A Silver Streak of Light (version 2.0) EDIT: AUG 15,2004… Finished! Yipee! Took me forever but finished it nonetheless!

In the clear Pacific Ocean, a shimmering white light seemed to flicker over the horizon, as if it never truly belonged there. As the silver mecha reformed from its corporeal state, a green haired pilot brushed back his bangs, his forehead wet with perspiration. He was really not good when it comes to teleportation, and interdimensional travel was not his forte. Unfortunately it didn't help with his present dilemma. He could not, for the life of him, read the map flashing in his screen. He should have been near Japan, not near Africa…

"Where are we now?!?!" he shouted, his voice echoing in his cockpit.

His two cats, Kuro and Shiro, could only look at him in disgust. While their third companion, that looked like a cross between a bouncing ball of fluff and a rabbit could only coo in contentment as though it had enjoyed their brief trip.

"I thought you live in this planet." Shiro asked him, skeptically. Such a strange sight if one sees a small cat berating a grown human boy. Masaki sweat dropped, wondering why he didn't get two mice as his familiars instead. At least they don't give snide remarks to their masters. But familiars, it seemed, were just like any human behavior: when pushed to the limit of endurance they tend to get nasty. More especially since they were suffering a sort of motion sickness from their jump.

"It's been awhile!" Masaki shouted back, embarrassed. He has the lousiest sense of direction, and it was short of a miracle that he became Cybuster's pilot in the first place.

"Hey, you two," Kuro butted in, her voice was weak but firm, "Check your radar first before fighting. Something's not right with this mechanism…"

"What are you talking about? Radar is working fine…" Masaki replied before he too checked at the instrument that his black cat just pointed out. And to his surprise could see barely registered machines heading towards his direction. Though he had been gone for years, he wasn't naïve enough to be ignorant regarding the dangerous mechas that were roaming the planet. Growing up in a city where bunkers are predominant than office buildings, he learned through that the hard way.

But he had been gone for quite some time. And now, he wasn't aware that the whole world was currently under a war. So he wasn't completely prepared for the group that he met.

It was an army large enough to overrun a small country.

"… help?…" Masaki managed to whisper as the winged mechas, eerily reminding him of a familiar legend, swooped down without warning, wielding their swords. Cybuster barely managed to deflect the first blow as it tried to move away from them.

"Use the Cyflash!" Shiro shouted.

It had occurred to him as well, but Masaki was responsible enough to make a brief look in his armaments after their travel, Masaki was forced to tell his brave companion the truth. "I can't. The jump must have done something to it."

"Wonderful;" Kuro replied.

"Look out!" Shiro managed to yell, as the winged mechas released their missiles. And Cybuster was forced to draw its own weapon to defend itself. He finally came home after four years, and now he had to keep himself alive for the next few minutes… considering that he was badly outnumbered. The universe must be telling him something.

Still, he was shocked at finding out that these mechas that were trying so hard to kill them looked familiar.

"…Draconians?…" he managed to whisper in shock as the winged mechas opened fire on the lone Cybuster. Masaki decided that should wait for later as he willed the Cybuster's thrusters, as it evaded easily at the first wave of missiles. That was only the easy part, Masaki thought in annoyance as the Cybuster pulled out its sword, when the enemy began drawing their own. As the Cybuster

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Shogun Barbas looked at the silver mecha incredulously. Somehow, it had manage to sense them despite their ships and mecha were now hidden away by the enemies' radar. Fearing that this small but insanely fast mecha was Jabrow's scout, he issued the command to destroy it at once, and though the silver machine managed to evade most of the missiles aimed at it, he was not willing to be intimidated by its abilities and have their surprise attack be lost. He would have to destroy it quickly. Fortunately, even speed could not possibly save itself from them.

Lithiel personally oversaw the creation of their recent Balm mecha. Shaped after their own soldiers, the commander deemed it appropriate for them to serve as a vanguard against the Earth forces. Combined with their allies' technology, they have managed find a way to nullify the humans' radar used by most of their mechas and ships. With this, along with the Balm mecha's strong armor, they would create an army strong enough to secure a permanent base by taking over Jabrow as their own.

However, since timing was crucial, Barbas ending up taking ¼ of their force. Since the other robots were still under construction. But all three Shoguns agreed that this number was sufficient enough for this attack. Provided that their target base was not warned in advance. Barbas was determined not to fail his lord again, as he looked at the battlefield in intense concentration. Making sure to block the silver mecha's communication system. It was only a matter of time before the smaller mecha would be destroyed.

