Abandoned space colony, Lagrange Point Three

He wasn't as old as he looked. Despite his gray hair and goatee, he was only in his late forties. The cares of life, however, could induce premature signs of aging, something he knew better than most. Injuries sustained in years past, necessitating cybernetic eye replacements, as well as one hand, made him seem even more worn. His mind, however, remained sharp.

"Well," he murmured, watching the Black Wing soar back to Earth, "this complicates things, doesn't it?"

"As always, you have a gift for understatement, Doctor J," one of his colleagues said. His voice had a nasal quality to it, as expected of a man with such a prominent nose. "It's completely insane. Why would Treize Khushrenada make that kind of request of us? It isn't like the UEFA is lacking in mobile suit designers."

Doctor J chuckled. "But they don't have us, Professor G. For all the undeniable skill of people like Morgenroete or the members of the Defense Industries Association, our knowledge is unique."

"Uniquely insane, you mean," Professor G said, straightening his lab coat. "If Treize is truly becoming disillusioned with Romefeller, I certainly don't mind helping the process along. Better him than some of our own 'friends' in the colonies," he went on, referring to the faction led by Patrick Zala. "My problem is the nature of his request."

That was indeed the crux of the matter. With most of their own charges aiding the Federation in its various crises (Chang Wufei being the only exception), lending their expertise wasn't necessarily a problem. As long as they kept it on the down-low; none of them wanted a visit from ZAFT.

"Indeed," a large, bald man agreed. "Helping our agents is one thing, but he wants us to build that? Madness."

Doctor J stroked his short beard thoughtfully. "Ordinarily, Master O, I would agree. However, these are hardly ordinary times, even by our standards. I'm especially concerned about Orphan and the Radam. With them involved, the entire picture changes drastically."

"Not to mention those mysterious invaders who appeared in Kawasaki," Professor G reluctantly conceded. "And if the Tekkoryu are really moving. . . ."

Doctor J grimaced at that. He had met Masaki Kihara once, shortly before the mad scientist's death, and had found him very disturbing. Kihara had lacked anything resembling a conscience, and Zeorymer of the Heavens was perhaps the one thing in the Earth Sphere more terrifying than Treize's request, at least in the wrong hands.

"Heero speaks highly of the OZ people he's been working with, Zechs Merquise especially," he said after a moment. "According to his reports, we should be able to trust most of the Special Task Force, at least on the Federation side. Nergal is where things get murky."

Professor G snorted. "It's still a good idea to keep an eye on them. Why do you think I let Duo go with Nadesico to Mars? It certainly wasn't a vacation."

Master O cleared his throat. "That aside, the question remains, do we do as Treize asks?"

"We'll have to wait for Instructor H and Doktor S to get back before we make a firm decision," Doctor J said. "That said, I personally am in favor of it. I don't much like it, but I also believe we have little choice if the Earth Sphere is to be protected." If his eyes were still biological, he would have rolled them. "UEFA and ZAFT, both idiots."

Which was, of course, why he and his colleagues had sent the five Gundam pilots to Earth separately. To be sure, when those boys had made their descent, the only issues besides the tensions between the Federation and the PLANTs had been Doctor Hell's antics and the occasional Jovian attack.

This is spiraling out of control, he thought. Treize is right about one thing, those two ships are our best hope.

"It may well be in our best interest after all," Master O said into his thoughts.

Professor G raised an eyebrow. "That's a rather abrupt about-face. Why change your mind so suddenly?"

"The Devil Gundam," Master O said. "If Professor Kasshu wasn't in stasis, we could ask him for a way to circumvent its regeneration, but as it is brute power may be our only solution." He shook his head, turning back to his computer. "I wish I knew what Master Asia was up to. . . ."

"Oh? Do you have some insight for us?" Professor G pressed.

For a while it looked like the larger man wasn't going to answer. As much a martial artist as he was an engineer and scientist, Master O was closed-mouthed about a lot of things. The strong, silent type, Doctor J occasionally joked.

"The Master Gundam looks like it may be based on his previous unit, the Kowloon Gundam," Master O said. "I have to wonder if he somehow used DG Cells to modify his machine."

"Then why isn't he more of a raving lunatic?" Professor G said. "You've all seen Heero's report on Domon Kasshu's 'Shuffle Alliance' friends, and it only gets worse from there."

"We'll have to wait and hope more data comes our way," Doctor J interrupted. "Look, the others are docking now. We have work to do."

Underground Castle

Prince Heinel was in an even worse mood than usual. Fighting Earthlings was one thing; they were infuriating but at the same time he had to (grudgingly) admit they were worthy opponents, notably Voltes and the various other members of the Special Task Force. Treachery was something else, and what he had learned was nothing less than treachery.

Katherine Rii came in and stood before him. "Did you call for us, Lord Heinel?"

"I did," Heinel said. "The readings we got from that last battle are clear. While one of those flying units was of Earth make, the other was unmistakably Boazanian."

Jangal's eyes went wide. "What!? Are you certain, my lord!?"

A soft, derisive laugh cut through the discussion. "There's also the matter of those plans that Boazanian unit left behind," Bergan said, stroking his thin mustache. His pale face seemed paler in the relatively dim light. "Blueprints left behind by the traitor Lagour, former head of the Science Department.

