A/N: In the tongue-in-cheek (at least at first) manga "Garma of the Space Island", Garma becomes depressed at the end when his family all become distant due to their political duties and he is left alone. His experiences with other kids are to be bullied (at first) and later completely submissive (they will treat him nicely solely because of his father's position). As a result, Garma ends it all crying and lonely, having been abandoned by his family and also not able to form bonds with the people his own age. Fast forward and we have Garma of MSG, who is dangerously eager to please Kycilia and his father, and whose best friend is Char, which should show that he really doesn't have too many to choose from (since Char hates him and hopes to kill him one day).

Fortunately, for those who have seen MSG, Garma does have someone who deeply cares about him and shows it, and that is his fiance Icelina. Here they haven't met yet, but all things come in time. I'd reckon to say that Garma's willingness to give up everything for her, even his position as heir to the Zabi family, is a result of an emotionally starved kid who is seeking to get that emotional attachment wherever he can. Be glad for Icelina, or Garma would have spent MSG in depression probably.

So we have the stage set for the protagonists' superior officer who they have a fanatical devotion towards, similar to the one Delaz (and later Gato) held towards Gihren in 0083.

Just some background info for you all going into this coming chapter! Hope you all enjoy, and I hope to hear from you in the review section below! This chapter is brought to you by the poll I have up on my profile about what characters you want POV chapters from, so I hope those of you who have voted thus far enjoyed, and that more of you can share your thoughts as well!

"Who are you and what are you doing here?"

I reach into my bag and pull out a special identification badge given to me by my sponsors and give it to the man who asked.

"Kinue Crossroad, special media correspondent working for Garma Zabi at the request of Lady Kycilia."

I was on Side 3 for some time after the Antarctic Treaty, using my time mostly to go over information concerning both the Federation and Zeon so that when I returned to reporting it would be with knowledge and facts as compared to sheer bluster. Once Zeon had prepared a force in the weeks after the Antarctic Treaty to come down and invade Earth I too was dispatched to the surface.

Now the war was raging once again, and the young Garma Zabi was in charge of this front of it. I was stationed in America, where half of my ancestry comes from, but I don't particularly get the feeling I am too welcomed by the citizens. Back home in Japan I am more accepted among the common people, or at least Kycilia's agents report as much, but I haven't had as great a reception here.

Zeon's forces are another matter entirely. I am not so well known that everyone knows my name, and only half of those who do know my name have any kind of positive opinion, mostly those of the younger generation and Zeon's elements that support Garma more so than Gihren due to my criticizing of the latter and so far favorable, though not glowing, support of Garma.

The soldier looking over my ID is one of the ones who doesn't have a clue who I am, which is perfectly fine. When word broke I was nearly killed at the Antarctic Treaty I had a spike of sorts in popularity that I am quite grateful for. It served as a rallying cry for Zeon's politicians, even Gihren, to take a stand and say that the Federation was so spineless that they could in one breath condemn Zeon's dictatorship while also seeking to silence dissenting voices in their own nation. That the Federation only put on a guise of civilian control, that their politics were corrupt, and that at least the Zabis were placed into power with the express desires of their people.

I don't care for them using my near-death for their own ends, but I am not going to take pity on the Federation after what they did. I still can feel where I was shot. I still carry with me the frightening realization that the thing I said were enough to have someone have me killed.

If only I could remember whoever did the attempted murder, then maybe I could sleep better. For now all I know is that I am not safe so long as I am around the Federation army, so I have to take refuge under the Zabis if I am to survive. A less than ideal situation since I don't actually support them, but one I must accept if I am to ever see this all to its end and if I am to ever return home in something other than a body bag.

"Hey, I remember you! You showed that guy with the atrocious mustache a thing or two on tv, right?"

Well, it seems someone possesses a functioning memory at least. A soldier at the small bunker on Zeon's newest frontline of the North American front waves a hand from where he stands to get my attention. He then waves a couple other soldiers to follow him and join me by the front of the small facility.

In response to the man's referencing my debate with Jamaican, I attempt to downplay it and show some humility, "I just argued for a different platform than people are used to I suppose."

One of the newcomers tilts their head at seeing me, their arms crossing over their green uniforms, "Wait, I thought I heard you died."

Might as well clear it up for him, "A Federation officer tried killing me at the Antarctic Treaty. I was fortunate enough to have been saved by some Zeon officers attending it, which is why I'm not on the Federation's side of the battlefield."

The gruff officer who had taken a look at my identification hands it back to me and then sneers at me. He's probably not happy an outsider is here when he has a job to do, something I can understand, "Okay, so what are you here to do? Watch?"

