Episode 51

The episode opens up with Shadow, Roxas, Jack, Nick and Zuke waiting outside one of khiêu vũ important houses, everyone with the exception of Zuke appears nervous.

Jack: I wonder what's going to happen to Cagalli; Ailill looked pissed when she dragged Cagalli and that other guy Villetta out of their Gundams?

Zuke uncaring yawns as he says in his arrogant way

Zuke: She's most likely going to be kicked out of khiêu vũ.

Kenny looks at Zuke horrified.

Kenny: No way, they can't do that.

Shadow on the other hand is angry.

Shadow: Yea that fight was obviously Villetta's fought he was the one who started it.

Roxas is also angry

Roxas: Cagalli shouldn't be punished for defending herself.

Zuke rolls his eyes at the others stupidly.

Zuke: Don't be so naïve, the blond natural is an outsider and the khiêu vũ have a rule forbidding unauthorized fighting between students which the blond natural broke to the extreme when engaging in a Gundam Fight, the blond natural is screwed.

Kenny can't argue with Zuke's logic but his moral instincts tell him he's right.

Kenny: But still

Nick pulling his hat down low stops them.

Nick: That's enough mates.

All eyes turn to Nick in surprise, even Zuke opens one eye (OMG Zuke can open his eyes). Nick with great disgust says

Nick: Zuke is right mates, Ailill maybe a fair person and Cagalli may not have started the fight but the khiêu vũ are tightly knitted mates, and they're not going to take kindly to Cagalli bringing out her Gundam and Fighting one of their own.

Jack cries in protest

Jack: But Villetta practically force Cagalli into the fight, if Cagalli gets kicked out so should he.

Nick sadly shakes his head.

Nick: You don't get it mate, Villetta is family true he's the black sheep of the family but he's family. Sure the mate will be punish but unless he really screws up like I'm talking treason they're never going to kick him out it'd be like disowning your own brother you just can't do it unless he does something truly and unforgivingly terrible.

Zuke huffs, and smirks.

Zuke: So your tiny little natural brain can understand a situation as complex as this cowboy.

Nick glares at Zuke and taps his gun hostler.

Nick: I can also understand how to put a bullet in your shoulder blade mate.

Zuke is unthreatened by Nick's threat and just ignores him which only pisses Nick off even more. Nick goes for an attack but Roxas, Jack, and Kenny quickly grab him to hold him back. Zuke appears to be still uncaring throughout this but if a careful observer were to watch they would notice that Zuke's fingers twitch. Shadow however notices this movement and quickly steps in-between Nick and Zuke. He reaches for his sword but doesn't take it out of its scabbard.

Shadow: That's enough! Look we can spend all day trying to figure out what's going to happen to Cagalli or we could actually wait for Cagalli herself to come out and tell us what happen.

Zuke doesn't move, but everyone else relaxes in silent agreement and mumbles ok. The camera cuts inside the building, Cagalli is waiting at a bench which is located right next to a door. Cagalli looks like a student waiting to go to the principal's office. Ailill's assistant coming out to tell Cagalli to go in only encourages this idea.

Ailill's assistant: Ailill is ready to see you now Cagalli.

Cagalli has her neutral diplomatic face on.

Cagalli: Thank you.

Cagalli gets up and enters Ailill's office. Ailill's office looks like a principal's office, a desk, a small couch, a book case, and 2 chairs in front of the desk. Ailill's assistant politely leaves the room as Cagalli enters. Ailill is sitting behind the desk. Cagalli looks surprise that it's just Ailill in the room.

Cagalli: Where's Villetta?

Ailill makes a gesture with her hand then says smoothly

Ailill: I had him leave through the backdoor; I thought it better to limit the contact you two have with each other.

Cagalli taking a seat remains neutral to the comment.

Cagalli: I see.

Ailill stares at Cagalli for a moment trying to estimate something, and then she begins slowly

Ailill: Let's cut straight to the point, I brought you here because A. you engaged in a non-sparing fight with a fellow student and B. you did it with Gundams.

Ailill pauses waiting for Cagalli to say anything but Cagalli chooses to say nothing. Ailill looks down at a file appearing to read it.

