The Reunion in Jabrow…Angel Attack

Erin prayed to every god she could think of to not bring any more misfortune than they already have by letting the battleship be involved with any re-entry battles once they'd reach the Earth's atmosphere, and that they have a safe landing with an inexperienced crew guiding her. Although that may not be the case… after all, the White Base's atmospheric battle against the "Red Comet" Char Aznable had almost become a stuff of legends, and technology were greatly improved for the last seven years… she certainly had no intention of reliving the experience. Normally, she would have easily repressed such thoughts by spending time with Camille or checking out the Archangel. But Erin respectfully gave him space, letting him adjust with his feelings regarding his father's untimely demise. Camille may eventually move on soon, since he had never been close to the man.

As for wandering the Archangel's corridors to try getting used to them, she had already given up the idea before it was even formed. Everyone was as jittery as she was over their next difficult step of their journey, and as such the remaining skeleton crew working tirelessly around the clock, all anticipating for the upcoming battle that may or may not come. Ever since that hair-raising experience in Von Braun, they wouldn't doubt ZAFT might still attempt to attack them now in such a vulnerable position. Erin knew she would only get in their way, as well as realizing that her stay in the ship may have been temporary, remembering Paula's words.

Had Captain Maryuu Ramias knew that Cruze was called back by the ZAFT military council, finally getting the wind of Heliopolis' destruction and their unprovoked attack on Dianna Soreil's country, she would have lowered her guard and vigilance over a nonexistent threat. But since she did not, she had doubled the bridge crew shifts, and urged the tiring mechanics to complete the repairs of the new mechas. It may have been a blessing in disguise, for it kept her from thinking about their Strike Aile pilot.

Poor Kira Yamato had gotten the worst end when they boarded the ship. The Captain had given him an expression that could have curdled water. She was furious that Kira willfully returned to the dangers of war, when he had the opportunity to become a civilian once again. But Bajarle and Fraga were inwardly relieved by the young boy's decision. Kira was the only one capable of driving the Strike, and they knew that the new pilots could only accompany them until Jabrow, where their ship and their only Gundam will remain until the Federation officers finished with their checks.

And so Erin did the only thing she could do right now, despite that she wasn't really that tired, but much better than worrying over it. She attempted to drifted off to sleep, a wish in her heart to see her brother and her grandmother one last time…

-----

Meanwhile Quattro was overlooking the mechanics' progress on the new Gundam. Despite its obviously superior defenses, the Strike seemed to be run by a very complicated OS system. So far, the people who were in charge of it wouldn't give any specifics regarding it, but he wasn't really disappointed for them withdrawing information (in fact, he applauded their discretion). He had a strong conviction that in the end it was not the robot that decides the factor of the fighting, but more on the skill of its pilot, and a strong will of survival.

"I don't think that that the Archangel is joining with us at all," Quattro recalled Brecks' last words as the Hayaku Shikki was being prepped for transport onto the new Federation ship back in the Lunar city. The former senator was there to wish him good luck and safe journey, as well as to keep a good eye on the pilots accompanying him.

Quattro nodded in agreement. "Commander Oka is more of the head of the civilian forces than the Federation military itself." He said, "If my hunch is correct, the Archangel will be used for creating future warships like the White Base before her. The Federation forces will simply voice out their sole claim over her. And in the end, Oka has no jurisdiction over the ship and her crew, even if we asked him to re-assign them to the independent army."

"That was almost asking for an immediate miracle. Commander Sutherland is a stubborn prick."

"And it because of his approval, the Titans came into power." Quattro added dryly. "We should count our blessings. The robots from Japan would have been working for him instead."

Brecks looked suddenly at Quattro. The blonde man knew that the senator had always been curious regarding his identity ever since he joined the AEUG.

Brecks quiet words were very careful. "I don't know which side you are on, Red Comet, but I sincerely wish that you will find a way to end this fighting somehow."

Quattro gave him a ghost of a smile, admitting silently to Brecks' suspicions. "Who knows? Perhaps I may have the power left to create a miracle after all."

For now, Quattro Bajina was simply content to see where this road will eventually lead. Perhaps he may see Amuro Ray again, to finish the fight they'd left all these years until both of them are dead. Perhaps they may join forces, difficult it may sound for him, to find a common answer of ending the fighting.

Or perhaps he may betray them all someday, from his AEUG comrades to his current protégées, once he was disillusioned with their ideals like the others before them.

He didn't know, really. But for now, he could only wait and see.

-----

Kira couldn't find Tori anywhere. Normally, the usually hyperactive mechanical bird would have found its way back to him. But ever since the battle in Heliopolis, he could not seem to find it anywhere. Only then did he ask from the mechanics that they gave him the missing toy.

