Nadesico, crew quarters

"Damn it!" Duo slammed a fist against the wall. "We've got people missing again, and the Captains are just sitting around. Again."

"Calm down, Duo," Heero said. "We can't make a move until we at least have some idea where they are. The disruptions to the Vital Globe are making that much more difficult."

Duo glared at the stoic Gundam pilot. "Oh, yeah? Last I looked, your Gundam was designed for long-range cruises. Couldn't they send you out on a recon mission or something?"

Heero merely shook his head. "Even Wing Gundam has its limits. The Blue Earth has been scouting, but so far nothing. Without at least some kind of lead, the higher-ups can't justify dispatching our ships."

It took a great deal of effort for Duo to stop himself from grinding his teeth. Much as he hated to admit it, Heero was right. He didn't know much about the whole Vital Globe thing, but he'd spent enough time with the Antibody squad to know how screwed-up things had gotten since Orphan left the seafloor.

"Still, I can't help worrying," Quatre said quietly, his blue eyes downcast. "Wherever they are, they're far away from any support."

"I'm not exactly happy about it," Heero admitted. "Toya and the girls can take care of themselves. Yu is the one I'm really concerned about. According to Hime's report, his Brain was badly injured when they disappeared. It may not survive, and there's no telling what its death might do to Yu."

Duo winced. That hadn't even occurred to him, and it should have, especially after what happened to that lunatic in the black Grand Cher. The thought of it happening to a friend and comrade made him want to throw up.

"This isn't our only concern," Trowa put in. "What about Masato? He disobeyed direct orders in that last battle, and we haven't heard from him since."

"Didn't Professor Fressange say something about him having a split personality?" Quatre asked.

Trowa nodded. "That's what has me so uneasy. Like Heero said, Toya can take care of himself, but Zeorymer is the most powerful unit we have, short of Granteed. If Masato's other self really has manifested, and gone rogue. . . ."

It was a truly ugly thought. None of them relished the idea of battling Zeorymer; leaving aside the fact that Masato and Miku were valued comrades and friends, it was a very tall order. The Hakkeshu mech had shown itself much more powerful when Masato's alternate personality surfaced.

"If that bastard Colbert hadn't had D-Boy arrested, that Radam fight would've gone a lot better," Duo grumbled. "Maybe Masato would've stayed in control then."

Heero snorted. "D-Boy will be released sooner or later."

Duo traded surprised looks with Quatre. "You sure about that, Heero?"

"As soon as it becomes clear how useless the Sol Tekkaman is against the real thing, however good it may be at handling Radam beasts, even Colbert will have no choice." Heero rolled his eyes. "We got off lightly against Evil even before Blade went berserk, and I think everyone here knows it."

"Except maybe Badgiruel," Duo conceded. "Can't happen soon enough."

The door opened, and Melissa Mao poked her head in. "Wondered where you guys got off to. Better make sure your Gundams are ready for action; we've finally got the go-ahead."

Duo felt a rush of adrenaline. "We know where Toya and the others are?" Quatre asked excitedly.

"Sure do. That Vital Globe screw-up teleported them to northern Scandinavia of all places." Mao shook her head in mixed disbelief and wonder. "Anyway, Archangel's staying behind with Commander La Flaga and the Photon Power Labs people. Everyone else is on hot standby."

Duo was already halfway to the door. Hang on, Toya. We're coming.

Northern Scandinavia

It was a deceptively peaceful place. A single cottage in a small clearing, surrounded by evergreen trees. Mountains were visible in the distance, and a frozen lake close by. Snow gently drifted down, the white blanket lending a certain muffled quality to their surroundings.

Two Antibodies and a robot made for a bizarre contrast.

Toya slid to the earth with a suppressed groan. The encounter with Iiko Isami hadn't done too much damage, but it had knocked a balancer out of alignment, which meant Granteed was groundbound until they could fix it. About the only silver lining was that it was one of the parts they actually understood.

Of greater concern was Yu's Brain. The Antibody was badly injured, visibly weakened after their last engagement. If that woman hadn't found them. . . . "You okay, Yu?"

Yu jumped a little. "Toya? Yeah. Sorry for dragging you into this."

Toya waved a hand. "I couldn't just let you die," he said, though he felt Katia glaring at him. He nodded at Nelly Kim. "It's thanks to her that we found you at all."

"Oh?" Yu cocked his head. "Who might you be?"

She shrugged. "My name is Nelly. I'm just a woman who lives nearby."

Yu looked up at her Antibody companion. Clearly a Brain Powerd, but unlike any the Novis squad rode, even the twins bonded to Kanan and Higgins. "I've never seen a Brain quite like that one," he said. "Is it some kind of evolved form?"

Another shrug. "Probably. I don't know for sure."

"Where are we?" Yu looked around at the whiteness surrounding them. "Pretty far north, obviously. We need to get back to the Novis."

Nelly shook her head. "There's a juncture in the Vital Net in the sky above us. It won't be possible to leave this forest for a while."

"So is it some kind of Organic Energy Barrier?" Yu asked, frowning.

"That's right," Nelly said. "Besides, I doubt it's going to stop snowing until morning."

Toya grimaced. "Besides, Granteed isn't quite ready to move. I wouldn't worry too much, though," he added with a wry smile. "You know Captain Misumaru: she'll come looking for us even if she has to go all by herself."

He looked back at his faithful machine, recalling the last time he'd gotten in such a mess. At least now he was able to defend himself, wasn't vulnerable to some pipsqueak in an Arm Slave. That had been one of the worst parts of this little adventure, especially with Kaname under the gun.

