I'm so SORRY!!!!!! Please don't give up on this fic!!!!!! I'm working on it, I promise!!!!!!!

I'm really sorry about how long it took me to update! I won't get into the numerous reasons, but I hope the wait hasn't discouraged any of you and I really, really hope y'all haven't given up on this story. I'm really trying to get back on track, so bear with me. This story is important to me and I really want to finish it. Thanks for sticking with me and the story!

AN:  Apparently I made a few mistakes with regards to Wufei—for which I humbly apologize thank those who corrected me—but that just goes to show how much I actually paid attention to Wufei during the series. At least I didn't give in to the urge to do some character bashing (and I was sorely tempted).

Episode reference: Episodes 5, 6, 7, and 8 Still Grows the Lilac

Part II of the Lilac Princess

Chapter 12

Operation Daybreak

Zechs Merquise and his comrade, Lieutenant Lucretzia Noin, leaned against the hanger wall observing the latest round of repairs to the mobile suite prototype Tallgeese. Repairs had been delayed in the first few weeks following the attack on Lake Victoria Academy as all available hands were needed to clear rubble and assist in the salvage operation. Now, time was running out. Zechs had hoped to be able to use Tallgeese in the coming weeks, but as things stood, that would not be possible. It would, however, be possible to use the suit in another upcoming operation. Zechs rubbed one gloved palm with the other. Home. Soon he would be going home.

"I'm counting on you Otto."

"Leave it to me, sir." Otto called down from the left shoulder of Tallgeese. The older man had taken personal charge of the repairs. "The staff here are all highly skilled. I'll make sure it gets finished on time, sir."

"Are you absolutely positive this twenty year old suit is going to be any use to us?" Noin's soft voice was in stark contrast to the harsh sounds echoing through the hanger.

"It's probably more advanced than any OZ mobile suit currently available."

"You're kidding." Noin looked up at the antiquated machine skeptically and scoffed. "No way."

"Think about it. This Tallgeese is the prototype for all mobile suits, even the Gundams."

"The Gundams?"

Zechs nodded and Noin looked back at Tallgeese. True, it was a well-designed machine, but could it truly compete with a Gundam? In spite of its superior strength, and surprisingly advanced software, there were still outdated elements that had to be replaced or upgraded before the suit could be used. Then there was the question of whether a pilot could even handle such a beast. According to the diagnostics and simulations run over the past weeks, the suit was originally designed to be piloted and controlled through the assistance of a remote programmer. The alterations Otto and his team were making would eliminate the need for a third operator, but the question remained: could a lone pilot control Tallgeese? 

Noin ventured a side way glance at Zechs. If anyone could pilot that machine, it was him. She smirked a little at the hint of a grin lurking around his mouth. He was leaning casually against the wall, as she was, but his body language and what she could see of his facial expression, suggested an almost arrogant sense of confidence. He fought many personal demons, but Zechs never doubted his abilities in a mobile suit. Neither did Noin.

"Lieutenant Zechs. You have a call."

            Zechs nodded and excused himself as Noin continued to watch the technicians and engineers crawl over the large, white mobile suit. She half-wished that she could be up there with them, but knew she could not afford to get caught up in that endeavor. She had other things to worry about. Re-training, being cleared on every mobile suit model in service, and other activities to increase her strength and tactical abilities were her first priority now. Noin was in a full press to get herself back to where she was a year and a half ago. Back to battle form and away from the teacher she had become.

Since the attack on the school, her teaching duties were forfeit in favor of a more active role in the base itself. Not that she would have had much to do at the school anyway. Fifty percent of the compound was destroyed, most of the students were dead. The survivors were sent home, injured, or reassigned to other schools for the rest of the semester. Noin was glad that her current duties rarely required her to return to the campus compound. She didn't think she could bear the sight of the mound of rubble that once housed her students.

Lieutenant Noin left the hanger and headed towards the simulation bunker. Noin spent the few minutes it took to get to the bunker and change into a flight suit to psyche her self up. Her training has been tentative at first, but she soon found herself reverting to the old battle instincts that had lain dormant for so long. Her motivation, at first, was to avenge her dead students, but as time wore on and His Excellency's plans began to come to fruition, Noin's focus shifted. She was getting better, stronger, but she still had a long way to go and she was determined to be at peak performance by the time her skills were needed. Soon she and other OZ officers like her would finally step forward to fulfill the promises they made to His Excellency and the world when they pledged themselves to the Specials.

=======================

"Is this a complete account, officer? Have the numbers finally been confirmed?"

"Yes, Lady Une," the Specials officer replied nervously, "all have been accounted for, survivors and casualties."

Une dismissed the annoying lieutenant and walked back into her office, making quite certain that the door was closed and locked behind her. She walked slowly to the desk and sat down heavily in the smooth, leather chair. She reread the report still clutched tightly in her hands. Two hundred and thirty-four Lake Victoria Academy cadets dead. She held a complete list of names in her hand. It wasn't supposed to end like that. Her plan had been to sacrifice the mobile suit factory.

The rebels attacked the barracks but left the suits intact, all save a cursory transport that managed to foolishly take off after the attack. Why leave the suits and kill the pilots? What sort of soldiers were these people? From a military standpoint, it was a foolish decision. As long as the suits were in tact, soldiers could be found to pilot them. In theory, people are expendable. It is the costly technology that must be protected. Not to mention the fact that it totally ruined her carefully laid plan.

The attack on Lake Victoria had been expected, counted on in fact. As the major factory for new mobile suit designs, it was the next logical target. Ostensibly, LV base was the primary source for Space Tauruses and other new designs. In reality, it was a decoy. The real manufacturing hub was located on the Australian continent well hidden in bush country. Lake Victoria base was set up as a working and successful testing and manufacturing facility for no other reason than to attract attention and divert public scrutiny from the real mobile suit stock piles in Australia.