Ailill: From the evidence and Villetta's own confession it is confirmed that he was the one that initiated the fight. He summoned his Gundam first and you summoned yours in response. It's also been brought to my attention that you were the one who said that the Gundams were too close to the camp for the fight and insisted that you both move further away from the camp.

Once again Ailill pauses allowing Cagalli to have a chance to make her own comments but Cagalli continues to sit there with her neutral expression. Ailill narrows her eyes slightly, not in anger but in deep thought, and continues.

Ailill: With the evidence provided to me as well as Villetta's past record it is a safe assumption that you were thrust into a bad situation and tried to lower its danger level as much as possible. However you are not the victim of bad luck, there were many other ways you could have dealt with Villetta when he approach you for a fight other than engage him.

Ailill begins listing examples off her hand.

Ailill: For starters you could have simply ignored him and tried to pass, if that failed you could have simply humored him and go back to your ship and called me to deal with him or if you didn't want to look weak in front of him you could have called me through your Neon Gauntlet. Instead though you choose to follow his lead by summing your own Gundam, and despite all the caution you took the fact remains that you summoned a military grade weapon with one of the highest damage radius and levels. If there had been any random traveler or morning jogger or even a desert car passing by your Gundam's Fight zone they most certainly would have met an unfortunate fate it is only luck that no one did pass.

Ailill for the third time pauses waiting for Cagalli to give some kind of response but when Cagalli does not Ailill decides it's time to ask her a direct question.

Ailill: It's obvious that this behavior deserves some sort of punishment; tell me Cagalli your highly intelligent so what sort of punishment would be fitting for you.

Cagalli finally speaks; she speaks in a very even tone of voice.

Cagalli: The removal of my permission to learn khiêu vũ.

Ailill blinks in surprise.

Ailill: You wish to be kick out of khiêu vũ?

Cagalli gives Ailill a smile but it's a dry humorless smile.

Cagalli: Let's not play games here Ailill, I am fully aware of the rules and regulations of khiêu vũ and I know full well that fighting a fellow student in a non-sparing match is grounds for dismissal. The fact that I engaged in the fight with a Gundam gives me zero leeway for a lesser sentence so let's just get this over with.

Ailill looks at Cagalli shocked for a moment then laughs in relief.

Ailill: HAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAH so that's why you've been acting so weird!

For the first time since the conversation began Cagalli is showing emotion on her face, surprise.

Cagalli: Huh?

Ailill calms down enough to talk to Cagalli.

Ailill: You had me worried there for a minute that you didn't care about the rules or damages your fight might have caused.

Ailill suddenly gets serious

Ailill: But let me give you some words of advice Cagalli, you should never go into a meeting thinking you're going to lose.

Cagalli is now even more surprise.

Cagalli: So wait I'm not going to be kicked out of khiêu vũ?

Ailill gets an awkward look on her face.

Ailill: Um well actually yes you are.

Cagalli no surprise has the annoyed "then what was this whole conversation for" look on her face. Ailill sees this look and sighs

Ailill: Look officially I disapprove greatly of the way you handle the situation and as punishment I'm kicking you out of khiêu vũ training.

Cagalli having grown up around political talk understandings where this is going.

Cagalli: But unofficially?

Ailill smiles liking how fast Cagalli caught on.

Ailill: Unofficially I think you handle the situation perfectly in fact I probably would have done the exact same thing.

Cagalli blinks in pleasant surprise.

Cagalli: You would?

Ailill leaning back in her chair nods her head.

Ailill: Definitely, being as old as I am and with all of my life experience I have come to one conclusion. There are 2 types of people in the world, those that you can talk and reason with and those you have to beat reason into. It pains me to say that Villetta has always had a problem with his ego, always thinking he was better than everyone else and in all honesty he does have the most talent out of his group. Talent in khiêu vũ though does not make him better than everyone else, for there is always going to be someone more talented then you.

Ailill begins to tap her fingers on the table.

Ailill: That's why we need hard work and determination unfortunately Villetta could never grasp the concept that someone was more talented than him. Sure the other instructors and myself were better than him at khiêu vũ but he simply reason that this was because of experience and that eventually he would surpass us all. But you rocked his world, you scared the face which is his god, you crushed his ego back down to size. Thanks to you he's going to put more effort into his training than I've seen from him in a long time.

