Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids.

Disclaimer 2: Vega belongs to me! Please do not use him without my permission!

Disclaimer 3: The Gorgon DiFang and the M.O.S.A experiment concepts belong to ShadowRebirth37! Please do not use them without her permission!

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Raven and Vega went on a bandit hunting mission that showed Raven just what kind of shot Vega really is. I'm sorry if the battle kinda disappointed a few of you, but you have to remember. It was a training exercise for Vega, so Raven wasn't really supposed to go all gung-ho on their asses. ^^; He was just supposed to be there for back up incase Vega needed it ^^; But don't worry! There will be a couple of Zoid battles I'm sure that you don't want to miss!

Thanks to those of you that Reviewed!


§ The Truth: Part One §

The rest of the night passed on much more quietly. Since they hadn't gone to bed until three that morning, they slept in until around ten thirty. By that time Vega was starting to wake up, knowing that this wasn't a normal time for him to get up. Raven was still asleep, having barely moved all night. The alarm clock had 'mysteriously' vanished, though the spring caught in Shadow's teeth could have been a clue...

Eventually Vega began to drag himself out of bed; for once his hair was finally tussled enough that he needed to actually comb it. He groaned as he sat up, and rubbed his eyes sleepily. He didn't really want to deal with Prozen today... Raven didn't so much a twitch when Vega started moving around. He was tired, and at this rate wouldn't wake up until noon…tomorrow.

Vega started down the ladder, eager to get his uniform back so then he would have to wear something that revealed one of his 'brands'. He quietly made his way to the door to see if it had been washed and returned yet. He sighed in disappointment when he saw that it was still gone. He shut the door again quietly, not quite sure just what to do and not really wanting to be investigated by Raven and/or Shadow at the moment. Said pilot and Organoid were too deeply asleep to notice that Vega was awake, let alone investigate him. Raven wasn't used to staying up late and then having to get up early, so he wasn't about to wake up.

Vega pondered just what to do. One the one hand he could go back to his bed and start typing on his laptop. But he feared that that would wake Raven up. He could also use the Dark Pilot's desk to type. It wouldn't carry the sound of his keystrokes, but it was more 'dangerous' if the dark pilot were to get up and look over his shoulder... ...He thought for a minute before going over to the desk and getting his laptop out to work on it. Raven moved slightly once Vega began typing, pulling the blanket over his head. He didn't make any other moves or look over, so Vega was safe... for the moment...

Vega hardly paid attention to when Raven shifted around. He was busy researching something that would help him later on. He knew that it would be very risky, but if he ever wanted to be 'free' then he had to take that risk. Raven was woken up slightly by the noise of Vega typing, growling slightly in annoyance. "... can't... you do that tomorrow... 'Neuzu...?"

The blond stopped typing for a second to respond to Raven. "...sorry... ...but there's a few things that I need to research..." He replied quietly.

"...what...?" Raven muttered sleepily, not bothering to pull the blanket down from over his head.

"...it's...a personal matter..." Vega replied, knowing that Raven wouldn't buy it but had to try anyways.

"...whaddya mean by that...?" Raven asked, pulling the blanket down and lifting his head slightly, looking over his shoulder at Vega a bit oddly. His vision was still blurry from just waking up, so he couldn't make out anything on the screen.

"...that...for now it's a personal matter of mine...that I'm trying to find answers to... ...Don't worry...I'll tell you when I figure something out..." 'If you even want to talk to me by that time...'

Raven nodded slightly. "...'kay..." he said quietly, before trying to get comfortable again. He dozed off a few minutes later. Vega sighed quietly, glad that Raven didn't try to dig deeper. Once he was sure that Raven was sleeping did he turn back to his laptop and start his typing again. Raven didn't bother him again, in too deep a sleep to be bothered by the clicking of the keys on the laptop. Shadow wasn't bothered either, but eventually spit out the spring in her mouth from the 'vanished' alarm clock. Vega researched on his laptop for another hour, completely oblivious to what time it was. He was still typing away, even as Raven started to come around.

Raven opened his eyes slightly, rubbing them lightly to try and get some sight back into them. He rolled onto his back and pushed the covers off slightly, glancing over at Vega. "...still at it...?" he joked slightly, sitting up. Vega only hummed at him that he had heard him. He was stuck, needless to say, and he was starting to get frustrated. Not to mention that his uniform still hadn't returned yet.

