Prologue 2: Beginning of a Beautiful Partnership
Eric Hoffer: The remarkable thing is that we really love our neighbors as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. We hate others when we hate ourselves. We are tolerant towards others when we tolerate ourselves. We forgive others when we forgive ourselves. We are prone to sacrifice others when we are ready to sacrifice ourselves.
John Stuart Mill: War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.
The energetic Pilot of the Gundam Deathscythe was docked with Howard and other Sweepers on board Peacemillion. Repairs were being made on his Gundam at long last. War against OZ had been raging for many long months now and he had not had a better opportunity to make a major repair to his Gundam.
He had worked with each of the other Gundam Pilots and found them to be satisfactory allies and also a sort of twisted family, although fellowship might have been a more appropriate word at this stage. None of this mattered to the L2 Colony-born Pilot, who lazed against the leg of his Gundam Deathscythe. He was caught up in reading a report from a Sweeper contact who was currently residing in the Shadows of L2. He dew no attention to himself as he read, seeming to almost become a part of his Gundam. This was a talent he had perfected before ever hearing of the Gundams or meeting his controller. He could stand out in a crowd when he wanted, sometimes the best way to hide, or he could be a shadow, a thing people knew was there but that they paid no attention to.
Duo Maxwell had this talent and more. He understood L2 politics which also applied to the Underworld in general. The report that he held clenched in one hand did nothing to ease his worry. If anything he was more agitated than before. L2 was falling to pieces. The economy there was stagnant because the Shadows were stagnant. There was nothing, almost nothing, getting in or out of L2 Colony because of OZ.
The report was clear that L2, the Shadows included, were beginning to give in to the demands OZ was making. He had to prevent the fall of the Shadows at all costs, if only to protect his identity as a Gundam Pilot. He knew that without the Shadows L2 would be more than a festering wound, it would be like a decaying death, the entirety of the cluster. And death spreads, he knew that all too well. Duo did not need to think long or hard before reaching a decision.
It was a simple conclusion for him to reach. Perhaps only simple for him because of what he knew and what he understood, things no one else could or bothered to see. Convincing Howard to allow the Sweepers to help the L2 Underworld, particularly the Shadows posed to be a challenge. Howard was stubborn but Duo was sure that his reasoning powers would be enough in the end. He needed to keep his identity hidden at all costs, Howard was sure to understand that much. And he wanted the help that the Shadows would be able to give to him and indirectly to his controller. Those were two very good arguments that he had to use in his favor and with a few threats Duo was certain that eventually Howard would cave in.
That was the simple part. The terms that he would impose on this arrangement were destined to make Howard put his foot down. He almost considered backing out of his plan until he looked once more at the bleak statements in the last paragraph. He could not back out, not when things were this bad. His plan might very well cost him the only friends he had but some sacrifices had to be made.
"Hey Howie," Duo called out, wiping his hands on a rag as he stood. "Come here for a second."
He watched with minimal anticipation as the man clad in a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses made his way over.
'You don't have a better choice,' Duo reminded himself, keeping his smile of greeting in place. 'Your responsibility is to the colonies and the dead, not one little group of spacers. Pull yourself together damn it!'
"So Kid," Howard adjusted his sunglasses with the tip of a finger. "What's up?"
"I've got a favor to ask you," Duo said. "An important favor."
"More important than fixing up Deathscythe?" Howard attempted a joke to lighten up the somber mood.
"In the long run, yes," Duo remained serious.
"Damn," Howard instantly lost his smile. "It must be important then. Ok, I'll see if I can help you out Kid. Why don't you tell me what the favor is?"
"For now I can only tell you the first part of the favor," Duo gave the man who was the closest thing he had to a father a weak smile. "I need you to have your Sweeper contact in the Shadows get in touch with Shai Ichii for me. I need to speak with Shai about something very important. If he can't get Shai to call me then ask him to get Freddy Daman or his son, Jimmy. No one else."
"How long do I have to make this happen?" Howard asked marking the time on his watch. "And what's the level of priority?"