Cagalli just looks confused.

Cagalli: But you're still going to kick me out of khiêu vũ?

Ailill doesn't look to sorry about that.

Ailill: Oh well yea, the old geezers in the khiêu vũ council didn't like you learning khiêu vũ in the first place and it took all of my charm and jackassness to convince them otherwise but after this incident there's no way in hell they'd roll over again.

Cagalli looks down at the floor sad.

Cagalli: I see.

Ailill looks at Cagalli for a moment then smiles.

Ailill: But I'm not kicking you out because those old geezers told me too. I won't deny that it isn't a factor but in truth the real reason I'm kicking you out is because we've already accomplished what we set out to do.

Cagalli looks up once again surprise. Ailill explains

Ailill: I agreed to teach you the basics of khiêu vũ and from what I saw from your fight with Villetta you've already mastered the basics. If you were a normal student the next step would be special moves training but even I don't feel comfortable teaching that to someone not from our tribe. Plus you only have 2 more days here before the big rebel meeting so I decided that it would be in everyone's best interest if I just let you go. You can continue on with your training with your team mates.

Ailill signals the end of the conversation when she turns her head to look back down at her paperwork. Cagalli a little stun gets up after a moment and begins to walk away but Ailill looks up and stops her.

Ailill: Oh Cagalli one more thing.

Cagalli stops to look at Ailill.

Ailill: The basics are just that basic, enough to get you going but nowhere near the power you need to get you to where you're going. If you're going to survive Cagalli you're going to have to get stronger but the sky is wide, the universe is great and the stars are far. Which road you take, how you choose to evolve to grow is still up to you. If you train hard, evolve your determination into an unstoppable infernal, and travel down the road that most suits you then you can reach the top.

Cagalli takes this all in then smiles. The scene ends with her saying

Cagalli: Thank you Sensei.

The next scene opens up with an eagle's eye view of Azize. The main item that sticks out is the Sanctus turris, it is by far the tallest tower in the city; the base is similar to the Eiffel tower in the way it has 4 pillars holding the tower up however the pillars are design so they look like statues of people.

At the top there's a spiral staircase that abruptly stops as if someone had chop off the path leading up. The camera passes over Sanctus turris and stops at the royal palace, the camera then zooms in and enters a small but obviously important conference room.

There seems to be only about 12 people in the room and judging by the serious atmosphere something is going down. Shadi, Hirsi and Fachtna are among the 12 sitting in the room. Shadi is at the head of the table, from the way his hands are position we can tell he's in deep thought.

One of the other people are talking.

Person A: Your majesty you can't expect us to sit here doing nothing.

Person B: We have confirmed the information from our intelligence agency that the rebels are in fact meeting in the desert. Now while they're all together is the perfect time to wipe them out.

Hirsi nods his head in agreement.

Hirsi: If we let this opportunely slip by we may never get another chance to end this in one battle; we'll be stuck fighting the rebels in small guerilla fights lasting over years.

Fachtna up into now remains silent but keeps up the perfect persona of a concern citizen.

Fachtna: Gentlemen I think you're all overlooking a certain fact; we're all under the pretense that we can win against the rebels in a battle.

Hirsi takes offense to this.

Hirsi: Fachtna are you saying that we would lose against the rebels!

Hirsi has stood up in a threatening pose against Fachtna. Fachtna backs off acting scared.

Fachtna: No, no that's not what I'm saying at all captain of the royal attack, I'm sure that if we came down upon them with the full force of the Haben military then we would definitely win.

Hirsi glares at Fachtna.

Hirsi: Then what are you saying Fachtna?

This is the moment Fachtna has been waiting for, a perfect combination of plans activating and gathering on one spot, despite his best efforts his sly evil smile faintly breaks free from his perfect character but it's only for a moment.

Fachtna: It's just that we can't use Haben's full military force; it's against Haben law to use more than 10 percent of Haben's military power against a terrorist organization. A fair law needed to ensure that an evil dictator never abuses his power and uses terrorist as an excuse to invade other lands but in this case it's holding us back.

Hirsi is getting extremely annoyed now.

Hirsi: Enough of the poetic speeches Fachtna just spit out what you want to say!

Fachtna is also growing annoyed now.

