Nanbara Connection, lounge

Hyoma wasn't known for his calm disposition at the best of times, but right now he was even grumpier than usual. The transmission from the Nanbara Connection had been marked "urgent," yet they'd not even seen Professor Yotsuya or Professor Hamaguchi, his counterpart with the Voltes Team. It was downright maddening.

"Okay, what the hell is going on?" he asked of the world at large. "The Professor makes a big deal about calling us back, and now he's too busy to see us? How does that make sense?"

"Calm down, Hyoma," Chizuru said. "Ranting about it won't make him ready any faster."

"No, but it'll make me feel better," Hyoma said, in no mood to be placated.

It was just a really bad time. Their force was at half strength, the Reclaimers had just gotten more Antibodies (though to be sure so had the Novis Noah), the Radam forests seemed to be expanding daily, he was (like everyone else save possibly Natarle Badgiruel) worried about Akito, and to top it off he just knew the Boazanians were going to try something.

So it was with a feeling of impending doom that he saw Ippei glancing out the window. "Hey, isn't that. . . ."

Kosuke crossed to the ex-horseman's side. "No mistake, that's a Battle Jet!"

For a moment, Hyoma could just stare, uncomprehending. "Huh? But I'm right here!"

"You idiot!" Juzo snapped. "If you're here, and the Battle Jet is out there, that means someone must've infiltrated the place!"

That was enough to break Hyoma's mental paralysis. "Wait, is it a fake, then?"

"No way," Kosuke said, shaking his head. "Any fake would set off the proximity alarm. Which means. . . ."

Hyoma swore viciously. "Which means somebody stole it!"

With both teams following him, he made a mad dash for the hangar, vowing to personally strangle whoever had stolen his Battle Jet. It barely even occurred to him to wonder just how it could have happened to begin with; as far as he knew, the only places on Earth more secure than the Nanbara Connection were Big Falcon, Last Guardian, and JOSH-A.

He nearly tripped over a toolbox someone had left open next to one of the Volt Machines. With an effort, he was able to keep from falling, but only by catching himself on the fuselage of his Battle Jet.

Wait a sec. "The Battle Jet's right here. So was that one outside really a fake?"

"I don't see how that's possible," Kosuke said. "They shouldn't have enough data to make a fake one that could pass the security grid."

The door opened again, admitting Professor Yotsuya, successor to Chizuru's grandfather, the late Professor Nanbara. A corpulent man of early middle age, he had thinning brown hair and a bushy mustache. Normally a fairly genial sort, he had an unusually grave look on his face.

"So, you saw it," he said.

"Saw what?" Hyoma asked impatiently.

In answer, Yotsuya lifted a wrist com to his mouth. "That's enough for now. Please return."

"Roger."

By then Hyoma was practically vibrating with impatience, fighting the urge to shake some answers out of the Combattler Team's superior. Mysteries of this kind always had him on edge.

"That was indeed a Battle Jet," Yotsuya told the assembled youngsters. "The first unit in the Second Combattler program."

It took a moment for the information to sink in. A second Combattler, a second five-person team. Hyoma's feelings were a mixture of annoyance and disappointment, annoyance that Professor Yotsuya hadn't even told them, disappointment that they would no longer be unique. Granted, the Voltes Team was similar, but not quite the same.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Chizuru burst out. "This is really big, you know."

Yotsuya sighed. "As you know, piloting Battle Machines requires a very specific combination of traits. We only recently were able to find someone who could handle a Battle Jet effectively, and you of course were off helping the Archangel and Nadesico at the time."

"Okay, I can see that," Chizuru acknowledged. "Still, it's kinda disappointing. The Combattler Team isn't so unique anymore."

"Nor was it intended to be," Yotsuya said sharply. "This was started for the sake of Earth, not your own selfish gratification."

Hyoma winced, but had to admit the Professor had a point. Isn't that why we're working with those UEFA guys?

The door opened again, this time making way for someone the same age as the Combattler Team. As soon as he got a good look, Hyoma stiffened, for he knew the other, knew him all too well. What the hell!? What is he doing here!?

"This is Kenji Kawakami, first pilot candidate for the Second Combattler Team," Yotsuya said.

Hyoma barely heard. His eyes were fixed on the teenager in front of him, his mind flashing back to days past, when he was a little kid, before becoming the lead pilot of Combattler. Days spent in an orphanage following the loss of his parents in an accident. Days often as not spent with someone he viscerally disliked.

That someone stood before him now.