"Priority is above the repairs to Deathscythe," Duo answered. "And you have until I leave again to make this happen. Can you contact get to Ichii or Daman?"
"My contact is in the Shadows even now," Howard said to the L2 Pilot. "Having him get to Ichii shouldn't be a problem. Are you sure you want to speak with Ichii? He's young and been in power only for 6 years."
"Get me Ichii," Duo insisted. "I know that if he's in this with me he won't back out. He's in all the way once he decides to commit to something. Plus Shai is tough. He had no room for weakness or pity and he doesn't give them either."
"Cold hearted bastard," Howard grumbled. "I'll do my best Kid."
Howard turned and left the repair bay to go to his soundproofed office. Duo was certain that Howard would not fail him.
He started in again on the repairs to his Gundams right leg. The other mechanics joined him, joking and working. He worked mostly in silence, thinking of ways to bring up his proposition to Ichii. He remembered all too well how Ichii had maintained his power, he had been a part of the Trillium (1) after all. And because of that he could afford to be nice to Ichii before he had to get mean.
Ichii did not worry him as much as the other leaders of the Shadows did. Getting them to agree to his plan would be difficult. If Daman came over to his side it could possibly sway the others, the same could be said if it were Kincaid who was willing to join him. Talking with the rest of the leaders would be the most delicate part and would require all his limited bargaining skills. Manipulation was something he had on his side and he doubted that the Shadows would be able to get a better deal from anyone else. Of course it helped that he knew how politics worked there and a little something about each of them and that they knew almost nothing about him.
A few hours later Howard finally reappeared in the hangar. He called out to Duo who instantly stopped his work. He wiped off his hands and came instantly to Howard's side. He did not wish for any of the mechanics to overhear them. If rumors started going around it would not help him when he spoke with Howard later.
"What's the word Howie?" Duo placed his hands on his hips.
"Hey Kid," Howard said in greeting, pulling Duo even further away from the group of mechanics. "Ichii's going to call back to my office in about twenty minutes. According to Jons he's curious about what you want so you're in luck there. Get going Kid, we can talk about this later."
"Excellent work," Duo grinned as he swept past the de-facto Sweeper leader. "And thanks for getting right on it. We'll definitely talk later."
'And I can guarantee you won't like it Howie,' Duo added silently to himself.
He stopped by his room and quickly cleaned himself off as best he could. He donned his familiar battle attire, black priests' shirt with the white collar, black riding pants and black combat boots. With plenty of care he re-braided his hair. Almost without thought he slipped into the role of Shinigami, a role he usually reserved for battle or his missions. Now it would get another use.
Duo felt ready to speak with Ichii. And would the Japanese leader in the Shadows be receiving a surprise from him. He could almost picture Ichii's response. Duo grinned wickedly at the thought.
His confidence that Ichii would see the sense and reason in his proposal was not misplaced. He was doubly confident Ichii would be willing to accept his help although it was open to debate if he would be able to convince the other leaders to do the same. Ichii would at least be able to talk them into a conference call with him and then he would make them see that he was their best chance at survival against OZ. And because he was not OZ they would be more likely to listen and accept him. Duo Maxwell and Shinigami never lie but they do stretch the truth.
He walked down to Howard's office and stepped inside, locking the door behind him. Duo dimmed the lights, as much to set the scene as to keep himself hidden in shadow until the time was right. He allowed only one light to shine directly on him, enough to illuminate his outline, nothing more. It would be the perfect setting in which to tell Ichii that once upon a time he had been called Death's Shadow (2). And also to reveal his new persona of Shinigami.
OZ had made that nickname famous with the authorities and the leaders of the Shadows were bound to have heard of him. Although he doubted that his nickname had been tied to Gundam Pilot 02 as of yet. Still being known was something and a reputation was to be utilized to the fullest whenever possible.
Duo artfully arranged himself in the leather chair behind Howard's desk. He propped his feet up and off to the side on a filing cabinet to give himself the appearance of calm and a touch of arrogance as well. The arrogance he felt, it was natural and for some reason whenever he dealt with the Underworld that arrogance surfaced but the calm he did not feel at all.