For the past three months, two secret manufacturing bases had been in full operation, cranking out the new Taurus models twenty-four hours a day. The loss of the Victoria plant would seem to be a blow, but in reality did not seriously effect the number of battle-ready suits in OZ's arsenal. The plan had been two-fold. First, the enemy would assume that the loss would cripple the Specials. This, in turn, would lull the enemy into a false sense of superiority, which could be exploited. Second, it would sway public opinion in their favor. Both aspects of her plan worked, the latter being much more than expected given the staggering number of deaths. Casualties had been expected, of course, but she had estimated no more than sixty or seventy. Two hundred and thirty-four young pilots was not what she had in mind.

Two  hundred and thirty-four innocents…

They weren't innocent. They were soldiers.

They were children…

They committed their lives to serving His Excellency.

They were looking for something to believe in…

They were looking for glory.

Just like me.

Just like me.

            Une stood wearily and straightened her uniform. His Excellency was expecting her report. She walked briskly towards Mr. Treize's suite. Her boot heels clacked in a steady rhythm, the sound echoing through the marbled halls of the grand mansion her commanding officer used for his base of operations and private residence. She arrived at the massive oak doors leading to his private quarters and knocked. A resonate, placid voice gave permission for her entrance and the Lady stepped inside.

            Une gave a slight bow and greeting, assiduously ignoring the fact that His Excellency was in the midst of disrobing. His obligatory Romefellar uniform lay in a careless heap on a nearby chair. Une made a mental note to have the uniform picked up immediately and sent to the cleaners. She also noted the sad state of the brass buttons and vowed to polish those herself. The servants never could seem produce the luster Lady Une preferred.

            "Your report, Lady?" Treize Kushrenada asked in the same low, even voice he maintained for every situation. He could order an assassination and a cup of tea in the same voice, with the same casual, dismissive tone. His voice, as his ideals, never faltered.

            "Yes, Excellency." As Treize finished undressing and shrugged into a robe, Lady Une read out the details of the final report on the Lake Victoria Academy attack. If His Excellency was as shocked by the numbers as Une had been, he showed no indication. His only response was a calm, "Hmm" and the order to commandeer two Alliance school facilities to train the displaced Specials Cadets. His mind was working at twice the speed of his words, Une could tell. He always squinted just so when he was forming a plan or analyzing how best to turn a situation to his advantage.

            "I want an additional one hundred recruiters sent out to pick new Specials candidates. Make certain that the media follows up on this story regularly with a special emphasis on the age of the students who died. It might be prudent to give some of the students permission to share their stories with news correspondents, as well. Our public image has improved considerably since the attacks began and we have the opportunity to increase our numbers significantly. Not to mention the fact that our new popularity will fit in nicely with the upcoming operation. I believe the public will be all the more willing to accept the change of leadership."

            As he spoke, the duke walked out of his suite towards the classical style bathhouse that housed his hot tub. Une followed, making a few notes as to how best to carry out His Excellency's orders and mentally admiring the ease of the man's ability to see the situation as a potential gain. She had been caught up in her own failure and the sheer tragedy, unable to see past the number of dead. His Excellency, on the other hand, did what he did best. Used an unexpected turn of events to his own advantage.

            The pair arrived at the ornate marble bath house. She took the silk robe as His Excellency slipped it off and allowed herself to watch as the young man slowly sank into the warm, bubbling water. It was fitting, Une thought, that the bath house was constructed in the style of a Greek temple. His Excellency was as close to those ancient gods as one mere human could be, both in physical perfection and benevolent leadership. She shook away those errant thoughts at the sound of His Excellency's deep, quiet voice.

            "I don't see the rose essence?"

            "No, Excellency. The shipment was delayed."

            "Disappointing."

            Treize watched a fleeting look of shame on Lady Une's face as she made a hasty note on her clipboard. No doubt, the next evening, his bath would be rich with rose essence. He smiled lightly as he settled himself into the hot water, allowing the heat to penetrate his sore muscles. He liked this point of the day. Sitting in his tub, only the Lady to attend him with no fear of his image slipping. He sat, merely relaxing, for several minutes as Lady Une stood in dutiful silence. It was a great bonus to the young duke to have a second who understood him so well. She would not pester him for instructions or with questions. She would simply wait until he was ready to speak.

            The duke opened his eyes a millimeter and looked at the young woman as she flipped through a few reports, made a few notes and waited. He enjoyed watching her when she was unaware. It was not something he could do openly, for obvious reasons, but he did enjoy watching the Lady. She stood ramrod straight, yet graceful. Her cheeks were ruddy from the steam drifting from the tub. Her eyeglasses bore a trace of fog, slipping down her nose only to be pushed back by a slender, elegant finger. Not for the first time Treize had the fleeting urge to ask her to join him, just to see her reaction. He would not, of course, but what if? Intense blue eyes traveled leisurely over the Lady's slender, uniformed figure. Treize smiled, eternally amused by the Lady's insistence on hiding her stunning beauty with useless glasses and a severe hairstyle from another era. It did no good. Any fool could see Aneke Une's loveliness.

            Treize took a breath and chased away his mildly lecherous thoughts. Colonel Une was not there for his recreation, she was there for OZ and he would not insult her by suggesting anything different. For as much as Treize wanted her, he needed her more. Needed the Lady's support, advice, unwavering loyalty. Needed her friendship and, most of all, her good opinion. He was accustomed to being admired. The adoration of his troops, his peers at Romefellar and the public at large was quite satisfactory, but it was also based upon a false impression of His Excellency, an illusion Treize created for public consumption. Few truly knew the young man, fewer still truly understood him, but Aneke Une was one of them and he had grown dependant on that understanding. Treize finally spoke, asking for the latest reports, which Lady Une recited with efficient calm.

