A double update. :D This one I finished recently and thought I should at least upload these two.

Taking a deep breath, he buried his worry and went to the task at hand first. "Keep me posted. I'll be there as soon as I'm done."

The Ptolemy arrived earlier than expected, but that was not on his mind. His thoughts drifted to Leesa fainting. His heart jumped and turned but quickly stopped the impulse to run.

"Tiera, Setsuna, I'll head back to the ship first."

"Go," Tiera dismissed him without so much as a glance, his focus still on Saji. Setsuna nodded at him.

So, Neil ran outside. On the way to the ship on the hangar, he saw Allelujah and Lyle taking guard while Katharon was busy moving the injured and put the others in the body bag. He was used to seeing bodies, but it did not mean he liked to see it. So, he avoided looking at the dead bodies if he can help it.

"Lockon," Allelujah said, his soft eyes looking at him sympathetically. Neil didn't have the heart to correct his fellow pilot, and from the looks of it, his brother ignored it too. "What happened."

Taking a deep breath, he masked his worry then said, "Leesa fainted, and I intend to find out. Will you guys be okay? I have to check on her."

He felt bad for going back ahead and leaving them to do the task but his thoughts remained restless on her.

"We'll be fine." Lockon's pursed lips turned to a small smirk and nodded knowingly. "Just go check on her. There's four of us, it's more than enough to handle anything unexpected."

"She just fainted all of a sudden." Feldt looked away unable to say more when he asked for more information earlier. None of them could really say anything since none of them were doctors. No one really replaced Dr. Moreno ever since. "Scans indicated no physical or brain injuries, but I theorize it had something to do with a trauma."

Leesa's trauma. That was close as it could get, Neil thought as his chest became heavier and his face morphing to worry. Close as he and Leesa were, there were things she did not talk about, yet, and she could only look guilty and shamed upon her reply of, "I'm not ready to tell it yet, Neil." He accepted her words because there was things he could not tell her yet too.

Walking to the Dynames, he saw Marina whose head was supported by Shirin's shoulder leading her somewhere.

As soon as he got to the Gundam, he flew to Ptolemy with haste and ran out of the hangar towards the medical wing. Feldt typed on the computer while on the monitor, Leesa in a hospital robe laid inside medical capsule sleeping peacefully. Neil couldn't help remember that day, their family in coffins as they are slowly brought under the Earth.

Dark thoughts. He scattered it away. It would do him no good to think that way.

"Feldt—" He said as soon as he entered.

"Brain activity is normal. It looks she's just unconscious due to a psychological shock. I hypothesize it's from a past trauma. She should wake up soon."

"Best to let her rest than forcefully waking her. No telling what it would do if we did."

It was a silent agreement when he glanced at Ian who said it and the others. They were one doctor short. No specialist as good as Dr. Morino ever since they crippled Celestial Being.

"What on Earth happened to Miss Sumeragi." Lasse stood behind Feld with his arms crossed. "I hope she wakes up soon."

"Feldt's right. Whatever that trauma was, it must have been powerful enough to render her unconscious." Ian said, ruffling his hair in frustration. "In any case, we best prepare plans and our next move tomorrow."

"Leesa," he muttered, frowning in worry at her state.

Neil slept with her on his mind and got only few hours of it, but it was enough for him to function in this meeting. He looked on the image on the floor the bridge where the supplies for Katharon they requested from Wang Liu Mei came in a form of a red odd transport ship. Which look oddly familiar? Or did it?

It looked like it had a fake GN Drive and the color scheme was familiar. It reminded him of the Throne Drei, but with Earth being secured by UN then, Nena couldn't have lived through it right? Possible, but not plausible, he thought surely. As much as he hated the Throne guys, it was impossible to survive such a world alone.

Then again, he glanced at the stoic Setsuna.

Heh, you're just sleepy. It was impossible for him to recognize it when he had not saw it before. Right?

"What's the plan?" Allelujah asked looking at them.

Everyone was silent and deep in thought. He, or all of them, couldn't predict probabilities better than Leesa but they couldn't wait for her to wake up. They had to decide and plan move now before the A-Laws did. Dictate the flow of battle before the enemy could.

"The A-Laws will no undoubtedly come back."

Tiera had a point. They would definitely seize this chance in finishing a branch of Katharon or otherwise they would be lost once again to them. They nearly had them if not for their timely intervention, and he doubted they would be merciful the next time around which would be hours later.

