A.C. 189           Two masked men hid behind the shrubs, waiting. Three little girls walked toward their direction, unaware of what awaited them. When they passed the shrubs, one man jumped out and grabbed one of the girls, the other man had a knife in his hand. The two free girls screamed in terror. The man was about to speak when suddenly a gunshot was heard. He released the little girl from the severe pain on his hand. They looked to the direction where the shot was fired and were surprised to see a kid pointing a gun at them.           "Just what do you think you're doing?" the kid demanded sternly.           The men were fully aware of the gun the kid was holding, and that the kid had very good aim. The two little girls that screamed before fainted at the sight of the gun, while the one that was grabbed tended them and observed the scene calmly at the same time.           "Are you alright?" the kid asked the little girl softly.           "Yes, thank you." the little girl bowed to the kid then turned to the men. "Why did you try to kidnap me?"           The men and the kid were amazed by the girl's calmness. One of the men stammered. "We just wanted to take a hostage to show our discontentment toward the Earth Sphere Alliance in regard to their attitude toward the space colonies."           "Then you've made the wrong choice by taking the girl. She is the daughter of Vice Foreign Minister Darlian." The girl looked at the kid with amazement at the answer, while the two men panicked visibly and immediately apologized.           "You're from the colonies?" the young lad lowered the gun and asked in a soft voice.           "Yes, we're from the L2 Colony Cluster. Are you from the colonies as well?"           "I'm from L1, but I've stayed in L2 for a few years."           The men relaxed and started introduce themselves. "Everyone calls me Bob, and this is Darian. We are really sorry about what happened, Miss Relena."           "That's quite alright. I can understand your motives." the little girl smiled then turned to the kid who saved the day. "What is your name?"           "...You have to promise that you won't tell anyone about me before I tell you my name. I'm not supposed to be here now."           Relena glanced at the military uniform and nodded. "You have my word. I'll convince my friends that you were never here."           The young lad nodded. "My name is Lucrezia Noin." * * * * * * * * *           The graduating cadets had a free day before the day of the graduation ceremony. Many of them roamed about the campus, and some of them went out in groups. On a patio set under the bright sun, Treize Khushrenada sipped from a goblet and smiled at the person sitting across from him. "You are in very good shape, my friend, far better than at the beginning of the year."           The person was going to say something when someone passing by spotted him and asked. "Zechs, have you seen Noin? I can't seem to find him anywhere."           "Noin? She said that she's going over to a friend's today."           "Thanks..." the cadet started walking away, then he suddenly stopped mid-stride and jerked his head toward Zechs. "Did you say 'she'?!"           Zechs paused for a second then nodded. "Yes."           "Are you serious?" the cadet exclaimed. "Noin's been with us for a year now, how come no one knows about that?"           Just then a galloping sound approached them from the direction of the gate. They turned their heads and saw Noin riding toward the stalls, waving hands at other students as she passed. The cadet hurriedly left for the stall to find out about the truth.           Treize observed the exchange between Zechs and the cadet quietly and smiled. "Amazing."           "What's so amazing?"           "A year ago, no one would ask you the whereabouts of anyone, because you were by yourself all the time. Now, not only do people ask you this kind of questions, they actually converse with you. Your nausea toward strangers is also gone."           "......" Zechs looked at the direction of the stalls and said nothing.           "I have reasons to believe that these changes were brought on by Noin, don't you think so?" Treize smiled knowingly.           "You're right." Zechs confessed. "Noin has always stayed with me and make sure I get along with other people. It seems that she has brought light into my otherwise dark life."           Treize didn't comment further. He smiled and waved at Noin, who was walking toward them from the stalls. The cadet that was looking for her had already confirmed Zechs' words and was starting to spread the news to his fellow cadets around the campus.           "Went to call on your friend, Noin?" Treize asked softly.           "Yes. I plan to stay and study with him after graduation, so I went over to check with him today." Noin answered. "I guess other people have finally noticed my real identity."           "I expected them to find out the truth earlier." Treize commented.           Noin shrugged and said nothing. A loud explosion sounded just outside the gate at that moment, taking everyone off guard. Treize immediately assembled a crew of five cadets, including Zechs and Noin, and went out to investigate. From the look of the scene, the explosion was clearly the result of a terrorist attack. Being a military training institute, the Academy faced such attacks frequently. No serious or direct damage had ever been done to them since the terrorists feared that the military would retaliate.           The party planned to return to the Academy when Treize spotted someone lying on the ground, obviously hurt by the bombing attack. He signalled the party to move toward the man but Noin suddenly broke out from the group and ran to the person, kneeling beside him. Treize stopped the group and waited. Noin lowered her head, listening intently as the man whispered something. A few minutes later, Noin softly placed her hand over the man's eyes and stood up slowly with tears in her eyes.           As the highest ranking officer and the oldest person in the party, Treize walked up to her and embraced Noin. He patted her on the back, comforting her. Noin didn't cry. Her tears never ran down her cheeks, though her mind was tumultuous. Treize ordered the other four cadets to bury the man, and returned with Noin first. He led her to his office and, after giving her a glass of water, and asked softly. "Noin, did the man say anything before passing?"           Noin nodded, then swallowed hard. "He wanted to apologize to his family and friends, but he only had breath to say the names and his apology to each."           "Then we can't help him to accomplish his wishes?"           Noin shook her lowered head slowly. Treize placed a hand on her shoulder. "This does it. I've tolerated the terrorists long enough. Today, a life was lost because of them. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."           The comm unit on his desk suddenly beeped. He turned to see the screen and read the messages. Noin, seeing that he was occupied, bowed and turned to leave, but Treize stopped her. "Noin, where does your friend live?"           "My friend? He lives in the town on the other side of the river." Noin was puzzled.           "It's the opposite direction then..."           "What is the matter, Sir?"           "I just received a message saying that a kidnapping attempt occurred just outside St. Gabriel Institute. The girls escaped to safety and reported the incident a few minutes ago."           "Really? I hope they're alright." Noin said earnestly, thanking Relena for her 'play'.           "Yes, the girls weren't hurt, but the suspects got away." Treize frowned slightly, then nodded at Noin. "Sorry to delay you, you may go now. Please take care." At that Noin bowed and left the room gratefully. * * * * * * * * *           In a control room disguised as a garage, the man monitoring the screen called out. "Commander! Someone has hacked into our system!"           "What? Why would someone do that? Can you identify and locate the hacker?"           "No, he seems to be very highly skilled... Wait! I've got a signal! It's the hacker!"           The room became silent when a voice transmission was played. "I am sad to inform you that one of your fellow Sweeper, Bob, died from a terrorist bombing on Earth near Lake Victoria in Africa. He had asked me to apologize for his actions. He felt regretful that he did not listen to the advices that some of you gave him...."           The voice paused here for a moment, and someone in the room exclaimed. "What do you mean he felt regretful that he didn't listen to our advices? He didn't really go and kidnap little children, did he?" The speaker ran up to the computer, his long braid dangling behind him.           "Yes and no." the voice continued. "He did proceed with the plan, but I stopped him from accomplishing it. His intended target forgave him and hid the truth from others... He wanted me to give his apologies to the following people: Carl, Karman, ...and Maxwell."           The little boy with the long braid lowered his head. "I'd rather have him back here alive than apologize to me."           "Who are you and how did you come across this information?" the commander inquired.           "Sorry, but I can't tell you who I am. All I can say is that I met Bob today and was the last person he had contact with before he died. I have reasons to prevent my identity from being revealed to you, but you don't have to worry, because I don't plan to give out any information about you, and this would be the only time I'd contact you."           "...Alright then, we'll take your words. Thank you." the commander replied.           "I'm really sorry about Bob." With that the voice transmission ended.           "Whoever that was, I'm glad that such a skilled hacker isn't against us." * * * * * * * * *           The women quarters within the Treize faction dormitories are located at the South end of the campus. The first floor was occupied by female staff members, and the second floor was for female cadets. Since Noin was the only female cadet in the faction, she practically owned the whole second floor. She even had the keys to every room on second floor. The only key she did not possess was the key to the stairs, so once the door to the stairs was locked, she couldn't go downstairs. But the door was only locked late at night so it never pose any problem for her.           Tonight she sat lazily on the couch in the second floor lounge watching the news. No one ever came up to the second floor so she wore her comfortable and soft pyjamas. The news was reporting the kidnapping attempt occurred that afternoon. Normally this kind of incident would not make it to the news, but since it's Relena Darlian, daughter of the Vice Foreign Minister, every news channel covered the story with zest.           It was believed that at ten passed two (which should had been ten to one), Relena and her two friends were taking a walk in the forest just outside the St. Gabriel Institute. Two masked men jumped out from behind the bushes and tried to grab Relena. A tall, middle-aged man passed by right at that moment and saved Relena from the hands of the criminals. The man left without leaving his name or any information about himself. Vice Foreign Minister Darlian appeared on TV and publicly gave his thanks to the man who saved his daughter.           "Appreciation accepted." Noin murmured under her breath.           "Then accept my gratitude as well." A deep, soft voice sounded behind her without warning. Noin's heart skipped a beat as she recognized that voice as Zechs'.           "Zechs! What are you doing here?" She asked hastily, hoping he didn't hear anything.           "I thank you for the same reason Mr. Darlian thanked you for." He wasn't swayed by it.           "Huh? What are you talking about?" Noin was puzzled.           Zechs sat down beside her and glanced her over. He said in a joking manner. "You look cute in pyjamas."           Noin blushed at the comment and brought her knees up to her chin to conceal the puppy patterns on her pyjamas. "You showed up without noticing me in advance, so don't complain."           "I'm not complaining." Zechs smiled. "You went over to your friend's near the coast?"           "Yeah." Noin liked to see him smile, but she felt uneasy about his question.           "So I guess you've already met Relena."           "...Would you believe me if I say no?" Noin tried her luck.           "No." Zechs looked her straight in the eyes. "I'd like to know what really happened."           With a sigh, Noin admitted that she was the one who saved Relena, but the kidnappers got away. 'With the consent of Relena and herself.' Noin added in her mind. She got Relena to agree not to reveal her because she signed a town some distance away as her destination when she left that morning and was not supposed to be there. She'd also kept the identity of the kidnappers.           Zechs listened to her story quietly. "Thank you, Noin, for saving my sister."           Noin glared at him and blinked. "Your sister? You have a sister? Was she one of the girls that were with Relena?"           "My sister is Relena."           "What?!" Noin exclaimed with disbelief. "So you're actually Zechs Darlian?"           "No." Zechs took off his silver mask slowly, revealing a handsome face with icy blue eyes, his platinum blond hair cascaded down his shoulder. "My name is Miliardo Peacecraft."           "Miliardo Peacecraft? I'm sure I've heard that name somewhere before..."           Seeing that she did not react to the name as everyone else would have, Zechs nodded. "I see you don't know much about modern Earth history."           Noin shrugged. "I don't, even though I was born on Earth. I know everything about colonial history though."           "You were born on Earth? Which part of the world?"           "Somewhere near Italy I think." Noin thought for a moment. "You sounded as if I should recognize your name. Where are you from?"           "The Peacecraft monarchy used to rule the Sanc Kingdom in Northern Europe. My father the King promoted the idea of pacifism and thus was detested by the Alliance. My country was destroyed by the Alliance military in A.C. 182..." Zechs paused and swallowed. "Treize got me out of the country before the Alliance got to me. I've swore to revenge my father and the Sanc Kingdom, so I joined the military in order to gain power."           "Zechs..." Noin couldn't help but pull the boy toward her, stroking his hair softly. She wanted to ease his deep sorrow and burden, and silently she made a vow to herself that she would do everything in her power to help him.           