"So," Treize said thoughtfully, "The Alliance is assembling the Armed Forces at the Lagrange Point? I could not agree more."

"Leaking the information turned out to be very effective."

"Yes…I think a few more well placed rumors are in order for the upcoming conference."

"Yes sir. If we leak the fact that most of the Alliance hierarchy will be at the conference, the Gundams should take the bait."

"Yes, quite. Only instead of killing the real enemy, they shall be removing the pacifists and neutrals from my path." Treize smiled, pleased by his plan to manipulate the Alliance into declaring war as well as discredit the Gundams by blaming them for the deaths of the Alliance's only pro-colony officers. All but one. "By the way, Lady Une...about Vice Foreign Minister Darlian..."

"I'll take care of it personally...and I will have the rose-fragrance ready for your bath next time."

Treize smiled smugly. "Please do."

==========

            It was coming. Much sooner than expected, but Zechs couldn't say he was disturbed by that. The sudden appearance of the Gundams had set everything on edge for far too long and he was anxious to settle the Alliance matter as soon as possible in order to redirect his efforts in getting Tallgeese finished and ready to battle the Gundams. As he walked back into the hanger, the young officer contemplated the outcome of the upcoming operation. It was what he and every member of OZ had been preparing for since first putting on the distinctive uniform. It was what he had waited for since he was six years old.

Zechs slipped back into the hanger and spotted Noin, dressed in her training clothes speaking to Otto. He stopped and watched from a distance for a few moments. Noin was absorbed in her conversation with Lieutenant Otto, so did not notice his approach. Zechs watched as she asked eager questions, pointing now and then, eyes bright with wonder. The noise in the hanger was enough to necessitate Otto leaning forward to make himself heard. Zechs frowned as the older man leaned down, his mouth near Noin's ear, and spoke. Noin nodded, and repeated the action in reverse. This continued for a few minutes before Zechs, a bit annoyed by the intimacy of their conversation, stepped forward.

Noin noticed him first. "Hello lieutenant," she shouted over the din. "I was taking a break and decided to check up on Otto here. He's discovered some interesting things concerning the original operational system."

Otto immediately pulled himself into a salute and passed the electronic clipboard to his superior officer, relaying some surprising new information as to the capability of Tallgeese. The three discussed the suit for several minutes, comparing its weaponry and power to what was known of the mysterious Gundams. It was agreed that this suit was not only comparable to those newer versions, possibly superior in certain aspects. As Zechs suspected, it was most certainly the template from which all mobile suits, even the Gundams, were based upon.

Unfortunately, the conversation began to turn and at Otto's instigation. He suddenly asked Noin about her days at LVA and her notorious early rivalry with one Zechs Merquise. Noin laughed prettily and related a few unflattering stories, forcing Zechs to defend himself. He tried to behave as everyone expected, an old school chum reminiscing with a classmate, but it felt stiff and unnatural, particularly with Otto looming over, absorbing everything. Though Otto had proven himself quite an asset over the past month, Zechs still felt uncomfortable in the man's presence. It was paranoid, he knew, but a little paranoia was warranted in this case. Otto had yet to give Zechs any reason for his persistence mistrust, but personal questions such as those posed throughout the course of their current conversation only served to put the lieutenant on edge.

Noin's gaze cut briefly to Otto's retreating back then returned to her companion. She studied him for a second, then mouthed the words, 'what's going on?'

            Zechs shrugged noncommittally and almost walked away, but he knew that would never do. Noin would follow him and eventually pry it out of him. Zechs decided to save himself the trouble and just tell her. Actually, he thought, it would be a relief to tell someone about his concerns. Holding his secret in for so long was beginning to take its toll on his stress levels. Inclining his head towards the door, he led Noin outside into the warm afternoon air.

            Picking up on the fact that the conversation should take place in private, Noin suggested they take a walk along the treeline. The pair strolled casually across the compound, heading for the old familiar paths that wound through the wooded areas surrounding the base. Half way there, Noin was stopped by a tall young officer. Baker, Noin called him. He was too thin, too tall and smiled at Noin in that goofy way some pathetic fools had when face with such beauty. He stopped a few feet away so as to avoid an unnecessary introduction and allowed the two to speak undisturbed. He turned away politely. It was none of his business.

"Noin…you look great!"

That was the best the guy could do? You look great, Noin? Oh…wait. He said basically the same thing when he called en route to the base…but that was different. He was Zechs, an old friend, a fellow officer...

"I was going into the port city," Baker prattled on, "would you like to grab some dinner later?"

None of his business, none of his business, none of his business…

"I'm busy tonight, but thanks for the invitation."

That's right. Busy, busy, busy. God, she couldn't possibly be interested in a guy like Baker, could she?

"Okay," the young officer said in a distinctly disappointed tone. Shooting a glance at Zechs, he concluded. "See you around then."

Quite right. Move along. Nothing to see here…

            "See you around, Baker." Noin smiled nicely and gave a wave.

            They continued on in silence until they reached the path. A quick survey revealed to Zechs that they were on the path that led around to the academy compound and beyond. Ten minutes later, they were on their way down a second path, this one obscured by heavy growth. They were on their way to the old homestead they used as a hideaway when they were cadets. It didn't take long to find the place, but it did take some time to scramble over the roots and brush that had grown up in the four years since they last entered the small stone structure.

To Zechs' surprise, it looked much the same. The curtains were dusty, the meager furniture was worn, a few more stones had fallen from the walls, but it was essentially the same. He walked around, absently kicking at bits of broken masonry and peeking out of the curtains as he remembered the day they stumbled upon the place. That day they renewed their friendship, or rather, they built a new one out of the remnants of the old. It was the most important friendship in his life at the time, but one he set aside for a grander goal. Revenge.

