Serprise! I got these done early so I figured I'd put them up. More drama, action, and mystery here with a bit extra for you vets. Not much more to say so I'll let you at it. Hope ya like it ad see ya at the end.

Chapter 5

Destination Reached.

The next time the Gundom pilot opened his eyes he was tied at the wrists and ankles with his hands behind his back, and when he tried to move to rotate his arms over his head he found that another rope had been tied connecting his hands and ankles.

"Nyce trick aye mate." Jake said sitting a few feet away by the fire with a humorous smile on his face. "I thought about tyin you to the tree to but I figure I'd done enough."

"Thanks for the generosity." The pilot replied sarcastically, somewhat surprised by the friendly nature of his captors, but that feeling soon faded.

"Now that you are up we have some questions." Josh said walking towards him, his tone sounding a bit dark. "You can ether tell us, or we can force you."

"You think you can beat it out of me?"

"If I have to. There are lots of ways to make you talk."

Liesa turned her attention from the man to look at Josh. I never pictured him as the torturing type. What has gotten into him?

"You're nothing but a bunch of little brats." The Gundom pilot sneered.

"Who are you?" Josh asked flatly, ignoring the man's comment.

"I get it. Name rank and..."

"No." Josh said cutting him off. "I do not care what your rank is. I want your name simply so I know who I am talking to. What I really want to know is why you are here."

"And why should I tell you?" Asked the man.

"Fine, we will call you Bob." Josh said condescendingly, his unusually thin patience teetering on the edge of its limits. "Bob, I am curious as to the position of your counter parts?"

"And if I don't want to?"

Josh signaled two of the other men in the group.

"Vent some of your anger on Bob hear and then return him to me alive enough to talk."

"Yes sir." One of them replied as they dragged him off.

Josh walked back to the fire and Liesa stared at him pale faced as the others looked away.

"Do you think that was necessary?" Liesa asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"Yes." Josh replied flatly.

"But isn't it a little harsh." She persisted. "Don't you think we could…?"

"Harsh!" Josh shouted turning on her and cutting her off. "They attack our planet and you think I am being harsh?"

"I just thought that..."

"Well you where wrong." He cut her off coldly.

Liesa started to get angry, but knew it would only make things worse, so she sat still not saying a word. In a way he's right but there has to be another way. A few minutes later the Gundom Wing pilot was dragged back into their camp and Liesa gasped at his bruises and swollen face.

"Ready to talk?" Josh asked.

"My name is Andrew." He said weakly. "There are only five more Wings left in this country."

"Good. Why are you here? And who sent you?"

"I don't know."

"You came to destroy a planet and you do not even know why!" Josh screamed into his face having totally lost his temper. "You expect me to believe that?!"

"I had hoped." Andrew replied with a rasp in his voice. "They said it was classified and couldn't tell common solders."

"How many are still up there?" Josh asked, jabbing his index finger towards the sky.

"Hard to say. Look we were only given information about the units that would be in our target country."

"When is the next wave coming?"

"I don't know."

"You are lying!" Josh shouted kicking him.

The man fell over unable to brace himself with his hands tied behind him as Josh started to kick again, but Jake stopped him.

"That's enough mate." Jake said his voice carrying authority. "I've beat enough people for information to know he is telling the truth."

"Then why would you murder people without even knowing why you did it." Josh asked Andrew angrily.

"It was orders. I have no reason to question my government's actions."

"For your information we did not even have contact with your planet until you attacked."

The man looked confused, but remained silent until the others had gone to bed and Liesa was on first watch.

"You, girl." The pilot whispered.

"Me?" Liesa asked perking up.

"No, the other girl."

"I can't talk to you," She said turning away, blushing from her obvious question.

"I just need some water."

Liesa glanced at him, and then looked away again. I know Josh will be mad if I do anything for our prisoner. Then she got mad. Who cares what Josh will think? I can help him if I want. Standing to her feet Liesa took her cup over to where he sat tied next to a tree.

"My name is Liesa." She said lifting the cup to his mouth.