Actually, Kira never thought of it as a toy. It was a farewell gift from Athrun Zala, when his friend returned to his home colony soon after they had graduated in the moon. They have not seen each other again until these recent events, but he prided himself for taking good care of it. Until now.

Kira sighed; he was good when it comes to computers, but necessarily with the mechanical aspects. It was more on Athrun's field of expertise, something he can't even begin to compete with.

It was fortunate for him that Camille was around the corner when they met on the corridor, the latter was busy mulling over his thoughts, and wondering if he should try not to think too much of the events these past few days when he belatedly realized that Kira was greeting him. Camille looked at the younger man, then his gaze shifted to the motionless bird. "Was it broken?" the question surprised him as much as Kira did.

"Not really. The power cells just gave out," Kira was saying as he let the blue haired man to give it a look over. "I'm planning to fix it myself, actually, but..."

"I think I can fix it," Camille said absently, "Come with me, I have my tools in my room."

It took only Camille an hour to not only calibrate Tori's energy, but fixing other inconveniences like rust and minor parts that naturally worn down during the course of the years. Kira may not have noticed it, but Camille was vastly relieved to do this sort of thing, something that he had a vestige of control over it.

"Wow." Kira breathed in genuine admiration as Tori was flying overhead, as if it was brand new again. "That's amazing."

"Not really," Camille said, watching the mechanical bird's flight, "I used to open Haro toys when I was 10 just to find out how those things roll around. Your Tori seemed to follow along its designs, but I've never seen an aerodynamic robot in that small a scale. If one doesn't look closely, it might have been mistaken for a real bird." Camille had been vastly fascinated by machinery, one of the few traits he inherited from his dead father. Tori had tweaked that curiosity. "Did you do that?" As if sensing the reason of being active once more, Tori landed on Camille's shoulder, playfully pecking his hair.

"He likes you," Kira observed.

"No kidding." Camille replied dryly. "You haven't answered my question."

"No, everything about Tori has nothing to do with me. A good friend of mine made it for me."

"Oh." Camille digested that piece of information, but felt that Kira wasn't telling the whole story, "was your friend left behind in the moon with the Heliopolis survivors?"

Kira sobered, remembering he vocally promised Athrun to shoot him the next time they'd meet. "Yes. You could say that." The room suddenly gave a sudden shake, and both forgotten their conversation, when the Archangel made a slow descent in the Earth's harsh stratosphere.

-----

The Freeden's trip had been proven uneventful, as it had safely entered into the confinement of Jabrow, a military base housed underground the jungle of Africa. Seven years ago, this was where the White Base also made its rendezvous with its military. With news from the Archangel coming to them as well, security had been very tight when they first arrived. And it had taken them hours before Oka allowed them entry. The base had been vastly improved since the last time he had been here, Amuro reflected. When Char had successfully infiltrated and caused considerable damage to the place, the Federation made sure that Jabrow will not undergo the same mistake. But now the Federation changed its HQ to Alaska when the installation was being repaired, and so Jabrow was given over to Oka and his backers, thinking that they will serve as a headquarters of the independent group that Oka and his colleague Professor Gou suggested. In any other circumstance, Commander Sutherland would not allow it to happen. But with the Balms and Dr. Hell's recent activities, he grudgingly agreed that Oka's army would at least be extra help fighting off the aliens. The Titans had their arms full regarding the increasing threats of the AEUG, Neo-Zeon and ZAFT. Not to mention the Vice-Minister Darlian and her backers calling out loudly for military disarmament, causing trouble to the companies behind the mass-producing of their mobile suits.

Jamil, Sara and by their request asked Amuro Ray to accompany them to speak with Commander Oka. And the rest of the Freeden crew and its pilots had found extra time in their hands until alerted. Word of Archangel's coming leaked out, and they were surprised to see a new battleship coming so soon.

Kouji and Sayaka were glad to see Tifa Adil on her feet again, after recuperating in bed for days. And decided to talk to Garrod on why she reacted like that when that fearsome Satellite Cannon was activated.

"Amuro said something that Newtypes are sensitive to human thoughts," Garrod explained, as Sayaka was entertaining Tifa with hilarious tales of her exploits with Kouji and Boss. "It took him awhile to get used to it seven years ago. But Tifa, who was more attuned, wasn't prepared for that. When those people were killed, she felt their fear… their anger…"

"Not to mention there were fifty of them," Kouji agreed.

Garrod nodded, "Amuro was kind enough to give her some mental exercises ever since she got better to make sure that doesn't happen again, not that I, nor Jamil for that matter, would allow her to go to the battlefield anyway."

"You don't seem happy about it."

