Archangel, bridge

Toya was feeling decidedly groggy the morning after the Nadesico left. Strange dreams had troubled his sleep, dreams of both that mysterious girl and the enemy pilot Al-Van. He didn't actually wake prematurely, but it made the night far from restful.

"Mornin', Toya," Mu greeted when he arrived on the bridge. "You okay?"

"Will be," Toya said, rubbing his temples. "Just had some crazy dreams; I'll be fine in an hour or so."

He crossed to the front of the bridge and leaned against Tolle's station. Most of the pilots who had remained on Earth were gathered, he noticed, save for the Antibody squadron and the Voltes and Combattler teams.

"Well, now that everyone's here, I'm guessing you want an explanation," Mu said, looking at the Captain. "I know we were technically out of line for not reporting it, but. . . ."

In crisp terms that belied his usual demeanor, Mu described their first encounter in the desert. The mysterious enemies who had casually slaughtered a Gradosian advance force, then turned and almost did the same to them. Toya chimed in, explaining how he made Bellzelute do something that neutralized Al-Van's stasis trick, and that Granteed appeared to have a similar system.

"I see," Murrue said slowly. "So we have yet another alien invasion to contend with. And Ms Coulange's connection to them?"

"From what she said, I think Al-Van and Ja-Mu somehow infiltrated Ash'ari-Kreutzer," Toya said, shrugging. "Dunno why, but they admitted they were responsible for the incident."

"For what it's worth, I got the impression Al-Van's feelings for Calvina are sincere," Katia put in. "I don't think he'll kill her unless he has to."

Natarle shook her head. "There still remains the possibility that Ms Coulange will fly off the handle again."

"If she does, Captain Misumaru will just have to handle it," Murrue said. "Now, Toya, this Al-Van reacted strongly to you as well. Do you have any idea why that might be?"

Toya shrugged helplessly. "Hell if I know. He said something about us being 'brethren,' whatever that's supposed to mean. I was just a normal high school student until the girls dropped on my head. I don't have a clue what Al-Van was ranting about, or why I can use the Cytron."

It wasn't the answer he wanted to give, but it was the only one he had. Hours of pondering the matter –almost literally dreaming about it– had left him with nothing.

"Commander La Flaga?" Mir said. "Sorry to interrupt, but the Brain Powerd squadron is requesting launch clearance."

Mu straightened from his habitual slouch. "Yeah, they've gotta head back to the Novis Noah for a bit. I'm going along as a UEFA rep. Back in a few; you guys keep an eye out."

Archangel, residential block

"Damn, I'm bored," Tenia said, stretching. "It's like everything just went to sleep after Kawasaki."

Melissa Mao took a sip of coffee before replying. "I wouldn't complain, Tenia," she advised. "In a war, if you're not bored it usually means you're about one step away from dead."

Tenia made a face. "I know, I know. I'm just goin' stir-crazy is all."

"How do you think I feel?" Kaname put in, emerging from the galley. "Least you get to help Toya here," she punched his arm affectionately, "blow stuff up. Me, I'm dead weight when the shooting starts."

"Hey, don't be too hard on yourself, Kaname," Tenia said. "Your cooking's as good as Akito's."

Kaname's eyes widened slightly. "You think so? Thanks, I guess. At least someone appreciates—" She broke off, feeling the deck tremble in time with a distant rumbling. "What the hell!?"

By now all too familiar with such things, Toya instantly knew what had happened. "Explosion," he said, frowning. "Not a very big one, though; didn't set off any alarms."

"Dammit, it must be Sosuke again!" Kaname grumbled. "What is that idiot up to this time?"

Recalling the smoke grenade incident on the Nadesico, Toya thought his friend was probably correct. Sosuke Sagara's idea of normal behavior was a bit off even in a military setting. He was apt to set something off out of sheer paranoia.

They had to rule out the possibility, though; Sosuke himself appeared behind them, a confused look on his face. "Chidori? Why are you calling me an idiot for no apparent reason?"

"Huh?" Kaname blinked. "You mean that wasn't you?"

Sosuke shook his head. "Negative. I just came down from the bridge."

Kenichi Go stepped out of a refresher station across the corridor. "The explosion came from this deck," he said, eyes narrowing. "Around Hiyoshi's room, I think." His expression darkened, and he spun on his heel, marching toward crew quarters.

With a vague feeling of unease, Toya followed. He hadn't had much contact with the Voltes Team, but he knew Kenichi well enough by then to feel just a bit sorry for the youngest Volt Machine pilot.

Sure enough, Hiyoshi's room looked rather the worse for wear. Papers were scattered about, Hiyoshi's bunk was even more messed up than usual, and if Toya wasn't mistaken there was a scorch mark on the table. He winced, hoping Natarle wouldn't hear about it.

"Hiyoshi, what are you doing?" Kenichi demanded.

In response, his brother held up what looked at first like a mere toy. Resembling a cartoon octopus with a sailor's cap, Toya had the sudden feeling it was like Kira's Birdy, only possibly more advanced. Granted the little bird-bot had been built by Athrun Zala, but the Voltes Team worked with very unusual tech.

"I was just working on Tako," Hiyoshi said.

Kenichi gritted his teeth. "Hiyoshi, we have more important things to focus on right now," he said tightly. "Now get this cleaned up."

This sounds like a good time to leave. Toya slipped out, muttering an apology when he almost tripped over Lucrezia Noin. Time for lunch, he decided, wincing again at Kenichi's rising voice. Anything to get away from this latest insanity.

