North Africa

The desert wind blew in Aarav's face as he looked at the winged machine as its cockpit started to open; inside it was his younger brother, Deeraj. Though he was a natural, he's skilled as a potent fighter, which puts him almost on Aarav's level, if not almost equal, though there was still room to grow for the both of them. Slowly Deeraj descended downward, with his helmet on, stepping foot on the sandy ground, he was immediately greeted by Niky.

"Nice job out there; we probably couldn't pull it off if it weren't for you," Though her voice sounded ice-cold, a smile was on her lips.

"Yeah? Thank you, miss Niky," Deeraj smiled and bowed in an overly dramatic way. It caused the silver-haired women to giggle in response, making the group slightly shocked at the sound. Cagalli looked at the Strike and then Deeraj's machine; turning around, she marched up to Aarav's younger brother. Getting out of the truck, he walked over to him, patting his brother on the shoulder; his hand stayed there as Deeraj, and he stood face to face. It's been a minute since they last saw each other, now standing neck and neck.

"Deeraj," Aarav said as he held out his hand, taking it, both brothers shook a smile appeared on both faces.

"It's been a while, brother," Deeraj said as they let go of each other's hand. Looking beyond his brother, Cagalli walked over towards him with a face worn of anger.

"What is that machine?!" Cagalli asked, her voice filled with anger. Deeraj was taken aback by the younger girl's manner; never before has he meet someone with such anger directed at him for something he didn't do.

"My machine?" Deeraj asked with a confused look.

"Your machine, where did you get it?!" Cagalli shouted. Not saying a thing, Deeraj hardens his gaze on the young teenager. "Who made it?! Was it made with the help of Orb?!"

"Orb?" Deeraj questioned again, not understanding what this girl was getting at. Clenching her teeth and growling under her breath, she took a finger and pointed it at Deeraj's machine.

"Yes, your machine! Was it made by Orb?" Cagalli asked again, the fire in her eyes flared up again.

"Not from what I was told, Earth Alliance made it by themselves, a prototype, that can actually transform, but for some odd reason, it's been acting up since re-entry; it probably wasn't fully completed," Deeraj explained as he looked up at Awaken.

"S-so Orb wasn't apart of its creation?" Cagalli asked with a lower tone.

"What do you mean acting up?" Niky asked, walking up towards Deeraj.

"While transforming, it was difficult to maintain flight because of the gravity, plus the joints seemed to be straining a little, I might have to disregard the wings and put the binders back on."

"Hmm, If you can show me what you mean, then I'll see what I can do!" Niky said, pulling out tools from a bag she had on her back. Raising a brow, Deeraj chuckled slightly at the face she was making.

"I'll have to show you once I boarded Snowfall, so You'll have to join me in the cockpit if that's ok with you?" Deeraj asked with a smile.

"I'm ok with it; I feel you won't try anything funny," Niky squinted her eyes. This feeling is one of us? She thought as they both turned around to the sound of people approaching. The people approaching was none other than the crew of both ships or the captains and Pilots. Cleo and Isa walked up beside Mu and Murrue, though it was obvious that they were ready for any sudden moves by the resistance.

"Oh? Earth Alliance got female captains?" Aarav asked silently.

"Believe me their capable leaders," Deeraj said as he walked up to the side of his brother.

" I guess the proper thing for us to do is thank you for saving us," Murrue started off the conversation as everyone else looked on. "I'm Murrue Ramius, of the Earth Alliance forces, 8th fleet."

"Wasn't the 8th fleet wiped out," A young boy about the age of Cagalli said. Sahib raised his hand, signaling the young boy to be quiet; Murrue's gaze dimmed a little upon hearing that.

"We're the Desert Dawn! My name is Sahib Ashman; you don't need to thank us, I'm sure you know we weren't necessarily fighting to save you," Sahib announced, waiting for a reply. When silence remained, Sahib continued, "we only attack our enemies."

"You've been continuing this against the desert tiger for some time now?" Mu, the blond-haired pilot, asked, with a raised brow. Taking a glance, Sahib's eyes studied the blond, noticing something familiar about him.

"I recognize you from somewhere," he stated.

"I'm Mu La Flaga. I don't know anyone form this area," Mu said, hunching his shoulders with a slight smile.

"I never expected I'd meet the Hawk if Endymion in a place like this," Aarav spoke up as he walked up next to Cagalli, followed by Deeraj.