"We need to lure them to us to give Katharon a chance."

"Correct," Lasse, arms crossed on his chest, nodded. "That would be the obvious choice, but what are the chances that they would attack Katharon while they are vulnerable? I'm betting they'd go for us more since we're much threatening than them."

Neil didn't think of that one bit. "Agreed. They wouldn't attack them." This got the others' attention silently expecting him to explain further. "Katharon is not a threat now, not in the long run so they would be after the next big threat."

"Attack us," Ian replied, his face unbelieving of his plan. "How sure are we about that. They have the numbers to achieve both."

Tiera let out a hum. "I agree with Locko—Neil. They could easily defeat Katharon later. Us on the other hand," he gestured at their group, "we're much more well equipped and more than capable of handling them. It's only logical they'd go after us first."

"A priority target, huh. You're hoping that would draw their focus to us instead of the weakened Katharon."

Neil nodded at Ian's words. "They can't afford to be easy on us even with our few number since we still have our trump card." His gaze turned to Setsuna who met his. The 00 Gundam was an unknown, not even oldman Aeolia Schenberg the smart man that he was, was able to definitely find out what it could do. Only theories that was still not proven. Ian and Celestial being was not too sure too even if they did read on Aeolia's notes found in the blackbox upon release of it way back then.

Lockon smirked. "Feldt, switch to map," he said. The image became the map of the area they where in which was undoubtedly mostly desert and sand. "We draw their attention by going to where they're strongest in the area."

"By sea," Setsuna concluded before he could finish.

"Correct." He concluded that too since it was the only way they would draw their attention. The nearest landbase was far and the only presence here was that one ship Saji encountered, by the fearsome Colonel Smirnov no less. "We draw their attention. Feldt, set course for the sea and timer in exactly 0100 hours. We will uncloak then and contact Katharon of our plan. I'll give the next set of orders before launching."

Ian sighed scratching his head on the inevitable order. "I'll go check and prep the Gundams.

"Wait." Setsuna calling them had them stay on the spot. "Azadistan was attacked. Burned down not just by anyone, but by a Gundam."

That revelation had Neil wide eyed. There was a political reason for the attack, he knew that but that was not what his mind was on. Another Gundam? Could this be related to Alejandro Corner? The one who took Veda? An ally of him?

"A-Laws?" Lasse asked to which Setsuna shook in negative.

If it wasn't the A-Laws then who?

"A red Gundam." Setsuna paused looking each of them right on the ey, his sharp gaze staring right into theirs. "A red Throne based on the Zwei."

It sent dread into his nerves somehow. He just didn't know why. It… it couldn't be. It was not possible because their was only one person that piloted the Zwei and he ended him personally. This irrational feeling was just that… an irrational feeling. Nothing more. Calming himself, he was the first to speak. "This could be the secret ally of Alejandro. If we could capture it then he could point us to Veda and regain it."

"Impossible." Neil turned swiftly to Tiera. "Do you think the enemy would easily reveal themselves? In a Mobile suit no less? No, there's so much we know nothing about yet. We can remain here speculating about it all day but we will not get closer to any real answer."

Sighing, Neil massaged his head and quietly accepted it. Tiera was good at keeping a calm head just like always. What was wrong with him, he couldn't panic now. Not now of all times and fearing a long dead man at that.

With that, their meeting was adjourned and Neil went to visit Leesa to see if she woke up. They could really use her help now, but no use worrying about it too much. She was fine, and no doubt would wake up soon. That survivor streak in her was too stubborn to be comatosed, he just knew it.

Pressing the comm, he called the bridge. "Feldt, deactivate the camouflage. They'd be onto us any minute now. Prepare the launch deck."

"Preparing to launch the Gundams." Milleina commented with her unique brand of excitement. The Arios was the first to go as it was lifted to the launch deck.

"Approximate estimate until A-Laws detected. Distance: 300 and closing. Sixteen MS detected, four Ahead and twelve GNX'!"

One by one the Gundams launched until it was his turn. Once again they found themselves outnumbered, but he was confident they could get out of it. This was not Fallen Angel. Never would be again. Not if he can help it. Not while they can help it.