"It's nothing. I'm feeling silly…"

"Go on, it's not its going to kill you or something."

Garrod flushed, as if this conversation was getting a little too personal. "Did you think, well, you know? That Zeon guy said about Newtypes understanding each other more than regular people…?"

"Not really." Kouji replied, a bit surprised that they would talk about Zeon Daikun, "Regular people know how to care each other and to love each other. If Oldtypes can do that basic understanding, I don't see why Newtypes would claim it exclusive."

"That's not what I meant, actually. Amuro and Tifa… seemed to understand each other more than I, uh, we would ever be to them."

"If that's the case, why don't you just talk to her?"

"I'm trying," Garrod almost snapped back, very embarrassed.

Kouji shrugged, "I think you're worrying too much. Heck even I don't understand what Sayaka's thinking sometimes, and I've been practically with her forever."

"Really?"

"Yup, I guess that's natural in a relationship." Kouji then remembered something, "Hey, you hang out in the clinic nowadays, did you noticed something?"

"What do you mean?"

"Miss Erika is acting strange of late. She seems rather distracted, she even puts the bandage on the wrong arm when Jed needs clean ones. Has Kazuya been ignoring her?"

"I don't think so," Garrod said slowly, "But she's been like that since the last attack."

"I guess the Balms must have done really terrible, huh?"

"More than you could imagine," Kyoshiro said, overhearing that part of their conversation and deciding to join in. "Did you know the reason why we're at war with them?"

Garrod and Kouji looked confused, Kyoshiro shrugged, "Well. The government made sure that the real story wouldn't leak out, so I guess that's one of the few things they're good at."

"I thought that the Balms came to invade," Kouji frowned.

"That's one." Kyoshiro said grimly, "But it was more complicated than that. Do you know the Vice-Minister Darlians?"

"The father and daughter, I've heard of them."

"And did you know that before them, another person was the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs? He was talked about quite a lot when he was killed, during his peace negotiation with the Balms three years ago near Jupiter…"

"Minister Ryuzaki," Kouji gasped, "Now that name seems familiar! He's…"

"Kazuya's father." Kyoshiro nodded. "So you see, you could say the Earth declared war on them."

"That's rather thoughtless of them if that's true," Garrod said. "The earth has many enemies on its own. You'd think they would at least stop Neo-Zeon from coming at large."

"Who knows the minds of a politician?"

-----

"Make sure you say nothing regarding that the pilot of the remaining Gundam is a Coordinator from your report," Patrick Zala warned as he handed back the folder containing Cruze's reports and manifest of his actions of late.

"It would appear wiser if your son give the report himself," Cruze suggested calmly, accepting the folder with a nod, "Considering that he is now popular by single-handedly rescued his fiancée from the Federation, I would say he would have their full attention. The more reason ZAFT's colonies should bend their resources to make new weapons."

"President Clyne, unfortunately, is making an adamant stand against it." Zala retorted. "He keeps insisting we should talk to the Earth diplomatically."

"A bad move for him, I would think. Especially since elections are around the corner. Even his daughter's influence couldn't rescue him from that."

"Captain Cruze… I may fix that problem sooner and later. I would appreciate it more if you will voice your support."

"As it should be." The blond masked man nodded again, looking at the strange shaped creature that served as a centerpiece of the ZAFT council. Wondering where this will lead.

------

"Thank you," Lacus said, smiling a bit tiredly, as Athrun bent over to pick up the pink Haro that rolled too far away from the table where they were sharing their afternoon tea in the Clyne estate.

"I think you should rest," Athrun said, "You have a busy day."

"My father will be late, he already called." Lacus pointed out, "And your meeting with ZAFT's council would be in the afternoon. We have plenty of time."

"Um." Athrun said, embarrassed rather than flattered that Lacus insisted that he stay here a little longer. Contrary to popular belief, he and Lacus were engaged in convenience, both fathers from the political field and in fact rivals, but he was not really used with the idea. Lacus did not voice any objections, nor she minded Athrun's presence. It seems that she wanted to see where their relationship would go from there.

"Kira is the name of that boy I saw in the pictures at your apartment." Lacus said briefly, studying his reaction. "Isn't he?"

Athrun nodded briefly "Yes."

"I've had the pleasure to meet him personally. You're right: he is a nice person."

Reminded of that, he couldn't keep the resentment out of his voice when he said "He shouldn't get caught up with this." Athrun said distractedly, "He should have join us back then at the moon."

"I met the Naturals in the moon as well, not only Kira." Lacus said, Athrun was surprised at the quick change of the conversation, "The Naturals helped me hide from being discovered, not only Kira. A woman told me her friend listens to my songs."