"I think it would be best if you all took a rest in my cottage," Nelly said. "Oh, Nelly Brain, please look after your friend."

Toya followed them, a vague sinking feeling in his stomach. He had a sneaking suspicion Katia was going to have words with him soon, a prospect he did not relish in the least. Tenia may have been the most hot-tempered of his companions, but Katia could be downright terrifying when she got up a good head of steam.

Maybe Tenia and Melua can head her off. An unlikely prospect, unfortunately.

Toya and the girls had gone back outside when Yu finished eating. Probably to check on Granteed; he'd overheard something about a balancer being out of alignment. Or something along those lines; he was no tech, and invariably felt his eyes glaze over when Uribatake or Murdoch started on about some problem or other.

"It's peaceful here," he murmured.

"Yes," Nelly said, moving to stand beside him. "Where are your friends?"

Yu nodded vaguely off to one side. "Checking on their machine, something about a damaged balancer."

"Just a machine," Nelly said. "You can go in and rest if you like. I can wait up for them."

He shook his head. "No. Actually, I want to get a better look. At you," he explained.

Nelly raised her eyebrows. "Me?"

"You resemble someone I know," Yu said, thinking of Hime Utsumiya. "Not physically, but the way you speak with your Brain. It's a lot like her."

Nelly tilted her head, curious. "You can talk with them, can't you?"

"Not exactly," Yu said. "I can't hear their 'words,' if that's what you mean. From what Hime's told me, her Brain is glad when she talks to him." He smiled ruefully. "Mine's a bit rebellious."

Nelly looked at the Brains. "If you've spoken with him enough to know that, you really can understand him. You just didn't know it until now."

Yu opened his mouth to reply, closed it as he contemplated her words. For all the tempestuousness of their working relationship, he and his Brain did pull together quite well when it counted, well enough to coordinate almost flawlessly with Hime and her partner.

"Your temperament was just a bit stormy is all," Nelly said. "Didn't you start to soften when you first met him?"

He thought back. "Stormy," he had to concede, was an understatement. Combine his family being twisted with the general urgency of stopping Orphan, and it was a wonder he could even interact with normal society. Meeting that Brain, he realized, was one of the best things that had ever happened to him.

"You may have a point," he said after a moment.

Nelly smiled. "That Hime girl you mentioned, she must be very important to you."

For all that they'd been accused of decidedly belligerent flirting, Yu thought that unlikely. "I don't have anyone like that."

"Or so you've convinced yourself," Nelly countered. "Everyone has something or someone they care about. Living alone is painful, for Brains as much as humans."

Toya leaned back against Granteed's right leg, breathing heavily. Mechanical work in a snowfall wasn't something he'd ever expected to be faced with, but he persevered. It was a bit amusing that he could work up such a sweat under such conditions, though.

"I think that's all we can manage for now," he said.

Katia hummed tunelessly. "I suppose so."

Toya sighed. "Might as well get it off your chest."

She took a deep breath. "Toya, what were you thinking? It's all well and good that we got sucked into the Vital Net, but if we hadn't been all you'd have accomplished was getting shot down."

"I couldn't just let Yu die," Toya pointed out. "The way that lunatic sister of his was acting, I couldn't think of anything else to do."

"I understand that," Katia sighed. "Still. . . ."

"Oh, quit getting on Toya's case, willya?" Tenia interrupted. She swung her arms about, her long red hair swishing around her. "It all turned out okay, 'cept for Yu's Brain anyway." She unceremoniously dropped into a nearby snow bank. "It's so quiet here, we've got a chance to relax for a change. Dunno about you, but I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth."

Melua sifted her fingers through the snow, a pensive look on her face. "I agree with Tenia," she said quietly. "We're all here, we're all okay, so let's rest while we can."

Katia glared a moment longer, then relented with a tired sigh. "You're right," she conceded.

"Y'know," Tenia said out of the blue, "I don't think D-Boy really lost his memory."

Toya lifted an eyebrow. "Nobody believed him anyway except Aki and Captain Misumaru," he pointed out. "What brought this on?"

"He's kinda like us," Tenia said, waving at Katia and Melua. "We remember plenty about that freaky place, but we really don't like to talk about it. I think it's the same with D-Boy."

It made a lot of sense, now that Toya thought about it. The Tekkaman's claim of amnesia had always seemed just a little too convenient, a little too glib. Everything else that he seemed to know, including specifics about the enemy Tekkamen. Just a little too much.

In fact. . . . "Hey, didn't that red Tekkaman call him 'brother'?" Toya asked.

Katia's eyes went wide. "I think he did," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "And D-Boy called him by name. Shinya, I think it was."

"Which means poor D-Boy's going through an even worse hell than we thought," Tenia said with a low whistle. "It's like Eiji or Yu, only about a thousand times worse."

Melua looked up at Toya, worry showing in her blue eyes. "What do we do, Toya?"

He shook his head. "Keep it to ourselves for now," he said. "There's nothing we can do about it; even if we could get to him, I doubt D-Boy would talk, and you can just imagine how Lieutenant Badgiruel would take it."

Tenia winced. "Can't argue with that."

Novis Noah, bridge

The ship felt strangely quiet. With the Antibody squad having departed with Nadesico, and Commander Geybridge and Naoko Isami also elsewhere, a lot of the energy seemed to have vanished. However, Irene was well aware the apparent calm was merely a facade.

"Finally, the curtain has risen," she murmured.