"Are you crazy!?" he demanded. "Professor, you can say what you want about a second Combattler or a spare in case I get hurt, I don't care. You can replace me with anyone else, but not him." With a furious glare at Kawakami, he stormed out.

Underground Castle

Prince Heinel was also in a foul mood. Just the day before, he'd received a very unpleasant call from his uncle, Emperor Zu Zambajil himself. The Emperor, it seemed, was growing impatient with the lack of progress of the Earth invasion. On one level, Heinel didn't blame him; the Earthlings should have been easy prey. More practically, however, the fact remained that not only were the Earthlings stronger militarily than expected, but there were at least two competing invasion forces. They hadn't counted on interference from the accursed Gradosians or the Radam vermin.

"Lord Heinel." It was Katherine Rii, one of his must trusted subordinates. Certainly better than the late unlamented Zuhl. "While searching General Zuhl's effects, I found something of interest."

"I ordered all his things destroyed. Besides, all he ever showed us was junk. I don't see how this would be any different." The rebuke was mild, however. Katherine wasn't stupid, and would hardly have bothered him with such a thing without reason.

She nodded. "I though so as well. However, this particular device actually looks useful." The noblewoman brought up a small viewscreen. "It appears to be a Super EM Disruptor, designed specifically to counter the Earthlings' Combattler and Voltes units."

Jangal frowned. "Such a weapon would give us quite an advantage, if it's genuine." His tone made clear what he thought of that. "Why didn't Zuhl bring it out himself?"

"Given his usurpation plot, I suspect he wanted to keep it in reserve until he'd taken over command," Heinel said, disgusted. "Then he could use it to show he was a better choice to head the invasion. It would have been just like that honorless coward. Very well. What do you suggest, Katherine?"

"With your permission, Lord Heinel, I will equip this on the new Namazungo Beast Fighter," Katherine said. "Intelligence reports indicate the units in question have separated from the main force."

Heinel nodded slowly. "Which is already at half strength, the Nergal ship having been dispatched to the Moon. Thus, you could lure Combattler and Voltes out, use the Super EM Disruptor, and destroy them piecemeal."

"Exactly, my lord," Katherine said. "Removing those two units would make our job a little easier."

Heinel rubbed his jaw. "The notion has merit, loath though I am to use anything Zuhl left behind. Still, it wouldn't be a blow to our pride like his use of Gradosian unmanned weapons." He looked at the other general. "What say you, Jangal?"

The scarred officer shrugged. "Like you, I dislike using a legacy of Zuhl. Nevertheless, we must make some actual progress, and soon."

"Indeed. The Emperor himself rebuked me just yesterday for the stalled invasion." Heinel briefly clenched a fist. "Very well, Katherine, you have leave to try. But know this, you must succeed. I may be the son of a traitor, but I will not tolerate failure."

Katherine bowed. "As you say, My Lord. You were to be the next Emperor, but your father—"

"Enough," Heinel cut her off. He didn't want to go into that matter. "Launch, Katherine, and bring those Earthlings to their knees."

Archangel, cafeteria

The dull, throbbing ache in his head had stopped by the time he actually reached the cafeteria. Arguing with Katia wasn't Toya's idea of a good start to the morning, especially when he didn't really disagree with her. Kurz Weber kibitzing hadn't helped.

Still, he was feeling reasonably human by the time he sat down to eat, joined by the unlikely combination of Flay Allster, Higgins Saz, Relena Darlian, Masato Akitsu, and Miku Himuro. His first thought was to hope Kurz didn't see, given that Masato was the only other male at his table.

He gives me enough grief about Katia, Tenia, and Melua.

"Are you okay, Toya?"

He jumped. Relena was looking at him, concerned. "Yeah. Katia and I had a bit of an argument is all. Kurz didn't help."

"Not like he ever does," Flay muttered. "Is there any girl here he hasn't made a pass at?"

"Don't think so," Masato said, visibly suppressing a shiver. "He actually tried for Lieutenant Badgiruel when Uruz Squad arrived at Yokosuka. That was scarier than the Hakkeshu."

Toya winced. He didn't exactly like Natarle Badgiruel, but he wouldn't have blamed her for flipping out if Kurz behaved the way he usually did. It was amazing Mao could stand him.

"Say, Relena, can I ask you something?" That was Higgins, surprisingly enough. "How come you're still here? I thought you'd be back with your family in the Atlantic Federation."

Toya had been wondering that himself, but didn't think it wise to pry. He suspected, though, that it had something to do with Zechs Merquise; the masked Specials pilot had taken an interest in her for reasons the rest of their force had never been able to deduce. Kurz had almost made his opinion known, but Mao had silenced him. Thoroughly.

