Disclaimer: I do not own Vandread, Robotech, Zoids, Gundam Wing, or Xenogears. Nor do I own the names and descriptions of several of the characters I will be using. I will be using the Robotech books by Jack McKinney as the basis for all mecha from Robotech. All Zoids and Xenogears equipment are customized to the Vandread universe and, as such, will not have minds or will of their own.

All criticism is welcome, however, if you are going to try and flame me, at least be original. There are only so many times you can be told, "You Suck!!!" before it gets boring.

A/N: A few friends of mine said that I focus too much on conversation and not enough on the description of what is happening. Taking that into account, I will try (no promises) to fix that and I will be going back to the first two chapters to do the same.

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"Hibiki, how much longer do you need the cast for your arm?"

Hibiki jumps and looks to the voice that snuck up on him to see B.C. leaning very close to him over his shoulder. He breathes a quiet sign of relief and shrugs.

"Duero said it should be fine in about 2 more weeks. He won't know for sure until we are back on the Nirvana and he can do a full scan. I can't wait, though, it's itching like crazy."

B.C. nods her head slightly to his statement.

"Okay, remember to take it easy on that arm, and let Dita know you need to take it easy as well."

She smiles inwardly when he blushes at her comment about Dita, 'Although,' she thinks, 'he does still seem a bit confused about the comment.'

She walks down the aisle between the shuttle seats towards Duero and Bart. Duero is sitting quietly reading a book, ignoring the snoring Bart sitting right next to him. He looks up at B.C. as she approaches.

"Is everything okay, Commander?"

"Everything is fine, how about you two?"

"Everything is fine here, although I will be looking into some things to cure snoring when I have the time."

B.C. smiles at the comment and moves on down the aisle. She sees that most of the men in this compartment of the shuttle are sleeping or quietly occupying their time. She sees four playing cards in the corner. Another few are talking quietly and laughing. Overall, they seem to be a quiet and calm bunch. She smiles at that thought. Because of her life, she has more of an insight into men's personalities than most of the rest of the crew on the Nirvana, but these men pleasantly surprise her. They are not like the stereotypical Taarakian. Most are overbearing, proud, noisy, and quick to jump into decisions and actions, usually before thinking about it. She was starting to see the wisdom in sending these men with the Nirvana.

She was almost to the last row when she saw Colonel Slate entering through the rear hatch. He sat down in the last row and appeared to be listening to something with headphones. She continued on and exited the compartment through the same door he entered through. Inside she saw twenty more rows of seats, each with a soldier in it. Seeing that everything was fine, she returned to the front compartment and sat next the Colonel. He didn't seem to notice when she sat down, as his eyes were closed and he appeared to be asleep listening to the headphones still. She decided not to bother him and closed her own eyes to sleep while waiting to dock with Vidar before heading to meet the Nirvana.

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"We will be docking with the Vidar in 5 minutes, be sure all preparations are complete. I repeat, we will be docking with the Vidar in 5 minutes, be sure all preparations are complete."

The computerized voice over the 1MC (1) woke most of the crew up and they completed the job by waking up those still sleeping near them. Everyone started to prepare to leave the shuttle and head onboard the Vidar (2). Dita helped Hibiki with his stuff with him mumbling the entire time about being babied by a woman and how a man can carry his own stuff. Dita just smiled at him through it all and continued to carry his stuff. Colonel Slate went to the 1MC panel on the back of the compartment.

"All hands, listen up. We are going to be on training maneuvers for three months. During this time, we will be working with women, quite a few of which will be as used to men as you are to them. You will be on your best behavior. No fights, no brawls, and no arguments. If you feel like breaking my rules, I'm quite sure Major Long's new equipment could use a spit shine. Any problems bring them to me or Colonel Barrow. That is all. TAGS Company, move out."

With that, he stepped away from the comm. and headed waited for the compartment to clear. As soon as the last person stepped out, he went through the rear hatch and checked the back to find it empty as well. He then walked to the hatch they left through and boarded the Vidar.

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The Vidar was the newest in a series of ships for the Taarakians. It was far sleeker than previous ships. Slightly shorter and slimmer than the Nirvana, it was also theoretically capable of entering atmosphere and landing, but it hadn't been tested yet. It had two elevators on top that led to Vanguard storage areas, two drop ships to carry equipment and personnel to and from planet surface, four missile launch bays forward (3) and two aft (4), and automated defense weapons lining both sides of the ship on top and underneath for a total of 28 guns. Each gun, if it worked to specifications, would put out 30000 rounds per minute with completely computerized tracking systems aiming the weapons.

As Colonel Slate entered the ship, he activated his comm. unit and listened to preparations for departure.

"Docking for both drop ships will be complete in 10 minutes."

"Crew shuttle departing for planets surface."

"Departing for Nirvana in 30 minutes. All supplies with exception of drop ships complete."

He nodded at each statement as it streamed out of the comm. unit as he made his way to the bridge. On the bridge he found six men running system checks on their stations. He turned to go to his seat to find his station in pieces.

"Corporal, what happened here?"

The man nearest to him looked up as he spoke and, seeing the condition of the Colonel's station, turned a little pale.

