I do NOT own the BC characters and the materials except my OCs and my own story. Feedback is always welcome.

Chapter 7: Alliance that You Trust

In the main control room, Captain Kuramitsu summoned the soldiers to explain the situation.

Gengo: "As you already know, we are currently upgrading the Cygnus. While we are on standby, I have received a message… from Zogilia."

Dio: "Zogilia?"

Gengo: "Yes, a Lieutenant Colonel of Vajra and current leader of Zogilia named Alfried Gallant has also known about the Bloody Killers and got some information of them. He wants someone from our team to receive the information."

Satsuma: "But, why us?"

Gengo: "Because we were the the ones who encountered the Bloody Killers and we know that they will come back to attack us. So he decided to give the information to us, but in person."

Fromm: "Why not send the information through the communication system? Wouldn't that be easier than sending one person to them?"

Gengo: "That's true, but he knew if he did that, someone else might also find out through the communication system. It may not just be the data information they had."

Sara: "If that's the case, I will go."

Satsuma: "Nee-san?"

Sara: "I've already met Colonel Gallant and his crew back when I was with the Solitude so it might be reasonable for me to go."

Gengo: "I see. But going alone is not an option. We may be in truce with Zogilia but there's no telling what they will do."

Sara: "Then..."

Sara looked at Dio.

Sara: "Dio, you're my partner. You are coming with me."

Dio: "Why me?"

Gengo: "That's a good idea. Dio, you will accompany Sara-kun for this mission."

Dio: "But…"

Gengo: "I know how you hate Zogilia because of the past. But now, things are different. Not everyone are like that."

Sara: "?"

He silently nodded to accept this mission. Sara was curious about what Captain Kuramitsu said.

Gengo: "All right, Sara-kun and Dio-kun. Get prepared to go."

Sara and Dio: "Roger."

After they were given orders, they were walking through a corridor to the engine room.

Sara: "Dio, back there, did something happened in the past that made you hate Zogilia?"

Dio: "That's none of your concern."

Sara: "But you still hate Zogilia, even now?"

Dio: "..."

Sara: "..."

Dio: "I'll never forgive them for what they did in the past."

Sara stayed silent for a moment. When they got on their valiancers, Sara communicate through the system in the valiancer to Dio's.

Sara: "You already met them in battle but you haven't meet them in person, right? It must be difficult since they were used to be our enemies. But I can tell you that they're not what you think they are."

Dio: "You said you've met them before, didn't you?"

Sara: "Yes, last year when I was with the Solitude. Ever since the peace between the Alliance and Zogilia, there are still some people who still don't trust Zogilia. I was pretty skeptical about them, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I met Colonel Gallant and his crew. After meeting them, I don't think they're bad at all, at least for me it's not."

Dio: "I see."

Sara: "Well then, let's go."

Their valiancers are ready to take off from the Cygnus.

Sara: "Kaons, ready to launch."

Dio: "Bradyon NEXT, let's go."

They flew off from the Cygnus and they were on their way to Vajra, Alfried Gallant Zogilia ship.

When they landed in their ship, all the Zogilian soldiers surrounded their valiancers and Colonel Gallant with his crew were waiting for them. Sara and Dio came out and Colonel Gallant was surprised.

Alfried: "Housaki Sara? I've never thought that I would be seeing you again. It's been a while."

Sara: "Likewise, Colonel Gallant."

Colonel Gallant looked at Dio and his valiancer.

Alfried: "You… are the Bradyon NEXT pilot?"

Dio: "Yes."

Alfried: "I see, so that means two years ago, you were in that battle."

Dio: "I assume that you were in that battle too?"

Alfried: "That's correct. We've met in battle but we never get to meet in person. Let me introduce myself, my name Alfried Gallant, Lieutenant Colonel of this ship, Vajra and also the current leader of Zogilia."

Dio: "My name Junyou Dio Weinberg."

Alfried: "It's nice to meet you Dio. Let's put the past behind us and hopefully we can get along."

Colonel Gallant put out his hand to do the handshake. Dio grabbed his hand and they shake their hands.

Alfried: "Well then, you two came to receive the information about the Bloody Killers, right?"

Sara: "Yes."

Alfried: "I apologise for making you two to come in person but it's very important that no one else will get it, especially the Bloody Killers."

Sara: "I understand. If you send over the information through the system, they may able to receive it and put us on a disadvantage."

Alfried: "That is exactly right, as expected from you, Sara. Tarjim, Lasha, you will escort them to the conference room. I still need to do a little task first before I can go there."

