As soon as Amuro finished his words, Kou wasted no time in engaging the hovering thrusters under his Rick Dom's feet, and blasting off towards the missile silo. Amuro did not have to rely on his Newtype abilities in order to recognize the sound of the mobile suit taking off immediately.

Burning yelled into his com system. "Uraki! Don't be reckless! We must attack together, or we'll never succeed!" There was no response, and Burning just stood and watched as Uraki faded into the distance. He again slammed his fists against the wall in anger. "I don't want to lose another damned student today to those bloody Zeon! I need to stop him!"

Amuro's voice entered his cockpit. "You need to calm down. You'll never catch up to him before he confronts Gato, and even if you did, you can't change his mind. He wants revenge, it's a feeling I'm dead sure I sensed in his consciousness. However, what you can do is help me disarm this nuke on my suit's back, so we can both go and help him."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gato knew exactly where it was. It wasn't to difficult to locate the building that housed the nuclear warheads that remained in storage. Using the viewscreen as well as the digital map, he brought down the Physalis right next to the building, and used the suit's hands to clear out the outer walls, and moved in as the building crumbled around him. Gato cared not for the several Federation soldiers who tried to escape, some who made it, some who were caught in the rubble that continued to fall until nothing but the thick metallic walls of the silo had crumbled.

Gato hit the beam saber eject trigger and the cylinder-shaped beam saber hilt slid into the mech's waiting hand. The grin on his face only grew as he triggered the beam, and pushed the output to maximum, watching the beam grow in width and length. He moved back the Physalis' hand and held the beam perpendicular to the wall, before plunging it straight in. The beam passed through the metal like it was butter, and now Gato began to move the beam blade straight down through the metal. After reaching the ground, he pulled it out, then plunged it into another part of the wall, and did the same. After retrieving the blade once again, he inserted the beam saber once again, right over the left-most line. Gato moved it straight right, completing the rectangular entrance, then brought up the left foot of the Physalis and gave it a straight kick, letting the chunk fall straight forward, smacking the floor. He moved forward and he was amazed at what he saw.

Nukes. Nukes in numbers that even he gasped at. He did not know why the feddies would even think of keeping this many in one place. Gato knew he could only carry one safely, but there was the jackpot right in front of him. Enough to annhilate the entire Federation base, along with neighboring towns.

"That's not my mission..." Gato murmured to himself. Although it was tempting to do so, his mission only involved getting to space with the Gundam, and the nuclear warhead. He did not want to keep Delaz waiting.

He moved the Physalis forward and broke away a storage unit, and opened it up. Inside awaited a warhead, laying in two separate pieces. He triggered the control to raise the storage unit of the bazooka, and he lowered the base of the warhead to the ground, and then cupped the base in two hands. Gato raised the mech's hands, and slid the tip into the storage unit, waiting for it to load correctly. He then reached down to the ground, and grabbed the base, then slipped it into the storage unit. He waited for the computer to tell him it was completely loaded, then sealed it. After moving the storage unit back, Gato led the unit outside the silo, only to see a Zeon suit waiting outside for him. Gato moved to the Zeon frequency.

"You, pilot, why aren't you attacking the feddies? I told you I do not need any escort. What I need is cover."

Gato awaited a response, but the Rick Dom standing in front of him only raised his bazooka and fired it. Without any time to react, the shell hit the Gundam and exploded straight on contact. The force of the explosion sent the Physalis straight back into the metallic wall of the silo. After Gato realized what exactly had happened, he moved forward, carefully observing the Rick Dom, still mounting its bazooka.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you have any idea who or what you're firing at?"

The Rick Dom pilot just laughed over the frequency. "You really have no idea how much I know you. That is exactly why I will stop you and send you straight to Hell."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Augille Delaz sat on the bridge of the lead cruiser of his fleet. The first steps to his grand plot for revenge had been taken, and now his trust laid more in his honorable soldiers than theirs laid in him. It would be people like Gato, that had lost people, friends in the war to the feddies, that would help Stardust become a success. Their anger, their losses, their fearlessness was what he counted on. The scenes of having to stop Gato from getting himself killed at A Bo A Qu replayed in his mind ever since he gave the order for Gato and his troops to steal the prototype nuclear-armed Gundam suit developed by Anaheim. He knew he would have to keep the airwaves clear, as Federation troops, especially in Jaburo, where most likely monitoring all frequencies for any information they would have.

It had been a long trip from Axis, as they knew there would be no turning back as soon as their journey began. His fleet, along with Cima Garahau's fleet where the only two to leave, as she was the only one willing to help him in his plans, as the others did not wish to jump at his offers. The Advance fleet was willing to provide some support, but it would be at their own discretion. They weren't as eager to once again make war with the feddies, it seemed.