His Dynames knelt on the edge of the open launch deck where he could see the battle already starting. With his rifle already propped to position, he could do his support role at this distance with no problem. Before they could reach the Gundams, he pulled the trigger scoring his first kill and scattering the A-Laws. The comms were a mess with Lockon being triple teamed by GN-Xs and Allelujah facing the squadron of a special Ahead, Tiera fighting five MS, and Setsuna was pursued by the samurai-themed Ahead.

The samurai Ahead easily kept up with the 00's performance giving Setsuna trouble in sowing discord on the enemy squads. Once the MS was on his sights, he fired only for it to roll away without even grazing it. The head ever so slightly turned towards him only to be taken away by Setsuna's strike that he blocked.

Why does this feel familiar.

He can't support them now because three of them went straight for the Ptolemy! They were still out of the range of their lance's gun, this gave Neil time to preemptively strike and strike he did. His shot was relentless for he gave no pause no quarter leaving them dodging and hiding behind their small GN Shield. Their concentrated GN Field shrugged off his attacks but he smirked when one of the heads of the MS blew up. The Ptolemy let loose missiles and beams upon the trio scattering them further. The left one, hid behind the shield and firing wildly as missiles chased it. The trajectory of the MS was clear as day for someone like Neil and with a single shot, his target met with his shot hitting it straightly on the thin waist just as the missiles hit it blowing it further.

The other two was adamant in their pursuit of the destruction of Ptolemy. Images of Chris and Lichty flashed in his mind making him shake his head. "Intercepting enemies. Focus on supporting the others."

Exchanging his rifle for the pistols, quick shots separated the two with each going to his flank firing making Neil dodge. The shield held off the attack but it shook his Gundam. He reversed when the right one charged him with its lance then kicked it off when it got near before spinning pistols on saber mode.

Beam saber clashed against beam saber as the other deflected the lance to the side. Crap. The other one may strike me from behind! With the other now on pistol configuration, he aimed it at the chest but the pilot was smart to block his shots using the lance.

"Behind you. Behind you."

Neil ducked letting his right shield be hit before releasing it and kicking it away hearing the offending GN-X crash away from him. This gave him the chance to stab his main target but it simply flew back which he gave him the opportunity to fire with the other pistol. With his enemy defending himself, this gave him the time to fly back and exchange his other pistol for the rifle to which he transformed to its SMG configuration and firing at his two opponents.

The chatter on the comms distracted him for each of them was outnumbered, or in Setsuna's case, having trouble with the special Ahead. There was only one way out. Pressing buttons, he his monitor flashed pink with the Trans-am on the center. It took him a few seconds but he reversed and turned now already facing the other GN-X before it could fire its lance. His beam saber cut the lance while his SMG rained beams on the defending MS keeping it from helping. The arms fell and he was about to slice it in half when Allelujah's loud grunt echoed and he saw the 00 unmoving on the E-Sensor approached by its foe. Quick auto shots had his target holed in many places and the other without its legs rendering them useless in prolonged fight against the Ptolemy.

Eyes on the battle, he went past the nearest MS slicing it and holstering the pistol for his sniper rifle. Allelujah dodged nimbly but Neil could see him hit by shots shaking the Arios. His first shot pierced a GN-X that charged his fellow meister.

"Thanks Lockon." Neil didn't bother correcting his friend for he charged in continually shooting the three left. The odd head Ahead, blocked his shots without problem unlike the other two which arms and legs suffered. He kicked sending the MS away and turned to fire at his disoriented target. His beams melted the head and cut off the left arm.

"I'm fine now. I can handle them now."

Neil nodded at his fellow meister, ignoring his friend's plea to Mari who he had identified to be as Soma Peries, and went up to where the Seravee was, flanked in all directions by another team. Coming from below, a single cut was all it took to chop off the legs of the closest one and Tiera, from his peripherals, drew his saber and blasted them with his beam bazooka killing one MS.

Two GNX switched their target from the Cherudim and went for him charging with their lances firing nonstop and protected by their small GN Field. One more minute, he said to himself.

Without hesitation did he meet them head-on firing his SMG at them as they went to flank him but they failed as wielded his pistol on his other hand keeping them away. A beam somewhere else below him firing to his left had them reversing giving him the chance of using his sniper rifle piercing it's armor. Both pistol and rifle shot had his opponent on the defensive.