I try to not let his sour look dishearten me, as this is my very first assignment now that I'm back on Earth and reporting from a different side of the conflict. There'll be plenty more after this, so I am not going to let a grouchy officer keep me from putting my maximum effort into this, "See how things are and possibly interview someone when there is the time."

He turns away and begins to walk away, waving a hand back to me, "Fine, just don't get in the way."

Well, I'm glad he says so, because I was given permission by Garma himself to come report on the frontline situation...glad I didn't have to play that card and royally piss him off.

Now, time to get to work and talk to the soldiers here about their experiences. If I compile enough I can use them as a basis for a special report on battlefield conditions, perhaps even swaying public support away from war.

I don't want Zeon to win, I just want for the Federation to get a treaty passed, which they chose not to do back at the Antarctic because of Revil's escape.

"This is Kinue Crossroad, reporting to you independently from one of the many warzones on Earth right now."

Well, a news studio by one of the battlefields. Garma had acquired the territory and realized that a facility lay within it that could hijack other broadcasts and play over them, so that's what we're doing. It may be a bit underhanded, but it's not as if I can ask JNN to run my material now, so I'll have to make do with what I can.

I apologize to whatever viewers I may have for interrupting their regular broadcast, and I begin speaking about the war situation in earnest, as compared to whatever Federation slanted stories they are hearing.

"After the events at the Antarctic Treaty, Zeon has begun an invasion of the Earth due to the Federation's unwillingness to make peace after the escape of General Revil…"

I bring up the various sites of battle across the world, and bring up images for the audience to see of the destruction this is bringing. My hope is to bring awareness of the overall situation and create a backlash to end the war. With Zeon's lead at the moment they will not be the one to call for it, so instead the Federation will need to be pressured into it.

Sorry, Earth Federation leaders. You shot me. This is for your soldiers you'll sacrifice to uphold your harsh grip on space.

"Leading Zeon's efforts is Garma Zabi, youngest heir to the Zabi family and a Captain in the Zeon ranks. Among Zeon's people he is an idol known for his charisma and kindness, the latter of which can be seen in his approach to the Earth invasion force he has been placed in charge of."

I say this not as a personal judgment but a reporting of fact. Zeon's people do idolize their youngest prince. Furthermore, he is taking a balanced approach to his invasion that borders on kind, as he is offering a hand in friendship to the territories he visits and has even won over some using these methods. However, the vast majority spit in the face of that approach and he has gone to take those territories without remorse. I can't say I like that he is invading, but he was willing to work things out peacefully first, which makes the Federation's refusal to judge cede its space colonies appear all the more selfish. Now they may end up losing everything as Zeon encroaches further and further.

I bring up more photos for the viewers. Urabe was off duty when I went on air and decided to help me out for fun, as well as make sure the facility was secure, so I look to him as I speak and point to photos of Garma meeting with important Federation figures such as Ronan Marcenas, as well as graphs showing the casualty reports of the invaded territories. If I undermine the Federation by making their opponent seem better, they may feel enough pressure to call for another peace negotiation. Given Zeon's current strength, or lack thereof, they can't truly press to have the Federation cede Earthbound territory, but they can press to control space.

It'll mean a dictatorship rules over space, but if it means we do not suffer more tragedies like Operation British I am willing to accept that. The Federation will be able to catch up to Zeon in technology in the next few months, at which point Zeon will be unable to restart a war...provided they have any kind of intelligence to them.

"As you can see, Garma has met with various leaders willing to make peace and arranged for treaties, peaceful surrendering of territory, and protected civilians whenever possible."

I have the images disappear from the screen behind me so that focus can come back to me. I think it's important that I stress the next part, as I am not a Zeon supporter...I am simply against the Federation right now after what they've done, and I don't want people to actually throw their lot in with Zeon. This in mind, I also have to tow a certain line since Kycilia is no doubt keeping her eye on me.

"This is not to say that there have not been consequences of this invasion. With war breaking out across the globe there have been many unfortunate losses for the civilians affected by Zeon's war of independence. Zeon has taken many lives, and while they were backed into a corner economically by the Federation and deprived of rights before the conflict, this does not make such actions just. Innocent lives should not be sacrificed for the ambitions of the Federation or Zeon, and it is important that normal citizens stand against those who would commit such acts, Federation or Zeon."

I take a moment to breathe before I reach the end of what I have prepared for this mini-report. I had jumped at the chance to try this out, so I did not have too much material with me since we only are a few weeks into this conflict.

"Ending my report, I would like to make it known that while I am broadcasting with the aid of Zeon's forces, it is not because I have defected as I am sure members of the Federation will tell you. A Federation soldier tried killing me at the Antarctic Treaty in cold blood, pardon the pun, so my options have kind of been limited. First they tried censoring me by pressuring JNN to remove me from their employ, and then they took things a step further and attempted to have me killed, no doubt for my views critical of their government, forgetting of course I was also critical of actions Zeon has made as well."

