It's been a long time since I update, and like with others, I did work on it slowly when I could. Even still, apologies for the long update.

Neil didn't feel any tension as he, Leesa, Setsuna, along with the unfortunate civilian that got caught up in all this mess stood before the leaders of this Middle East Branch of Katharon. Klaus Grad, the leader of said Katharon base, didn't show any emotion to them on his pale face aside from joy as he shook their hands.

Shirin Bakhtiar, the middle eastern woman beside Klaus, Marina Ismail's former right hand, looked at them with unconcealed wariness and relief. He was honestly shock that the woman was one of Katharon's leader considering her country's stance on violence, even the smallest ones. He couldn't think what the Princess would think of her former aide being part of a rebellion.

"Thank you for rescuing Princess Ismail from the A-Laws," Shirin said bowing and her natural brunette hair swaying as she did so. "We'll take the responsibility of taking care of her from now on."

He knew what the A-Laws fed the world wasn't true but to see the leaders of one of the most hated and chased organizations on the world before them being civil and nice was still somehow a surprise. He expected Katharon to blame Celestial Being for making the world the way it was now and he really wouldn't blame anyone who thought that way.

Marina called her aide's name but she glanced coolly at her. "Would you rather stay with Celestial Being?" Klaus' eyes briefly went to the woman but otherwise showed no intention of saying anything.

Leesa cleared her throat. "Thanks for the help, but if what you want is for Celestial Being to be allied with Katharon, I'm sorry we cannot. Our group must maintain neutral or we risk being grouped with Katharon."

"Not only that, we don't follow a political ideology unlike you people," Neil added. "We only want to take down the A-Laws and those involved in it."

Klaus sighed stepping forward. "I'd like to ask why but we already expected that answer. Even so, I ask on behalf of Katharon, is it possible for you to aid us? Don't we have the same goal? To overthrow the Federation government and A-Laws to show the world the injustices they covered up?"

"I'm sorry," his lover shook her head. "But we cannot. We must uphold our neutrality. True to the words of Aeolia Schenberg."

"Our enemy is the A-Laws, not the Federation government." He had to agree with Setsuna. The real enemy is the A-Laws because they are now gaining political foothold even without the Federation's support. They are now becoming independent that acts as if they answer to a higher authority when in reality they do not. The laws passed on that only served to benefit the A-Laws was proof of that, like the Security force being integrated to the A-Laws itself. Or the fact that A-Laws acts as Judge, Jury, and Executioner and bypassing any rights civilians had.

Not to mention they are above the ranks of the Federation Army.

The balance of power was slowly tipping to the other side and the Federation members kept feeding that fire. It set up a dangerous precedent that he didn't like.

"Isn't Celestial Being already marked as a terrorist group? I doubt the A-Laws nor the Federation would care about distinction when they tell the people of your return." Shirin reasoned. "Your enemy is A-Laws which is under the Federation," Shirin argued more looking each of them in the eye. "Doesn't our goal coincide?"

Their was something more going on in than that, he thought in disappointment at Katharon's information gathering. Though, maybe he shouldn't blame them for that since they're being watched tightly and have limited information with how iron fisted the EF was when it comes to the real happenings behind closed doors.

"Shirin's right." Klaus nodded slightly. "In order for us to confront A-Laws, isn't the sensible thing to do join forces regardless of our true goals?"

Looking at their tactical forecaster, he knew she agreed with the point given but Leesa and them knew something deeper they don't. Plus, they can't say so for the sake of their secrecy. "Even if that were to happen, your Mobile suits cannot keep up with the GN Drive equip ones."

The other two men, looked down when she said this fact while Shirin and Klaus their expression. "You may say that, but you survived Fallen Angel, didn't you? That can only mean you're lucky or you have an accomplished forecaster on your side. With more forces backing you up, you can achieve your goals faster."

Neil liked that thought but he disagreed with connecting with others because that would make their purpose void. "A nice thought, but like our Captain said, we don't have a political ideology unlike you guys. Let's say that we do join forces with Katharon, not only will we get bogged down by your leadership whether they approve of our actions or not. Tension will develop between our groups and that's not good in the long run. We'll also be connected to whoever your benefactors are. That would not paint a good image for us after old man Aeolia said our mission years ago."

He felt Klaus' frustration when he leaned on the table. "I…, we understand. Can we still support you in any way we can? Materials, information, anything we can supply we'll give you expecting nothing in return. After all, you are our biggest hope of defeating the A-Laws."

