AN: As if I didn't have enough on my plate I decided to start a new story. This idea kinda hit me in the middle of Geometry class. I will be working on this one between the other two I am currently working on.

This story is going to be darker than the other stories that I have done and there will be more fighting. Like I said um…darker is the main word here.

Duo will be more out of character than I have ever made him. Yes, he will be a pilot but he will be darker and colder more bitter than I have made him before.

Hilde on the other hand will be sure of herself and made at the world. Her character flaws will steam from either too much confidence or her anger.

There of course will be your romance and your charming man in this as well plus character plots. So let me know what you think and ya.

I finally got a chapter of ED up for all those wondering and TY is my next project.

~*~*~

Prologue

Year XX01

"The united galaxy has finally come to the agreement that under the circumstances it is in the best interest for the people in the galaxy to sign the peace treaty that so many lives have been lost to preserve and to give us a fighting chance to attain." The Reporter on TGN reported on a rainy day in the middle of spring.

"This treaty is not just a turning point for the human race but for all races and we the people are going down in history able to say that we had a hand in performing this feat." He continued on oblivious to the char around him and the lives that had been lost. In fact judging by the cold look in his eyes-that he tried to hide with a cheesy smile- he really didn't care. But there were people who did everywhere and as they tuned in they all thought with that careless thought that most people give not thought to. Get him off the air or tell him to shut up we just want to know what's going on.

We never do though get our wish. Or at least most of us don't. Today was no different for the united galaxy people. To say the least they didn't get their wish.

"This feat was accomplished by the wit of the supreme commanders and the skill of the pilots underneath them. We owe these brave men and women our thanks today as the 29 signatures that had been lacking are not placed side by side to each other. Thank you people for listening to this special broadcast this is Xavier Toman and TGN news. Signing off."

Reaching over a woman with dark hair shook her head a smirked at the man beside her. "Told you no one would credit the space units that found that damn planted to settle this in the first place."

"Did you really expect them to Hilde?" Mouth murmurs shaking his head, his long whips like hair trailing down his back. It was his species character mark like the humans had their beautiful eyes.

"Uh they could have at least said, oh ya the space explores had some to do with this."

"Were nothing but a bunch of idiots remember? Its all those pilots who get the credit even though they have NEVER seen the damn planet." Tara Reif grumbles her own blond plate of cordhair curled charmingly around her head. "Besides the galaxy will never admit we could be anything but a bunch of idiots."

"Personally I like the anatomy." Mouth retorts with a smile at the women in front of him. "It gets ya into bars REAL easy like."

Smiling slightly at the quirk Hilde looked at her lieutenants while analyzing for the millionth time. They were both alien neither human, like most of her crew, and they were best friends. Had been for years and would continue to be for as long as Hilde would know them. Whether it be ten years or a hundred. They were also fiercely loyal to her and that amazed her at times. Never mind whether if she right or wrong the backed her.

It was their friendship that amazed her the most. Tara was an Andromid one of the most feared races in the galaxy. They were faster than most people were and stronger than everyone else. They also looked the part. Most of the people were close to 6'5 as normal height and their features were that of a human only they were blue skinned and their eyes were like cats and were ALWAYS yellow.

Which is why Hilde had been so surprised when four years ago she had approached her and requested that she be allowed to join up with he crew. After Hilde had given her the okay, 3 months later, she had informed her that she would not join unless she took on Mouth as well.

Mouth was a Daymid, a people that closely resembled humans except their hair kinda fell around then in a whip like cloud and could be used as a weapon if it was needed though they preferred not to use it as such.

"Right." Tara murmurs rolling her eyes.

"Come on you two." Hilde mumbles standing to her full 5'1 stature. "We need to leave and fast. I don't like this place and they are going to be handing out assignments tonight. If you want some down time I suggest we leave."

~~~

"Cold night isn't it sir?" A young man says as he walks Duo towards his apartment for the next month.
"Yes, it is," 'In a good way though. This is the kind of night that bites you to the bone and makes you appreciate just being alive. Something we all need right now.'

"Its biting my bones I fear. Well sir here is your room and your orders will arrive in the morning." With that the young page turned out the door and was gone before Duo could blink. Nodding to the thin air Duo calmly walked into the room.

"LIGHTS" He called out with his customary smirk as the lights flashed on. Yep, the alliance might not give a rat's rear about anything else but that damn treaty right now but they still had everything from voice codes to the cold furnishings they gave every pilot in place. Typical politicians since everyone else worked on greed they thought that they did to.

Closing his eyes he sunk down onto this couch and shook his head as he thoughts turned over the last few days. It had been an ugly battle to get the last bit of information they needed and of course where there was war the pilots were called in. Duo and his group had been as well. Lives had been lost and trails had been taken that most people would rather not take. They had been lucky out of a squad of 12 they had only lost 5. It could have been worse. The only ones they had lost and been the new ones the rookies who had been so hopeful so young. Of course it wasn't like he was young or anything like that. In fact that was as far from the truth as you could get. Sometimes though people, they just didn't understand that. You never could count on anyone but your wingman and yourself. That was life for him and for everyone around him.

Maybe this new peace treaty would change that. Maybe it wouldn't you never could tell. Walking over to the furnished cabinet he downed a quick shot of scotch before moving onto the bigger harder stuff.

Yes, he was trying to forget. He had a death tally going in his head. He couldn't escape that no one could. His crew at least had each other to talk to. He wouldn't impose on their celebration thought not tonight. They had asked him of course and a few of them had even joked about bringing it to his room that night. They wouldn't though. He knew that as well.

Downing his glass full of liquor he closed his eyes against the burning. No he wouldn't party he wouldn't dance in celebration of the lives lost. Filling his glass up once more he moved over to the couch and lay down. No he would either drown his sorrows and his dreams or he would do nothing at all. Life was like that killing you or boring you. He would just take the later route tonight.