutani put it into a separate file. You did bug the room for our previous meeting didn't you?" Relena asked her assistant.
"Yes Miss Relena, I did exactly as you asked," Dana replied,"The entire thing was recorded."
"Once we receive further communication I want you to send the entire file to the Capital Prosecutor's office," Relena replied, "And the Ethics Board. Tell them I'm doing them a favor."
---------
Breaking News: David Weyland of Weyland Inc. and Alex Yutani of the Yutani Corporation were taken into custody today after the Prosecutor's office announced that they would be charging the two with bribery of public officials. The Prosecutor's office said they were informed by an inside tip that the two had approached and engaged in illegal transactions with well known officials. Rumors say that the tip came from the Foreign Minister's office, however Foreign Minister Haggard and Vice Foreign Minister Darlian have declined comment.
----------
Thirty five was a good age to run for President, Relena thought. Now a little closer in age to the rest of her peers,she no longer had to fend off questions about her competence or perceived lack of experience. 15 years and two terms as a well respected Senator was apparently long enough for her to prove herself.
She was confident in her chances. She was extremely popular with people at large, and as much as she hated it, her reputation from her brief stint as Queen of the World put the odds in her favor. It would be the only time in her life that she would be proud of having worn that title.
Relena reflected on this as she mingled with the crowd at one of the many fundraisers she hosted. Thanking people for their support, trying to convince more people to donate, and to just spread goodwill towards her campaing was the play of the day. They were things that she could do in her sleep.
One person who took interest in her was Dominic Costis, a powerful lobbyist whose presence was often required functions such of these. He was slick, saavy, and charismatic. And Relena couldn't stand him. She detested violence on a whole (being a pacifist and all) but she wondered whether she could make an exception just so she could punch him in the face. And of course because this was a fundraiser where she had to garner support she had to talk with him.
"I must say I couldn't have run a better campaign than this Senator Darlian," he said to her as he met her at the bar, "I daresay that other bloke is a fool for even attempting to run against you."
"It wouldn't look that well for the democratic process if I ran for the highest office uncontested would it?" Relena asked.
"So you're saying you put the guy up to make you look better," Dominic said, and the smile on his face let Relena know that he was thinking they were sharing a 'moment'.
"Of course not, I'm a good politician, but I'm not that conniving...or desperate," Relena said.
"Be that as it may, as much as you clearly are the people's choice, I do weep that there is a lack of a challenge to you," Dominic said, "I imagine some of us would like some of our qualms about you answered."
"And what do you mean by that?" she asked carefully, she knew she could be falling into a trap.
"It just seems that people have seemed to forget that the last time you were a leader of a country, that country burned to the ground," Dominic said, "They say you have saved lives in many a confrontation, but how many did you lose that day?"
Relena stilled and her fist clenched. Whatever she had expected him to say it was not that. And she was caught off guard and angry. And like hell she was going to give him an answer.
"Well, I'm sure you will answer them eventually," Dominic said, the look on his face clearly showing a kind of gloat. He was proud to get a one up on her.
She can't say anything, but his words stick with her for the rest of the night.
"I can't believe the nerve of him," she said, her voice a few decibals to loud. But she was slightly drunk and in the privacy of her penthouse so she didn't particularly care.
She was not alone however.
With uncanny knack of having the absolute best (or worst depending on the situation) timing, Relena had returned home to see Heero Yuy: Eternal Wanderer and ex-Gundam Pilot standing at her door. She wondered just how he did it; how he could possibly have known that tonight she didn't want to be alone.
But honestly that wasn't what was foremost on her mind. His presence while comforting didn't do much to dissipate her anger at her encounter earlier in the evening.
"What did he do?" Heero asked, sitting on the couch sifting through a magazine. Despite making much strides in the way of social interaction over the past 15 years,he was still somewhat not the best at comforting someone or putting a stop to their drunken rants.
However, Relena was sober enough to stop herself and she grew quiet.
"He brought up Sanq," she said, "as if to say that I may be popular but I'm not competent."
Heero doesn't say anything, not that she really needed him too.
"The bastard," she continued, "how could he possibly understand?"
"You shouldn't let hime get to you," he said and walked over to her, "You're stronger than that."
"I know," she said, "but I guess there is a part of me that wonders if he's right."
Heero tilts her head up with his index finger until her eyes meet his. It was oddly reminiscent of that scene in the cockpit all those years ago.
"He isn't," he said, "You didn't fail that day. The fact that you are still here proves that."
"But..." she started but his gaze stops her.
"Believe in yourself," he said, "You're doing the right thing. No one is better for this than you. Believe in yourself. Like I do."
She smiled, he was right. There was no one else but her. She had to believe in that.
I believe in you Relena.
---------
Dear Mr. Costis,
I hope you are enjoying your stay on Colony XG1876. It really is one of the more delightful colonies to visit. I'm sure you are wondering what this letter could possibly be in regards to. Well I wanted to assure you that I was not all put off by your "qualms" with regards to my assumed future presidency. However, I feel that you are grossly uninformed on the matter that you brought up.