"We'd be thankful for that," Leesa smiled. "We could give you the same in return if you want."

Klaus and Shirin would have to settle for that because they cannot give anything more than that. To do so would mean that they are another political movement that has similar alignment with Katharon which was not what Celestial Being stood for.

The door hissed open making the Katharon members go wide-eyed in surprise when kids of various age entered the room. On his left, Setsuna turned stiff. "Kids in Katharon base," Setsuna stated nearly a mutter but his feelings on the matter clear as day anyone that knows him. "Are you raising them to be members of Katharon?"

If they were, he didn't know what Setsuna or them would do, especially when this issue reached all the way to Setsuna's past.

The woman's already sharp eyes became much sharper and turned to their youngest pilot who was unfazed by it. "They're orphans because of the Federation's tight rule in the middle east." Her expression turned sour signified by her furrowing brows and glare. "We're taking them in because no one else would. This is the best we could do for the moment."

Neil's chest throbbed but he held it tightly. With the blacklisting of the Middle eastern countries, pretty much all of their economy failed when trade with them was refused. This was only worsen by the fact that they were still reliant on oil when the world transitioned from it to renewable energies and having fewer fertile lands to support their population.

Klaus brushed Shirin's hands and smiled towards them before holding out a hand. "I suppose getting your support in any way would be better than no alliance at all." Leesa took his hands and shook it with a smile too.

"We'd like you to take care of someone else to," Leesa said looking at the young man beside Setsuna. "His name's Saji Crossroad, a civilian. He was falsely accuse of being part of Katharon by A-Laws and decided to take him in."

"Hold on!" the civilian man said very much indignant. "Don't I get a say—"

"It's better this way." Setsuna cut him off the same time as a child recognized Marina pulling her away somewhere. "You clearly don't like us and we will be in a lot of battles. That won't be good for you."

"He's right y'know." Neil shrugged. "Your safety's ensured here and you won't see us anymore. Why whine about it? You won't see us and we won't bother you. Can I visit the kids?" he said looking the rebellion leader who nodded without reluctance. Leesa only gave him an encouraging smile.

Clearly they have nothing to hide from them. Or did they? He knew there was more talk about various things like the state of the world from Katharon's eyes and information trade but that was not his forte. It was Leesa's and he hoped she wouldn't mind it if he ditched the meeting.

The path to the nursery was simple enough that he reached it in a few minutes. When he was at the door, he saw Marina smiling gently at the kids who called for her attention. He had to hand it to Katharon, maybe some group would use the kids to gather kids as a way to bolster their numbers but it was good that this group didn't. They don't need anymore soldiers, the world had too much of it right now.

It spoke much louder to Neil on seeing the design and bright color of the room was a stark contrast to the plain halls of the base.

Looking at the woman playing with the kids, he couldn't help but think about times back then. Quickly he wiped that thought out of his mind and focus on Marina. She would make a good ruler in an ideal setting. She was kind from what he'd seen of her. Patient that she can be even be with kids for a long time with no problem. Even with the world against her, still persists in her peaceful way to help her country and not go to the extreme.

It was not here and now though with the way things were. Perhaps when after this A-Laws debacle she could rule her country again.

"Would you like to join me, Neil?" she asked pleasantly with an honest smile that would melt anyone. Her smile made him smile too.

"Thanks for the offer but," he shook his head, "I'm not great with kids. "

How long was it since he was around kids? Honestly, he lost count how long it had been. Plus, there's no kids in Celestial Being bases.

He can only look at a shy lanky brunette kid in a white polo who approached him and pulled at his arms meekly. The kid's eyes betrayed his timid actions. Smiling with a slow shake of his head, he let himself be led by the kid to in the room.

"The kids have spoken," Marina laughed softly.

He let the kids enjoy themselves as they paint, drew, played with toys, and conversed with each other as he two joined with them. He remembered when his and Lyle's life was simple like this. Colorful posters of tv shows her sisters room. Toys in his room, shared by both him and Lyle. All of it before the tragedy that fell on their family.

"Don't you blame us for the state of the world," he asked the Princess as they played along with the kids.

Marina Ismail patted the girl when she showed her drawing to them. "I don't." He thought that she abhorred violence? Why couldn't she hate them. "I know you only did what you thought was best. I may hate violence, but even I can see the good that you did; you slowly united the Earth. I just wished it was done through words."

