War And Peace
Chapter 11
Zechs groaned loudly as his alarm clock pierced the peaceful silence of the room. He gently moved Noin's arm off of his chest, stood up and turned of the annoying machine. He looked down at the bed and smiled as Noin sighed and turned to the other side of the small bed. Zechs reached down and lifted the edge of one of his white gloves from the edge of the bed. He couldn't stop the small smile that curved his sardonic lips as he recalled their argument from the night before. Zechs shook his head as he refocused his mind on the day ahead of him and pulled on his boxers. He walked to the small kitchen and fixed a fresh pot of coffee. As he sat down at the small table to wait for the soothing drink to brew his COM unit sounded from the other room. Making a small sound of disgust, Zechs stood up, walked to the other room and activated the noisy unit. He was surprised to find Treize on the other end of the line. "Hello Milliardo," his deep voice purred and Zechs paled when he realized that he wasn't wearing his mask. "Dammit," he growled as he tried to recall where he had thrown it last night. He was stopped by the sound of his commanding officer's rich laughter and turned to look at him. "I've seen you without it before Milliardo. There is no need in covering it up before me." Zechs winced as Treize called him by his true name again and looked imploringly at him, "I've asked you not to call me that." Treize rolled his eyes, "A small matter but all right I won't do it again." Zechs sighed and turned to face him fully. "What do you need Your Excellency," he asked absentmindedly, and hoped that Noin would stay asleep a bit longer. He watched as Treize lifted an eyebrow and said, "Am I keeping you from something Zechs?" Zechs shook his head no as his eyes looked towards his bedroom. "Oh, I see Zechs you have company." It was more a statement than a question and Zechs felt no need to confirm or deny his commander's suspicions. Instead he repeated his earlier question and listened as Treize recounted the events of the past few days, including the duel with the young pilot of one of the Gundams. Zechs smiled when Treize described the young man, recognizing him as the same one who had attacked Noin's base. His smile quickly turned into a frown when he heard the sound of running water coming from the other room. He paled when Treize smiled at him, "It would appear that your "company" has awakened." Zechs grit his teeth and prayed silently that Noin would stay in the bathroom long enough for him to end his conversation with Treize. "Look Your Excellency, I don't mean to be rude but I need to go," he said hastily and looked back towards the bedroom in shock when the sound of running water ended. Zechs looked back at Treize, who was looking at him strangely. "Very well Zechs," he said slowly, "I had so hoped to catch a glimpse of the girl who caught your eye last night. It is a girl is it not?" Zechs glared at his commanding officer, "Yes it's a girl and no you are not going to meet her. It was a one-night stand, nothing more." Treize looked vaguely disappointed, "I'm truly sorry to hear that Zechs. I won't trouble you anymore." Zechs cut their connection seconds before Noin walked into the room.
Noin yawned as she walked towards Zechs. She had been surprised to wake up alone; Zechs usually managed to curb his impulsive need for constant movement long enough to wait for her to wake up in order for them to shower together. Noin smiled down at the scowling man before leaning down to kiss him. "Good morning Zechs," she intoned brightly as she made her way towards the small kitchen. Noin was surprised to find a fresh pot of coffee already made; usually she was the one who made the coffee. She sighed, poured two cups and walked back into the living room. "Who are you and what have you done with my commanding officer," she asked jokingly as she sat the cups down on the table and took a seat beside him. "That was Treize on the line while ago," he said softly as he took a sip of the hot coffee and Noin looked at him in surprise. God, she thought, if I had woken up any sooner Treize would have found out about us. As if he could read her thoughts, Noin felt Zechs slide an arm around he and she let herself relax against him. "It's ok Noin, he doesn't know it was you. He thinks that I had a one-night stand last night." Zechs said with a small chuckle and Noin smiled at him. They finished their coffee in silence and Noin dressed as Zechs showered. Noin left his room early after telling him good-bye and wondered aimlessly down the hall. She thought back to his statement and wondered just how long they had left together. Zechs' missions were becoming more and more dangerous and she was beginning to wonder if she was becoming a distraction to him. Noin sighed softly and leaned against the wall. She wondered for perhaps the millionth time if she should break it off with him, but once again found that no matter how hard she tried she couldn't see herself gathering up the courage nor the strength that such a task would call for. She knew that if anyone broke off their relationship it would have to be him or fate and Noin wondered which would be the more painful. She resumed walking towards her quarters and yawned sleepily. Perhaps some time apart would be a good thing; at least she could catch up on some sleep. Noin smiled weakly as she finally reached her destination and unlocked the door. She slipped silently into the dark room and made her way towards her bedroom. She changed in the dark and after buttoning the last button on the stiff jacket of her uniform, slipped beneath the cool crisp sheets and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Zechs paced back and forth inside the huge control tower. Where the hell was she, he wondered angrily ignoring the strange looks of the other soldiers. All of a sudden he heard the sound of a door sliding open; he didn't have