Two Men, Once Force
Chapter 6: The Threat of EXAM
A full day has passed. Things seem to have calmed down, but the tracer on the Black Dream's ship has disappeared, leaving Londo Bell staggered in their war effort. Sanders is now decked out in one of the Black Dream's ragtag looking uniforms.
"Who's that?" Sanders asked, looking through a glass into a medical room.
"That's our top pilot," Nanai answered.
"He doesn't look too good."
"Sure, doesn't look too good, but he's in the best of condition."
"I don't know . . ."
"You know the condition of Zum, don't you, Mr. Sanders?"
Sanders is dumbfounded for a second, but realizes Nanai's point. "HE did that?"
"You bet. He's a monster in battle. An unstoppable force."
"Jesus . . ."
"This way to the Mobile Suit deck."
The walk into it and over to the Nuremburg which is now painted a pale white and silver color.
"You like?"
"This is for me?"
"Of course. We wouldn't have you here unless we couldn't give you the best. You're the Black Dream's knight in our crusade against the Federation."
"Whatever."
They leaped into the zero gravity and floated up to the head of the Nuremburg. Sanders' face reflected in the eye of the monster of a machine. A devilish grin appeared on his face. Soon, it would be time.
A few Londo Bell soldiers were escorted to a train inside Side 3's 24 Bunch. Among them were Philip and Yazan. There was so much silence that you could hear a pin drop. The situation was odd, but Philip decided to break the longstanding silence.
"So . . ." he asked. "I hear you were a Titan."
Yazan spat on the ground and turned to Philip. "Yeah, so, what's your point?"
"No point. I was a member of the Titans, too."
"Really?" Yazan replied with a certain level of surprise and curiousness in his voice. "Where were you stationed?"
"Kilimanjaro. You?"
"Aboard the Alexandria most of the time. I was all over space."
"Why are you with Londo Bell?"
"Heh, you've got the same need to know everything that the kid has."
"The "kid"?"
"Yuu."
"Hey, I think our captain deserves a little more respect than that."
"Our "captain" is too much of an optimist."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"You got an issue with him?'
Yazan fell back in his seat and laughed. "We're arguing over a guy here."
Philip did the same. "Pretty stupid of us."
"No, not of me, kid. Just you."
"So, you've got a problem with me?"
"Only if you have a problem with me," Yazan retorted.
"I'll keep that in mind. I wouldn't want to have to mess with someone like you," Philip said sarcastically.
"You wouldn't want to. Just ask any of these space junkies."
"Space junkies? You don't have much respect for these people, do you?"
"Kid, I don't have much respect for anyone."
"That's understood. You don't like being out here, do you?"
"Hell no. I'd rather be home eating a 3 course meal, but the money I get from working the field just doesn't pay enough."
"Money? That's all you care about?"
"Geez, you're just like Kajima, you all have this conscience that tells you that there's got to be more to life . . ."
"I don't have a problem with it. I never said I had a problem with it. I just don't see many guys like you anymore. Not since back then way back in 0087."
"That was the life back then. We didn't have to do shit that wasn't our problem. We lived our lives the way we wanted to."
"I'll admit, it was good back then, but not all good . . ."
"Not again with you and Kajima's conscience for the "better good" . . ."
"No . . . it's something personal."
"Heh." Yazan got up as the train started to slow down. "Forget what I said then."
The train stopped at the colonies governor's office. The two tough guys of Londo Bell exited. On the Ra Cailum, Yuu floated down the halls with Lieutenant Carl.
"You wanted to talk to me, Lieutenant?"
"Yeah, it's about Admiral Noa."
"What about him?"
"Ever since the war with Char and his Neo Zeon ended, he's been acting . . . strange."
"Strange?"
"Yeah, really strange. And it's just gotten weirder and weirder."
"Anything specifically wrong with him?"
"No. But, I was talking with Ensign Kerrigan, and she said that Bright received a medical report from his doctor and he wouldn't show it to anyone."
"Think something's wrong with him?"