I smile to the camera and try to put on a less serious countenance. Don't want to be too depressing after all!

"I urge you all to stay away from any area that may become dangerous, and do please look out for one another. This is Kinue Crossroad signing off."

I'm hoping Saji caught this, so he can see that I'm alright.

Looking to my cameraman, I wait for the filming to end before nervously asking him.

"How'd I do?"

Urabe gave me a thumbs up as he stood up to his full height, the tall man having had to curve his back to be at the height of the camera we appropriated, "I think you did just fine. I bet there are a lot of folks out there who aren't thrilled with the Federation, but who think what Gihren did with that colony was horrible. If you draw enough support away from the Federation's efforts I'm sure Lady Kycilia will be pleased. I mean, that's why you're here, right?"

I honestly don't know. Lady Kycilia is quite the secretive woman, and I won't pretend to know how to read her yet. Still, she's not the person who got me access to this facility or gave me permission to broadcast today. I have not gotten the chance to really meet with Garma yet, but I sense that he's at least sympathetic to my way of thinking, though I could be mistaken, "Well, she's not technically my boss, so what do you think the Captain thought?"

Urabe snickered, "He's lonely enough that he loves watching himself on television, so I'd say you've fed his young ego well enough."

I gasp in mock surprise before smirking back, "Scandalous words from his personal guard."

He held his hands up defensively, though I could tell by his tone he was still just joking around, "I know, I know, but you can't fight the truth, and the truth is that Garma's a lonely kid who is now in charge of a war. Most the commanders around him are doing their best to keep him from actually doing anything, and now he's spending almost all his time in his office. I bet a nice broadcast is the highlight of his week, getting his mind off all the fighting and death."

Garma ought to be tired given all of his time on battlefield, personally leading his forces in their conflicts whenever possible, though he was only capable of so much. He really does like participating in person…

Wait, attending a battle in person? I think that could be a useful tool for more than just Garma.

I snap my fingers to highlight my thought, "I just had an idea."

"Idea?"

I nod as I explain my idea stemming from Garma's example, "Garma fights from the front despite what the other brass ask him to do. Bring me with you next time."

Urabe scoffs, obviously put off by the idea of bringing a civilian into combat, "You sure you want to be on his Gaw?"

"Your mobile suit has room for two, right?"

"Wait, what?"

I look up at Urabe's suit as he begins preparing it for launch. We are aboard Garma's command ship, a Gaw by the name of Loki, and I have received cautious permission to accompany Urabe onto this battlefield. Garma deemed it safe enough to allow my presence, but also dangerous enough that he needed to deploy his royal guard at all, so I was to accompany Urabe and the placeholders who would stand-in for Emmerich and Hiyento until they arrived.

I may be afraid, terrified even, of dying after what happened at the Antarctic Treaty, but I can't really consider myself knowledgeable of what is going on in the minds of a pilot if I don't see things from their perspective. I also trust Urabe to not die, especially since his mobile suit appears so advanced. It's like nothing I've seen before in terms of the giant machines, possessing a sleek design to it, a frame that could fold up well within a Gaw for storage, and on its legs it had wheels that could be deployed to quicken its speed on flat ground and road.

"What is this called?" I ask the pilot of the machine, who is going over some diagnostics in the cockpit.

"It's a Gekka. One of a million prototypes Zeon is working with right now, this one being related to the Gouf project as Earth specialized mobile suits," he calls me closer with a gesture, "Come take a look at the inside."

I listen and approach it. Urabe climbs inside and begins to point to various devices inside, giving them quick descriptions as if I had any idea of what he was talking about, then finally gesturing to the back of the open cockpit where there was plenty of space for me to get in. Since this suit did not have a backpack like other mobile suits, I guess it can't take off and fly, but it makes the cockpit more spacious for the time being. He had also mentioned it could eject and was a special project being undertaken by Garma's mechanics who were working on his own custom suit, which aimed to have an ejectable cockpit.

"The Gekka's cockpit is a bit like riding a motorcycle, so keep that in mind. I don't get hit all that often so it shouldn't be a problem, but if we do get hit you'll be thrown around a bit."

"It's fine. I'll manage," I nod to him as I get in the back. I am wearing a pilot's suit they had available, its colors being the complementary purple and yellow, but I must admit since it isn't fitted to me it is a little loose. I scrunched up the sleeves and pants to make it fit better, but moving into the cockpit made it come undone a bit.

Once I am inside Urabe closes the cockpit and begins his final preparations, the suit powering up and coming to life within the Gaw we were inside.

"You sure you want to do this? It's dangerous, and…"

Urabe doesn't finish what he was going to say, apparently not sure how to say it right. I get what he was getting to though...if I went out there with him, I would both be in danger and see what he could do. Since he was an ace pilot, that meant he would likely kill a lot of people.