Katherine's head snapped around. "From Lord Lagour!? Then Prince Heinel is—"

"Enough," Heinel cut her off. That was one matter he did not want aired, certainly not outside his inner circle. "What matters is what the blueprints were for. Whoever the pilot is, he has contacted the Earthlings and thus must be treated as a traitor. There is also the possibility, however small, that he might contact the Gradosians. He must be found, and dealt with."

Jangal cleared his throat. "Forgive me, my lord, but nothing we have is fast enough to catch that flying mech."

"Worry not," Bergan said. "I have already analyzed its drive system, and come up with a means to disable it."

"Good." Heinel didn't trust Bergan for an instant, but the man was too useful . . . for now. "This kind of betrayal cannot be allowed to harm His Highness. Jangal, Katherine, you know what to do."

Katherine drew herself up and bowed deeply. "Leave it to me, my lord," she said. "I will see the traitor unmasked, even if it costs me my life."

Heinel had no doubt of that. Katherine was very nearly his most loyal subordinate, rivaled only by the grizzled veteran Jangal. It was something he secretly treasured, given the kind of hostility he normally encountered in the imperial court. Such loyalty was all too rare in the present age.

Then I shall have to change that, he silently resolved.

Novis Noah, upper deck

Maybe it was because he was something of a closet romantic, but Mu found the open sea to be a calming sight. After over a year of nonstop fighting, he needed all the calming he could get. And even that wasn't much, considering the reason he and Captain Ramius had dropped by the Novis.

"I hear Captain McCormick's gone missing," he said.

Beside him, Winston Geybridge sighed. "It was a few days ago during a Plate recovery operation," he confirmed. "The Captain was still reeling from the incident with her son. Doctor Carrier and Hime, among others, said she needed a rest, but some of the crew, notably Yu Isami, thought otherwise."

Mu winced. "I can just imagine where it went from there."

"Captain McCormick—rather recklessly, in my opinion—took direct command of the next Plate recovery," Geybridge said. "Yu provided backup; from what he reported afterward, the weather turned foul, and the Plate protected itself with a previously unseen form of Chakra Light. Captain McCormick was lost in the struggle."

Murrue closed her eyes. "No. . . ."

"We're continuing search efforts, but Orphan is on the move," Geybridge said. "If what Yu has told us is correct, and I believe it is, Orphan has already left the seafloor."

"So it's begun. . . ." Mu said.

Geybridge nodded. "And that's why I called you here today. Now that the crew has assembled, we can begin." He turned to face the Novis people. "With Captain McCormick missing in action, we need someone to take over command of this ship. Irene Carrier, you graduated from a military academy, and have been serving as ship's doctor. Because of that role, you know the crew better than anyone, and while you still lack experience in some areas, I can think of no one better to take command. Are there any objections?"

Komodo Mahama shrugged. "Suits me."

"Seconded!" That was one of the kids, Yukio if Mu recalled correctly.

Nanga grunted. "A medic in charge of an Organic ship, huh? Guess it makes sense. Thought Captain Laite might finally be getting a promotion, though."

"He'd never do it," Higgins disagreed. "He loves that submarine too much."

To Mu's immense surprise, not a single voice was raised in dissent. At the least he expected Yu Isami to object, though to be fair the former Reclaimer could be hard to figure out sometimes. He might've left Orphan behind, but life at the bottom of the sea had still left its mark on him.

"Thank you," Carrier said. "I'll do my best to earn the trust you have placed in me. For now, please return to your posts."

Geybridge cleared his throat. "With that settled, Captain Ramius, Commander La Flaga, would you join me on the bridge for a moment? Kant, you come too."

"Yes, sir," the boy said. Kant Kestner was no more than eleven or twelve, short, very blonde, and quietly intense.

Murrue tilted her head. "Commander, just who is that boy?"

"Kant may be young, but he already holds a PhD," Geybridge said. "He's a pioneer in Organic Energy research, with us to pursue his interest in the Brain Powerds."

Mu whistled softly at that. Kid must really know his stuff. And I thought Kira was a prodigy. And speaking of kids. A certain young Gundam pilot was standing just inside the hangar, gazing at the Brains with his usual lack of expression. I really don't get how he gets along with them. Kira or Quatre I could understand, but Heero Yuy? . . .Then again, Relena likes him.

Nadesico, Toya's quarters

The news about Anoa McCormick's disappearance spread quickly through the two ships. For his part, Toya had never been comfortable with the Novis captain, though he certainly mourned her loss. Irene Carrier he'd only met a couple of times, but she seemed nice enough, much like Captain Ramius.

"What's on the agenda for today, Toya?" Katia asked, leaning against the far bulkhead.

"Whatever it is, it can wait till after lunch," Tenia said before Toya could reply. She perched on the end of his bunk. "An army marches on its stomach, after all."

Where'd she hear that one? Toya shook his head. "I've got another target practice session with Sosuke in an hour or so. Then we have patrol duty this afternoon; Granteed and Zeorymer, with Cagalli flying cover."

"Feh. Boring." Tenia rolled her eyes. "Shouldn't they be sending the SPTs or Noin and Hilde for something like that?"