Fachtna: Fine, this terrorist organization is a lot bigger than any we have ever faced, certainly we could crushed them with our full military might but do you honestly believe that with a mere 10 percent we could win because I certainly don't!

Hirsi grits his teeth, he obviously has a lot of pride in the Haben military but he's a soldier with a lot of experience as well and can do the math just like Fachtna.

Fachtna: We have to be smart here, our next move is going to be crucial, if we launch an assault on the rebels and lose that will scream weakness, our enemies will flock to the rebels like animals to a piece of meat and in the end we would have just made our situation even worse.

The other people in the room have been swaying back and forth between Hirsi and Fachtna views like people on a seesaw, currently they're siding with Fachtna. Hirsi angry swings his arm out to the side.

Hirsi: So we should do nothing and just let this battle drag out years and generations.

The crowd sides with Hirsi now. Fachtna shakes his head.

Fachtna: No of course not but if only we could find a way to justified using our full

Fachtna stops in mock revelation.

Fachtna: Wait maybe we can. The rebels have elected a single unified leader which we can argue is a separate government so we can classify them not as a rebel terrorist organization but as an unidentified invading nation.

Hirsi rubbing his cheek warms up to this idea.

Hirsi: If we can convince the rest of council to approve of this action.

Hirsi trails off thinking; the whole room seems to be in agreement of this plan. The whole room that is except the one person who matters.

Shadi: No.

Everyone is surprise by this, all eyes turn to face Shadi.

Hirsi: But your majesty

Shadi interrupts him.

Shadi: You all seem to be forgetting one very important fact, these are Haben citizens not some foreigners. To turn around and classify them as foreigners, it's as if we're saying to the people either you agree with our views or you're not a citizen of Haben. The Haben law that prevents us from using more than 10 percent of our military force on terrorist is not just there to stop a corrupt king from invading another county but also to stop him from oppressing his subjects. If the rebels have grown so big that we need more than 10 percent of our power to deal with them there is obviously something very wrong with my rule. We will once again try to pursue them through negations.

A rumble of protest starts to break out but Shadi silences it with his eyes.

Shadi: Enough! That is my decision, we will have another meeting tomorrow but until then that will be all!

Shadi's tone of voice makes it clear he will not be argued with. All of the politicians begin to clear out of the room. The camera begins to follow an unhappy Fachtna. Fachtna turns a corner to find Byron standing there leaning against the wall with his hands folded.

Byron: The meeting didn't go as you planned Fachtna?

Fachtna glances at Byron but doesn't show a hint of surprise. He keeps walking.

Fachtna: Byron, I would ask how you knew about the meeting but word would travel fast about the king meeting with his top 12 advisers so such a question is pointless.

Byron matches pace with Fachtna, he has on a mad hatter smile.

Byron: So is the king going to launch an assault against the rebels meeting?

Fachtna eyes Byron annoyed with his personality.

Fachtna: No, even if the king had the power of an assured victory he would not attack the rebels, not even if the rebels attack first; he truly is a stubborn king.

Byron's smile somehow grows.

Byron: Stubborn or devoted?

Fachtna glances at Byron annoyed again.

Fachtna: There the same, anyway Byron to what reason have you sought me out and note my patience is tired out for the evening.

Byron isn't worry he has something good.

Byron: Oh I'm sorry I thought you wanted these S-class files right away.

Fachtna stops in his tracts. He turns slowly around to face Byron, as the moonlight lights up his face we can see Fachtna's eyes open wide in genuine surprise and something else is twinkling in them, desire.

Fachtna: Y-you have the files?

Byron still smiling holds out the files for Fachtna to grab.

Byron: Even though these files are all over 50 years old they were a pain in the ass to get ahold of, you have no idea how much money I lost on bribes and what I had to steal and how many hours I had to cram over documents to find this.

Fachtna is staring at files hardly breathing; it's as if he's living a dream. He reaches out hesitantly scared this might be an illusion, but once he gets a grip on the papers he laughs.

Fachtna: HAHAHHHAHHAHAHHAHHA this is wonderful thank you Byron you have just made my day, no my year.

Byron doesn't quite know what's going on.

Byron (I don't get it, I'm missing something here, those papers are obviously important to Fachtna but what could they mean. I looked over them and saw absolutely nothing important they're completely worthless. What does Fachtna know that I don't?)

