(Untitled)

[lightningbaron6]

Zechs had forgotten that, though the fabric itself was comfortable, his Preventers uniform chafed at him in ways that his OZ one never had. Certainly there had been problems toward the end, but in OZ his position had always been one of authority, even though he'd answered to Treize. He was pretty sure that in the Preventers that would not be the

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[maxwellsdemon02]

Duo is a little wary, still. But he hasn't been able to fly for ages, so he eagerly snatches up the other headset and flops into the pilot's chair.

He confers briefly with the tower before being cleared for take-off, and expertly points the shuttle towards Sanq's capital.

"You're safe from the commander this afternoon," Duo remarks, hands still on the controls, locking in their flight path. "I'm apparently giving you the tour of HQ, and the keys and codes to the apartment complex."

[lightningbaron6]

'I figured I'd be housed in the controlled units,' Zechs said simply. 'Easier to keep an eye on me that way.' He adjusted his headset so it sat firmly on the appropriate frequency, reducing the static that had crackled briefly in his ear.

'Well, regardless, waiting a while will be good. I'm never at my best after a flight, unless it be in an MS, of course. It'll give me an opportunity to put a call in to Relena, as well.' He winced briefly. 'I fear she won't be very happy with me, about this. With any luck Heero will have already let her know, so she'll have had some time to scream and break the china if she feels it necessary.'

He glanced back into the tiny cabin, then looked forward again. 'How are things, at headquarters? It's been a while.'

[maxwellsdemon02]

Duo peers at Zechs out of the corner of his eye. "This is just layover, ya know. I don't live in those damn barracks. 'S not like you have a guard detail on you or anything."

He taps his fingers on the panels in front of him, fidgeting restlessly. "Eh. It's a living. I dunno if it'd be better or worse if they knew who we were. Are. Whatever."

It's hard to identify himself these days.

[lightningbaron6]

Zechs sensed a sort of evasion, but found himself in no position to press the issue. He shrugged off his coat and adjusted his uniform.

'So long as I have a bit of privacy.' Zechs pushed his hair back behind his ears and consulted the navigation panel, getting a bearing on their position.

'So the commander wishes for us to maintain anonymity. That's logical, no doubt.' He blinked slowly. 'I imagine that the Preventers has rather become a repository of sorts for people that might be a perceived threat to peace and stability if left to their own devices.'

[maxwellsdemon02]

An hour later, Duo is fidgeting in the main lobby of the Preventer building. The cuffs on his jacket will probably fall off if he rolls them up and lets them fall much too many more times.

The receptionist is watching him curiously, obviously used to seeing agitated Preventers. But this is a new behavior for Maxwell.

[lightningbaron6]

True to his word, Zechs stepped out of his cab precisely an hour after he and Duo had parted company. He paid the driver, tipped him, then straightened his jacket and walked boldly through the main doors, not prepared to care if anyone noticed or commented. Duo was already there and, Zechs noticed, rather distraught.

'Maxwell,' he said calmly. 'I hope I've not kept you waiting?'

[maxwellsdemon02]

"Nope. Right on the dot. You're good. Welcome to your home away from home- not that you haven't been before. I figure a few things have probably changed, including security measures since we've gotten bigger. Follow me!"

Duo spins around and trots over to the agents manning the entrance to the actual Preventer offices. He passes them his ID and chats happily with one of the men before being allowed through.

[lightningbaron6]

Zechs permitted himself an amused little smile before schooling his features into an expression of absolute calm and control once again. He handed over his own ID to the agents for inspection; if things are anything like they were the last time he was on active service, then piggybacking still isn't permitted.

When he had his identification back, Zechs followed after Duo and looked around him.

'New security measures?' he questioned.