The alarm sensors blared, and his eyes widened when the Arios flew out of his range and faraway on his right, the 00 stopped moving as three units moved towards it while the special Ahead retreated. Setsuna's grunt echoed on the comms. Uttering a curse, he fired at the A-Laws approaching the 00 making them weave around his shots. Closer to the downed 00, the Seravee and Cherudim provided cover fire.

Alarm rang again, this time GN Missiles came from the Ptolemy. "Grab the 00 and retreat. The smoke will provide cover, we submerge in five," Leesa ordered. The voice of Leesa gave him a newfound strength and relaxed his tightened chest.

The remaining A-Laws that remained, Neil fired continuously from afar while the other two continued their approach. "Lockon, Tiera, grab Setsuna. I'll cover you."

Missiles and smoke spread to where the enemy was, giving his friends chance to retreat without trouble.

"Ah!" Ian screamed, his hands threatening to tear apart his graying hair. "I told you not to use Trans-am, but you did exactly just that."

Setsuna did not even look ashamed nor guilty as he looked at Ian. "I needed to. The Ahead nearly got me if I didn't use it."

The old man ruffled his already messy hair as he let out a tired sigh. "I suppose it can't helped. You're lucky it didn't explode or we'll be one pilot and two GN Drives down."

"Give Setsuna a break, Ian," he said, patting their youngest pilot's shoulder while smiling at their engineer. He knew Ian didn't mean really all of his rant since he could see the concern in his eyes. "He said it was an emergency. Let's just consider ourselves lucky it didn't blow all the way or the A-Laws got to him first. I doubt I wouldn't do the same when cornered by that Ahead."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Ian palmed his face waving his words away. "Better fix this now. No telling when A-Laws will attack again. Go to the strategy room, Miss Sumeragi's waiting and already went looking for Alllujah. We just got him back and we lost him again."

"We'll find him."

"I agree with Setsuna." He gave them a small smile then gave Ian a finger gun. "We will find them before the A-Laws can. We're relying on you to repair all the Gundams by then." And Neil believed his words because he had resolved himself not to let anyone of them die. Not since after Fallen Angel.

"I got it. Lemme worry about that, you go rest and plan how to find him."

When they got there, the atmosphere was choking and everyone was already there. Leesa nodded and started on her briefing. From where Allelujah was last seen and his projected trajectory, Leesa said much on her thoughts and divided them to three places predicted to be where their friend could have landed, each Meister having a size of more than two kilometers to look for. After that, there was potentially more places to check if he wasn't in those areas.

After the meeting, they were given two hours rest and he grabbed Leesa's hand and led her to the observation deck. They sat there in silence, at first, just enjoying her presence by having her next to him. He hummed an old tune as he stroke her luscious hair.

"I'm sorry for worrying you," she whispered, inching closer to his side. "I;m sorry for failing again. For failing Allelujah."

Neil chuckled and turned to her smiling in assurance. "You did worry me, but don't be sorry, you didn't fail us. Even if you did, that's what family's for, right? To help each other in times of trouble. What matters now is that your fine."

She had his back after Operation Fallen Angel, and it was his turn to return the kindness she showed him even after she was hurting as they were.

"I—" she sighed, then her frown turned to a small smile. "You're right, it's just that, I saw it once more. The nightmare." Leesa closed her eyes, hiding the pain in that gentle eyes of hers, and held on to him tighter as one would to a lifeline. He knew Leesa was a Tactical Forecaster for the AEU, and there could be lots of missions that weighed in on her shoulders like it did with his when he was still in the military. "I saw Emilio even after this years." Her voice cracked, and he could do nothing but to hold her in silence.

He should be jealous, and a part of him was, but he couldn't find the strength in him because at one point in her life, she was his. And whoever he was, he wondered what happened between him and Leesa. He can't help but wonder where he was now.

"It was a mission that I'll never forget."

Kati Mannequin thought that the strategy used was familiar, the speed, the boldness, the and efficiency. She had seen this before, and it troubled her that she had trouble remembering who. The feeling called to her innately, something she was really familiar with.

Images of the mission during that day flashed before her eyes. The darkness, every order she said and the time it happened showing itself again before her very eyes. Hellions fighting against each other in the mountain, and in the air, and down to the very secret ravine path where her forces were expected. Pushing the regret and sadness, she focused on her commonly known tactics and comparing it to the tactics Celestial Being had used now and then.