He didn't know what to think of her words. It was either too naive, or too idealistic. "We caused the rise of A-Laws."

"The A-Laws was the result of the Federation, not yours." She glanced at him with furrowed brows but he could not feel nor see negative emotion pointed at him. "I can see the tension of the world decrease and slowly broken down due to Celestial Being's actions and the Federation. It's just the A-Laws that needed to go because they incite injustice all around the world."

Grabbing a crayon, she smiled at a kid and joined him in his drawing. "Besides, if I hated you then I'll only be part of the chain of hatred in the world. My father once told me that; It's harder to forgive than hate. Better to forgive and not forget than live a life of hatred."

Neil wondered how a woman such as her could remain so truthful to her words even when the world was against her. Her country failing against in convincing the conservatives for the reformation yet he didn't hear one slight to them from her. Azadistan's slowly dying people and economy yet no anger at the Federation or how fate was against her people.

She was good at hiding her anger. Possibly she denies its existence inside her or she was still hopeful.

"Your father was a wise man," he decided to comment on that and taking her words at face value instead of asking her about if that was what she truly felt. Her father was wiser than he could ever be for he caved in his anger and left his only family alone to face the world.

Marina pursed her lips and smiled wistfully. "He was. I think he could have led Azadistan better than I could."

"Don't sell yourself short," Neil said joining in with the drawing. Doodling whatever simple thing that came to his mind. "You did the best you could. Even now you're trying to help them. That's much more than I could say for those at the Federation.

On his peripherals, he could see Setsuna. Taking that as a sign for them to leave, he stood. "One more question, do you hate us now? You know we're fighting once again."

"I want to, but no," was her calm reply. "I know that time for talking for you is over. It's time for you to act. I don't approve nor like it but I know that's what you need to do and anything I say to you or other Celestial Being members will not sway you from that."

Smiling grimly, he nodded and left her following Setsuna who was being talked loudly by Saji on the empty hallway.

"Don't you at least feel something!" Saji's fists curled and his eyes burning with.

"Sure, I feel something," Setsuna said walking past the civilian. "That's why I can never join them again."

"If you know that then why do you keep fighting!" He glared at his fellow Gundam Meister. Neil bit back a response and let the two sort it out. They looked like they needed it.

"I have my reasons. I don't expect you to understand. Hate me if you want." Setsuna walked away from Saji who can only glare at his back fists shaking.

Neil sighed. "My, my. You really need to keep your temper when talking to Setsuna. He's got a hard head once he decides on something. Nothing can stop him once he is dedicated on it, can't say it's good all of the time though." He motioned for Setsuna to go one ahead of him as he shrugged and wasn't fazed by the sharp look Saji gave him and just motioned for him to follow.

By the time they entered what an storeroom with empty boxes, Saji was still glowering. The room had no air conditioning that sweat already formed in his forehead the moment he stepped in. The shadows above intensified the scowl on Saji's face. He wasn't fazed by it not in the slightest.

"You really hate us do you. You lost your sister because she knew too much, I can tell you it's not our way." Not that he knew can refute that fully. He knew it wasn't their way, maybe it was Alejandro who ordered it. He knew it wasn't them. At least directly as far as he knew. If it was, it must be someone from the organization aside from Alejandro who ordered it.

He stated sitting on a box arms crossed looking at the young man straight in the eye. "You can blame us for A-Laws and the change, but isn't it why we are here once more? To correct our mistakes. Despite the mistakes, would you say that everything we did was bad?" He can certainly say that what they did help no matter how much he denies it himself. "Ask yourself this; is it fine for you to be the only one experiencing happiness? Can you deny that our interventions did nothing to make the lives of others better?"

They decreased the drug crime rate, civil war lessened and etc. Hell, even the concept of the Federation as a government was a sound one for him. A much more united front unlike the three blocs which kept zero-sum game at the expense of other states that was on the verge of war once more if not stopped. Well, ideally it was good provided the leadership was good which was what they lacked now.

While he could admit the method it got there was less than ideal since it took the Throne's to do that and wished there was a better way, but it didn't happen. They only have what happened and live with it. Even if that wouldn't have lasted long, a brief peace no matter how long was better than nothing at all.