Byron shrugs.

Byron: Well I'm glad to have may your day anyway see you later.

Byron goes to walk away but Fachtna stops him.

Fachtna: Wait Byron.

Byron stops and turns to look at a grinning Fachtna.

Fachtna: I'm not going to waste time mixing words, I need a man that can get results and you fit that bill so how would you like to join my inner circle?

Byron stands there for a moment surprise then smiles a wolf like smile.

Byron: I would be honored.

The camera cuts a little bit forward in time. We watch as Fachtna enters his office, he rushes over to his desk to get started looking over his files. Byron also walks in, the door swings shut automatically. The room darkens as all the windows and the door lock in place, a hologram of Zagat appears from the floor.

Zagat: Master.

Zagat is on one knee and looks up to spot Byron.

Zagat: Byron!

Zagat is dumbfounded something which Byron enjoys thoroughly.

Byron: Why hello there Zagat it's nice to see you too though you don't have to bow and call me master.

Byron doesn't bother hiding his amusement. Zagat glares at Byron with intense hate and is about to say something else when Fachtna cuts in.

Fachtna: Relax Zagat; Byron has become part of our inner circle.

Fachtna doesn't even bother to look up from the files, and he says this rather absent mindedly. Zagat is so outrage he can't even contained it.

Zagat: This is ridicules how could you allow that smug son of a bitch into our inner circle!

Fachtna now looks up, his eyes are like swords that slice right through Zagat's disobedience.

Fachtna: Why, Why did I allow Byron into my inner circle? It's because I'm surrounded by incompetent buffoons and when I happen to stumble upon someone who actually accomplishes the task I assign to them I am definitely not going to let him slip through my fingers!

Zagat realizes he's angered Fachtna and bites his tongue. Fachtna snaps

Fachtna: If the next words out of your mouth aren't I have destroyed the princess's escort ship I will be even angrier then now.

Zagat hesitates which causes Byron to snicker. Zagat glares at Byron but goes on.

Zagat: I was contacting you to inform you that the second part of my plan to take out the princess's escort ship will soon commence.

Fachtna is uncaring.

Fachtna: Good, Zagat prepare your stuff and contact Alex and Zain, I want all of our top guns on one ship.

Zagat looks surprise by this but obediently replies

Zagat: Yes Sir.

The hologram fades, as the lights come back on Fachtna goes back to looking over his files. Byron eyes him for a moment then asks the question that's on everyone's mind.

Byron: Going somewhere Fachtna?

Fachtna looks up at Byron and gives him his evil smile.

Fachtna: Oh yes we are, so pact your bags Byron and be ready to go when I command.

The scene ends with Byron bowing.

Byron: As you command sir.

The next scene opens up on a brand new sunny day, overlooking khiêu vũ. The camera zooms in to show Shadow, Roxas, Nick, Cagalli, Kenny, Jack, Kabira and Raheem; saying goodbye to Ailill and other khiêu vũ friends.

Kenny, Roxas, Jack, and Nick: Bye!

Shadow: See you later!

The khiêu vũ respond with.

khiêu vũ: Yea don't be strangers. Stop bye again sometime. Bye!

Kabira, Raheem, and Cagalli step forward to say a private goodbye to Ailill. Kabira is first, they shake hands and Kabira bows.

Kabira: It was a great honor to meet you Ms. Ailill you taught me a lot, I hope we meet again someday.

Ailill is surprise but then smiles.

Ailill: Please just call me Ailill and it was a pleasure meeting you as well Kabira, oh and know that the day you become the ruler of Haben you shall have the full support of the khiêu vũ behind you.

Kabira is touched.

Kabira: Thank you…..Ailill.

Cagalli is next.

Cagalli: I'm sorry things ended the way they did but thank you for teaching me the basics of khiêu vũ.

Ailill shrugs.

Ailill: I'm not sorry with how things ended. Cagalli don't slack off on your training now, training is the food which feeds victory, also no more putting half-ass effort into your Gundam Fights. When you use khiêu vũ style of fighting you represent the khiêu vũ so don't make us look bad.

Cagalli smiles at the joke.

Cagalli: I won't.

Cagalli turns to go but Ailill adds one last comment.

