A/N: Wow, it's been a while.  Sorry, I've been keeping very busy with homework and stuff.  But anyway, here's another chapter of NT! ^_^ This chapter doesn't have anything really special; it's kinda a transition chapter between what has already happened and what is about to come.  Hope you weren't expecting too much!

            Thanks to sickchild101 (you people…_***), Povlyn, Race Ulfson and HeeroDuo4eva for reviewing!

SPACE.  0823 HOURS.

7 AUGUST.  AC 197.

            Duo had gone to every source of power for Deathscythe's engines, short of unstrapping himself and pushing against the right wall of the cockpit.  Deathscythe's engines were at maximum power, working so hard that the Gundam was literally vibrating so that Duo could hardly grip his controls.  "This thing isn't budging, people!" he yelled.

            "There's no other way!" Quatre cried, gritting his teeth.  "If we don't somehow push this thing off course, it'll hit Earth headon!"

            "Can we blast it from here?" Trowa asked.

            "At this range, we'll blow ourselves up and we won't be of use to anybody anymore," Heero said.

            "Good point." Duo closed his eyes for a moment, feeling his concentration jarred.  Maybe he should just turn back, go to the nearest guy with some sort of power, and demand that they nuke it.  They had all sorts of weapons like those these days; a couple of well-aimed nuclear explosives ought to do the trick.

            That is, if they didn't automatically detonate the weapon and set Earth's atmosphere on fire.

            A voice came over their comm system; Duo immediately recognized Doctor J.  "Another change of plans, boys," the scientist said, his voice strangely gravelly.  "Altron has been found."

            Duo cheered.  "So the trump card's here!" he cried.

            "Not entirely," Doctor J said, sobering Duo somewhat.  "Wufei is still missing, but his Gundam is here.  Report back to B-885 immediately for a new mission."

            "But what about the asteroid?" Quatre cried.

            "The asteroid will hit Earth in a week," Doctor J said.  "I doubt your briefing will take that long."

            "Roger," Heero said, detached himself from the asteroid, and shot back toward Earth.

            "Oh no, you don't," Duo muttered, slamming his throttle forward.  "No one outruns Deathscythe!" His Gundam shuddered and zoomed off after Wing Zero.

            "What is up with those two?" Quatre wondered, slowly pushing off of the asteroid, steadying his engines as Trowa did the same.

            "Whatever it is, best not to interfere," Trowa said, and together they followed Duo and Heero.

MANTA-6 HQ SS.  0823 HOURS.

7 AUGUST.  AC 197.

            "Sir!" Lane, now seated in a chair above the bridge of the control room, looked up at the sound of his chief technician's voice.  "The Gundams have terminated their assault and are retreating, sir."

            He blinked.  "What?" Rising out of his chair, he walked forward and peered carefully at the computer console, where he could clearly see four tiny points of light retreating quickly into the darkness, headed back toward Earth.  "What are they doing?"

            "We intercepted a transmission from Colony B-885," the technician said.  "Apparently a search team has located Gundam 05, and they are headed back to be debriefed as to its new weapon."

            Lane shook his head.  "What about the pilot?" he asked, "Chang Wufei? Have they found him?"

            Lieutenant Clark, standing at his shoulder, shook his head.  "He is still reported missing," he said.

            "Very good," Lane said, and straightened.  "Not to worry, gentlemen, 05 is no threat to us.  It may have that new weapon the scientist built, but he's history.  Dead men tell no tales." He nodded.  "The weapon won't harm us; under a possible attack, activate the primary failsafe."

            "Will do, sir."