Athrun was flabbergasted, knowing the implications of her words.

"Your father keeps on saying that Naturals hated us all because of our gifts. Yet I did not see that from the people Kira is with. Perhaps… perhaps that is why he stayed."

Athrun couldn't reply, but looked at his own teacup, his own emotions in turmoil. If Lacus noticed, she certainly didn't voice them, as she sipped her own cup of tea, wondering what everyone in the Archangel were doing now.

-----

Jed was surprised to meet the captain who served as Sousuke Sagara's superior and commander of the MITHRIL submarine Ducanan.

"I can see you didn't expect me to be so young." The silver haired amber-eyed teenager replied, smiling at his dumbfounded expression. Had it not been her uniform bearing her rank, he would not have thought of her as a military person.

"Uh… well… ah…" Jed gave a glare to Sagara, who seemed unperturbed, "I wasn't informed."

"I can see that." Tessa said laughing, as she motioned both men to seat in their respective chairs. "We were lucky we ran into you at all. We are currently here to resupply our shipments when Commander Oka told me that you arrived. I am glad to see you again, Jed."

"I can't say the feeling is mutual."

"I understand," Tessa said gravely. "So much has happened for the last seven years. I'd be surprised if you even remember at all."

"What is it that you wanted me to do in the first place? When Sagara uh, contacted me?"

"Originally, to ask about the program you have developed that we use in the Arbalest… Sousuke's machine. The ALICE…"

"Uh… what is that?" Jed asked, feeling stupid.

"It's an AI program that takes over the machine if the pilot loses control, it's a last resort to protect the pilot from the battlefield. It also calculates the success of the tactics the pilot uses. From your program we evolved it further for the Arbalest in order to use the Lambda Drive. I'm sorry to say, I am forbidden to give the specifics of that.

"We have discovered a dangerous terrorist has also taken a hold of that technology and is using it against us." Jed felt that Sagara stiffened by that. "We couldn't identify both man and machine. So we codename it as Venom."

"Venom…" Jed thought. "What does it look like?"

"A red agile mecha." Sousuke decided to contribute. "The one that attacked you in the battle in Kanagawa." Jed looked at him as though the usually serious and efficient soldier was perhaps jesting. But there was none, and Jed could feel for the first time a sense of fear from Sagara.

"Could have been the Red Comet," Jed said, hoping to diffuse the grim look on Sousuke's face. "What got you so worked up, anyway?"

"I'm sorry, Jed." Tessa intervened for Sousuke, "But I'm afraid that information is classified. This is purely MITHRIL's concern." Seeing that Jed was going to argue about that, she pushed toward him with her fingers a small brown envelope. "There are thousands of soldiers who actively served in the war. This will help you in your research," she explained patiently as Jed shook the content of the envelope to reveal a small CD.

"It would be hard for me to help you if I don't know more regarding this."

"I know what you mean," Tessa said. "That is why we're not going to force you to. Your memory has been erased for a purpose. What it is I don't know why though. But I think it would be better to leave this to you and your sister."

"I guess this is better than nothing. Thank you." He was saying when Sagara was tapping him on the shoulder, telling him that Commander Oka wants to speak with him, and Jed wondered what was the surprise this time.

-----

"So that's the Archangel," Amuro said as he, Jamil and Commander Oka watched ship approaching Jabrow's landing field, feeling a little nostalgic. Perhaps that the Archangel had a strong resemblance to the original White Base has something to do with it.

Jamil was absorbed with the pilot manifest manning the said ship, and quickly turned his attention to Sara. "Will you call Jedis Shore to the room? This may interest him."

Erin was walking towards the cafeteria for some water when the PA from the bridge asked her presence in the bridge. Half-wondering what Ramias was up to, she quickly went to the bridge as fast as she could, and almost ran into Rolan who was standing at the nearest from the door in the bridge.

"Hey," Erin said, seeing Rolan was also with Quattro, Camille and Kira. "What's going on?" she never got to listen to their explanation though as she was distracted by gaping at a familiar face that was shown in the screen, and by his reaction, he was just as surprised as she was.

"Jed?" Erin burst out.

Jed looked at her, his eyes widened in shock, "Sis?"

-----

In a way, Erin supposed, she wasn't surprised to see her brother here. In fact her gut feeling had been telling her that they would meet one way or another. Not as a fellow fighter pilot though… and definitely not recovered from her shock when Jed told her the story: from how he got involved with the war, injured in the last fight, and finally to their grandmother's confession.

She was so surprised that she had to sit down, her mind reeling by that revelation, in the small bedroom that was temporarily served as their sleeping quarters.

"I don't believe it," she breathed.