If I am going to call myself a frontline reporter now, I can't pretend war is some pretty thing. I would rather see Urabe fight, be disgusted, and redouble my efforts than sit behind some desk and pretend like these people never died.

"Worried I'll see someone die up close?"

He lets out a long breath before nodding. He's a good man, and I appreciate that he is looking out for me, but at the same time I know what I'm doing. I'm determined to learn as much as I can, even if it is dangerous and even revolting.

"If I can get a better understanding of the conflict through experiencing it firsthand, I will," I explain to him, and this seems to convince him.

His spirits rising, a chirp over the suit's radio gets Urabe to begin moving his suit to jump from the hangar, "Well then, here we go! Hang on!"

I grip to the pilot's back tightly as his suit jumps, deploying a parachute as it falls down to the ground. The cockpit feels weightless for a moment before gravity and inertia each take hold of us again, the former dragging us down while the latter is nearly lifting us from our seats as we fall down.

The fall eases as the parachute finishes deploying and does its job, though Urabe jumps from it with a few dozen meters left to land in a clearing he had been aiming at. The thud shakes us both, but the small ache it gives me is nothing compared to what happened to me only a couple months ago.

Urabe begins silently hunting through the woods and forest brush for the Federation forces that had been engaging in effective hit and run tactics the past eleven days in this region. Other forces are deployed as well, serving as bait to draw out most of the enemies or at least determine their location, but one thing I noticed is that Garma deployed the bait maybe a bit too far away. Not by accident or error, but intentionally. He was dangling them as bait, but he obviously did not want them to come to any harm.

Hopefully the Federation would still take the bait, or else Urabe and I would be pretty isolated, even with the two Zaku-II's also from Garma's Gaw backing us up.

Urabe pulls out what he called a Heat Sword and begins stalking towards what appears to be a tank hiding inside forest greenery artificially placed atop it such as bushes and a large pile of leaves hiding its tracks.

He signals for the other two Zakus to hold back as he continues to approach the target.

Well Kinue...this is it. You're going to see someone die. Whether that's you or the Federation soldiers in that tank is yet to be determined…

Once within a hundred meters, Urabe fires some built-in vulcans at an area beyond the tank. The vulcan shots strike something I hadn't noticed and cause the what I assume was ammunition or something along those lines to explode.

This results in the tank trying to hide itself to turn its gun towards the explosion, its pilot looking for a threat but not understanding where the shot came from, and in this moment Urabe uses their distraction to strike.

His Heat Sword penetrates the tank in a single swift move, skewering it into the ground and killing all inside. I notice that Urabe had not actually heated his weapon using his suit's heating rack, so the strike destroyed it in a blunt manner, not causing a chain reaction that would cause it to explode.

"The ammunition will draw attention, but this will stall how long it takes for them to realize one of their tanks is gone," Urabe explains as he moves back into the thick forest.

I merely nod, my eyes glued to his screen that still shows the destroyed tank. At least one soldier just died...and for what? They were fighting to protect Earth, but it needn't have even become a battlefield to begin with…

I shake my head as I try to think over the pointlessness of this conflict. The sooner this war can end, the better.

"Urabe, a quarter mile ahead a group of five Type-61 tanks is waiting to ambush us, facing east," I hear Garma explain over the radio, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Great, five more.

Urabe grins at the information provided by his leader, "Understood!"

A quarter mile did not mean much in a mobile suit given its size, and soon the sight of a group of tanks similar to the last one meets our eyes. I keep quiet as Urabe lowers his suit's wheels and enters a swerving motion that will make us sweep by all of the tanks that have not seen us yet, their attention on Garma's other forces.

"That Gaw is great for getting a view on the whole battlefield," Urabe smirked as he spoke about Garma's intel. He then lifted his suits arm to fire at the entrenched tank formation.

Two of the tanks lit up in fire as Urabe passed by them, just in time for him to pull out his Heat Swod, "And even if he's just a kid," with a fast slash he severed the three remaining tanks turrets from their lower halves, "Garma's something special!"

The explosions resulting from Urabe having tossed caution to the wind in this attack made the deaths of these pilots feel less...personal. Nothing was truly left as they disappeared in a flash of light.

It didn't make thinking about it any better though.

With the main group of Federation forces taken out swiftly by Urabe, the skirmish came to an end with Garma's forces forcing the remaining enemies to surrender. I am probably going to need to take some time to decompress after today, but I feel...enlightened. There was a moment of fear I felt when we were the ones who could have been shot. That life or death sensation a soldier feels in battle, of possibly dying at any point...it's not something I want to forget.