Murrue Ramius looked up at the sky. "Even from here, it's easy to see the Aurora Borealis."

"Not much else for us to do," Irene said. "With Nadesico gone to rescue the others, there is little more for us than to watch and wait."

"We don't have much choice," Murrue said. "We have only Commander La Flaga and the Photon Power Labs people for defense, just in case." She shook her head. "To think Commander Geybridge was so insistent on attending that Federation meeting. . . ."

Irene shrugged. "We're to act on our own judgment in his absence. Orphan has shown no sign of resuming its rise, but the entire situation with the Reclaimers is a powder keg. Until he returns, our hands are tied." She glanced at a monitor. "If Nadesico returns before he does, I plan to relocate the Brain Powerd squad there."

Murrue nodded. She clearly understood just what the stakes were. "Understood."

Nadesico, cafeteria

Noal was practically boiling over with frustration. It wasn't that he objected to being part of a rescue op, far from it; he was as worried about Toya and the others as anyone aboard. The problem was it wasn't his only dilemma. "Dammit!"

Chibodee sauntered over. "What's got you so worked up? You're starting to sound like Neo-Japan."

"It's about D-Boy," Aki said, looking as frustrated as Noal felt. "No matter how many times we contact the Chief about him, there's no answer."

"What she said," Noal grumbled. "I expected it out of bastards like Colbert, but I really thought the Chief was better than that. Only thing left is ask him face to face."

Ryo Shiba shook his head. "If you're not careful, you and D-Boy will be cellmates," he warned.

"And he's not the only problem," Sara added, looking at David Rutherford. "David, how's Eiji doing?"
The young SPT pilot grimaced. "Depressed as hell, worse than when Gale was killed. He doesn't even pretend to be in good spirits anymore. We're all worried about him, Anna especially."

Nanga grunted quietly. "Poor kid's probably in shock. He killed his own future brother-in-law by accident, and now his sister is out for blood. He's in the same boat as Yu."

"Which makes me wonder how long until he breaks down completely," George put in.

Kurz looked up from the counter, smirking a little. "Why not send dear little (able-bodied) Simone to console him and—oof!"

The girl in question straightened from socking Kurz in the stomach. "Whatever you're thinking about, you disgusting slob, keep it to yourself. Got that?"

Sara rolled her eyes. "Geez, what an idiot."

Sickbay

It seemed to be a day for angry tirades. "Lasse, what the hell were you thinking!?" Kanan demanded.

Lasse's expression was more resigned than anything else. He sighed. "Did Nanga let the cat out of the bag?"

"You got that right," Ryoko said, her hands on her hips. "Seriously, reluctance to get leukemia treated!? You're crazier than Koji, D-Boy, and Domon. Combined."

Kanan felt her anger ebb, replaced by fear and a bone-deep weariness. They were already facing so many dangers, and now this. "Why . . . why did you. . . ." she choked back a sob.

Lasse gently stroked her hair. "Don't cry, Kanan."

"I know it's not really my business," Rain Mikamura interjected, "but why? Why not seek treatment? Leukemia isn't all that hard to deal with in this day and age."

Kanan had been wondering the same thing. One of the most prominent outgrowths of Coordinator technology, one even Blue Cosmos had trouble arguing against, was a revolution in cancer treatment. What was once all too often a death sentence could be managed or—if caught early enough—even cured.

"I decided when I met my Brain," Lasse said. "I won't let my beloved Earth be destroyed or conquered by Orphan, the Jovians, or anyone else. Even if it costs me my life."

Which raised another question. Akito was the first to voice it. "Why not get treated first? Like Rain said, it's not that hard."

Lasse sighed. "I already told you, I asked him for this. When we got close to Orphan, though, he released me into the ocean and attacked at full power."

"A-ha!" Ryoko said. "So you didn't try to kill yourself!"

He shook his head. "That's not my point. I thought I was fated to die young, but when I realized Kanan would be there to cry for me, I thought I wanted to live after all. I think my Brain understood that."

It all made sense now. "Lasse," Kanan said, "at least promise me you'll get treated when this is all over."
He nodded, offering a weak smile. "It's a promise."

Kanan almost fell over from sheer relief. The danger wasn't over, of course, but at least Lasse wouldn't be pushing himself too hard anymore. They had more than enough pilots to take up the slack should raw exhaustion force him to retreat.

Which did leave one question unanswered. "But you don't have a Brain anymore," Rain pointed out, puzzled.

"Nakki still has an extra," Lasse said, shrugging. "Where's Hime?"

"With her Brain in the hangar," Ryoko said, wincing in evident sympathy.

Kanan closed her eyes, her other worries surfacing. Yu Isami had been her only real friend among the Reclaimers, and had kept her steady when she left Orphan. The thought of him lost and alone hurt her almost as much as it surely did Hime.

Northern Scandinavia

The air was crisp and clean, clouds replaced by a clear, sunny sky. Still cold, of course, but probably the most peaceful morning Yu had experienced since entering Orphan all those years ago. It reminded him of why he had left, what it was he was trying to protect.

"You're looking a little better," he greeted his Brain. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything more for you."

He sensed rather than heard the Brain's response, a feeling of gentle reassurance. Perhaps Nelly was right, and he really was more attuned to the Antibody than he had ever realized. It was a comforting thought.

"The Vital Globe barrier is flickering," Nelly murmured.

"Which means we should be able to leave soon," Toya agreed, sliding to the ground. He looked at Nelly, apparently curious. "Mind if I ask you something? How come you live here all alone?"