"Thanks." He said, and then drank the cup empty as she brought it to his lips. "Look I've been thinking. If your tyrant friend is right about your planet not having contact with us it wouldn't make sense for us to attack. I would think they would have some reason, but I can't figure out what it is now that I think about it."

"I'm sorry for the way he acted." Liesa said looking at the ground. "He and I both lost our families in the first wave. He must have really taken it hard."

"Don't worry about it. I would have done the same to him. So why aren't you so mad?"

"I guess I didn't really have a family to lose."

"If I tell you everything I know, will you let me go?"

Liesa stood and backed away with a little fear of uncertainty in her eyes.

"I couldn't. Josh would..."

"So that's his name. He wouldn't hurt you would he?"

Liesa seemed to pause for a moment running the question through her mind. Finally she came to the conclusion that even if he did she was doing the right thing, or was she.

"I can't. Whether you seem like a nice guy or not you are still the enemy and I can't be sure if you won't start fighting again."

"Fine. I will tell you anyway. After all, you did give me water." The man smiled, and then sighed, leaning against the tree as she sat back down to listen. "All I know is a rumor that was going around before I started my wave. Supposedly there was some big wig official that was seen around the capital building a month before the armada was launched. He is the one suspected for sending us on this crusade."

"One man?" Liesa asked.

"That's all I know. I don't have names, why, or where this guy came from or even if he is responsible after all. If it helps end this war I'm in. Sometimes people forget that war affects both sides."

"Thanks." Liesa said as she held the cup.

She rose to her feet and turned to walk back to the fire, then stopped abruptly as she saw Josh standing by the flame looking at her.

"Josh, I don't care what you..." Liesa started defending herself boldly.

"Let him go." Josh said cutting her off.

"But I thought..." She started, her face a twist of confusion.

"All I wanted was information. Now I have it so he can go. Actually I will let him go. I do not think we can trust him yet."

Liesa stood close by as Josh untied the rope that linked his hands to his ankles and then only loosened the knots around his wrists and ankles.

"You can do the rest." Josh told him.

"Naturally." Andrew replied as he slipped his arms under his curled up legs.

After the Gundom pilot was gone Josh turned to Liesa.

"Nice Work."

"Maybe you should have tried being nice first." She retorted.

"I saved his life." Josh said coldly over his shoulder as he walked past her to the fire.

Liesa didn't say another word as she climbed into Gunner. The way he acted today worries me. I had seen it coming I guess, but still his rage was unnecessary. Maybe he feels alone? Even with his recent outbreaks Liesa decided to stick with him until the war was over and do whatever she could to help. Maybe then he will start to notice how I feel without having to say anything. It is a long shot and some would call me a fool, but I know the real Josh is there inside. I guess I will try to humor him, anything to make him happy. At least she hoped.

Josh sat once more by the fire thinking as he waited for dawn to arrive. One man? How could one man start all this? He would have to be a high standing government official, and would have to possess powerful authority. No doubt he is considerably intelligent, and maybe even untouchable by law. Even if he were, Josh would go as far as assassination to stop the man. Where is planet Destiny anyway? There is no charted path to planet Destiny, not even an area to look in amidst the vast universe. If I had my brother's ball from NASA I might have a chance of locating it by tracing the line the Gundoms had taken. Maybe I should have kept Andrew longer. Why didn't I think to ask how to get to the planet? But then of all things he would not have given that away with the threat of a counter invasion. Still it would have been worth a try. Why would one man wish this upon any civilization? He did not have a name, or even a description of his target, but already Josh hated him.

Who, or what, is our mystery man? Sometimes I wonder if the man even exists. It seems that he is always and yet never there. We know he has a Mexican or Spanish accent and that he pilots a custom Zabit, but other than that we know nothing about our unseen comrade. How long will I have so many unanswered questions?

Sooner then he thought, things would start piecing together, but there were more trials ahead for the four heroes before answers could be found. First they would discover that the night was darkest before sunrise. They could only hope to be together when it did rise, but in the path they walked, the road was not a smooth one and there were no guaranties that they would all be there to see that day.