Raven shook his head slightly, trying to wake up. "... I take it your uniform isn't back yet..."

"...no..." He replied as his eyes scanned his screen for any useful information.

Raven sighed loudly. "Well... until that comes back, we'll stay here..."

Vega nodded. "Yeah... ...I don't want other people asking about 'this'..." He said quietly as he tore his eyes away from his screen to turn and face Raven. At least he knew that the Dark Pilot would understand that he was talking about his 'brand'.

"I can understand that..." Raven said, being the same way with the scar on his hand. He pulled his pack onto his bed before looking through it, trying to find something to keep it occupied.

"...what're you looking for?" The blond asked curiously.

Raven shrugged. "I don't know... something to pass the time I guess..." he answered.

"...you don't have to stay here with me you know... ...I think I can manage until I get my uniform back."

Raven shook his head. "Prozen said not to leave you alone with Shadow..." he said, motioning to the sleeping Organoid, "... besides... there's nothing to do anywhere anyway..."

Vega nodded. "...alright... I don't want you to get in trouble with him..." The blond said as he turned to face his laptop again.

Raven went back to looking through his pack, and eventually pulled out the bag of fruit he kept, "You hungry, 'Neuzu?"

"...no... ...Not right now," Vega replied as he saved his research. He waited until that was done, and went to turn it off. But, he wasn't able to do that before Raven caught a glimpse of the screen and a large 'V' dot something caught his attention.

Raven blinked when he saw that. "Vega? What's that mean?" he asked, motioning to the screen when he saw the V dot whatever else.

Vega's face went slightly pale and he forcefully closed his laptop shut before Raven could see any more. "It's nothing," He replied, knowing that that answer wouldn't do him any good. But he was panicking slightly and that was the first thing that came to mind.

Raven grew a bit suspicious when Vega reacted that way. "... nothing, huh?" he replied sarcastically, knowing something was up. Vega didn't respond to him. He could feel his heart starting to beat wildly. Raven couldn't find out, not yet and not now.

Raven narrowed his eyes slightly. "... alright... tell me what's going on, Vega," he said seriously. Vega shook his head 'no' slightly. He couldn't. He'd not only get in huge trouble but he'd be killed! He valued his life thank you!

Raven growled slightly in annoyance. "...you're really starting to try my patients, Vega..."

"...s-sorry... ...but I can't..." He replied quietly.

"Why not, Vega?" Raven asked, really getting concerned and a bit spooked by all these secrets and things.

"...he'll 'kill' me... ...This may sound selfish and cowardly, but I value my life... ...I don't want it taken from me..." He said softly.

Raven sighed quietly, knowing he wasn't going to get any further with this. "...fine..." he muttered, lying down on his bunk before pulling out another small oilfruit and his switchblade. Vega lowered his gaze. He knew that he had made Raven upset. But he really couldn't tell the dark pilot anything...not until he had 'it' and Prozen didn't... Raven 'peeled' the oilfruit, cutting a slice of the orange flesh with his knife before eating it. He was hungry, and this was the only thing he had at the moment.

Vega left him alone until there was a knock at their door and a personnel telling them that the uniform was cleaned. Vega went and retrieved it after he was sure that the person was gone. Once he had it he went back to the attached bathroom to change. Raven had finished eating the oilfruit by the time Vega went to change. He gave Shadow the remnants before opening up his precious Zoidian book, picking up where he left off.

The blond returned after a few minutes, carrying the folded night clothes in his arms. He hesitantly set them down on the desk, having packed up his laptop after shutting it down. Raven didn't notice, still reading his book. The ancient writing always managed to calm him down, no matter what. Vega sat back down at the desk. He had the heavy sense of Raven not wanting him in the room any more. But because he was slightly afraid of getting up and going to the door to the hanger, he didn't try it.

Eventually Raven found a stopping point and put the book away, sitting up and swinging his legs of the edge of the bunk. "We need to speak to Prozen. If we wait any longer he'll blow a fuse..." he muttered, grabbing the folder from his pack. Vega nodded slightly and got up to follow him out. He made sure to walk a little ways behind him, but he wasn't too far behind that Raven had to stop and wait for him.

Raven lead the way to Prozen's office, knocking once before opening the door and walking in; not even waiting for an answer. "We're back, Prozen."

