April 26 AC 201
With an impatient sigh, Lucretzia Noin tossed aside the rough draft of the report she had been writing for the last three hours. Paperwork, she thought, rubbing the back of her neck. I understand why the government wants a full explanation of every mission we complete, but couldn't they afford to make the requirements a little less stringent?
Stretching, she swiveled her chair around until it faced the row of tall windows that comprised nearly one whole wall of her office. The deep blue curtains had been drawn back, and Noin had an unobstructed view of the sprawling city below. A gentle spring rain pattered against the glass, and as she watched a pair of bedraggled-looking doves alighted upon the brightly colored awning of a small shop across the street. With much fluttering and pecking, the two retreated under the slight shelter afforded by the overhanging edge of the roof above. She smiled, watching the two preen their damp wings.
"Slacking off again, Noin?"
Startled, she looked around to see her partner, Cierra Adesa, leaning against the doorframe.
"You know it," Noin responded, rising and stretching a second time. "If I have to look at that computer for one more minute..."
"Is that piece of crap giving you trouble again?" inquired the other woman,
advancing into the room. "I thought you called maintenance this morning."
"Oh, it's working all right now-too well. That's the problem. Actually, right now I'm just editing. Oh, thanks." She accepted one of the two steaming mugs Cierra was holding with a grateful smile. "Something tells me I'm going to be here late."
Setting her own cup down on the desk that faced Noin's, Cierra glanced momentarily at a formidable looking stack of papers, then shook her head and turned
back to her partner. "Just think of it this way-next time, it'll be me doing the report, and you can run the errands." Noin's desk lamp, the only light currently on in the oversized office, sent out a comfortable glow that illuminated Cierra's attractively dark features. The green Preventer uniform became her lean figure well, but was in stark contrast to the varicolored beads that adorned her countless braids.
"that'll certainly be satisfying," commented Noin, sipping her coffee. "Oh, by the way, were you able to find out when Sally and Wufei are due in again?"
"Next weekend, according to Lady Une." She grimaced. "I know I should say Minister or something PC like that, but ever since I became a member of OZ I've thought of her as Lady."
"Don't worry," responded Noin, moving back to her desk. "I still call her Lady in private-she gives me a weird look sometimes, but she's never reprimanded me for it." Frowning, she scrolled down through the document she had been revising, noting that there were still nearly six pages of unedited text. "When does this have to be in by...Monday?"
"Yeah-that'll make five work days since we've been dirtside."
Noin pressed the save icon, carefully allowing the antiquated computer ample time to obey her command before she shut it down. "You know, the coffee was a nice thought but I think I'm done for tonight. I know I said I'd stay late, but I just can't bring myself to concentrate on this stuff any more right now."
"Todd's in this weekend, huh?" inquired Cierra. Noin glanced up sharply, and was more than a little unsettled by her friend's knowing smirk.
"Yes," she replied, guardedly watching Cierra. "Your point?"
"Oh, don't give me that. It's fairly common knowledge that you two have been seeing each other. We're both in our mid-twenties-isn't that a bit old for schoolgirl modesty?" She tossed her head, setting the beads clinking.
A lot you know, Noin Thought, but she said merely, "We're just friends, ok."
Cierra frowned, looking both puzzled and annoyed. "I don't know how you feel about it, Noin, but it's plain as day to anyone who's watched you two together that he's head over ears for you." Her Southafrican accent, dulled though it had been by years of absence from her homeland, lent Cierra's odd phraseology an air of wisdom.
Noin stood silent for a moment, gazing out the window at the raindrops forming tiny rivers that plunged as waterfalls over the edge of the awning across the road. The gentle sound of the rain as it pattered against the Preventer's headquarters created a soothing contrast to the growing disquiet within her.
I don't care for Todd the way Cierra thinks I should-the way he thinks I should, for that matter. He's been a good friend these past few years. It's funny. The man who shot Dekim Barton...I would have guessed he'd have more emotional problems. But he's so pragmatic. I suppose that's why assasinating his leader wasn't very traumatic for him-he saw that Dekim was wrong, and decided to rectify the situation. For him, it was as simple as that.