Ailill: And make sure you come back; I want to see how your khiêu vũ style evolved.

Cagalli smiling waves

Cagalli: I will Sensei.

The last one is Raheem, Raheem and Ailill just stare at each other for a moment. Raheem coughs awkwardly.

Raheem: Well it was nice seeing you again Ailill.

Ailill is also feeling awkward.

Ailill: Yea you too Raheem.

Raheem not knowing what else to do holds his hand out for Ailill to shake. Ailill looks at the hand disappointed but she shakes it nonetheless.

Raheem: Well goodbye Ailill.

Ailill: See you later Raheem.

Raheem turns around and begins to walk away. Ailill looks down at the ground, suddenly the wind picks up and the sand blows against the back of Ailill's neck. The wind and the sand make an uncanny noise almost like a whisper. Ailill looks up when she hears this and then smiles.

Ailill (Heh you sure are nosy ancestors, but thank you.)

Ailill calls out with new found confidence.

Ailill: Hey Raheem!

Raheem turns around as Ailill smiling holds up 3 fingers.

Ailill: 3 days.

Raheem blinks not getting it.

Raheem: Huh?

Ailill explains

Ailill: I'll give you 3 days to call me, and if I don't hear from you in 3 days I'm going to find you and kick your ass.

It takes a full minute for Raheem to fully understand the meaning of Ailill's words, and then the sun shines brightly as he calls out.

Raheem: Ailill I will swear 2 things to you on my honor as Captain of the Haben royal guard, the first is that I will definitely call you within 3 days and the second is that on our second date I will bring you flowers!

Raheem turns red as he says this. Ailill also turns red then she smiles.

Ailill: I'll hold you to that.

A guest of wind blows by the 2 as their radiating smiles light up the world. The camera cuts forward in time, we're on board the Dark-Angel. The bridge crew are in their places; Shadow, Kabira, Raheem, Nick, Roxas, Cagalli, Zuke and Jack (note Kenny is part of the bridge crew) are also on board. Shadow has his wild excited grin on as he shouts

Shadow: Alright Alan take us to the rebel meeting point, full speed!

Alan eyes shin as he grips the wheel. He has his evil smile on.

Alan: Hold on then because I feel the need the need for speed!

Alan after hitting a couple of buttons slams the wheel forward. The camera cuts outside to show the Dark-Angel's engines roar to life and then go from 0 to 360 in a heartbeat. The camera cuts to different parts of the ship to show cards, dice, board games, and people get sent flying from the force, the camera then cuts to the Dark-Angel's bridge.

Everyone has to brace themselves from the force, Rini, Thomas, Ciro and Kenny have to grip their chairs to stop themselves from getting slam against a wall, however Shadow, Nick, Cagalli and Roxas don't have to grip anything, in fact only a slight shift in foot work and they're able to hold their positions.

Raheem is also able to hold his position with only a shift in footing, plus he catches Kabira and stops her from slamming straight into the wall. Nick catches Jack.

Kabira: AHHHHHHHHHH

Jack looking up at Nick.

Jack: Thanks Nick.

Nick with his other hand holding his hat on his head smiles down.

Nick: No problem mate.

Raheem is eyeing Nick and Roxas.

Raheem (It's no surprise that Shadow and Cagalli are able to keep their footing from this burst of speed but for Nick and Roxas to be able to hold their ground as well.)

Zuke who's leaning against the wall looking untroubled by the speed burst recognizes the same thing Raheem does.

Zuke (All four of them have improve greatly.)

Shadow is having the time of his life.

Shadow: This is freaking awesome!

Roxas has her tongue sticking out like a dog in a car.

Roxas: Hell yea.

Cagalli groans

Cagalli: Why couldn't I end up on a normal ship, one that isn't constantly moving at super high speeds for no reason!

Everyone just ignores her. Alan excited calls out to Shadow.

Alan: Hey Shadow, Jack tweak the engines a little so do you mind if a do a couple of stunts to get used to her again.

Alan is referring to the Dark-Angel when he says "her". Shadow looks like he just won the lottery.

Shadow: How do I put this, Roxas care to help me out.

Roxas knowing where Shadow is going with this nods her head.

Roxas: Sure no problem.