Vega followed him in and stood in his usual spot. Prozen was sitting at his desk filling out some papers before he took notice of them. "And how went this mission?" He asked. So far, he seemed to be in a good mood.

Raven sat down in the chair, setting the folder heavily on the Regent's desk. "It went fine." he replied simply.

Prozen nodded and looked though the file that Raven had handed to him. "What's this scratched out part?"

"It's hard writing in the dark, you know." Raven replied sarcastically, having scratched the sentence out well enough from preventing Prozen from ever figuring out what they had said.

Prozen just nodded slightly, though something did seem a bit...off... He'd keep an eye on these reports though. "Very well, you two are dismissed." He replied.

Raven nodded and got up. "Come on, 'Neuzu..." he said, opening the door and walking into the hallway, waiting for the blond pilot to follow. Vega followed after him, not liking that smirk that was on the Regent's face as he left the room. He dreaded what the Regent would have him do when he met with him next.

Raven looked over at Vega. "Well... I guess we just go back to our quarters' now..." he sighed. Vega nodded and followed after him. He was just glad that Prozen didn't ask him to stay behind this time. Raven opened the door to their quarters' and let them in. He shut the door before lying down on his cot with a loud sigh. Vega sat down at the desk again, not wanting to just lie on his bed for the rest of the day. He didn't get on his laptop again, knowing that Raven would once again question him.

Raven opened up his Zoidian book once again, beginning to read. Shadow looked between both of them, before curling back up. Raven hadn't bothered turning on the overhead light; the light filtering through the curtains was enough. Vega left Raven along for the most part, since his only possession was his laptop. He blinked every now and then, shifting his eyes as he looked around the room for something to either read or do.

Raven was still reading his book, but glanced up at Vega when he saw he was just glancing around. "What're you do- Vega! What's wrong with your eyes?" he asked suddenly, seeing them almost light up after he blinked in the darkened room. Vega was slightly startled when Raven suddenly said that and as a result quickly looked to him after he had blinked again. He didn't even comprehend what he had asked him.

Raven immediately spotted the almost glittering lights in the blond pilot's eyes when he looked at him and blinked. "Vega! It did it again! What on Zi are in your eyes?"

Vega blinked in surprise again, causing the lights to go off again. "...what...?" He finally asked.

Raven sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, "Your eyes! They keep lighting up!"

It took a moment for Vega's mind to catch up to what Raven was saying. "...o-oh... ...uhm...well... ...remember that the Regent said that they were...'special'...?"

Raven nodded, still looking at Vega's eyes. "... even if they are 'special'... human eyes can't make their own light, Vega..."

Vega shrugged slightly, not wanting to go into too much detail. "...I...don't know what to tell you..." He replied.

Raven narrowed his eyes slightly. "... I think you do know, Vega, but aren't telling me for some reason..." Vega remained quiet, not answering Raven. He couldn't tell the dark pilot just yet. He knew that somehow Prozen would find out and that would be bad for the both of them. Raven sighed loudly. "I get it. It's one of those things that you 'can't talk about'." he sighed loudly.

Vega looked down. "...sorry..." He said quietly. He didn't like lying to Raven, but he had no other choice if he wanted to protect them for a good while.

"...it's alright... I guess..." Raven answered, getting back up and walking to his closet. He opened the box he hid in there, looking through some of the papers. Eventually he pulled out one of the Zoidian journals, reading it as he closed the closet and sat back down. Vega left him along again, knowing better than to disturb him for a while. They remained quiet for a good half an hour before their door opened without warning and the Regent walked in and stood in the doorway.

Raven didn't react at first, too busy reading the aged Zoidian paper. "... Shadow, don't go too far..." he said, thinking it was just Shadow leaving the room.

Vega, on the other hand, became very pale. "So... We're with-holding evidence are we Raven?" Came the smooth, obviously smug, voice of the Regent.

Raven immediately froze and tensed. He lowered the paper, looking at the Regent in surprise and a bit of fear. "R-Regent Prozen! What're y-you doing here?"

The Regent smirked cruelly. "I was going to offer the two of you another mission, apart from what's on the list. But, now I think a few days in the dungeon would be good for the both of you."

Raven narrowed his eyes. "Vega had nothing to do with it! Besides, it's just a personal journal! It doesn't have any relevance to what you asked us to retrieve, Prozen!" he argued.

Prozen chuckled before speaking again, "'Vega' is as responsible as you are since he failed to report it to me. And regardless of what it is, I asked you to bring me back everything that you found."