Relena looked down at her plate. "It's hard to explain," she said quietly. "When Father was killed, I felt like I was set adrift. Admiral Misumaru seems to think I would be safer here, so I more or less went along with it." She smiled, just a bit wistfully. "And it's not like I'm alone here. I have Heero, even if he doesn't show it much, and other friends." Interestingly, she was looking directly at Toya.

She's hiding something. Nothing malicious, of course; Toya wasn't sure Relena was capable of showing malice, save perhaps where Blue Cosmos or the Radam were concerned. And if it wasn't dangerous, it really wasn't his business.

"Speaking of Heero, anyone seen him this morning?" Miku said, looking around.

"Probably tucked away in that Gundam of his," Relena said, standing. "I'll bring him some breakfast."

Masato looked blank. Higgins and Flay, by contrast, both wore knowing expressions, as did Kaname when Relena approached the counter. Even Toya knew what he was saying, loner though he had once been. Whether Heero reciprocated—or was even aware of it—was another question entirely.

"How long you think it'll take?" Duo asked from the next table over.

"I give it two months," Miriallia said, sipping some juice. "Maybe she's not a fighter, but she's strong, and she really like Heero."

I can't believe we're all but taking bets on someone's love life. Privately, though, Toya had to agree with Mir. Especially since Relena seemed to be the only one with whom Heero was willing to let his guard down. Well, aside from a couple of the Brains, to the bemusement of just about everyone.

Which reminded him, it was time to meet Sosuke on the shooting range. He finished the remains of his breakfast and stood, waving to Kaname on his way out.

A few kilometers from the Nanbara Connection

Hyoma had put Kenji Kawakami largely out of his mind by the time they launched. The reports of Boazanian Beast Fighters were at least something he could take out his frustrations on. He often had trouble hitting machines like mobile suits or SPTs, and of course he'd barely even tried against Tekkaman Dagger.

Besides, it made for a good chance to test out their new upgrades.

"Everything good on your end, Kenichi?" he asked over the comm.

"So far," the Voltes Team leader said promptly. "Professor Hamaguchi just relayed a message from Yokosuka, though. Apparently there's been some sporadic Death Army activity in the area, so we need to be extra cautious."

Juzo grunted. "Death Army? Bet Domon and his buddies were thrilled to hear that."

"Apparently Chibodee was turning the air blue on the Archangel," Megumi said, a touch of wry humor in her voice. "Heads up, we've got Beast Fighters incoming."

There was indeed a pair of Boazanian mechs up ahead, one of their demonic samurai types and something that looked like a giant crab. Nothing they hadn't faced before, and likely would again, certainly nothing Combattler and Voltes couldn't handle on their own.

"We'll take the big crab," Hyoma said. "Let's go!"

The Boazanian machine saw them coming, of course. Combattler was a huge target, and not a stealth mech like Gundam Deathscythe or Uruz Squad's Arm Slaves. It was made more for raw power than finesse, which suited Hyoma Aoi just fine. The Twin Lancer was all he needed.

Without slowing, he tore into the crab-like machine with his double-ended weapon. Metal screeched in protest, audible even over Combattler's drive system, but Hyoma didn't relent. He gripped the crab's arm with Combattler's free hand, keeping the giant claw from his machine's head. A wrenching tug with the lancer followed by a point-blank V-Laser reduced the crab robot to scrap.

About a hundred meters away, Kenichi was handling the demon samurai with equal deftness. More of a swordsman than Hyoma, the Voltes Team leader parried a slash, then drove his own blade into the Boazanian machine before ripping it out sideways. Sparking and smoking, the bisected robot fell to the ground with a crash.

"That was too easy," Juzo said. "Just two machines, and we slaughtered them in minutes."

Almost instantly, the ground trembled violently. Visible just beyond the tree line, just coming into view, was a Boazanian Skullrook command ship. Hyoma cursed under his breath, knowing they'd just been baited. Juzo was right, just two Beast Fighters was too easy.

"You had to say it," Ippei groaned.

There was only one Beast Fighter accompanying the Skullrook, but Hyoma was nonetheless on his guard. Whatever else the Boazanians were, they weren't stupid. If that ship's commander had only deployed one machine, it had to be a setup of some kind.

Still, they didn't have many options. "Kenichi, let's go," he said. "We'll hit it before it can hit us."

"I'm with you," Kenichi said.

They barely had a chance to move. The vaguely canine Beast Fighter's head section flashed, and both Combattler and Voltes ground to a shuddering halt.