Josh sat by the fire gazing once more into the heavens as he continued to think. What are the odds we will all make it out? Who is to say I won't be the next to fall? It was a grim thought, but realistic none the less. How much more will be torn from this world? Every time I think I have reached my limit I am pushed farther. How fare before I can do no more? Suddenly something flew from the darkness to his right, rattling on the ground and Josh looked over with a jump to see his gun lying on the ground.

"You dropped this." Came the all too familiar voice of their mystery man. "I think you may need it."

"Thanks." Josh said into the still night as he picked up the weapon, but got no reply.

The next morning Liesa woke stirring in her seat to the rocking of Gunner as the band headed out. The last battle had left them with around thirty five to forty people and Josh was not sure they could face down whatever forces they would find in Dallas, if any. The same thing went through the other's minds, but they had committed long ago to fight to the death. Luckily they would be given fresh recruits soon, and they would need every one of them. When they stopped for lunch, Josh was alerted by one of his tail guards of an unidentified unit advancing behind them.

"We will wait for them to get within range."

"Sir..." The younger man started.

"Do not call me sir."

"Yes si...Josh. We have a scout. We suspect they may be friendly."

"And what if they are not friendly?"

"He pilots a Rev Raptor si...uh Josh. Small and fast."

"Good enough, and if it is that hard you can go ahead and call me sir."

"Yes sir." The man said smiling.

"Sometimes I wonder if they joined to help, or just so they can play army man." Josh said as he approached their cooking fire.

"Well," Liesa said. "Listen to yourself. You sound like a senior officer already. Complaining about the new troops."

"Hmm, oh, I guess I can not get used to the formality."

"I suppose it would feel strange if one of these older guys called me ma'am." Liesa replied thinking.

"All this military talk is unnecessary." Josh said annoyed. "It is used for discipline, but this is not boot camp."

"I could get used to it." Pepper interjected. "It's kind of cool to have old guys looking up to you."

"Accept when you fail." Josh said with a flat tone.

"You're not doing all that bad man." Pepper started, but then was cut short as the Rev Raptor pilot returned with his report. He was a strong man in his early forties.

"Friendly troops coming from home."

"Home?" Josh asked surprised.

"New Yorkers. Sounds like the big apple stood the second wave quite well."

"How many are there."

"Somewhere around two hundred."

"That is good. We might stand a chance now."

"They are lead by a military general. He plans to take command of our troops."

"Fine with me." Josh said. "I am sure he is much more capable of the position."

"Some would disagree, but you may be right."

"Thanks for the report. Now get ready to head out when they arrive."

"Yes Sir."

Liesa could literally see the weight lift off Josh's shoulders as he walked back to the day camp.

"What's up?" Pepper asked.

"Military personnel will be taking command when that group gets here."

"Good." Liesa said lightly. "Now you can relax"

"I said he would take command, not that I would stop fighting."

Liesa fell silent. Everything I say he somehow turns negative. How am I going to cheer him up if even good things make him sad? I have to keep trying.

It was not long before the reinforcements were celebrated into the camp as Josh waited by his fire for the new leader to meet with him. Finally a strong man in his fifties with gray hair showing a little white at the temples that was cut short military style summoned him with a thick booming voice one would imagine would come from the commander.

"Josh Talon I presume."

Josh turned to see the man dressed in the usual flamboyant uniform, but the hard seasoned lines on his face told him he was anything but flamboyant.

"At your service." Josh replied. "And to whom do I owe the pleasure of my relief."

"Barstone lad, General Barstone."

"We have top notch pilots here, but I admit we are in need of better leadership."

"I hope I can fit the bill then. I wouldn't expect anything but top notch from you."

"Thank you sir." Josh said confused. "I am guessing New York made a good stand."

"Quite indeed, but I'm afraid we would have lost had it not been for a strange Zabit pilot. I saw a flicker of a flame in your eyes." Barstone said as Josh's eyes glinted. "He someone you know."

"Not personally, but he has evidently been roaming the country."

"You could call him an angel, but he fights like the devil."

