Archangel, cafeteria

Toya Shiun was exhausted. He hadn't been in combat for almost a week, but he was still exhausted. After their first clash with the Reclaimers, Zechs and Mu had insisted on a more rigorous training schedule, both in the simulator and (especially since Antibodies couldn't make use of simulators) live-fire drills. Toya didn't disagree, exactly, but since he was Bellzelute's only main pilot but had three sub-pilots, it took its toll on him.

He set his tray down next to Kira's, feeling half dead. The latest found had pit the two of them plus Eiji up against the Novis Noah's entire Antibody squad, and if anything Nanga's group was even trickier than the Grand Chers they'd fought before.

None of which was as disturbing as Hime's growing friendship with Cagalli.

"You okay, Toya?" Kira asked.

Toya took a bite of his lunch. Lifting the fork took far more effort than it should have. "Just tired," he said. "Lieutenant La Flaga's a nice guy, but damn if he isn't a slave driver sometimes."

"No worse than back on Mars," David put in. He gestured with his fork. "Before the Nadesico showed up it was just Eiji, Roanne, and me for defense. Me, I'll take the crazy training schedule if it means we get more backup."

"Speaking of Eiji," Kira said, "he's been kinda quiet lately. He okay?"

David pursed his lips. "Can't say for sure; he hasn't really said anything to me. If I had to guess, though, I'd say he's been thinking about his family. His parents and sister are back on Grados, remember. Eiji doesn't show it much, but this has to be hard on him."

Kira winced. "Yeah, I can relate to that," he said quietly.

"Hey, enough of the doom and gloom already! We'll just take whatever gets thrown at us, and pay 'em back double."

Duo Maxwell, bright and optimistic as always. It was ironic that someone aptly nicknamed the God of Death was so good at cheering people up but Duo had a knack for that sort of thing. Probably in part a defense mechanism, given that he was frequently teamed with the seemingly-emotionless Heero Yuy.

"Catching up on the gossip, Duo?" Toya asked mildly.

"Something like that," Duo allowed. "We'll be getting close to Orb pretty soon, so those refugees should be able to make it home."

David grunted. "If they let us in at all. We're on an Atlantic Federation warship, and Orb's pretty determined to stay neutral."

"David's right," Kira said. He grimaced. "That's why I was in Heliopolis in the first place. I'm not sure they'd let us in." Which posed a problem for him, since he wanted off the ship as much as anyone.

"Eh, maybe Relena can do something about it," Duo said with a shrug. "Her dad's an At-Fed bigshot, so she might be able to pull a few strings."

Toya's eyebrows lifted slightly. "You sure? I've heard Chief Representative Athha doesn't like the Atlantic Federation very much."

Another tray was set down on David's other side. "He doesn't, but Foreign Minister Darlian is well known as a peacemaker," Simone said. "He's been pushing for a cease-fire with the PLANTs for some time, probably even harder since the Gradosians and the Radam appeared."

"I hope it's enough," Toya said. "There's still hardliners like that Colbert creep."

Which was why he still couldn't figure out why Nergal was cooperating with the UEFA. Showing a united front was all well and good, but in his opinion difficult to pull off after the UEFA had openly tried to hijack the Nadesico.

"Say, Toya," Kira said, "should I be scared that Cagalli and Tenia are getting along so well?"

Toya's lips twitched in a wry smile, seeing the two girls engaged in animated conversation. "Be afraid, be very afraid," he intoned solemnly, then chuckled. "They're like two peas in a pod," he said. "Tenia got along with Ryoko the same way."

He fell silent then, his mind wandering. If someone had told him during the Mars trip that he would actually miss his teammates on the Nadesico, he would have called them insane. And yet he did. Akito's ready smile and his delicious cooking, Ryoko's easy comradery, Izumi's entertaining wackiness, pretty much everyone save Nagare Akatsuki and Erina Won, who he didn't quite trust.

"Yo, Toya," Duo said. "You still with us, buddy?"

Toya brought his thoughts back to the present. "Yeah, sorry. Just worried about the Nadesico is all."

Duo waved a hand. "Eh, they'll be fine. Even without us, they've still got Mazinger, Combattler, and a bunch of Aestivalis. Besides, Badgiruel can say what she wants, but we both know Captain Misumaru can handle herself."