Nelly shrugged. "In an age like this? I've simply chosen to live here with this child." She nodded at her Brain. "I think he would be happier in a tranquil place, but that is sadly impossible. He was born to accomplish something; that's why he met you."

Fate? Yu mulled the thought over. He wasn't really one to think there was a special destiny waiting for him or anything like that. He simply fought against Orphan—and the other myriad enemies facing the Earth Sphere—because it was the right thing to do.

"Thanks for looking after us," Toya said, bowing slightly. "It was nice to be able to relax for a change."

"You needed it, probably more than you realized," Nelly responded with a slight smile.

Yu started to chuckle, but it was stillborn. A tremendous boom sounded very close by, and in an instant Nelly's cottage was engulfed in flames. "What the hell!?"

"We've got incoming!" Katia said from Granteed's hatch. "Just one; I think it's a Grand Cher, but it looks a little different."

Just great. "Okay, I'll get moving." Cursing under his breath, Yu climbed into his Antibody; in the corner of his eye he saw Nelly do the same. A surprise attack when his Brain was injured, Nelly's doubtless inexperienced, and Granteed still damaged. Just what they didn't need.

He could see it now, and had to agree with Katia. Red in color, the Antibody did bear a strong resemblance to a Grand Cher, but was noticeably different. Larger, for one thing, and it seemed more aggressive, though that was harder to tell.

"I knew it," Nelly said softly. "Just as Baron Maximilian said."

Yu shot a glance back. "Who's Baron Maximilian?"

The voice that answered him was not Nelly's. "The Baron said the Vital Net barrier is weakening, and a woman named Nelly can't be allowed to live. This is the dawn of a new battle!"

Yu hissed through clenched teeth. "Jonathan," he bit out. "You're still alive?"

"I could say the same about you," the Reclaimer countered.

"Stuff it," Yu snarled. "Why did you attack Nelly's cottage!?"

Jonathan laughed scornfully. "You can think of it as a warm welcome for our reunion."

Their position was, to put it mildly, unfavorable. Yu's first instinct was to simply run, trusting Toya to again cover him. Granteed was damaged, true, but its armor would suffice to at least withstand a few Chakra blasts. He deeply hated having to put his friend in that kind of position, but they had no good options.

Toya appeared to agree. "Get back, both of you!" he shouted, his machine already charging, boosting skyward. "I'll take this bastard!"

"Whoever is in that Baronz, please stop!" Nelly called, ignoring Toya. "That power isn't what you believe it to be! You and that Baronz are nothing more than tools for his ambition! What could he possibly have offered for you to sell your soul?"

Jonathan snorted. "He taught me to fight, and has promised my return to Orphan will be triumphant. Your deaths will light that path!"

"Not so fast, freak!" Toya shouted. "You'll have to go through me first!"

"No problem," Jonathan said with malicious glee. "You'll be the first to feel the power of an evolved Grand Cher!"

What happened next was at first hard to decipher. Granteed's chest glowed a bright green, presumably the "Busker Mode" Yu had heard about before. A blast of pure energy struck the Baronz, but while the Antibody staggered, any injuries were minor. Its return fire sent Granteed crashing to the ground.

"We're still in the fight!" Toya called. "Can't fly, but he won't get rid of us that easily!"

Feeling a strange mixture of relief and fury, Yu and his Brain reversed course, firing all the while. He bared his teeth, all his anger and frustration coming to the fore. All that mattered at that moment was making sure Jonathan Glenn would never be able to hurt anyone else.

The Baronz swatted him away like a fly.

Jonathan laughed. "You think you can defeat my Baronz with that little power!? Take this!"

Yu could feel his Brain's agony as if it was his own. He set his teeth against it, trying with every ounce of will he possessed to remain focused. "Nelly, hurry and run! We can't keep this up much longer!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" she retorted. "One look at your Brain will tell you that what it wants to protect now is Nelly Brain and myself!" Her Brain swooped in, blindsiding Jonathan. "Get out! Your grudges and hatred are being manipulated by Baron Maximilian and that Baronz!"

This time it was Nelly who was swatted, her Brain bleeding from its right leg. "The Baron trusts me! He gave me power!"

"You son of a bitch!" Toya screamed. "Orgone Slave!"

The eruption of green energy was more effective this time, possibly because Jonathan was caught off guard. Whatever the reason, the Baronz was stalled enough for them to catch their breath. For all the good it was likely to do them.

"Move, Brain!" Yu urged his Antibody. "Are you really willing to accept this fate!? If you are, then it's over; is that what you really want!?"

For the first time, he truly had a sense of what his Brain was feeling. It was sad when it was born and the Reclaimers brought it back to Orphan, but happy when Yu took it away from that place. Glad when it saw the sun, and imagined the space where it lay. Happy to see the stars in space, and to learn more about the planet humans called Earth. Happy just to have a chance to live.

"Then have no regrets!" Yu said, and the Brain lifted off. "That's it, you can still move! Toya, are you guys still operational?"

"Can't fly yet, but we're fine otherwise," Toya said. "We're with you!" Then, in a much harder voice. "Jonathan Glenn, we won't let you hurt them or anyone else!"

Yu nodded, thinking fast. "Toya, you'd better hang back. My Brain is injured, but it's still faster, and your heavier armor is better for protecting Nelly."

"I was thinking the same thing," Toya agreed. "Let's take this bastard!"

