Author's Note: It's time for a change of scenery. If you thought this was going to be all about Duo and Solo, well, there is other stuff that can also be explored that doesn't involved the two directly. This chapter is such and it gets back to a more serious demeanor. As a warning, there are a few more chapters similar to this one so this is not a one time deal. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.

Warning: A little swearing and certain oblivious people.

Briefing

Another day, another mission. That what it was to Wufei Chang on this particular day. Nataku, sometimes he wished that the populace of the Earth and Colonies would take care of themselves. Nataku knew that he and the other pilots would be here forever. When they ultimately died, who would take up the fight and protect humanity from the wars that plagued it so?

Stifling a sigh, Wufei refocused back to the matter at hand. Currently, he, Yuy, and Barton were in a briefing room. It was in this miscellaneous room where the Gundam pilots, minus Winner, received and assigned missions to one another. The only other person present was Director Une who observed the proceedings and giving recommendations to the pilots for each mission. Each mission varied and all of them there judged who would qualify best for which mission. Lately, it seemed as if things were quieting down, a lull in the otherwise hectic life of a Preventer and ex-Gundam pilot.

'Next is mission M2-1097," Yuy intoned, picking up another manila folder. Wufei listened halfheartedly once he learned of the main objectives of this particular mission. It was a stealth and infiltration mission, gathering information only. Stealth was the main objective, meaning the assigned pilot would have to go in and out undetected, getting as much information on a suspicious area. Stealth was not Wufei's forte, so he knew he wasn't going to be involved with it.

As soon as Yuy finished, they all looked up at Une for her council. Strangely enough, the woman had a creased brow, as if she was thinking very hard on what to say. This was odd because Une always spoke immediately once the mission statement was finished. A few minutes passed uneasily before Une began to speak.

"I believe that Agent Barton would be best suited for M2-1097. His experience in infiltration would be best suited for this."

Barton raised an eyebrow (that could be seen) and Yuy simply blinked. "Permission to speak, Director Une," Yuy's monotone voiced.

Une sighed. Ever since Heero Yuy had joined the Preventers, he had begun acting as if he was in the military. Always asking to speak was only the tip of the iceberg.

"Permission granted, Yuy. You can always speak, Heero, when you need to. You don't need to keep asking such questions."

Yuy simply nodded. "I suggest that we give M2-1097 to 02 instead of 03. 02 specializes in stealth and would be more suited for this."

It sounded reasonable. Wufei was always curious as to how someone as loud as Maxwell was, be able to sneak up on anybody, including himself. Hell, Maxwell had once, during the wars, snuck up quietly on both Yuy and Barton at the same time! None of them had been able to figure out how he had managed to do that when both Yuy and Barton's sense of hearing was above average. None had been able to emulate how Maxwell did it either.

"I'm afraid that that is not possible at this time," Une replied.

"Why is that?" Barton asked, his tone giving away nothing of what he thought.

"Yes, why can't 02 take this mission?" Yuy asked.

"He is unavailable," Une answered, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Is he on a mission?" Yuy continued.

"No, he is not."

"Then what's his excuse this time?" Wufei demanded. Honestly, how had someone like Maxwell become a Gundam pilot in the first place?

Une gave them all a funny look as they awaited her answer. Sighing, she spoke, "As of three weeks ago, Duo Maxwell is no longer a Preventer. He handed in his resignation forms along with a request to keep his whereabouts remain unknown. He has only contacted me once since his resignation to give me the address of his new living quarters. He once again requested that no one else know of this new address."

The three ex-pilots stared at Une.

"What do you mean he resigned?!" Wufei demanded, rage boiling inside of him. "Does that braided fool think that the work is too hard or something? Get his ass back in here, now!"

"I can't do that Chang. Maxwell is a civilian now. According to the law, I can't do anything to force or coerce him back into the Preventers."

"The fact remains that we need 02 for this. Barton already has a few missions lined up. He can't take anymore without jeopardizing his health and his life."

"I understand, but there is nothing I can do."

"Then tell us where to find him," Wufei snarled. "We'll get him back, even if we have to drag him back screaming like a woman."

Une's sharp glare stopped him from continuing.

"What were his reasons for resigning?" Barton asked. Though he kept his expression neutral, the tenseness of his body revealed that he was troubled by this.

"His reasons were that he was being underutilized. He claimed that for the past three years he had received no work, no missions, or anything constructive."

Wufei snorted. Underutilized? Who did Maxwell think he was?

"I looked into his allegations afterwards, to see if his claims were accurate," Une continued. "His claims were indeed on the mark. There were no missions assigned to him nor was he given any form of paperwork to fill out. For the past three years, he's done nothing but check in and out of the office and sit at his desk with nothing to do. In all that time, only a few employees had seen what Maxwell's office looked liked. I can count the amount on one hand. Their stories were all the same. The walls were barren, his desk empty. The only forms filled out by Maxwell were the paperwork he needed to fill out when he first signed on to the Preventers and the resignation form. I was about to give him his first assignment when he cursed me out and left the building. None of it was flattering and I have to admit that I don't want to be in that position again."

The others just stared at her again. Yuy frowned before he spoke. "Would you mind if I investigated 02's claims?"

"Go right ahead, Yuy. As for M2-1097, my recommendation stills stands."

"Where is Maxwell?" Wufei demanded again.

Une sighed again. "I thought we went over this already. If you want to find him, ask yourself this: where would be the first place he would go?"

"What kind of a question is that?"

"The only clue I can give you without breaking confidentiality. As for the question, it only requires what you know of Duo Maxwell."

Wufei raked his mind to see what he could come up with. It was only then that he realized that he knew nothing. He knew nothing about Maxwell's past and from the looks of Barton and Yuy, both were drawing up the same conclusion.

Duo Maxwell was the loudest and most optimistic of the pilots and yet he was also the most mysterious. Who was Duo Maxwell anyway? After all this time they had finally realized they knew nothing of pilot 02.

Nothing at all.