Mio stared at Anna, wondering whether she should believe her or not. Mio had heard rumors of the Magic Association, but those rumors said they were more of an idealistic organization made to create "control" amongst magic users. She paused before replying back to her, "Why are you codenamed "Librarian"? Why is the Magic Association trying to work behind the scenes?" Mio said this with trepidation; she did not want to anger Anna and the mysterious organization backing her.

Whether Anna was angry she asked this or not, Mio never noticed as Anna answered in the same tone as before, "I am the Librarian because I have access to all of the MA's knowledge. Why would one let another have access to all the knowledge of magic? The answer to this is simple: To prevent magic from being misused. As Librarian, I am also held with the responsibility to not give out knowledge without due process and at the same time do no harm to the Magic Association or to the world. It sounds the same, yet they are two very different things. Let me show you."

Anna walked over to a shelf and brought out a book. "This book is the history of the 2nd Wizard War to us, and is known to humanity's historians as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Humanity does not know the truth because the truth in itself is tied within magic. Before the wars, Britannia was under relative peace. However our Librarian disliked King Charles I because he supported the Protestants in Gallia. When the Magic Association got word about Britannia's king mulling over an invasion to help the Protestants, the Librarian went ballistic and sent Cromwell the magical spells to counteract the wards of the King's Wizard Escort. Cromwell took that information and used it to create 3 Civil Wars in Britannia. Cromwell then shut us off from Britannian Magical Researchers and the Magical Association was forced to send its forces to help Charles II reclaim Britannia and regain control over that region."

Minna scratched her head at this new information. "Anna, get to the point."

Anna sighed and said, "Okay... the point of that whole story is that after that Librarian caused the 2nd Wizard War a new policy had been implemented as a safeguard against this. Any Librarian is magically bound from specifically communicating about their knowledge about all magic until the Magic Association approves it."

"Wait Anna..." Mio said, "What about Librarians using their own knowledge against us?"

Anna nodded. "I do not need to bring out a book about this one. You do know of the Crusades in the 1500s, correct?"

The girls both nodded.

"Good. Then this will be short and sweet. We had chosen a Librarian from Romagna. However, we did not expect him to rise to the title of Pope. He... used his knowledge to reclaim Jerusalem for Christianity." Anna sighed. "As a result," Anna showed the two girls the glowing runes around her arms. "Librarians are crippled to the point of nonexistence. We know many things, but we sacrifice the ability to do them efficiently."

Minna quietly said, "The magical law of equilibrium..."

Anna nodded. "Yes... Do you now understand why Yoshika lost her powers?"

Mio remembered back to the time when Yoshika usedthe Shin Reppuzan attack to save the world from the super-hive. Granted, it was a necessary sacrifice, but Mio felt bad at the same time for not being able to do more. After a pause she said, "Yes I do. And I will sacrifice my powers to return hers."

"Good." Anna returned the book back to the shelf. "We have much to prepare, I will need help writing the seal after all..."

Schmidt woke up early this morning to a cloudy day. He didn't feel like waking up the others so he walked outside and found Eisen standing in front of a few halftracks. He turned to see Schmidt staring at him. "Oh I didn't see you there Sergeant Schmidt. You're up early."

Schmidt was surprised the General was talking to him as an equal. He slowly replied, "I didn't feel like sleeping."

The General turned back to his work and said, "Ahh... Well, thats good. Could you please wake up Sgt. Takashi and Cpl. Adagio? I've already sent couriers for the others. Frost's family is already here. "

Schmidt nodded and turned back towards the hangar. Interestingly for him, Takashi and Adagio were up already. "Why are you guys up so early?"

They closed their doors and said, "Couldn't sleep." Takashi said this quietly, but Adagio sound like a broken doll. They didn't take Frost's death as easily as it seemed.

"Eisen sent me to get you guys. Frost's family was flown in."

The boys walked quietly through the hangar and ventured outside. There wasn't much to be said among them. They knew what was going to happen next.

Schmidt saw Bates walk up in formal military uniform. He saw them and said, "Where are your formal clothes guys?"

"I didn't expect an impromptu funeral Bates." Takashi said. "When I woke up today, I thought I would be doing work and expected a more formal invitation."

Bates was about to reply back but was stopped by the crowd standing before Eisen. They turned to see the group of boys talking amongst themselves.