Which was an excellent point. The Nadesico had, after all, outright annihilated a Jovian force days before Toya had even joined up with them. Even Akito's somewhat flighty nature wasn't much of an encumbrance. With that reminder, Toya felt his worries ease a little.

"That's the spirit," Duo said. "And hey, at least we're finally getting a break from the exercises. We've earned it."

"Don't remind me," Toya muttered.

Still, the general mood was much more cheerful after that. Even Kira was starting to perk up a little despite his growing depression. Maybe it was the prospect of reaching Orb, even if it would be difficult to actually get in. There was even a moment of genuine comedy when Tenia and Cagalli got into an argument with Mu La Flaga over kebab sauces. Heero's deadpan kibitzing provoked general laughter.

"Say, Duo," Toya said when things died down. "When we get to Orb, assuming they let us in, remind me to get a message off to Kaname, okay? It's been way too long."

Duo nodded slowly. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Nobody else you really hung with?"

"Not really," Toya said. "That idiot Boss thought we were an item, but from what I heard later Sayaka set him straight."

"I think I heard that one," Duo said, chuckling. "Would've been a few days after I got there."

"Sounds about right," Toya agreed.

Cagalli, finished arguing with Mu, sat down on Kira's other side. "Just what kind of a school did you go to, anyway? And who's this 'Boss' guy?"

Toya finished his milk before answering. "Aside from the Photon Power Labs guys my school was actually pretty normal." He shot a brief glare at Duo when the God of Death started chuckling. "Boss is a friend of Koji and Sayaka; not too bright, and he's got the weirdest-looking robot I've ever seen. Caught a glimpse of it just before I left."

An alarm blared, making them all jump. "All hands, Level One Battlestations!" Murrue's voice said.

Toya was through the hatch before the sound had died.

Open ocean

Festenia was waiting for him in the Bellzelute's cockpit when he arrived. He gave her a brief nod before leaping into his pilot seat, already beginning the startup sequence. The process was sufficiently ingrained that it allowed his mind to wander some, preparing for the battle ahead.

"Bridge, what do we have?" Mu asked, strapping into his Skygrasper.

There was a brief pause as Sai checked his instruments. "It's the Gradosian fleet; Battas, Katonbos, and unidentified humanoid models incoming."

"Humanoid!?" Natarle said. "Are those the Gradosians' SPTs?"

The Gradosian units had by then entered visual range. Toya's fingers danced on his board, magnifying one image. It was humanoid, all right, but it was no SPT. Rather, it was something far more insidious. Dammit, Skullgunners.

He wasn't the only one to notice. "Gradosian murder machines!?" David spat. "Those things are already on Earth!?"

"Murder machines?" Murrue repeated. "You mean the unmanned units the Gradosians used to scour the Martian surface?"

"That's what he means," Toya put in. "They're not much of a threat to our machines, but that doesn't mean much to civilians. If those things are here. . . ."

There was a roar as the starboard catapult activated; Eiji had apparently decided to go on ahead. Toya wondered if the half-breed had somehow anticipated their situation; it would have explained why he'd been so quiet lately. He must have had some knowledge of the invasion schedule.

"Eiji Asuka, what are you doing?" Natarle snapped.

"If the Gradosians are already sending in Skullgunners, they must have decided to stop hiding," Eiji said, his voice tight. "This is the opening wedge; the SPTs will follow soon." Layzner rolled, dodging a Batta's missile salvo, and blew the insectoid machine to scrap.

"We've no choice," Murrue said. "All units, launch at once. Lieutenant Merquise, I'm afraid you'll have to remain on the upper deck so that our point defense can cover you. Duo, Quatre, there are a handful of small islands in the area. It would probably be easier for you to fight from there."

And then it was Toya's turn at the catapult, and with another roar he was airborne. He instantly found himself faced with a pair of Skullgunners, which he easily dispatched with his Shot Launchers. It was almost too easy; granted they were only Skullgunners, but he'd destroyed them immediately after launch, and they hadn't been able to react.