"You say that we cause death, but do you ask yourself why we fight?" Saji flinched and continued to glare and otherwise said nothing. "Before you say that we cause the fighting before our appearance and changed the world, have you actually looked at world. Setsuna," he paused thinking if it was alright to divulge such sensitive information. "He, like most of us on board the Ptolemaios, have his reasons for fighting. I hated him once I knew the truth but I understood why he keeps on fighting."

He closed his eyes and the image choked his heart as if it was fresh. The gore, the pain, but most of all, the hurt that didn't heal for a long time resurfaced, but he breathed it all out emptying his chest. "It was a normal day. I was buying ice cream for my sister while my brother went to meet with his friends for a little while."

"What are you—"

He raised a hand stopping Saji. "As I was saying, everything was normal. But," both fist tightened, "in a blink of an eye everything was gone. Mother, father, Amy. Gone with their remaining loved ones seeing their fearful face as the last expression they ever made."

Saji paled. Good. He may yet understand us.

"You probably heard the ones who did it; KPSA. A disease born from the government's refusal to include middle eastern countries in the Solar Elevator project and the banning of oil export didn't help ease the tension."

He wanted to be mad at it, but he pushed that urge down and he was getting over it. Nothing can be done about getting mad about the past. "Can you be mad at me, or us, knowing that I was only part of the chain of events that put me where I am now. I wanted to make the world a better place. Leave it better for my brother or for anyone. So that KPSA will not repeat again."

"With the Orbital Elevator under one government thanks to Celestial Being, no conflict around it will happen again."

All that was left was for them to fix the mess called the A-Laws and the Federation.

"Before you say anything more to him, ask him why he fights. I've no doubt that you've searched through pink Haro's database. You have seen what the A-Laws are capable of."

He could even ask anyone in the Ptolemy why they fight and they would give a reason that would cause him more confusion if he doesn't accept the truth right in front of him.

He didn't wait for him to answer. "Look at the world before you say you can truly blame us for what it was before and what it is now. Then tell us if we really were wrong to fight for a better world."

Saji can blame them but in the end they only wanted to make it better than it was yesterday and somewhere along the way things went wrong for them. Alejandro Corner and his cronies came to mind. Would've been better had things gone the way it was supposed to be? He thought yes, but they wouldn't really know now since that wasn't what happened. It was a useless thought thinking of what could have been.

Standing up, he wiped the sweat forming on his forehead. The young man didn't say anything looking down on the floor fists clenched. Neil smiled and patted Saji's shoulder before leaving him.

The Katharon members looked at him eagerly as he walked to the VTOL. Marina Ismail was with them sitting across Leesa with Allelujah, Tiera, and Setsuna near her.

What could the princess need with them?

"Is our meeting over?" Allelujah asked.

"Yeah," Setsuna answered with a nod and glanced at Marina. "But I'll be going somewhere else." Leesa looked at him with open curiosity while Tiera raised his brow with neutral expression plastered on his face. "I'll be returning Marina Ismail to Azadistan."

"You're really determined to do this, aren't you." He could feel Leesa wanting to stop her but just like with Setsuna, it appeared that she wanted to see this through. "Alright," she nodded reluctantly. "But you can't use the Gundam or we'll risk putting Azadistan in more danger."

"Hey, hey," Neil stepped in between. "Are you sure about that? Isn't that too risky leaving them unprotected. Especially with a high profile target like her? Who's to say A-Laws won't spot them?"

"It's riskier if they're seen with a Gundam escort," Tiera argued.

"What if they're attacked?" He nodded at Allelujah's statement. It was much better to have an escort. "We'd be one Gundam meister short."

"They won't." Looking at Leesa, her eyes shone with sureness and he knew that her forecasting was top notch, if she said that it's safe then he believed it's safe too but there was always the dangers of the unexpected. That was what was bothering him. She had saved them many times for him to doubt her words now, still he was hesitant to send Setsuna to Azadistan alone.

It seemed that Setsuna was already decided, there was no use convincing him no. Putting on a brave face, he shrugged and grinned. "Guess that means you ride with me." He loved Marina's low spluttering and crimson cheeks and Leesa's slight blush. Setsuna and Tiera had no comment to his words at all, only a blank stare. He had a feeling the two were unimpressed with him.

Leesa shook her head in exasperation before good lucks and goodbyes were given to the two heading to Azadistan. The Katharon looked at them as they left the base. It was good that the Anti-Federation group like Katharon had morals. If they didn't, it was going to be another intervention and less group fighting against the tyranny of A-Laws.