Everything clicked into place as she saw the similarities. It has the mark of it being Kujo's, just as she did back on that mission, the day that he, in turn she—died. It had to be, and looking back to it more for a second time, she was now sure that the tactics used during their Intervention, some of what they used were familiar and she was surprised she didn't see the pattern earlier. But that mishap during their last battle and some few ones before made her doubt if it was really her friend that she hadn't seen in a long time.

It was possible she was scouted, hard not to see with her brilliance in Tactical Forecasting. Broken by Emilio's death, in her weakness she could have been swayed and accepted Celestial Being's ideal; to bring an end to war, just after her dismissal. To fight against the very reason she lost her fiance, even if it was in a pipe dream at best.

There was the means, the motive, and opportunity. Still, a part of Kati doubted if it was really her friend. It couldn't be… shouldn't be. She was much smarter than this!

It was bad intel that caused it and she knew it so too. While a small part of it was them being good at their job and the other was as it was said, bad intel that had them unknowingly face each other during the war. If it didn't involve them and their people hurting each other, she would have been impressed by her then, but no. It took nearly two thousand soldiers.

Kujo, I thought we became forecasters to quickly end war. If it is you, why.

A knock on the door cut her reverie short as she let him, an ensign, and those new under her command in walk in. The short but stubby blond ensign saluted and she reciprocated the gesture.

"Ma'am, orders from HQ, we've been ordered to cancel the search for Lt. Perries. The regular forces will handle the search while we recuperate our loses incurred during the last battle."

A part of her grew cold, what could she say to Colonel Smirnov? She knew he would understand, but still. Nodding, she dismissed the soldiers. Nothing to be done about it now.

"Why do you fight, Kujo," she muttered, getting the rest that she need while she had the time.

"Lockon, cover the west sector, Tiera, east, I'll cover north."

In this time of night, how were they suppose to fight Allelujah and the Arios. The forest ran from the shore and all the way to the horizon, beyond his vision or the Dynames' range. Even with the silver glittering light of the moon upon them, it didn't make the search any easier.

A preliminary scan showed him the obvious; forest and more forest with few signs of human life with MS to be seen. This could take long.

"Haro, extend scan range. Alert me incoming bogeys."

This was still Federation airspace, no telling how many unit they'd send to recover their lost MS and pilot. Soma Peries was an ace pilot and a superhuman, there was simply no way they'd drop the chance of recovering her. And the cold dread crept in as he thought of it, there was also the fact that an original GN Drive would be too high of a target to just not capture. Even if they did have fake GN Drive, it was still limited and a true GN Drive would cripple them with how few Gundams they had while strengthening the A-Laws.

Neil searched throughout the night and he couldn't help but get a bad feeling, what if Allelujah was captured again, or God forbid killed by Soma Peries who had forgotten her friend. Neil breathed deeply, his friend couldd take care of himself. He was tough, he can survive what Soma could do to him, he had to.

"Allelujah," he said taking a deep breath. He believed in his friend.

Allelujah cried for her to stop, but Soma kept swinging her fist and her helmet. His words falling on deaf ears.

"Celestial Being!" Rage exploded out of her golden eyes and words even under the dark night. It stung, but he would not falter for her nor blame it on her. Marie just forgot who she was! He could bring her back, make her remember. First, he had to stop her. When she swung, he deflected her arm and pulled her close then grabbing her other arm. Marie kicked him but Allelujah did not let go of her and puller her much closer.

"Marie! It's me, Allelujah." She thrashed, he flinched, grunted, closed his eyes, but he never let go. Her words of pain, of comrades and companions lost during their interventions. "Don't you remember! Marie, Marie Parfacy. It's me. Allelujah Haptism!"

Please remember. Please. His fists shook in anger at what the institute did to Marie. A gentle girl like her turned to a machine of war unknowingly to her. If God exists, let her remember.

She screamed, and he flinched just from the pain in her voice as she slowly stopped resisting. "This…. ugh who is this!I see images. Of you, smiling, why is it so."

"Because you're Marie," he whispered, his soft words caused her to stop. "You named me when I was lost. Blessed my life when all light was gone, with no memories of my past."

"No. I…. I'm Soma Peries."

"You are Soma Peries and Marie," when he said this, he blinked away the wetness of his eyes and breathed away the tension in his chest now that he found his friend. "No matter who you are, Soma or Marie, you are my friend. My first family. I will never let you go."