Raven narrowed his eyes slightly. "Leave Vega out of it," he growled again.

The Regent smirked, "And just why are you so intent that I leave...'Vega' out of it?"

Raven blinked. Honestly he wasn't exactly sure himself. He shook his head slightly, "Because it's not his fault!"

The Regent's smirk never left his face. "When I told you that he was your next assignment that means that he's directly tied to what you do. And now that you'll be spending a few days down in the dungeon, he will as well, unless...you want me to...'take care of him' while you're gone."

"No!" Raven shouted, getting to his feet, narrowing his eyes dangerously at the Regent. If he hadn't have stopped himself, he likely would have swung at Prozen.

The Regent's smirk widened a fraction. "Well then, since you're so sure, he'll be staying in a cell near yours," Prozen said, as he made sure to secure both Raven and Vega.

Raven growled when one of Prozen's guards grabbed him. "Let me go, damnit!" he snarled, trying to pull free. Even though he was a good deal stronger than the soldier, he hadn't been expecting Prozen to come so he had been caught off-guard. The guard, however, didn't let go and had to forcefully drag Raven out of his room. Vega was more compliable, since he didn't want their punishment to get any worse.

Raven wasn't about to go without a fight. He still tried pulling free, digging his heels into the floor to try and stop the guard. He did not want to spend any time in the dungeon and have Eve knows what done to him and his blond 'partner'. That didn't work either as the guard stuck a hidden sedative into Raven's arm to make him more manageable. Now that the Dark Pilot wasn't struggling any more, they made it down to the dungeons a lot easier.

The sedative took effect quickly, making the guard have to basically half-drag Raven to the dungeons. He cursed Prozen in his mind, since he always seemed to get the upper hand. He couldn't protest anymore, and he knew he was basically stuck. The guard and Prozen took Raven and Vega down to the dungeons without too many people noticing. They brought the two down to the dungeon and put them each in separate cells across from each other.

Raven glared at Prozen as he was put into the cell, silently telling him he'd pay for this. "...damn you... 'Zen..." he slurred slightly.

Prozen just chuckled smugly at Raven. "I'll take that threat more to heart when you're coherent."

Raven growled weakly at the Regent, narrowing his eyes further. He wished the damn sedative wasn't affecting him; otherwise he'd smack that smug grin right off Prozen's face. Prozen left after that. The guard that had brought Raven down also left, going back to the room that held all of the cameras that watched over the jail and dungeon entrances. Vega was sitting still in his own cell, not knowing just what Prozen had planned. Raven tried to get up, but due to the sedative he couldn't stand for more than a few seconds before sliding back to the ground. He hated feeling vulnerable like this.

Vega looked over to him, feeling useless that he couldn't do anything to help. In a way he felt that this was somehow his fault, but he knew that it wasn't. It wasn't like he knew that Prozen was going to suddenly appear out of no where... Raven closed his eyes and leaned back against the rough, hard stone wall, trying to get a little of his strength back, having the sinking feeling that he'd need it. He didn't like this one bit, and he could almost tell something bad was going to happen.

The two were left alone for a good few hours and by that time the sedative had worn off of Raven. No one had come to check on them so...that had to be a good sign...right? Even though the sedative had worn off, Raven didn't move much. He knew that Prozen and his guards were watching them, so he kept quiet and didn't do anything to draw attention.

About an hour later did the door to the dungeons open and two sets of footsteps could be heard. It was the Regent and a man that Raven had never seen before. But if the look on Vega's face was anything to go by, then he wasn't someone to cross. Raven opened his eyes and looked at the two men, but didn't say anything. He didn't want to get in any more trouble than he already was in.

The Regent and the other man completely ignored Raven, instead going over to the cell that Vega was being kept in. The other man opened the cell door and stepped inside, dragging Vega to his feet and not letting go of him. Needless to say, the poor blond was panicking. He knew that this wouldn't end well for him... Raven immediately got to his feet, waling to the door of the cell. He watched what they were doing closely, pulling out a small skeleton key and hiding it from Prozen and the man in case things turned bad.

The Regent and the other person talked in hushed voices so only Vega could really hear them. But the panic that was in his eyes was enough to convince Raven that it wasn't anything good. The one that had a hold of Vega started to pull him roughly toward the cell door, where the Regent was already waiting so then they could leave the dungeons and go who knows where.