Tarjim and Lasha: "Roger!"

Alfried: "I'll see you later, we'll meet up again in the conference room."

Sara: "Understood."

Colonel Gallant walked away.

Tarjim: "Well, who would I ever thought that you would transfer to the Cygnus?"

Sara: "I have my reasons."

Tarjim: "Like what? Abandoned you're used-to-called-friends?"

Sara: "No! I hadn't abandoned them. There were a lot of things going on and Captain Remming transfer me to the Cygnus because they were having trouble…"

Tarjim: "defeating the Bloody Killers? Yeah, I know. I was just kidding."

Lasha: "Tarjim, you should really stop that. We're not enemies anymore."

Tarjim: "But what if they change their mind? We might become enemies again."

Lasha: "Like I said, stop that. I'm really sorry about this."

Sara: "No, it's alright. You don't have to apologise for him. I've already gotten used to it. You haven't changed a bit didn't you, Tarjim?"

Tarjim: "You haven't changed a tiny bit either."

Lasha: "We should go to the conference room now. Otherwise the Colonel will scold us. Let's go."

Tarjim and Lasha escort them to the conference room. While they were walking through the corridor, they were talking to each other. Lasha looked at Dio, thinking that he felt left out. So he start to speak to him.

Lasha: "Hey, Dio, is it? Two years ago, you and your coupling buddy, him and Hina disappeared along with that singularity, right? What happened to them?"

Dio: "I don't know."

Tarjim: "I don't care what happened to them. They're not going to come back, right?

Dio: "Well…"

Sara: "I'm sure there's a reason why they disappeared along with the singularity. I'm pretty sure they will come back."

Tarjim: "Reason? Like what?"

Sara: "Well… I can't answer that. But whatever it is, I feel like they didn't disappeared for no reason. They will come back one day, for sure."

Lasha: "Sara, you seem to have high hopes for them to come back. Did you happen to know them?"

Sara: "Well… I wanted to meet them. So maybe if they come back one day, I would like to meet them."

Dio: "Huh?"

Lasha: "I see, you haven't met them yet. When you talk about them, it seems like you knew about them for a long time."

Sara: "Really?"

Sara: "I can't tell them that I already met them. That would make me suspicious."

Lasha: "Anyway, we're almost at the conference room so we'll wait for the Colonel from there."

Sara: "Okay."

Tarjim and Dio: "..."

When they made it to the conference room, they were waiting for Colonel Gallant to arrive. When he did, he was holding a hand-held display device and a unique storage device.

Alfried: "Sorry for making you wait."

Sara: "Don't worry, I know how busy you are as the leader, so I don't mind."

Alfried: "Well, let's get straight to the point."

He handed over the hand-held display device to Sara.

Alfried: "That's the information about the Bloody Killers. This includes their abilities, their goal and their coupling system."

Sara read the information as the display appeared. She was really surprised.

Sara: "!"

Alfried: "As you can see, their abilities are way too powerful, even for us to battle against them. They might have some kind of system that generates their bodies to be capable of handling the coupling system. We've also found out that there may be an engineer for their team. That person must be analysing the coupling system for them."

Sara: "I thought so. It was strange that they had the coupling system and I thought there would be someone monitoring them during the battle."

Alfried: "This makes us put at disadvantage. If they continue to go through their pathway, then the world will soon collapse. What's worse is that the Bloody Killers is not the only one."

Sara: "What do you mean?"

Alfried: "Look at this."

Colonel Gallant handed over the unique storage device.

Alfried: "This is the information about the unknown group who called themselves 'Reinforcers'. They originally came from Zogilia and they didn't like how the peace turns out and wants to change it. Similar to the Bloody Killers goal but Reinforcers are more brutal and violent than them. They betrayed our country and recently causing troubles for all of us. So I want to share this information to you and the people in the Cygnus, especially the Captain. I want you be aware of that."

"Reinforcers? How many of them are there?" - Sara.

Alfried: "There are six of them in a group. Luckily they don't use the coupling system but they are still dangerous. They had use an experimental system that generates their bodies to have high capabilities, which is too risky because it also means that it cost their lives. That's why I thought that the Bloody Killers might also do the same experimental system, but with the coupling system."

After listening to his explanation, Sara thoroughly thought about Colonel Gallant's explanation inside her mind to understand what's going on.

Sara: "I understand, this would be definitely useful. Thank you, Colonel Gallant."

Alfried: "No, I should be the one thanking you for coming and receiving this information. I was worried that you might not survive without this."

