Author's Note: Probably didn't expect the last chapter, did you? You all probably don't even now what VX is. Excluding you ShadowMajin. Well, that's explained in this chapter. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing nor do I own anything regarding the plot to Jerry Bruckheimer's The Rock

Warning: Can't think of anything at this moment

Duo Takes Charge

He didn't even get the chance to reach his office that morning. Just as he entered HQ, he had received an order from Une through one of her aides to come to her office immediately, no ifs, ands, or buts.

He didn't know if there would be another bouquet waiting for him, but he wasn't planning to find out.

Most would mistake him for being the type of person that stalled, took his time, played around when work needed to be done. They were only half right. The only reason why he didn't do as much as most people was not because he received less or anything. It was because he finished it early and thus had a lot of free time on his hands. As for the rest of that stuff, that was simply not true. When things were serious, he didn't stall or take his time. He never had much time to waste anyway so it was in his nature to get down to business.

And if anybody else thought otherwise, well he'd just have to prove them wrong to their face then.

He was the first at Une's office, much to the surprise of certain co-workers, but not Une. In fact, it seemed as if she were expecting him. It was merely minutes later that the other pilots trooped in, not registering shock anymore because they had become used to finding Duo there first.

Score another one for Maxwell.

With an efficiency that Duo admired, Une went straight to business. "Last night, there was a "robbery" at one of the military installations in Outer Space. Many guards and on-duty soldiers were killed. The thieves arrived under the guise of an inspection team, coming and going without any problems."

"What was it that they stole?" Quatre asked, voicing the question on their minds.

Une looked straight at Quatre, her eyes intense. That was not a good sign.

"They took, at last count, twenty canisters of VX poison gas and vanished without a trace."

"What is VX poison gas?" Wufei asked, the young Chinese man unfamiliar with the term.

"VX is a nerve gas," Une explained. "Back during twentieth century, some time after the conflict known as World War II, military scientists developed it during the arms race that followed. The gas works by preventing the brain from sending messages down the spinal column. A person will lose control of their muscles and have extreme difficulty in breathing. Convulsions soon follow, and death imminent. It is like motor oil in texture and has the unique ability to linger in an area that it's been detonated in, lasting from a few weeks to months if it's cold enough even." (1)

"Is there anything else? Trowa asked, clearly disturbed.

"Besides the fact that VX is also the deadliest manmade substance that humanity has ever known? Well, one canister detonated can take out the population of a city the size of the Sanc Kingdom and even extend further if the winds are right."

"Do you know who's responsible?" Quatre asked.

"We originally thought it was one General Mortimer Keppel. However, we earlier discovered General Keppel and the original inspection team he was apart of dead. We were able to confirm that he and the team had been long dead before the fake inspection team arrived."

"Where did this all happen?" Duo asked, speaking for the first time.

Une looked down at her papers for a second before answering, "The L2 Cluster."

"L2? What the hell is VX doing there?" Duo demanded, feeling a chill run up his spine. If that stuff had been there when he had been living on the streets back then…

"A few decades ago, the Earth government was trying to decide what to do with all the biological and chemical weapons that humanity had stocked up on," Une explained. "With an 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude, they voted unanimously to send it out into space. They chose to keep it all at L2 just as it was beginning to fall into an economic decline."

"And it's been there ever since, I take it," Duo drawled.

Une spared him a frown but continued nonetheless. "As of this moment, we have no suspects, either individuals or groups. I need for someone to go to L2 and enquire about the situation and who may be behind it."

Duo thoughts paused as he thought about what Une had just said. Go to L2? By God, what was she thinking? Even in today's less violent society, L2 was still dangerous. She couldn't be thinking of just sending anyone there, right? If she was, then he would have to intervene. Whoever would have been the unlucky victim would thank him later. Besides, it would get him out of the office and away from the clueless dumbass that kept sending him roses.

Hmm… Stay here and fight with biological weapons or go to L2 and find chemical weapons… This was a toughy. Oh what the hell was he thinking? He was screwed anyway. Why not get screwed on his own terms?

"I guess I better start packing," he said, getting up from his seat.

Une raised an eyebrow at him, the other pilots giving him surprised looks. Oh great, did they fall under the sway of those damn rumors? Son of a bitch.

"Why would you think you're qualified for this mission?" Une asked.

Duo felt relief flood through him. That was the question she always asked, forcing people to examine themselves if they were fully equipped for such things. Most of the time, the person questioned would back down sheepishly or embarrassed, their attempt at glory thwarted. However, Duo knew why he was qualified. He'd prove it right here and now.