Either I'm synchronizing with the Cytron more, or Eiji's right, and the Gradosians have more coming. He winced, even as the Cytron sparked a warning in his mind. Or both. Damn, this is gonna get ugly real fast.

Wing Gundam streaked past him, going from bird to mobile suit in mere seconds, its buster rifle vaporizing two Battas before striking a Katonbo. Though unable to penetrate the latter's Distortion Field, it weakened the impact point enough for Mu to put an Agni blast through.

"Out of the way!" That was Cagalli, trailed by Hime's Brain. A quick slice with the Schwert Gewehr (Toya still wondered how the blonde spitfire could pull it off without crashing) followed by a blast of Chakra blew another Katonbo in half.

"Eiji's right," Nanga grunted, hacking a Batta to pieces. "These are just small fry. Where are the big ones?"

"SPT transports can enter and leave the atmosphere at will," Eiji said, dodging a Skullgunner and blasting it apart. "They'll be here at any moment."

The Cytron sparked in Toya's mind just as Sai and Layzner's computer Rei simultaneously reported contact. Something over a dozen SPTs had dropped in just a few kilometers away, and were closing fast. A quick database search confirmed they were all of types he and the Nadesico had fought before, including the Greimkaiser.

That Gale guy's here, he thought, glancing over at the Layzner. Eiji's not gonna be happy.

"So, this is Earth." Toya twitched, not expecting the enemy commander to be broadcasting over an open channel. It was definitely Ahmos Gale. "The planet Eiji swore to protect."

"And continues to, despite the futility," a female voice added. "I don't recognize the warship, but that's definitely Layzner and the other SPTs he stole, along with that strange unit they were with on Mars." She snorted. "I'm amazed they survived going through that Tulip."

"Indeed," Gale said. "Eiji, can you hear me?"

A brief pause. "I hear you, Gale."

"I see you survived Mars after all," Gale said. "But for what? Even now, the Earthlings fight amongst themselves, even with us and those monsters at their very door. What good have you done?"

"They at least know you're coming," Eiji said. "I will do what I can to put an end to this."

"But can you?" Gale pressed. "Look at what has already happened! This foolish war, the atrocity they call the Bloody Valentine, all of it. You're trying to defend people who have no self-control!"

That was too much for Toya. "You come out of freakin' nowhere, attack us without provocation, and you say we don't have any self-control?" he said icily, glaring at the Greimkaiser. "Try looking in a mirror once in a while."

"He's right!" Hime said angrily. "You've got no right to say that about us!"

"Humans make mistakes all the time," Kira said, "but are you Gradosians really any different?" The Strike's beam rifle slowly came up, pointing at the Greimkaiser's cockpit. "You're the same as Blue Cosmos!"

Ouch.

Gale's female subordinate made an outraged sound. "Commander Gale is speaking only to Eiji," she snapped. "The rest of you hairless Earth monkeys just shut up!"

There was a noise suspiciously like a choked-off screech from Cagalli's cockpit. "Hairless Earth monkeys!?" she repeated. "What the hell's your problem, you alien Jezebel!?"

Toya felt a grin spread across his face; in the corner of his eye he saw Tenia pump a fist. Nice one, Cags, he thought as the Gradosian sputtered in fury. Maybe it'll make her careless.

"You're wrong about the Earthlings, Gale," Eiji said quietly. "You of all people should know that, since you've met my Dad. Kira's right, Gradosians aren't any different."

Even across over a kilometer of ocean, Toya could practically feel the rage and hostility from Gale's female subordinate. Typical superiority complex; he'd read about a number of examples throughout Earth history. Aside from Gale, who didn't seem to take the matter personally outside Eiji's defection, the Gradosians came across as alien Nazis.

"I'm very sorry to hear that," Gale said softly. "Your parents were arrested on suspicion of treason, and your sister is under surveillance."

Toya winced. That problem had never occurred to him, and he wanted to kick himself for overlooking it. Eiji still had family back on Grados, and a government like that wouldn't hesitate to go after them as a reprisal.

"Eiji," Kira said, sounding anxious, "don't–"

"It's all right, Kira," Eiji said, his voice strained but resolute. "I knew from the start. Both my parents supported my decision." He looked back at the Greimkaiser. "I've chosen my path, Gale."