And yet...after Zechs, and all the turmoil that loving him-I did love him, despite everything-after all the turmoil associated with that relationship, I can't bring myself to consider anyone else as a potential mate. It isn't as though I haven't tried--She nearly laughed aloud, thinking of the list of men she had attempted to become interested in. There's something about his unpredictability...something about the feeling of dangerous power I get when I'm near him. It's odd, since I've seen him at his most powerful, and at his weakest. Something should have replaced that feeling...but it hasn't.
"Noin?"
She turned slowly, and found Cierra watching her. "I'm sorry, Cierra, I just can't."
"What are you apologizing to me for? It's Todd I'd be worried about if I were you."
"He's a pretty level-headed guy. He'll survive."
"You going to tell him soon?"
"There's nothing to tell-we've been seeing one another, but only as friends."
Cierra bit her lip, and Noin wondered if she had a special interest in Todd's well-being. If she has, she could have told me. Without another word, the dark-skinned woman crossed the room and retrieved their jackets from the hook behind the door. Noin accepted hers with a nod of thanks, but made no move to put it on. Instead, she turned back to the window.
"You want a ride home?"
"No thanks. I think I need the walk."
Cierra snorted. "Being jammed together in a shuttle the size of a cheap RV isn't exactly the ideal way to get exercise, huh?"
Noin shook her head.
"You ok?"
"Yeah...just a little tired. See you on Monday?"
"God willing," Cierra smiled mischievously. "This weekend, I'm going to party,
so if I can't think come next week don't worry, it will have been worth it." She waved cheerfully, then disappeared down the hall, the door clicking shut behind her.
Noin stood for a long time, one palm pressed flat against the cool windowpane. Her thoughts were running in several dozen directions at once, and she let them wander for a while, just enjoying the silence. Cierra was a kind woman, and an excellent partner, but she had a need for constant noise that Noin often felt bordered on disruptive.
She hadn't thought about Zechs in a while. At least, not willingly. It wasn't that she resented his actions toward her-she understood him too well for that.
He's a man torn by two pasts. He tried to become two men. It didn't work, and the one must live with the deeds of both. I can understand why Milliard Peacecraft wanted to destroy the Earth. It has traditionally been the breeding ground for wars and dissension. He lost his homeland twice-it's not surprising that in his grief, feeling the lack of a defining identity he wished to rid the universe of what seemed like the cause of all its problems
.
Yet now he realizes that in attempting what he did on Libra, he stooped to the lowest level-used the worst tactics he could have. In doing so, however, he did the world a favor. He demonstrated to the earth and colonies alike that their desire to conquer and bring about peace through the use of force had only resulted in the technology to dehumanize war ant to destroy mankind. All the methods attempted by previous governments-the Alliance's peace through domination and conquest, Treize's attempt to bring about peace through force and revolution, and Romafeller's attempt to rid the world of war through intimidation-it all failed. But Zechs did for the world what he attempted to do for Relena in Antarctica-he showed everyone how dirty and foul war really is. He tried to show me too, when he sent that report about Alex and Muler. She smiled sadly, thinking of her own reaction to that blatant criticism. He knows war, and
he knows soldiers. I just wish he'd come to understand himself better-the part of himself that isn't tainted.
She shook her head, allowing her long bangs to curl down over one eye. "Zechs, you did what your father would have wanted-you brought about peace. The only problem was, you had to betray his memory to do it." Still the rain fell, washing the streets clean of dust and grime, and creating a silvery sheen along the roads. They reflected back the headlights of a hundred cars passing far below, creating a sort of glowing mist.
A light tapping on the dor made her jump. I wonder who it could be at this hour? It's nearly... She glanced quickly at the old-fashioned face clock hanging above Cierra's desk. Six thirty on a Friday night. "Come in."
The door swung open with only the faintest hint of creaking hinges.
Well, at least that's one thing they keep in good condition around here.
A short, rather irritated-looking older woman appeared, framed by the light of the corridor's florescent bulbs. Her rather dowdy dress had the appearance of having been ironed only seconds before, and a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles sat at an all too precise angle atop her nose. Noin groaned inwardly.
I thought this old hag had been replaced. Cierra almost strangled her last time...