They nodded and quickly turned to their seats which were positioned at the front near Frost's family. Eisen walked up to the podium and began talking.

"Friends and Family, we are here today to honor Sgt. Windsor Frost. He was killed in action during a valiant defense of our forces and will be honored for also saving his fellow soldiers with his sacrifice that allowed them to finish their mission. I have brought his family here to present them with the Striker Cross Award, which was saved only for a special occasion like today. I personally did not know him well, so I cannot speak for his bravery and courage in the face of death, but maybe his friends can say a few words?" Eisen stepped away from the mic and waited for one of the boys to speak.

After an excruciating pause, Schmidt came up to the podium.

"I only got to know Frost, I mean Windsor, in the short time that I have been here. He was a man of valor, someone who would attempt to do the right thing without prompting, and yesterday..." Schmidt's eyes started tearing up. "Yesterday... I was supposed to protect my comrade... But... But..." He was starting to become a blubbering mess. "But I couldn't save him... He saved our lives, he deserves this. I cannot begin to imagine your pain and suffering right now. Your boy was taken from you at such a young age." As Schmidt finished his sentence, soldiers and witches alike were slowly filing into the field where the half tracks were situated in. He didn't know if Eisen had set this up, or if people just wanted to remember the dead.

Schmidt took a deep breath and continued on. "Frost was one of the best soldiers I have ever worked with... I can't say the same about myself. I'm sorry... For everything. Thank you." By the time he finished, the audience had grown to hundreds as many came to say their last respects to the fallen striker pilot. Schmidt felt sick to his stomach when he realized that there were even more foot soldiers who died in battle as well. He wondered why didn't they get a funeral. Was it because Striker pilots are more important?

Eisen stepped back to the podium and said, "Before we move on I would like to address our audience about a special announcement. Squads stationed in Hangar 4 or chosen by me will be sent to the Administration building immediately after. Thank you. I would also like to have a close friend of Frost's to speak as well, Sgt. Alice Hall."

Alice walked up slowly to the podium. Schmidt doubted that she even knew about this impromptu funeral. "I... Uh... I don't know what to say. When I fighting out in the sky... I wasn't trying to get myself killed, I was just trying to protect my squad. That Neuroi capital was scary, but I thought I had enough time to get in and out. Sgt. Schmidt was helping me distract it, but we really didn't know what we were up against. I flew forward not realizing where he was, and what I was headed into. The last words he said before was to get out of there, but I was too late. I was suppressed. I thought I would die a horrible death. But no... That guy... He-He came out of nowhere and covered me as the Neuroi concentrated their fire on us."

She paused.

"I was able to get a shield up, but it wasn't enough to stop the shots from coming through. I felt a sickening thud as my shield shattered in the barrage, and I looked deep into his eyes. I saw fear and a bit of resignation, but the most important part was he didn't stop protecting me even after he lost consciousness... I'm sorry I'm giving you this memory... T-This was the first thing to come to my mind." Tears formed in her eyes. "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Frost, we tried to save him! We really tried!" She burst into tears in front of the whole audience.

Schmidt stood up and shouted, "Alice! That's enough, don't do this to yourself!" A commotion started behind him as Bates stood up to stop Schmidt from interrupting anymore.

Alice replied back, "I can't Schmidt! God... Why are we here... This isn't what I had expected..." She slumped down and continued sobbing behind the podium as Justin came by to lead her away.

Eisen coolly came up to the podium and said, "That there is why we need to end this war. We cannot be sacrificing our children anymore than we should. I would like everyone to rise as we deliver and bury Sgt. Frost into his grave. Please follow me." He went into the Jeep and waited for the Halftrack carrying his coffin to follow.

Schmidt had regained his composure as the parade of marchers followed the jeep on the short solemn journey to the makeshift grave that had been built for Frost. It was a simple grave, not needing more than an hour to build, but a symbolic memorial to him and the others who died with him. Schmidt then saw why Eisen made a big commotion over this. There wasn't just one grave marker. There were hundreds.