"And you are?" Mu asked, turning his attention to the man.

"This nuthead's older brother," Aarav said, pointing his thumb at Deeraj, who was looking up at his machine discussing with the white-haired girl what had happened and how they could probably fix the problem.

"Deeraj?" Cleo asked, causing a shock from the other two companions besides Isa.

"It's been a minute, Aarav," Isa walked up to her eldest brother.

"Likewise, I'm glad to see you both alive," Aarav too walked up to her, embracing in each other's arms. While they hugged, Deeraj rushed up and jumped on top of both of them, causing all of them to fall. Giggles and laughs were shared with the siblings.

"Big baby, get off me!" Isa shouted, to which Aarav shoved the young man off them both. Standing to their feet, Aarav shook his head with a smile plastered on his face.

"Jeez, and here I thought you could never laugh; I'm glad you still have some humanity left in you," Aarav thought; the mood quickly switched back to serious as Deeraj's smile slowly faded.

"Humanity? Killing and stealing lives leaves me in much regret," Deeraj said as he looked up at his two older siblings. "But, I have to do something to keep my crew safe and keep them sane, despite the voices."

It's ok; lean on the people you do have. The same voice from earlier that he now knows who's own it is made him turn towards the silver-haired women. Eyes widen in shock. Aarav patted his shoulder while Isa rubbed his dreads. Since their separation years ago, a comfort he hasn't felt from both of them in a long time.

"Your group seems to be well informed, as well. Do you know about us?" Mu got on with the topic at hand. While the Archangel and Snowfall crew finally came to an agreement, Aarav and Isa caught up. Deeraj took Niky to snowfall in Awaken's cockpit, landing in the hanger with ease, and from there, they went to work.

Middle of space

Onboard a shuttle with his crew, Nassir laid his head on the pillow, wanting some rest.

"Nassir, we're headed to earth, so get much-needed rest, and don't forget to tune your machine to Earth's gravity!" Abela called from outside the door, leaving just as quickly she came. With his hands behind his head, and lifted the right hand and stared at it, being the cause of death for his most recent kill.

Go forth; my children were the final words of the Pilot. The voice was something he heard before, but he couldn't think of what yet, so in the meantime, he waited, closing his eyes, finally getting some sleep. Thinking about that familiar voice he heard last night.

North Africa

"Don't you think, Deeraj's a little to close to that Niky girl?" Isa commented, leaning on the railing right beside her older brother.

"To close? Nah, I think it's something about meeting someone like you for the first time," Aarav said, smiling, looking at the two. "Gotta admit, they do look like a couple, though."

"Huh? A couple?" Isa looked at the pair again and noticed how well they got along, almost an immediate connection. "Hmm, I guess your right." Silence fell upon the two as they sat there and looked at Awaken standing onward.

"Hey, what do you think of Deeraj's fighting style? He looked like a revenging angel. Do you think he'll awaken soon?"

"As far as I can see and seeing the battles he's been through, Deeraj has already awakened," Isa commented. Looking back on how banged up his suit used to get with the modified GINN.

"That explains his sharpness and quickness in decision making," Aarav studied, pushing himself off the railing.

"All personal, we are beginning to move along with the Archangel!" Sasha's voice came through the intercom, alerting all staff present to be prepared for sudden movement.

"Commander young-" the voice of Jay hit their ears, making Isa turn with a smile.

"Jay!" Isa started to walk towards him with her arms raised. Once they meet in the middle, she put her hands down and pulled his cheek, "I thought I told you to call me by my first name!" Letting go of his cheek, she leaned in and kissed him, making the young man blush at the feeling.

"Sorry," Jay said lowly.

"Hmm?" Isa asked with a brow.

"I-Isa," Jay muttered her name, making the black-haired women beam with excitement. Aarav raised a brow and sized him up, taking note of his features.

"Jay?" Aarav asked as he took a step forward, making the younger man look up confused. "Oh, Jay! I've heard so much about you! I hope my sister isn't causing you any trouble."

"N-no not at all, in fact, I enjoy her company!" Jay stuttered as Isa tilted her head and pouted at her brother.

"What do you mean causing trouble?" Isa started as Aarav patted Jay's shoulder.

"I'll be with Deeraj!" Aarav called as he walked towards the lower deck.

"Hey, don't leave me! We aren't done talking yet!" Isa called out as Jay tried to calm her down.

Lower deck

Deeraj and Niky finished the required settings on the machine. Now he shouldn't need to make any adjustment to the machine data frame.