"So why don't you trust him?" Noin's voice floated quietly across the room. Zechs turned to find her still standing in the low doorway, her arms crossed across her middle and head tilted to see around a thick curtain of black hair.

"Pardon?" His tone was casual, emotionless.

"Otto…Lieutenant Weir."

"It's not that I don't trust him…"

"Yes it is."

"Okay," Zechs sighed, crossing to the crumbling hearth. "I don't trust him."

"Why?" Noin joined him and leaned against the mantel. Her expression was concerned and curious, a look he knew well. She would not let the situation go until he told her the truth.

"He was there. He saw me."

            She looked puzzled for a moment then frowned deeply. "Where?" When he did not answer, Noin asked, "Cinq?"

"Yes."

"Has he said anything? I mean does he…?"

"He hasn't seen me without my mask…and he has given me no reason to mistrust him."

"But he hasn't given you any reason to trust him, either."

"Actually, he has. Otto has proven himself loyal and capable."

"But you don't trust him."

Zechs turned to lean against the mantle and crossed his arms. "The problem is this: should he ever discover I am the child he allowed to escape all those years ago, what will he do? He is the only other person, besides you, who knows my sister is still alive. Can I risk Relena's safety by trusting this man?"

"The key point being whether or not he sees you without the mask, Zechs."

"I suppose," Zechs conceded, "and that is unlikely, isn't it?"

"Relena is far away, living with a new family and a new name. At the moment, she is safer than you are."

"Yes. I just wish I could be sure about Otto's loyalty."

"Even if Otto does see you at some point, the last time he saw you was thirteen years ago. You have changed a little since then."

Zechs smiled a bit. "Have I?"

"Um-hmm…for one thing, you're finally taller than me," Noin teased. "When we were six, I could still look you in the eye."

Zechs turned sideways again, facing her. "Yes, but now I have this wonderful view of the top of your head…by the way, your part is crooked."

Noin swatted his arm, but ran a hand through her hair anyway, eliciting a smirk from her companion. Her bangs flipped back into her face, obscuring one eye and Zechs suddenly found that unacceptable. He reached out and flicked the hair away from her face, holding it back with one hand. Noin looked up at him, smiling that smile. The one that sent men like Baker into the throes of idiocy and robbed men such as Zechs of their ability to articulate any coherent thought. It had been a very long time since Zechs took the time, or trouble, to notice a woman's smile. It had been a long time since Zechs bothered to notice a woman at all, particularly one as beautiful as Noin. It was a distraction he did not need. At that moment, however, surrounded by the dusty memories offered at their hideaway, Zechs allowed his inborn appreciation for such things press forward in his mind. Noin was perfect. From her scuffed flight boots to her mussed hair and every wrinkle in between.

            Noin's cheeks reddened gradually and she whispered, "Zechs…"

            He waited, expecting a question or comment, perhaps a wry joke, but she fell silent then and Zechs did not feel then need to fill that silence. He tilted her face up, to get a better view, and leaned forward gradually, almost imperceptibly. His heart sped up as did his breathing. He suddenly realized how close they were, how close his face was to hers.

            A sudden peal of raucous laughter startled the two young people and they stepped apart just as two OZ technicians stumbled through the doorway. Had they been paying attention, the boy and girl who entered would have pulled themselves together immediately and offered Lieutenants Noin and Merquise salutes. Unfortunately for them, they were too busy kissing and tugging at each other's jackets to notice anything until Lieutenant Noin cleared her throat. The girl let out a squeak and fell back onto her bottom as her paramour suddenly let go and pulled himself to attention. She scrambled to her feet, fumbling with the top buttons on her tunic and saluted as well.

            "S-sorry ma'am…sir…we…uh…we didn't know anyone was here…"

"Evidently."

"Um…well…" The young man fumbled for some explanation, but Noin generously let the couple off the hook.

            "Dismissed, officers."

            "Yes ma'am!" they said in unison and scrambled out the door. Zechs overheard the young man mutter, "Geez…don't they know to tie a red bandanna on the tree before they go into the love shack?"

            Love shack!? What the hell? "Noin?"

            Noin giggled. "Oh yeah. I forgot to mention…"

            "Mention what?"

            "Uh…apparently, after we graduated, a couple of new cadets found this place and well, it eventually became the local make out point. When I first started teaching, I came up here to see the old place and stumbled upon a couple of cadets…well, let's just say I won't sit on that couch ever again."

            Ew. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" Zechs demanded hotly.

            Noin, clearly taken aback by his sudden anger, replied, "It didn't seem important."

"Didn't seem important? Do you have any idea how this looks? The last thing I need right now is for any distasteful rumors to get started. If it gets back to Romefellar that I'm trifling with an officer under my command--"

His tirade ceased the moment Zechs looked up and caught a glimpse of Noin's expression of cold anger.

"I'm sorry that the idea of being with me offends you so, lieutenant."

Damn.

Noin spun on her heel and stalked to the door. "We should return to base before those distasteful rumors get started."

Zechs following several paces behind. He hadn't meant it quite like that of course. He simply didn't want his enemies to misinterpret the situation and assume Noin could be used against him. He had enough weaknesses of his own, he certainly didn't need an imagined romantic entanglement haunting him. Not only would the Alliance officers who despised him find a way to use such information against him, his superiors at Romefellar would be quite put out as well. Though respected by the military wing of OZ, Noin was not well-thought of by Romefeller's directors simply by virtue of being of uncertain birth and if they thought he was involved with such a young woman, it could only mean trouble for them both.

And then there was the old, nagging fear he kept buried deep inside. Pushed so far down into his subconscious that even he could hide from it on occasion, but not always. It was the fear of loving her only to lose her again. He had been through that once before and couldn't bear the thought of enduring such pain again. He was no longer equipped to deal with heartbreak, having for so long denied himself the right to care for anyone or anything beyond his need for revenge. But of course, he hadn't qualified his statement, simply blurted out the most obnoxious thing that popped into his head.