Raven narrowed his eyes. "Leave him alone!" he snarled, not wanting him to get punished for his mistake and not him. The Regent just smirked, not bothering to answer Raven as they lead Vega out of the dungeon. Vega knew where he was going, but he knew better than to say anything to make things worse for him.

Raven growled. "Damnit Prozen, let him go!" he shouted a bit more fiercely, sorely tempted to open the door and go after them. But he knew that would just make everything worse. Prozen never heard Raven as the door slammed shut. He had a choice to make. Either stay and lessen his own 'punishment' or go after Prozen and Vega. Raven couldn't stand just staying in the cell, and unlocked the door using his skeleton key. He flung the door open and took off down the hall, hoping to catch them before anything too bad happened.

The three were much father ahead of Raven than he thought that they would be. He had just caught the trail of their foot steps as they rounded the corner and entered a part of the palace that Raven hadn't been in before. Raven stopped, hesitating a bit. He had a bad feeling, knowing something was very wrong. He shook his head slightly before following them, not wanting to loose their trail. As Raven rounded the corner that he had heard the three turn down the door at the end of the hall clicked shut. Whatever was behind there, it couldn't be good... Raven once again hesitated, walking up to the door. He stopped, a part of him not wanting to open it up and see what was on the other side.

Raven could hear some murmured talking from beyond the door. It sounded like it belonged to the Regent and that other man. There was a scuffing sound as if something was being slid across the floor. Raven couldn't take it anymore and flung the door open. He didn't look up immediately, a bit afraid of what he'd find.

Near the back of the room where the three standing, there was a partly opened door behind them that Raven knew wasn't supposed to be there. Prozen was looking at him icily while the other person still had a tight grip on Vega. He was looking rather smug with the situation, while the blond that he had a hold of looked downright petrified.

Raven blinked. He was more than a little worried about being spotted. "L-let him go!" he defended, not wanting them to hurt Vega.

The man that had a hold of Vega laughed at his 'demand'. "Prozen told me you were slow to pick up on things, but I never thought that you would be this slow!"

Raven narrowed his eyes. "Just let him go!" he snapped, taking a few steps into the room, looking for any of Prozen's guards.

"Big words from someone who doesn't even know what's going on!" The man taunted again, but never released Vega.

Raven narrowed his eyes. "Let. Him. Go." he growled out again, getting fed up quickly.

The man smirked. "And just why should I? You should be thanking me kid."

Raven blinked. "Why the Helkat would I thank you?"

"Oh? You don't know? Well...this makes everything all the more fun…for me that is." The man's smirk widened. "Raven, meet V-007, otherwise known to you as 'Vega'." The man said, pushing Vega forward slightly. The blond was deathly pale, obviously not wanting this to happen. Raven blinked, staring at Vega, all the color draining from his face. He knew instantly what that meant, seeing at V-003 was the 'girl' they had seen a few days earlier. He took a step back in reflex, unsure of how to react.

"I see you understand now. It seems that you're to consider yourself lucky. V-007 has been deemed 'invalid' and is to be immediately dismantled." The lead scientist said pulling Vega back so then they could go back to the lab.

Raven narrowed his eyes at that. "Not if I can help it." he growled out, walking towards them.

That had the scientist laughing again. "Oh this is rich! You really have no clue just what V-007 was supposed to be doing!"

Raven narrowed his eyes further, walking up to them. "I don't care what he was doing. But this is no reason to 'dismantle' him." he said dangerously.

"Oh, you'll be singing a different tune once you know." The scientist sneered, still not letting go of Vega. Before Raven could try to take him back the man pushed Vega into the space of the partly opened door and the blond stumbled back before disappearing, "Happy hunting if you want him back so much." Raven glared at them both, before he went in after him. Even if Vega was like the android they saw in the research lab, he wasn't going to just abandon him to die.

"So Lord Prozen... Just what do you plan to do if they survive the incinerator?" The scientist asked. Prozen remained silent for a moment before answering. "Make sure that there's a firing squad at the exit, just in case." The Regent replied before turning and walking away. The scientist chuckled before following after him, looks like he'd have to start on his next 'project'.


Author's Note: I know a couple of you had figured it out already, but yes. Vega is part of these mysterious 'V' projects. And as the title suggests, there's more truths that have yet to come to light. Just what those are? You'll just have to wait and find out! Please Review! They make my day! :)