Sara: "You haven't changed at all, Captain Gallant. As expected from a great strategist."

Alfried: "It looks like you changed a bit since the first time we've met. Your confidence has grown. Is it because you transfer to the Cygnus?"

Sara: "No. It just… I wanted to get stronger. In order for me to do that, I have to think through and go with the flow. That's all."

Alfried: "I see, then may I ask you a question? Why do you fight? For what purpose?"

Sara: "That's…"

She remembered the time she spent with her parents.

Sara: "I want to protect the ones I cared about. I don't want to see anyone die in front of me again, like my parents."

Lasha: "Sara…"

Dio: "..."

Dio looked at Sara. He saw her pained facial expression.

Alfried: "Hmm… I understand."

He nodded.

Alfried: "Well then, you two should…"

A siren interrupted.

Announcer: "The Bloody Killers are approaching to the ship. Pilots, please proceed to the engine room and prepare for battle. I repeat…"

Lasha: "The Bloody Killers?! Since when…"

Tarjim: "Heh, they must have known. Good timing, I wanted to beat those guys."

Alfried: "It looks like the situation has changed. You two, escape from here and return back to the Cygnus. We will fight against them."

Sara: "No, I'll help you. I already know what they're like, so please. Let's fight together."

Alfried: "Sara…"

Sara: "Dio, what about you?"

Dio looked at her. He couldn't reject her appealing expression and sighed.

Dio: "I have no choice. My orders was to accompany you. You're not alone."

Sara: "Then, let's go."

The Bloody Killers are going straight to the Vajra, preparing to attack.

Jake: "It looks like they detected us."

Kisetsu: "Well, of course they would."

Daniel: "Everyone, commence in battle."

The valiancers came out from the Vajra, preparing to battle.

Tarjim: "Let's do this! I'll crush you into bits!"

Lasha: "Be careful, Tarjim. They're strong."

Tarjim: "I know!"

Alfried: "5 on 5, we're evenly match. Everyone, attack them."

Dio set up a video intercom to Sara.

Dio: "Why do you decide to fight along with them?"

Sara: "That's because… I don't think they can handle by themselves. If we didn't help, it will be 3 against 5. That puts them on a disadvantage. So, if we help, we'll be evenly match. Even though they once became our enemies, I would still help them. They are our allies now. So, I wouldn't disagree to help them. Also..."

Dio: "Is there something else?"

Sara: "I'm curious about the Bloody Killers, especially their leader. So, I'm going to fight them seriously."

They battled against each other with their valiancers. They clashed with their swords and deflected them. The Crimson and Kaons are going on 1 vs 1.

Daniel: "I thought so. A couple of messengers from the Cygnus are here to receive the information about us. But this time, I won't let go."

Sara: "Bring it on, Crimson!"

They battled each other, going hard out. They were evenly match. Then suddenly, the Crimson and Kaons slashed at the same time to each other and end up getting hurt. The cockpit was slashed opened to both of them.

Goto: "Captain!"

Dio: "Sara!"

Sara saw the pilot of the Crimson and she was shocked as her eyes are wide opened.

Sara: "D-Daniel?"

He heard her and saw her.
Daniel: "Sara?"

They both looked at each other and surprised.

Sara: "So, I wasn't wrong at all. I don't believe it but…"

Daniel: "Then, you're… the pilot of the Kaons?"

Sara: "I should say the same thing. But why? Why are you doing this?"

Daniel: "..."

He didn't know what to say.

Kisetsu: "Daniel!"

Kisetsu came to protect him. He also saw Sara.

Kisetsu: "Huh? A girl? Wait, isn't she the one…"

Dio: "Sara!"

Dio came to protect her.

Sara: "Dio!"

Dio: "Don't worry, Leave this to me-"

The missile shot Bradyon NEXT and he got partly damaged.

Dio: "!"

Sara: "Dio!"

Masato: "Don't get distracted!"

Dio: "Damn!"

Masato: "Haaaaaa!"

Sara: "What should I do? At this rate, Dio…"

Dio: "Damn! The system is not responding properly. I can't dodge it!"

Sara: "Dio!"

CLANG!

Sara and Dio: "!"

Masato: "W-What?"

Tarjim: "You're forgetting one thing, I'm still here!"

Masato: "Damn!"

Tarjim stopped Masato's attack. Dio was surprised as he didn't expected this.

Dio: "You…"

Tarjim: "I'm not doing this for you, you know? Just get Sara and get away from here! I'll handle this guy."

Lasha: "Dio! Are you alright?"