This was how he sat waiting for Ichii to call, a call due to come in about three minutes. Knowing Ichii, and the other leaders as he did, he knew that the call would be on time. Ichii was adamant for being on time for all business related things. Duo watched the clock out of the corner of his eye, pretending to himself that time held no consequence to him. Mentally he shoved himself completely into the waiting arms of Shinigami so that Duo Maxwell was almost non-existent.
There was a small part of him that was uneasy at how simple this change came. But he recognized the necessity to adopt his alternate persona, one more dangerous than Death's Shadow had ever been. And the necessity made it easier to accept the change. It was time to associate more than just killing and missions with Shinigami, his past needed to be brought in and his future. The ringing in his ears told him that it was time for the new usage of Shinigami to being.
Shinigami allowed the vid-phone to ring three times before he answered. Ichii's face was instantly on the screen, his eyes taking in the picture before him.
"A tad melodramatic don't you think?" Ichii chuckled slightly. "But I'll listen to what you have to say."
"You owe me at least that much and more," Shinigami stated. "Several years ago I was Death's Shadow. I was the only member of the Trillium that you never met, until now."
"What do you want?" Ichii was instantly alert. "I was never certain it you existed. Now I know otherwise."
"It's not about what I want," Shinigami nearly laughed. "The Shadow's are hurting, badly. And because of that L2 is hurting. I want to help fix that."
"Why should you care?" Shai Ichii stared hard at the shadowy figure.
"L2 was my home," Shinigami replied. "I still know people on the colony, people I don't want to suffer. And I hate OZ."
"You and most of the Underworld hate OZ," Shai Ichii snorted. "How do you plan on helping?"
"With money to being with," Shinigami chuckled. "How much do you Sanchez, Arman, Kincaid and Daman require?"
"I like your proposition so far," Ichii conceded. "But I need to confer with the others before I make you any solid promises. We will call you back within two hours time at this number."
"I'll be here," Shinigami promised the Japanese leader.
Ichii disconnected without a goodbye. He had just assuredly given his word, so Shinigami did not worry about waiting around for a call. If Ichii said two hours that was what he meant.
He remained as Shinigami. There was nearly two hours time until he would need the persona but he chose to stay in battle mode. He ruled supreme from the inside of Howard's office, appropriating it for his personal use considering the delicate negotiations he had taking place. The Sweeper crew gave him a wide berth when he came out to grab a few things from his room. They all recognized the signs that he was in battle mode and they all knew that if anything they did pissed him off it could end up in disaster. What made them more careful than this knowledge was that when Duo went back to being Duo he would regret causing any Sweeper harm. But Shinigami would not hesitate to strike, Duo just had to live with the results.
'Howard never could leave well enough alone,' Shinigami reflected.
He looked at the picture on the wall. It had been taken only six months after he had been with the Sweepers many years ago. The picture was of him and Howard, almost like a father and a son.
'But you're nobody's son,' He reminded himself. 'This has to be done.'
Howard stood before Shinigami, prepared to face his displeasure. Anger could be a very powerful motivator.
"You're going to promise them Sweeper transports?" Howard raged. "Are you insane? You don't have the authority here to do that."
"I will be offering transports, yes," Shinigami confirmed with a sigh. "But you're not looking at this situation the right way. You don't see –"
"I see well enough Kid," Howard cut him off. "And I won't have it. The Sweepers may be related to piracy but even we have our standards."
"Consider this old man," Shinigami tilted his chair back, watching Howard from under lidded eyes. His tone was icy, causing a shiver to run along Howard's spine since that particular tone had never been used on him before. "I'll leave here tonight as Shinigami and the next time we meet will be too soon. I will wash my hands of the Sweepers."
"Are you threatening me?" Howard demanded, using some of his remaining courage. "Over a bunch of crime lords who never gave you the time of day until you became a Gundam Pilot? I see how it is Kid."
"You don't see," Shinigami repeated his earlier words. "I need this alliance Howard. They know my identity and I need to keep that a secret from OZ for as long as possible. And the Underworld will be beholden to me, not to G or any other controllers. I don't trust G."