"Yeah, I knew you'd say that." Jed said. "I guess that's why she haven't been telling us about our dad much… I've always wondered about that years ago."

"Are you sure you're the same guy that got involved in the One Year War? It may be a coincidental doppelganger."

Jed motioned with his good hand at Sagara's direction, who was now standing near the door in stiff attention, reminding Erin of the ancient redcoats in Britain. "I could say that he's reliable regarding my past identification."

"So what do you do plan to do if you confirm that person… really was you?"

"I'm staying, and will help in any way I can. I have to regain my memory back somehow, and yours as well."

"I like my new memories better, thank you very much." Erin replied tartly, "At least they're familiar."

Jed was taken aback by his sister's blunt words temporarily, but continued, "How about you? I would be happy to take you home with me if it were otherwise."

Erin shook her head tiredly. "I told you I got in trouble with the Titans. I don't think it's safe for me to go home yet, but I prefer someone should stay with grandmother."

"I asked some neighbors to take care of her before I left. I'm sure she's safe. I guess the attack at our place was a blessing in disguise. If the Titans were after you they would have caught us by now."

Erin nodded in agreement, suppressing her shudder at the memory of a lone capsule floating helplessly in space.

"Hey, you two," Camille Vidan said, looking at Sagara oddly before turning his attention to the twins. "Quattro asked us to meet our new instructor."

"A what?" Erin asked in surprise.

"Well, we are newbies, even though we've already flown and survive two battles already." Camille tried not to look annoyed despite of himself. "Lt. Quattro's on his way with her. I hope she's worth the waiting. "

"Actually, I wouldn't know either. We'll see," A young woman in her early twenties with short violet hair, her bangs covering the right side of her face replied dryly, surprising both Sousuke and Camille, who didn't realize she was standing a few feet away. But instead of Quattro Bajina, it was another young man whom all four of them had never met before was accompanying her instead.

"This is Instructor Lucrecia Noin." Amuro Ray said after introducing himself, ignoring the awed stare of Camille, recognizing the legendary Gundam pilot. "She was one of the top instructors of the Lake Victoria base in charge of training prospective pilots. After we have been briefed she will technically be in charge of you."

"Former Instructor," Noin corrected Amuro ruefully. "I have been out of that profession for over a year."

"Commander Oka highly recommended you regarding that." The young man pointed out, "I'm sure you'll do a great job with them."

"Where's Lt. Bajina, sir?" Camille asked, curious of Quattro's absence.

"He's indisposed." Amuro said briefly, frowning a bit by the mention of the name, as he stepped forward and clasped Jed's hand in a brief handshake, and then to Camille and finally to Erin, a sort of formality of greeting them for joining the army. Then Amuro realized that the younger woman was staring at him.

She was looking at him so hard, she had forgotten that their hands were still clasped. "Uh," Amuro began, not sure on what he should say, a bit perturbed by her stare.

"I'm sorry." Erin said, quickly withdrew her hand, her expression revealing no embarrassment, "Excuse me for being forward, sir. But may I ask a question?"

"Very well."

"Have we met before?"

"Met?" Amuro looked at her in surprise. But nevertheless attempted to place her with the people he met throughout his life. His mind remained blank, "No. I don't think so."

"I see," if Erin was disappointed, she certainly didn't show it. "I'm looking forward serving under you, if you don't mind."

Amuro chuckled, intrigued by her strange words "I won't."

-----

"Lt. Jedis Shore, 14 years old, MIA. No family mentioned," Erin read aloud over Jed's shoulder. "Your specialty was computer programming and human psychology during the height of the One Year War."

Jed sweat dropped at his ludicrous personal military manifest, "That's, uh, interesting."

"True," his sister agreed, looking at the intense expression of a younger Jed's face in the screen. "Apparently, you've hang around with scientists who deals with Newtypes, and that ALICE program was yours that was approved by the Federation, used in the creation of the Superior Gundam. Then the prototype was destroyed in a sortie, and with you gone it was eventually been given up."

"No," Jed said, shaking his head. "Captain Tessa told me that the ALICE program made it to MITHRIL. It's the one they used for Sagara's Arbalest." He continued to read, "My last known whereabouts was in Japan NSC 290, right after successfully neutralizing the nuclear weapons threat in Afghanistan. Well, at least Sagara's story held," Jed mused, looking at the bottom part of the report "But I can't seem to access the other files."

"It was either a top mission, or you've hidden them yourself. You did programming…"

"I like mechanical engines now, sis. That's a little off," Jed said, typing the password he'd used in his e-mail, in which it was later denied. "By the way, there are no records regarding you, though.

"Which means in my past life, I wasn't as active as you are during the war." Erin replied thoughtfully, "Grandmother told us she found us in Old Tokyo, right?"