"And if something like the Boazanians or Tekkoryu show up?" Katia countered. "With Combattler and Voltes out of action, we have one of the few machines that can really fight them alone."

It was a testament to how accustomed they all were to mecha combat that none of them were confused by the various and sundry terms. Suppressing a sigh, Toya stood, thinking vaguely of stopping by the cafeteria for a quick meal before hitting the range.

"Are we going to help search for Captain McCormick?" Melua asked hesitantly.

Toya shook his head again. "I brought that up with Captain Misumaru already. She said she'd love to, but there was no way Captain McCormick would've survived." It had been a very difficult admission for the normally optimistic Nergal captain, he knew.

The whole thing worried him more than just for the loss of one person, though. He'd been talking with Yu about the situation; the ex-Reclaimer had grown more social of late. According to him, Orphan's rise meant a change in tactics and priorities for the Reclaimers. While they would continue to collects Plates when they appeared, the primary goal would have shifted to defending Orphan itself.

In some ways that was even more frightening than the Radam. The Radam tended to swarm, but the advanced mechs Toya and his friends used were so far more than enough to counter them. He shuddered at the thought of facing Tekkaman Evil, but he was still only one being.

Something like Orphan, now. . . .

"What about that alien flier we saw at the harbor?" Katia said. "Has there been any word on that?"

"Calvina told me they think it's a Boazanian design," Toya said. "Professor Hamaguchi thinks he might've seen it in Professor Go's files somewhere, but he isn't sure of it."

The brunette sighed. "Back to square one, then."

Toya shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. If it had data they can use, maybe we'll finally get a leg up." He stretched. "I'd better get going before Sosuke decides to use me as target practice."

Even Melua chuckled at that.

Yokosuka Dock

The young man known to his friends as D-Boy was in a more pensive mood than usual. Or perhaps "pensive" wasn't the right word. His encounter with Tekkaman Evil on the Moon had shaken him badly. He'd known it was coming sooner or later, of course, but that didn't make it any easier to deal with on an emotional level.

Shinya, you, too. And Miyuki. . . . He stared glumly at the flower in his hand. Amaryllis, Miyuki's favorite flower. Now, she's. . . . He forced the thought away. All of it was in the past. He was Tekkaman Blade, the scourge of the Radam. Who the enemy Tekkamen once were . . . no longer mattered.

"Hey, you okay?"

D-Boy almost jumped out of his skin. "Miyuki!? No." He cursed himself for the slip. "You just look like her somehow."

Milly Le Rouge tilted her head curiously. "Look like who?"

"My sister, Miyuki." A difficult admission, but he couldn't stop himself.

"Okay, that's weird." Duo Maxwell and Hilde Schbeiker had just returned from a day trip to the city. "You don't remember your own name, but you do remember your sister's? Color me shocked."

D-Boy shook his head. Really, he'd already said too much. Anything more would be meaningless, and quite possibly put his comrades in danger. No, better to remain silent, and bear the burden alone.

I threw away my past to fight the Radam. All of it.

Big Falcon, Control Center

"Finally!" Kenichi Go punched a fist into an open palm. "I was getting tired of sitting around. Now that we have this, Combattler and Voltes will be back in action!"

His frustration had been mounting for several days. First the Super EM Disruptor, then the partial failure of the Ultramagnecon, not to mention those new Boazanian types, it was enough to drive him half-mad. (More than half, in Megumi Ouka's opinion.)

"Plus, both robots have been upgraded!" Kosuke of the Combattler Teams said excitedly.

"Indeed," Professor Hamaguchi said with a nod. "Voltes can now use its immense power to generate a 'Super Electromagnetic Ball.' Combined with the Heaven Sword, and you should see a significant increase in combat power."

Professor Yotsuya took a sip of tea. "Likewise, Combattler has been equipped with a new signature weapon. I've no doubt you will find it very useful in coming battles." He brought up a schematic on his computer. "It's called the 'Grandasher.' Combattler generates a kind of light-wave rail, then transforms and rams the enemy."

"Uses itself as a weapon?" Hyoma said, grinning. "Okay, I'm really liking this!"

"It's kinda like D-Boy's Crash Intrude move, sounds like," Juzo agreed. "Boazanians ain't gonna know what hit 'em!"

For the first time in what felt like ages, Kenichi was starting to feel confident again. It had burned him to be unable to help his comrades while they fought the enemy he had trained for years to fight. Now he knew how D-Boy must have felt after being hit by that "Interference Spectrum" gadget.

There was, however, still an elephant in the room, as Daijiro promptly reminded them. "Professor, what about that mech we saw!? Did you get any more info on it?"

"Yeah, did you find Dad's mech!?" Hiyoshi added.

Kenichi shot them both a stern look. "Cut it out, both of you! This is no time for selfishness. You should know that."

Megumi sighed. "They've been like this ever since we saw that flying unit. It must be hard on them."

It was hard on Kenichi, too, but he knew his priorities. Defeat the Boazanians first, then search for his father. It was what he'd been trained to do, and he wasn't going to abandon it now, not when their comrades needed them more than ever. His brothers, unfortunately, did not see it that way; both were still glaring daggers at him.