They take a breath then say at the exact same time.

Roxas and Shadow: FASTER!

Everyone looks at the 2 like their crazy of course Alan also grins like a loon.

Alan: I'll take that as a yes, here we go!

The camera cuts outside to show the Dark-Angel take off again, doing high speed turns, jumping in the air, 360s and other stunt driving kind of stuff. The camera once again cuts forward in time; it's night now and the Dark-Angel is moving much more slowly, almost creeping into the lion's den. The camera cuts into the Dark-Angel's bridge.

Everyone seems to be focus and on high alert except for Shadow, Roxas, Zuke, and Nick. Shadow and Roxas are on the ground appearing to be sleeping. Roxas is curled up in a ball looking like a cat while Shadow is spread out. Zuke and Nick are leaning against the wall with their eyes closed. Nick has his hat pulled down over his eyes. Raheem watches them with a little envy.

Raheem (It must be nice to be young and ignorant of danger.)

Kabira and Cagalli are obviously nervous and a little bit twitchy. Cagalli is also looking at Shadow and Roxas annoyed.

Cagalli: Geez talk about not having a care in the world.

Alan on edge asks

Alan: So um how will we know when we get to the rebels meeting point?

Ciro replies flatly

Ciro: When they start shooting at us.

Cagalli snaps

Cagalli: Ciro!

Ciro just ignores her. Alan gulps

Alan: He's joking right?

Warning lights start going off. Kenny begins to rapidly type on his computer.

Kenny: We've got Gundams coming on us fast.

Nick wakes up in an instant but Shadow and Roxas sleep right on through the noise. Cagalli fixes this quickly.

Cagalli: Wake up you moron!

Cagalli kicks both Shadow and Roxas awake.

Shadow and Roxas: OW, OW, OW!

Raheem ignoring the scene asks Kenny

Raheem: How many are there?

Kenny types something then says

Kenny: 65 Gundams; they seem to be the Rotle Class Gundam.

Shadow awake now asks

Shadow: And that means.

Raheem explains

Raheem: The Rotle class Gundam is just a standard mass produce model Gundam; it's only specialty is that it was design to fight in the desert.

Shadow nods his head already planning his strategy.

Shadow: Ok I see.

He isn't the only one planning. Cagalli asks

Cagalli: Are there any incoming ships?

Kenny shakes his head.

Kenny: Nothing my scanners are picking up.

Alan pulls back on the wheel.

Alan: I'm stopping to wait to see how things play out.

Thomas sings

Thomas: LA, LA, DOE, RA I'm activating the energy shield and the beam CIWs MEEEEE.

Rini and Ciro also begin to focus on their monitors.

Ciro: I'm activating the Linear Cannon.

Rini: I'm powering up the high energy beam cannons.

The camera cuts outside to show the Dark-Angel stop as all its weapons and defenses activate. We can also see the rebel Gundams begin to fan out to surround the Dark-Angel; the camera cuts back into the bridge.

Nick: Should we launch in our Gundams mate?

Roxas stretches.

Roxas: Sweet I'm always up for a Gundam Fight.

Before Shadow can comment though a communications link opens up on the main monitor.

Rebel A: Halt, you're entering a restricted area lower your weapons and state your business.

Everyone just stares up at the monitor a second forgetting that Gundams can automatically open up a communication link with anything. Cagalli however is quick to respond.

Cagalli: Restricted! Who the heck are you demanding us to lower our weapons and tell you anything!

Rebel A grits his teeth in annoyance.

Rebel A: We are the liberators of Haben and we're currently occupying this area now lower your weapons and state your business or we will open fire.

Roxas whispers to Shadow.

Roxas: We don't have to take this crap Shadow; we can go out there and kick their ass.

Rini nods her head in agreement.

Rini: It would be an easy battle since they don't even have a ship.

Jack also adds.

Jack: Plus my Gundams are definitely superior to theirs.

Shadow has his battle grin on but before he can act Kabira steps forward.

Kabira: Shadow please wait; we didn't come here to fight, we came here for peace.

Kabira address Rebel A.

Kabira: We will lower our weapons but we will keep our energy shield up.

Rebel A talks to someone off camera then nods his head.

Rebel A: That's acceptable.