Zechs was already overly sensitive to the possibility of wrong assumptions because of their current living arrangement. The school having been all but destroyed, any remaining staff or other personnel were moved onto the base. Housing had been nearly full to begin, but with the influx of so many, officers were required to double up. Noin's apartment was on the base instead of the school and large enough to accommodate them both, so she had offered the use of her couch. Zechs had accepted, of course, and thought nothing of it until the first raised eyebrow he encountered upon exiting Noin's home early one morning. Now he could see his foolish mistake, but it was too late. At this point his only other options were a sleeping bag in the quad or the cockpit of Tallgeese. Zechs watched Noin stomping ahead of him, her fists clenched and back rigid. The cockpit of Tallgeese was looking better and better…

==============

That stupid little brat!

Une limped along towards her quarters, pausing as she entered to rearrange her uniform and clean herself up before crossing to the communicator. She had succeeded in assassinating Dorlian, as ordered, but just barely. That daughter of his almost ruined the whole scheme. To make matters worse, she escaped. At that moment, Une had no idea where the girl was or who she was speaking to which gave little or no time to counteract whatever the girl decided to tell the press. Une's only hope was to set up a press conference immediately and prevent the truth from being revealed. She made a quick call to her contacts within the media. A press conference would be set up within the hour. Just enough time to contact His Excellency.

"It's done, Excellency."

"Good. All went well, I hope?"

Une paused briefly, embarrassed to admit that all had not gone well. "There was a witness, sir, but she will be taken care of shortly."

"A witness? That's not like you Lady."

"As I said, sir. She will be dealt with."

"Of that I have no doubt. The important thing is that Dorlian is no longer a threat to our plan."

"With the Vice Foreign Minister gone now, there is no one to mediate the dispute between Earth and the colonies."

 "He was indeed an excellent diplomat. In general, that kind of person tends to become the first sacrifice for a new era….was there any collateral damage?" His Excellency asked the question in the same smooth voice he used to order his next meal, but Une knew his interest in the answer was far from casual.

"Twelve others were killed. Their names are in the report I will file upon my return."
            "Good. I look forward to seeing your performance on the telecast this evening."

===============

The news of Minister Dorlian's assassination was broadcast within hours of the attack. Lady Une, true to form, put a brilliant pro-OZ spin on the entire situation, blaming rebellious colonists for the tragedy. Zechs had watched the broadcast silently, seemingly with only a passing interest, but Noin could see his fists balled tightly, gloved fingers digging into his palms. Teeth clenched as tightly as his hands when the video of Dorlian and his young daughter appeared. He expressed some sympathy for the girl, that in and of itself enough to betray his concern, but then dismissed Noin's questions and excused himself. Noin was still a little miffed by his earlier behavior and did not bother to pursue the matter until she redirected her attention to the news report. Footage of  Relena popped up and Noin gasped softly. The girl's resemblance to the late queen of Cinq was so uncanny that Noin gasped in shock, spinning around in time to see Zechs disappear into the bathroom. The minute the door closed, Noin heard the faucet. He was washing his hands again.

Over the past month, she had the opportunity to observe Lieutenant Zechs quite a lot. When he had his own quarters, it was easy to overlook some of the odd behavior that he often indulged in now days. Sharing an apartment now, though, Noin had noticed several things that began to disturb her. First, the hand washing. She could almost predict when the young man would excuse himself to wash his hands, though he almost always offered some other excuse. It was beginning to border on the compulsive. He rarely removed his gloves, just as he rarely removed his mask. Both were to hide the evidence of his increasing feelings of guilt. Perhaps if she had not known him for so long, Noin could dismiss both ideas, but she did know him. Better than anyone.

Zechs was also given to nightmares now and slept little. Many nights she was awakened by the sounds of light steps in the living room. Pacing, clinking of glass as he poured himself a drink of water or, more likely, wine. She knew that night would be no different. If he was able to sleep at all, it would not be for long, so Noin stayed up late, waiting and listening for the tell tale noises that eventually drifted in from the other room. She slipped out of bed and padded to the door in search of her nocturnal friend.

As expected, Noin found him awake, shirtless and bare foot, standing in front of the living room window. Free of his obligatory mask, his platinum hair glowed silver in the moonlight, giving the young man an otherworldly air. His skin had pinked up in the harsh African sun, a few stray freckles here and there, but he was still pale, even more so bathed in starlight. Noin stopped dead in her tracks, fearful that if she moved or made a noise the apparition in front of her would burst and fade away. 

"Noin."

She started slightly as his deep voice broke the silence, blushing at the fact that she had been staring and been caught. Purposely directing her gaze away from Zechs and towards the window, she apologized for her intrusion. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you," she started as she joined him at the window, "I was concerned. You haven't been sleeping lately. Is it the couch?" she asked, knowing it wasn't the cause but compelled, out of a sense of politeness, to suggest the following anyway. "We could trade. You take my room and I'll camp out here."

Zechs grunted slightly, a vaguely amused sound but at the same time...not. "No. The couch is quite comfortable. I sleep as well as I ever do."

Noin ventured a glance at his face, close enough to see his expression clearly, and was shocked to find the man's eyes glittering with unshed tears. Speechless, she stared again, watching as one lone drop of salty sorrow trickled from the corner of his eye and traced a path down his cheek. Noin reached up, gently stopping the tear's escape with a brush of her thumb. Slender fingers lingered upon an unshaven cheek. Silence, heavy with unspoken sorrows, hung about them. Zechs looked slowly towards Noin, his sorrowful expression saying what he could not.