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Jamil was unusually grave when he entered the bridge, Sara noted worriedly, and then she saw Tifa following him closely behind. No doubt giving him an update from her precognition visions. The vice-captain was worried that Jamil might rely too much on her, ignoring the words of other lesser beings that never had her power. In a way, Sara was jealous of Tifa, but professional pride kept her in check as she resumed her duties in her console.

"Captain?" Shingo asked him. Jamil nodded at his direction.

"Veer to the northeast. And we must increase our speed in 30 knots."

"What for?" Toniya asked him. "Are we in danger?"

Tifa shook her head. "A silver streak of light from the horizon. It must never be diminished." She replied quietly.

The three bridge members stared at each other in confusion for a brief moment, before they quickly and efficiently returned to their tasks.

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Standing on the roof of the Freeden, where they were now listing their supplies along with Kid, where Kouji learned that Jamil had managed to convince Domon that it would be more logical to come along with them for his search for that monstrous Gundam, since he had connections with the Preventers. Provided, though, that the Gundam fighter will not conduct fights within the confines of his ship, having heard the ugly confrontation between him and Kazuya.

Kid shrugged. "He has his reasons. I trust him."

Garrod had his doubts but could not vocalized it when the Mazinger pilot said. "Hey. What's that?", as he and Garrod looked up at the sky. The younger boy squinted, and he too see a faint glimmer of light, "Hey, you're right… it's a little too fast, though. I wonder what it is." Garrod mused aloud.

"I don't know about you," Kid said. "But since we're heading in that direction, my best bet is that you should go to your robots and get ready to sortie as soon as possible."

"Good suggestion." Kouji agreed, dropping the box on the ground. "Let's go!"

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"Hey, where are you going?" Jed asked him, seeing Sagara beginning to take his pilot suit.

"To the Arbalest, sir." Sousuke replied, surprised that Jed would ask such a question.

"Not now, I got word from Jamil that you'd be here as a reserve."

"What?" For the first time, he saw his friend frown in disapproval.

"Well, Aphrodite A and Boss Robot and the Leopard are going to use the Freeden, since their units aren't build for underwater battle." Jed explained, "I'm afraid that there won't be room for yours."

"Are you asking me to stay behind?" Jed was surprised to hear the seriousness of Sousuke's voice.

"No." Jed replied in the same tone, deciding that he didn't like where this was going, and not patient to put up with Sousuke's stubbornness again. He wondered how on earth Chidori ever coped with him, "I'm saying that you stay behind."

Sousuke felt slightly relieved and peeved off at the same time. In which he later analyzed that was a rather odd emotion that he never felt before. He remembered that personality of the old Jed, always the cautious one, who would also always try to convince him to stay behind. It had annoyed him for some reason, realizing that the one he looked up to didn't trust his capability of taking care of himself.

"Yes sir."

What's his problem?, Jed wondered as he left. Sousuke was always a mystery to him. Maybe because the latter was slightly nuts. Sousuke sat down, and for the first time in ages, he realized that he was inwardly furious. He never felt this since Chidori was kidnapped.

And worst of all, he knew why, Jed's old personality was somehow resurfacing by itself. It was that reason why MITHRIL allowed contact with him in the first place. It was deep, though, way buried under the surface, but the presence was still there.

Sousuke wondered when the time comes if he would be relieved to meet the Jed he knew, or more sad.

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Masaki had exhausted most of the Cybuster's missiles as he barely managed to evade the winged mecha's punch that could have easily finished him off. When he noticed that the said mecha was blasted away by a beam cannon, forcing it away from the silver mecha.

"Are you alright?" Amuro Ray asked him as the Re-GZ flew past the Cybuster, releasing its missiles on the next wave. The Sentinel MA following closely behind, supporting Amuro, as it fired a couple of beam rifles, in which the Balm mecha took the blow without obvious damage to it.

"We're suffering some armor damage." Kuro told Masaki immediately. "We just need a quick repair, we may be able to fight."

"Understood." Amuro said when Masaki echoed the same words. "Jed will cover for you until you reach the Freeden."

"Follow me!" Jed said, when he realized that Cybuster had already been ahead of him. "On second thought, go ahead! I got your back!" As he shot down a guided missile from the Garunrol to prove his point.

Cybuster turned around and flew towards the ship, the enemy Balms that were not engaging Shining and Daimos broke away from their group and gave chase.