"I admit those are valid points," Howard said. "But does it have to involve the Sweepers?"
"Who else can I use?" Shinigami asked. "Who else has to knowledge or the technology?"
"Ok, ok," Howard finally said. "What do you need? I'll try my best to help you Kid. And you're right about not trusting G completely, he's acting stranger than usual."
"Don't I know it," Shinigami brought the chair down hard on its front legs. "Some of these past few missions are making me think that he doesn't want me to come back all in one piece. I need some Sweeper ships with our most advanced cloaking shields to act as transports. Are you willing to do this?"
"Of course," Howard sighed. "For now I can only promise some of the smaller transports for their use. The bigger ships you'll have to hold off on."
"Thanks Howie," Shinigami gave a small smile. "Ichii will be calling back soon. I need to be ready."
"All right," Howard turned toward the door. "But try to make sure that they're willing to share. I can only get them ten small ships for now."
"I'll try," Shinigami promised.
Shinigami watched, almost detached from his surroundings, as Howard left the room. The old man shut the door firmly behind him, ensuring privacy and security. He was relieved that Howard had agreed without much of a fight. That was the second part of the favor he had to get out of the way, the last part was sure to blow a major fuse in Howard.
'You're committed now,' He reminded himself. 'Backing out isn't an option.'
A small part of his mind once again sent out a panic alert which he quickly stopped and ignored. He was still in Shinigami mode and a part of him kept disagreeing with how easily he remained in it, still not used to the new persona he had created. He knew that he was performing a necessary task so it was acceptable for him to remain in battle mode. But Shinigami was going to earn a new reason for existing.
'No time for thinking about this shit,' He thought angrily to himself. 'You need this mask to deal with the leaders. They can't sense any weakness or indecision on your part. Shinigami will make sure of that. With Shinigami you've got no problems. You're just paranoid.'
Shinigami quickly had himself back under control, calmly leaning back in the leather chair. He pulled the black ball cap that Howard had brought him, low over his eyes. His stage was once again set and he was ready to dangle his promises over the heads of the five leaders. He grinned evilly at the thought, wondering who would be the most eager to go for his bait and who would be the toughest one to convince that he was sincere. It did not really matter to him who thought he was sincere but he hoped that Ichii and Daman, for obvious reasons, would be the ones to be on his side. Ichii, being the most cautious of the five, would make a heavy impact on any who might be unsure. Daman, meanwhile, was the best at making good and shrewd business deals. Having them both by his side should be more than enough.
The vid-phone began its familiar chirp, once again he allowed it to ring a few times before answering. He made sure the lights were still dimmed.
"Hello Shinigami," Ichii was the first to greet him. "I call as promised with the rest of my colleagues present."
The vid-screen was split into five sections. In each section was one of the five leaders, all of whom were in different places and all of whom were staring intently at him.
"Hello Ichii, Daman, Arman, Kincaid and Sanchez," Shinigami smiled at them. "Have you reached a decision yet or do you have some questions for me?"
"We have some questions for you first," Daman spoke for the group. "I trust you have no objections about answering them?"
"I'll try my best to answer all your questions," Shinigami replied. "But I make no promises."
"Understood," Daman said. "All we can ask is that you answer as best you can. I'll ask the first question. Why did you chose us? It would have been much simpler for you to go to other people."
"I grew up on L2," Shinigami answered easily. "I still have some loyalty to my roots which includes the Shadows. That is why I came to you first with this offer."
"Fair enough," Arman's gray eyes were impassive. "What can you offer us besides money?"
"Ten small Sweeper transport ships," Shinigami tilted his head to the side. "They all come equipped with full stealth and cloaking devices. Also shields. They will be piloted by Sweepers who are loyal to me and know how to keep their mouths shut no matter what they see or hear. They won't get caught by OZ or anyone else."
"What do you require in return?" Sanchez folded his hands.
"Information and supplies," Shinigami grinned again.
"What sort of information?" Arman narrowed his eyes at the word. "You need to be more specific."