Novis Noah, bridge

Mu had never really felt comfortable on the Novis. Oh, he liked most of the crew well enough, even if Hime got along with Cagalli a little too well for most people's comfort. Nanga Silverly was almost a kindred spirit, even.

It was Anoa McCormick who really got under his skin. Attractive, certainly, but sometimes even colder than Natarle Badgiruel. The Novis was technically a civilian research vessel, yet McCormick tended to run things more along the lines of a Federation battleship.

"Orphan's been pretty quiet lately, eh?" he said to no one in particular.

McCormick gave an absent nod. "For the moment. It almost seems like they're waiting for something." She glanced briefly over her shoulder. "The UEFA hasn't heard anything?"

"Not that I've heard," Mu said with a shrug. "We're still picking up the pieces from Kawasaki; that was one hell of a mess."

Truth be told, he didn't like splitting their forces again. It was for a good cause, sure, he was no happier than anyone else over what had been done to Akito, but it still made him uneasy. They were at half strength just when things were really starting to heat up.

"Captain McCormick," a tech broke in. "Ma'am, we're picking up two Antibody reactions on our Organic Radar, one Brain Powerd, one Grand Cher."

"One of each?" Winston Geybridge murmured. "A single Brain Powerd, could it be Yu Isami?"

McCormick keyed the intercom. "If so, this could work to our advantage. Hime, we've picked up a single Brain Powerd we believe to be Yu Isami. I want you to bring him back if possible."

"Understood."

"I'll go, too," Mu said. "Even if the kid's willing to cooperate, a couple of Brain Powerds could be in trouble if the Reclaimers come calling. Or worse."

Geybridge nodded. "An excellent point, Commander, thank you."

Mu grinned. "Hey, it's what I do."

Shrine, city outskirts

As meeting places went, it wasn't too bad, Yu decided. Quiet and out of the way of prying eyes, just how he preferred things. Especially now; Kanan hadn't said exactly why she wanted to see him, but he had a pretty good idea anyway.

"This is why I left," he murmured.

"Yu?"

He half-turned. "Hello, Kanan. You're alone?"

Kanan Gims sat on a nearby bench. "None of the others know," she said. "You still don't plan to come back?"

Of course she'd say that. "No," Yu said. "More than ever, I'm convinced that what my parents are trying to do is wrong. Orphan's rise can only be a disaster." He sighed. "This whole thing is insane. Why does it have to be this way? Even with the dwindling birth rates of the Coordinators, why does this have to be forced on us?"

"Naturals, Coordinators. . . ." Kanan shook her head, her long lavender hair swaying. "All manmade differences will be corrected by Orphan."

Yu shook his head in turn, more forcefully. "I don't believe that, and you shouldn't either. Orphan isn't some kind of god, Kanan. Its will isn't absolute. If you could just separate yourself from Orphan, you'd see."

The look on Kanan's face was conflicted, to say the least. "I . . . I wish it was that easy," she said quietly. "I just . . . don't want to regret having been born."

"You're letting your insecurities control you," Yu said, more gently than was his wont. "That's what's keeping you trapped with Orphan." he stiffened; someone was coming. "Who's there!?"

Two figures stepped around a light pole. One he recognized as Hime Utsumiya, the Brain Powerd pilot he'd met before. The other was a blond man in a UEFA flightsuit; Mu La Flaga, that was the name. "Sorry to interrupt," the latter said, a lopsided smile on his face.

"Just what are you doing here!?" Hime demanded. "Is that your sister? Or maybe your girlfriend!"

"Don't be an idiot," Yu growled. "Why the hell were you two spying on us?"

La Flaga shrugged. "It's kinda our job, y'know. Gotta keep tabs on any potential threats. Mind, I'm not saying I think you're the enemy, but that girl, I'm guessing she's a Reclaimer?" Yu nodded reluctantly. "Then things could get just a bit awkward."

It could be worse, Yu decided after a moment's thought. Hime was annoying, but she was at least trustworthy, and if he had to deal with anyone from the UEFA, Mu La Flaga wasn't too bad. Which didn't make him feel any more comfortable about either of them being near Kanan.

"Why did you have to interrupt?" Kanan said, glaring at Hime. "We were having an important conversation."

"I'm trying to say something important, too!" Hime snapped, glaring right back.

Yu pinched the bridge of his nose. Dammit, can't we do anything simple here?

"Sorry to interrupt, but we've got company," La Flaga said, shading his eyes with one hand. "Looks like Grand Chers."

Kanan's head whipped around, her face paling. "No, did Sheila follow me!?"

"Whatever, we've got to get moving," La Flaga said. He looked at Yu. "You, too, kid, unless you want to stick around and get killed."

Federation or not, La Flaga was right. Cursing under his breath, Yu dashed to his Brain Powerd, hopping lightly into the cockpit. His mouth tightened when the display came up; Grand Chers, all right, at least five of them. Five Grand Chers against two brains, a fighter, and possibly a Grand Cher of their own, assuming Kanan was willing to fight.

"Caught you, Yu!" It was indeed Sheila Glass, sounding very exuberant. "And I see Kanan has turned as well! How sad."

Kanan of course immediately denied it. "All I was trying to do is bring Yu back!" she protested.

"Oh, really?" Sheila sneered. Her Grand Cher darted forward, striking Kanan's with a crippling blow before the other woman could react.

Yu felt his chest constrict. "Kanan, run!"

Despite his call, Kanan's Grand Cher didn't move. He didn't know if they intended to make a fight of it, or if it was simply too late, the Antibody too badly injured. Either way, it was a death sentence if they didn't get out quickly.