To answer your question, I would say that 250 people died that day, and that includes soldier on both sides as well as civilians. I would provide you with all their names but I fear that would make this letter too cumbersome. I suppose you brought it up to deflate my morale and hold something over me. If that was your intention, I'm sad to say that it won't be effective.
What happened that day on Sanq is not weakness for me, but an asset. It cannot break my resolve but only strengthen it. The people who died that day, the people who fought and lived, and the people who lost their homes are the reason I do this. I carry them with me every day. I would hazard that you would not understand that burden, otherwise you would have not brought it up in such a cavalier manner and for such a petty reason.
If you want to break me Mr. Costis, you will have to do much better than that. I'm not being arrogant when I say that I am much stronger and more tenacious than you. Here's to wishing that you have better luck and a better understanding of restraint on our next encounter.
Sincerely,
Senator Relena Darlian
P.S. I would be wary of challenging persons on their competence in the future Mr. Costis. I happen to be well informed of your patronage to certain establishments and I can assure you that you do not want them 'accidentally' leaked to the international press.
---------
Relena gazed out the window of the Presidential Suite. It was the final night of her presidency. After two quite successful terms, it was finally over. Hard to imagine that as she was only 43. Political careers tended to last much longer than that, but Relena smiled. She had reached the highest mountain and when she looked out at her future she realized that there was nothing left for her to do.
Maybe now, 28 years later she was finally free. Free to be whatever she wanted to be. No longer bound by her biological families' legacy or her father's memory, she finally had a choice. Not that she begrudged her life to that point, but it was hard to forget that it had been a life thrust on her. She had relished it, and derived great satisfaction, but now she realized she was ready for something more. Yearning for something that was just hers.
And she knew the best place to start. The place where it all began.
The beach had changed a lot in the past 28 years. The chain linked fence at the top of the seawall was now a row of gently decorated landscaping, benches were strewn along the sideline, and no longer was their filled with the sound of planes or military drills. It was one small piece of evidence of how the world had changed for the better. It barely looked like the place that she had once come across the body of a boy, discarded by the world.
This was where I started, she thought, my story started here.
"Good Job, Relena," she said softly to herself as she stared out at the setting sun in the horizon, "You did well."
She felt rather then heard him come up behind her. She turned and smiled at Heero, the years etched into his face just as they were in hers.
"Are you ready?" he asked, and she smiled as she walked towards him.
"Yes," she said, taking his hand, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."
And then they walked along the shoreline, away from the starting point and towards a new one.
--------
Former President Relena Darlian died today at her home at the age of 75. The former president had been struggling health problemsover the past year of her life. Remembered most for her support and dedication to the veterans of the Eve Wars. She will be most remembered most for her contributions to the advancement in resource sharing between Earth and Colonies as well as her programs to open the doors of politics to more women. International candlelight vigils will be held this Saturday at Town Squares in several major cities.
President Relena had no children in her lifetime and never married. However she had an abundance of friends and is survived by her longtime partner (name undisclosed by request).
"She was a force to be reckoned with," Quatre Raberba Winner, longtime friend and close colleague, remembers, "There were definitely moments where she held the entire world on her shoulders and I don't believe anyone else could've handled it the way she did."
The funeral service will be held at the Capital Church this Sunday. Any who wish to send condolences are asked to donate money to the "Eve Memorial Fund" which helps support widows and widowers to the men and women lost in space and shuttle accidents. It was one of the Former President's last projects before her death.
---------
The five of them stood at the grave in a silent moment of remembrance. It would be the first time in a very long time, as well as the last time that all 5 would be together in one place. It was bittersweet that this would be the occasion.
"Hard to believe," Duo said first, "One would think that she would've outlived us all."
"Well she was always a leader," Quatre put in, "I can't quite see her following any of us to death. She would have to pave the way for us."
"Still it feels like there is no justice in it," Duo said, "with who we are, and what we did, we shoulda been the ones who went first."
"She didn't see it that way," Heero said suddenly.
It was the first thing he had said since they met him at the grave. His voice sounded tired but not hollow as one would've thought having known him. Trowa reached out and put a hand to his shoulder.
"She was strong," Trowa said, "probably stronger than any of us."
They all nodded.
"Well, I guess it isn't like us to just stand here and mope," Duo said, "let's all say thanks and be gone. I feel kind of weird here."
The others nodded, and then each approached the tombstone one by one.
Heero did not hear what any of them said, but he did note that Duo and Trowa saluted while Quatre touched the stone and Wufei bowed. Only he and possibly Quatre had known her as the woman and not the leader, but it didn't matter.
They may have forged the end of the world with their battle and their lives, but Relena had given them a place to live.
She had given him a future. Even if that future now did not include her.
---------
Relena Peacecraft-Darlian
April 7, A.C. 180 - September 16, A.C. 255
Beloved Daughter, Sister, Leader, and Friend
May she protect us in Death as she did in Life.