"You mean you haven't figured me out by now?" Shinigami smirked. "I was over hopeful that OZ would have plastered my nickname and story all over the colonies by now. Gentlemen it shouldn't be that difficult to deduce my identity. Perhaps seeing my face will help you to remember since all of you met me at one point about two years ago?"
Shinigami turned the lights up several settings. Now each of them could see the long brain falling over his shoulder and into his lap. They all saw the priests shirt. And everyone of them could see the shadowed grin made even more menacing by the black cap.
"Still don't recognize me?" Shinigami asked with a small sigh. "I'm not much in the mood for games so I'll spare you the twenty questions for today."
With a tiny flourish he sent the cap flying. Each of the five leaders privately agreed his grin was more menacing in full view. Both Arman and Sanchez paled slightly to Shinigami's great delight. Kincaid merely smiled in a knowing sort of way although he like the others was surprised to find a Gundam Pilot giving them aid.
"I hope now that things are a little clearer for you," Shinigami returned Kincaid's smile. "Although we can still play your game of twenty questions if you wish."
"Things are much clearer," Ichii nodded looking over to Daman briefly. "I don't believe further questions will be necessary."
"You're the most loyal symbol of and to the Shadows," Kincaid finally spoke. "The people here have already begun myths about you. They talk about how you'll kill off OZ mobile suit by mobile suit if necessary."
"I'll do what needs to be done to win and stop them," Shinigami chuckled briefly. "But now comes a serious question that will determine each of your futures. Are you in or out?"
"I'm most definitely in," Daman smiled. "This is far too interesting a deal for me to pass up."
"I enjoyed you from the beginning," Ichii said lightly. "And there was that other thing we spoke of. Now I am more firmly in agreement for helping you. You can count on me."
"As the head of the Kincaid Family," Kincaid the red-headed Irishman grinned. "You have me in this venture. Anything you need in explosives let me know."
"I'll keep that in mind," Shinigami murmured softly. "Will the other two speak?"
"I'll join you in this," Sanchez said. "But I'm still a little skeptical. At this point in time it is best to join you."
"You may count on me as well," Arman was the last to speak. "We already owe you. I feel no shame in accepting your offer of help."
"If we're all agreed," Shinigami looked at each of the five leaders. "You can use Howard, the leader of the Sweepers, to pass on any messages to me for now. None of the five scientist-controllers are to know of this alliance. Likewise I will not tell any of the other Pilots of this. And does anyone have any suggestions on someone from the Shadows I can use as a helper? Someone who's quick enough to keep up with me?"
"I know just the man," Daman said. "He goes by the name of Viper but his real name is Jenkins. He's got a nearly flawless memory and a good head for math."
"I've heard of Viper," Ichii casually leaned back in his seat. "He's very discreet and good at what he does."
"I'll take him on then," Shinigami let them know. "Make all the proper arrangements through Howard. I need to get some sleep. I just finished a bombing run yesterday and repairs on my Gundam a little before my conversation with Ichii."
"You should have said something sooner," Kincaid's lilting baroque was soothing on Shinigami's nerves. "We would have been slightly more agreeable if we'd known who you were at the beginning."
"That would have ruined the surprise," Shinigami rolled his eyes.
"I like you already," Daman laughed.
Shinigami watched as Ichii hit a button. The other four disappeared leaving Shinigami alone with Shai Ichii.
"I thought you said we never met before," Ichii reminded him.
"When I was a part of Trillium I said that we never met," Shinigami smirked. "I never said anything about after that time and you never asked."
"Fair enough," Ichii gave him an amused look. "Fair well for now Shinigami."
Ichii disconnected the link and Shinigami let him go without complaint. Tiredly he staggered to his feet, at last succumbing to his exhausted state. It had been over three days since he had last been able to sleep for more than two hours out of the day. And he had not bathed for at least that long. He relinquished his battle persona easily and willingly.
When he stepped out of the office he was Duo Maxwell, in search of a hot shower and a good long sleep. He was secured in the knowledge that he had a damn good fall back plan should the good controllers ever decide to drop the Pilots like a bad cold. Duo Maxwell and Shinigami had no plans for allowing that to work when it finally happened.