The answer, it turned out, was worse. "My Grand Cher won't move! Is it rejecting me!?" Kanan's voice was filled with undisguised horror.

Sheila laughed harshly. "Your Grand Cher knows you've abandoned Orphan, Kanan! Of course, you were never worthy of joining with a Grand Cher in the first place, now were you?"

Damn! Yu braced himself, thinking furiously. If Hime and La Flaga were willing to back him up, he would probably succeed in rescuing Kanan. A big if, unfortunately; Hime was usually cooperative, but had taken an instant dislike to Kanan, and La Flaga was an unknown factor.

An instant later, however, it was out of his hands. Hime's Brain performed a quick Vital Jump, materializing next to the dying Grand Cher. "You . . . why?" Kanan asked weakly.

"It was my Brain, not me," Hime replied, sounding slightly irked. "He says you're not a Reclaimer."

"The Brain said that?" Kanan sounded a bit dazed.

Yu hissed through clenched teeth. "Dammit, are you trying to get surrounded!? Fall back!"

Hime needed no urging, moving back into formation with him. La Flaga's fighter circled higher up, as though the UEFA pilot was reluctant to engage. Which would be the sane course, granted; the three of them were in a very bad position against at least twice their number.

"Okay, I just got in contact with the Archangel," La Flaga said a moment later. "Reinforcements will be here in a few minutes. You with us, kid?"

That last, Yu knew, was directed specifically at him. He gritted his teeth for a moment, then relaxed a little. There were worse fates, he supposed. "I don't really have any choice anymore. But tell your friends to hurry; we've got even more Grand Chers incoming. The Reclaimers must be serious."

"Roger that," La Flaga said. "You and Hime seem to work well together, so you should stick with her for now. My Skygrasper is better for hit-and-run in this kind of fight."

Yu nodded. Maybe, just maybe, they were going to survive this after all.

Granteed roared into the sky, flanked by Tallgeese. Toya's eyes took in the situation at a glance, and his mouth tightened. Commander La Flaga and a couple of Antibodies; that second one must be Yu Isami. Hime must've been able to talk some sense into him.

"Glad you could make it," Mu said, his cheer undiminished. "These guys just won't quit."

"So it appears," Murrue said. "Is that Yu Isami in the second Brain?"

Another voice cut in before Mu could respond. "That's right," Yu said.

Sounds a bit friendlier than last time. Toya caught a Grand Cher's sword on his mech's left arm. Such an attack would likely have done significant damage to the lightweight Bellzelute, but Granteed's armor held easily. Grunting, Toya slammed a fist into the Antibody's face; he couldn't tell how much damage he'd done, but the Grand Cher was obviously in pain.

"Uruz Squad, stay close to the ship," Natarle said crisply. "Lieutenant Merquise, Heero Yuy, move to support Commander La Flaga."

"Understood," Zechs said, opening up Tallgeese's verniers.

Wing Gundam likewise leaped skyward. "Roger that."

"More enemy units detected," Sai cut in. "Checking. . . . A Ghoul, numerous Mechabeasts, and the two Hakkeshu robots we fought near Yokosuka Base."

That explained why Masato hadn't launched. Poor guy was doubtless terrified of a repeat of what ha d happened then, of becoming a totally different (and highly unpleasant) person. Still, it was a serious handicap; Zeorymer was second only to Granteed as their most powerful unit.

"Toya, over there!" Tenia was pointing at Hime's Brain.

Toya hissed through clenched teeth. Hime was beset by no fewer than five Reclaimers. Bad, but at least he was close enough to provide aid despite Granteed's relatively slow speed. Hitting his thrusters, he got there just barely in time to intercept the lead Grand Cher, and immolated it with a point-blank Orgone Slave.

"Thanks, Toya," Hime said, breathing heavily. "I've got a passenger right now, so I can't take chances."

"Don't mention it," he said with a smile. "It's what friends do for each other."

For all his antipathy for the Reclaimers, though, he couldn't help wincing when Domon leaped high into the air and messily bisected a Grand Cher. He blocked another Reclaimer's attack with almost contemptuous ease, and followed through with a beam saber through the torso.

"Domon sure ain't messing around," Tenia commented.

"Admire him later, Tenia," Katia admonished. "Toya, I see the Ghoul."

Toya felt a strange mixture of annoyance and anticipation. On the one hand, he had plenty of reason to think very ill indeed of anything and anyone connected to Doctor Hell. On the other, he was spoiling for a chance to get some of his own back from the freakish Baron Ashura.

"Heads up, boys and girls," Mu said. "The Reclaimers are pulling back, but I can see those two Hakkeshu. Southwest, closing fast."

Give me a break. It was the same pair, all right, red Bryst and blue Gallowin. His Granteed could take either one head on, he knew, but not many others could, and even he would be in trouble if they ganged up on him. Where the hell is Zeorymer?

"Masato, look!" Miku's voice came over the radio. "It's them again. We need to launch!"

Masato's breathing was noticeably irregular. "But . . . if I go out there, I could. . . ."

"Hey, what are you so worried about?" Toya started; the voice was Kaname Chidori.

Masato appeared just as startled. "Ms Chidori?"

"Call me Kaname," the other said. "Look, Masato, I don't pretend to know what's goin' on with you and that big hunk of metal, but it's not like you're the only one here who's scared. Hell, I'm stuck here in this sardine can, and all I can do is sit back and watch. But I'm still not running away."

"Kaname," Masato said. ". . .Okay, I'll do it. Let's go, Miku."

Soon, the familiar gray mass that was Zeorymer of the Heavens appeared on a small ridge just south of Archangel's position. For all Masato's initial hesitation, the huge machine's movements were confident and sure.