"Agreed, none the less a friend."

"Duly noted. I would be honored to have you as second in command."

"Is that a request or an order?"

"A request if you except, and an order if you decline."

"Very well then, but there are much more qualified persons in my forces."

"Maybe so, but as it is you have the most experience in leading the crew, and they already trust you making both our jobs easier in commanding these men."

"As you wish." Josh replied. "I will await your orders then."

"Dismissed." Barstone said as he saluted and walked away to finish inspecting his new recruits.

"Dude." Pepper said as Josh approached the fire. "You were like all ridged."

"Ridged?" Josh asked.

"You know, like formal or something. I thought you didn't like that stuff"

"When in Rome do as the Romans." Josh replied. "I do not like it, but he is military so it is expected."

"Yeah, but I couldn't talk like that if I tried."

"Don't sweat it Pepper." Jake said smiling. "Where you're headed in lyfe you won't have to worry about it."

"Neither will you, Dun Dee." Pepper returned as the group stifled a laugh at Jake's remark.

By three O'clock announcements had been made, units defined, and orders given to move out as for the first time they operated like a real military force.

Barstone lead a troop of a few over a hundred while Josh took about the same amount behind him with Jake stationed as a sub officer; and after an impressive display of gunmanship Pepper led a band of thirty snipers that took up the rear. The march was a little slower due to the increase in numbers, but still managed to get along at a steady clip as the newly organized unit made its way across the open plains of Texas. Liesa and Josh had not conversed in the cockpit in the past few days, but Liesa was determined to make him happy, or at least smile.

"How does it feel to be a Latinate?" She asked lightly.

"You know I don't care much for titles."

"I know, I found it amusing anyway."

"I wonder if this means I am enlisted?" He asked rhetorically and slightly concerned. "I am willing to fight now but when this is over I have my own agenda and do not want to be controlled by the army."

"I doubt it, but it does have a nice ring to it. Latinate Talon."

"Where you calling me that or just saying it?"

"Just saying it. I kind of like the sound of it."

"Titles are just a way to recognize position or rank. It is all publicity for the person with the position."

"What do you mean?"

"Just because I have been given a title does not mean I am better than anyone."

"That's not always true." Liesa protested.

"Sure it is. Just because you can do one thing better than someone doesn't mean you are better than them because they can probably do something else better than you. In my mind there is one level that everyone is on. Just like the law. No one is above it. Right is right and wrong is wrong."

"I can see what you're saying, but I think there are a few people that are abnormally gifted."

"Ether way there are more important things to think about."

"Sure, but this is fun."

"We do not have time for fun anymore."

"Fine." Liesa said slouching back in her chair. "Whenever you get board I'm here waiting."

"Is this a game to you?" Josh asked harshly.

"No." Liesa replied offended.

"Do you think it will just go away?"

"No!"

"Then why are you not helping?"

"Because it hurts!" She answered as a tear came to her eye.

"Well it is going to keep hurting until we do something about it."

Liesa looked out to the side as the tear in her eye rolled down her face. She had given it a shot, and he got mad at her. Where did I go wrong? What did I say? I would give anything to have the old Josh back. Liesa sighed painfully as she watched the ground pass beneath them. She wanted more than anything to be able to talk with him, but was afraid to open her mouth so instead she sat silent again with her arms folded for the next few hours.

At six O'clock the army saw a sight they would never forget. They had finally reached sight of Dallas, but on the horizon was a massive swarm of Gundoms hovering over the city and it looked like there was still a battle raging. Barstone quickly took action, ordering Josh to cut off to the right with his troops as he cut to the left. Pepper was given the command to advance straight ahead with his sniper unit until within range where every shot would have to count because firepower was extremely low while most of Josh and Barstone's troops did not have any ammunition left as they charged forward. This is going to be ruff. Josh thought to himself as they charged into the fray.

Yet another battle is begining, but who will survive? Can they ever find an end to the madness? Come and see for yourself as the adventure continues, for some of our heroes at least...

So what did ya think? worried? You should be. See you all at the next chapter.

9TailedFox.