Rini, Kenny and Ciro turn to Shadow first before doing anything. Shadow looks annoyed but takes a big breath and calms himself, then nods his head. Rini, Kenny and Ciro turn around and begin typing on their monitors. The camera cuts outside to show the Dark-Angel's weapons deactivate but it's energy shield still remains on. We then cut back to inside the bridge.

Rebel A: Now state your business for being in the area.

Kabira looks to Raheem, Shadow and Cagalli for courage then takes a breath and says

Kabira: I am Kabira Tahsin daughter of Shadi Tahsin and on behalf of my father I have come here to talk with the leader of the rebels.

Saying Rebel A is shock is the biggest understatement of the year. It takes him a full minute to fully comprehend the situation he's in. He stutters out.

Rebel A: I-I have to call my superiors.

The communications link goes dead for a minute. Nick whistles

Nick: Well this certainly is interesting mate, wonder what they'll do?

Zuke says flatly

Zuke: They'll probably open fire on us.

Alan looks at Zuke with confidence.

Alan: That'd just be suicide for them, we've got the Dark-Angel and all the Gundams on board, and we obviously have more power than they do.

Rini leans back and places her hands behind her head.

Rini: You're forgetting that they have their entire army within minutes from us, despite it being just a small rebel army I doubt we can take them all.

Alan hadn't thought of that and now looks nervous.

Shadow: You guys are being so negative try looking on the bright side.

Ciro looks at Shadow annoyed.

Ciro: Which is?

Shadow smiling says

Shadow: If they do try to kill us at least we get an awesome Gundam Fight.

Everyone groans when they hear this. The communication link reopens.

Rebel A: The president will meet you in person to confirm your identity; your escort ship will wait here in the meantime.

Before Kabira can comment Raheem steps forward. He's got a very protective and fierce look in his eye.

Raheem: Unacceptable I will not allow Ms. Kabira to go anywhere without a guard.

They seem to have anticipated this for Rebel A immediately responds

Rebel A: That's fine, but you may only be accompanied by 3 body guards. A transport ship is on the way to pick you up.

Rebel A once again cuts the communication link. Kabira breathes a sigh of relief, this is going much better then she thought, and Nick puts her thoughts into words.

Nick: Well this is off to a good start mate so who do you want as your bodyguards?

Kabira looks up then around having never thought about this before.

Kabira: Um well, I never really gave much; I mean I trust your guy's judgment.

Raheem says gently but firmly

Raheem: No Kabira this is your decision. When you become the ruler you will have to pick advisers to accompany you when you have negotiations.

Shadow leaning back and looking like he doesn't have a care in the world says

Shadow: Raheem's right Kabira, this is your meeting, you have to decide who you want watching your back.

Kabira bites her lip and rubs her chin as she thinks about this, then says slowly

Kabira: Of course I want Raheem as 1, which just leaves 2 more. It'd probably be best to choose from the Gundam Fighters, um Cagalli and Shadow.

Cagalli is surprise while Shadow is excited.

Shadow: YESSSS!

He begins punching the air. Roxas is a little bummed out.

Roxas: Not fair, you get to have all the fun Shadow.

Cagalli looks a little worried.

Cagalli: Are you sure Kabira?

Kabira with growing certainly says

Kabira: Yes, I want you to come with me Cagalli because you remind me of some of the Haben politicians so I know you'll be able to help me with the negotiations and I want Shadow to come because well he's Shadow.

Cagalli already slipping back into her Chief Representative Mode feels better about being invited but looks at Shadow annoyed.

Cagalli: I'm not sure Shadow being Shadow is such a good idea for this type of situation.

Shadow now looks annoyed.

Shadow: Hey just what are you trying to say?

Nick laughing slaps Shadow's back.

Nick: HAHAHAA just try not to have us leaving this place at gun point mate.

Everyone except Shadow laughs at this. Raheem smiling steps forward and says

Raheem: Alright that's enough, everyone prepare yourselves we are about to meet the president of the rebel forces, next to Fachtna he is the most threatening force to the King and the Haben government.

We have a close up of Cagalli, Shadow, and Kabira. we can see their eyes harden and brighten as they become completely focus on the task at hand. The episode ends with the camera zooming out with the shadow of the rebel President towering over the Dark-Angel.