Hawks of Peace
Chapter 2:
Who's the Boss?

By: F.C. Noventa


Time period: AC 199-200
Place: L2 Colony
Based on minor character(s) from Episode 35: The Return of Wufei, and Endless Waltz Special Edition. (We named one Frank Lobos)
Material was also taken from the mangas Blind Target and Episode Zero.

Relena Darlian sat quietly wondering about the strange call she'd just received. She certainly knew Duo Maxwell very well, but it wasn't like him to call her. And to ask for an appointment? She shook her head in disbelief and amazement. Briefly she toyed with the thought of asking Heero's opinion, but promptly rejected it. Even if this were a matter for his advice she had no idea how to reach him right now.

"Jian," she called through the intercom, "Would you please clear my schedule for tomorrow afternoon. I have some important matters to tend to on colony L2." With that matter resolved she went back to work.

* * *

The shuttle arrived a half hour late on colony L2. Vice Foreign Minister Darlian hurried off, scanning the crowd at the terminal for a familiar face she hoped had not grown too impatient. She finally found Duo at the far back of the room, leaning against a post with arms crossed and brows furrowed. He was wearing scruffy old clothes as was she - just as he had requested. The mystery grew as she realized he somehow appeared more like Heero than Duo for some reason she couldn't quite place. It became more apparent as she greeted him and they began to talk. He spoke quietly in carefully measured words, mostly monosyllables. For someone who seemed anxious to talk to her, Duo Maxwell was stunningly silent.

"Follow me" was about the only thing he had to say.

Taking public transportation Duo quietly led Relena down from the beautifully bright vistas of L2 to a dark, foreboding, narrow street of towering tenement housing. "Duo, where are we? On all the colonies I've never seen anything like this."

"Neither had I before yesterday. But here it is. C'mon" He led her around a corner to Paradise Plaza. Relena stopped abruptly, sharply drew in a breath of putrid air, coughing slightly. She looked around at the Tent City in the late afternoon light nearly obscured by the high-rise buildings.
"Who are these people? Why are they living here? Why isn't anything being done to help them?" Relena reached down to pull up a blanket that had slipped off the shoulder of a dirty-faced tot who had come over to look at them. "No one to help these poor, little children?"

"A few." Relena turned to stare at Duo. His clipped words were so harsh in tone.

She drew herself up and stood face to face with him. "Duo, what is it you're not telling me?" He only stared at her - stared through her - to something far away. She put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We've been through much together, you and I, Trowa and Quatre, Miss Noin and my brother . . ." Her voice trailed off and her eyes glistened, "And Heero . . ."

Finally Duo showed some sign of life. He turned toward Relena, looking at her for the first time it seemed, "Sorry, m'lady," he said with a touch of the old Duo smile. "I guess this place gets to a person." He drew himself up and grabbed her hand as he strode back toward the bright world beyond. "C'mon! Let's put our heads together and see what we can do about this mess."

* * *

Jian hurried into the administrative office complex for colony L2. She'd come in on the evening shuttle, briefcase stuffed with papers. "These matters can't wait," she'd told the staff as she packed for the impromptu trip. But the truth was, she was concerned about her boss - her friend - Relent Dalian.

"Hi, Wellesley. Is Relent in?" she paused to look toward the office where raised voices threatened to drown her own out.

"Uh, ye-e-es." The receptionist looked anxiously toward the noise as she hesitantly added, "But I'm not sure she wants to be disturbed right now." She shuffled some stray papers nervously.

Jain was not about to be dissuaded after coming so far. She strode toward the voices and turned the knob. "No problem. The minister expects me." The sight that greeted her made her think about going back out again.

She recognized the swaggering form of the lively ex-Gundam pilot, Duo Maxwell. What she barely recognized was the shabbily-dressed, cowering form of her boss. Clearly Relena needed an ally on her side.

"It won't work. It won't work! IT JUST WON'T WORK, Miss Social Worker!! These are proud people. We're talking White Fang, you know!" He held her by the lapels and seemed ready to shake her like a rag doll.