However, he was grateful for any help he could manage. Delaz did not know or trust Cima much, but she was willing to strengthen his ideal and help with Stardust. Several former Zeon aces had joined their two fleets in order to seek revenge for their fallen crewmates and friends, Gato among them. Then there were those who did not care to do so, people like Char Aznable, who had come to Axis, yet had other plans in development. The Red Comet did not see any need in an attack, about three years after the One Year War. Perhaps it was because he was a NewType.

Staring out the bridge windows, he saw the blue sphere of Earth. "They do not understand that we cannot be goverened by them. We, the people from space, the colonies, are a separate people, and deserve our independence. This will be the only way to get through to them." Delaz looked out the opposite window on the bridge and gazed at the twinkles of the colonies floating in space. "Gato, don't fail me..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nina and Mora arrived at the Zephyrantes immediately after Burning had radioed them. He figured that he shouldn't risk nuclear detonation when there were two more skilled engineers at the base.

Nina, still shaking, ran her hand through the brush of her blonde hair, ripping apart the many tangles made when she had done in minutes before. She attempted to remain calm, with deep breaths, and focused on her job, and away from the too-close-for-comfort mobile suit battles. Mora picked up the jeep radio speaker, "Lt., you want us to disarm that nuke?"
"That's correct. And time is of the essence. Ensign Uraki is out chasing Gato, and if I can't get there to help him, it might be too late."

Nina froze. Gato. Anavel Gato. She knew the hair had looked familiar. How couldn't she have seen it earlier. The man she had known so well, the man who refused to let love go ahead his ideals of revenge. The man she had loved. It was all coming together too fast, and she stumbled before nearly fainting and collapsing into the side of the truck. Mora grabbed her and stood her up quickly, as Nina regained focus.

"Nina, hold yourself together. We need to work together to disarm this thing and allow the Unit 1 to assist Kou. Do you understand?"

She nodded. Mora grabbed her tools and climbed up the leg of the Zephyrantes, and with Nina following, carefully approached the sensitive warhead.

Burning hit his speakers as he began to talk. "You two take care of that. I'm calling two suits back here to guard you all while I find Uraki and Gato. Stay safe." Burning threw off the speakers, and ignited his thrusters, and his GM disappeared into the air.

Nina found herself, and finally realized the most important task. She lifted up her radio. "Pilot, I need you to prevent any movement of this suit. This thing is sensitive, but it'll be even more sensitive once we start to fidget with the wires. Do you understand?"

Amuro's voice came through. "Perfectly."

Nina took out a tool and began to carefully remove some panels. There were hundreds of wires inside, and this only shot her anxiety up. However, taking deep breaths, she continued to remove the other panels so she would have full access to the bomb.

As soon as the panels were removed, Mora looked in. Each part of the bomb was conjoined by wires, and the first things she needed to find was the detonator. Using her flashlight, she scanned around, looking for the small box, that would most likely be found in the front. Cautiously moving wires around, and watching her perspiration drip onto the bomb, she finally recognized it. Nina moved over and held the box in her hands, making sure not to move it much, as Mora came back with another tool.

Since this was a federation-constructed warhead, there was a set way to do this. Mora held more confidence because of the fact she knew certain tools would work. She took a screwdriver and pried open the front, and tore out the protective panel. Inside was a microchip, which would send the signal to the bomb core and detonate it if any stress was inflicted. Mora then reached into her toolbox and retrieved a small device. It was a tiny, rectangular box, containing a magnet, with a small LCD screen in front. Mora activated it, and using a small pin, adjusted its polarization. After taking a deep breath, she placed the device on the back of the detonator box. This device would screw up the signal from the microchip using the exact opposite polarization of the chip itself. Using small tongs, she removed the microchip and placed it in a case, and put it away.
Nina placed the box down, and wiped the sweat off her forehead, and pushed back her hair. She turned on her flashlight, and along with Mora, moved away wires to reach the metal paneling of the core. This was were the tough part began.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gato knew now that the pilot inside the Rick Dom was not an ally. Gato also knew, however, that the Rick Dom, partially damaged, would not be able to stand up to a Gundam-type mobile suit. He released the beam saber and let it sit at the edge of the compartment, ready to take.

"So, pilot," he started, "you're going to stop me? How nice. Now explain to me exactly how you're going to do it?"

The young pilot's voice responded. "I don't know, maybe I'll draw an idea out of my hat. Care to give me any suggestions?"

Gato knew the pilot was playing with him. Truthfully, he had no idea what he was planning to do with the Rick Dom, but he was prepared. He had the beam saber, and he also had more poweful verniers than the Rick Dom. He knew the vulcans were busted, so it would end up being a close combat fight.