"I'm impressed, Ms Chidori," Raymond said. "You're not a soldier of any kind, yet you inspired young Masato to face his fear."

Kaname shrugged, embarrassed. "Eh, I just said what came naturally. Nothing special."

"Kaname can be very persuasive," Toya said, kicking a Mechabeast out of the way.

With Zeorymer's appearance, the battlefield swiftly shifted. "Masato Akitsu, are you in control?" Natarle asked.

"I think so," Masato said. "For now, at least."

Natarle grunted. "Fine. Someone support Zeorymer!"

"I'm on it," Toya said, making a thruster-assisted leap to Masato's position. "It's okay, Masato, I've got your back."

A Mechabeast fell in half seemingly out of nowhere. "I'm with you, too," Duo said cheerfully. "Don't worry about a thing."

Masato managed a smile. "Thanks, guys."

Gallowin and Bryst stayed close together as they approached. On the surface it was a foolhardy move, but Toya knew better. The Hakkeshu duo had a very nasty combination attack that required exacting precision. He dared not allow them to link up.

"This ends now, Masato Akitsu," one of the twins said. Shi-Aen, it was, pilot of Bryst. "Tau, we attack together!"

For some reason, though, Gallowin appeared to be hesitating. Toya had no idea why, but it was an opening he could exploit. With no time for anything more powerful, he snapped off a quick Orgone Blaster shot. As expected, it did little damage, but that wasn't Toya's real goal anyway.

As he'd hoped, the blue Hakkeshu mech visibly flinched, throwing off the twins' timing and allowing Zeorymer to dodge the combined attack.

"Tau, what are you doing!?" Shi-Aen demanded. "Our timing must be perfect if we are to defeat Zeorymer!"

"I do not need your help!" Shi-Tau shot back. "I will defeat Zeorymer by myself!"

Shaking his head in bemusement, Toya took advantage of the distraction to fire off an Orgone Slave at a flying Mechabeast. Resembling some kind of sea dragon, it was able to dodge most of the blast, though enough connected to visibly gouge its armor.

"There appears to be some division in the enemy ranks," Sosuke commented. His shotgun went off with a roar, blasting a hole clean through one of the smaller Mechabeasts. "Odd, given Hau-Dragon's fixation on destroying Zeorymer."

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Sergeant," Mu advised him. The Hawk's Skygrasper performed a quick snap roll, Cagalli's fighter moving in synch. "Makes things easier for us."

And they needed all the advantages they could get. Even with Yu's aid and the Reclaimers' retreat, they were still caught in a pincer with unfavorable terrain. Those machines that could fly were unimpeded, of course, but that didn't help machines like Gundam Heavyarms or the Arm Slaves.

"More airborne Mechabeasts approaching from the northeast!" Sai called.

Noin's Taurus was already moving. "On it. Let's go, Hilde."

"Roger that."

This is seriously getting on my nerves! Granteed bucked at an attack from Bryst. Dammit, that's plasma! Cursing under his breath, Toya shoulder-tackled the red Hakkeshu, forcing at back a few steps. Zeorymer was right behind him, its Dimensional Coupler Cannon staggering Bryst further.

"Y'know, I really wish the Nadesico hadn't had to go to the Moon," Tenia grumbled. "We could really use a Gravity Blast right about now. Or maybe a Voltekka."

There was a loud grunt as Gundam Maxter punched clear through a Mechabeast. "We'll be fine here, Tenia," Chibodee said with a cocky grin. "After all, we're– whoops!" He broke off, vaulting over a flung blade. Toya couldn't help marveling that a mobile suit could do that. "We're the Federation's best!"

"For once, I must agree with the barbarian," George put in, casually impaling another of Doctor Hell's mechanized abominations. "Fear not, Mademoiselle Festenia. It will take far more than two Hakkeshu and a handful of Mechabeasts to stop us."

"Nice speech, but I really wish he wouldn't call me that," Tenia muttered.

Toya allowed himself a brief smirk at his friend's peeved tone, then turned back to the task at hand. George and Chibodee, it appeared, were correct, the Mechabeast ranks were beginning to thin, and the Hakkeshu twins were both looking rather the worse for wear.

"Hey, those Hakkeshu are almost down for the count," Duo said. "What say we finish 'em off."

"Leave that to Masato and me," Toya said. "Deathscythe isn't exactly suited for opponents like them."

The God of Death took that amiably enough. "Yeah, I know. Way too big." He spun his scythe casually. "I'll keep the Mechabeasts off ya while you take care of business."

"Thanks, Duo," Toya said with a smile. "Masato, Miku. You two ready?"

Masato nodded. He still looked uneasy, but to his credit it wasn't controlling him. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Good enough. Deeming Gallowin the weaker of the Hakkeshu pair, Toya boosted forward, driving a fist into the blue machine. He heard Shi-Tau grunt in exertion over the open channel, but he wasn't through yet. A second punch drove it back farther, almost to the water's edge.

"Just back off already! Orgone Slave!"

The explosion that followed was surprisingly satisfying. Briefly blinded by the light, Toya braced himself for further attacks. Gallowin appeared finished, but there were still plenty of enemies around, some strong enough to threaten even Granteed.

"Toya, look!" Melua said, pointing ahead.

He did, and swore. Gallowin had not, in fact, been consumed by his last attack. It still stood by the shore, visibly scorched and some armor missing, but nonetheless intact.

"Dammit, what the hell does it take to kill one of those things!?" Tenia said in an aggrieved tone.

"Toya, step back!"