"Stop it…," she said, gritting her teeth, her pain making him unable to stop his tears. When he held her at arms length, she clutched her head, golden eyes full of confusion and her once fierce face, turning to doubtful soft one. "I… who…am I. Who…"

Whether she was Marie or Soma, Allelujah did not care, that sad wavering expression did not belong to someone like her. He smiled, the biggest on he had, for he found her, and to assure her spirit he was here for her. And he intend for it to remain that way. "You are you. Soma or Marie, it is still you."

Yes, much as he did not like it, Hallelujah was still part of him reprehensible that side of him may be no matter how hard he openly denies it. The blood on Hallelujah's hand was his much as his acts was the others too. It was a part of him that was not going to go away. "And I will be here for you."

All the while she talked, her eyes focused on him, no, it saw right through him and beyond him, and his heart leapt from the joy, but it pained him to see her clear agony in the darkness of the night. "I know you." She held her head with one hand while the other pushed him away. He wanted to hold her, make her realize he was, would not, hurt her, ease her pain even by shouldering it best as he could. If only…. if only he could use quantum brainwaves! Then maybe he could alleviate her pain. "Alle—" she cried. "I know you. In —arknes… you were there!"

Her fluttering eyes, desperate for answers stared at him. Before he could utter a word she fell and caught her. Brushing her hair aside, he smiled at her gentle face which had none of that hatred pointed at him. Setting her gently as he went to grab the emergency kit. Even after all these years she looked the same, even if with a different personality.

When Marie groaned, Allelujah sat already grabbing for his gun only to sigh when he realized it was just her. Sitting next to her, he smiled at her gentle golden eyes staring at him.

"Don't try to force yourself up, Marie."

"Al—Allelujah.. it really is you." She smiled in return as he helped her up. As soon as the smile appeared, the sudden it disappeared and replaced by a melancholic downward gaze. "I… I killed you. I'm sorry."

Covering the hand that touched his face, he leaned towards it. Relishing her gentle touch by her smooth palm. "You didn't. You didn't know. You were Soma Peries then. I should be the one apologizing to you."

Looking down, he did not feel worthy to be near a person like Marie. A person like him who had spilled blood of others had no right to be near such a gentle heart like her. It was undeserving of him after all he'd done. "I failed you. I…" Tears stung his eyes, and he let it flow out of him, his chest constricting, and his heart aching. "I wanted to take you with me, but I couldn't… didn't because I," it was a hard thing to admit it, but for her, he would face himself, and so he shook his head, "could have killed you like our brothers and sisters. "

Shaking her head, her glistening eyes lightened. "No, no, no, don't blame yourself. It was all me. I'm sorry for being weak! I couldn't be there for you."

"No, don't say that Marie."

A small smile formed on her face. It tugged at his heart, because for a moment that seemed like infinity, it lit the shadows of his heart. That smile belonged there.

"I will stop saying it, if you stop blaming yourself." Those royal gold eyes of hers bore deeply into his as her hands pulled him to her chest. Thud. Thud. Her heart went with his ears on her breast. "Both of us has hurt each other. Thrust into the life we both wanted and resented, and I do not fault you for it. What has happened cannot be undone."

"To," he said stopping in the middle for he feared what she would say. Her words would dig deeper than any beam saber he would face. "I'll fight for our future. In a world without the A-Laws, without supersoldiers."

The cold fire in his chest, burned brighter than it was before melting any doubt on what he would do next.

So they couldn't suffer like they did. The pain of losing who you were, your past, and yourself.

"Allelujah….,"

"Marie, I don't deserve you." He closed his eyes, breathing away the darkness that haunts his heart. "You truly are kind."

"No," Marie shook her head. Wiping her tears away, Allelujah looked deep within her soul. "I did something terrible to you."

"Marie—"

"I killed you once. Killed a part of you." Her soft digits caressed his face, his jaw, brushing gently his ear and to the scar on his temple that signified his first death five years ago. "Don't dwell on the past, Allelujah. We all made mistakes, all we can do move forward and live with that regret, to become better from it."

Light flashed from above, shining the insides of their tent.

"The Federation?" No doubt it was her rescue.

What words left his mouth or what Marie said was silenced as the wind whirred stronger with the pouring rain and the buzz of Mobile Suit became louder along with the bright white light that illuminated the darkness. The light blinded him even as he protected his eyes with his hands, but he could see what it was despite that. A lone light-blue GN-X floated then turned off the light, landing beside their Mobile Suits. Pushing Marie back, his hand went for his gun tucked in behind but never drew it.