And both looked ready to start in on him again, but the com unit interrupted. "This is Hamaguchi," the Professor said. ". . .Yes? I see." He closed the connection. "They've pinpointed the location of that Boazanian flier," he said.

"Really!?" Daijiro burst out. "Then what are we waiting for!? Let's go!"

"Cool it!" Kenichi snapped. "We don't even know for sure that it's Dad, and we haven't finished testing. Remember what happened last time."

Hyoma chose that moment to break in. "Yeah? We can only get a real test in actual combat. We're going, with or without you."

Kenichi felt a headache coming on. He was as eager as anyone to see what the new versions of Voltes and Combattler could do, and eventually to find his father. But that didn't matter. As the leader of the Voltes Team, he had to be responsible, and that meant putting his own wishes aside.

"There's no stopping you, is there?" Professor Hamaguchi said with a sigh. "Very well. However, you will retreat at the first sign of trouble. Is that understood?"

Glad to have an out, Kenichi nodded. "Yes, sir."

Open countryside

Though he made a strong effort not to show it, Kenichi felt like a spring ready to snap by the time Combattler and Voltes reached the area of operations. His tension only grew when he saw what awaited them: the wreckage of a Boazanian aircraft, along with a Skullrook and two Battle Beasts, one of them the same type that had caused them such grief before.

"He was already shot down!?" Daijiro said, practically vibrating with tension. "Dad. . . ."

"Calm down," Kenichi admonished. "There are Boazanians right in front of us; we have to deal with them first if we want to save him. You get that, Hyoma?"

"I'm with you," the Combattler team leader said promptly. "And so are they."

The canine Battle Beast, the one that had crippled their machines before, was visibly powering up its disruptor. Its companion, one of the type that had proved so resilient at the harbor, was clearly waiting for the chance to finish them off.

Not this time, Kenichi thought acidly.

"That won't work on us now!" Hyoma snapped. "Take this!"

Many thought Combattler V somewhat ungainly-looking; Kenichi recalled Duo making a snide remark to that effect. There was no denying its raw power, however. More smoothly than most would think possible, Voltes' brother unit drew its double-ended lance weapon, carving a deep gash in the canine Battle Beast. A second slash shattered the disruption emitter, and then Combattler jumped back.

Kenichi understood. "My turn! Ten kuu ken!" Voltes grasped its massive sword in both hands, and began to crackle with energy. "Super Electromagnetic Ball!"

The new attack worked just as advertized. A blast of what he could only describe as ball lightning enveloped the Battle Beast, stunning it. With a roar, Kenichi launched Voltes skyward, bringing his sword down in a V-shaped slash, then yanked it back out.

It exploded with enough force to stagger even Combattler and Voltes.

"One down!" Ippei said with a whoop.

"One to go," Kenichi said, grinning tightly.

This time the two machines moved together, Voltes going high, Combattler low. Voltes' sword bit deep into the second Battle Beast, while Combattler tripped it up with its yo-yo. Now dangerously open, it flailed desperately, until a follow-up sword strike finished it off.

"Just leaves the Skullrook," Hyoma said, smirking. "Ready, Kenichi?"

"Ready," Kenichi said. This time he drew out Voltes' bazooka. Two shells struck the Skullrook dead on, and while they didn't do much damage, the Boazanian commander was clearly irritated by the sheer audacity. A missile salvo swept out in return, only to be almost casually swatted aside.

Combattler stepped forward. "Hyoma, it's almost done!" Kosuke said. "Let's try out the Grandasher."

"Sounds good to me," the Combattler lead said. "We ready?"

"All systems go here," Juzo said. "Chizuru?"

"We're ready," the other said. "It's all yours, Hyoma."

Hyoma grinned. "Here we go! Gran-light wave, fire!" An iridescent wave of red light glowed from Combattler's chest, leading directly to the Skullrook. The huge machine leaped onto it, frame shifting to a vaguely tank-like shape. "Grandasher!"

It was fortunate that Voltes had backed off. Combattler drove clear through the Skullrook, leaving a gaping hole in its midsection. The Boazanian command ship staggered drunkenly in the air, secondary explosions peppering it seemingly at random. A particularly large one appeared to take out its engines, leaving it to plummet to the ground.

"Gotta wonder if it went down with all hands," was Ippei's only comment.

"Never mind that," Kenichi said. "The Skullrook is down; now to find that mech."

A simple task, as it turned out. The huge column of smoke marked the crash site like a beacon. Feeling his stomach tighten, Kenichi debarked from his machine and led the way on foot. Whoever was in that aircraft, be it Kentaro Go or someone else, was probably in bad shape.

They found the pilot, badly injured, leaning against a tree. Male, middle-aged, bearded, but definitely not Kentaro Go.

"Who is this guy?" Daijiro wondered, clearly disappointed but also not one to express it to a dying man.

The pilot took a deep, shuddering breath, grimacing in pain. "My name," he coughed, "my name is Dange. General Dange, of Boazan."

"A Boazanian?" Kenichi said, eying the man carefully. "You look human."

Another cough. "Not all of us . . . support the Emperor's oppression, even among the military. There are Boazanian nobles who have . . . cut their horns, and fought back against his rule. I am—I was—one of them, and your father is another."

The words were so matter-of-fact that they didn't at first register. "What?" Kenichi burst out. "Are you saying that . . . that our father is Boazanian!?"