He was unused to that particular tone from Masato Akitsu of all people, but it was hardly the time for debate. Toya obeyed, allowing Zeorymer to pass him. The gray machine's right arm came up, emitting a huge yellow beam almost certain to reduce Gallowin to ash.

It didn't connect. At the last possible instant, Bryst interposed itself between Zeorymer and Gallowin, taking the energy blast dead center.

"Sister!" Shi-Tau gasped. "What are you doing!?"

"Tau. . . ." Shi-Aen was gasping for breath, evidently seriously injured. "I could not let . . . Zeorymer kill you."

Her twin was also gasping, but from pain or grief, Toya couldn't tell. "But why!? You hate me, don't you!?"

"Hate?" A sound that might have been a soft laugh. "I could never hate . . . my other half. I . . . love you . . . sister."

"Shi-Aen!"

There was a resigned sigh from Zeorymer, and Toya hurriedly withdrew further, knowing what was likely next. Sure enough, Zeorymer's arms were lifting, bringing the glowing hemispheres together. Brilliant gold light erupted, engulfing Bryst and Gallowin in a twisted vortex.

"Forgive me," Masato whispered, tears in his eyes.

Even with his display dimmed, Toya had to shield his eyes. No sound came from the Hakkeshu twins, but the result spoke for itself. Where two large mobile mechs had stood just second before, now there was only twisted wreckage, unrecognizable as anything that might once have been a war machine.

"Damn," Tenia breathed. She looked like she wanted to say more, but simply shook her head.

Toya closed his eyes. He certainly wasn't one to complain about having a powerful weapon; leaving aside the obvious hypocrisy, they needed all the heavy firepower they could get against the various and sundry alien invasions. Still, Zeorymer seriously spooked him. If Masato and Miku weren't such obviously nice people, he'd have turned Granteed's main battery on Zeorymer. And even then, there was the matter of Masato's apparent split personality. . . .

"Bryst and Gallowin confirmed destroyed," Sai said in an unusually subdued tone. "Baron Ashura is deploying more Mechabeasts, but not as many as before."

Mechabeasts they could handle, and Toya was looking forward to a rematch with the freakish Baron Ashura. Smiling grimly, he smashed a Mechabeast out of the way, only to be thrown into his restraints when the ground shook hard enough to make even Granteed stumble. Now what!?

"Another enemy unit approaching from the southeast," Sai said grimly. "According to our data from Last Guardian, it's Rose C'est La Vie of the Moon, another Hakkeshu robot."

"As if we didn't have enough problems," Cagalli grumbled. "I'm starting to run low on fuel here."

"Me, too," Mu said. "Orders, Captain?"

There was a pause as Murrue and Natarle hurriedly conferred. "This is going to be dicey," Murrue said. "We'll have to do a fast rotation. Units low on fuel and ammunition, return for resupply, Skygraspers and the Strike first."

"Roger that," Cagalli said. "This is Cagalli, RTB. Save some for me, huh?"

"We'll try," Mao said, deadpan, even as she perforated a Mechabeast. "Kurz, Sosuke, let's rock!"

Toya ignored the remaining Mechabeasts, focusing on the greater threat Rose C'est La Vie posed. It was mostly red, albeit a darker hue than Bryst, with black trim. Its abilities were poorly understood, but knowing Hakkeshu designs it almost certainly made an entire army of Mechabeasts pale in comparison.

"Humph!" The sound came from Baron Ashura's Ghoul. "It's about time you showed up, Ritsu. Hopefully you'll do better than your late compatriots."

Ritsu laughed darkly. "Don't lump me together with those two incompetents. My Rose C'est La Vie is far beyond Bryst and Gallowin. I have waited a long time for this day."

"Have to wait a little longer, then," Toya growled. "Orgone Slave!"

He didn't expect a hard kill after what had happened with the twins. Nor did he expect Ritsu's counter, somehow throwing his machine to one side so the green blast of Orgone energy merely scorched his shoulder. Rose C'est La Vie was far more mobile than it appeared.

"You think it will be that easy?" Ritsu mocked. "Children of the Moon, charge!"

What the? Several small objects launched skyward from the red Hakkeshu. It seemed meaningless at first, but then the air currents began to noticeably change. Wind whipped around them, almost as if the local atmosphere was somehow being twisted.

"What do you think?" Ritsu sneered. "With the Tekkoryu's science, weather manipulation is a small feat. Rose C'est La Vie is thus enabled to use huge amounts of energy."

For all the seriousness of the situation, Toya just wanted to bang his head against his display. It seemed every time they met a new enemy, said enemy would pull out a completely unforeseen ability that made fighting them even more of a pain in the neck.

"I think you need to be taken down a peg, buddy," Duo said acidly, brandishing his scythe. "We're kinda having a bad day, and you're making it worse."

"My sincerest apologies," Ritsu said, his voice dripping sarcasm. Rose C'est La Vie lifted a hand, red beams emanating from its fingertips. The fingers closed together, merging the beams into what looked for all the world like an oversized sword.

That can't be good.

"Begone, Zeorymer!" Ritsu charged, ignoring Toya completely. Masato was able to dodge, but his movements were suddenly uncertain.

Green beams rained down on Rose C'est La Vie then, forcing it back. Mu and Cagalli were back in the fight, their Skygraspers too small and fast for the big Hakkeshu to target effectively. Coming around for another pass, Mu triggered an Agni shot, roughly gouging the Hakkeshu's right arm.

"Damn you!" Ritsu snarled. "Annoying flies, defending that accursed machine."