Amuro bit back a curse when he saw the enemy units. He can only hope Roybea and his team can handle this.

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"Are we under attack?" Erika asked in alarm as another explosion rocked the Freeden. Sousuke was already suit up for the fight, despite Chidori following him around and tell him that he should do what Jed said and stay put.

In actuality, Chidori was a bit frightened for Sousuke. And for once, her ability was not telling her anything about the new enemies. That alone made her more nervous than usual. But that concern dimmed in light of what she saw Erika's pale face, as though she was seeing a very bad dream.

"Are.. are you alright?" Chidori asked when Erika leaned on the wall, her hands in her head as if she was in pain. "Sousuke!"

"I'm here." Sagara said, slinging her arm over his shoulders to help her to stand. "We should take her to the doctors." Chidori nodded as the three of them made a slow trek in the shaking hallway.

Midway to the Doctor's clinic, Erika suddenly gasped, and Chidori looked up at the window to see the incoming Balm mecha flying nearby the Freeden.

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Boss Borot was literally throwing everything at the incoming mechas in outmost abandon that it almost threw it's own head at the flying Cybuster.

"He's an ally, Boss!" Sayaka warned. Aphrodite A just used its missiles to faze the Balm mecha, but still continued its assault.

"I see! Sorry!" Boss said as he willed the Borot's head back on top of its shoulders.

"Damn! These guys are tough!" Roybea swore under his breath as the Leopard open fire with its inner arm gattling.

"Look out!" He heard Masaki cry out, and Leopard barely managed to get away when one of the Balmed mecha's wings failed and almost landed on it. Boss managed to knock Aphrodite away as it scrambles away in safety.

The Balm mecha stood, staring at the Freeden's bridge. And Jamil heard Sara's scream as the enemy mecha's eyes flashed… only to see a moment later of the Sentinel's knee connecting at the enemy mecha's head, forcing it to land on its side.

But the Balm mecha proved faster, for Jed was still trying to regain his balance on the shaking ship, accidentally knocking Aphrodite off the ship. She would have landed in the water if Boss had not extended its own arm to grab her, its other arm holding onto the ship as hard as he could. The Leopard couldn't shoot it for fear of hitting the bridge.

The enemy quickly regained its balance and rammed on the Sentinel's chest, forcing it to the Freeden's hull. The force of the attack nearly knocked out his Gundam's main fusion engine. And Jed still had the sense enough to pull the trigger to empty out its vulcan at the enemy's head.

And Jed wondered if this was finally the end.

…If it was, it really sucked.

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"Damn, we're losing!" Sousuke cursed.

Erika's mind reeled, she recognized the giant robot. She dimly remembered it so long ago, seeing those blueprints placed on the table when it was just drafted as a prototype… Dimly remembering someone telling someone else that was no more need to make it anymore. "The Godamon…" she whispered in horrified realization.

Sousuke and Kaname looked at her in surprise. "What?" Sousuke asked.

"It has a very strong armor, you can't finish it fast enough." Erika said, her voice getting louder and her face more frightened. "But attack the joint that attaches the wing to its back, and you'll destroy its ability to fly."

"If it falls in the ocean, it's as good as destroying it!" Sousuke said, realizing that they might win this fight after all.

"Erika," Chidori asked in concern as Sousuke ran off to his machine. "How did you know this?"

Erika fell to her knees, clutching her head, her hands shaking, "I don't know! I don't want to know!" she cried.

"That's enough!" Chidori looked up and saw Franzenberg kneeling and helping Erika to stand. "Don't upset her anymore."

"I'm… sorry," the girl stammered, seeing that Erika's shoulders were shaking. "But…"

"I will tell this to Jamil myself. But for now, please keep it a secret from everyone." The ship rocked violently from another attack, when the so-called Godamon rammed on the Sentinel, "You better go to the bridge and relay her message about the enemy's weak spot. I'll take care of her."

"Yes."

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The Arbalest willed out it's shot gun, doing a rather difficult maneuver to jump from the Freeden's hatch to the hull where the battle was. He knew that unless he does something, Jed will be crushed under the Godamon's weight. He voted against on using the Lamba Drive, though, the area was too limited, and he was not familiar with it yet. So charging, he shot a couple of rounds neatly at the enemy mecha's head, forcing it to rear back in pain.

Jed willed all the remaining functional parts of the Sentinel to kick it away. The Godamon flew back, spreading its wings to prevent itself from falling into the ocean, it's back against the Arbalest, and Sagara certainly took advantage on it.