"Yes," Dange rasped. "He refused to accept things as they were, and so Emperor Zu Zambajil proclaimed him a traitor."

Chizuru was checking him over. "Whatever you have to say, say it fast," she said grimly.

The coughs were growing more severe. "There is still much . . . I have to say."

Dange lasted another ten minutes, long enough to fill them in on Kentaro Go's other life. The most brilliant scientist on Boazan, an authority on Super Electromagnetic Energy, and well known as a mean of peace. It was this last point that made him a threat to the regime, much like the late colonial leader Heero Yuy was to the Federation.

"He's gone," Daisaku said softly.

"We'll give him a proper burial," Kenichi said firmly. "It may be in an alien land, but it's the least we can do for him after everything he did for us."

His voice was steady, but his mind was in turmoil. The idea that he and his brothers had Boazanian blood, that they were related to one of the empires now invading Earth, was difficult to swallow. In the back of his mind, though, he knew his denial was merely an attempt to convince himself. General Dange had had no reason to lie, and his access to Voltes V's project data lent further credence to the notion.

Do we really have Boazanian blood? Looking back, he could tell Daijiro and poor Hiyoshi were equally shocked. More than that, such news could have awkward ramifications. Kenichi wasn't particularly worried about problems within the Special Task Force, save for Natarle Badgiruel and Nagare Akatsuki, but if the UEFA higher-ups learned he and his brothers were part Boazanian, there could be trouble.

Especially when they're already suspicious of Eiji and Kira. Eiji's half-Gradosian, Kira's a Coordinator with a close friend in ZAFT. They'd put us under surveillance we can't afford.

"Who's there!?" Megumi snapped, seemingly out of the blue.

There was a yelp, and hurried footsteps in the underbrush. Megumi gave chase with Chizuru and Ippei, easily overtaking the intruder. After a brief scuffle, they returned with a woman. She looked to be in her twenties, by human reckoning, with a very haughty demeanor. And horns.

"You were spying on us?" Kenichi bit out. He drew his sidearm. "I'm not feeling very patient right now, after what happened to General Dange. Who are you?"

She lifted her head proudly. "I am General Katherine Rii of the Boazanian Invasion Force."

Ippei whistled. "A general, huh? Talk about a major catch! Hey, Kenichi, if we get her back to base, we can get her to spill the location of their Underground Castle."

The Boazanian sniffed contemptuously. "And what makes you think I would tell you? I know Earthlings do not resort to torture."

"Maybe, maybe not," Juzo said, getting startled looks from Hyoma and Chizuru. "You think maybe Domon would take a crack at her? The way he gets with Rain, I bet he'd hit a girl."

Kosuke pointed off to the west. "Um, there's no time for that right now."

Kenichi followed his gaze, and swore under his breath. Lots of Boazanian Battle Beats, enough that he wasn't sure Combattler and Voltes could take them without backup, and another Skullrook. He could think of only one explanation: ambush.

"Megumi, contact the Archangel and Nadesico," he said tightly.

His comm unit chose that moment to crackle. "Earthlings, I am the Supreme Commander of the Boazanian Earth Invasion Force, Prince Heinel," a male voice said.

"Their commander . . . Prince Heinel!?" Megumi said incredulously.

"Though we could easily crush you here, I am prepared to allow you to leave peacefully this time," Heinel continued, "so long as you return Lady Katherine and the Boazanian traitor to us. Make your decision quickly."

Kenichi traded incredulous looks with his brothers. "Prince Heinel, General Dange died of his wounds after his aircraft was shot down."

That got a reaction. "The pilot was General Dange?" Heinel said sharply.

"That's right," Kenichi said. "I am Kenichi Go, lead pilot of Voltes V." He took a quick, steadying breath. "I too have Boazanian blood, so I wanted to speak with you. Can't you put an end to this invasion?"

Even without a visual, he could tell Heinel was really startled that time. "What!? You claim to be Boazanian!?"

"Yes," Kenichi said simply. "My father is Boazanian, and his blood flows in my brothers and myself."

It was amazing. The commander of the Boazanian invasion was actually rattled. "You, you actually dare to suggest mere Earthlings like yourselves have Boazanian blood!? You will regret this, boy!"

"Just listen!" Kenichi retorted.

"Silence!" Heinel snapped. "I was prepared to let you go, but I cannot forgive this level of insolence! Kenichi Go, I challenge you to personal combat. For having the gall to bring such shame to Boazan, I will dispose of you personally!"

And thus was the situation turned on its head. Kenichi could feel his teammates' eyes on him, wondering if he would be insane enough (in their minds) to actually accept Heinel's challenge. Personally, he didn't want to; it was crazy, to put it mildly. On the other hand, they were under the guns of over a dozen Battle Beasts, so there seemed little choice.

There was one other issue. "And what about Katherine?" he said. "She's still down here, you know!"

"Then she has made her choice," Heinel said coldly. "And by refusing, you confirm we were right all along about Earthlings. Die a coward's death, insect!"

No choice anymore. "Fine!" Kenichi snapped. "If that's the way you want it, I'll accept your challenge as a defender of Earth! If you win, my life is yours, but if I win, your attack on Earth stops!"