"Masato is our friend, jerk," Cagalli retorted. A quick snap roll threw Ritsu's attempt at countering wide.

What happened next almost made Toya laugh. Uruz Squad, their Arm Slaves smaller than anything else on the present battlefield, emerged from a section of forest and began pelting Rose C'est La Vie with gunfire. Individually little more than a nuisance against such a huge opponent, combined they were enough to pose a significant hazard.

"Urgh!" Ritsu forced his mech back under control. "I suppose I'll have to cut this short." An attachment on his machine's back slowly lifted off, landing on its arms. "Face Rose C'est La Vie's true power!"

Dammit, this can't be good! "Masato!"

"J-Kaiser, fire!"

Again Granteed's display dimmed, protecting Toya and the girls from the flare of light erupting from Rose C'est La Vie's weapon. The concussion was such that Uruz Squad were thrown back, Kurz bouncing off Gundam Deathscythe. Toya didn't have time to spare for them, though; he was more worried about Masato and Miku. Even Zeorymer was in danger from such an attack.

Or so he thought. The light faded, revealing Zeorymer standing unscathed.

"Hahaha."

Toya froze. He'd heard that voice before, during their last encounter with the Tekkoryu. Masato, and yet not Masato, someone who would probably have gotten along with Sosuke's old adversary Gauron a little too well. From the sudden rigid postures of his companions, they knew it, too.

"Was that supposed to defeat me, Ritsu?" "Masato's" voice was coldly mocking.

"Impossible!" Ritsu said. "Not even Zeorymer could have survived that!"

"Masato" snorted. "You underestimated me. Don't worry," he smiled thinly, "you won't do it a second time."

Tenia swallowed hard. "Um, Toya, that's not good. Like, really, really not good."

Nearby units scattered; it was all too obvious what "Masato" was about to do, and not even the likes of Chibodee Crockett were anxious to get caught in the blast. Sure enough, Zeorymer's hands were slowly coming together, preparing to unleash its most hellish weapon.

Ritsu, whatever else he might have been, was alert enough to avoid the twins' fate. Rose C'est La Vie didn't come out undamaged, but it retained sufficient mobility to at least begin pulling away. Caught on the fringe of the spatial warp, parts of it were actually smoking.

"Does this mean the Moonlight shines not upon the Heavens?" he gasped. "Damn. I'll withdraw for now. Mark my words, this is not the last time we shall meet."

"Cliche villain line," Tenia said with a snort.

Toya kept a wary eye on Zeorymer. "Masato" had been cooperative last time, but that didn't make him any less dangerous. Granted they could take Zeorymer if they had to, but it wouldn't be easy, especially with their team at half strength and still assailed by Mechabeasts.

A moment later his fears were proved groundless. "What . . . he appeared again, didn't he."

"Sure did," Duo said. "Just long enough to send that new Hakkeshu packing, anyway. You okay, Masato?"

"I think so," Masato said. "I felt his malice and cruelty, but . . . I was able to force him back, for now at least."

Mu's Skygrasper came in low overhead. "Glad to hear it, kid. Let's clean up the rest of the Mechabeasts and call it a day."

"Now you're talkin'." Mao grinned wolfishly and lifted her rifle, blasting a Mechabeast to scrap.

"We're pulling back," Nanga said. "Our Brains are exhausted."

After fighting three Hakkeshu and briefly dealing with Masato's unpleasant alternate personality, cleaning up a Mechabeast horde was almost relaxing. Even Kira seemed to be enjoying himself, his movements noticeably more aggressive than usual.

"Dammit, buzz off!" Koji snarled. "Iron Cutter!"

It took only a few more minutes before Baron Ashura decided to cut his losses and retreat. He (or was it she?) left behind the twisted remains of dozens of Mechabeasts, along with the smoldering hulks that had once been Bryst of the Fires and Gallowin of the Waters. A job well done, Toya thought wearily.

Tolle voiced the general sentiment of the day. "Reclaimers, Hakkeshu, and Mechabeasts, all in one day. It's like the entire planet is fighting us."

Archangel, bridge

Yu had never been aboard a Federation warship before, so he wasn't sure what to expect beyond a general sense of spit-and-polish. To his surprise, there was actually little of that, mainly in the form of the dark-haired XO in the ship's CIC. The others, even the captain, looked at him with a strange mixture of caution and welcome.

"So, are you going to arrest us?" he asked bluntly. "I won't try to stop you."

One of the pilots, that Orb princess, looked at him like he'd grown an extra head. "Why the hell would we do that? You've helped us out before, especially when we ran into the Devil Gundam."

"'Sides, Captain McCormick said she wants to have a talk with you," Mu La Flaga said. "Maybe we haven't gotten along, but you've never threatened us."

"Besides, your Grandma is on the Novis, remember?" Hime put in. She cast a distrustful look at Kanan, but made no other comment.

"The more the merrier," Toya Shiun added. He quirked a half-smile. "We're a bunch of misfits as it is, so what's two more?" His gaze shifted slightly. "That goes for you, too Kanan. If you're willing to help out, we don't mind taking you in."

There was something odd about the Granteed pilot's tone. Yu made a mental note to ask him later; perhaps they had more in common than either had previously realized.

"I'll go to the Novis, then," he said. "I need some time to think anyway."

The captain nodded at that. "We'll have to send an escort, of course." Yu nodded back; it was only natural. They couldn't completely trust him just like that. "Partly for your own safety; from what we've seen, there's no doubt the Reclaimers will want you either back in their hands, or dead."