Glancing at the shuttle, he hoped that Marina got what she wanted even once. She was a genuinely nice leader that the Azadistans deserved.

With them on standby and nothing to do, Neil ate just in case he didn't get the time later with them on the hide with the A-Laws still searching the ocean. They were on the coast far away from any patrol but they couldn't be complacent.

"Penny for your thoughts."

He smiled at Tiera who sat in front of him. "Nothing much. Just thinking how we can expose the truth when someone else has control of Veda. They could just easily alter the events to gain more public support."

He had faith, doubtless of Leesa's abilities, but with Veda whoever has it can easily control the narrative. Veda was the lynchpin they needed to take out or regain aside from whoever took control of Veda now.

"Aren't you supposed to have faith at your love ones?" Tiera smirked.

"Oh I do," he grinned. He had with all his heart had faith in their little family. "But this is the question of how we can achieve that when we don't know who controls Veda for us to take back. Not only information can easily be suppressed or altered to use against us."

He heard from his friends on Katharon that they tried to show all the atrocities of A-Laws to shift public opinion on their side but always with the cover up quickly. Only those who directly saw the bloodshed knew the truth. Even then they weren't lucky and had been silenced in some form.

His fellow Gundam Meister frowned but said nothing. He didn't tell it to others but it showed back then during their silent days how he felt losing a connection he knew for all his life. "I share your sentiments but we can put a stop to this by cutting the head off."

"What head." Neil grunted shaking his head. The A-Laws was a secretive bunch with their leadership guarded by the toughest security. So, even if they knew who was in what position, it would still be an uphill battle for them.

"What's got you worried." Lockon walked to them with an amused smirk. "Hey Tiera, don't get him moping. I rather like my brother carefree rather than frowning."

"I'm not. Seeing him depress was enough." His friend scoffed bitterly.

Lockon chuckled at Tiera's straight faced statement. He was not proud of what happened during those times but he was glad he was out of it. Well… somewhat. Not that he'd tell them that. "What're you doing here, Lockon." He smirked knowingly at his brother.

"Anyways," his brother said sitting next to Tiera and whistled. "I've read about Veda, you guys really don't mess around. A supercomputer AI that's connected to the world. Not to mention can predict conflicts. Something like that in the hands of another is really dangerous. Don't you guys have any clue who would control it after Alejandro Corner?"

Tiera glared at Lockon who shrugged in return. "If we do, we wouldn't be wasting our time with A-Laws first, do we?"

"Hey, I thought with all your resources you guys must have an idea."

"We don't have an idea," he said crossing his arms. "But whoever is in charge of it clearly must be at fault for the result we see now. The unrest in middle east, the cover ups, and the successful formation of A-Laws and lastly, the cover-ups of their crimes." Part of the fault was who took ever after Alejandro. Part of it is us. Those were the things that Neil was sure of to be true. Only time will tell how true were his thoughts about the future.

Allelujah sat next to his brother. "Even with Veda's help, we're not all knowing. The colony incident was one of them. Or the destruction of the HRL Superhuman institute." He frowned as he ate, looking cast down with his brows furrowed for a second but it disappeared a second after.

"I've heard of that," Lyle replied. "Can't say I was surprise at all. It's the HRL after all. Who knows what more they could've done to those children."

"I am one of those few that got out of there alive." His friend looked at his food, the sullen look of his face, so alien yet it was what he saw of his friend back five years back. From the heavy burden he carried in him, he knew. From his time as a subject of the Super soldier Project. "The other, Marie…. I don't know what they did to her, but she doesn't remember me."

After that, silence took over there table. Neil would have said more, but it felt rude to Allelujah who didn't look in the mood for talking. Looking at Tiera who silently ate, it seems he had the same idea too.

"Marie. What happened to her?" Tiera asked.

His hold on the spoon tightened, and he eyes, grew darker and narrowed, all of it in a flash before he sighed and smiled a little, a great longing in it. "She became Soma Peries. They erased who she was and created another person. Just like me and Hallelujah."

The last one was muttered, but in the silence of the hall, all of them heard it. If possible, the glare of his eyes could burn anything. Neil stood up, opened the fridge and grab cans of beers. "Catch." Throwing it at his fellow meisters. Lyle smirked as he caught it, Tiera shook his head, and Allelujah looked at it then gave a resigned sigh. "This talk calls for something to lift our spirit."

"Neil," Tiera glared at him. "We cannot drink, what if we're attacked."