"You're all wondering why I gave the impromptu funeral. I knew that the news would go around that an Assault Mage had been killed in action; that people would come to see that. However, I wanted to show the true cost of this war. What we lose in exchange for a victory. Take a look." He pointed at the neat rows of grave markers behind Frost's memorial. "I lost 157 men out there yesterday. It sickens me to know that this will never be remembered, this will only be remembered for the statistics and facts. I want you all to remember that every soldier under me will receive the same amount of respect that a striker pilot would." Eisen looked at Schmidt who had been looking far out into the distance at all the grave makers. "Their deaths were not in vain, but no one would have known until I made a big deal about Frost's death."

Bates slowly walked up to Eisen, prompting his guards to raise their guns at him. "Let him pass gentlemen. I think someone else would like to speak." The guards stood down.

"What the hell is wrong with you..." A cold anger was rising up in him. He pointed the finger at the Halftrack and then at Frost's family. "YOU USED THEM TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT THE OTHERS?! How do you think his family feels now? They deserve respect too!" Schmidt was taken aback by his outburst.

Eisen raised a hand at him and nodded, "I understand your concern, but would you be here if it was a foot soldier's funeral? We raise our pilots up to a massive standard, and yet we ignore the contribution of the others. Look at this field, remember Frost's sacrifice, and remember these men died for the same cause."

"Enough Bates!" Takashi hissed.

Bates was annoyed but he understood what he was trying to do. Schmidt did as well, it comforted him that Eisen understood that Frost was not the only death, but that others sacrificed themselves as well. The rest of the funeral was uneventful after that. Alice had disappeared, presumably to keep her composure, and Frost's family was slowly starting to breakdown into tears after they saw their son's body go under. Schmidt sent his silent sympathy for their loss and headed for the barracks with the rest of Hangar 4's pilots. As he walked Schmidt remembered the words of his father,

Talis est bellum, detesta matribus... mortis gloria sera venit. Such is war, the dread of mothers... for the glory comes too late.

Yoshika woke up in her assigned cot to find a note being slipped under the door. Yoshika read the note which said:

Your path will be seen through the full moon

the protectors will surround

and you shall be saved

The cryptic note then burst into flames. Yoshika pondered about its meaning before shaking it off. She looked outside her window on the second floor of Hangar 4 and saw people coming back to the hangar. She wondered if she had missed an event, though if it was required, someone would have woken her up. Yoshika walked outside her door to hear the faint sound of crying. She silently traveled down the stairs as she searched for the person who was crying. Yoshika soon ended up at the Dogknights barrack room, and peeked inside. There she saw Alice sitting on her bed crying her eyes out.

"Alice?", Yoshika called out quietly. "Are you alright?"

Alice looked up and wiped her eyes. "I'm fine... I just had... a moment..."

"I don't really believe you. Can I come in?"

Alice let out a small voice of agreement and opened the door to let Yoshika in. Her eyes were a deep red and her face was tear streaked.

"I'm guessing something happened involving Frost, right?"

"Yeah... his funeral..."

Yoshika raised her eyebrows in surprise. "A funeral? Why would Eisen do that? He's a good general and all, but I wouldn't expect him doing stuff like this..."

Alice sat down on her bed and sniffled. "They made me do a speech. I... I told everyone the truth."

"You mean how Frost sacrificed himself?"

Alice looked up, her tearstreaked eyes full of anger, "He only sacrificed himself for my stupidity! Thats the truth!"

Yoshika stared at her softly and shook her head. "I wish it was..."

"What do you mean?"

"In his last breaths... He told me that you were independent and stupid. Yet... I never sensed regret or anger... He never blamed you..." There was a pause. Yoshika saw that Alice was listening intently, even if her head was down. "I believe Frost was sad because he would be leaving you so early..."

Alice looked up at Yoshika. Yoshika noticed a faint pink blush slowly enveloping her cheeks. "S-So he wasn't angry at me?"

"Not at all." Yoshika smiled at Alice to put her at ease.

"So that's how it is then..."

Yoshika nodded. "Frost was a strong soldier, and a better friend. It would have been interesting to have gotten to know him better. Ah, but thats a bit late for that now isn't it?" She giggled a little and Alice followed suit. "You'll be fine. You're stronger than that, otherwise Frost wouldn't have left so peacefully."

Even though her head was down, Yoshika could tell Alice was smiling a little. "Ahh, but I have to go now. I have a few things to take care of."