"Yeah, near a graveyard eerily enough. Why?"

"There's only one place where we could have come from…" Erin said slowly.

"Tokyo Jupiter?"

When his sister nodded, Jed looked at her as if she had taken leave from her senses. "How? I thought that no one can survive within that place. No one has ever came in, and its unlikely we ever came out."

"Well, we haven't aged as we should have been." Erin countered, "You and I should be 22 years old. It doesn't really make sense. The only feasible explanation for this was that we were abducted by aliens, went somewhere where time is displaced then messed with our heads when we were 14."

"Well… there are underground aliens and space aliens…" Jed said.

Erin rolled her eyes in mock disgust, "I was being sarcastic, little brother."

"I know." Jed grinned. "You know that it's such a popular concept in history centuries ago? Flying saucers, imprints on the cornfields and dissected cows? Now there are real aliens out there, not doing anything of the sort… except for ruling the world, though... Who would have thought?"

Erin was pensive for a moment, putting track back to the computer "And yet despite all these things mentioned about you, it still doesn't ring a bell in your head?"

"Yeah. If this is amnesia, it sure doesn't act like one. Perhaps hitting each other's heads should do the trick. It's a popular solution to TV characters."

"I don't think that method should be taken as medical advice, Jed." Erin smiled, here they were in an unfamiliar place with an uncertain future, and they're bantering nonsensical topics as if they were in the safety of their own living room back home. She was glad that Jed is with her again.

-----

"Camille!" That voice was familiar, Camille thought, as he turned around to the person who shouted his name. He was vastly shock to find Fa Yuiri running towards him, her perspiration clinging to her forehead, as she ran towards him as if afraid he was going to disappear in thin air and flung her arms around his neck, crying.

Camille, patted her back in a brotherly way, though a bit clumsily, before dislodging himself from her. "What on Earth are you doing here?" he managed to shout at her in his usual manner, looking at her as if had just lost her mind. Fa smiled, glad that this person was indeed her friend.

"I've enlisted."

"WHAT?!"

"You didn't hear about this, have you?" Fa answered sadly. "I tried contacting you and your parents the few days after you were taken, but I couldn't contact any of you."

Camille was concerned when Fa's tears began to fall even though she had bravely kept her face from registering her grief. "After that fight in the Colony, the Titans turned Green Noah 2 into a military installation, kicking out the residents in the process. Captain Bright was the one who made sure we'll be transported to Jabrow. I wasn't suppose to be here…"

"What do you mean?"

"They say you've joined the rebel army, and that me and my family are to remain under their custody since we're associated to you. My parents bribed the guards to allow me to leave, and that they'll remain in my stead. I haven't heard from them since, but I'm so happy to see you safe."

But Camille was already shaking with anger, realizing that the Titans would not stop here, would not allow decency to restrain their ruthlessness. "Damn them." He whispered under his breath, allowing his hatred to grow, to not hesitate to shoot them down if and when he fought against them in once again.

-----

Oka asked Kazuya, Nana, Kyoshiro and Erika to meet their pilots stationed in Jabrow, the ones chosen to be in charge of Voltes V.

Brothers Kenichi, Daishiro and Hiyoshi were the children of the missing Professor Gou, a fact that surprised many people when they've heard about it. It seemed that the man labeled as one of Earth's most brilliant scientists was not usually envisioned as a family man. Kazuya was not surprised, as the same Gou was the one who created the first drafts for Daimos (2). Ippei Mine and Oka's own daughter Megumi were the ones who completed the team, so to speak, and they were all pleased to meet their counterpart for the first time.

"I've heard you went to outer space with the Excellion since you were 10." Hiyoshi said, awestruck that anyone his age would make such an impressive achievement.

"Er, no, not really. I was 15 at the time." Kazuya laughed at the exaggeration, but beginning to like the boy nonetheless.

"We're honored to have the chance to fight beside you," Kenichi Gou said, "I'm looking forward on what Daimos can do."

"As well as your machine." Nana said, sparing a glance at Voltes V.

"Hey, you guys." Sara Tyrell said, "We're called for a meeting."

"He's starting earlier than usual." Ippei said, looking at Megumi for an explanation. The young woman shrugged. "Father has also other obligations. The sooner we are acknowledged as an official team, the easier for us to deal with other military protocol."

"With Miwa and Sutherland?" Kyoshiro snorted, "That would be the day."

"Would you prefer Basque Ohm, then, or Haman Khan?" Megumi retorted heatedly. To his credit, Kyoshiro kept silent and didn't made another witty remark, realizing that he had just offended her by questioning her father's capabilities.