"Oh, Zechs," she breathed in sympathy. Hesitantly, Noin withdrew her hand, reaching back to graze his chin with her fingertips before letting her hand drop to his bare chest. She began to pull it away almost immediately, but Zechs caught her wrist and held her hand where it rested, covering it with his own as their eyes locked. And so they stayed. Hours, minutes, neither could tell, neither cared. One offered unspoken understanding and comfort, the other expressing silent fears and unacknowledged regrets.

"She'll be okay, Zechs. Pagan is with her and..." Noin bit her lip, wondering if she should continue. Finally she decided that easing Zechs' fears was better than avoiding a potential fight. "And I spoke to His Excellency on your behalf. Relena won't be in threatened by OZ in the future. I mentioned that she is a distant relative, but not that she is your sister." She expected surprise, a scowl of anger, some adverse reaction. Instead, Zechs nodded, resignedly and said simply, "Thank you," before falling silent for several minutes.  He swallowed hard before continuing. "I thought if I stayed away, she would be safe, that I could protect her by removing myself from her life, but now..." he shook his head, "There is nothing I can do."

"This isn't your fault."

Zechs placed his free hand atop the other, trapping Noin's hand firmly beneath his own. "Promise me this: if something happens, if I..." Noin flinched as Zechs let the possibilities hang in the air, "just promise me you will go to Relena and protect her for me. Promise to be a sister to Rena, even if I can't be her brother."

"I promise." It was all she could manage and even that was spoken in a broken whisper, thick with emotion.

Zechs squeezed her trapped hand and reached down to take the other. "Thank you, Luie."

Noin nodded and smiled softly, unsure what to make of the fact that he used that old nickname. Zechs was facing her now and leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to imply…"

"I know, Zechs. It's okay…"

"No…I…" he sighed heavily, "things are becoming complicated very quickly."

Noin pulled back to look of at her friend. He wasn't speaking about their relationship anymore. "What is it? Is there a new plan to capture the Gundams?"

            "Not specifically, no."

            Noin nodded, "Then it's...?"

"I spoke to Treize…it's time…"

"So soon?"

"Yes. The order will be officially given in two days, but I thought you should know…to have time to prepare."

"Operation Daybreak," Noin murmured, "finally."

"Yes. We leave to intercept five mobile suit divisions over Nairobi in three days. You and I are to lead the uprising in the African theatre." He paused, looking back out at the night sky. When Zechs spoke again, it was with a cold tone, devoid of any feeling other than determined hate. "Finally the Alliance will be made to pay for its crimes."

            Noin merely nodded. They were close to destroying the very people who had destroyed their lives more than thirteen years prior. It had been a long, painful road to travel, but now they were on the verge of delivering justice…or was it simple revenge? Either way, the world was on the verge of a violent, bloody rebirth.

            "Well, it's practically dawn." Zechs commented quietly, "We might as well get the day started. Why don't I fix breakfast?"

"That's a nice thought, Zechs, but you can't cook for sh…"

"Now, now." Zechs admonished mockingly, "Such coarse language from such a refined lady."

"Oh, don't start the milady crap again." She gave him a little shove. "Go take a shower."

"That wouldn't by any chance be a comment on how I smell?"

Yeah. Smell good. Very good. No shirt. Very, very good. Bad, Noin, Bad.

"Your hair is sticking up." She said flippantly, hastily shoving her head inside the refrigerator as though looking for food but in reality to hide a blush. "I just thought you might need some extra time with the detangler."

Noin glanced back over her shoulder and smirked as Zechs' hand flew to his hair. He scowled a little and tripped off to the bathroom.

=====================

            Treize Kushrenada smiled surreptitiously as he watched the scene unfold before him. It was just past noon at the New Edward's base and already his plan was well underway. Scant moments before, the plane carrying the handful of peace-minded Alliance command officers was destroyed, cut in two by a particularly vicious and efficient Gundam pilot. His Excellency sat in the safe comfort of his personal transport, sipping wine and listening to the reports blaring over the communications channels. Those Gundams, brilliant soldiers though they might be, had played right into his hands. Even as Treize enjoyed the first tingles of complete victory, General Septum, the only surviving member of the Alliance command structure for the Space Forces, was in the cargo hold broadcasting an official declaration of war against the colonies. Everything was going just as planned.

"We will not give in to the Colonies! We will fight to the end."

Indeed. Treize smiled at the irony. He had no doubt Septum meant precisely what he said. Of course the general had no way of knowing his end was about to come upon him. A loud roar of air and the muted sound of a gunshot echoed through the cabin of Treize's transport. It was done. Now people could cast off their doubts and accept a change in history. He activated his comlink, connecting to the open channel he had orders with OZ command officers all over the world. He gave the order and shut down the link, settling himself back into his plush seat as Une returned and took a seat across from him. She looked at him with the hint of a smile hovering about her pert mouth. He met her expression with a smile of his own.

====================

Over Nairobi, Zechs Merquise and Lucretzia Noin waited. Lieutenant Merquies' transport maintained a holding pattern along with  three divisions of mobile suit carriers. They had arrived only thirty minutes before, but already the Alliance base below them was getting nervous, calling every few minutes for a status. The Alliance base had been told the Specials were participating in an unscheduled war game, an excuse they accepted readily enough thirty minutes ago, but as the minutes passed and the swarm of Specials craft circled overhead, they grew understandably nervous. Zechs rubbed his palm with a thumb. He had to admit. He was no less nervous himself. Almost there. Almost.

It would be over soon. Even by his own conservative estimates, the coup should be complete by the following morning. That was how well organized they were and how complete the infiltration of OZ officers throughout Alliance command. Zechs couldn't help shaking his head at the irony. Fifty years prior, the Alliance had taken control of the world's scattered, disjointed governments in much the same way. For all of Treize's talk of elegance in combat, they were resorting to the same treachery that brought the Alliance to power in the first place.

