I really could not understand how it happened, but as Garrod and I launched into space with our respective suits, I knew somehow that we are doomed from the start. We watch helplessly as the SRA's new MS models battered our defenses little by little. Quickly I told Garrod to split up to support the captains in the battle. As Garrod heads to Kitsaragi's ship, I went to Samuels. But I was too late.

Samuels' ship disappeared in light, shrapnel and debris as the explosion dissipated. I could not believe how the SRA manage to pull this off so easily. My lasers could not even penetrate the MS's beam coats, and I was forced to use my homing missiles that were being deflected by the enemy's armor.

"$#!+! I couldn't even put a dent on it!" I shouted on the radio that was patched to Garrod's own, so I could monitor him even in battle. It was good to see that he somehow improved his fight from the last time, as the Gundam wasn't pinned down by the SRA.

Yet.

"Paula! Aim for their midsection!" Garrod called back. I didn't know how he found that out, but he was right as I shot down the two persistent MS. Soon enough, I relayed the message to base. And Satelicon MS were now aiming for the SRA's weak spot. It would seem that we might be able to pull it off after all.

"Commander!" Kitsaragi called out in alarm as we notice that the MS are retreating, and their battleships are coming closer. We knew that they could never maneuver through the asteroids, but that behavior is peculiar.

"G-Falcon! Assist the Gundam!" the Commander ordered me. I knew what the problem was as Garrod seemed to be having a problem with a single MS unit. I could hear through the radio that Garrod seem to be talking to the enemy pilot, but what they were talking out, I can never make it out. Nevertheless, I fired a couple of my missiles, which the enemy managed to avoid skillfully.

"Garrod!" I cried out as the G-Falcon made a pass. "Are you alright?"

He gave an affirmative as he willed his Gundam to another direction, ready to fight again. That relief was short lived, though, as I saw a bright light coming from the northern part of Satelicon.

It was Kitsaragi's battleship, a last ditch attempt to protect Satelicon from a barrage of nuclear missiles by using itself as a moving shield. It didn'teven stand a second against the assault. Then the missiles penetrated the smaller asteroids that protected the base for so many years, finally releasing its destructive salvo upon Satelicon itself.

For a moment, I would have attacked the SRA. Even if it means leading myself headfirst to my death, even if the G-Falcon can never destroy the battleships on its own… a meaningless effort…

"Paula." Through the explosion and lights, I could still see the Commander clearly. "I want you to get the Gundam out of here." He ordered.

"But---!" I protested. Surely I could help them somehow. Evacuation, perhaps, or---

"It's too late," the Commander said, as if he just read my thoughts. "You must save yourself, Paula, and see to it that the SRA never used that laser. This is your last order."

I wanted to cry, to protest. To rebel. But all these years living with them as a war survivor taught me one thing: that nothing is much more important than keeping oneself alive. A corpse will never make a difference in a fight. Being distracted like this in the middle of the battlefield is one of the easiest ways of getting someone, myself and pssibly Garrod, killed.

"Ryokai," I whispered through clenched teeth, trying not to break down in front of the commander who placed so much trust on me. Knowing that I will finish it…no matter how bleak…

The Commander gave a tired smile. "Don't get caught..." was what all he said before the screen became static.

"I won't..." I promised. I knew from thereon that Satelicon is no more. I willed the G-Falcon to steer way from the blast. I went to where the Gundam is and...

"Garrod!" I called out, "What are you doing?!" I could see that the Gundam was floating helplessly in space, and if he doesn't do something soon, he'll get caught up in the explosion.

"I don't know! The controls won't work!" Garrod's voice called back, his voice frantic.

"Alright! Let me handle this!" I cried out as I pushed the controls. The G-Falcon combines with the DX, and in plane mode, flew away just in the nick of time. The attack was at the peak of its explosion and had we stayed longer, we would have been obliterated.

Just like those brave soldiers, my family, of Satelicon.

I look at the explosion as it began to dissipate, and finally my adrenaline and my will to live drained, I surrender to my grief. I shed silent tears, I could not cry or sob because I don't want my friend to get worried. But I  could dimly hear his voice, trying to thank me.


"Paula?" Garrod tried to contact me, he must have been worried about my silence and I decided I had to answer.

"Look at it closely, Garrod." I whispered, my eyes and mind on the place that was once Satelicon with a note of bitterness and regret in my voice. "This is what the SRA can really do...."

"Paula." His tone was sympathetic. Knowing what I just meant.

"Anyway, this sucks." My voice broke and my tears flow once again, floating in my space helmet. "For the second time, I lost my homeland."

Garrod allowed me to mourn by keeping his words to himself, for which I am grateful. The DX floated in the vastness of space, a silent witness of the human war.