Gale sighed. "Then I have no choice," he said. "It is truly sad that it came to this, Eiji. Consider our bonds on Mars . . . severed." The Greimkaiser began to move. "I will deal with Layzner myself. All units, advance."

Oh, it's on now! Toya kicked the Bellzelute's thrusters to full, Shot Launchers blazing as he moved. A Braver caught two shots and exploded; a second was winged and forced to evade. One Slomco, a variable-frame unit faster than most types, dove in on the Archangel, only to find Zechs's Leo jumping up to meet it. The Lightning Count's beam saber cut the SPT cleanly in half.

An oblong black-and-silver shape streaked past, a reminder that Gundam Deathscythe wasn't completely without ranged capability. The buster shield impaled a Bullgrenn dead center, forced its way through, and arced back to land on the Gundam's left arm.

"Target locked on." Wing Gundam had switched modes, leveling the buster rifle at the Dimage Gale's second was flying. It wasn't a clean hit, but it did enough damage to force the Gradosian woman into an ignominious retreat, cursing all the while.

A roar of engines, audible even over the sounds of battle, drew his attention next. Gundam Sandrock may have been unable to fly, but evidently that didn't preclude vernier-assisted jumps. Quatre had mounted both heat shotels in the shield, forming a sort of pincer that bisected a Braver at the waist.

"He's lucky SPT cockpits are in the head," Tenia commented, seeing the Gradosian pilot eject.

"And that Quatre's a nice guy," Toya agreed.

He was forced to dodge then, when a pair of Bravers tried to cut him off. A snap shot made one shy away, but its partner closed in, opting for a knuckle strike. Cursing his lack of close-range options, Toya brought up his left Shot Launcher in a hurried block.

"It's the end for you, monkey," the Gradosian snarled.

By rights, Toya should have been frightened. Indeed, part of him was. At the same time, he felt as sense of calm, as though he knew it would be all right. A feeling that was proved justified when a hint of red appeared in the center of the SPT's torso. It ripped up and to the right, leaving the Gradosian mech to fall and explode far below.

"Saved my hide again, Kira," Toya said. "I owe you one."

"I'm just glad you're okay," Kira said.

He'd known Gale was holding back on Mars. It had been obvious; Gale was a highly trained and experienced veteran. What he hadn't counted on was just how wide the gap was; even with Layzner's superior performance, it was all he could do just to avoid being shot down.

Eiji sideslipped, narrowly dodging a rifle beam. His return shot missed wide, Gale evading with almost contemptuous ease.

"What's wrong, Eiji?" his erstwhile mentor said. "Your moves are still too slow; it will take far more than that to bring me down!"

The younger man gritted his teeth as another shot struck home. Minor damage, but still worrisome. "I don't want to kill you, Gale!" he said, trying for a target lock. "I don't want to kill anyone!"

"And that is where you fall short," Gale said, his next shot barely missing Layzner's canopy. "This is war, Eiji; if you aren't able to strike a killing blow, you won't be able to protect anything!" He fired again, taking off part of Layzner's right leg.

Damn! This time his return fire connected, but did little damage, just making the Greimkaiser's right arm spark a little. Nowhere near enough to end the fight, and none of his teammates were in range to help.

And then it got even worse. Gale fired again, this time melting the rest of Layzner's leg. Another beam speared through Eiji's own rifle just as he turned, leaving him with just the knuckles. He tried to at least land a punch, but the Greimkaiser was simply too fast.

"ALARM MESSAGE," Rei said. "SEVERE DAMAGE TO FRAME; COMBAT CAPABILITY REDUCED TO LESS THAN TWO PERCENT."

"I'm truly sorry it came to this," Gale said, lining up for a fatal shot. "Farewell, Eiji."

He could hear the outcries from his comrades. David, Roanne, Arthur. Simone, Anna, Kira. I'm sorry. His fists clenched on the controls, unwilling to give up yet unable to think of a solution.

"ALARM MESSAGE. EJECTION . . . SYSTEM. . . ."

"What the!?" Eiji's controls suddenly went unresponsive, even as the energy readings flew off the scale. G-forces pressed him back into his seat as Layzner lunged forward as though shot from a rail cannon. A pair of Bravers tried to intercept and were simply vaporized when he passed; three Slomcos suffered a similar fate.