With a hiss, the cockpit in the abdomen opened, "Lieutenant," the man said, his voice powerful.

"Colonel!" Marie ran towards him, her steps on fire as out came a Federation pilot with their well known light-blue pilot suit being elevated down by the rope to the ground. His face covered by the helmet, but he could see the unknown man's well developed physique and tall as him or maybe even Loc—Neil, possibly Lasse.

Allelujah did not show his arm yet since the man did not, as he was removing the helmet. A tanned man old as Ian with a scar on his left eye approached them with an undisguised wariness.

"Step away from the Lieutenant, Celestial Being!"

Allelujah pushed Marie back, his eyes on the man with the pistol aiming at them—no, him, he was sure it was him. Not even the cold pouring rain had stopped the fiery yet kind nature of the man which reminded him of Soma Peries.

"Colonel, no!"

As Marie pleaded with her CO—no, their actions speaks of something deeper, of his and her circumstances, the man did not lower the gun, but his eyes became gentle towards Marie. Unlike what he had pointed at Allelujah, those scarred eyes that saw too much beheld her with such compassion that says everything he needed to know about them both. About Colonel Smirnov and his love for Marie. A different yet equal love for the same person he had first met and the one that christened him.

"You had your personality overwritten."

"Yes. I am no longer Soma Peries. I am," she said with her silent strength, "I am Marie Parfacy."

"For the Super-Human Institute to do such things."

He shivered as the repulsive shame of what he'd done before. The screams of his brothers and sisters, but he had no choice. He never did, but still he must tread forward for that was all he could do.

"Marie is a kind girl, she's not the sort who kill. If I give her to you, she'll be forced to fight as a Super-Soldier." Stepping forward, he covered Marie from the man. "That's why she won't be coming with you."

"Lieutenant Peries or Marie, she'll be forced to fight with you, Celestial Being."

Anger erupted from his chest, but he stamped it down quick because he understood him. And it was true, they would fight, but not Marie. He would not let her sully her hands more. So, with a defiant glare, he met pistol and man straight. "I won't let her! Marie would not fight while I live."

"The words of a terrorist means nothing."

Any words he spoke was lost was the gun cocking amidst the rain. When lightning flashed, his eyes burned. Burned with what, he didn't know but just that it was. "I lost many comrades and subordinates because of Celestial Being. I have not forgotten."

They were at an impasse. Both unwilling to back down. Taking a deep breath, Allelujah thought of his family and Marie. They may be sad, but they would understand his choice. If this was to be his repentance, then so be it. "Then shoot me."

"Colonel, no!"

Allelujah turned to her and held her face. Staring at her earnest eyes that stared right back at him. That pushed and pulled on his heart. "Marie, for your happiness I would gladly sacrifice myself."

"Promise me," he said as he turned to Colonel Smirnov. "That you would not let Marie…" he shook his head, "Soma Peries fight anymore."

She had enough on her hands. Please don't hurt her more than she needs to be.

Colonel Smirnov's eyes bore into his, and right then, Allelujah knew that he would fulfill that promise even if it was a demand from his enemy. "I promise."

Even as he closed his eyes, light flashed and the shot rang.

"Allelujah has been found.

Tiera sighed, the ugly feeling in his chest lighten when Milleina said it. Crawling to the depths of his soul where his fears for his family laid in silence, relief took over him and wash his spirit anew with happiness.

"That is good news."

Gun pointed towards the voice, he called out, "Who's there!"

"How did you know I'm here!" He glared at the figure blocking the rising sun.

"That's because we're two of a kind."

Glaring at the figure, his eyes slowly adapted to the blinding sunrise. Sharp look morped to surprise. The man may wore unsual fine white and light-blue clothes that differs to what he prefer, but that was not what shocked him. The one looking down on him was the same face he sees everyday in the mirror. The glint in his eyes, told him his twin was aware of that fact.

Cold despair gripped his heart as the realization hit him. Him, Tiera Erde, a Gundam Meister with Level 7 Access to Veda did not know about people like him—or possibly more—. Why?

"Because we share the same DNA."

"Who are you."

"Regene Regetta. An Innovator."

A short chapter with lots going on. Idk how I could fit all but I hope it was good. :)

If there's any mistake, I will surely edit them later.