Zechs Merquise
Prologue
OZ Mobile Suit Carrier, Middle East

My name... I have had many names. Lieutenant.. The Lightning Baron.. Milliardo Peacecroft.

I.. Milliardo Peacecroft; heir to the Kingdom of Sanc.. And a coward. God help me, I was a coward.. The Earth Sphere Alliance bid that the Sanc Kingdom was just too much of a risk to let thrive, and to silence their resistance without giving the neighboring countries a bad impression, they had the royal family.. My father and mother... Assassinated, no.. Executed. And I, was just too young and powerless to make a difference..

My name is Zechs Merquise...

"Lieutenant..?"

Zechs remained silent, haunted by his own thoughts.

"... Lieutenant Zechs?"

"... Yes, Zan. I heard you.." He replied, staring at the deck below him.

"Sir, is something wrong?"

"Something? Perhaps..."

Zan cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the masked Lieutenant. "Sir, I just received a message from OZ headquarters."

Zechs looked up at the young officer. "And?"

"They have called in another unit to continue in our place, they have ordered us to Azerbaijan."

Zechs tilted his head back, "I see, continue."

"Apparently the Alliance base at Baku has been overtaken by a few malcontents a-"

"-They want us to quell this little uprising, don't they?"

".. Yes sir."

This is strange, we are a long way from Azerbaijan. There is closer OZ facilities that would be much better equipped to handle this. I feel like I'm being tested.

"All right, Zan. Change our course and prepare a Leo for drop when we reach Baku."

Zan raised his hand to a salute. "Sir, yes sir. But, does that mean you'll be leading the suits into battle?"

"Not quite, Zan. I am going to be fighting alone."

"B-But Lieutenant! You'll be-"

Zechs cut him off with a stroke of his arm, "Zan. If they want to test me, I might as well let them see me at my best when I'm piloting, not commanding from afar."

A look of confusion swept across the red haired officer. "But, Zechs.. I mean Lieutenant, please let me accompany you on the Aires."

"Zan, I need you to stay here. Nobody must know about this mission except for the two of us, please keep it that way. I have asked very little of you, but I'm asking you now."

"But- yes sir."

Zechs stood to his feet and walked towards the rear launch bay. "... Thank you, Zan."

If this order comes from OZ headquarters, if must be from someone high in the organization... And why does it seem that the weight of this mask is getting heavier with each passing day?