(1) Trio of assassins hired by Ichii
(2) Duo's nickname in the Trillium
Trillium
"Shit!" The young Duo heard a frustrated voice.
Curious he looked out into the alley. He tensed, sensing trouble. He cocked his head and heard the faint wailing of alarms from one of the buildings.
"Damn it Uzi!" A youth older than him with blond hair around his shoulders exclaimed. "I can't get this door open! Fuck! I'm not leaving you here to get busted."
Duo flitted in and out from behind boxes, making his way closer. He patter his braid feeling the picks tucked within its familiar folds. They had been Solo's picks and Solo had been the best until he had trained Duo. After a year Duo has surpassed even the Prince of Thieves.
He studied the teenage boy before him. Silently and quickly he darted out into the open, exposing himself to attack. He was sure that this youth would not beat him or do anything worse. Instinct had honed him into becoming an almost invisible person but it was something he could peel away when he needed. He came up and stopped just out of arms reach of the teenage boy.
"How long ago did the alarm go off?" Duo asked.
The teenager turned on him, "Why? You gonna watch the cops haul him off or something?"
"Just tell me how long its been going off," Duo rolled his eyes.
"Two minutes," The teenager answered.
"Ok," Duo frowned. "Got about three to five minutes until the cops get here. Picked a bad building to rob. Let me near the lock."
His slender fingers had already taken the picks from his braid. The teenager moved aside for him. Duo got to work. Nearly two minutes later he had the lock open. The teenager nearly knocked him off his feet to get the door opened.
"Come on," Duo said urgently looking around them. "They'll know the lock got picked and you're on the run. We need to go now."
"Shit," The stranger who had been trapped in the building said. "We don't know this area Lanny. We're in deep shit."
Duo shook his head.
"You should have scouted the area better," Duo said and saw blood on the strangers hands. "Especially before you commit murder. Stay close to me, I'll see what I can do."
"What can you do squirt?" The no-name said with a bark of laughter.
"I got that door open for you," Duo said. "And I know the area. I'm leaving now. They'll be here soon and I'm not going to get caught."
"We got no other options and he knows Uzi," Lanny pointed out.
Duo paused for only a second more and saw in satisfaction that Uzi and Lanny were following after him. He led them through a maze of alleyways and condemned buildings where their footing had to be precise or they risked falling through. After that he led by instinct and his own sense of direction. He kept going, pausing only to occasionally listen for any noises not belonging to the early morning streets.
On one such pause he tensed up. He looked fearfully behind them and swallowed nervously. He looked at the two boys.
"What?" Uzi challenged.
"Did either of you drop anything or piss back there?" Duo asked peering into the darkness.
"Yeah," Lanny whispered. "I took a piss."
Duo nodded. Understanding filled Uzi's eyes. He studied the two of them and decided to give them a choice. Before he could an ear piercing scream filled the heavy stillness. All of them went stiff at the sound.
"They're got dogs and they're letting them track us free," Duo looked at them both. "I've been living in that alley for two days so they've definitely got a scent on me and one on Lanny here. We can separate. I'll take Lanny with me and give you a chance to get away free."
"I'm not leaving Lanny to the dogs," Uzi insisted. "I'm going with you both."
"A lot of people wouldn't," Duo shrugged. "I'm gonna pick up the pace so stay close."
He took off running through the shadows like he was one himself. He ran them in and out of alleys and buildings for nearly an hour. The braying of the dogs got closer. Suddenly he ran towards a storm drain and lifted away the grating. Lanny and Uzi made no fuss about going down into the sewer. He followed after, chaining the grate in place. He took them through the maze of pipes. They came out in the Shadows, a safe haven since they were too far in for the dogs and police to give them much trouble.
Uzi and Lanny took him back to their hotel room to let him bathe in an actual shower stall, something he had not done for over a year. That night he slept on the floor inside a building that was not condemned.