"What the hell was that attack!?" Hyoma demanded.

He distantly heard frantic typing from Kosuke's section. "That was . . . oh, no!" More typing. "Hyoma, it was an energy burst that somehow disrupts Super Electromagnetism! At this rate, not only will Combattler and Voltes be unable to move, they'll be forced to cancel their combinations as well!"

"Dammit!" Kenichi slammed a fist against his monitor. "We knew it was a setup, but we still fell for it!"

Hyoma gritted his teeth, fighting the increasingly sluggish controls. "Damn, there has to be something we can do." He could almost hear the Boazanian commander's gloating, and it infuriated him.

Almost as infuriating was the Battle Jet that streaked by overhead. "There is, Professor," Kenji Kawakami said. "It's just like I reported."

"You idiot!" Yotsuya's voice came back. "You're in no position to fight them in a Battle Jet! Fall back at once!"

"Listen to him," Hyoma said. Much as he loathed Kawakami, he didn't want the other dead. "There's nothing you can do."

Kawakami hissed in frustration. "Roger."

Hyoma glared at the Beast Fighter in impotent fury. Their communications had been disabled beyond short range; hopefully Kawakami and Professor Yotsuya had already alerted the Archangel. In the meantime, Combattler and Voltes were sitting ducks.

Toya was grateful for the gloves he wore in combat, else he likely wouldn't have been able to maintain his grip on the controls. Seeing two of Japan's most powerful fighting mechs so easily rendered helpless was both frightening and infuriating. Especially when he knew the crews so well.

"Combattler and Voltes both neutralized," Sai said, showing an amazing grasp of the obvious. "One Boazanian command ship and a single Beast Fighter on radar."

Natarle let out a strangled, incredulous curse. "That was enough to take both machines out of action!?"

"Incoming transmission from Professor Yotsuya of the Nanbara Connection," Kuzzey put in.

Toya didn't know the Nanbara had very much, but he could tell the man was agitated. "Captain Ramius, listen carefully. The Boazanians have developed a weapon that disrupts Super Electromagnetism. In order to save Combattler and Voltes, you have to find that device and destroy it."

Which of course left the question of where it was. Not many possibilities, granted, but either one was a tough nut to crack.

He was so absorbed in the tactical situation that he almost missed the fighter that zipped by overhead. "What the!?"

"Is that a Battle Jet!?" Kira said incredulously.

"Professor, I've pinpointed the source," a new voice said. "It's in the head section of that Beast Fighter. If we destroy that. . . ."

At least it gave them a target. Toya had to wonder about the other's tone, though. A mere Battle Jet was no match for the kind of opposition they faced. The last time he could recall seeing Hyoma's fighter on its own would have been a recon patrol back on Mars.

"I'll deal with it!" the newcomer said, lighting off his afterburners.

"Kawakami, what are you saying!?" Hyoma demanded. "Get back!"

Kawakami merely increased his speed. "This one's to me, Hyoma! Victory is mine!"

Toya could only sit and watch in disbelief. Kawakami's Battle Jet wove its way through Boazanian fire, only to crash headlong into the lone Beast Fighter, severely damaging its head.

"I don't believe it." Even Natarle Badgiruel sounded subdued. "A kamikaze attack!?"

Watching the explosion dissipate, Toya felt something very like ice settle in the pit of his stomach. He didn't know much about operations at the Nanbara Connection, but it didn't matter. What mattered was a fellow Earthling had just sacrificed himself to disable that Beast Fighter, and there were more incoming.

"Combattler and Voltes have withdrawn." Zechs's voice was colder than Toya could recall hearing it, save perhaps during the mess with Lacus Clyne. "All units: Attack."

Granteed surged forward, Zeorymer close behind. Toya unleashed an Orgone Blaster shot at close range on a crab unit; while the robotic crustacean wasn't destroyed, the opening was enough for Gundam Deathscythe to deliver a killing blow. Duo's machine leaped high into the air, its scythe coming down in a lethal arc.

"Keep goin', Toya!" the God of Death said. "I've got your back!"

The hemisphere on Zeorymer's right arm flashed, a bolt of energy bypassing the intervening space to cripple a vaguely bovine Beast Fighter. A second flash, accompanied by a hail of gunfire from Uruz Squad and Gundam Heavyarms, and it exploded.

Toya was almost on the next one when it seemed to melt, components fusing together as it fell to Earth, an unrecognizable mass of metal. The cause was apparent at once, a blue and white Gundam with what looked like a dragon's head on its right arm. He'd only seen it once before, but Shenlong Gundam had left quite an impression.