"Alright, I've searched through the Awaken's joints and cleaned out any sign of dirt I could find!" Niky called out as she wiped her sweat from her forehead.

"Thank you, but why are you helping me so much?" Deeraj asked as he walked out onto the hanger.

"It's weird," Niky said as she leaned on the railing, staring off at the ceiling.

"Weird?" Deeraj asked in confusion, joining her on the railing.

"Nothing, it's just I haven't felt a sensation like this before, as if I've finally met someone like me!" Niky said as she turned towards the blue-eyed man with teary eyes. This taking Deeraj by surprise a little, but only a second later, he smiled, understanding how she felt.

"I feel the same," Deeraj said as he found himself unconsciously getting closer to the women, Niky herself didn't object as she felt warm and safe around him even though she just met him.

"It appears you two are close, even though you just met," Aarav said as he walked up to the pair with a smile on his face. Though interrupted, Deeraj was snapped out of his trance. Looking over, he saw his older brother with a smug look on his face, though he couldn't blame him for it. The white-haired woman blushed slightly while not looking over towards Deeraj's older brother.

"I- 'll get back to finishing up what I have to do," Niky said as she turned and held her head down, speed walking away from the two. Now alone, Aarav walked up towards his little brother and patted him on the back.

"Nice work out there; it seems you have improved on the battlefield; if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a coordinator myself," Aarav complemented, though Deeraj only shook his head. Not a spark of happiness from Aarav's praise; instead, it was more of sadness.

"Thank you, but- I can't help but sympathize with the enemy, each kill I make, I feel pain, and sorrow, as if their souls would cry out, or their last words-" Deeraj was cut off by his brother grabbing hold of him and hugging him.

"It must've been hard killing to survive; why not choose to don't kill?" Aarav asked as Deeraj pushed away from him. Deeraj chuckled at the proposal, fighting to not kill?

"If I do that... Then I'll be the one-shot down; the battlefield has no time for hesitation,"

"An endless cycle? War is sad, isn't it?" Aarav sighed as he leaned on the railing.

"Yes, but I'm to assume you didn't want to come over here talk about that?"

"Right, this machine and your abilities. Who made this machine?" Aarav asked, looking up at Awaken's face.

"This was given to me from the government, made for my Newtype abilities, it's increased in mobility, and sensory, since the last machine I had couldn't keep up with me," Deeraj explained. "It's a good ride, but the wings are trouble on earth, though they said the wing binders should be here soon."

"They'll risk sending them out in the middle of ZAFT territory?"

"I made the request, and on top of that its thanks for helping train a crew of pilots in space; I'll be moved to a different base on the border were ZAFT and EA mostly meet; if we can change the tides there, then were under the command of the blue cosmos."

"The leader of the Earth Alliance," Aarav said, looking down. Though unspoken, they knew that maybe the war would be over if they could take him out. "Whenever that time comes, then-"

"If you cut off the head of a snake, then the second one is calling the shots, something like that; so maybe we let it run its course?" Deeraj asked with uncertainty.

"What do you mean?"

"It's not easy to make an assassination like that, unless..." Deeraj thought for a second and then turned towards his Gundam. Aarav smiled and waved his hands, letting his younger brother hatch his own plan. However, his time to think came to an abrupt end as an alarm went off in his machine let out an alarm went off in the cockpit. Walking into the cockpit, he flicked the main power switch on, causing the main camera to switch. Pulling the keyboard down so he could use it, Deeraj began to type into the system switching from its normal standby mode to its information collector mode. "That far?! They couldn't make it a little easier?" Resetting it back to standby mode, he pressed a button causing the Awaken to activate, making its blue eyes light up.

"I'm guessing you're off?" Aarav asked as he got up from the railing and peaked in.

"Yeah, I'm sending over the coordinates to Cleo right now; she should grant me permission before I take off."

"Very well, have fun-"

"Hey, what's happening?!" Isa asked from the deck above. Before he could answer, Niky walked past him and up to the cockpit.

"I'm done; the joints should be working like brand new, be mindful before you land in sand or something like that. Are you going somewhere?"

"Only to pick up something-"

"Then let me join you! You'll need someone to help guide you alone incase the coordinates don't work," Niky said, looking into his eyes.

"Ok, sure, just get on the right side on the second seat," Deeraj said as she got on.