Then he was coming around, still a passenger in his own machine, and heading straight for the Greimkaiser. His eyes went wide with horror as Layzner impacted, almost crumpling the other machine. The Greimkaiser was still airborne, but he knew it wouldn't be for much longer.

"W-Well done!" Gale coughed, probably from smoke. "Eiji . . . be sure to protect . . . this Earth you love. . . ." Something in the Greimkaiser's torso exploded. "Julia. . . ."

Eiji watched, unbelieving, as the Greimkaiser fell from the sky. There was a splash, and a second splash his numb brain interpreted as another explosion. No, no, it can't be! "N-no, this isn't . . . I didn't. . . . Gale! Gaaaaaaale!"

It was like nothing any of them had seen before. There was D-Boy's Crash Intrude attack, to be sure, but even it didn't quite have the same effect. They'd never seen a mobile weapon move that fast, or leave that kind of destruction in its wake.

"What the hell was that!?" Mu wondered incredulously. "Layzner was enveloped in some kind of blue light. . . . Hey, Eiji, you okay in there?"

No answer. Layzner simply hovered motionless, leaking sparks and smoke. Eiji was either unconscious or simply in shock; after the cry of pure grief they'd heard, Toya suspected the latter. He himself, while not paralyzed with grief, wasn't exactly happy about the situation; it had been thanks to Ahmos Gale's generosity that they'd been able to escape Mars.

"Eiji!" David said. "Eiji, are you all right!?"

Still no answer. "No choice," Murrue said. "Mister Rutherford, Mister Demitrich, please secure the Layzner and bring it back to the ship. We can take care of Eiji after we've ensured the ship's safety."

"That could be difficult," Sai said tightly. "More heat signatures approaching. Confirmed two Vosgulov-class submarines, GhOON and ZnO underwater mobile suits, DINNs, and," his voice turned flat, "X102 Duel, X103 Buster, and X207 Blitz."

Toya gritted his teeth. Just what we need, them again.

"Damn, they don't know when to quit!" Tenia complained. "Didn't we just send those bastards packing back in Africa?"

Still no sign of the Aegis, which at least made things a bit easier on Kira. Not a minor issue, after what Eiji had just gone through. Not much comfort, either, given the skill and persistence of Rau Le Creuset's pilots. Especially since one of them appeared to have changed.

"The Duel?" Kira said. "Damn, they've upgraded it."

In the Duel's cockpit, Yzak Joule bared his teeth in what might charitably be called a smile. "Think of this Assault Shroud as payback, payback for this scar you gave me!" The added armor made the Duel rather temperamental in atmosphere, but in his opinion the extra firepower from the shoulder-mounted missile pod and railgun more than made up for it.

Miguel chuckled. "Looks like you're on a tear, Yzak," he said. "Too bad all you've done lately is lose."

"You don't have to remind me!" Yzak snapped. "That's why I have to beat the Strike!"

"Well, well, looks like Yzak's on the warpath," Dearka remarked. "Still, he's got a point; if we don't at least take down the Legged Ship now we'll be a damned laughingstock."

"Yeah– There he goes," Nicol interrupted himself, seeing the Duel's Guul platform's thrusters ignite. "Guess we'd better back him up."

Toya, Kira, and Mu took the lead. Kira was soon occupied with the Duel, its aggressive pilot giving him no room for anything else. Mu brought his Skygrasper's nose up and went afterburner, streaking past a pair of DINNs before reversing direction. The DINNs fell to his beam turret, and then the Buster was on him.

Which left Toya facing the Blitz. He eyed the stolen machine uneasily; from what he'd been told, its Mirage Colloid was useless while riding a Guul, but that didn't make it any less dangerous in direct combat.

Can't let him get in close. The darts aren't a problem, and I've got a mobility advantage in atmosphere, but if he snags me with the piercer lock it could get ugly real fast.

"That weird unit," Nicol murmured. "I'm taking you down!"

"Here he comes, Toya!" Tenia yelped.