"Ah okay..." Alice didn't want Yoshika to leave; she wanted to know more about her last chat with Frost, but she let her go. As Yoshika walked out the door Alice said, "Thanks Captain Miyafuji."

Yoshika turned around and smiled. "Call me Yoshika." She walked out. A few moments later she popped her head in and said, "One more thing. I know about the MA. Do not talk about it here though. Meet me at the graveyard at 2300."

All Alice could do was visibly gasp.

As Yoshika walked out of the room, she found Schmidt walking through the entrance.

"Schmidt, is it over already?"

He nodded. "Eisen told us to come back to the hangar for a meeting. Are you going to be there?"

Yoshika shook her head, "I have to deal with other issues right now. If I see you tell me what happens." She walked off as Schmidt stood there. A few steps later Yoshika turned around. "Oh Schmidt, do you know where he was buried?"

He pointed to the northeast.

"Thanks." She walked to the simple grave marking where Frost was buried. The walk was uneventful, she met no one along the way. The base was quieter than usual, except for the construction vehicles working on the destroyed tower. No one wanted to know who actually died in that tower, but jeeps with body bags came and left once in a while.

Yoshika soon reached the graveyard of the fallen soldiers, headlined by Frost's grave marker. "Sorry I missed your funeral."

The wind blew as she kneeled on the ground and sighed. "Why are we here... Why do I have to be the one to save the world? You left too early... you left me with no information, nothing I can do to stop the Neuroi, and you're expecting me to defeat them?! How can I leave my friends... Two of them are already gone..."

Footsteps sounded behind her. She didn't expect someone following her.

It was Guardian.

"Yoshika, what are you doing?", he said.

"I'm saying goodbye to him, what else?" Yoshika said tersely.

"What's this talk about leaving?"

Yoshika looked up, "Nothing. I'm taking a leave soon though. I need to get some business done in Romagna."

Guardian shook his head. "I can't let you do that Yoshika."

"What...? Why..."

Guardian took a few steps towards her. "Because..." He took off his mask and smiled a dark smile. The smile wasn't reassuring at all to Yoshika. She felt a cold creeping upon her body as his smile slowly started to darken. "Because letting you leave would be a problem."

Yoshika's eyes quickly noticed his hands had reached for a knife. "How would letting me leave be a problem?" Frost's prophecy had come true, but she had to prevent him from knowing that she knew this would happen. "I would come back immediately if I was needed."

Guardian took another step closer. "Tsk Tsk, how naive. I know you called Anna. I know your connection to the MA. I also know the time that I lured you into that hive in Britannia."

Yoshika's blood froze. "H-How do you know this...?"

"Because..." He smiled and his face contorted and darkened into a familiar shape. Its voice echoed out in a booming yet raspy and chilling way, "Do you remember this Miyafuji?"

"Y-You..." She remembered when she saw the Neuroi girl bring her into the hive. "But you were destroyed..."

Guardian, or the Neuroi Guardian, laughed. It was a cackling laugh and it brought time to a standstill as he raised the knife... "I'll tell you this Miyafuji... Those Neuroi girls were agents sent to kill you. You were a target since you were born. We eliminated your father, and we'll eliminate you." Guardian's face reverted back to normal. "And the sad part? No one will know who did it." He lunged forward.

Yoshika rolled backwards and said, "I won't be killed that easily Guardian!" She waited for his next move but he sheathed the knife.

"Tch, killing you now wouldn't help me at all. You will live today Miyafuji. I am a Neuroi of my word. However... come midnight... I will kill you." He walked off waving at Yoshika as if she was a normal person.

"Guardian!" She shouted with fire in her eyes. "You won't kill me tonight. But one day... One day I will come back, and I will stop you! I swear my word on it!"

Guardian stopped and smiled. "That... That is a fight I long to see. That is... if you can even leave..." He cackled as he walked away.

Yoshika looked on as he disappeared from sight. She soon walked off as well.

The soldiers from Hangar 4 milled around wondering what Eisen had called them in for. Eisen walked in a few minutes later.