The Rick Dom still held its bazooka, and then it stepped forward. Gato reached for the beam saber, and as he grabbed it, the Rick Dom aimed the bazooka down and fired, creating an explosion between the two. Before he could activate the beam saber, the Rick Dom was right in front of him with its heat saber, and took a swipe. Gato stepped back, then activated the beam saber. Gato knew that the Rick Dom was faster on foot due to the hovering jets below its feet, so he predicted movements. Every swing of the heat saber missed, and it was then Gato took his chance and swung the Physalis' beam saber and sliced off the heat saber wielding hand. Sparking, the Rick Dom backed away, and Gato charged with the thrusters. The Rick Dom fired its thrusters and both suits flew towards each other, and as they met, the Rick Dom wrapped its arms around the Physalis, and maxed out its thrusters. Gato felt his suit moving backwards, so he moved back the Physalis' left foot into a bracing position, and fired his own thrusters. They easily canceled out the Rick Dom's and it was then Gato took the right foot of the Physalis and smashed it into the leg of the Rick Dom, tearing it off and sending it skidding across the ground. With the thrusters now off on both suits, Gato took the Gundam's hands and smashed them down on the arms of the Rick Dom, easily damaging and freeing him from its grip.

The Rick Dom fell to the ground, now horribly damaged, but still not giving up as it used its damaged arms to push itself up, only to fall onto its back. Gato, still holding the activated beam saber, walked over to the fallen Rick Dom, and turned the saber over so the beam blade was facing down, straight over the cockpit. He spoke to the pilot. "Your tactics were too brash. See what it led to?" Without any hesitation, Gato plunged the beam saber down.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kou Uraki watched the Physalis above him, and with his hand on the thruster control, fired it as soon as he saw the hand flinch. The Rick Dom began to skid across the ground as the beam saber came down, and caught only a piece of the suit. After a couple of seconds, Kou shut off the thrusters to prevent an explosion from the friction of the ground and the fuel. Using the arm with the hand still attached, he grabbed the bazooka and aimed it straight for the head of the Physalis. It was the perfect shot, since he was in the middle of his plunge.

The shell loaded and Kou pressed the trigger. However, another mobile suit came from the sky and dropkicked the Physalis, knocking it to the ground. The bazooka shell now missed due to the missing target, and continued into the air. Kou cursed as he slammed his hand on the panel in front of him. "What the hell's this suit? His ally? Is he trying to protect Gato?"
Using the Rick Dom's camera, he zoomed in on the second suit. However, it wasn't Zeon, it was a GM. Burning's GM. Burning had come to save the day.

"Damn you Lieutenant!" Kou yelled to himself. Burning had taken away his perfect shot. Now he realized that was his last shell, and he was helpless, just like it had come to be in his Federation Zaku. Uraki slammed his head back into his seat and sat there, knowing there was nothing he could do.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Burning looked over to the crippled Rick Dom, recognizing it as the one Kou was piloting. It seemed he had arrived at the perfect time, since Kou could no longer fight. But now, he focused back on Gato and the Physalis, who climbed to their feet. Burning mounted his shoulder cannons and took some shots. Gato dodged and charged at Burning. The beam saber swipe came within feet, and Burning used all his concentration to compensate for each attack. Drawing his own beam saber, he then began to swipe back at the Physalis, who then blocked with his own. Burning, taking into account that Gato's vulcans were broken, fired his own, and watched as the small bullets started to dent in the face armor of the Physalis.

"How do you like this?! Being beaten by an old man?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gato smirked. The feddie pilot was good, but he knew he was better. Gato fired his thrusters and the Physalis flew straight up, and after readjusting his direction, let himself drop right on top of the GM, heavily smashing up the armor, then rammed it straight into the wall of the missle silo. Gato quickly backed up, then used the suit's massive leg and kicked the GM right in the chest, crushing its armor even more.

A voice over his radio came in. "Gato, our transport ship is waiting for you in the harbor. We're going to lead you into our base until morning, when you can take the HMV into space."

Gato acknowledged. "Understood. But I don't want to wait until morning. Tell them to prepare the HMV for tonight, I want to leave as soon as I get there. Understood?"
The officer sounded confused. "Sir?"

"The feddies have a NewType with them. I don't want to take any chances. Tell them to prepare the HMV, and I'll be at the rendezvous point shortly. Gato out."

Gato stared at the battered GM in front of him, as he kept his foot on the chest of the suit. With a final push, large sparks erupted from the GM, and it fell to the ground. Gato fired his verniers straight into the air, towards the rendezvous point, when he noticed another suit in the distance. The minovsky particle density was still high, so his radar did not detect anything. However, he felt surprised when he recognized the blue and white color of the approaching suit. The 'V' antenna gave it away.

Unit 1 was back with a vengeance...