"Ahem, Vice Foreign Minister," Jian hurriedly interrupted, "I brought some important matters that cannot wait." She backed away slightly as the furious figure turned his rage on her.

"This matter won't wait for your . . . your . . . PAPER PLAY! WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REAL PEOPLE HERE!" Jian screamed involuntarily as Duo's fist flung the papers out of her hand and across the floor.

The whole incident seemed to help Relena remember who she was. "Jian, you may leave us. Mr. Maxwell and I do have an important matter to resolve and," she turned a warning gaze of ice on the feisty young warrior, "Despite his rude manners, he is a key figure to resolving the matter." She added as Jian seemed ready to object vigorously, "It's all right, Jian, really. Duo and I go back a long way." She added with a touch of a smile, "He's one of the few people I know who dares to speak his mind. It's . . . refreshing."

After Jian left, Relena motioned for Duo to sit at the small table in the corner of the room which was much more informal. She poured them each a cup of tea and sat down across from him, studying his face for a long while before speaking. Duo, having made a proper fool of himself, was too busy mentally kicking himself to say anything.

"Duo, I know we need to address the problem of employment for these former White Fang members. Your idea of using them to help meet the demand for salvage workers in your area is fine as far as it goes . . ."

"I know the other guys in the salvage business. We're a friendly rivalry 'cuz there's more than enough business to go around. I can bring them around to seeing things my way. We'll find jobs for at least a hundred guys." He shook his head. "But you're right. I'm afraid there's gonna be a lot more than that in need of work." He shook his head trying to think of more solutions.
Relena agreed, "I'm sure of it. In fact, the other colonies probably have the same problem to some degree or other."

"Hey, what about Quatre? I tried to call him, but couldn't bully my way through all the paper- pushin' bureaucrats." The dark frown changed like silly putty into a wide, apologetic grin, "Sorry! Present company excepted, Good Lookin'."

Relena laughed, "Duo, you always know just what to say when we get too serious about ourselves. You're right. Quatre is just the person to fill in the gap. In the mean time, why don't you meet with this Frank who seems to know the L2 problem best?"

"What the heck do we need him for? I got this matter under control now. Just let me take charge! The Great Destroyer will wipe out poverty and discrimination on L2 like it was an Oz mobile suit factory! This job calls for a Gundam pilot - not some White Fang lowlife."

"Better work on the discrimination problem first," she thought to herself. Relena was quite taken aback by the renewed barrage. She had obviously hit a very tender spot. The young diplomat deftly deflected the conversation to what she knew would be a happier topic for Duo.

"So, Duo, how's Hilde doing?"

* * *

Hilde slowly walked around the office turning out lights, straightening papers, tidying up the kitchen. She noticed a bottle of prescription medicine on the counter. "Oh, Duo, why didn't you tell me those old stomach injuries were giving you trouble again? I'd have made you a pot of Hilde's Famous Cure-All Soup." She sighed remembering all the trouble she'd had trying to get Duo to a doctor after the war. For some reason, enemies always seemed to pick on his stomach. "Well, it is the part he's most attached to," she thought with a laugh.

Hilde was reluctant to go home. "This seems more like home now," she said to the walls, adding sadly, "At least it did until yesterday." She flicked away yet another tear. "Oh Duo, where are you today? Why did you disappear without a word?" Realizing she already knew the answer, she added, "Duo, I'm so, so sorry. I'll make you a part of everything in my life from now on. Just come back to me, please."

She sadly turned off the last light and locked the door behind her.

* * *

Duo paced the block one more time. He tried to pretend he was casing Frank's place to be sure no one saw him entering, but the truth was he did not want to go in. Not at all. "I've got nothing in common with this guy," he told himself. "I don't trust him. I don't even like him." He didn't want to think about that last one too much. Hilde was at the center of that feeling. The thought of Hilde and their last conversation came crashing in on him. Duo felt bewildered, betrayed, and - for the first time he could remember in many years - lost, hopelessly lost without her to confide in. "I hate to admit it," he chided himself, "But nothing seems right unless Hilde's in on it."