"Settle down, Settle down soldiers. Welcome to your first training. I've gotten word from Allied Command. You are all officially part of the R.E.C.O.N. Division of the Allied Forces. There will be a transition period where you will be trained and the administration will get acquainted to its new assignments. Our motto shall be: Defensio laten ex caelum. Defending the secret of the skies. You are now not soldiers of the Allied Army, but the defenders of the skies. Therefore, we must give you a new weapon: the R.E.C.O.N. Striker created by Dr. Miyafuji's notes. It is a multi-use striker built for all situations. However it is a technically hard striker to control and therefore I am sending everyone to a training retreat in the mountains to practice use before our official designation."

He then pointed at a blackboard with all of the strikers characteristics.

"This striker is built for stealth, speed, agility, and ruggedness. We have a special type of wing attached to it based upon the magical pulses one sends to it. A strong pulse will extend the wings fully, while a weaker pulse will make the wings only extend a little. The 501st is here to explain further."

Shirley leaned forward from her position in the back. "Well... General Eisen is correct in the fact that it is based upon magical pulses, but really you can't fly this thing without learning to control your magic. It is very fast, faster than most, if not all, strikers Ive flown. It uses a new type of jet propulsion technology which does give it a certain edge. I think Major Barkhorn has a better control of the combat characteristics."

Gertrud choked on some spit; she was clearly not expecting to talk. "Umm... In a few words the striker does very well at dodging Neuroi shots and the like. Theres really nothing more to say."

Some of the recruits were nodding at the new striker and what it could do. In their eyes, it was a new weapon that only they could use. However, it seemed to have no purpose, and there were others more suited to the pilots.

Alice said quietly, "What is our purpose? Our true purpose. Why are we called R.E.C.O.N.?"

Eisen sighed and said, "Officially, we are just a scouting division. We don't do anything. Unofficially, we are the Black Ops of the Striker Division. Your orders come directly from the Director, the Allied Commanders, or me."

"The Director?" Gregory said out loud, "What the hell does he do?"

"The Director hasn't been decided yet. However, he assigns missions to teams, which this training retreat will place you in. For this retreat, all units leave at 0000 and I expect to be ready by 2330. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir!"

Eisen saluted. "Then you are dismissed for now. However, be warned, this is will not be like basic training. Expect blood. Do not fear death. Take care of your loose ends now, because you wont have a chance after this." He walked out of the room, and the room enveloped into chaos. Most people were excited for the chance to be in a different class than regular strikers. However, Schmidt and his group were slightly hesitant to join this division.

Gregory said,"I dunno Schmidt, it seems like we will end up fighting in the same situations as last time."

Hall quietly said, "I'm not too keen in keeping more secrets. However, Schmidt, are you sure you want in?"

DuMont also said, "Schmidt, I know that you are capable, but I doubt R.E.C.O.N. missions will let you do that mistake again. You need to be ready."

Schmidt was annoyed.

What the hell guys? Why is everyone worried about me?!

Korsky and Anderson quickly jumped to Schmidt's defense, "Hey, he's a capable leader. And I was there when that happened, we all were. If we were the leader, and we one of our friends run into certain death, what would we have done?!"

Anderson also added, "He did everything he could. R.E.C.O.N. might give him another chance to make it up to himself, if anything, I wouldn't worry about him. I'd worry about what we are headed into."

Takashi walked over with Alice and her squad and said, "Look, there's a good chance we're gonna get split up. So like Pvt. Anderson says, focus on the big picture. We're not going to be fighting Neuroi with the Army anymore. If anything, imagine fighting Neuroi with a size about half of our team the other day."

They thought about it for a while. Alice then finally said, "Then that should be fine. There's a reason we are in this division now. Let's not worry about it and only get ready for the future."

Everyone nodded. Schmidt then got up and said, "So shall we get our last lunch and pack up?"

"Lets go!"

The lunch was quiet. Everyone had certain things on their mind, some about Frost, some about R.E.C.O.N.. Schmidt wondered what exactly Eisen had planned for them, but considering the new striker, Eisen was looking to standardize the Striker Division. However, the most confusing part was who would be "director" of R.E.C.O.N.. The director had the most powerful strikers and most experienced pilots behind him which tipped the balance of power from Eisen to the Director.

"Hey Schmidt, are you thinking about R.E.C.O.N.?" Alice said.

"Yeah... Though I don't know if I should be worried about it."

Adagio murmured, "From what I've heard, Eisen is trying for a power grab to prevent other Allied Generals from taking over."