As we wait for Garma to pick us up, Urabe begins talking with a glowing voice. He's proud of how things went, with no allied casualties, and happy that his commanding officer had done well.

"I could have worked under any Zabi, but I chose to work with Garma because I know he's got potential to do some real good some day. So," he turned around as much as he could to see me, a friendly smirk on his face, "I will protect him with my life, so he can one day be that force for change I know he can be."

Perhaps Urabe is onto something...

Before I can think of something to say, Urabe faces forward again and speaks up, "I hope those other two finish their training soon and can join us down here. I know those trainers want to make sure the men know how to do their super important job, but it won't mean much if something happens before they even get here."

I too am looking forward to seeing the two pilots again...I owe them for saving my life back in January, and I don't particularly like feeling indebted.

Realizing I had fallen quiet, Urabe pipes up again, "Anyways, how are you doing?"

"A little nauseous to be honest. That was the first time I was so close to combat…"

He nods, understanding my feeling, "Let's not make a habit of it then. I hope you got whatever you were looking for, Miss Crossroad."

"I did. Thank you."

Hopefully I can influence people to make sure more battles like this aren't necessary...an ambitious hope, maybe, but I can't do anything unless I try.

I have been living in a small town nearby the Zeon base, with the idea that I would feel better amongst the civilian population there instead of being cooped up at the base. While the idea was certainly a good one in theory, it kind of fell through in practice due to particular...resentment held towards Garma's forces in this region. He was capable of winning over some politicians and officials, as well as some people, but others were unwilling to give Zeon an inch of their support, which I can understand.

That doesn't mean I appreciate being struck across the face when heading home, as just happened moments ago.

"Traitor!"

The woman standing across from me is middle aged, and seems to certainly resent me if I can read her expression at all as well as register pain.

I stand up straight and look at her with an icy expression, not wanting to diminish myself by reacting physically or showing anger, "I apologize if you do not like the news, but one is not entitled to their own facts, only opinions."

She spits at my feet before turning and going on her way.

"You're lucky that Zeon base is so close."

With her gone, I take the last few steps and enter my new "home". It's a simple house, something Garma was able to acquire without too much hassle, but it's not the home I want to be going to.

I want to go home to Saji...I want to go home and see my father sitting at the dinner table...I want to be sitting in bed worrying about the next story I am going to have to research for JNN…

I only wanted to be like my father and find the truth that others don't want you to see. I wanted to report on what Zeon's people thought and were like too, not just what the Federation wanted us to say about them. Now? Now I can't go home. I can't help my brother go through college. I can't support him and help him become the colony engineer he wanted to become.

And because of the Federation, Saji is the only family I even have.

Not bothering to settle in at all, I head straight to my new bedroom and lay down. Bringing an arm over my head, I try not to cry as I think of what I've lost.

"Father...what do I do?"

Was reporting the truth worth losing everything? Was it worth being spat on, thought of as a traitor, when you had no choice?

Was it worth your life?

Letting my arm fall to my side, I sigh as I come to answer my own question.

Yes. It is worth it. So long as I inform others and aim to protect them with that knowledge, perhaps losing my own livelihood is worth it.

I just hope Saji can forgive me...I won't be coming home for a long time if I keep down this path.

Some time later, I receive a communication from Urabe that his boss had requested a meeting with me. It was late in the day and I had just returned from another report, so I was ready to just go to bed when I was instead called to my first meeting of any real importance with Garma. I had of course seen and spoken to him prior, just not significantly, as his mind had been so encapsulated by the war the first weeks of the invasion that he had no time to spare for anything but battle plans and actual conflict.

The door was half open when I got to Garma's office. I moved to enter when I heard him speaking to someone in his room, making me pause and wait out of view so as to not interrupt.

"Father, today we captured an important city along the Atlantic coast of North America. I think I may be getting the hang of this in some ways."

Seeing as how Degwin was on Side 3 and Garma was speaking in the detached way one did when recording something, he was no doubt creating a message to send his father. Not being one to intrude, yet still curious, I waited close enough to listen in on him but still not intrude as Garma continued to dictate to the computer he was using to record his "letter" of sorts.

"I am sometimes worried though that the troops will think poorly of me should we face any setbacks. I do not want to waste their lives if I can so help it, and I do not want to lose their trust, but balancing the need to gain territory and the risks that come with it…"

I could hear Garma sigh from his own worries, cutting himself off from that train of thought and instead taking a moment to pause and collect himself. He sounds tired, and so I doubt he really has this message too thought out.

"I'm sorry. You probably don't want to hear about all that. I'm sure Gihren talks your ear off everyday with news about the Earth invasion," his voice warms as he mentions his elder brother. While I despise the tyrant, Garma must hold memories of Gihren from before they were Zeon's autocratic rulers that were less genocide and more familial bonding, "I hope he is doing well. He must be facing a lot of stress having to coordinate so many things, but if anyone is capable of it, it's him."