"Miss. Noin, there's someone here to see you," announced the woman, in a voice strongly reminiscent of nails being drawn across a chalkboard. "I told him to go away, but he insisted that he simply must see you tonight." There was no mistaking the deep disapproval in the secretary's tone.
Swallowing her own annoyance at the woman's audacity-how dare she send someone away without asking her?-Noin asked, "Did he give his name?"
"No. But he has the most appalling hair-"
"I'm sorry that his appearance doesn't meet with your approval, Margaret. Please send him in."
I wonder if one of the other departments needs a secretary. I'd screen my own phone calls, Cierra's and everyone else's just to be rid of her.
With an offended sniff, the now thoroughly aggravated secretary retreated, making no attempt to close the door. So much for peace and quiet, thought Noin as she strode over to the far wall, where she activated several switches on the lighting panel. Now, in addition to the dim illumination produced by her study lamp, several moderately bright ceiling fixtures began to bathe the room in a comfortable glow. On her way past, she absently kicked the door closed.
No need to make it seem as though I welcome work-related visitors at this time on a Friday Night. I wonder, could it be...
Quelling that thought almost immediately, Noin considered the problem of her secretary. I'm going to have to talk to Cierra and some of the others about registering a complaint. It isn't like this is the first time Margaret's done something like this. Every call or visitor we Preventers get could mean the difference between the calm continuation of peace and a disaster.
Dismissing that problem for the moment, Noin hastily checked her face in the slightly cloudy mirror that hung to the left of her desk. Perhaps it was the imperfection of the glass that made her look so pale.
I should really take more time off. Maybe Sally was right-but I've got so much to do. Besides, I enjoy being in space.
Her appearance hadn't changed much in the five years since the War had begun. Her black hair was still short and somewhat wayward, but Noin found that particular style extremely convenient, since it required little maintenance and did not generally get in her way. She had also lost a little weight, but that could never really be considered a misfortune. .
The heavy wooden door creaked, and Noin looked up to see a tall young man standing just inside her office. His blond hair was swept forward into an almost preposterously pointy bang, and his one visible emerald eye gazed at her speculatively.
"Trowa!" she gasped.
With an impatient sigh, Lucretzia Noin tossed aside the rough draft of the report she had been writing for the last three hours. Paperwork, she thought, rubbing the back of her neck. I understand why the government wants a full explanation of every mission we complete, but couldn't they afford to make the requirements a little less stringent?
Stretching, she swiveled her chair around until it faced the row of tall windows that comprised nearly one whole wall of her office. The deep blue curtains had been drawn back, and Noin had an unobstructed view of the sprawling city below. A gentle spring rain pattered against the glass, and as she watched a pair of bedraggled-looking doves alighted upon the brightly colored awning of a small shop across the street. With much fluttering and pecking, the two retreated under the slight shelter afforded by the overhanging edge of the roof above. She smiled, watching the two preen their damp wings.
"Slacking off again, Noin?"
Startled, she looked around to see her partner, Cierra Adesa, leaning against the doorframe.
"You know it," Noin responded, rising and stretching a second time. "If I have to look at that computer for one more minute..."
"Is that piece of crap giving you trouble again?" inquired the other woman,
advancing into the room. "I thought you called maintenance this morning."
"Oh, it's working all right now-too well. That's the problem. Actually, right now I'm just editing. Oh, thanks." She accepted one of the two steaming mugs Cierra was holding with a grateful smile. "Something tells me I'm going to be here late."
Setting her own cup down on the desk that faced Noin's, Cierra glanced momentarily at a formidable looking stack of papers, then shook her head and turned
back to her partner. "Just think of it this way-next time, it'll be me doing the report, and you can run the errands." Noin's desk lamp, the only light currently on in the oversized office, sent out a comfortable glow that illuminated Cierra's attractively dark features. The green Preventer uniform became her lean figure well, but was in stark contrast to the varicolored beads that adorned her countless braids.
"that'll certainly be satisfying," commented Noin, sipping her coffee. "Oh, by the way, were you able to find out when Sally and Wufei are due in again?"
"Next weekend, according to Lady Une." She grimaced. "I know I should say Minister or something PC like that, but ever since I became a member of OZ I've thought of her as Lady."