"Think? I pretty much know by now that something's wrong with him. I talked with some of the bridge members, and they say that there've been times where he'd act totally act out of character and just walk around like some sort of drone . . ."
"Maybe we should go talk to him."
"No . . . no, I really don't think that would be a good idea . . ."
"Why not?"
"The captain's really a closed door if you know what I mean. I wouldn't get in his way."
"But if something's wrong with him . . ."
"Yeah, I know. I'll try talking to the meds on board and see if they can help."
"Alright. Later, Captain Kajima."
Lieutenant Carl drifted off into his room. Yuu glides down the hall and into the Mobile Suit deck where Jill Kerrigan is standing.
"Ensign Kerrigan?"
"Captain Kajima."
"What're you doing out here?'
"Nothing really . . . I'm just bored, sir."
"You should be getting some rest."
"You should be doing the same, sir."
"I guess I should. But . . . whenever I sleep I think about my wife and our child . . ."
"Problems between you two, sir?"
"No, no, not at all. I just haven't seen her in a long time. I miss her."
"Must be nice, having something to go home to after this is all over."
"I'd think someone like you would be married."
"No, sir. I've been in the militia ever since I was 18 and even before that I never had time for men. I've just been too busy all my life . . . I've never even been kissed. Then again, if you saw the chaps back at Londenion, they weren't much to look at, anyway."
"Well . . ."
"You're going to bring up Ensign Hughes, aren't you, sir?"
"Looks like I can't get anything past you."
"He's a nice guy."
"He wasn't always like that. He was . . . well . . . an asshole . . . at s least that's how he puts it."
"Someone like him? I wouldn't be able to see that, sir."
"Yeah, well, that changed a few years back during the Gryps Conflict. During the One Year War, me, him, and a man named Samana Feuris were assigned to the same platoon. During the Gryps Conflict, they were both Titans, and Samana died . . ."
"Oh no . . ."
"And he blames himself for everything and says that if he wasn't such a jerk everything would've been different." Yuu lifts his head and smiles. "Man, I can't believe I'm telling my best friend's life story to a stranger he might have a chance with."
"I never said he had a "chance" with me, sir."
"Of course. That's why you're red."
Jill continues to blush.
"He's a good guy. We made it this far, and we'll make it pass this. After this, I think it's about time I retired from fighting." Yuu released his hands from the railings and let himself float in the zero gravity. "So, Ensign Kerrigan, what do you plan to do after this ends?"
"I don't know. I don't have any plans, sir. I don't have a spouse like you do."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find one."
"I'm sure I will, sir."
"How long is it until Philip, Yazan, and the others get word on whether we can land or not?"
"I don't know. I'm just going to pass the time here, sir."
"I guess that's a good idea."
"What's she like, sir? You're wife."
"My wife . . . she's the most beautiful person I've ever known. I've had the biggest crush on her since high school."
"High school sweethearts . . ."
"Not exactly. She was going out with my best friend, a guy named Frank. We all went to the Federation academy together and became fighter pilots. They got married."
"What happened to him?"
"At Odessa . . . he was shot down. Amy, that's the name of my wife, was praised as the Odessa Eagle for her kill count, but after she heard what happened to Frank, we had no reason to celebrate. A few years after the One Year War ended we bumped into each other, she was bankrupt and the Federation refused to give her any money since she retired right after the war. I took her in and . . . well . . . it just started there . . ."
"I see."
"I'm dying to go home and see her. These wars have taken too much out of my life."
The two looked on at the Mobile Suits. The leg of the Miracle Gundam was repaired for the most part and ready for combat. On the Titanic, Nanai and Sanders open the door to Admiral Constatine's office.
"Major Nanai. And this must be Sanders. I'm Admiral Constatine . . . I vaguely remember you from the funeral."
"Same here, Admiral."
"Your cousin was my best friend. I couldn't have asked for a better leader."
"I'm sure he felt the same towards you."
"Please, take a seat."
The three sat down.
"Everything depends on this conflict now, Sanders. You're part in our war is an important one."
"I know that, Admiral. I'm ready to kill as many as I have to get what I want."