"Well, look who's here," Duo said, hacking through a Beast Fighter. "Come to lend a hand, Wufei?"

The other Gundam pilot let out a disdainful sniff. "I heard your other ship went to space a couple of weeks ago," he said, spinning his beam glaive through a crab Fighter. "Since I was in the area, I though I'd clean up a little."

"Yeah, whatever," Duo said.

Obnoxious though Wufei tended to be, Toya had to admit the Shenlong was a welcome addition. He couldn't help admiring Wufei's skill, the way the Shenlong carved through Beast Fighters as though they were made of wood. There was a certain elegance to it.

"He's a martial artist, like Domon," Heero said, taking an energy blast on Wing Gundam's shield. "Our Gundams have more conventional control styles, but a skilled pilot can still pull off some fancy tricks."

Which was fortunate, as a second Skullrook had appeared, along with Beast Fighter reinforcements. Most likely whoever was in charge was irritated that their trap had failed; Combattler and Voltes were out of the fight, but they had still managed to escape.

And one of our own died to make it happen. Toya set his teeth, saw nearly identical expressions on his female companions' faces, and urged Granteed forward. A punch crumpled one demon samurai like an empty beer can. Granteed's chest flashed, blowing a whole through an identical mech.

He could see Uruz Squad below, easily holding their own despite their small size. The Mithril trio advanced steadily, Kurz softening up the enemy with his sniper rifle, Mao providing midrange support, and Sosuke eliminating anything that got too close with Arbalest's shotgun.

"Keep it up," Mu said. He and Cagalli were almost canopy-to-canopy, an impressive display of close-formation flying. "Let's kick these Boazanian bastards off our planet!"

"Mission accepted." Face set in a cold stare, Heero lifted his Buster Rifle and fired into the nearer Skullrook. The command ship was too big for it to be a fatal blow, but it visibly staggered in the air.

Toya pressed on, aiming for the second command ship and trusting Granteed's heavy armor to see him through. He felt several jolts as his machine took hits, but not enough to stop him. He'd faced worse when he was still piloting Bellzelute; Tekkaman Dagger leaped to mind.

"We're going for it, girls!" he said. "Tenia, raise the output to maximum!"

"Already on it!" the redhead said with a toothy grin; she obviously knew what Toya intended.

He grinned back. "Katia, give me a target lock; Melua, boost our speed." He got acknowledgments from the other two, and focused on his target. "This is for Kawakami! Tempest Lancer!"

It wasn't a killing blow, of course. A Skullrook was simply too big, and too well armored. The attack still bit deep, enough that Toya saw a few secondary explosions, probably from cutting through a power conduit. As a bonus, the Beast Fighters couldn't attack him right then, not without risking further damage to their own mothership.

"Mobile suits incoming," Sai broke in. "Identified as Death Army units, plus a single mobile fighter. Checking ID now."

Toya swore under his breath. He'd heard the reports of Death Army activity, that was normal, but he hadn't really expected them to appear. Much less with a mobile fighter along; he wondered if Master Asia had decided to pay them another visit.

"Is it the Master Gundam?" Zechs asked.

"Negative," Sai said. "Profile matches something called the Mirage Gundam."

There was a sharp hiss over the comm; after a few seconds Toya realized it had come from Gundam Rose. This surprised him; George de Sand was generally regarded as one of their more level-headed pilots, nothing like Domon or D-Boy. Whoever the mystery arrival was, George obviously knew him.

"Mirabeau," the Frenchman said. "It has to be him."

Quatre swung a heat shotel through a Beast Fighter that was just too slow in retreating. "That name sounds familiar. Do you know him, George?"

"All too well," George said, his voice shaking. "He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds, and to my shame I was unable to stop him."

It clicked then. Toya recalled a news report from shortly before the girls had dropped in on him. The Marseille Tragedy. Probably the worst incident in the colonies prior to the Bloody Valentine. In a colony controlled by the Eurasian nation of France, two mobile fighter pilots had squared off in an arena. One was a noble knight; the other, a crude brawler whose carelessness had led to a missile strike on the stands.

"So how'd you get out of jail, bastard?" he demanded. "I heard you were sentenced to a century of hard labor; should've been shot."

"I have nothing to say to you, boy," Mirabeau countered. "My fight is with the young de Sand here. Isn't that right, George?"

An ominous black shape appeared next to Gundam Rose. "Well that's too bad, creep," Duo said, hefting his beam scythe for emphasis. "You take on one of us, you take on all of us."