The pain was distant, like it belonged to someone or something else. Yu was focused, in perfect sync with his Brain. They would keep Jonathan away from Nelly, or die trying. He dodged a Chakra blast with barely a thought, parried a sword strike when he got in close. The Baronz staggered, both it and Jonathan apparently caught off guard.

"Good, but not good enough!" Jonathan sneered. "End of the line, Yu!"

"You wish!" Yu countered, blocking another slash.

Some instinct called out to him then, and he broke to his right, allowing a brilliant green blast to streak past him. The Baronz' Chakra Shield held, but only barely, the Orgone Energy still pushing it back. Yu resumed his own attack, further pressing his former comrade.

"Yu, you bastard!" Jonathan screamed.

A groan from Nelly distracted Yu. Leaving the raving Reclaimer, he flew back behind a barrage of energy from Granteed. "Nelly, what's wrong!?"

He heard another voice, masculine in tone, but with something indefinably odd about it. "Jonathan, calm down. Your half-hearted attacks are only strengthening the Brains. Eliminate Nelly Kim first."

"But, Baron—"

"I did not ask for your opinion," the older man cut him off.

Jonathan made a frustrated sound. "You granted me this power," he conceded. "Fine. Nelly, prepare to die!" With a surge of energy, the Baronz shot forward, nimbly evading Toya's frantic counterattack. Both Nelly and Yu's Brains recoiled under the renewed assault.

"Damn you, Glenn!" Toya screamed, charging his main battery.

Yu gritted his teeth, but he could see no other way. "Do what you want, Brain!"

He expected to at most see one last flash, but apparently it wasn't his time quite yet. Both Brains began to glow with Chakra, a wall of light that surrounded them, cutting them off from the Baronz. It was almost like . . . no, it was the same as the light from a Revival.

"There was a Plate here!?" he said incredulously.

"Now I understand," Nelly said, her voice sad and contemplative. "This child wasn't complete; he met you so he could Revive once more."

Yu's mouth worked briefly as he tried to process what was happening. "Is, is my Brain joining with yours!?"

"He wasn't able to leave this place because he was waiting for someone like you," Nelly said. "Someone who could give him a full life."

"And you think I can do that?"

Nelly sighed. "That's up to you. I have little left; the Brains have been draining my life since the beginning. I'm sure you'll be able to make him grow up strong. Please, use his power to protect those important to you. . . ."

"Nelly, wait! Nelly!"

He heard her voice as though from a great distance. "Don't be sad. I lived a life in isolation, but in the end I was able to meet you. Thank you."

Outside, he was barely aware of Jonathan retreating; presumably either he or the mysterious Baron Maximilian had realized he was outmatched. It didn't matter. Yu could feel the Brain changing and growing, everything shifting around him. The light consumed all.

"Toya, what's happening!?" Tenia yelped, staring transfixed at the light.

Feeling helpless, Toya just shook his head. "Your guess is as good as mine. Looks almost like a Revival, but not quite the same. Definitely Organic Energy, though."

"No kidding," Katia said, her own displays flashing madly. "It's off the scale, at least twice as much energy as when Kanan and Higgins' Brains Revived."

The light was finally fading, much to Toya's relief; Granteed's filters had nearly overloaded. Relief was quickly replaced by concern; there was only one Antibody visible, and it didn't appear to be Yu's. Oddly, though, it didn't quite look like Nelly's either.

"Yu, Nelly, are you there? What happened?"

There was a long pause. "Nelly's gone," Yu said at last. "She was caught in the Organic Energy surge and disappeared, along with my Brain. Nelly's Brain, I think it absorbed them. I can sort of feel them, if that makes any sense."

It didn't, but it probably would with time. "Toya, I've readjusted the balancer," Melua said quietly. "We should be able to fly now."

He shook himself. "Right. Let's do it; can't exactly get back to base on foot. You ready, Yu?"

"I think so," Yu said. Then, "That might not be as easy as we'd hoped."

Toya followed his gaze, and swallowed a vicious curse. A small formation of Jovian Batta types had dropped in on them, along with a pair of Katonbos and something like a dozen Gradosian Skullgunners. Not normally much of a threat, but normally it wasn't just two damaged units opposing them.

"Eh, we'll be fine," Tenia said, shrugging carelessly. "Look at it this way, guys: at least we can vent our frustration a little."

"Got a point there," Yu conceded. "Let's see if we can at least give them a bloody nose."

Yes, both units were damaged. For the moment, Toya suddenly didn't care. After the chaos of the last couple of days, he just wanted to kill something, and unmanned units meant he could do so guilt-free. A Batta that got in close was crushed between Granteed's fists.

Fifty or so meters away, Yu also appeared to be in a vicious mood. The second Revival had evidently meant an increase in the Brain's power; a burst of Chakra reduced to Skullgunners to scattered debris in an instant. Not bothering to slow down, he sliced a third in half on his way to one of the big Katonbos.

Distantly, Toya wished Granteed had a sword. The Tempest Lancer attack did the job, but it wasn't exactly versatile. After all the insanity he'd been through, he wanted as many options as possible. For the moment, though, he would make do. At least he had heavy armor.

One of the Skullgunners suddenly fell apart.

Tenia inhaled sharply. "Toya, isn't that. . .!"

Air around the wrecked machine seemed to ripple, an ominous black form slowly coming into focus. There were only two machines Toya knew of capable of such a feat, and only one was likely to come to his rescue. Sure enough, Gundam Deathscythe had arrived.

"Yo, Toya!" the familiar voice said. "How ya been?"