OZ, Alliance…was the difference really so great? He doubted it. Total control by the military or total control by the aristocracy. The world was exchanging the rusted chains of the Alliance for the gilded cage of Romefellar. It would not matter. But still Zechs would fight. Fight and win. Vengeance was at had and he would not hold back.

His thoughts were suddenly broken by subtle movements to his right. He glanced sideways at his companion and studied her from behind the cover of his mask. Noin. Zechs knew why he was fighting, but why was she? Her own anger aside, Noin was not one for revenge. No she fought for the purer cause of liberty. She told him freedom came at a price and that price was often blood, but did she honestly believe OZ offered the world freedom? He wondered too, what would become of her grand ideals when the bloodshed began. It had been almost two years since she fought in actual battle and she had never fought in such a massive campaign. Hundreds of thousands could die that night and she would be as drenched in their blood as he. Two years ago, Zechs would not have questioned his fellow officer's ability to withstand the rigors of the uprising, but now? He remembered how she mourned her fallen students, how she still mourned them. Her heart had become more maternal since she gave up her gun and took up the role of teacher. Could she handle killing young Alliance soldiers who were the same age as her dead students?

 "Noin…this battle may not be what you expect." He turned to face her, "You may feel disturbed about it later."

"Don't worry, Lieutenant. I understand what we are trying to accomplish. I won't let you down." Noin looked down, her arms crossed over her stomach. She looked as though she were hugging herself, trying to offer herself reassurance that her words reflected the truth. "This is for the good of all."

'Hm…sometimes I don't know," Zechs murmured, " …I doubt the world will change significantly under the rule of OZ as opposed to the Alliance. Is there really a difference?"

Noin gave him a firm look, full of determination. "I think you know the answer to that, Zechs."

Did he? "Perhaps."

"Sir!" The pilot broke in excitedly, "We've just received word from Colonel Treize. We are to commence Operation Daybreak."

"Very well," Zechs said standing, "You all know your duty. Perform well and we will usher in a new era."

"Aye Sir!"

"Everyone to their suits."

Noin trotted to her suit and strapped in, quickly running through preflight procedures and then giving the order for her team to launch. She gripped the controls nervously, her palms becoming slick with sweat. She took a deep breath, willing her pounding heart to slow and her mind to clear. This was the battle she had been preparing for since His Excellency recruited her to OZ six years previously. It was the battle. The dawn of a new era.

"Move out!"

~Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And you, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.~

Noin's troops followed close behind their commander, each holding their assigned position and performing to perfection. As they approached the base, Noin sent out the signal code and immediately twenty mobile suits on the ground below sent back the appropriate confirmation. Twenty Aries raised their rifles and turned to fire upon their comrades…

~Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in our battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirit of wickedness in the high places.~

In the first thirty minutes of the attack, half of the Alliance forces were annihilated. Despite being taken completely by surprise, Alliance pilots had managed to scramble and meet the attack as it began. Unfortunately, they had no idea that their Specials comrades were part of that attack. Noin tried to ignore the shouts of surprise and the pleas from Alliance soldiers as their former friends turned and fired.

~Take hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, bind him, and cast him into the bottomless pit so that he should no more seduce the nations. Amen.~

Noin landed and barked orders to her team. The perimeter was secure, the command center captured…or what was left of the command center. Much of the Nairobi complex was in ruins. She leapt from her mobile suit, coughing as she took in a lungful of smoke from the few lingering fires about the base. Alliance medical teams scrambled about, treating their fellow soldiers and Noin ordered a small team of her men to watch over the medics, as much for the doctors' protection as to ensure that none of the enemy officers managed to escape.

The survivors were rounded up and marched to the main hanger. Now for the speech, the chance for the misguided young Alliance soldiers—children who, like Noin, had been forced into the military—to have the opportunity finally to chose their own path. Granted it wasn't much of a choice, prison or OZ, but for most of those young people it was the first chance to make their own choice about anything. Noin took up position with the line of OZ officers standing behind Zechs Merquise. They were an impressive sight, she had to admit. A line of regal-looking young officers supporting their crimson-clad leader as he spoke of the future.

"Your resistance is futile. We need as many comrades as possible. The tyranny of the Alliance is over. Our OZ organization will give rise to a true alliance! Let us create a new world together!"

Applause broke out among the ranks, both OZ and Alliance.

 "He's good," Noin thought with an inward smirk, "I wonder how much of that he actually means?"

Zechs walked back to his officers, gave a few commands and motioned for Noin to follow him. She caught up as they reached their mobile suits and gave her report.

"The base is secured, sir. We should set up a command post at--"

"No."

"Lieutenant?"

"There are enough Senior OZ officers here to maintain control of the base. Besides which, most of those we captured seem willing and eager to join our ranks. We should move on to the next objective."

"And that would be….?"

"The Alliance headquarters for the European theatre. The troops there have been putting up one hell of a resistance."

Noin looked straight ahead, struggling to keep her expression impassive. "Luxembourg…General O'Neguil."

            And so they would finally face the dragon.

===================

The carefully planned coup d'etat had been carried out to perfection. Casualties were high on both sides, but since strikes had been limited to key Alliance bases and command posts, civilian casualties were minimal. It was the culmination of twenty years of careful preparation and deference to the increasingly arrogant Alliance. Over the past twenty years, members of OZ had infiltrated every Alliance base on Earth. The Alliance's own arrogance and complacency had served OZ's objectives well. Over the course of twenty-four hours, the world's rulers were disposed and replaced by Romefellar's disenfranchised aristocracy. There were still a few skirmishes here and there, one of the most notable in Luxembourg at the Alliance headquarters, but even these few resistors had no hope.