Zechs allowed himself to be lost in Noin's comforting and warm presence for a moment. When he had recollected himself, he sat back on the couch and asked in a soft voice. "Why did you join the military?"           "Me? I want to restore peace and happiness back to people's lives, both on Earth and in the colonies. I fight for the love of outer space." Noin smiled in reply.           They continued to talk about their dreams and whatever they planned to do after graduation, unaware of the time. Zechs was talking about the transformation that he had experienced during the past year and how Noin had changed his views on things when he noticed her curled up beside him asleep. She must be very tired after a day of riding, visiting friend, saving Relena, and going through the emotional upheaval when someone died right before her eyes. Zechs looked at her tenderly. She looked so peaceful and angelic when she was sleeping.           Zechs looked around the lounge for some kind of blanket but found none. She would catch a cold if she slept on the couch like that. Feeling a bit guilty, he decided to wake her up. From his angle, he could see that at the base of her neck, there was a long, thin zigzag-shaped scar that resembled a flash of lightning. She must had been a war orphan that was sent to outer space by her family when wars broke out on Earth. There used to be several kingdoms located at and near Italy before the Alliance destroyed them. She probably came from one of these.           He tapped lightly on Noin's shoulder, calling her name. "Noin, wake up. You'll catch a cold if you sleep here. Where is your room?"           Noin opened her eyes slowly, answering sleepily. "Room #7... What time is it?"           "Two AM."           "Really?" Noin sank back down on the couch again. "Then the door's locked already. You can't go now. The keys to every room on this floor are on my desk, just take one and stay there for the night. Good night, Zechs." She went back to sleep after saying those words.           Zechs silently sighed at the sleeping girl. Was she that trusting toward everyone? He carefully picked her up in his arms and walked to her room. The door was open so he just walked right in. Gently placing Noin on her bed, Zechs pulled the blanket over her slim figure. He looked around the room. There weren't much stuff, but it was cozy. There were three framed photos on the shelf. In one, a 7-yr-old Noin smiled brightly with an infant in her arms. In another, a 10-yr-old Noin had her arm circling the shoulder of a very serious looking kid. In the last, Noin was eating a spoonful of ice cream offered to her by Zechs. The corner of his mouth rose up at the sight of the photo. After a last glance at the girl on bed, he picked up a key from the desk and quietly walked out the room. "Good night, Noin." * * * * * * * * *           Early in the morning, the female staff from Treize faction lined up in the first floor of the dormitory, waiting for Noin to come downstairs to congratulate her for her graduation. Noin was surprised by this gathering and welcome when she walked into the hallway, but the situation quickly turned the other way when Zechs appeared behind her. The crowd had their eyes wide with bewilderment.           "We talked until late last night," Noin explained to the women. "and the door was locked so he couldn't leave. He stayed in one of the room upstairs for the night."           The female staff nodded in one accord, still confused by the presence of Zechs. Noin smiled at them and left the dormitory with Zechs. They headed for the men's quarters to get Zechs' graduation cape, since he would need it for the ceremony. As Noin waited outside the dormitory with her cape flapping in the morning breeze, everyone entering and exiting the building eyed her with awe and the deepest respect. There were only 12 graduates this year, and Zechs and Noin were the youngest ever to graduate at 13. They also ranked first and second in marks in the history of the Academy.           Zechs came out from the dormitory wearing the cape, and they headed for the auditorium where the ceremony was to be held. Treize Khushrenada greeted them courteously at the door and congratulated them.           "I am sorry to hear that you won't join Oz until a few years later, Noin." Treize said sincerely. He had got to know her during the year and enjoyed the friendship between them.           Noin smiled at him. "I'm afraid you'll have to endure Zechs' grimness and seriousness for sometime before I'll be able to lighten the situations a bit, Sir."           "Yes, and I look forward to that day." Treize bowed and kissed her hand.           Out of the 12 graduates, only four of them were from Dermail faction, and all four entered the Romefeller Foundation. The other eight Treize faction graduates, saved Noin, entered the service of Treize Khushrenada of Oz. ~to be continued~