In mid-September, CE 73, the artificial sunlight over PLANT's Starlight Residential District remained gentle, yet it could no longer penetrate the cold undercurrents lurking in every corner of the Space Colony. I, Hawke, stood in my apartment courtyard, rubbing an unremarkable metal badge between my fingertips-the identification badge of an ordinary ZAFT Mobile Suit pilot. Tiny burrs from its recent stamping still lined its edges. It was worlds apart from the elite White Uniform badge I had once worn. Lacus approached with a warm glass of fruit and vegetable juice. A trace of worry lingered in her blue eyes, but unconditional trust and support shone brighter. She gently passed me the glass, her voice soft but firm. "Is everything ready? Be careful, and don't expose your identity."
I took the glass, and the warmth against my fingertips eased my restlessness a little. I drank a mouthful, the sweet juice sliding down my throat and dispelling some of the fatigue from days of planning. "Don't worry. Everything's arranged." I turned and gently took Lacus's hand, stroking her cool fingertips with my thumb, my eyes full of affection. "I've submitted my resignation to the Military Academy. Ezalia Joule has smoothed things over with military headquarters and arranged an ordinary Mobile Suit pilot's identity for me. I'll belong to ZAFT's Seventh Mobile Squad, under the code name Gray Raven. My record is clean, my background simple-perfect for going undercover."
Ever since returning to PLANT from Orb, I had known that Durandal's conspiracy had entered a critical stage. Training new recruits at the Military Academy and quietly building connections were no longer enough. I had to return to active service and penetrate the heart of ZAFT's military structure to track Durandal's deployments, the progress of the destiny plan, and the details of his collusion