Where did the Zabis find this kid? Does he even share a single drop of blood with Gihren? He makes it hard to write them all off, even if they are a family of dictators. How would things be different if it was Garma who was oldest and Gihren who was the youngest? Would we even be fighting? Perhaps we still would, but I doubt Operation British would have ever happened. Someone who pities and even sympathizes with the plight of a monster like Gihren is not the sort to order the deaths of millions.

"I'm kind of hoping that Dozle won't have too many problems and that he won't get in too many more fights. I wouldn't want his future daughter to grow up without their father, and it would break Zenna's heart. They deserve to have Dozle for many years to come…" I can almost hear Garma laugh to himself as he takes another moment to think things over. He must really be exhausted if he is doing this on his feet, "I understand why he fights so close to his soldiers though, so I won't judge him. I just hope he'll perhaps restrain himself for their sake."

I've already been decently favorable in my coverage towards Garma's efforts, but that's because he's just been making the right decisions and I couldn't criticize his efforts to conquer Earth with as little bloodshed as possible. I am beginning to see how so many in Zeon are taken in by him...he's kind and well meaning, even if his goals are to fulfill the aspirations of his family. To someone in Zeon, he must be a beacon into their future.

Now, Kinue, can you report on him in an unbiased way after seeing the human side of him and not just the political one? I'd like to think I can, but…

Well, he reminds me of Saji in some ways.

Garma next spoke with a degree of nervousness, as if something was making him feel insecure, "If you wouldn't mind, can you pass along news of my recent successes to Kycilia? She has been too busy to meet with me recently, and it's hard even getting in contact with M'Quve to pass along any messages," he finished with a tone that exudes pride and confidence, but I doubt that is anything but a front to put on for his father's sake, "I want her to know though that I'm living up to the Zabi name and making my own mark now."

Kycilia rose Garma much like I rose Saji. No wonder I'm seeing parallels between them, even if Garma is bolder and hot-blooded than my meek brother. Perhaps in another life they would be off in college together doing what college students do, but I can't ever see that happening now.

I came into this all to get a story, but now I'm in deeper than I ever meant to be. It's not like I have another course of action at this point though: the Federation forced my hand at the Antarctic Treaty. Now I'm working under someone a few years younger than me yet is in charge of a massive campaign to take over the entire Earth, all the while desperately longing for his sister's approval.

Perhaps being raised by a cold-hearted woman like Kycilia has left its mark on Garma...he's nervous when talking about her. He wants to please her, feel validated, which tells me she hasn't made him feel like he has previously. If she had, he might not be so desperate to prove himself now.

"And lastly, I know you are worried about me father, but know that I have no intention of dying. I look forward to the day I come back to Side 3 and can see you all again. It's about time we had another family portrait, especially now that Dozle will have a daughter to add in it," Garma's voice became softer as he began to wrap up his message, "Stay well, father. I will be home before you know it."

I wish I could be so confident...Revil was right after all. Zeon is exhausted, at least for the time being.

The kid playing the part of commander grew a determined voice that might actually make one believe he was an adult instead of homesick child, "I'll win this war. I have to so that this conflict was worth it. Was worth the lives of so many brave soldiers and innocent civilians."

"See you soon, Father."

This is why I hate this war.

A twenty year old kid shouldn't have to go fight and perhaps even die in a war, not when he has family to go home to. I don't even know what I would do if Saji had to fight...if he had to leave Louise and I to go fight in a war that he didn't start, that he didn't cause.

Oh Saji...I've looked after you all these years, but I don't even know when the next time I see you will be. Will you be okay on your own? You're not like Father or me. You're a pushover who wants to please others...if that doesn't get you into trouble in this war, it'll get you into trouble with that she-demon Louise. Couldn't he have picked someone who isn't such a rich brat? She walks all over him...

I shake my head and dispel any thoughts of my brother's blonde girlfriend from Europe. This isn't the time for worrying about what she's doing to him, I have a job to fulfill. I was called to this office for a reason after all, so I may as well follow through now that Garma has finished.

It takes me a few moments to gather myself and feel ready to enter, for not only did I need the time to go over what this all meant for Garma, I also wanted to give him a moment as well. Otherwise he may think I was listening in, or rude, or most definitely both. I don't regret listening though, because I think I've come to a decision.

I knock on the half-open door and hear Garma jolt across the room, papers crinkling on his desk and at least one pencil falling down and rattling off the ground.

"Captain."

Garma sat up straight in his seat and tried to compose himself from his moment of being startled. He's probably so sleep deprived from all he has to go through as leader of the Earth invasion forces, part exhausted by the work and stress and part kept up at night as the moral bones in his body conflict with the actions his faction have taken.