"In any case," Kenichi said, "We should get going."

By the time the second hour of the afternoon ended, the newly formed Lond Bell were given a new captain, One Year War veteran Bright Noah. A lot of people were enthusiastic regarding this declaration. Next to Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, Bright was almost viewed as a legendary figure from the last war.

As expected, the Archangel was now ordered to station and await further orders from HQ. Erin and Camille gave their farewells to Kira, all were aware that his future might be more complicated from now on, once that word gets out that he was a Coordinator. Still, they drove off the fears by promising to see each other soon, despite that there may be no guarantees.

"I've just talked to Mr. Oka that our next destination is Japan," Kouji said, "We're supposed to meet up with Benkei and Musashi."

"That's good news!" Sayaka said, clearly delighted. "It's been awhile since we'd last saw them."

"Yeah."

"What's the matter?" Camille asked him.

"Well, we've been briefed on the dangers we'd might encounter in that area. The Invaders…" Kouji said, "I've fought a few of them months ago, and they were very hard to kill."

"Ah," Sayaka nodded, she remembered that time as well. "Even now my father is at research on the most effective way to destroy them."

"They move too much and regenerate like crazy." Kouji added.

"Hm. That's interesting." Camille said.

"But they've been more active recently." Kouji reflected, "In the past Benkei and Musashi can hold their ground when it comes to it, but those aliens are increasing their numbers of late. I also heard that Miwa is requesting more fighters from Jabrow for defensive measures. That we're asked to go there doesn't suit well with me."

"Our first mission," Camille shook his head. "I hope we're up to it."

As if on que, the Jabrow base was filled with the sound of klaxons and sirens. As the pilots in active duty were asked to man their robots, Camille found himself being held back by Amuro Ray. "You're coming with me." He said simply.

The blue haired boy just stared at him.

-----

"What is that?" Erin asked as she and Jed watched at the squid-like creature, flinging around its tentacles and decimating trees in the process.

"We call it an Invader." Quattro said, "This is the first time I've seen it this close." He looked at the Shore siblings, "I'm afraid you'll have to stay here as support troops."

"I'm not going anywhere with this arm." Jed replied.

"I won't mind." Erin added, looking at the creature with foreboding, as it neatly sliced a GM as if it was made of butter.

Quattro Bajina gave them a quick nod as he walked quickly back to his unit.

Under La Kairam's shadow was the first wave of defenders against the unidentified giant creature.

Camille was pleased to find out that the new Zeta Gundam was not so different from the mk.2 he'd used. Still Amuro made it clear that they haven't really tested Zeta's true capabilities, but Camille was more than willing to do this for them.

But Bright had other ideas. He had already seen its efficiency against hand-to-hand combat, and that they should fare better if they simply sniped at it from a safe distance.

The battleship began to thrum with energy, aimed precisely at its chest. It fired…

And everyone looked on in shock as the La Kairam's mega particle beam proved futile when the orange hexagonal barrier the strange creature produced halted it.

"Damn, if that's the Invaders I kept hearing about, then we're in big trouble." Camille said through clenched teeth.

Quattro was also concerned, but kept a calm countenance as he said, "That's rather impressive."

"You don't say." Amuro said wryly, his hostility towards the blonde pilot momentarily forgotten. "Which means we won't be able to protect Jabrow with our weapons."

"Don't say it like that!" The incensed Kouji Kobuto said determinedly. "We still got an edge. We practically outnumbered it three to one!"

"Which we can't dent with its defenses." Camille reminded him. "Do you have a plan?"

That didn't even gave Kouji pause. "No." he said matter-of-factly. Before Boss could dislodge himself from his steering wheel and shout at Kouji for being stupid, the Mazinger pilot added, "Nevertheless, it's just a powerful shield. If we hit it with everything we got, it will eventually break under pressure."

Captain Bright, who overheard the whole conversation, felt his cheek twitch, "It's too risky," he said slowly, "If you're not fast enough, you'll end up being sliced into two when it retaliates."

They didn't have to ponder about that; the remains of the GM that foolishly attacked it were still smoldering a few feet away.

"We don't have other options, Bright." Amuro reminded his friend, "And definitely we don't have the time to strategize over this."

Bright gave a reluctant nod, realizing they were really out of options.

"Lt. Bajina and I will act as decoys." Amuro began.

Camille began to protest that he wanted to come along, but Quattro stopped him. "I'm interested with the Zeta Gundam's mega beam launcher's performance." Quattro said to the younger man. "You will accompany Domon and Kouji, but you must attack in unison if necessary, if we have any chance to break its defenses."

Camille gave a reluctant nod, conceding the older man's logic. Then Quattro looked at Amuro, "Orders, sir?" he said in an almost sarcastic tone.

