The Smallest Pilot

Chapter 5

So, they were to attack at dawn, only unknown to the two of them, that an even newer addition to the list of gundam pilots was to join in as well. However, like I said, it was only unknown. Quatre had went into the caves earlier to reinforce some areas, and widen some too. With the help of refugees who'd been kicked out of the little area to make room for the OZ base, it was easily done without detection. While he did this, Duo ran explosives along the sides of mountains, thanks to a small hang glider type of machine, with foldable wings so he could stand anywhere along the rocky faces he wanted. When all said and done, they were ready for the night that lay ahead.

....

The two Gundams flew silently into the tunnels, and out at the side of the base, which, since it wasn't expected they enter by that direction, no one was there ready to fight the two. They made straight for the supply base, which was under guard, but only light. Duo made quick work of the two mobile suites, before Quatre destroyed it. Just as they were leaving though, there came a huge blast from the other end of the base. It was another gundam, which was currently drawing attention to itself. "Who are you?", Duo asked.

"Don't mind that now, just go! And don't worry, I'll be right behind you two all the way.", Duo said.

So, they were followed by the strange gundam until they got to the safe house, well before dawn. Duo climbed down from his cockpit, and wait for Quatre to go help pick him up. Which he did, and then they both went to meet the other gundam pilot. He didn't seemed too shocked by Duo, actually not at all shocked. "Hello, I'm Quatre Winner.", Quatre said.

"And I'm Duo Maxwell.", Duo introduced himself.

"....", the man looked strangely at him for a second, as though judging whether or not he was real, before turning to Quatre, "You may call me Trowa.... Trowa Barton.",

"Nice to meet you.", Quatre said.

....

For the most part, Trowa ignored Duo completely, unless they were forced to sit at the same table, or something like that, and even then, he was ignored. Duo was starting to get angered by the guy. Until one day.... "Why do you keep ignoring me?!", Duo asked.

"I'm still trying to figure out if you're some mechanical toy, or a hologram.", Trowa simply said, "I've seen plenty of 'small people', like that at the circus.",

"You know what, I'm not one of those 'people', you talked about, I'm a living breathing person, and I even have a way to prove that.", Duo said.

"How so?", Trowa asked.

"I have a heart beat.", Duo explained, "I also have a birth certificate verifying that I'm alive, and not dead.",

"Oh.", Trowa said, going back to work on his gundam.

"That's it, you find out I'm real, and it's just 'Oh'?", Duo asked.

"....", Trowa just remained silent.

"Fine, you can play this game all you want, but you'll see.", Duo warned.

....

The next morning, Trowa woke to find Duo sitting on his bed all cut up, and bleeding. Trowa could tell from the smell, and the way it didn't just seem to drip from him, but, slide from him. "What did you do to yourself?", Trowa asked.

"I.... Said, I was real....", Duo whispered.

"Okay, okay, I believe you, I believe you!", Trowa gasped.

"Good, now you can help me get this rat's blood off of myself.", Duo said, plainly as though it were nothing.

"How'd you do that?", Trowa asked.

"Liquid latex, make-up, and rat's blood with a bit of corn- starch.", Duo sighed, "It's a trick I picked up to keep people from thinking I was still a live.",

Trowa glared at Duo with his one visible eye. "But you believe me now, right?", Duo asked.

"Fine, I believe you, just....", Trowa shiver only slightly, "Don't do that again.",

"I promise upon my pinky finger.", Duo said.

"Well, now that you two have gotten that all nice and settled, Howard's got breakfast ready.", Quatre's voice came from in the hallway.

"He can be awfully quiet when he wants to right?", Duo asked Trowa.

Trowa shrugged, keeping silent himself, before picking Duo up, and heading downstairs.

....

Duo was looking at the bright star- lit sky by himself later that night. 'Do you think if I was... Normal, you would love me?', the sentence hung in the air, reminding him that Heero had left about a month ago today. "I wonder if I'll ever run into him again.", Duo sighted to himself, "I just hope he doesn't get hurt until then.",

Duo gazed up fondly at the stars, then, he seen one of the rarest events a shooting star, and he made a wish, one that would help him in this mood. But, I cannot say what it was or it will never come true for our dear friend.

End Chapter