Laughing with relief, Toya keyed his comm. "Could be better, could be worse," he said. "Showed up just in time there, Duo. Since Deathscythe isn't what you'd call a long-range machine, I'm guessing you've got help."

Duo grinned. "You might say that."

"Sorry we took so long!" a female voice cut in. "Vital Globe craziness and all that. You guys okay?"

No mistake, the High-Mobile Battleship Nadesico had just come over the hills. "Will be, once I get a shower and some food," Toya said. "I'm just glad you got here; not sure how long we'd have held out."

"There are more coming," Ruri interrupted. "A number of SPTs, and Shapiro Keats' personal unit."

Great. Just great. Well, beating up on Keats at least sounded cathartic; from what Shinobu had said, the guy needed to be taken down a few pegs. "Where's Archangel?"

"Had to stay behind, with Commander La Flaga and the Photon Power Labs people," Yurika said apologetically. "Don't worry, we've got plenty of firepower to take down these freaks." As if in emphasis, Nadesico unleashed a Gravity Blast, vaporizing several unmanned units.

What had seemed nigh-hopeless mere moments before had turned into a milk run. Toya found himself fighting beside Dancouga, the two machines sandwiching a Katonbo between them. Jovians built their machines tough, but not tough enough to withstand an assault of such magnitude.

"Here come the SPTs," David said, practically grinding his teeth. "That son of a bitch Gosterro is here, too."

Toya swallowed an obscenity. He remembered Gosterro a little too well; Mars in general wasn't among his fondest memories, even if he'd made some new friends in the process. On the plus side, he was in a much heavier unit than the last time he'd fought that particular psychopath.

"Well, well." The voice was male, deep, with an undertone of profound arrogance. "We drop in to investigate an abnormality in Orphan's surfacing, and look who we find."

Sara Yuki made a strangled sound. "Shapiro," she said, her voice neutral but with an edge of menace.

"I didn't plan on fighting you here," Shapiro Keats said, "but perhaps it's for the best. It's not too late to beg me for forgiveness, you know. Haven't you considered working with the Gradosians yourself?"

"Come on, I've heard Lieutenant Badgiruel crack better jokes!" Yurika retorted, uncharacteristically scornful. "Gotta pass on that, thanks."

Domon was, as usual, more blunt. "Why should we beg an idiot like you for forgiveness?" he sneered. "Just shut up and fight!"

Shapiro sniffed. "Poor fools. I made the offer because I thought you might have some power and the will to use it, but it seems you've nothing but strength. Very well, I'll enjoy crushing you here."

"Hahaha!" That voice Toya knew all too well. "Don't even think of getting in my way, Shapiro!" Gosterro growled. "They're my prey, got that!? I'll slice them up real good!"

Somehow, not even that freak Jonathan Glenn was as annoying as Shapiro Keats. Smashing one last Batta out of the way, Toya turned his attention to the manned force. Most of the SPTs didn't worry him, but four new models (one piloted by Gosterro) bore enough of a resemblance to Layzner to make him uneasy. Fortunately, there didn't appear to be any sign of Eiji's sister.

"Toya!" A red Aestivalis came up to hover near Granteed's shoulder. "Mind covering us while we shred those Slomcos?"

He grinned. "Just say the word, Ryoko."

The green-haired Nergal pilot grinned back. "Thanks. Hikaru, Izumi, Formation Cluster Amaryllis! We're going in and going in hot!"

"Right behind you!" Hikaru sang out.

Izumi chuckled softly. "They sound a little hoarse. Maybe it'll help if I put them in a hearse."

That drew a groan from Zechs Merquise of all people. "She's a valuable teammate, but I'm not sure how many more puns I can stand," the Lightning Count muttered.

"Believe me, Zechs, that's tame from her," Katia said, smothering a laugh.

Toya grinned at the byplay, but made sure to stay focused. A couple of Bravers tried to intercept Ryoko's team, but Granteed's Orgone Blaster was enough to cripple one and destroy the other outright. Then the Aestis were past and mixing it up with the Slomco formation. Despite the Gradosian machines' variable frame design, they were no match for Ryoko and her friends. In less than a minute three Slomcos had been reduced to smoking wreckage.

"Toya, ahead of us!" Katia yelled.

One of the new model SPTs was facing them directly. Despite being less than half Granteed's size, the Gradosian showed no inclination to flee. Maybe the pilot had nerves of steel, or perhaps it was the rather large dual cannon mounted on its shoulders. Toya wasn't at all sure he wanted to know what it would do to his armor.

"Tenia, Busker Mode." Off to one side, he saw Eiji in a running dogfight with Gosterro. That'll keep them busy. "Time to see what this thing can really take."

Festenia's complexion was several shades paler than usual, but she nodded. "Got it. Orgone Extractor at max."

The Gradosian saw him coming, of course. Granteed wasn't exactly a subtle machine. Judging by the glow in those cannon, he wasn't intimidated, probably even thought he could stop Toya's charge. Toya believed—hoped—it wouldn't be enough.

"Go to hell, monkey!" A male voice, not as insane as Gosterro, but far from friendly. A double blast of energy erupted from the SPT's shoulders.

Toya grunted involuntarily as Granteed bucked under the onslaught, but held his course. It was the most powerful enemy machine bar Shapiro's much larger unit. If it could be neutralized, the rest of the battle would be that much easier.

As he'd hoped, the armor held. Granteed's fist lashed out; the SPT dodged, but the heavier weapons made it less agile than something like Layzner. It was enough for the pilot to escape, but he was far from unscathed, and was no longer a threat.

"He's gonna be in the shop for a while," Tenia said dryly.