Lockon shrugged, opening the can and taking a long sip. "Lighten up, Tiera. It's fine, as long as we're not drunk. A little drink here and there is good for the morale, we do it at Katharon sometimes.."

"I prefer tea." His brother's reply only served to strengthen his glare of Tiera. The two stared at each other before huffing and sliding the liquor to Lyle. "Make sure you do so, I will not have a meister dying because he's too drunk to pilot effectively."

That made him laughed. That's one way he didn't like to go. Neil urged Allelujah—who smiled with a nod of his head and, slowly, his friend drank the can.

"For all the differences you two have, you two are similar too." He shook his head before taking a sip. "If it wasn't for the haircut, I doubt I could differentiate you two."

Neil ignored the brief scowl of Lyle and with a cheeky smile, he replied, "of course, as the elder brother, and the eldest son it was up to me to be a good influence of my little brother. Right, Lockon."

His brother sighed and just nodded. "Tell us about Marie. What was she like?"

"I met her when I first woke up on the facility, I didn't know it at that time, but she talked to me through Quantum Brainwaves even if she was paralyzed. She baptized me when I lost who I was. She was,—is my friend back in the facility until our escape. I wanted to—" his finger tightened his hold on the can, "take her with us when we escaped, but I think it might have been better she stayed."

"Hey," Lockon said. "Isn't that too much."

He shook his head. "Not really, it may have been a blessing or even fate she was not with me. Had she been with me, I might have killed her then with the others. Even if I didn't kill her, I don't think she would like me knowing I killed my friends. This bloody hands, it's something I do not want her to touch."

Lockon's eyes widened, and he looked like he was about to ask, but Allelujah's sadness radiated that not even Setsuna or Haro cheered the mood that his brother hesitated to ask. "So what will you do when we fight the A-Laws?"

The sad eyes gained of his fellow meister gained strength. "I'll make her remember who she was."

"On a lighter note, it looks like we won't be expecting trouble." Lockon shrugged. "There's no A-Laws in the vicinity. For now."

"Thank goodness for that," Neil replied before taking a bite of his food.

They ate in silence with small little talks in between at times,

but Neil just didn't feel like eating. There was a heavy feeling on the pits of his gut and he didn't know why. It must be heavy atmosphere that lingered. If not that, he didn't know of other reason.

Just as he was opening his mouth ,the alarms blared. All of them looked at each other and dashed towards their Gundam automatically. "A-Laws detected. They're attacking Katharon! Katharon is requesting assistance." His body filled with more energy as they ran to the hangar with all haste. Forgetting the how and why. His mind pin point focusing on the the task at hand.

"Damn them!" He heard Lyle mutter in anger. "How'd they find it? How do they keep finding us."

Curious indeed, but that was neither here nor there now. That was a question for later if they ever found the answer. What was important was that they needed to help Katharon now.

As they launched, they went fast. Lyle took the lead as they head back towards the Katharon base with fastest haste possible without going Trans-am. He gripped the sniper rifle in preparation for his assault. They didn't have much time to support Katharon and he doubted if they would arrive on time. So, he'd need to attack from the distance.

"They found us once again." Tiera broke the silence. Doubt filling his voice, so unlike of him to speak that way which made Neil frown.

Allelujah hummed, worry hidden by his calmness. "Is it really us they found or is it Katharon?"

That was a good question, but it could be one of those or even both. Neil, opted to stay silent on saying his thoughts and focused on the task at hand. Grabbing the weapon, he readied himself for once he got in range. He knew how ruthless the A-Laws were, he hoped that there was anyone left to save.

"Focus everyone," he said asserting himself to his fellow meisters. "Don't let your worries let you forget of the task at hand. We're not here to destroy the A-Laws. Just drive them away. If we can finish them, good, but if otherwise, no unnecessary heroics."

His eyes glazed over at the Cherudim for he knew Lyle would understand his implications. He knew how hotheaded or concerned Lyle was beneath that calm personality of his when it came to things he cared about. It was a flame that could go out of control if not stopped. He smirked at the hypocrisy of that thought and silently regretting that choice of action.

"I'll provide long range support. You three handle them up close." If necessary, the Cherudim also had the ability to provide defense with its remote weapons.