"Don't worry," responded Noin, moving back to her desk. "I still call her Lady in private-she gives me a weird look sometimes, but she's never reprimanded me for it." Frowning, she scrolled down through the document she had been revising, noting that there were still nearly six pages of unedited text. "When does this have to be in by...Monday?"
"Yeah-that'll make five work days since we've been dirtside."
Noin pressed the save icon, carefully allowing the antiquated computer ample time to obey her command before she shut it down. "You know, the coffee was a nice thought but I think I'm done for tonight. I know I said I'd stay late, but I just can't bring myself to concentrate on this stuff any more right now."
"Todd's in this weekend, huh?" inquired Cierra. Noin glanced up sharply, and was more than a little unsettled by her friend's knowing smirk.
"Yes," she replied, guardedly watching Cierra. "Your point?"
"Oh, don't give me that. It's fairly common knowledge that you two have been seeing each other. We're both in our mid-twenties-isn't that a bit old for schoolgirl modesty?" She tossed her head, setting the beads clinking.
A lot you know, Noin Thought, but she said merely, "We're just friends, ok."
Cierra frowned, looking both puzzled and annoyed. "I don't know how you feel about it, Noin, but it's plain as day to anyone who's watched you two together that he's head over ears for you." Her Southafrican accent, dulled though it had been by years of absence from her homeland, lent Cierra's odd phraseology an air of wisdom.
Noin stood silent for a moment, gazing out the window at the raindrops forming tiny rivers that plunged as waterfalls over the edge of the awning across the road. The gentle sound of the rain as it pattered against the Preventer's headquarters created a soothing contrast to the growing disquiet within her.
I don't care for Todd the way Cierra thinks I should-the way he thinks I should, for that matter. He's been a good friend these past few years. It's funny. The man who shot Dekim Barton...I would have guessed he'd have more emotional problems. But he's so pragmatic. I suppose that's why assasinating his leader wasn't very traumatic for him-he saw that Dekim was wrong, and decided to rectify the situation. For him, it was as simple as that.
And yet...after Zechs, and all the turmoil that loving him-I did love him, despite everything-after all the turmoil associated with that relationship, I can't bring myself to consider anyone else as a potential mate. It isn't as though I haven't tried--She nearly laughed aloud, thinking of the list of men she had attempted to become interested in. There's something about his unpredictability...something about the feeling of dangerous power I get when I'm near him. It's odd, since I've seen him at his most powerful, and at his weakest. Something should have replaced that feeling...but it hasn't.
"Noin?"
She turned slowly, and found Cierra watching her. "I'm sorry, Cierra, I just can't."
"What are you apologizing to me for? It's Todd I'd be worried about if I were you."
"He's a pretty level-headed guy. He'll survive."
"You going to tell him soon?"
"There's nothing to tell-we've been seeing one another, but only as friends."
Cierra bit her lip, and Noin wondered if she had a special interest in Todd's well-being. If she has, she could have told me. Without another word, the dark-skinned woman crossed the room and retrieved their jackets from the hook behind the door. Noin accepted hers with a nod of thanks, but made no move to put it on. Instead, she turned back to the window.
"You want a ride home?"
"No thanks. I think I need the walk."
Cierra snorted. "Being jammed together in a shuttle the size of a cheap RV isn't exactly the ideal way to get exercise, huh?"
Noin shook her head.
"You ok?"
"Yeah...just a little tired. See you on Monday?"
"God willing," Cierra smiled mischievously. "This weekend, I'm going to party,
so if I can't think come next week don't worry, it will have been worth it." She waved cheerfully, then disappeared down the hall, the door clicking shut behind her.
Noin stood for a long time, one palm pressed flat against the cool windowpane. Her thoughts were running in several dozen directions at once, and she let them wander for a while, just enjoying the silence. Cierra was a kind woman, and an excellent partner, but she had a need for constant noise that Noin often felt bordered on disruptive.
She hadn't thought about Zechs in a while. At least, not willingly. It wasn't that she resented his actions toward her-she understood him too well for that.