"So be it. I give you my word as a Boazanian," Heinel said. "Katherine, you heard him. Change places with me; I will be going alone. Kenichi Go, I trust your compatriots will not interfere."

"They won't," Kenichi said, glaring warningly at his team. "I swear it."

After that was a tense wait. A Boazanian small craft of some kind emerged from the Skullrook and landed near the two Super Electromagnetic machines. The pilot, a horned young man Kenichi presumed to be Prince Heinel, gestured wordlessly to Katherine Rii. She bowed her head and obediently took over the flier, leaving the Boazanian prince alone with the Earthlings.

"Now." Heinel tossed a sword to Kenichi. "We can finish this properly. Have at you, Earthling!"

Silently blessing the intensive training he had undergone, Kenichi blocked Heinel's first attack, though only barely. This, he knew, would probably be the most difficult fight of his life. Taking on enemy mechs in Voltes was one thing, especially when he had the rest of the Special Task Force backing him up. A sword duel on foot, against a man who prided himself in his skill. . . .

Inevitably, he felt himself being pushed back. Heinel was simply too skilled and experienced; Kenichi was no match for him.

And then, all of a sudden, it no longer mattered. Without warning, something in the vicinity of the fallen Boazanian aircraft violently exploded, throwing them all to the ground. Kenichi shook his head, trying to clear the ringing in his ears. Blinking dust from his eyes, the first thing he saw was Prince Heinel standing more or less upright, visibly enraged.

"This is an Earthling's idea of honor?" he bit out. "I see offering you a chance at single combat was a waste." The same Boazanian flier landed next to him, and he climbed aboard. "I'm returning to the Underground Castle. General Bergan . . . finish them."

It was no use, Kenichi knew, protesting that he and his friends had no idea what had caused the explosion. All he knew was they were in trouble; it would be only minutes until the Battle Beasts got into range, and they were down a member. Hyoma Aoi lay unconscious on the ground, badly wounded.

"Voltes Team, mount up," he said crisply. "Top priority is to protect the Combattler Team until Archangel and Nadesico arrive."

The others looked more than a little shaken, not that Kenichi blamed them, but to their credit there was no hesitation. One of their own was hurt, and there was no way they were going to allow the Boazanians to get close. Not while Voltes V could still move.

First to reach attack position was one of the crab types. Teeth bared in a snarl, Kenichi brought Voltes' sword down before it could take aim, severing one claw and triggering secondary explosions. He then whipped the sword sideways, catching an armored unit. This one didn't fall, but its AI seemed to think twice about continuing without backup.

"Kenichi!" It was Chizuru. "We have Hyoma stable for now, but he needs to get to sickbay, fast!"

"I just got a call from Miriallia," Ippei said. "The ships are no more than five minutes away, and some of the faster units should be here even sooner."

Five minutes or less. Battles had been lost in such a short time, but it still gave reason for hope. Feeling just a bit more confident, Kenichi lifted Voltes' bazooka, intent on finishing the armored unit. It took two shots, but the second was enough to send it plummeting earthward.

If he hadn't been so experienced with the machine and its pilot, the white blur that screamed past would have taken him completely by surprise. As it was, he merely smirked in grim satisfaction as the relic known as Tallgeese drove its beam saber deep into one of the demon samurai types.

"Thanks for the assist, Lightning Count," he said. "Are the others on the way?"

"Most of them," Zechs said. "For some reason, D-Boy refused to launch. Lieutenant Badgiruel isn't happy, but," he dodged another of the armored units, returning fire with his dobergun, "now is not the time to force the issue."

Kenichi frowned. That wasn't like D-Boy at all. Granted he was a bit of a monomaniac when it came to fighting the Radam, but he'd never previously shown any real hesitation at fighting their other myriad foes. More than one Boazanian Battle Beast had fallen to the deceptively small warrior's lance.

Three winged shapes swooped in from high overhead, the Skygraspers and Noin's Taurus. Beam cannon flashed from all three machines, finishing the job Zechs had started. Mu and Cagalli then split, while Noin's machine transformed, still firing.

"The cavalry's here!" Yurika Misumaru's cheerful greeting was immediately followed by a Gravity Blast, twisting and crushing Battle Beasts into useless junk.

"And in a really bad mood." That was Toya Shiun, his Granteed driving a fist clean through another crab type. "You guys okay, Kenichi?"

Kenichi parried a sword strike before replying. "So far. Hyoma's hurt, though; caught in an explosion."

"Roger that," Yurika said. "We're moving to pick up the Combattler Team now; Rain and Ms Fressange are prepping sickbay."

One worry out of the way. His spirits rising just a little, Kenichi stepped up beside Toya's mech. Just past it, he could see Dancouga and the ominous gray form of Zeorymer. Masato, fortunately, appeared to have things under control; this would not be a good time for his "other self" to appear.

"Make way! God of Death coming through!" There was a sound of someone trying to stifle a laugh, probably Megumi Ouka, as Gundam Deathscythe carved a swathe of destruction, its Gundanium armor easily shrugging off a couple of missiles that got through.

"Y'know, for someone who's all about stealth, you're pretty flashy, Duo," Ryoko said drily. Her Aestivalis, flanked by Hikaru and Izumi, nimbly dodged machine gun fire.