"I grew up on L2," he stated, starting to get on a roll. "I know the culture there, know who to talk to to get any sort of information. Chances are that somebody on the streets was aware of this theft or saw it happen. I also know how dangerous it is and how to keep a low profile. I am skilled in the ways and manners of how to protect myself and others on L2 as well."

Une nodded appraisingly at him, filling him with gratitude. The woman knew how to use her resources well, not letting anything like mere rumors to affect her judgment. "It looks like you get the investigation," she calmly stated.

Score another one for Maxwell.

He gave her a trademark grin and replied, "I won't let you down Une. If there is one thing you can count on, it's Duo Maxwell coming through in a pinch." He took a glance at the others. He noticed Heero was opening his mouth to say something. Oh great, what did the Perfect Soldier want?

However, Quatre beat him to the punch.

"I'd like to go as well," the blonde told Une.

Once again, Une raised an eyebrow, only this time at Arabian. "Why?"

"Well, there might be people who'll only take bribes," he said. His face was turning pinkish, much to Duo's amusement. "If the goal is to keep a low profile, I can use my own money so it doesn't seem as if the Preventers are involved."

"But they already know we're going to be involved," Une calmly stated.

"I was talking about the colonists of L2," Quatre picked up. "They might be more willing to talk if they knew that the money wasn't coming from the Preventers."

Duo had to hand it to Quatre. He did make a little sense. Plus from the look on him, it didn't seem as if he was going to give up on this. He could always use some back-up since the blond was a good shot. Why the hell not? He hadn't failed him yet. And there was all the money he had so he wouldn't have to worry about financial assistance.

"I don't have a problem with him coming along," he said to Une. "It probably would be better if there were two of us going. And Quatre's high status could help get into places that I myself couldn't get into without such assistance."

Une shrugged. "Well, it is your investigation. Take who you need."

He smiled gratefully at Une who gave him a small smile of her own. Ah, that was it. Always looking out for him but knowing when he had to go without supervision.

"I'm coming too."

That voice stopped him cold. Slowly, he turned to look at the owner of the monotone voice, Heero Yuy. The Prussian eyes bore into him with intensity.

"Not this time Heero," he stated. "If this was one of those gung-ho missions where I needed to shoot first and ask questions later, I'd take you in a heartbeat. But this isn't a gung-ho mission and I need answers more than I need dead bodies. Plus you stand out too much. It'd be too much of a liability."

"Oh really?" Heero said, raising an eyebrow. "Everybody knows Quatre's face. If you need to keep incognito, then why are you taking him?"

"It's called disguise," Duo replied. "You know, one of the things I'm good at? When I'm through with him, you'd think he was somebody else."

"Enough," Une interrupted. "As I have said before, this is Duo's investigation and he can choose who he wants to come with him. End of story."

Duo was slightly surprised to see Heero's face turn pleading. Unless one was used to Heero Yuy's emotionless face, one wouldn't be able to tell if there was anything. But Duo had been in his company, more than he cared for, and knew what signs to look for. He really wanted to come, didn't he? Too bad though. Maybe next time.

"I'm taking Quatre and that's it," he said, his decision final. Looking over at Quatre, he went straight to business. "Quatre, I want you to go home and pack only what you need. You have two hours to get ready so hop to it. Une," he began, turning to the woman, "I need two tickets for a flight to L2 today. Not for a flight for tomorrow but today."

"I'm on it," Une replied, taking in Duo's serious demeanor easily. Hey, it wasn't the first time she let herself get bossed around by the braided one. His ideas were good and usually worked. There was only one mishap and that seemed to damage his reputation around here.

"You got all that, Quatre?" he asked.

"Yes, Duo," the blond answered.

"Alright, we're out of here," Duo announced, turning to leave. As he passed by Heero, he noticed the Japanese man was glaring. The glare was not directed at him but to the one who was following after him.

Quatre.

Wait, that reminded him of something.

"Hey Trowa," he called out as he stopped in the doorway, startling Quatre who almost ran into him. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure," Trowa said.

"If I get anymore…deliveries while I'm out, can you take care of them?"

"Sure, but you owe me," Trowa agreed.

"Yeah, yeah," Duo waved off. "Thanks again though, buddy. See you later Wufei."

As Duo left with Quatre following after him, Wufei stared after the braided one. What prompted that?

Had he looked at Trowa, he would have seen a pinkish blush forming.

(1) The scary part about this is that VX does exist. Don't believe me? Google it then.