"Sir, the technicians were scheduled to repair it today and no one informed them that we would be launching. They will be here soon to finish the job, sir."

Colonel Slate turned to look at the man.

"Call them up and tell them to get this done ASAP (5) if what they are working on now isn't vital to moving this ship, then make it NOW."

The corporal rushed back to his station to call the technicians. Colonel Slate stands for a second looking at his station and, shrugging, turns back to the hatch leading onto the bridge to leave and check the Vanguard hangars. On his way, he sees three technicians run past towards the bridge.

When he reaches the hangars, he sees Hibiki with Dita hanging off his right arm, standing to the side out of the way, watching his men work getting everything ready. He walks over to them.

"Dita, Hibiki, how are you doing?"

"Good, Colonel, just watching them getting everything ready. It's really interesting to watch, because it looks like total chaos, but is really organized all the same. It's really cool."

"How are you doing, Mr. Colonel?"

"I'm okay, Dita, just double checking everything before launch."

"Do you fly a Vanguard also, Colonel?"

"Yes, it's named Gray Dog, more of a hand to hand unit, but still has a few surprises."

"Will you be doing simulator combat with us and the women?"

"Yes, I will be having all the pilots doing simulation training. I understand you have some older Tsukumo model Vanguards on the Nirvana still. Do you know if they are planning anything with them?"

"I guess we do, we haven't used them except for once, so unless they were moved or scrapped, then they would still be there. I don't know if they have anything planned for them. Do you have something in mind?"

"Yes, actually, I'm thinking of putting a few of my pilots on the Nirvana with their Vanguards. That way we will have a few pilots over there to help defend it if necessary."

Suddenly, Slate's comm. unit beeps.

"Colonel Slate speaking."

"Sir, the drop ships will be docking soon with the new model Vanguards on them. Problem is, Colonel, we don't have the room on the ship to take them off the drop ships. Should we leave the new models on them?"

"Yes, that shouldn't be a problem, just make sure they are secured firmly. Wouldn't want to damage them or anything else."

"Yes, sir."

With that, the comm. unit shuts off. Colonel Slate turns to Hibiki and Dita.

"Well, I have work to do. I will see you two later."

"Later, Colonel."

"Bye, Mr. Colonel."

Slate walks back towards the bridge. Upon entering the bridge, he sees the three technicians he saw running past earlier working on his station. Deciding to leave them to their job, he turns to the bridge officer, Major Dobbs.

"Major, how long till we are fully prepped to depart?"

"15 more minutes, sir."

"Let me know when our ETD (6) is five minutes."

"Roger that, sir."

Major Dobbs returns to overseeing the six men at the stations as Slate watches the three techs working on his station.

"You three have ten minutes to finish."

"But sir…"

"Nine minutes."

The technician turns back to his task and starts working faster. Slate walked to the nearest wall and leaned against it, waiting for the technicians to finish. After eight minutes, two of the techs starting putting away tools and equipment while the third finished closing up a panel on the station. As soon as he finishes closing the panel, all three quickly leave the bridge. Slate walks over to the station and sits down.

"Everything ready, Major?"

"Almost, sir, seven minutes to departure."

"Alright, carry on then."

Slate turns his attention to the display on his station and begins studying statistics of the new Vanguards. They were top of the line when it came to equipment used in their construction, but each specialized in its own area. The Hellcat model seemed to be stealth operations, the Gunsniper to long range sniping, the Liger Panzer was a walking missile platform with two cannons on top, the Command Wolf's were good general purpose, but he would have the techs lock the Ragnarok Fang (7) attack just to be on the safe side. Lightning Saix was made for high speed assaults on enemies. Onboard he had a total of 10 Lightning Saix, 20 Command Wolf's, 4 Liger Panzers, 6 Gunsnipers, and 10 Hellcats.

"Fifty units ready for testing and combat. Maybe split them into two companies, evenly distribute between them. I will have to check them out and see the armaments test on them all before I make any decision about that, though."

Slate activates his comm. unit and types in 3579.

"Barrow, can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, Colonel."

"All Vanguards onboard and locked down?"

"Yes sir, ready to leave when you are."

"Roger, Slate out."

"Major Dobbs. Let's move out."

"Yes, Sir!"

Major Dobbs turns to the bridge crew.

"LAUNCH!!"

There is a brief vibration throughout the untested ship as new engines are powered up to full power and activated. Within seconds, the vibration stops and the ship is moving smoothly through space for a rendezvous with the Nirvana.

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A/N: Ah, it's that wonderful time again. Otherwise known as explanation time.

1. 1MC – Used as an announcement system onboard naval vessels. It is usually used to sound the time, warnings, and speeches by the ships captain.

2. Vidar – Norse god of vengeance, son of Odin and giantess Grid. Destined to avenge Odin's death at Ragnarok and is one of the few gods destined to survive the conflict.

3. Forward – naval terminology meaning the front of the vessel or ship.

4. Aft – naval terminology meaning the back end of the vessel or ship.

5. ASAP – As Soon As Possible.

6. ETD – Estimated Time of Departure.

7. Ragnarok Fang – a suicide attack in which the machine clamps its jaws to the enemy and self-destructs. Machine, pilot, and (theoretically) the enemy are destroyed in the explosion.