Dio: "Y-Yeah."

Lasha: "Leave this to us. Get Sara and take her back to the ship."

Dio: "But…"

Lasha: "Don't worry. We'll handle this somehow."

Sara: "Tarjim… Lasha…"

Lasha: "Go!"

Dio nodded and take Sara's half broken valiancer back to the ship. Sara saw Daniel as he's also taken back by Jake.

Daniel: "Let's retreat, Jake. Tell everyone to retreat."

Jake: "Roger. Everyone, retreat! That's the Captain's order!"

Masato: "Tsk, I was having fun. Can't I just defeat this guy first?"

Jake: "No! We have to go."

Kisetsu: "Come on, Masato! You heard him. There's no point fighting them! We have to go!"

Masato: "I know, I know that!"

They all flew away. Tarjim and Lasha sighed while Dio take Sara back to Vajra.

When they landed back in the engine room, they both got out of their cockpit of the valiancers. Luckily, Sara didn't get injured. They took off their helmets as they got out. Sara ran towards Dio and lean on his chest.

Sara: "I'm glad. I'm glad you're okay, Dio."

Dio was surprised as he didn't expect her to do that.

Sara: "I thought you actually die back there. It's my fault, I'm sorry."

Her eyes were teary while she said that. Dio stood there and he responded…

Dio: "I did what I need to do. Don't blame yourself. You don't need to apologise."

She stopped leaning on him and take a step back.

Sara: "But still, I let you get yourself in danger. Even though I said I would protect the ones I cared about. Yet…"

She clenched her hands tightly.

Dio: "Like I said, don't blame yourself. Not everyone can keep their words every time. Beside, at least you're safe. That's a relief."

Sara: "Dio…"

They stay silent for a moment, looking at each other. Dio blushed a little.

Dio: "D-Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like I did this for you."

Sara chuckled a little.

Sara: "All right, I get it."

Tarjim: "Hey, you two. Stop being so lovey-dovey."

Dio and Sara: "Huh?"

Tarjim and Lasha stand there, looking at them.

Tarjim: "If you want to be lovey-dovey to each other, do it somewhere else."

Dio: "Who said we were being lovey-dovey?"

Sara: "That's right. You got the wrong idea."

Lasha: "Anyway, I'm glad you're both safe."

Sara: "You too. Thank you for saving our lives."

Lasha: "That's what comrades are for, right?"

Dio: "It's not like I need your help."

Tarjim: "Oh really? Then you wouldn't be here right now."

Dio: "What?"

Sara: "He's right, Dio. We were in a critical situation back there. If they didn't came to save us, we wouldn't be standing right here now. So you should thank them."

Dio: "..."

Sara: "I told you before. They're not what you think they are. When you get to know them a little better, you'll understand what kind of people they are. Everyone can change. That's how it goes."

Lasha: "Dio, it's okay if you don't thank us. We only did what we wanted to do."

Tarjim: "We did?"

Lasha hit Tarjim's back with his left hand.

Tarjim: "Ouch! Err… yeah. He's right."

Dio stayed silent for a moment. Then he finally said...

Dio: "...I'm very grateful... that you save us back there…Thank you."

Tarjim and Lasha: "He thanked us."

They gave him a surprised look.

Dio: "W-What?"

Lasha: "It's nothing."

Alfried: "It looks like you're all getting along."

Colonel Gallant walked up to them.

Lasha: "Colonel! Are you alright?"

Alfried: "Yes, I'm alright. But it looks like your valiancers will need to be repair."

Colonel Gallant is looking at Bradyon NEXT and Kaons, which are damaged.

Alfried: "I'll call the Cygnus to pick you two up. I'm sorry that you got involved in this."

Sara: "No, don't apologize. It was my decision. At least everyone is safe."

Colonel Gallant nodded in agreement. As they wait for the Cygnus to come, Sara thought about Daniel after that battle.

Back at the Bloody Killers' base, Daniel got out of his valiancer with no injury. His comrades ran to him as they were worried.

Jake: "Captain! Are you alright?"

Daniel: "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you guys."

Kisetsu: "That's good. By the way, Captain…"

Kisetsu looked at Daniel with a serious expression.

Kisetsu: "That girl… it was that same girl you met earlier, isn't it?"

Daniel looked down and nodded.

Daniel: "...Yeah."

He thought about her as he didn't expect to see her again.

Author's note: Hey everyone! Thanks for reading this chapter. To make up for being absent for this story, I had to wrote a long chapter than usual so hopefully it's not too long. Remember, feedback is always welcome!