"More likely both," Yu said half to himself, suppressing a pang at the thought of Iiko. Whatever she had become, he still didn't want to fight her or his parents. Or anyone else in Orphan, with the possible exception of Jonathan Glenn.

"How about we send the Voltes Team," Mu suggested. "They're good on the ground as well as in their machines."

Voltes. One of the two giant combined robots he'd seen, or so Hime had told him. Enough to discourage any spontaneous ambushes, at least. The Reclaimers were likely still licking their wounds in any case.

"I'll go, too." That was from one of the Colony Gundam pilots, a young man clad in a tank top and khaki pants. "It's not that I don't trust you," he said at Yu's questioning look. "I just have a feeling."

Yu considered that for a moment, then shrugged. He didn't really care one way or the other, and it wasn't actually his decision anyway. What mattered was his new allies weren't going to lock him and Kanan up.

Hime tugged on his arm. "Come on, Yu. Let's go."

Novis Noah, upper deck

It was beginning to look like he couldn't catch a break even outside combat. The Novis Noah, which Hime had repeatedly assured him was a very peaceful place, was in chaos. People were running every which way, and there was no sign of his grandmother or the captain.

"What's going on here?" Hime said, looking around in obvious puzzlement.

"Hime!" A girl no older than ten latched onto her. "It's terrible! Everyone's. . .!"

"Calm down," Hime said gently. "What happened here?"

It wasn't the girl who answered, but a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties. "I'm afraid we have a problem," she said. "A Reclaimer appeared while you were out and took a number of hostages, including the Captain and Commander Geybridge."

Yu and Kanan exchanged a worried glance. "A Reclaimer?" he said carefully.

"You're Yu Isami, correct?" the woman said. "I'm Irene Carrier, ship's medic. Do you know a man named Jonathan Glenn?"

Yu clenched a fist. "Yes, I know him. I thought he was better than this, but I guess that what comes from overexposure to Orphan. Where are they?"

"The Number Three hold," Carrier said. "It's where we've been storing the Plates we've collected. Unfortunately, it's been sealed off, and from the way this Glenn was acting I don't think he would hesitate to kill."

The former Reclaimer frowned, thinking fast. It was his first time on the Novis, but he'd learned to think on his feet long before leaving Orphan. If Jonathan is alone, it shouldn't be too hard. Assuming we can get into the hold at all.

"What about the ventilation ducts?" he asked.

Carrier pursed her lips. "It's possible," she said slowly. "The ducts are awfully small, though. I don't think someone like you would fit."

"I'll go," another of the youngsters said. A boy, a bit older than the girl Hime had spoken with. "I can fit through."

"Take Tako with you," Hiyoshi Go said, holding up an octopus-like toy, or at least that was what it looked like. He bristled when his brother Kenichi glared at him. "What? He could be useful."

"It could at least be a helpful distraction," Carrier said before Kenichi could reply. "All right, thank you."

A few minutes later, Yu was braced against the main door to the Number Three hold, opposite Heero Yuy. Pressing his ear to the door, he could hear a number of voices. Most he didn't recognize, save for his grandmother; one was unmistakably his former comrade Jonathan Glenn.

"There's no need for this, Jonathan," a female voice said. "You don't need to drag innocents into it."

"That's Captain McCormick," Heero supplied. Yu nodded.

Jonathan let out a harsh laugh. "As if you care about innocents, Mom," he said acidly. "All you ever gave a damn about was your work. You never had any time for me, not on my birthday, not on holidays, never. It was always the job first; what the hell kind of 'love' is that?"

Jonathan is Captain McCormick's son? Heero was hard to read, but his eyes did widen slightly. That explains a lot.

"You know that isn't true, Jonathan," McCormick said. "I made time for you whenever I could."

"Like hell you did!" Jonathan snarled. "I got a birthday card maybe twice. Hell, I didn't even see you for days at a time."

"Jonathan—"

McCormick's voice was drowned out by a sudden crash, doubtless the kid and Tako. The door slid open an instant later, allowing Yu and Heero to rush in, guns drawn. If the situation hadn't been so serious it would almost have been comical.

"It's over, Jonathan," Yu said coldly, glaring at his former comrade.

Heero stepped up to his side. "Let the kid go," he said icily. Belatedly, Yu realized Jonathan wasn't alone. "He has nothing to do with this." His face had visibly hardened, and the look in his dark blue eyes was murderous.

Jonathan laughed. "You've really done it, eh, Yu?" He shook his head, then opened his jacket. "It's not going to be that easy."

Dammit! Beneath the jacket, Jonathan was wearing a vest packed with explosives. If they went off, the safety of the hostages would be the least of their worries. The resulting explosion could be enough to even sink the Novis.

"Coward."

Yu started. Jonathan's hostage was talking back, looking at the Reclaimer with contempt at odds with his youth. Kid's got guts, no doubt about it.

Jonathan himself was gaping slightly. "What was that!?"

"You just wanted to come see your mommy," the boy said. "Isn't that it? You were lonely! Momma's boy!"

"You little brat!"

The distraction was just enough. Tako volunteered –Yu was briefly surprised the little robot could talk— to neutralize the explosives. He didn't have time to see the results of the subsequent explosion; Jonathan still had his hostage, though he was in a worse position otherwise.

"So this is it," Jonathan said, glaring at McCormick. "You'd shoot your own son?"

"If I have to," the Captain said. "Let him go, Jonathan. It's over."

The Reclaimer snorted. "Not quite— what the!?"

Ippei Mine of the Voltes Team had other ideas. Brandishing a whip of all things, he caught Jonathan in the side, just enough to knock him off balance. Unfortunately, this was also enough to knock him overboard; Yu couldn't help wincing at the boy's terrified scream.