He's a man torn by two pasts. He tried to become two men. It didn't work, and the one must live with the deeds of both. I can understand why Milliard Peacecraft wanted to destroy the Earth. It has traditionally been the breeding ground for wars and dissension. He lost his homeland twice-it's not surprising that in his grief, feeling the lack of a defining identity he wished to rid the universe of what seemed like the cause of all its problems
.
Yet now he realizes that in attempting what he did on Libra, he stooped to the lowest level-used the worst tactics he could have. In doing so, however, he did the world a favor. He demonstrated to the earth and colonies alike that their desire to conquer and bring about peace through the use of force had only resulted in the technology to dehumanize war ant to destroy mankind. All the methods attempted by previous governments-the Alliance's peace through domination and conquest, Treize's attempt to bring about peace through force and revolution, and Romafeller's attempt to rid the world of war through intimidation-it all failed. But Zechs did for the world what he attempted to do for Relena in Antarctica-he showed everyone how dirty and foul war really is. He tried to show me too, when he sent that report about Alex and Muler. She smiled sadly, thinking of her own reaction to that blatant criticism. He knows war, and
he knows soldiers. I just wish he'd come to understand himself better-the part of himself that isn't tainted.
She shook her head, allowing her long bangs to curl down over one eye. "Zechs, you did what your father would have wanted-you brought about peace. The only problem was, you had to betray his memory to do it." Still the rain fell, washing the streets clean of dust and grime, and creating a silvery sheen along the roads. They reflected back the headlights of a hundred cars passing far below, creating a sort of glowing mist.
A light tapping on the dor made her jump. I wonder who it could be at this hour? It's nearly... She glanced quickly at the old-fashioned face clock hanging above Cierra's desk. Six thirty on a Friday night. "Come in."
The door swung open with only the faintest hint of creaking hinges.
Well, at least that's one thing they keep in good condition around here.
A short, rather irritated-looking older woman appeared, framed by the light of the corridor's florescent bulbs. Her rather dowdy dress had the appearance of having been ironed only seconds before, and a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles sat at an all too precise angle atop her nose. Noin groaned inwardly.
I thought this old hag had been replaced. Cierra almost strangled her last time...
"Miss. Noin, there's someone here to see you," announced the woman, in a voice strongly reminiscent of nails being drawn across a chalkboard. "I told him to go away, but he insisted that he simply must see you tonight." There was no mistaking the deep disapproval in the secretary's tone.
Swallowing her own annoyance at the woman's audacity-how dare she send someone away without asking her?-Noin asked, "Did he give his name?"
"No. But he has the most appalling hair-"
"I'm sorry that his appearance doesn't meet with your approval, Margaret. Please send him in."
I wonder if one of the other departments needs a secretary. I'd screen my own phone calls, Cierra's and everyone else's just to be rid of her.
With an offended sniff, the now thoroughly aggravated secretary retreated, making no attempt to close the door. So much for peace and quiet, thought Noin as she strode over to the far wall, where she activated several switches on the lighting panel. Now, in addition to the dim illumination produced by her study lamp, several moderately bright ceiling fixtures began to bathe the room in a comfortable glow. On her way past, she absently kicked the door closed.
No need to make it seem as though I welcome work-related visitors at this time on a Friday Night. I wonder, could it be...
Quelling that thought almost immediately, Noin considered the problem of her secretary. I'm going to have to talk to Cierra and some of the others about registering a complaint. It isn't like this is the first time Margaret's done something like this. Every call or visitor we Preventers get could mean the difference between the calm continuation of peace and a disaster.
Dismissing that problem for the moment, Noin hastily checked her face in the slightly cloudy mirror that hung to the left of her desk. Perhaps it was the imperfection of the glass that made her look so pale.
I should really take more time off. Maybe Sally was right-but I've got so much to do. Besides, I enjoy being in space.
Her appearance hadn't changed much in the five years since the War had begun. Her black hair was still short and somewhat wayward, but Noin found that particular style extremely convenient, since it required little maintenance and did not generally get in her way. She had also lost a little weight, but that could never really be considered a misfortune. .
The heavy wooden door creaked, and Noin looked up to see a tall young man standing just inside her office. His blond hair was swept forward into an almost preposterously pointy bang, and his one visible emerald eye gazed at her speculatively.
"Trowa!" she gasped.