That was the last straw. Duo came to his senses and snapped to attention. "Whoa! Way outta character! Am I the Great Destroyer or some dumb lap dog!" He rubbed his fists together anticipating a good old-fashioned street brawl. "C'mon, Frank," he shouted, not caring who heard him anymore, "Let's just see who's the best man for the job." And with that he stormed up to the door of Frank's apartment and pounded loudly.

"Well, I never expected to see you here," Frank said as he returned Duo's glare. "What brings you to the dark side of the colony?"

Duo strutted in with his usual bravado. "Frank! Good news for White Fang. I've got the plan to get you all back on your feet again."

"Oh?" Frank leaned against the wall, arms crossed, sizing up the feisty young man.

"Yeah." Duo eased into the only comfortable-looking chair in the cramped apartment. His eyes studied every detail carefully as he continued. "I called in Vice Foreign Minister Darlian and she agreed with me." He noisily put his foot up on the nearby table, "White Fang needs jobs to start with. I'll take care of that part. I got a lotta contacts in the salvage business. We can round up a couple hundred jobs to start with. Tomorrow I meet with Quatre Winner. He'll take care of any other jobs we may need and see to the other colonies as well . . ."

"Look, I didn't ask you to come in and take over, you know."

"Well, these guys of yours need all the help they can get, so don't look a gift horse in the mouth! Now Relena Darlian's gonna take care of anything the families need until you all get up on your feet."

"You don't know these people like I do. They're not gonna go for all this grandstanding and government takeover of their lives, Duo."

"Yer the one who came to me, ol' buddy, remember?" Though itching to plant a punch in this guy's face, Duo suddenly dropped his ever-ready fists, mouth agape, staring at the only wall decoration in the dingy little room. "Is that a genuine Texas ten-gallon hat?"

"Yep." Frank finally peeled his back off the wall, "My grandad sent it to me," he replied wistfully. "So I'd always remember my roots."

Duo shook his head as he continued to look longingly at the hat. "I don't know much about my roots, but I woulda liked livin' in the Old West on Earth." He cracked his first real smile since his blowup with Hilde. "Things seemed so simple - so black & white - back then."

"Know whatcha' mean." Frank nodded as he sidled up next to Duo. "Life's gotten so complicated lately . . . I feel like I'm trying to fight shadows in a dark room with no door."

Duo surprised even himself by putting an arm on Frank's shoulder. "Let's bust open that room, what say . . . pardner?" Duo held out a hopeful hand. Frank took it in his own hand. They sealed the partnership with a vigorous handshake.

"You gotta deal, pardner."

* * *

Duo was starting to wonder if bringing Frank to this meeting was such a good idea. I'm beginning to think I was blinded by that oversized wall hat, he thought to himself as he listened to Quatre and Frank discussing details and totally ignoring him. "I can see it's time I took charge of this meeting! You two are starting to foam at the mouth with all your blathering."

Quatre laughed good-naturedly, "Sorry, Duo. Your friend Frank here has some great ideas I never would have though of." The young leader of the vast Winner enterprises looked admiringly at the former White Fang leader.

"Yeah, well, you haven't heard my ideas yet!" Duo couldn't quite hide the jealousy in his voice.

Quatre picked up on it and turned his attention to his old comrade-in-arms. "Let's hear them, Duo."

Duo relaxed into the plushy reclining office chair, hands behind his head, and said as authoritatively as he could, "Well first, you need someone to coordinate the whole thing on L2."

"Of course!" Quatre diplomatically parlayed the thrust he saw coming, "Someone right at the heart of the situation who can see what's going on first hand."

"Exactly!" Duo - already a step ahead of him - lurched forward, slamming his fist on Quatre's desk startling the young executive, "That's why I plan to move into Paradise Plaza myself until we get these people resettled into some decent housing."

"What?!" Frank leapt to his feet.

"Uh, Duo," Quatre searched for some tactful solution to the trouble about to erupt.

"I know what your gonna say, Quatre. Don't worry. Hilde can handle the salvage business by herself for a while just fine" To himself he added, She doesn't need me around anymore. Before anyone could contradict his plans, Duo headed for the door tossing a wave goodbye over his shoulder. "Just leave the rest up to me. I got everything under control."