"No," a new voice cut in. Gundam Spiegel had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, neatly slicing a Death Army mobile suit in half. "This is something George has to deal with himself. No one interfere."

Toya could almost hear Natarle grinding her teeth. "Just who do you think you are?" she demanded tightly. "Mirabeau is a known criminal, and his having made contact with the Devil Gundam makes him a threat to the entire Earth Sphere."

"I don't disagree," Schwartz Bruder said. "But there is more going on here than you realize, Natarle Badgiruel. And remember, George de Sand is a member of the Shuffle Alliance. If he is truly worthy of that Crest, he will emerge victorious."

"Very well," Murrue interjected. "We'll leave it to him . . . for now. All units, concentrate on eliminating the Death Army machines." Her voice hardened. "However, if Gundam Rose is crippled, target Mirage Gundam. One way or another, Mirabeau cannot be allowed to escape."

For once, Toya actually agree with Natarle; frankly, he thought Schwartz was out of his mind to insist George take on that lunatic alone. Orders were orders, though, and he didn't exactly mind smashing up Death Army units in job lots. Individually they were little threat to Granteed, a fact he freely exploited, defending more lightly armored machines like the Arm Slaves.

Especially Kurz's, which for unknown reasons lacked any kind of melee weapon. "Keep your distance, Kurz," Toya said, slamming a zombie suit through a line of trees. "Trust me, you don't want those freaks swarming you."

George could recall only one other opponent who had given him such a fight, his teammate Domon Kasshu. By rights Mirabeau shouldn't have been so dangerous, but the boost he was getting from the DG Cells, something George recalled all too well, more than made up for the difference in skill.

Moreover, he found the memories to be a hindrance. Rain had said he had at least a mild case of PTSD stemming from his experience with the Devil Gundam, but for most of their battles since then he had been able to suppress it. Those battles, however, had not involved DG Cells.

"Yes, this is how it's supposed to be!" Mirabeau crowed. "I should have been the one, but you stole it from me that day!"

Never stable to begin with, the other Frenchman was clearly out of his mind from the DG Cells. "It was your own actions that cost you victory," George said. "You were never worthy of being a knight."

"Is that so?" Mirabeau sneered, launching a missile salvo. "Spare me the pathetic chivalry, de Sand. What matters is victory, no matter how it's attained."

George shortstopped the missiles with his sword and Vulcans. "And that is why you will never understand—gah!"

Mirage Gundam had charged, knocking his Rose off balance. Mirabeau didn't hesitate to press his advantage, throwing wild punches while keeping up an improbable storm of missiles. The latter at least was mitigated some when, despite Schwartz's admonition, Gundam Heavyarms opened fire, thinning it out enough for George's own CIWS to compensate.

It wasn't enough. "How does it feel, George?" Mirabeau cackled. "How does it feel to be helpless, helpless against the power you once had?"

And with that, George de Sand snapped.

Fear turned to pure rage. Teeth bared in a vicious snarl, George swept one last missile aside and went on the offensive. Two Death Army machines that got in the way were sliced in half, the pieces tossed contemptuously aside. Even Mirabeau seemed taken aback by the sudden onslaught, hastily backpedaling in the hope of getting some breathing space.

George was in no mood to give it to him. His Rose Bits swept outward, swarming the murderous Gundam Fighter. Infected as it was by the DG Cells, the Mirage Gundam was able to regenerate, but there were limits, and George was pushing them, his attacks coming out swift and brutal.

"Today, I will rid the world of you!" he growled, bowling the other Gundam over. A sword slash removed Mirage Gundam's left arm; another took off its head, and he wasn't done. The only thing on his mind was erasing the DC Cell-empowered murderer from existence.

"That's enough!"

Suddenly George felt a sharp pull in the opposite direction, and his arms refused to move. While he was lost in a blood haze, Shining Gundam had come up from behind and held him back, even as the fallen Mirage Gundam stirred weakly at his feet.

"Stop it, George!" Domon said. "It's already over!"

George gritted his teeth. "Let go, Domon!" he snapped.

"No, he's right." Gundam Spiegel stepped between him and his target. "Mirabeau is a vile human being, but he is also a victim. You of all people should know what that means."

Slowly, George de Sand felt the blood madness ebb. Schwartz was right, he realized. Mirabeau was a murderer and quite possibly a traitor, but even he deserved better than to become a slave to the Devil Gundam. Which meant there was really only one choice.

Reaching out to the fallen Gundam, George called on the power of his Crest.