He woke early and would have slipped away had Uzi not already been awake. Duo sat up watching Uzi watch him. He did not feel uncomfortable about Uzi or Lanny being so much older than him. He could almost hear Solo telling him to make a run for it but he stayed somehow knowing that Uzi wanted to talk to him.
"Kid," Uzi said finally breaking the silence. "Would you be willing to work with us? I know you're young but I thought I might as well offer."
"I got no problem with that," Duo answered. "What do you want me to do?"
"Get us in and out of places to get our marks," Uzi folded his hands. "Like you did yesterday."
"If I'd been there that damn alarm would never have gone off," Duo said. "But yeah, I'm in."
"Who taught you to pick locks?" Uzi rested his head on his hands. "You're too damn good not to be a thief."
"I am a thief," Duo responded. "But the gangs around here make it too risky an occupation. I only steal food and medical stuff for the little kids around here. I ran with Solo's gang. Solo taught me and when I got better than him at picking locks he gave me his best set."
"Solo," Uzi repeated the name. "That name sounds familiar."
"People called him the Prince of Thieves," Lanny's sleep laden voice called out. "Heard he died in the plague about a year ago. "That true?"
"Yeah," Duo nodded. "I wasn't able to steal the vaccine in time. He made me do all the kids first."
"You survived and you were in the worst area," Uzi's eyes were closed off. "Damn lucky."
"No," Duo denied. "It's not luck. Death passes me by all the time and takes others around me."
"Me and Uzi got it the same," Lanny told Duo. "Kissed by Death but never taken. It's why we're not afraid to stick together. We know we won't die because we hang around together."
"If you're not afraid of Death I'll work with you," Duo glanced at them both. "And I won't leave you behind. Shinigami and Duo Maxwell never lie."
"So you're the one breaking into Kincaid's building," Uzi looked at him with some awe. "If he ever catches you he'll kill you for sure."
"And Daman's building as well," Lanny added. "Although Daman would probably be impressed with you."
"They wouldn't kill me," Duo said.
"What makes you so certain?" Lanny asked.
"It's my secret," Duo stood. "Hey Lanny do you have any hair ties?"
And so the months passed. They did jobs for whoever could pay. The only stipulation was the no one ever met Duo. Each of them answered to nicknames to keep their identities from the authorities. Lanny became the Hunter, Uzi the Killer and Duo was called Death's Shadow. Their group was name the Trillium, three parts in one. A symbol to never leave an ally behind and that each one of them were equal in everything they did. Business was good, performance on their part nearly flawless and Trillium's reputation great after each passing job. They became so good that the young Shai Ichii of the Shadows hired them for a long list of assassinations.
"I heard there were three of you," Shai Ichii looked over Killer and Hunter. "Where is the third?"
"Death's Shadow never meets with the living," Hunter shrugged. "No matter how much power they command."
"He doesn't wish to be known," Killer added.
"Yet he works with the living," Shai observed.
"Death has marked the two of us," Killer answered the unspoken challenge. "We aren't without Death's mark."
"And there's no way he'll meet with me?" Shai raised a single brow. "I can sit across from the illustrious Hunter and Killer but I can't even speak to Death's Shadow?"
"The only people now who see him die," Hunter gave a small smile. "That's how he wants it. I'm sure he'd meet with you but only if you were to die. Until he changes his policy I wouldn't push it."
"Will the Trillium work for me?" Shai folded his hands. "Long term?"
"Yes," Killer answered. "Only because we all agreed on this. We support your claim to the Ichii leadership and Trillium can't be bought or frightened off."
"You're like ghosts," Shai murmured. "How do I keep in touch?"
"Let us worry about that," Killer said.
Ichii merely smiled.
"Thank you for your support," Shai looked at them both in turn. "I'm sure I'll find it most helpful to the furthering of my cause."
And Shai Ichii did find Trillium's support as a good furthering of his cause.
It was the last job Trillium ever did together. The Hunter and Killer remained on L2. Death's Shadow chose not to seek payment from Ichii, deciding to wait for a time when he would have more need of it.
All of them went on to bigger things. But the young often out-shadow the old and it was no different with Death's Shadow.