"Oh, Miss Crossroad, please come in," Garma gave a weak smile as I took the invitation and entered his office, "Take a seat."

It takes me a moment to realize that I cannot oblige him.

"Forgive me for saying so, but where?"

Damn. I really ought to bite my tongue more. I'm so used to speaking my mind that I just insulted the cleanliness of my superior. I mean, his office is disorganized to a degree that is almost quite impressive. Files, bins, notebooks, books, and even a random chess board are taking the places one normally would use to sit. Even the floor is no better, as papers and maps are organized there as if Garma ran out of room on his table and just continued his planning there.

He's certainly a twenty year old just out of school...I bet he had been taught cleanliness by his upbringing and his time at the military academy, but in a state of sleep deprivation he seems to have stopped caring for the moment.

Garma stood up and rushed over to the chairs across from his desk that were occupied by the chess board and some books, "Right, my apologies," he quickly stacked them atop another mess, fixing the problem at hand without actually cleaning anything. This done, he made a gesture to one of the chairs and went back to his own seat, "Sorry, this office is a bit...personalized."

A prince just acted the part of maid. I'd laugh if I wasn't already putting my tongue on a leash for my previous comment. Garma didn't seem to care that I had called out his disorganized mess, but I'm not about to try my luck too many times.

To be honest, it's not something I'm all too unfamiliar with. I've seen messy rooms quite a few times in my life, especially when Saji and I were both just kids living on our own.

"I understand. My brother Saji is a college student right now, and the last time I saw him he had his notebooks all over his room too, studying for a big test."

Garma laughed as he leant back in his chair. At this distance I could see that he was certainly exhausted. Had he even slept the night before? I wonder if he's suffering from the problems I wondered about earlier...it would certainly suit his personality, but I can't say for certain.

"If you want to see him, I could conquer Japan to arrange a meeting between you."

His voice is partially joking, I can tell that, but the rest is completely genuine and that makes me stop in my tracks.

Was that bravado, generosity, or complete naivete on his part? As if he could just easily make it so and do me such a favor. He must realize I cannot see my brother the way things are...I may be neutral personally, but the Federation won't see things that way.

No...looking at the Captain gives me another sense: he's here alone in his office instead of around dozens of people like he must be used to. Not only that, who here does Garma even know? Urabe, obviously, but Garma's seemed a bit stiff from what else I've seen.

He's like a lost, hurt puppy who someone just found on the side of a road. The dog wants someone to take them out of the rain, and they don't care who it is so long as someone is paying attention to them. Garma likely had a lifetime of shallow friends and companions, compounded by far older siblings going off to do politics...I know I tried to be with Saji whenever I could since I was all he had, but I wonder if he ever felt the same loneliness.

In any case, I am not so selfish as to take advantage of someone's own insecurities for my own gain, so I have to decline his overly gracious offer. I wonder if he even thought about the logistics of such a proposition. Not only would it change whatever strategy he had for the war, it would also likely put Saji in more danger: not only would the combat endanger him, but Saji would become a prime hostage to twist my arm with. I had been telling the truth to Kycilia in that they likely would not bother, but I am not going to test the immorality of the Federation if I can. They shot me, killed my father, and I won't let that pass along to my brother if I can so help it.

I smile him in an apologizing manner, hoping he won't feel rebuffed while letting him know the overly generous thought is appreciated, "I wouldn't want to distract the war effort for something personal like that, sir."

Realizing perhaps what he had said, Garma verbally backtracked, "I suppose you're right, but I intend to do it sooner or later, so it wouldn't be too far out of the way."

I get the feeling he's a bit out of practice with socializing with other, normal people and not just the top brass, high noble sort he's likely surrounded by at other times. It's kind of tragic for someone his age to already be so disconnected, not out of a lack of empathy or care but because he has been kept away from any kind of normal bonding. A caged canary, if I am to keep to animal metaphors.

Still, it is not my place to pity him, nor is it to talk about such matters: I was called here to discuss something, but Garma hasn't said what yet. His lack of direction can be attributed to any number of things, but perhaps the fact that he looks like he's about to fall over onto the desk is a major factor.

"So, was there something you needed, sir?"

Garma perked up as things shifted gears, "Yes, actually, I was wondering if you would mind helping me arrange a broadcasted meeting with some Federation officials. I am trying to fulfill my role as both commander and son of the Zabi family, and I can do both if I meet with the Federation and humiliate them on public television with compelling arguments and the facts that justify our cause."

That...sounds like he's taken inspiration from my debate with Jamaican. Perhaps having me around the base has made him take an interest in my methods.

Still, something he implied has to be corrected, as I like having the facts straight.