to look to see who it was. "Your late," he said coldly and turned to look at her. Her hair was tousled, by the wind or sleep he wasn't sure, and her eyes glowed with mischief. Zechs almost smiled and had to turn away before he lost control of his facial expressions. He turned when he heard the sound of her footsteps and watched as she stopped in front of one of the huge windows. She was silent for the longest time and it wasn't long before Zechs became curious as to what had caught her attention. He had been about to ask before her voice rang clear over the electronic beeping of the control tower. "Thanks to you, Lightning Count, this beautiful city did not have to become an ugly battlefield." Zechs stood next to her and stared out of the same window. He scowled at her usage of his nickname and wondered why she had used it at all. He looked across the horizon at the beautiful European city. He knew that he'd had little to do with the current surroundings and told her in as much. He saw the downward curve of Noin's lips as she turned away, "The beauty of these towns doesn't change no matter who rules." Zechs allowed a small cynical smile to touch his lips as he turned towards her, "Noin, Oz's objectives isn't to rule; it's to free countries form the Alliance's stranglehold." He watched as she sneered and closed her eyes, "Currently you mean." Zechs was surprised to hear the bitterness in her words. He knew she hated war with a passion but had hoped that she would be able to see past it and recognize that Treize's organization was different. He took a step towards her and gently spoke. "This might be somewhat unnatural coming from me, but I believe that due respect should be given to Oz for allowing countries a second chance to correct the mistake of forming the Alliance in the first place." He watched as the frown on her face disappeared and started to say something else but was interrupted by one of the soldiers operating the control tower's systems. "The mobile suit carrier from Victoria Base is about to land Sir," the young man said loudly before returning to his work. Zechs smiled, "They're here." It had been two months since he had last seen Otto and he had been anxious for the completion of his mobile suit. Zechs turned towards Noin, "Come," he ordered softly and bade her to follow him.
Noin watched, a smile on her face, as he walked quickly towards the nearest jeep. He was like a little boy on Christmas day who had been promised a new toy. She climbed into the driver's side of the jeep, a little shocked that he was allowing her to drive him. She started the engine and, seeing the impatient glare on his face, floored it, sending the small craft lurching forward. Noin glanced over and thought she caught a glimpse of a smile on his face as she drove towards the now landed plane. The jeep skid as she applied the breaks and watched as Zechs hopped out of the barely moving vehicle. She looked up in shock as Lt. Otto stumbled from the plane, his walk suggesting that he was in intense pain. She turned the jeep off as Zechs greeted Otto cheerfully and watched as the man tried to compose his self.
Zechs looked up the long flight of stairs, quelling the urge to ask the thousands of questions that were swimming through his mind when he saw the state that his friend was in. A second soldier appeared from the craft and called down to him that Otto's ribs were broken and he had internal injuries. Zechs frowned up at his old friend in concern, "Are you all right Otto?" Zechs suppressed the low chuckle that threatened to follow his friend's faint denial of his injuries; he had almost forgotten how stubborn Otto could be. Zechs, anxious to see the suit he had rescued, motioned to Noin to follow him and made his way towards the plane's cargo hold. He knew the suit was huge but nothing prepared him for the actual size of it once fully assembled; it was nearly as big as the gundams. He glanced back as Otto entered the cargo hold, supported on the shoulder of the young soldier who had informed him of Otto's injuries. "So this is the Tallgeese," Zechs breathed slowly as he assessed the suit's huge size again. He smiled at the surprise in Noin's voice as she commented on his suit and listened as Otto recounted the results of the preliminary tests. Zechs was concerned to learn that Otto had tested the suit himself and that his current injuries were the result of those tests. "The Tallgeese is a suit that no one, except perhaps you Lt. Zechs, can handle," his friend reassured him and Zechs smiled faintly at the confidence the younger man had in him. "Aren't you over estimating my skills," he asked softly as he looked up at the huge machine. He glanced at his friend as a low groan escaped him, bringing him back to the present issues at hand. Zechs glared at the soldier that accompanied Otto and ordered him to take him to medical. He watched as Otto left and turned to Noin, "Noin have the mobile suit troops ready to leave at once; we'll head for the Sank Kingdom base of the United Earth Sphere Alliance." He watched and waited for her facial expression to change when she realized where it was that they were going to attack. Zechs was disappointed when her face remained emotionless as she questioned his order. "Do you have any objections to this mission?" He asked softly, wondering why she insisted on questioning his orders, and almost growled in frustration when she saluted him. Zechs sighed heavily and turned to leave, making sure to say something that would be sure to get a rise out of her. "I'm going to try out this Tallgeese," he said confidently as he walked back into the darkness of the plane's cargo hold. He stopped and turned as Noin's worried question reached his ears; "Isn't that dangerous?" Zechs turned and looked at his lieutenant, "It may be dangerous but my future depends on this mobile suit." He straightened up and continued into the darkness to ready his machine for battle.