Archangel, bridge

It was one of those days. Casualties had been light by most standards, but Murrue had always hated that kind of thought. Any casualties were too many as far as she was concerned, especially when it was someone as young as Kenji Kawakami. The would-be lead pilot of the Second Combattler Project was dead, to the horror of the original team, including—perhaps especially—his childhood rival Hyoma.

George, fortunately, appeared to have recovered from his brief episode, though Natarle for one wanted to keep him under observation, unwilling to take the mysterious Schwartz Bruder's word on it. Murrue had been forced to overrule her, noting their still-precarious situation.

And now this. The Gradosians had the Moon. Admiral Lewis Halburton, was dead, killed in an SPT attack. Nadesico was safe, fortunately, but that was small comfort after such a defeat.

"I'm sorry things tuned out this way," Professor Yotsuya said. "Unfortunately, that still leaves us with a serious dilemma."

"Indeed," Natarle said grimly. "With the Boazanians' new weapon, Combattler and Voltes are effectively useless."

Professor Hamaguchi cleared his throat. "Actually, there may be a way to counter it."

Yotsuya's gaze sharpened. "You have a plan, Professor Hamaguchi?"

"I came upon a set of schematics Professor Go left behind," the older man explained. "I haven't had a chance to study them in detail as of yet, but it could well provide a means to resist this new Super EM Disruptor."

Murrue rubbed her chin. "I don't see that we have much choice," she said. "Very well. Combattler and Voltes will be detached until this new countermeasure is completed. I'm sorry it came to this," she added, looking at the young pilots.

Hyoma shrugged. "Not your fault, Captain. If it gives us the chance to really hit back at the Boazanians, we're fine with it."

That was one problem out of the way, at least. "In the meantime, we'll need to step up reconnaissance patrols," Murrue said. "After the way Mirabeau came out of nowhere, I don't want to be caught flat-footed again. Lieutenant La Flaga, please set up a more intensive scout rotation."

Mu nodded thoughtfully. "Need some high-mobility units for that. The princess and I," he grinned at the dirty look he got from said princess, "can take the Skygraspers as usual. Heero and Zechs, the Strike has good range in Aile mode. The Antibody squad could help, too." He frowned slightly. "Gonna mean more wear and tear on the machines, though."

"We only need to until the Nadesico returns," Murrue assured him. "Once we're back at full strength, we can ease back a little."

"Gotcha." Mu tossed her a jaunty salute.

Yokosuka Base, Treize's office

"I see. Keep me informed." Treize set the handset back on the desk.

Something's not right here, he thought, gazing out his window. The mobile dolls, the Devil Gundam, and now Duke Dermail meeting with General Colbert.

"Mister Treize? Is something wrong?"

It was a bespectacled woman in a dark read uniform. Lady Une, his closest aide, and the only person save Zechs Merquise who could be said to know his mind.

"I've been hearing some very troubling reports," he said. "You know of the new weapons recently assigned to the Archangel?"

Une's lip twitched. "The mobile doll system, yes. It was for testing purposes, correct?"

Treize nodded. "Exactly, though they've not really had much chance to, given the recent incidents." He clasped his hands together, thinking. "We both know the UEFA is corrupt; that much has been plain at least since their ill-conceived attempt to seize the Nadesico last year. Unfortunately, I'm starting to believe that corruption is spreading to the upper echelons of Romefeller."

Une almost dropped her clipboard. "To Romefeller?" she repeated. "Are you certain?"

"Not yet, but like I said, I've heard some very troubling reports. Duke Dermail has been meeting with General Colbert."

"He's one of the more extreme members of the Federation high command, isn't he?"

Treize grimaced slightly. "More than that. I strongly suspect he has connections to Blue Cosmos. It would explain his attitude toward certain members of the Special Task Force."

He saw his aide's face darken with grim understanding. Lady Une was considered excessively hard-edged by many even within OZ, but she had no patience at all with the likes of Blue Cosmos. Which was why he had taken the chance of sharing his concerns with her.

"It does indeed," she agreed. "'For the preservation of our blue and pure world.'" Her voice fairly dripped contempt.

Treize nodded. "Exactly. In my opinion, Lady, the purest people in the Special Task Force are Eiji Asuka and Kira Yamato, the very people that fool Colbert is most suspicious of. I've looked both of them in the eye; there is nothing false in them."

Une appeared to digest that. "So what do we do now?"