The sea ended and gave way to land, to the soft sands of the desert. Soon, he saw blips on his radar somewhere far away. Heading straight still on the same speed, Allelujah took over them and went ahead followed by Lockon, then Tiera. He followed them gun already aimed ahead and putting the necessary calculations and adjustments. After a few minutes, he was done and setting his scope on the maximum as he looked at the gun unit. He could see the others getting closer, but it seems the A-Laws were closer to Katharon. Two squads from the looks of it. Then that meant that A-Laws were confident in their skills or it's a quick mission.

He didn't flinch nor looked away when MS came out of the base but were easily shot down. Beams hit the entrance creating smoke that could be seen from where they were still halfway away.

"Scatter," he told the others and just like that, they went out of his line of fire giving him a clear view and better shot as they flew forward and leaving him behind.

He aimed."Targeted and Firing!"

Pink beam pierced the sky and hitting one which exploded making him smirk. The Cherudim provided an assist fire as he got closer and scattering the A-Laws more, no doubt to try and confuse them but it was no use. He knew who to target as he got closer but out of the plausible range of the enemy. After his last shot, the others made contact with their enemies scattering them further.

Allelujah fought a strange Ahead model that had a binder on the GN Drive. Tiera kept a Ahead and two GNX's while Lockon provided support. Why aren't they taking more shots at the Katharon base? He wondered and it seems only one approached the base firing at it with all of them busy with their respective enemies.

If the enemy's goal was to destroy the base, then what were they doing?

It looked like Allelujah was being driven back by this particular Ahead, breathing a little, he shot the strange MS only for it to dodge long enough before it hit. He gaped at it for a second in amazement before he retained his focus. It seemed there was more to this one than he expected. At the least, it gave his friend a time to recuperate and counterattack. Neil switched target, and targeting the Ahead that now approached the base.

Not on his watch! He fired but it deftly evaded with its shield raised. Shot after shot it evaded him or only barely grazing the shield. When he flew past the new wrecked and smoking Katharon base entrance, it dropped something; a dark small container. An explosive? No, he thought without a doubt. Such a roundabout way wasn't like the A-Laws at all.

Lockon said something and shot at it only to have the same effect. The Ahead turned and retaliated forcing his brother to evade. Whoever the A-Laws pilot was, was good. He didn't properly hear what Lockon said since he focused on keeping up his aim with the targets.

Neil fired ahead of the Ahead only for it to brake and went up. Flying, he dashed towards the battle the weapon still aimed. He shot again, but this time the Ahead was not lucky to escape as a leg melted. One of the GNX went to it for support but Lockon was quick on firing at it keeping it back when he hit the shield. The shot that followed pierced its chest sending it falling before exploding

Tiera's cannon shot down a GNX while Allelujah still fought the custom Ahead.

"I won't forgive you!" Lockon screamed. It knocked Neil out of his focus. Fury filled his brother's voice as he shot wildly with his pistols at the remaining A-Laws who retreated. He screamed with such anger he'd rarely seen him have before.

He turned to the still custom Ahead watching the base without movements and that's when Neil's blood ran cold. Blood and destruction was what became of the interior as the Katharon members ran for their lives while under siege from the lifeless machines that shot without remorse. The same ones used in Colony Proud. It chilled and angered him to see their underhanded way of doing things, but all of it was gone buried when he breathed deeply. Together with Lyle he shot down the automatons with no problem.

It may had been easy for them, but not for these people, he frowned at that thought when they landed. They lifted the debris, to which they helped, and put all the bodies on a stretcher to be delivered somewhere else to be buried.

"Ptolemy," he said contacting the ship. "We've driven the A-Laws back, but Katharon took casualties and their base is compromise."

"A-Laws used automaton," Lockon said to the silent Kujo whose gear he could see turned fast behind her brown eyes.

After a minute, she turned to Milleina. "Milleina, contact Wang Liu Mei and see if we can request some supplies to help Katharon. In the meantime," she said turning to them, "I want you to stay and guard the base."

"In case they come back," Lyle said coldly.

Leesa shook her head. "They won't come back. They've done their objectives, which was to destroy the base and massacre them crippling the Middle East branch of Katharon. I want you to stay there because the Ptolemy will head there and also to ensure the moral of Katharon doesn't fall. God knows they need it." She may have whispered that last part, but Neil, and no doubt Lyle, heard it. "ETA is 30 minutes."

"What if the Ptolemy is attacked?" Neil couldn't help but ask in worry to which Leesa smiled a little.