He already had the Bellzelute in motion, juking just in time to dodge a particle beam, then returning fire with his Shot Launchers. The first shot missed, the second impacted on the Blitz's shield. Before he could line up again, the Gleipnir shot out; he dodged with barely an instant to spare.

Whoever this guy is, he's getting better. To one side, Toya saw David and Roanne tearing through a formation of DINNs, while the Antibody squad dealt with the underwater mobile suits.

More green fire streaked toward him. He was able to evade most of it, but one beam impacted on his left Shot Launcher, reducing the weapon to a smoking ruin. Cursing under his breath (and silently thanking Seiya Uribatake for at least figuring out how to make spares for most of the Bellzelute's systems), Toya switched to his O rifle and selected B mode.

Shell weapons are no good against that thing– what the!? The Blitz had gone into an evasive pattern that by rights should have been flat-out impossible on a lifter, allowing it to dodge the attack completely.

Nicol smiled tightly. "I'm not going down that easily," he said. "Try this on for size!" He launched the Gleipnir again, and this time it scored, grappling onto the Bellzelute's right leg. "Got you!"

"Dammit!" Toya knew he was in trouble. Bellzelute was fast and powerful, but had little armor, and with his mobility advantage neutralized that lack could prove fatal. "Not like this!"

And then a familiar spark lit in his mind. Without conscious thought, he swept his remaining Shot Launcher up and to his left, nudging the Blitz's Trikeros just far enough out of alignment to miss his cockpit. It cost him most of Bellzelute's left arm instead, but it was enough. A missile salvo at point-blank range did the rest; it didn't damage the Blitz, of course, but it bought enough space for Wing Gundam to sever the Gleipnir line with a beam saber.

"Thanks, Heero," Toya said, breathing heavily.

"Yeah, thanks a bunch!" Tenia agreed. "That was too close!"

"No prob," Heero said. "That was the last of the Gundams."

He was right, Toya saw. The Duel had lost part of its new upgrade, and the pilot was cursing up a storm over an open channel. Buster was missing an arm; it looked like it had been melted off, probably by an Agni shot. The less elite ZAFT forces were faring even worse; Kira appeared to have the orange GINN under control, while a Vosgulov surfaced just in time to be struck amidships by the Agni and Buldy's shoulder cannon.

"All units, the remaining ZAFT forces are retreating," Mir said. "Please return."

"Roger that," Toya said. "Heading home."

Gundam Deathscythe and Sandrock leaped up, landing neatly on the Archangel's forward deck. "That was quick," Duo commented. "Guess ZAFT didn't feel like playing around.

"You should be grateful," Zechs told him. "After that clash with the Gradosians, we weren't in any shape for an extended engagement."

"Yeah, yeah."

As he brought his machine into the Archangel's hangar, Toya couldn't help staring at the damaged SPT surrounded by Murdoch's people. Eiji was just barely visible in the cockpit, slumped motionless in his chair. Still in shock, in all likelihood.

Settling the Bellzelute in place, Toya felt a pang of sympathy for his half-breed friend. To have come so far, only to strike down someone who would have been family. No one deserved that kind of pain.

Archangel, hangar

Eiji still hadn't exited his machine by the time Toya finished the shutdown process. Dropping to the deck, he wandered over to the group gathered around Layzner. "He's still in the cockpit?"

"Yeah," Murdoch confirmed. "Won't open up, won't even answer if you call him. Dunno what's up with that."

David grimaced. "The commander of that Gradosian squad was an old friend of Eiji's," he said quietly. "Engaged to his sister, I think. Eiji was forced to shoot him down. Except. . . ." He frowned at the silent SPT. "It looked like he didn't mean to do it. Roanne?"

The bespectacled SPT pilot nodded. "Yeah, something like that happened once on Mars, before we met up with the Nadesico."

"That so?" Mu said. "Kinda weird."

"More than kinda," David said. "Anyway, point is he just killed a friend by accident."

There was a sound like a choked-off sob behind them. Glancing over his shoulder, Toya saw Kira on his way out of the hangar, his face tight with pain. What's up with him? . . .Oh. Of course. If anyone would know how Eiji feels right now, it's Kira.

"Hey, Kira!" Cagalli called, oblivious. "What's with him, anyway?"