Katia snorted. "So's Gosterro. I don't think I've ever seen Eiji that angry."

Layzner and Gosterro's new SPT were engaged in a swirling dogfight. The psychotic Gradosian pilot was holding his own, but Eiji was notably more aggressive than usual, resulting in quite a few scorch marks on Gosterro's machine. Some of them quite close to the canopy.

"I heard Gosterro say something about Eiji's sister," Melua offered. "That might have something to do with it."

Toya winced, knowing that was probably the quickest way to make Eiji very mad. Looking past them, he could see Kira and Cagalli fighting another of the SPTs, one equipped with some kind of drill-like weapon. Heero and Zechs appeared to have the last one under control, though Tallgeese appeared to have sustained some damage to its left arm.

Which left one more factor. "Where's Shapiro?" Toya wondered. "Something that big isn't easy to hide."

Melua pointed off to their left. "Um, I think we might want to stay back."

Dancouga was already there, engaged in a heated one-on-one with Shapiro's mech. Both machines had taken significant damage already; Toya winced in anticipation of Uribatake's reaction. And again when Shapiro fired off what looked like a very large railgun, staggering Dancouga.

"You're doing reasonably well," Shapiro said, his voice practically dripping condescension. "It'll such a pity to kill you all. I'll make sure to remember you over a glass of wine."

"Whine isn't fit for the mouth of a traitor!" Sara practically screamed back. "When I get my hands on you—"

Shinobu cut her off. "Sara, calm down! Rant all you want after we finish this bastard."

A choking cough rumbled behind Toya. "Did I hear that right?" Katia asked the world at large. "Shinobu Fujiwara telling Sara Yuki to calm down? And being right about it?"

"You'd be surprised," Noin put in, her Taurus coming to a graceful halt nearby. "She actually almost followed Keats when he deserted; only reason she stopped is Shinobu shot her down."

Toya exchanged incredulous looks with the girls. That did not, to put it mildly, sound like the Sara they knew. "Um, come again?"

"You heard that right," Noin said with a chuckle. "Love can make people do crazy things; I should know."

Dancouga was on the offensive now, alternating brutal punches with sword strokes. The team appeared to have abandoned ranged weapons entirely, settling for beating Shapiro's machine into submission. Perhaps Sara's sheer rage was contagious.

"With respect, Mademoiselle Noin, I don't think 'love' is the right word anymore," George said dryly. "It probably would not be wise to say such a thing where Sara can hear it."

I hear that. Shapiro was definitely on the defensive, and not very happy about it. He fired off a few more shots, then his thrusters flared, lifting him skyward. "Hmph, I suppose you can all live for now."

"And where do you think you're going, Shapiro!?" Shinobu barked.

Shapiro sniffed contemptuously. "Don't misunderstand, Fujiwara, I can easily take you all on. I'm simply letting you live out of respect for the time we were fellow warriors of Earth."

Which hit one of Sara's buttons. "Shapiro, damn you!"

"Before I go, I'll let you in on something good," Shapiro said, smirking. "The Gradosians won't be launching their main invasion for some time yet. It isn't really necessary, since you're all self-destructing anyway." He chuckled. "I saw your foolish battle on the Moon. You must really hate me, Sara. It's true that hate is the opposite of love, but in the end it is nothing more than a distraction. Until you let go, you can never defeat me."

Toya watched him go, too exhausted to even think of pursuing. All he wanted was a good meal, a shower, and a long nap. He strongly suspected he wasn't alone.

Nadesico, hangar

"YU!"

He'd barely reached the deck when a pink-clad blur slammed into him, all but knocking him off his feet. "Oof!" Not that he minded being almost flattened by Hime Utsumiya, but it was still a bit of a surprise.

Another girl was close behind. "You guys are really okay!?"

"Hold on a minute, Cagalli," Chibodee interrupted, holding out an arm. "Don't want to interrupt them just yet, 'kay?"

The spitfire princess shot him an incredulous look. "What!? I'm just glad they're safe."

A rumbling belly laugh answered her. "Sure, that's fine," Honda said, grinning. "These kinds of things just need to be done in the proper order, that's all."

Part of Yu was grateful for the support. Not that he disliked Cagalli by any means, only that she could be a bit overpowering. He wasn't really up to that after the way the last couple of days had gone, even discounting the close-up Organic Energy surge.

The rest of his mind was thoroughly distracted, as Hime planted her lips firmly on his.

When she finally drew away—by a few centimeters—Yu took several moments to find his voice. "H-Hime?"

"What?" She seemed almost taken aback by his reaction. "It's just a reunion kiss." She shook her head, chuckling. "Being shy this time, huh?" Her eyes lifted. "What happened to your Brain? He looks different, and a lot bigger."

Yu sighed. "He went through a second Revival, merged with another Brain we met there living with a woman named Nelly. They fought well against Jonathan and his new Grand Cher."

Hime grimaced. "Jonathan's still alive?"

"I'm afraid so."

She took a deep breath, blew it out. "Who's this 'Nelly' you mentioned?" When Yu looked away, she clearly got his meaning. "She died? Jonathan?"

Yu shook his head. "It was during the Revival. The Organic Energy surge was merciless; I'm still not sure how I survived it."

"Hell of a story." Hime looked back up at the Brain. "You say the Brains merged?"

"Yeah. . . ." Yu trailed off, and then it hit him. "Now I see! Maybe this means we don't have to despair over Orphan after all!"

Hime grinned. "You're right! The Brains just want to live, like the rest of us! That's the attitude we need to have!"