Amuro was mollified at his words instead of being insulted, reminding Quattro that his arch-foe in many ways, has indeed changed in the passage of years. "Let's go."

With the Re-GZ, La Kairam and the Hayaku Shiki earning the giant's attention, distracting it from both land and air, the three offensive units slowly approach it from behind a safe distance away, using the trees as camouflage.

"A few more meters, and then we charge," Domon instructed to the other two. Camille and Kouji acknowledged, mentally preparing themselves.

"Koji! Look out!" Sayaka's voice shouted. In a way, she had just saved his life. Kouji on impulse willed Mazinger Z to crouch just as the tree where its head should have been was shattered into a million pieces.

"Shit!" Camille swore as the other tentacle shot out and narrowly sliced off Zeta's foot. He began firing at the alien with his beam rifle, forcing it to defend itself.

"Now!" Domon shouted, Shining Gundam jumping unto the air when the two tentacles retreated, realizing that this one was dangerously close.

Mazinger Z immediately attacked it with its Breast Fire, in which the hexagon shaped shield barely managed to keep itself from harm, but at the same time Zeta Gundam's own weapon, the huge mega beam launcher, also added into the attack, significantly weakening the shield. By the time Shining Gundam landed, its right hand glowing with its power, Domon had literally broke the orange field under pressure and gripped the creature's strange chest.

"Shining Finger!!!"

A loud boom followed the explosion, and the dirt that has been kicked up during the fight became a small sandstorm momentarily blinding their sensors.

"We did it!" Kouji shouted happily.

But Shining Gundam immediately jumped out from the smoke, still in a defensive crouch. "Not yet!" Domon snapped.

Camille felt himself getting cold, detecting an eerie sensation from their foe. "My God. It's still alive."

The dust cleared and the creature was indeed standing, though admittedly badly damaged. Red substance that eerily reminded Kouji of blood was falling onto the ground from the huge hole Shining Gundam just inflicted on the alien's chest.

Quickly Camille recharged its launcher, hoping that he could provide a defensive cover for the other two mechas that were vulnerable at the moment.

But the creature never counterattacked, realizing that it had sustained considerable damage. And was quickly withdrawing from the fight. Domon for a moment wondered if he could give chase and kill it off once and for all. The other two were also pondering on that too.

"Do not engage!" Bright said through their speakers, as if he had just read their thoughts (3), "I repeat, you are not to engage the enemy. Return to your squad leader and report immediately."

"Told you it was easy." Kouji said in an attempt to cheer them up. Domon inwardly growled in annoyance but made no reply.

But Camille felt that this would not be the last time they'd encounter that being, as the three mechas made their trek back to HQ.

-----

Though no one was hurt in the Lond Bell forces, the defenders of the Jabrow base were rushed into medical care. Techs Franzenberg and Erika volunteered to render their services, the latter trying hard to fight against the feeling of familiarness in the chaos of the makeshift hospital, as the building were filled with soldiers and technicians that were wounded from the attack.

"I never realized it was this many." Erika said to the doctor.

"It seemed that the alien's appendices can slice through metal." Franzenberg explained, as he pointed at Jabrow's ceiling, the reinforced hull that serve as a defensive shield. "Considering that it's the strongest alloy man has discovered, I'm glad the enemy retreated."

"But why did it come here?"

"I don't know. But first we have to treat the wounded."

Erika complied, as she bandaged the nearest soldier's arm.

"Please escape." The soldier muttered weakly.

Erika stared up to the soldier, and her eyes widen in shock as she saw him wearing a familiar looking visor, the armored soldier's wings are limping lifelessly on his sides. "Princess…"

"Erika!"

The raven-haired girl shook her head, and this time the visored helmet was replaced by a Federation soldier whose forehead was bleeding despite the bandage. A nearby nurse was hurrying at his side, attempting to sew the wound together. It only lasted for a few seconds, but to her it felt like forever.

"Erika! I need you here, hurry!" Franzenberg shouted, the young girl immediately stood up and walked away from the soldier as fast as she could, trying not to look back, in fear to see those memories again. Memories she no longer wanted.

-----

Kouji was slightly incensed at Bright on why they have to give up their chase to the alien. A readout from his radar convinced him that he should trust the Captain's decisions in the future.

Camille checked his energy readout, it seemed that he would have to serve as the sniper in the team with Quattro and Sayaka. Zeta gripped its giant launcher as it regroup with its other team mates and the supporting units Daimos and Voltes V from the base and this time Erin's Hyukebein and Jed's Sentinel coming along, and forming a defensive pattern around the base.

And from the sky they could see their enemy.

The Balms were upon them.