Bates looked up from his food. "You really think? I can't see Eisen trying that. There's too much to risk for a power grab like that."

Alice sighed, "R.E.C.O.N. is most likely the strongest section of our armed forces. If anyone were to go against R.E.C.O.N. or its director for that matter, we will be sent to change their minds."

Then Justin walked over and said, "Basically... We're a private striker army. Theres no reason for our existance... Unless there is resistance to full out war with the Neuroi."

Adagio nodded, "There's been a chill in the relations between Gallia and the rest of the Allied Forces. R.E.C.O.N. is unknown, so we can do some "pushing" to get them on our side."

Takeshi, who had been listening this whole time, also nodded and said, "Whatever R.E.C.O.N. is for, I'm sure that it won't be solely for Neuroi battles."

Schmidt got up and said, "I'm done with this, we're getting worried about something that could be more complicated than what we're seeing. Im going to get ready. You guys should too."

The conversation was getting too dangerous to talk about in the open. Schmidt knew there would be listeners and he had a feeling that the conversation should stop there.

There was something he was certain of though: The real war was about to begin.

Yoshika packed up her stuff and walked out of the hangar. She had to find a place to camp out while thinking about her next steps. She remembered the note saying something about the path being lit up by the full moon. While she was there she waited at the graveyard for Alice. The gates were completely lit up by the full moon.

Alice came right on time, and she brought Justin with her as well. "Yoshika, how did you know?"

Yoshika nodded, "Frost told me. He told me everything I needed to know, and I have a good reason to leave now."

Justin said, "Ill tell them you'll be coming. Who is the contact?"

"Anna."

The two sibling's eyes widened. They hadn't expected Yoshika to be friends with the Librarian. Alice couldn't resist asking, "But why now? There will be better opportunities. And we won't be able to fufill our mission."

Yoshika nodded, "Its fine. Don't worry about it. I need you to focus on your current assignments. From the looks of your backpacks, you're going somewhere like the rest of Hangar 4."

Justin nodded, "R.E.C.O.N. training or something like that."

"Both of you?"

They nodded.

Yoshika sighed. "Look, I'm going with Anna who will connect me to the MA. I have a feeling I'm going to be a wanted fugitive after this, so I need you to sabotage any chances of R.E.C.O.N. finding me. They will most likely have extraction teams. Get on them."

They nodded. As they were talking 5 covered half tracks entered the gates.

Yoshika mused, "So thats how it is..."

Alice looked over at the halftracks and noticed that they were loading strikers into the back. Eisen was entering silently into the front one. "It looks like Eisen is actually going with us."

Yoshika noticed someone else getting on as well. The person entering the driver's seat next to Eisen was none other than Guardian. "So they say. Alice, Justin, I need you to be careful of who ever leads R.E.C.O.N.-"

"The director?"

"If that's what he is called. If anything the director will want me back no matter what." Yoshika also noticed Kazuo getting into one of the Halftracks and wondered if he was working with Guardian. Was it possible? "I can't be holding you guys up anymore. Here are your new missions. Make sure R.E.C.O.N. cannot find me. This maybe the last time I speak to you as a friend. Good luck."

The two siblings nodded and left the graveyard silently. Yoshika waited a few minutes then went to survey the halftracks. They were in a circle, but this was to have them fit all of the halftracks and have them leave quickly. Yoshika decided that it would be easiest to enter and leave through the last halftrack. She looked at what was being loaded in the last halftrack and saw strikers being loaded. She sighed in relief and quickly ran towards the buildings. While running there, she took the time to grab a small pistol from the armory before quickly ducking into the back of the final halftrack. She hid behind the strikers as they did their final checks before the convoy left.

As the convoy left Yoshika let out a sigh of relief. She was far away from Guardian and no one except for Alice and Justin knew she was piggybacking. She sat at the back lip of the halftrack as it drove towards Neuroi territory. She wondered what the note meant by "the protectors will surround", but she was interrupted by a sound behind her.

"Guess the time Miyafuji." A voice said behind her. She was frozen solid. Her pistol was still in her pack but she couldn't think of anything at the moment. "You know now don't you? Its midnight." A cold sweat ran down her neck. A cold knife ran down her neck a second after.

"Weren't you supposed to be driving?"