Deeraj smiled and nodded his head as his brother walked away from the railing. Closing the hatch, Deeraj pressed down slowly on the right pedal, making Awaken move forward towards the catapult. Attaching to the launcher, Deeraj checked if the system was on all green, switching his thrusters to idle. While he checked that, Awaken was equipped with its sniper and shield. Recharging complete, and no errors so far, he waited for the order to launch.

"Catapult clear; you're free-" Alex's face appeared on the screen. A perplexed look as to why the woman was in the cockpit with him.

"It's a long story, ready to launch!" Deeraj said as he gripped his controls. Alex only nodded and permitted him to launch.

"Deeraj Young, Awaken taking off!" Deeraj pressed down on the right pedal with those words, causing the machine to accelerate forward into the open sky. As soon as he left the ship, gravity took hold of him and his machine, making the pilot grunt at the pressure. Leaning forward, Deeraj pushed the right stick forward, causing the machine to fly forward a little. Pressing down on the right and left pedal, Deeraj tapped a few buttons and then pulled a lever, making the Gundam transform. Flying off, into the opposite direction of where the ships were headed to follow the coordinates.

"Are you sure it's gonna be ok?" Niky asked as she felt the heaviness of the wings.

"The second we can get these heavy wings off, the better," Deeraj said, pushing down on the right pedal more, causing it to increase its acceleration.

Atmospheric re-entry

Nassir looked out the window as the shuttle he was on rode the wave of entering the atmosphere. Looking back, he saw his Gundam standstill in its gray color, not being activated in a long while. Getting up, Nassir shakenly walked into the confined area and opened the cockpit, getting the system ready to change its fight style from space to fit gravity automatically. Once done, he felt the shaking stopped and exited his machine, walking back to his seat, one of the pilots looked on the monitor and gasp at what he was seeing.

"A drop pod from the Earth Alliance? In this air space?"

"That must be precious cargo if there willing to send it in our own territory," Nassir commented.

"As tempting as it is, our mission is to deliver you to commander Waltfeld-"

"Maybe just in case the naturals do have some forces down there, we should give them a warm visit," Nassir smiled as he got up from his seat; the two pilots looked at each other and then at the young man.

"Sir, I don't-"

"It's fine; I'll just teach them a lesson that's-" Nassir was cut off by a sensation that felt like his head would split. Two different people, one of them was his friend, Deeraj. Clenching his fist, Nassir ran towards the back and hopped in the Gundam, Flipping on the main power switch. Meanwhile, the pod slowly started to disperse; and free-fall into the sand. It was a backpack, equipped with beam sabers and a bazooka. But with the new equipment, that was shortly made to give him just as much mobility as the wings, with less space to work with. The add ons falling to earth, Awaken transformed and detached the wings. On cue, the pod fell onto the ground, opening upon impact dust rose, and it opened, revealing the new equipment. Pressing down on the middle pedal, making the machine bend downDeeraj quickly tapped buttons on each side of his machine, causing Awaken to access the data needed to equip the new weaponry. With a magnetic pull, the weapon was equipped onto Awakens back. Once on, Deeraj pushed down on both pedals, causing the machine to lift into the air easily.

"With the wings on, it weighs ten times more than without them? No wonder they were putting such a strain on the ms's body; the gravity was practically ripping it apart!" Niky noted as she pointed out the weight difference. Deeraj let out a shocked gasp as he looked at what she was saying and then shook his own head, letting out a sigh as well.

"Damn, I should have noticed, but I was too caught up in action."

"Mmm," Niky responded as she leaned back in the extra seat. Landing back down, Deeraj looked back at the Wings before the change, wondering if he should get it or not, but Niky grabbed hold of his shoulder, clenching her head. Without a second to lose, he felt the same thing and held up his shield while pressing the right pedal and pulling the right lever back, causing Awaken to move backward while the beam scrapped his shield. Sliding with the land, Deeraj pressed a button on the joystick causing the camera to look up at the approaching enemy. Grunting his teeth, Deeraj aimed, firing off a shot into the air, though his enemy seemed to sense it and dodged to the right with his thrusters. Descending rapidly towards them while still firing.

"He plans on ramming us?!" Deeraj asked out loud, firing again. Though this time, his shot didn't miss, as it barely grazed the right arm. Clenching his controls, Deeraj switched to combat mode; Awaken moved as Deeraj commanded, firing off a laser towards the enemy, though the machine held up its shield and blocked it. However, the heated laser melted through the shield a little making the black and gold Gundam jump to the left as the laser finished. Waiting for the opponent's next move, he readied himself for anything. Except he found a surprise as a communication log opened up between him and the enemy Gundam.