"Don't worry." She reassured him, but the worry never really left him. "Their goal was not us, that would be later when all opposition are wiped out.

When they got out of their Gundams, misery was etched on the Katharon members while their bloodshot eyes stared at them with an indescribable feeling but one that he was familiar of: grief and fury. Images of the explosion and the bodies strewn all around flashed before his eyes. When he opened his eyes again, he was once more on the wrecked base.

"Why…." the middle one began, fists shaking and head lowered. "Why did they have to die like that."

"We're prepared to die on battle," the one to the man's left said holding back himself. "But not like this. Those cowards! They don't want to face us directly on combat."

"Did you rat us out!" the right most lunge at them and he stiffened but fortunately one of them stopped their friend. "Let me go!"

Lockon stepped forward. "These guys didn't do it. We were surprised that they'd attack you guys. We don't even know how they found out."

"They…. we were just laughing with them earlier!" The man wiped his tears unable to control his shaking. "What heartless monster would do this!"

"I wonder," Tiera said behind him looking at the person in blue jacket.

On the empty halls of the base, he leaned against the wall arms crossed and his expression not betraying his feelings while Tiera was stiff, his eyes sharp and expression firmer than it normally was.

"What did you do." His friend began and making the poor civilian flinch and stumble on his already weak words. Was all this really just a consequence of a naivety of one man? All because he denied what was already in front of him whether he liked it or not? He sighed quietly.

"Tiera," he called, his voice echoing on the silent hall. He turned to look at the hallway to see if anyone was approaching. "Be gentle on him. He's already shaking as it is."

Tiera's head whipped back only to glare at him with the silent fury he was used to. They stared at each other before turning back to his object of ire. "So you caused this. Who are you really. An A-Laws spy?"

"No!" Saji Crossroad's eyes turned desperate his hands moving, as if grasping for anything. "It's just… I'm just…."

"Oi," Neil interjected, moving to stand beside Tiera. "Let him explain first what happened."

"Fine." Tiera briefly glanced at him knowingly before taking one step back. "Let's hear what you have to say, Saji Crossroad." The name came out of his lips dripping with contempt, despite his cold tone.

Over the course of Saji's tale, he felt his emotion rise, but thankfully he got it handled. What would he feel about Saji's naivety and his want to get back to his normal life when he could understand where he was coming from. But it also angered him of the man's refusal to see things as how they are now. For him, their will be no normal as long as the A-Laws exists. He knew and experienced their atrocities first hand and he still thought escaping and going back would be possible for him?

Of all the.. okay, he had to calm down about this. Clearly it got to him more than he knew.

Hand meeting Saji's face echoed on the silent hall. Saji's eyes moistened, his gaze to the side weakening as he spluttered out his words. "How could you do something so foolish."

"I…." Saji closed his eyes. "I just thought that I…."

"I didn't think this would happen! I just wanted to get away as far as possible from the fighting! Nothing like this! Nothing like this."

Neil sighed and let his emotions out of that best as he could. Getting angry, mad, or spiteful would get him nowhere. He collected his thoughts, saying, "the moment you experienced the truth with no way back, you had two options, an obligation to tell people the truth and fight for it, or remain a watcher. Your life was never the same when you stumbled upon it. Your willful ignorance and need for things to come back as they are cost them their lives."

Tiera scoffed. "'I'm different', 'it has nothing nothing to do with me', 'I live in a different world', turning away from reality like that is just the kind of inadvertent malice making way for things like this."

"I didn't…. I…. want this to—"

"Even so!" Tiera's glare, if possible, strengthened making the younger man waver. "You're the one that took their lives!"

Saji gasped, eyes wide with realization and slid on the floor on all floors, crying out his regrets and sorrow.

Neil sat down next to the man, vague forms of consolation forming in his mind but none came out. He could not exactly say it wasn't his fault for it was his acts that the string of events happened at all. Even if he did blame Saji, the tragedy was not solely on his hands alone because part of it is because of the willingness of A-Laws to do something barbaric.

"Tiera." Setsuna walked in on them.

"What happened on Earth happened?" he said looking back at the hangar.

"A-Laws," Neil told Setsuna. His scowl deepening just thinking of the atrocities of them.

"It all happened because of him." Tiera glared down at Saji who's cry never wavered.

Their communicators rang and took out it out, his eyes bulging on the first words of Feldt's cry. "Miss Sumeragi fainted!"

Have a great day. :)

Space for notes when editing it.