"Are you really having that much fun!?" Akito demanded. "We've kinda got someone hurt bad, you know!"

Izumi hummed softly to herself. "We'll just have to make the Boazanians hurt even more." Which was about as coherent as she ever got.

The Skullrook was the main target. Hacking his way through Battle Beasts, Kenichi could see the hideous Boazanian ship charging its guns. There was no way to close the range in time, so he went with a more unorthodox tactic. Spotting an armored type conveniently close by, he drove his sword into it and flung it into the Skullrook's firing line.

"Could someone give us some cover fire?" he called. "If I can get in close, I can take out the control center."

His answer came in a red-orange shape performing an improbable-looking flip. "I'm on it," Trowa said calmly, already bringing his considerable arsenal to bear.

"We're with you, too!" Shinobu said. "DancouCannon Formation, fire!"

That did for a couple more Battle Beasts. A third was shattered by what looked like molten green crystal; Toya, it appeared, was in a bad mood. Granteed's fist smashing through a crab type reinforced that impression. The Strike was on his flank, smaller but no less deadly, and Kira Yamato, reluctant warrior though he was, had no compunctions about destroying unmanned units.

"Kenichi, we're in range!" Ippei said.

Teeth clenching, Kenichi nodded sharply. "This is for General Dange! Ten kuu ken!"

It wouldn't be enough to cut all the way through, he knew. It didn't have to be. All he really needed was to do enough damage to force the Boazanians to withdraw. As his sword bit deep into the Skullrook, Kenichi risked a quick glance to the side. What he saw made his stomach tighten.

A second Boazanian force, complete with another Skullrook, had appeared, just as large as the first.

"You fight well, Earthlings," an unfamiliar voice said. "But it looks like this will be too much for you after all."

Kenichi glared at his target. "My name is Kenichi Go," he bit out. "I take it you're another Boazanian officer."

"Indeed," the other acknowledged. "My name is General Do Bergan."

"Not for much longer!" Kenichi shot back, and again lifted Voltes' sword, intent on finishing Bergan off.

Too late. The second Boazanian force had the range, and Kenichi's attack was merely a glancing blow, albeit enough to force Bergan to retreat. Cursing both the Boazanians and his own lack of foresight, he hacked through another crab that got too close. Something seemed off, though.

Daijiro noticed, too. "Hey, where's D-Boy? He's usually tearing things up."

"He refused to launch," Melissa Mao said grimly. Her assault rifle came up, obliterating a Boazanian machine. "Didn't say why. Lieutenant Badgiruel is about ready to bite pieces out of the hull."

Something else to worry about, just great. Kenichi firmly pushed it out of his mind; they could deal with whatever D-Boy's problem was once the Boazanians were stopped. A tall order; he saw at least one injured Brain Powerd (Lasse's, if he wasn't mistaken), and for all Mao's bravado, Uruz Squad's Arm Slaves were being pressed hard by the larger, more powerful alien machines.

"Everyone, clear our firing line!" Yurika called out. "Time to scrap some Boazanians; Gravity Blast, fire!"

Nadesico's Gravity Blast was, it appeared, among the few Earth-based weapons the Boazanians had trouble coping with. Those Battle Beasts most directly in the Nergal ship's line of fire crumpled, then exploded, while a few caught on the fringe smashed into each other.

"This hand of mine glows with an awesome power!" Domon, over the top as usual. "Its burning grip tells me to defeat you! Take this, my love, my anger, and all of my sorrow! SHINING FINGER SWORD!"

Kenichi couldn't help a satisfied grin, seeing Shining Gundam's huge energy blade bisect two demon samurai types simultaneously. Domon wasn't finished, either; with a level of fluidity that only a Mobile Fighter could manage, he slid past a sword slash and impaled the offending machine.

"Heh, not bad, Neo Japan," Chibodee said. "My turn." Gundam Maxter started bouncing on its feet. "Time for the knockout, Boazanian freaks. Burning Punch!"

It wasn't often that one saw a mech's fists literally catch fire, but Gundam Maxter's signature attack did exactly that. Fire hot enough to melt titanium added to the boxing Gundam's already considerable strength, smashing clear through an armored unit and melting the insides for good measure.

Argo's attack, by contrast, came across as more mundane. Bolt Gundam's Graviton Hammer was essentially a superdense flail, swung with a mobile suit's strength. Anything it struck crumpled.

"Crude, but effective," was George's assessment. "I think something more elegant is in order. Rose Screamer!"

Kenichi recalled Nagare Akatsuki briefly dismissing George de Sand as a mere dilettante. No one who saw the delicately lethal Rose Bits in action would make such a mistake twice. Small and too numerous for the large Boazanian mechs to counter effectively, a swarm of them was enough to reduce a Battle Beast to scrap.

"Get ready to eat it, bastards!" Sai Saici's Dragon Gundam, while not as heavily armored as some, was more agile than the other Shuffle machines (save possibly Shining Gundam), and it showed. Fire even hotter than Gundam Maxter's Burning Punch erupted from its hands; if the Boazanian units had been manned, the pilots would have met a very unpleasant end.