The Arbalest brought out its combat knife, jumped from the Freeden, and slashed the Godamon's back vertically, just as Erika instructed. Surprisingly, the vertebra was not strong enough against Arbalest's knife, as it was sliced through effortlessly as if it was butter.

The wings toppled and the Godamon crashed into the ocean. The Arbalest would have followed, if the Leopard had not leaned forward and grabbed its arm. "Good work, soldier." Roybea said, sincerely impressed by the display.

"Look!" Boss pointed out, the Borot and Aphrodite were standing by their side and they saw more Godamons falling from the sky. Chidori and Jamil must have relayed their messages to the others.

"Sir!" Arbalest literally almost ran to the damaged Sentinel. "Are you alright?"

Jed gave him a rueful look from the screen. "What took you so long?"

"I'm sorry."

"It's a joke, Sagara."

"Yes, sir." Sousuke commented seriously.

Jed rolled his eyes in exasperation, forgetting the pain from his arm in the moment.

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Barbas clutched his command console, his mind reeling at the shock of seeing the powerful Godamon's being defeated in front of his eyes. What he couldn't understand, though, how the humans managed to discover their weak spot so easily.

Only one thing has occurred to him, A traitor

No, Barbas shook that ridiculous notion away. He must never doubt their noble race, and berated himself for such thoughts. He recalled his troops, before the enemy forces would gain more advantage. But dreading to face Lithiel with this recent failure. The commander had been in a very short temper ever since his sister's disappearance, and it was doubtful if he would ever recover from this, despite his brave front to his men.

Still, Barbas' loyalty was steadfast, and will do everything in his power to see justice in the end.

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"I'm Masaki Ando." Masaki said, waving his hand to the rather damaged Cybuster. "On behalf of my crew, I thank you for helping us." Sara was still trying to regain her composure on discovering his crew consists of two talking cats and one pink puffball. But Jamil revealed no reaction on this whatsoever.

"Where are you from?" Jamil asked.

"Uhhh…" Masaki looked uncomfortable, and even the cats looked at each other. "I'm afraid I can't tell you much about this."

The second-in-command immediately took offense, "The Captain helped you, and the least you can do is answer him properly!…" Sara was saying when Jamil placed a hand on her shoulder stopping her.

"It's just that I'm in a secret mission." Masaki said, "and that's all I can tell."

"I understand." Jamil said. "But may I know where you are going?"

Here Masaki looked at him straight in the eye. "I am heading for Tokyo Jupiter." He said simply.

Amuro could have sworn that Jamil even looked grimmer by those words. He couldn't blame him though, since that strange irregular barrier covering the land and area of the original Tokyo was considered a very dangerous place. The Freeden's captain continued, "Unfortunately, we are heading to another direction. However, we will help you with your robot's repairs, as well as a place of rest to you and your companions."

"Thank you." The green haired man said. "But as you can see, we're in a terrible rush. We can only stay here for an hour. I'll be here with your mechanic to help with the Cybuster's repairs."

"Very well." Jamil said, nodding his approval as Masaki turned around, accompanied with Kid and his assistant mechanics.

"Is it OK, Captain?" Sara asked him quietly.

"It's not my place to force him to stay." Jamil said. "And I have no excuse to keep him."

Sara was about to say something when the pink… creature… suddenly squealed, and literally hopped itself outside the hangar and into the corridor.

"Don't worry, we'll follow her!" Kuro said as she and Shiro went after Mokona.

"That's something you don't see everyday." Amuro commented to Jamil.

"True."

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"Sir, the Doctor said you should stay in the clinic more." Sagara said, following the young man from the clinic.

Jed once again sighed in exasperation, "I just sprained my arm, I didn't dislocated my spine or anything."

But Sagara was adamant. "The Doctor gets the final say on your health. And if he says you need to stay here, I'll break your legs if I have to."

Jed was about to ask Sagara if he was serious to break his legs when he saw a pink… thing… passed in front of him, followed by a black cat and a white cat clearly shouting "Hey, Mokona!" at the top of their voices when they turned around the corner.

"…"

"Sir?" Sagara asked. Jed looked unusually pale.

Jed turned around to enter the clinic "You're right. I think I need a good sleep…" was all he said to the surprised MITHRIL soldier as he suddenly had the desire to lie down.

He wondered if there would be any crazier things he'd encounter that could beat THAT one in the future.

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