"Your cause," I correct, as I am no member of Zeon. I may be working with and under them, but their cause is not my own: they seek control of Earth, while I seek to report the truth and to, if possible, help bring an end to the conflict. Still, the decision I came to only a little while ago means that this is a golden opportunity, and so I am quite interested in seeing it through, "And I can see what I can do. Aren't you worried that they will default to arguments concerning the colony drop and gassing?"

Garma straightens himself out to a more regal pose to try and sell his next point, "I do have some degree of practice with public speaking, so I will do my best to stay on point and not let them derail me from my goals."

This said, he leans back and smirks, his eyes closing and resting as his head finds a comfortable spot on his expensive, luxurious chair. After mulling over something he lets me in on why he's grinning.

"Truth be told, I expect them to not even give me the time of day, but I can then use that as well to show that they aren't willing to even talk. Corrupt fools and the other hypocrites within the Federation won't want to open themselves to be humiliated on a public stage, not like that idiot Jamaican. Until I can force them to meet with me, I will have to win by default in the realm of arguments and ideas."

Perhaps he's not as starry eyed as I thought he was. Naive in some ways, yes, but unintelligent? No. He is from the same family as the political genius of Degwin, the raw genius of Gihren and Kycilia, and the brilliant tactician that is Dozle. Its just that when you see him and talk to him it doesn't come out in the same way theirs does: he doesn't seem like he's scheming or plotting given how genuine he acts and usually is.

Garma genuinely wants to meet with them and settle things, but he knows they won't bite and play on his terms, so he has already thought about how to use that and then make that benefit him.

I must say I am impressed, even if I hadn't expected such a thing from him.

"You sound almost like Lady Kycilia when you say that."

Garma shrugged, trying to play off how much that comparison was a compliment in his mind, "I suppose I do, though she would never directly go after them. She is the subtle one after all. One must question every action she makes, even those that don't seem to have any deeper meaning."

Yes, like assigning a reporter who is from the Federation to help Garma in his Earthbound campaign. What did Kycilia hope to accomplish with having me here in this role? An outspoken voice to needle the actions of Gihren and belittle him, undermining him? That seems like the obvious answer, though given how obvious that is I must question even that.

If I get dragged into the rivalry between Gihren and Kycilia, I may also end up as a casualty of it. I do not wish to play the part of her pawn, but if I am to pursue my own ambitions, do I have any choice but to?

I stand up and salute Garma, "Well, if that is all sir, I have a lot of work ahead of me. Permission to be dismissed?"

He stands up as well and salutes me as well with a gloved hand, "Of course. Remember, you're a civilian, so no need to act like one of the others."

Standing at his full height once again, I notice that he's far worse off physically than I originally imagined. He's dangerously thin inside his uniform, and with the movements of his back I can see pain almost finding its way to his face, back pain probably from long hours spent looking over reports and other military materials on his desk.

As I move to leave I speak again, "Goodnight, sir. You should get some rest and eat something. You won't be much good to anyone if you're stricken by illness or a lack of sleep."

I close the door behind me as I walk out, only to pause right outside his door. I've told Saji something similar on occasion...

He really is kind of like Saji in a couple ways: part-naive, but well meaning little brother who looks up to his older sister. Only I actually show Saji warmth, while I don't think Garma is as lucky with Kycilia.

Too bad he was born into a family of dictators...a misfortune of birth to have someone like that wrapped in their world.

Thinking about that...if I cannot condone Zeon because of what Gihren is doing in his leadership of it, perhaps I ought to help prop up an opposing side.

It's wishful thinking in a way, but I do have some sway. Some followers. If I can build them up to a respectable number and then use my platform to more explicitly prop Garma up as the next leader of Zeon I may be able to kill a few birds with one stone.

Forgive me, Saji. I really just keep digging myself in deeper into this mess, don't I?

The last time I took a stand, I was nearly killed, but wouldn't it be a coward's way out to not try and help others when I have the power to?

Father...you would understand, wouldn't you? You died for your beliefs. Even if I have to endanger myself, it is the duty of an intrepid reporter to find the truth even in the face of those who wish to enshroud it.

I'm no martyr though. I plan to get out of this alive, unlike my father before me.

Saji...be safe. I'll come back home as soon as I can...I just have to do this first.

A/N: Thank you for reading, and I hope you will let me know what you think in the review section below! It's hard to know what to focus on when I don't hear from any of you, since I have copious notes and a million things to write about. If I know what you like, the better I can tell the story to you!

People voted in my profile poll to see from Kinue, Garma, and Dozle the most, but since Dozle is detached from what will be the main plot for a bit I decided to focus more on those other two.

If you guys want to see from a particular character's perspective, go to my profile and vote on which ones you're interested in!

Thank you again for reading, and I hope you will let me know what you think in the reviews below!