"Tsk Tsk... I told Eisen to guard these strikers better...So I volunteered" Guardian's voice was cold and harsh like earlier that day. "Its like someone could just "steal" them and tell our enemies... Now we wouldn't want that... right Miyafuji?"

Yoshika steadied her voice enough to reply, "No... He wouldn't."

"He? Aren't Eisen and I on the same side? Ah. But you know the truth... and I can't let that get out."

"No you cant. That's why..." Yoshika unlatched her pack.

"That's why what?" He leaned forward, as if to taste her fear.

"That's why I'll kill you RIGHT NOW!" She opened the pack and grabbed her pistol and quickly fired it straight into Guardian's chest.

"Ugh... Shit..." He fell over.

Was it really that easy?

He looked up. "Just kidding." He lunged his knife at her. Guardian wasn't in his human form anymore, but a gruesome version of Neuroi and human. His eyes were lopsided, patches of skin peeling off showing the black Neuroi hexagons, and where his chest had been, was just an open space. Yoshika almost fell over but she regained her balance and rolled behind the strikers. "Did you think you could kill me like that?! Pathetic!"

Where the hell are the protectors from that note?!

"Then Ill shoot you until I can kill you!" Yoshika shot more bullets at Guardian; she aimed at his head, arms, and legs but to no avail.

"Mwahahaha... You cannot find my core! Now die, pest!" Guardian's mangled body crashed through the strikers and almost crushed Yoshika in the space between. She quickly climbed outside to the top of the halftrack. "Where is the MA?! Show yourselves!" He took a few more steps towards Yoshika. She was quickly running out of options. All of a sudden a bright flash knocked Guardian to his side.

"MIYAFUJI! WHEN THE SEAL APPEARS JUMP INTO IT!" a voice shouted. Yoshika looked around and saw 5 figures shrouded in black cloaks surrounding her.

"One hell of a time to show up..." she muttered. Guardian was slowly climbing up the covered halftrack and causing the fabric to shift around and make her lose her balance.

A golden star seal started to form as the 5 figures got into position behind the last halftrack.

Yoshika shouted out, "Who are you?"

The voice replied back, "We are the MA, and we're here to escort you. We would have been here earlier if Anna had been ready earlier, but whats done is done. Get ready, its almost done!"

Yoshika nodded. A bright flash emitted from the seal as Guardian finally got back up to the roof.

"Its now or never! JUMP!"

Guardian jumped at her. "OH NO YOU DON'T!"

Yoshika ran and jumped, barely missing Guardian's reach and entered a dark abyss.

The voice shouted, "Close the seal!"

The 5 figures converged and blocked Guardian from chasing after her. As revenge he tried to use a Neuroi laser at the 5 figures but they scrambled just as a seal broke and returned his attack back with such a force that it forced the convoy to stop as they disappeared over the horizon.

Eisen ran to the back and saw the damage. "What the hell happened?!"

Guardian crawled out of the back of the halftrack and looked very ragged. His clothes were ripped and his mask was cracked. "We were attacked. She came."

"Who did?!"

"Eisen, I warned you..." The others started running up to the damaged halftrack. "There would be a stowaway."

The others started asking what was going on. Guardian turned to them and said, "I stowed away in the back to see if anyone tried to sneak in, and I was right. I found Captain Miyafuji sneaking into the halftrack when she wasn't an authorized R.E.C.O.N. agent. She resisted arrest, and I tried to subdue her with all force possible, but she got away with help from another shady group. She got away with some important intel on the R.E.C.O.N. organization."

Eisen looked stone cold at the evidence he was given. "Are you sure this is really what happened?"

Guardian nodded.

Eisen sighed. "She was promising too. But nevertheless, from this point on, Captain Miyafuji Yoshika is now a R.E.C.O.N. target, dead or alive. She needs to pay for what she has done."

AN: Holy crap this is around 6500 words! College sucks up so much of my time, I rarely can work on this. However, this winter break I got time to finish this massive chapter. How do you like it? I wouldn't mind feedback on how this chapter turned out, I made some risky moves and I hope that you liked them. Just as a note, if you still remember Kazuo (If you don't go read the earlier chapters!), he hasn't had a big role, but he will have a bigger role later on. I'm having a bit of writers block on the next chapter so I don't know when the next one will come. Poke out!