            Une stood, silent and rigid, watching His Excellency give his first speech since the overthrow. He, as always, cut quite the figure. It was doubtful that any civilian on the planet would dispute him at that moment as he praised the 'freedom fighters' of OZ and heralded a new dawn for the people of Earth. Une appeared to be listening intently to her commander, but in reality, she was replaying an earlier conversation that took place after her failure to destroy the Gundams at New Edwards.

            Her plan seemed a logical one. Detonate the missiles at the base while the Gundams were still there. Destroy all five at once as well as the evidence of OZ's treachery. His Excellency, however, had not approved.

"Apparently, one of the Gundam pilots deactivated the system and prevented the explosion."

"Well then," Treize replied evenly, " we all owe a debt to that pilot... The Earth is fragile, Lady. Our assaults upon it must few and well timed. Besides, detonating a hundred missiles seems a bit much, even for the Gundams. It's a bit like using a canon for target practice. There is no elegance in wanton destruction without purpose. We have to thank the Gundams this time and you, Lady, need to learn more about OZ."

"Learn about OZ?" Une mumbled to herself. What had His Excellency meant by that? Elegance. He always spoke of elegance in battle, but Une saw only objectives to be met and targets to be captured. As long as victory was won, the means by which that victory was achieved meant little to her. Collateral damage was unavoidable in any battle. The outcome was more than worth the sacrifice of a few lives, His Excellency had said so himself. Then what had he meant?

Une looked up as applause rang through the auditorium. She politely joined them, staring at her commanding officer, the great liberator, Treize Kushrenada and wondered what she was missing. What didn't she understand about OZ? Perhaps it wasn't a question of understanding OZ at all. Perhaps she did not understand His Excellency.

===================
            The battle to capture the Alliance's European headquarters raged on for hours with little sign of letting up. Zechs, Noin and their troops had arrived four hours before and joined the fray. Since then, several key points had been captured and several hundred soldiers had been captured, but still the command post refused to surrender. Victory would be theirs, of this Lucretzia Noin had no doubt, but it would not be an easy victory.

            Noin sat on her motorcycle on a cliff overlooking the main command building, waiting. After giving the appropriate orders and starting the attack, the two officers slipped away from the battle on motorcycles, hoping to infiltrate the compound unnoticed. They made it, though not without difficulty and, after insisting Noin wait for him, Zechs started towards the command building…towards the general responsible for annihilating his entire family before his very eyes.

            Noin had made an effort to talk him out of his plan, claiming that the man would most likely die in the battle, or in lieu of that, would surrender and be imprisoned by OZ, but Zechs would not be swayed. He was determined to witness the man's death, just as he had been forced to witness his parents' deaths. More than that, Zechs was determined to deliver the killing blow himself. Noin closed her eyes, praying for the scene to play out quickly.

            Where would they be now if she had the guts to carry out that mission two years ago? If she had followed orders and assassinated Diego O'Neguil, would Zechs have been satisfied? It was no use wondering. Justice, retribution, revenge… it wouldn't matter once the act was committed. She watched the exits carefully, her heart pounding louder in her ears with every minute that passed. Zechs had been gone for so long. Noin began to worry that he had been caught. Her hand rested on the pistol holstered at her side. Five minutes. Five more minutes and she was going after him.

With an audible sigh of relief, Noin spotted Zechs slipping out of the building and back into the cover of brush. He made his way up the embankment quickly and silently walked past her to his own bike a few feet away. He paused, his hand resting on the handle then seemed to change his mind and walked to a nearby tree. He leaned upon the trunk heavily, back to Noin, but she could see what he was feeling. She could tell from slump of his shoulders and the fist clenched tightly by his side. She dismounted her bike and walked up behind him, laying a gentle hand on his back.

"Zechs…?"

He stiffened under her touch and stood up straight, turning as he said in a tight, cold voice, "We should go. There are still some members of the Alliance putting up resistance in the town."

Noin watched as Zechs strode purposefully to his motorcycle. He had hoped to end it that day. End the years of tormented nights and blood soaked dreams by killing the man he held responsible. Noin knew Zechs had hoped to end his suffering and move on, but now he was realizing that his one act of vengeance ultimately meant nothing. O'neguil was dead. What of it? His family was still dead, his kingdom in ruins and he now had no goal to fuel him. She had tried to tell him all of that earlier, but he would not listen. Now he knew and it was too late to take it back. She couldn't convince him of his error before and could offer no solace after. Noin got on her motorcycle and followed Zechs back to the battlefield. All she could offer him now was her loyalty and hope that it would be enough.

====================== End Chapter 13 ======================

Sorry for the crappiness in this chapter, but I ws really struggling.

Just so I don't get questions, I'm not skimming over O'Neguil's death. Zechs will be dealing with this and other issues in the upcoming chapter, which, by the way, will cover the liberation of Cinq. Yes, for the record, I was tempted to insert a kiss during that in-front-of-the-window/ "protect my sister" scene, but I didn't think it would be in character. Not yet anyway….hehehehe….don't worry. There will be kissage later.

The next few chapters will skip huge portions of the series. I'm writing these last few chapters under the assumption that those who are reading it have a) memorized the series by now, b) have the tapes/dvds and can refresh their memories when needed, or c) know of the great GW sites with overviews, summaries and scripts (one being gundamwing.net although the scripts there are not strictly precise). So, the episode reference is to let you know what point in the series the chapter takes place.

Tonight's guest disclaimer provided by: Terrality

"Relena may rule Cinq, that's true,
And Amidala leads Naboo,
So why can't I have Gundam Wing?"
I ask, wistfully hoping,
That when this is published,
I will own more than my own thing.
But alas that was not to be,
So it does not be long to you OR me.

Isn't that cute? Thanks to everyone who sent me disclaimers. I will most likely use them all.