"Units with heavy weapons, support Voltes V's attack on that Skullrook," Natarle's voice cut in. "All others, clear the area of the remaining Battle Beasts."

Kenichi didn't much like Natarle Badgiruel, but he had to admit she knew her stuff. Granteed, Dancouga, Zeorymer, Wing Gundam, and Gundam Heavyarms converged on his position, covered by the two ships' main guns, while the others obediently spread out.

Out of patience, he hacked a Battle Beast out of the way, drawing almost to attack range on the Skullrook. A double missile launch was easily dodged, and a third fell to his bazooka. He made sure to keep away from the "mouth," wary of the gigantic drill mounted there.

"So, you claim to have Boazanian blood?" a gruff male voice said. Its owner was a reddish-skinned, one-eyed Boazanian.

Another one. "That's right," Kenichi said. "I'm guessing you're yet another Boazanian big shot."

"My name is Rui Jangal," the other confirmed. "To think that mere Earthlings would make such a pretentious claim."

"It's only what General Dange told us," Kenichi said, quickly checking his allies' positions. Granteed and Zeorymer were close, good.

That got a reaction. "What!?" Jangal roared incredulously. "General Dange!? I won't believe it until I see his body!"

Kenichi felt his lip curl. "You won't be seeing it, Jangal! We'll be giving General Dange a proper burial befitting his courage! Have at you!"

"Such impudence!"

I'll give you impudence, bastard! Wishing briefly that Combattler could operate without Hyoma, Kenichi jerked to one side to avoid a last-ditch missile launch, then drove his sword nearly to the hilt in the Skullrook's armor. About twenty meters away, he saw Granteed mimicking the motion, its crystalline Tempest Lancer plunging deep into their opponent.

"Zeorymer, show them your power!"

Which meant it was time to back off. Voltes was tough, but the full blast of Zeorymer's power at close range would be a bit much. Not, unfortunately, too much for the Skullrook, but there was no question Jangal knew he was hurt. With a final string of untranslatable curses, the remaining Boazanian machines retreated.

"Let them go," Murrue said, sounding as tired as Kenichi felt. "We've done what we came to do."

Nadesico, hangar

There wasn't even time to change out of their flightsuits. With the unit still on high alert, Kenichi and his teammates told their story in Nadesico's hangar, while Uribatake and his people swarmed over the various and sundry mechs. Carefully edited, of course; the Go brothers weren't yet prepared to reveal that they were half-Boazanian. Eiji's issues had caused enough flak, not that he was at fault.

"You were right, Eiji," Quatre said, peering at the still image of Katherine Rii. "They have horns."

"They look like the Kyo'akkians," Akito said with a puzzled frown.

Domon looked at the cook/pilot as though he'd grown an extra head. "What are you talking about? Is there another alien race coming our way?"

"No need to worry," Hikaru said, visibly holding back a giggle. "The Kyo'akkians are a race from Gekiganger. They aren't real . . . that we know of."

"Tasteless," Izumi murmured.

Chibodee merely shook his head. "Man, thanks a lot, Akito. I was starting to think we'd have another alien invasion to deal with."

Which was certainly a valid point. From the Radam, to the Boazanians, the Gradosians, and whoever those mysterious beings from Kawasaki were, they had more than their fill of invaders.

And speaking of invaders. "So what's going on with D-Boy?" Sai Saici asked. "I hear he wouldn't launch in that last battle. That's not like him."
"It isn't," Aki agreed, looking very worried. "He still won't talk to Noal or me, or even the Chief. It's like something's eating him even more than usual."

"Whatever it is, you can bet certain people in the military won't be happy with him," Mao said darkly. "Hell, in Mithril he'd be lucky not to face a firing squad for this one."

Kenichi winced. Leaving aside the hole it would make in their combat power (something they really didn't need, especially with Hyoma out of action), he couldn't help worrying about their amnesiac comrade. As gung-ho as he usually was, it had to be something serious to stop Tekkaman Blade from launching.

He almost jumped out of his skin when alarms started blaring. "Are we under attack!?"

"All pilots, prepare for launch," Ruri's voice said over the PA system. "Radam are attacking the power plant to the southeast; Archangel and Nadesico are moving to intercept. Repeat, all pilot, prepare for launch."

"You heard her," Kenichi said to his team. "We're not out of the woods yet." As he hauled himself back into the cockpit, he saw Toya and the girls clambering into Granteed, and the Shuffle Alliance remounting, still in their fighting suits.

He hoped they would get there in time.

Nadesico, residential block

He's coming. That was all D-Boy could think about. Even at this distance, he could feel the other Tekkaman's approach. His most dangerous—and most personal—foe, Tekkaman Evil. And it frightened him. After their last encounter, he was not at all sure he could win. The coming battle could well lead to his death . . . or worse.

Milly Le Rouge burst in. "D-Boy!" she said. "The Radam are attacking!"

"I know. He's coming." There was no time to explain who "he" was. D-Boy started past her, then paused. What he was going to ask was terrible indeed, but there was no alternative. "Milly, I need to talk to you."

Author's note: I'd call it a cliffhanger, except what happens next is well-known. As it is, I did find the Voltes events of interest for a change, what with the Go brothers' true bloodline. That much I look forward to exploring further.

Until next time, hopefully quicker.