"He wants to talk?" Niky asked with confusion, though Deeraj looked at the message and then another. Open your cockpit. It's suspicious, to say the least, if an enemy soldier wants you to open your cockpit. Nassir detached his shield and gun and opened his first, holding his hands up. Seeing this, Deeraj looked at Niky though she wore a blank expression; her feeling said she was worried. Complying he pressed the button to open his own cockpit, Niky let out a surprised gasp and grabbed hold of his wrist. Her face told him all he needed to know, but he didn't need to as he heard a voice in his head that was hers. Please be careful. Turning back towards her, he took off his helmet and placed it in the chair, smiling with confidence. Stepping out, he and the pilot looked at each other, neither saying a word.

"I'm going to take off my helmet!" Nassir shouted across the field. Slowly he took the protective headgear off and looked at Deeraj; both faces looked at each other, one more shocked than the other.

"Nassir?!" Deeraj shouted as he looked on.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? Deeraj," Nassir replied as he stepped back into the machine and auto-piloted it a few more meters. Now standing face to face, they saw each other more clearly now.

"W-why are you with ZAFT!?" Deeraj stuttered over his words as his hands shake.

"I'm on a path of vengeance," Nassir said, looking away for a second.

"Path of vengeance?"

"Yes, I'm sure you wouldn't need me to spell it out for you; war is war, no amount of happy bs can stop it, and as a result, innocence gets involved without them knowing it," Nassir started looking up into the sky. "My fiance and aunty both died during that explosion, the naturals didn't have to blow up a place like that, and yet they did." Clenching his fist after he finished. "Why? Why did the naturals do it?" Nassir asked, bringing his head back to face his childhood friend.

"I-I don't know, and if I did-" Deeraj cut himself off by biting his bottom lip. Knowing the pain of someone important to him dying because he was powerless to stop it made him understand completely what he was saying.

"Sad, isn't it? Coming together and meeting on the battlefield on opposite sides, it feels wrong."

"But what are we to do? It's war-"

"Join us! I know how you feel about killing coordinators! If anything, your one of us!" Nassir jumped at the chance, though Deeraj only took a step back as his gaze soften.

"I would, but... I can't, at least not yet, not."

"Why not?! Your skills as a natural can pass as a coordinator themselves, so I don't understand-"

"I-! I have something important to take care of with the Earth Alliance first; once this war is over, I'll join you, I promise," Deeraj balled up his fist and placed it over his heart. Nassir couldn't help but feel disappointed at his answer, looking down but understanding his desire to stay in the government.

"Very well, if you choose to be on the side that killed by people then, I will have no choice but to see you as an enemy!" Nassir declared as he put his helmet back on and climbed back into his Gundam's seat, closing the hatch. Deeraj did the same, taking his helmet and placed it in his lap while the cockpit closed. Though unlike his childhood friend, he just sat there, not moving; instead, he felt a tear fall down his cheek. I will have to fight my own friend? Will I have the resolve to end it whenever that moment comes? Deeraj thought as he placed his hands on the joysticks; they couldn't stop shaking, however, as he stared forward.

"It's ok," Soothing words caused him to snap out of his trance as Niky wrapped her arms around the Pilot. The sudden feel of another person's touch spooked him a little, as he hadn't felt comfort from another person in weeks. On top of that, his connection with this woman was on a whole different level, seeing as she was the same as him. Flipping his Gundam from combat mode to idle, Deeraj smiled a little, looking back at the white-haired women.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Deeraj sighed, pressing down in both the right and left pedal, causing Awaken to lift off the ground. Taping in buttons and then pulling the lever, the machine had an easier time transforming under gravity pressure. Noticing the difference made him question why they made the switch in the first place. Flying through the sky, he noticed that Nassir was headed a different way than he was.

"You're not going to follow him?" Niky asked back to her usual stoic voice.

"We'll meet more, though not the way I'd hope," Deeraj muttered under his breath, stepping onto the right pedal more.

Snowfall, later that night.

"Lisa has escorted Awaken around the perimeter; nothing strange has been sighted, ma'am," Sasha reported to Cleo, who nodded and put on her captain's cap.