Cagalli almost rolled her eyes. "Geez, why are they embracing over something like that? Okay, sure, it's nice that they aren't dancing around anymore, but still."

"That's why we told you not to get in the way," Chibodee said, and grinned. "'Sides, you're one to talk about dancing around."

Cagalli bit back a sharp retort, recalling Noin's lessons about self-control. "And just what is that supposed to mean?" she bit out.

Chibodee laughed. "Come on, princess, I've seen the way you look at Kira. You gonna try and tell me you're not—"

"One more word, and so help me I'll stomp on you with the Rouge," Cagalli cut him off, her face suddenly as red as her t-shirt. "Kira's a friend, that's all! Besides, he's with Flay."

"Then how come you're turning red?"

Seething, Cagalli turned her back on the boxer. Okay, yeah, Kira was a great guy, and they'd gotten close, especially after leaving Orb, but that didn't mean she liked him that way. And besides, he'd never shown any interest, and if there was anyone in their task force who wore heart on sleeve (besides Captain Misumaru, anyway), it was Kira Yamato.

Deep down, though, she wasn't sure she believed it.

Nadesico, bridge

Half-slumping in a vacant chair near Megumi's console, it was all Toya could do just to stay awake. Fatigue warred with a maelstrom of emotion, sadness for Nelly, who he'd known for less than forty-eight hours, fury at Jonathan Glenn, even greater fury at the traitor Shapiro Keats, relief at being back aboard ship.

"Anyway, we're just glad you're back, safe and sound!" Yurika said.

Toya managed a weary smile. "So are we. Gotta wonder how you got permission to come this far out of your way, though. Northern Scandinavia isn't exactly next door to Yokosuka Base."

Yurika shrugged carelessly. "Eh, it's no problem. Lieutenant Badgiruel was upset, sure, but that's nothing new. We're on assault duty, and fighting the Gradosians checks that box."

"You're only saying that in hindsight," Erina Won said with a derisive snort.

"Which doesn't make it untrue," Ruri countered, not even bothering to look up.

Behind him, Toya heard a sound that he strongly suspected was Tenia stifling a laugh. Erina wasn't exactly popular, but it was still amusing for Ruri of all people to contradict her so bluntly. The young ops officer was usually too quiet for that, save for when she was calling people idiots.

"A-Anyway, enough about that!" Yurika said. "Hey, Sara, you're looking down. Did Shapiro says something that bugged you?"

Sara shook her head. "I'm not really worried about him anymore. It's just. . . ." She trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words.

"From the start of their invasion, the Gradosians have been content to let us fight among ourselves," Eiji said. "That makes us weaker, and thus easy prey when the time comes. They have the Moon, so now it looks like they're just waiting for the right moment."

Kenichi rolled his eyes. "Not up for attacking until they're good and ready, huh? No wonder the Boazanians hate them."

Toya heaved himself out of the chair. "If we're done here, I'm going to the cafeteria; field rations do the job, but they can't beat Akito's cooking. Then I need some shuteye."

"That's fine," Yurika said. "We're heading back to Yokosuka for now, regroup with Captain Ramius and company. Sweet dreams, Toya."

PLANTs, Patrick Zala's office

Rau Le Creuset kept his face carefully neutral, though inside he was smiling. No, smirking; the elections had gone just as he had predicted. The hardliners had strengthened their hold on power, which meant the war would continue. Which was exactly what he wanted.

"Congratulations on your election, Chairman Zala," he said aloud.

Patrick Zala grunted. "It was going to happen sooner or later, given the situation. And yet even now, there are people spouting nonsensical rhetoric about peace, like that fool Clyne." He grunted irritably. "They don't understand it's too late for a peaceful resolution."

"Indeed," Le Creuset agreed. "Especially given how far Blue Cosmos's influence has spread on Earth, not to mention Romefeller."

The Romefeller Foundation was a mystery, even to him. He knew its membership consisted mostly of European aristocracy, but the only individual he'd positively identified as a member was Specials commander Treize Khushrenada. Their goals were still unclear, as was the extent of their influence.

"And that's leaving aside the aliens," Zala said sourly. "The Gradosians, the Radam, the Boazanians. . . . We Coordinators have no future if we don't win this war."

Le Creuset nodded. "We must strike the Naturals hard, and soon, before the aliens on the Moon make their move. I'm sure your election will accelerate the timetable for Operation Spit Break."

"So the aliens are still biding their time, are they?" Zala didn't wait for a reply. "Clyne and his allies will never agree with the true objective of Spit Break, you know that."

"Too well," Le Creuset said. "They think they hold they advantage in peace negotiations, and would never dare carry out Spit Break's true purpose."

Nor would a number within ZAFT, if they were honest about it. Including Chairman Zala's own son. A pity, really; Le Creuset liked Athrun as much as he liked anyone, but the boy was too softhearted. He would never be truly comfortable doing what needed to be done.

Then again, not even Patrick Zala would countenance Le Creuset's ultimate goal.

"I'll be taking a shuttle to Earth, so as to oversee the operation directly," he said. "Will there be anything else, Your Excellency?"

Zala pursed his lips. "Keep an eye out for the Colony Gundams," he said. "Four of them are cooperating with the Federation, and I want to know why."

Le Creuset saluted. "I'll let you know if I learn anything, sir."

This won't turn out as you expect, Chairman Zala.

Author's note: Better late than never, I guess. Not much to say, except I've not given up, and Merry Christmas to any readers I still have.