"Look!" Hime pointed down. "A Grand Cher caught them! Kumazo!"

Looking down at the hovering Antibody, Yu thought in the back of his mind that perhaps Jonathan hadn't quite lost his humanity. Kumazo appeared understandably rattled, but physically he was unhurt. How long that would last remained to be seen.

"Hey," Jonathan said. "You'd make a good Grand Cher pilot. Why not come back to Orphan with me?"

"No, thanks!" Kumazo spat.

Jonathan shrugged. "Just asking." He looked up at the Novis crew. "I'll drop him off before I leave. Don't attack; it would put the kid in danger."

Yu almost slumped to the deck in relief when Kumazo was dropped off and Jonathan vanished. It had been, he thought wearily, far too long a day even by his standards. All he wanted to do was eat and take a long nap.

In the corner of his eye, he saw Kenichi Go lay a hand on Hiyoshi's shoulder. "I'll make sure Tako is repaired," he said quietly.

Hiyoshi beamed. "Thanks, Kenichi!"

Archangel, aft deck

After a quick shower and lunch, Toya felt almost human again. Fresh air, he decided, was the missing ingredient, a needed reminder of what things were like outside the confines of a warship. He ambled along the less-populated areas of the ship, until he found himself on the deck just aft of the superstructure.

He quickly saw that he wasn't alone. Trowa Barton leaned against the railing, staring out at the ocean.

Toya hesitated. He didn't know the pilot of Gundam Heavyarms very well, though the fact that Trowa was a close friend of Quatre spoke well for him. Trowa seemed a quiet sort, albeit without the icy cold edge that so Heero Yuy so often had.

"Hello, Toya," Trowa said, not turning around. "Feeling better? That was quite a fierce battle today."

"I'm used to it by now," Toya said, moving to stand a couple meters away. "Sorry if I disturbed you."

Trowa shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I'm not as antisocial as it sometimes seems. I just needed a little peace and quiet. You're not bothering me."

Okay, I'm starting to see how he and Quatre can be so close. Toya took a deep breath of the cool sea breeze. Off to port, perhaps half a kilometer away, he could see the Novis Noah drifting placidly on the waves. He wondered how well Yu and Kanan were settling in, especially after the hostage crisis.

"Duo told me your story," Trowa said at length. "I envy you."

Toya raised an eyebrow. "What's there to envy? I got tossed off the deep end when a giant robot almost fell on my head. You at least volunteered for this craziness."

Trowa shook his head again. "It's not that simple. I fight because it's how I was raised, because it's what I know how to do. You have a real reason to fight, and for that I can't help envying you."

"Some reason," Toya said with a snort. "Either fight or end up locked in a Federation detention facility, while the girls get interrogated day after day. Not much of a choice."

"But you still made it of your own free will," Trowa said quietly. "You had a chance to leave at Heliopolis, but you chose to stay on. Threat's or no, that took real courage. You're a better person than you realize, Toya Shiun."

Unsure of how to take that, Toya merely shrugged. Still, the conversation had proved quite illuminating; Trowa was a far deeper individual than Toya had suspected. Beneath the implacable Gundam pilot was a young man uncertain of his place in the world.

Yokosuka Base, Treize's office

Treize stared into his wine glass, lost in thought. "So Orphan is definitely rising," he murmured.

"So Yu Isami insists," Zechs said. "Both Organic Radar and sonar confirm it. It's slow, but Orphan is definitely on the move. This will complicate things even more."

"More than you realize." Treize sipped his wine. "Zechs, things are getting ever more tense in the Federation high command." He paused, as if he was reluctant to share his news. "Marshall Noventa was murdered while you were battling the Reclaimers."

Zechs straightened in his chair. "What!?"

Treize nodded grimly. "Officially it was a Blue Cosmos attack. Unofficially, that is likely correct, just not the whole story. General Colbert, for one, likely at the least has Blue Cosmos sympathies; recall his disgraceful treatment of Kira Yamato."

"All too well," Zechs said darkly. "Being transferred to Admiral Misumaru's command was a profound relief."

Treize stood and moved to his window. "The situation in the Earth Sphere grows ever more dangerous. Intelligence reports indicate Patrick Zala is likely to win the Supreme Council Chairmanship, which means both the PLANTs and the Federation will be led by extreme hardliners. Meanwhile, my own superiors in the Romefeller Foundation are getting restless. Duke Dermail and his ilk think we should already have overthrown the UEFA regardless of the threats Earth currently faces."

"Fools," Zechs muttered. "One would think the fact that four of the Colony Gundams are willingly cooperating with the Federation would show them just how much danger we are truly in. What good does overthrowing the Federation do if we're overrun by the Boazanians or the Radam?"

Treize smiled at his old friend's vehemence. "Exactly. The Special Task Force is perhaps the one bright spot. You succeed where no one else could." He paused. "Oh, yes, you may inform your teammates that Akito Tenkawa was retrieved successfully, though it would be some time yet before the Nadesico is able to return."

Zechs folded his hands. "So we continue on as we have been?"

"For now, yes." Treize half-turned. "Zechs, the Archangel and the Nadesico are vital to the future we desire. Please, continue to protect them, no matter the cost."

The masked man nodded slowly. "That was always my intention."

Author's note: I apologize for both the extreme lateness and marked choppiness of this chapter. The weather is partly to blame; I live in west-central Florida, and thus had a better view of Hurricane Irma than I would have liked. Got off lightly as it turned out, but it was still enough to badly throw me off. Hopefully things have settled down enough.