Mu winced, evidently having the same thoughts as Toya. "After what happened out there today, he probably feels like he had a glimpse of his own destiny."

"Huh?"

Toya sighed. "One of the guys who attacked Heliopolis is an old friend of Kira's. They went to school together in Copernicus; Kira told me they were like brothers back then." He shook his head. "That guy, Athrun, is the pilot of the Aegis, so he wasn't out there today. Still. . . ."

He didn't have to finish. Cagalli's expression showed that she'd gotten the message. "That must be hell," she murmured. "Poor guy."

Residential block

Kira didn't know how far he'd gone before it overwhelmed him. He slumped against the viewport, trying in vain to hold back his tears. Athrun, will this happen to us, too? Will I . . . will I have to shoot you down, the way Eiji killed his friend today? Unable to hold it in any longer, he let out a low sob.

"Kira?" Flay came up behind him, sounding concerned. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

He swallowed. "Sorry, Flay. Could you . . . let me be alone, just for a bit?" He wiped a hand over his eyes. "I need to think."

Something flickered in her blue eyes; Kira assumed it was a mixture of disappointment and sympathy. "Okay, Kira," she said. "Just remember, I'm here for you anytime."

I know, he thought as the redhead departed. And I'm grateful. But this, I don't think you can help me with it. I don't think anyone can. He gazed out at the sea, his mind's eye showing him a face he'd not seen in three years . . . until Heliopolis. Athrun.

UEFA Headquarters

For all that he'd been a military man his entire life, Field Marshall Noventa had little in common with most of the UEFA's upper ranks. He'd always preferred discussion to combat, and was deeply disturbed by the increasing anti-Coordinator sentiment among the high command. So it was with a mixture of sadness and disgust that he listened to the bloodthirsty General Colbert arguing with Admiral Misumaru.

"Nergal may have agreed to cooperate, but they have an odd way of showing it," Colbert was saying. "They're dragging their feet in joint operations."

"If true –and I see no evidence to support it, sir– it's hard to blame them, after what happened with the Nadesico last year," Misumaru said evenly.

Ah, yes, Colbert's attempt to hijack the Nadesico. Noventa himself had been out of the loop until it was too late, else he'd have countermanded the order. As it was, he'd made a point of reprimanding Colbert for the fiasco, noting that in addition to being flagrantly illegal, such an act only worsened the UEFA's already bad reputation.

Colbert looked like he wanted to dispute the point, but he knew he couldn't with Noventa present. "It's causing us more difficulties than we need, especially as far as ZAFT is concerned," he said.

"They've loaned a number of units to the Archangel, General," Misumaru pointed out. "That hardly sounds like dragging their feet."

"And when did we last hear from the Archangel?" Colbert countered. "For all we know, those loaned personnel may well have deserted them. Especially those Colony Gundams."

"I think that unlikely," Noventa said, entering the discussion at last. "Breaking an agreement like that would be bad for business if nothing else, and aside from 05 all Colony Gundam attacks ceased months ago. I don't believe that is any cause for concern."

The balding general looked mulish. "How can we be sure of that? As you note yourself, sir, 05 remains a threat to us."

Colonel Treize Khushrenada took that question. "According to the information relayed by the Nadesico," he said, "the pilot of 05 is a particularly stubborn individual. He is by all accounts unlikely to cooperate with us even against alien threats. However, I am assured he is the only one of them who feels that way, and none of them trust ZAFT."

Noventa wasn't at all sure that he trusted Treize. The Specials commander was affable on the surface, but something about him suggested that was at least partially a facade. Adding point to this was the kind of semi-off-the-record operations the Specials tended to get up to.

Well. He was still better than Colbert. "I believe Colonel Khushrenada is correct," Noventa said, and with that, the subject was at least temporarily closed. "Our next item is the matter of the PLANTs." He looked at Colbert in the corner of his eye. "I believe it is time to open peace negotiations."

As expected, Colbert shot to his feet. "Marshall, with all due respect, that is the last thing we can afford to do," he said in tones of barely-contained fury. "The Coordinators have wrought incalculable havoc all over the Earth Sphere, with Heliopolis merely the latest atrocity. We dare not grant them any legitimacy."