Noin watched Zechs disappear into the darkness and sighed, letting her face reveal the anxiety she felt inside. "The Sank Kingdom… Zechs' homeland," she whispered softly to herself. She realized how important this mission was to him but his disregard for his own personal safety worried her. He seemed to grow more and more reckless with each passing day. Noin closed her eyes as she climbed back into the jeep. She now realized why Zechs had let her drive, it was so she could easily return to the headquarters and organize the attack. Sighing she started the jeep and returned back to the base.
Four hours later…
Noin closed her eyes as the plane's cargo hold opened and tried to ignore the strange rush of adrenaline that flooded her system. It was like this every time she began a battle. Noin struggled to hear Zechs low voice over the roar of the wind, "Do not destroy the city; we only need to gain control over the military facilities." Noin nodded in agreement and watched the radar on her screen. "All mobile suits have been dispatched," she reported quietly, knowing that his screen showed the same. She smiled at him when he appeared on her screen, his face revealing the importance of the battle. Noin listened quietly as he confirmed his desire to leave. "I'll be backing you up; concentrate only on achieving your mission Lt. Zechs." She saw the displeasure on his handsome face but couldn't be sure if it was concern for her safety or her referral to his high ranking. Whatever the reason she was met with a frown as he spoke, "I'm totally focused Noin." Noin sighed and moved her Aries towards the open cargo door, "I'll lure the ground troops away, but a few will probably be flying toward you." She watched as her screen went blank, "There is nothing to worry about, if our data is right I should be able to out run them." "Good luck," Noin said quietly as she closed her eyes and hoped that he was right as she allowed her suit to free-fall through the air. As she approached the ground, she activated the machine's thrusters and flew towards the incoming troops.
Zechs watched the small red blip on his screen and prayed once again that the battle would be simple. It wasn't that he doubted her ability, she was almost as good as him, but he didn't want to put her in any danger, especially if it was to further his own causes and beliefs. He looked around the cockpit of the huge Tallgeese and tried to refocus his thoughts on the matter at hand, no matter how much he might care for her she was a grown woman and could take care of herself. Zechs moved the Tallgeese towards the open cargo door and let it fall towards the ground. "Supporting this huge body with two huge engines… what a simple solution," he intoned softy as he activated the machines engines. As a huge shudder of power coursed through the machine and his body and he struggled, for the first time in his life, to keep his grip steady on the controls. "This is going to take a lot of effort, but I can't falter now with the Sank Kingdom in front of my eyes," he growled loudly and directed the huge machine towards the country of his youth. He watched as three suits came towards him and he aimed the huge beam cannon and shot them out of the sky, gritting his teeth as another surge of power worked it's way through the machine and him. Zechs held his breath as the cockpit shook and ignored the sudden pain in his body as he focused on the other mobile suits that were approaching him. Doubts plagued his battle weary mind and Zechs began to wonder why he didn't take advantage of the suit's superior speed. Why, he wondered as he shot down the approaching suits, why am I hesitating.
Noin wiped the sweat from her brow as she shot down the enemy tank that was currently firing at her. She shouted orders for her men to take over the runways and tried once again to make contact with the base. She waited patiently as her call was patched through and calmly asked the commander to surrender. Noin cocked an eyebrow at the man when he yelled for her to surrender and ordered the base's laser cannons to be fired. According to her current Intel the base had no laser cannons. Thinking the man was merely bluffing, Noin ordered the soldiers forward. She saw too late that the man hadn't been bluffing and ordered her men back. She was too late and moved her suit out of harms way as the base opened fire. She was startled to hear Zechs' calm voice over her speakers ordering her to retreat and regroup. Noin was shocked, Zechs hated to retreat and had never done so in all the years she had known him. Knowing that questioning his hasty reaction at this point was futile, she complied. "Back to the planes now," she yelled and directed her suit in that direction, watching her screen for Zechs' suit to follow.
Zechs watched as his men retreated. "Why am I acting like such a coward? I can defeat them with this Tallgeese. I can ignore the lasers and destroy their headquarters." He growled as he thrust the huge suit forward, ignoring Noin's worried cry over his intercom. As he approached the base one thought kept playing itself over and over in his mind. "I've mastered numerous mobile suits in the past," he yelled aloud, "so what makes this one any different; what am I so afraid of?" Zechs groaned as he increased the suit's output, the pain of his body increasing, making his future very clear to him. I'll die if I keep going, he realized as he plummeted toward the base. He knew the Tallgeese had the potential to destroy the base but he also knew that he couldn't do it. Zechs moaned in pain as his stomach heaved. He reached forward and pulled the controls back, thrusting the suit up at the last moment. He let his arm drop and groaned as his head lolled forward, a trickle of blood escaping his slack lips. "Noin," he whispered as his eyes closed. He saw her face one last time in his mind's eye before exhaustion took over.