The door slammed before anyone could reply.

* * *

Back at Paradise Plaza, Duo wasted no time setting up his headquarters. He had rented a storefront in the building across from the plaza. "Nice 'n easy for everyone to just walk in," he said to himself with a grin of pride. "This way I can get to know them better, find out what they need." He wouldn't admit it to himself but Duo Maxwell was determined to show these people that he was more worthy of their trust and admiration than Frank could ever be.

A band of scraggly children came running over to peer in the open doorway at the curious stranger. The adults remained in the shadows across the quiet little street, eying his every action warily.

"Wha'cha doin', mister?" a dirty-faced little boy boldly asked.

"I'm takin' charge here, kid." Duo faced the kid with a big grin. "I'm gonna make things better for ya'." Stepping outside and looking around he waved to the lurking adults across the street shouting, "I'm here to make things better fer all of ya'!"

The adults retreated deeper into the shadows. "But," the little boy tugged at Duo's sleeve, "What about Mister Frank?"

"Yeah," a tiny girl with a missing front tooth chimed in, "Mithter Fwank tooked care of us. Where's Mithter Fwank?" With that she began to cry. From the shadows an old woman covered from hair to toe in a ragged blanket, slipped the girl under her wrap and, with a withering glance at Duo, spirited her away.

Duo scratched his head, lost in thought. "This is gonna be tougher'n I thought."

* * *

"Whadaya mean, Kilroy?" Duo shouted into the phone, "Just last week you were complaining 'bout too much work and not enough helpin' hands. What's the story?" He fumed and stormed in circles in his empty storefront as Kilroy shouted back through the phone. "Yeah, yeah, yeah! You know I know the REAL reason! Thanks for nothin', ol' buddy!" He slammed the phone down and kicked the wall for good measure. Just then Frank walked in. "Perfect! Just perfect!" Duo sighed talking into the sky, "C'mon in, Frank. Make my day." Duo plopped himself down on a crate and motioned to an incredulous Frank, "Pull up a box and make yourself at home, old buddy . . . old friend . . . old . . . old . . ."

"Duo, are you okay?"Frank eyed him suspiciously and checked the box twice before sitting on it.

"Frank, I'm throwing in the towel. You win."

"What are you ranting about, Maxwell?"

"I've called every guy I know who might have jobs. Suddenly none of them need help. As soon as I mention White Fang, they act like I'm carrying the plague."

"Well, you are. Believe me, Duo, I've been down this street before. The sad part is, I really was starting to think you and the others could pull a miracle out of your hat." He put an arm on Duo's shoulder, "This isn't a contest between us, man. If we don't find a way to help all these people, no one wins."

Duo considered Frank in a whole new light. "Absolutely right, Frank. I've been acting like a . . ."

"Jackass?" Frank volunteered with a mischievous smile.

"Well, that's not quite what I had in mind." He held up his fists ready for a mock fight. Frank obliged. Duo slapped him on the back, "Look here, Fang . . ." Duo suddenly pulled up straight, scratched the back of his head, as shocked as Frank at the new nickname that slipped out, "Whoa! Where'd that come from? Sorry 'bout that, Frank, I . . ."

"It's okay, Maxwell, I kinda like it . . . Yeah," he seemed to be trying it on for size, "Fang!" He flashed a wide, toothy smile, "It sorta fits."

"Yeah, yer right," Duo laughed back, "Fang. So, Fang, whadaya think, if we pull together on this project I think we'll make a whole lot more progress than if we keep going off in different directions."

"That's why I came to you in the first place, Maxwell."

"Right. Just hit me over the head with a two-by-four next time. It'll be quicker and less painful."

"Whatever you say, Maxwell." Frank grinned, "So what's your plan?"

"Well," Duo scratched his head as he thought through the idea just forming, "I figure these guys I'm calling are like me. It'll take some time and some hard facts to bring them around. Why don't you pick out some of your best people and meet me here tomorrow at 8 A.M. sharp. We got a busy day ahead of us, Fang."