"Alex watch the ship for me while I'm gone," Cleo said as she walked off the bridge. Half-way down the hall, Isa came out of the hanger taking off her helmet with sweat dripping down her face.

"Oh, hiya, captain!" Isa waved as Deeraj came behind her. Cleo started to wave but noticed the blue-eyed man and turned her head, causing both the siblings to raise a brow. As she walked by, Isa turned to her younger brother, a glare on her face. "Say did you speak to her at all?" Isa asked, making her voice pitch up in the beginning. Deeraj thought for a moment, tapping his chin as he cycled through what he had done for the day. Almost twenty seconds went by before his eyes widen in shock at his grave mistake.

"Ohh snap, I forgot! I just had many things on my mind and-"

"Don't tell that to me, dodo brain!" Isa yelled and pointed to the direction Cleo went.

"R-right!" Deeraj jogged off in that direction before stopping to see where she went. Isa let out a sigh, shaking her head at her little brother.

"Always the cupid I see. So when did they meet?" Aarav asked, walking up behind her.

"Oh, you're in hot water yourself for ditching me!"

"You were with your boyfriend. I didn't want to intrude."

"I see him any other day, but this is the first time in years since we meet in person!"

Outside Snowfall

"Cleo!" Deeraj's voice made the captain stop in her tracks. Looking down, she couldn't help but feel something bubbling inside her once she heard his voice call her name. Turning around, the door closed as he walked out, scratching his now combed out twists, surprising her. "H-hey, listen, i-i'm sorry that I didn't come to speak to you earlier-"

"It's ok, I understand," Cleo said as she didn't meet his gaze.

"You do?" Deeraj asked in confusion; a brow raised on his face.

"Yeah, you don't have to explain it to me; Isa told me about that girl you were spending the whole day with," Cleo hugged herself as she looked up with tears in her eyes.

"C-Cleo, wait a minute-"

"No, it's ok; I'm glad your alive, Lieutenant," Cleo started to turn and walk away, only for Deeraj to step into action and grabbed her by the arm.

"Now wait a minute, that isn't fair, it isn't fair at all! Can I at least explain myself?" Deeraj asked as a loosened up his grip. Cleo turned to him and faced him directly in the eyes, hers slightly watery. "I didn't mean to desert you or leave you dry. It's just I found someone like me," Deeraj clenched his chest. "Someone, I know what they're feeling. It almost as if we were destined to be near each other; her voice was the same one I heard when I couldn't even pull the trigger. Do you know how it felt when I'd make a kill? The nightmares of there voices of each person after their deaths? Aarav and Isa are calling me a newtype, a gateway to a better understanding... But this? I wouldn't wish this on no man."

Cleo looked down as she heard the quiver in his voice.

"I wanted to come to you, but then I was sent to luna, and-" Deeraj caught himself before he spilled more than enough information. He felt his parents' death and heard his mother's last words, directed to her children. If he wants peace, then it's best to end the war, right? And survive, whatever it takes.

"I-I understand, after all, we're in a war; I can't have your mind on my insecurities while on the battlefield," Cleo said as a tear ran down her cheek.

"C-Cleo, what are you saying?" Deeraj asked with a stuttering voice.

"That, maybe we should call it off," Cleo said, shutting her eyes, her heartfelt heavy after saying those words.

"Call it off?" Deeraj repeated, confused as to where this is coming from.

"At least till the war is over, and then we can have a normal relationship because I love you too much to let something like this get you killed," Cleo's voice wavered, and her lips quivered.

"I-Is it because I didn't-"

"At first, it was... But then I realized that I am your captain, lover, and friend. Seeing you in distress because of how I acted made me think of all the worst possible scenarios. I- I can't allow my feelings to get involved with the battlefield! S-so, I'm sorry," Cleo turned around and wiped a tear away, then begun to walk, her steps echoing within the night. Deeraj's brain tried to process what had happened, only for a tear to fall down his cheek.

"D-did?" Niky's voice made Deeraj look up, her face filled with sorrow. Looking away, Deeraj started to walk back to the ship. "W-wait! I can feel the anger and sadness... Did I-"

"It's- not your fault, these things tend to happen, y'know?" Deeraj let out a fake smile, then he too turned around and walked on board the ship. Niky couldn't help but feel she was responsible for this sudden change of events. Lowering her eyes, Niky turned and went to the base. Cleo shook her head of any doubts that lingered in her mind. I'm doing this for us; we'll survive this war and make it to the end, then we can be together again.