"I see little choice at this point," Noventa countered. "With our current military strength, we stand little chance of subjugating the PLANTs, and we need to pool the Earth Sphere's military strength if we are to be able to fight off the Gradosian and Radam threats." He took a sip of water. "I understand Siegel Clyne is a reasonable man. I'm sure he'll listen to us."

Treize folded his hands. "I agree that peace with the PLANTs would be ideal, and that Chairman Clyne can be trusted, but I should point out he does not operate in a vacuum. Their military is headed by Patrick Zala, and he is by all accounts an unyielding hardliner. Negotiations would be difficult so long as he holds any power."

Noventa nodded. "I understand your concerns, Colonel. However, the danger of dividing humanity remains. I will submit this proposal to the UEFA member nations. Dismissed."

As the assembled officers filed out, he kept a close eye on Colbert. The man was possibly the most hardline individual in the entire UEFA military. He was all too likely to stonewall or even try to sabotage the peace process. All the more reason for Noventa to move quickly.

Humanity's survival could well be at stake.

OSDG Headquarters

D-Boy hissed in exasperation. "I've told you everything I know about the Radam," he said, for at least the third time in ten minutes. "You've done every examination possible. What else could you want from me?"

The albino in front of him was unruffled. "Are you sure that is all?" Heinrich von Freeman asked mildly. "There remains the possibility that we could help each other."

D-Boy looked away. "I can't transform anymore," he said. "There's nothing I can do for you. Just leave me alone."

"D-Boy," Aki said. "You can't just give up!"

Freeman held up a hand. "About that. We've been doing some research on your Tek Crystal, and we believe we may have found a solution." He gestured to a pair of techs, one a middle-aged, beefy man with a dark handlebar mustache, the other a younger, very effeminate man. "Honda, Levin. If you would."

Honda set his coffee mug aside. "We've been working on this for quite a while now," he said. "There's still a bit of a roadblock, but if we can overcome it you'll be able to transform again."

D-Boy forced back the instinctive excitement. It was a passing dream, after all. "What kind of roadblock?"

"Nothing we've tried thus far can handle the energy release," Elizabeth Clabery said. "It's beyond anything Earth technology has yet produced, even by Nergal or the PLANTs." She brought up an image of what looked like a winged robot. "If we can solve that issue, inserting your Crystal here will allow you to transform."

Curious despite himself, he eyed the image. "Some kind of robot?"

"No!" Levin protested. "That's Pegas!"

D-Boy ignored him. "You say I could transform with this, if you can contain the energy?" He shook his head. "A waste of time. You said it yourself, nothing made on Earth can handle it."

Running footsteps brought a faint smile to Freeman's face. "Normally you would be correct," he admitted, taking the disc Miletta "Milly" Le Rouge had brought. He extended it to Elizabeth. "Perhaps this data would help, Doctor."

Looking skeptical, Elizabeth obediently inserted the disc. "This is. . . ." She trailed off, eyes going wide. "How did you get this!?"

"As I said, normally you would be correct about our technological limitations, even in Nergal and the PLANTs," Freeman said. "However, there is a another avenue, technology that 'shouldn't exist,' if you will."

D-Boy had no idea what the OSDG chief was talking about. Freeman's people, however, evidently did. "Black Technology!?" Elizabeth said in astonishment. "It exists!?"

"It does," Freeman said with a nod. "Not many know of it, but I have some contacts." He lifted an eyebrow. "Will this suffice?"

"Easily!" Elizabeth said. "Honda?"

The beefy mechanic grinned. "You and Milly take care of the programming, Levin and I will do the grunt work." He gave D-Boy a thumbs-up. "Just you wait, D-Boy! We'll make you a Tekkaman again in no time!"

By rights he should still have been skeptical. Nevertheless, seeing the project come together, and the undeniable enthusiasm of the OSDG people, D-Boy felt just the slightest stirring of hope. Maybe, just maybe, his fight wasn't over after all.

Author's note: Well, well, around a month since the last one. Hopefully that's a good sign. Helps that I'm at least a little happier with how this chapter went. With luck, even allowing for my other project I should be able to do the next one in a reasonable amount of time. Till then.