Treize stood, clasping his hands behind his back. "For the moment, we bide our time. Zechs and Noin can keep an eye on things in the field; the younger officer, Miss Schbeiker, seems to have bonded with Duo Maxwell, which can only benefit everyone concerned." He half-turned toward her. "In the meantime, contact the Black Knight. I have a request for him."

Une tilted her head. "If I may ask, what kind of request?"

Treize smiled slightly, knowing the reaction his idea was likely to provoke. "I want him to get in contact with the Gundam engineers."

He wasn't disappointed. "The Gundam engineers!?" she blurted. "Mister Treize, with all due respect, they're not exactly fond of us."

"I know," Treize said. "However, four of their agents are cooperating with the Federation despite knowing OZ is involved. Combined with the knowledge of dissension in the ranks, and I think they may be more willing to talk at least." He crossed back to his desk. "The Archangel and Nadesico are vital to the future we desire. To that end, we must do what we can to ensure their success."

Lady Une bowed. "Of course, sir. I apologize for my impertinence."

Treize waved a hand. "I don't blame you, Lady. These are very difficult times, for us and for all of humanity."

And perhaps especially for the people on those ships. Be careful, Zechs, and all the rest of you, too.

Archangel, infirmary

With a weary sigh, Relena slid the cabinet closed. For all that none of their regular pilots had been seriously injured, it had still been the most difficult experience in her life save for the death of her father. Watching as Kenji Kawakami's life faded away, helpless to do anything, had cut her to the heart. Hyoma's visible agony hadn't helped.

She'd understood the possibility, of course, even more when she volunteered to help out in sickbay. All she had was a first-aid course, but even that meant something when they were so shorthanded.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

Relena looked up, seeing her masked brother just inside the door. "You aren't, but even if you were it would be a welcome distraction." She nodded at the bed on which Kenji Kawakami had all too briefly laid.

Zechs followed her thoughts easily enough. "You don't have to do this, you know."

"Yes, I do," Relena disagreed, shaking her head. "If I don't do something to help out, if I just sit around while others protect me, I'll lose my mind. I can't fight, and I don't have Kaname's gift for cooking, but at least here I can do something useful."

Zechs smiled sadly. "Yes, I see your point." He found a vacant chair and sat.

Relena settled on the bed opposite him. "Zechs, what happened out there? I don't think I've ever seen Hyoma like that."

"The Boazanians took us by surprise," her brother said. "They've developed some kind of device that disrupts Super Electromagnetism; Professor Hamaguchi is working on a countermeasure, but until then Combattler and Voltes are out of action." He grimaced. "And then an old enemy of George's appeared with a small horde of Death Army units."

Relena shivered. She'd heard enough about the Devil Gundam to know what that entailed. "What about that boy, Kenji?"

"He tried a kamikaze attack on the Battle Beast with the Super EM Disruptor," Zechs explained. "On top of that, the Gradosians now have effectively complete control of the Moon." His face relaxed some. "It isn't all bad news, though. The Nadesico people succeeded in retrieving Akito; we'll be meeting up with them in three days."

"And Heero?"

Zechs chuckled. "Of course you'd be concerned about him." There was no condemnation in his voice, only gentle amusement. "Untouched. I ran an analysis of his combat capability once, a couple months before Heliopolis. The computer said he wasn't even human."

"But he is," Relena insisted. "As human as any of us."

Zechs raised a hand. "I don't disagree. He's unusual, yes, but still human. Much more than he lets on, really, but I'm sure you've noticed."

She had, if only because she was one of a very few Heero seemed to relax around.

"Are you going to be all right?"

Relena shook herself. "Eventually. It isn't easy, but I really have nowhere else to go."

"Indeed," Zechs agreed, standing. "Minister Darlian wasn't very popular with the military. This is, ironically, one of the few places in the Earth Sphere where you are anything close to safe."

She's had much the same thought. "Zechs, is there something else?"

He smiled. "Even with this mask, you read me almost as well as Noin. There is, but it's not something I can discuss yet, even with you. Rest assured all the masks will be removed when the time comes."

More than a little cryptic, but not at all ominous as far as she could tell. At least, not the part directed at her. "All right. Stay safe out there. And tell Heero the same; I don't want him blowing himself up."

That drew a soft laugh. "Of course."

Author's note: Okay, this time I've something resembling a concrete reason for the delay. Simply put, I find "Super EM Stop Up" to be just about the most painfully boring level in the game. Not because it's a Voltes mission, mind; I honestly enjoy the final fight with Prince Heinel. Thus, the admittedly clumsy addition of Mirabeau; I needed something to spice things up, and G Gundam is somewhat neglected in the overall storyline.