"That's the attitude I need."
"I know what you've been through during the One Year War, Admiral."
"It wasn't just the incident during the One Year War. There's even more after that."
"Yes, you never finished your story," Nanai threw in.
"I suppose I'll fill you both in, then. After the One Year War, I became the head of our forces and became part of the Titans. We were combined with various other forces and were stationed in space. We fought on various fronts against the AEUG and stayed loyal to the Federation, even though they had already backstabbed us. We then received orders to gas Side 2 colonies that supported the AEUG. My men . . . they were all reluctant. I was reluctant. But I did it. We did it. We gassed the colony. It got worse. We were asked to enter colonies and go on a massacre spree. We shot down shuttles and maimed innocent civilians . . . all in the name of the Earth Federation . . ."
Admiral Constatine looked like he was about to cry. He continued.
"After the Gryps Conflict ended, we were the largest remaining Titans force left . . . the Federation abandoned us instead. We were left to be hunted by what was left of the Federation. So, we hid. We hid all of this time while making large amounts of money through various methods. After being disowned, it was the last straw. It was time for justice."
"And here we all are right now," said Nanai.
Sanders stood up. "We're all victims of the Federation, one way or another."
"Yes, yes we are." Admiral Constatine stood up as well. "This is why we must attack and we must attack now."
A soldier knocked on the door.
"You can come in."
"Sir, the Zeldagis is has arrived with the Ginn Dogas."
Nanai smiled. "I think we should give them a test run."
"Are the clones ready?" Constatine asked.
Sanders looked dumbfounded. "Clones?"
"The Jinn Dogas as well as the Regalus is equipped with the EXAM system. We found a blueprint of the plans on Axis asteroid as well as a heavily damaged version of the machine in Side 5 space. Also in Side 5 space, we found a badly burnt finger."
"A finger?'"
"Yes. It was burnt, but it was preserved in space. We assumed it was the pilot of the machine. We've created some clones of this pilot to pilot our Jinn Dogas in battle."
Admiral Constatine sat back down and gained the attention of everyone. "Everyone to their battle stations. We're going to test these Jinn Dogas."
The alarms on the Ra Cailum suddenly went off.
"Everyone to their suits!" Bright screamed. "Where's Captain Kajima?"
A screen pops up, showing Yuu in the Miracle. "Yes, sir?"
"Have the techs launched the Lionheart yet?'
"Yes, sir, it's flying towards the colony."
"Hopefully Yazan got out message and will rendezvous with you as soon as possible. Good luck."
"Thank you, sir. Yuu Kajima out!"
The Miracle Gundam launched with a legion of Jegans into battle. Jill's Jegan shot forward and avoided enemy fire. The two ships of the Black Dream were visible.
"Why won't they use their stealth?" Jill asked.
"Probably because only one of them has the ability to. The other one would be vulnerable then."
The fighting began. The Geara Dogas went down easy.
"Something's not right . . ." Jill said to herself. "Why are there so few?"
"Yeah, you're right . . . what's going on?"
On the deck of the Titanic, the grey and silver Regalus waited. "It's almost time . . ."
A sudden wave of fire blew up two Jegans. About 7 black Mobile Suits rose and began to deal major damage to the Londo Bell fleet.
"What the helll?!" Yuu screamed.
The Jegans could hardly follow the enemy suits. These black suits moved so fast they merely appeared as a blur. They were impossible to follow. Yuu could barely lock on to them but got off some decent shots, but not good enough to hit them.
"What the hell? What the hell is going on?!"
Jegans fell one by one. The suits then began advancing on the Ra Cailum.
"Everyone! Be careful! These aren't your normal suits!"
One of the suits suddenly shot at Yuu. Yuu dodged the attack. The black suit clashed against the Miralce with its heat sabers. Yuu swung his beam saber and parried the attack. He studied the battle. Studied the movements. These attacks brought a sense of déjà vu to Yuu. Yuu was the only one who was able to keep up. The black suit lunged forward with a stab. Yuu dropped his altitude and rose with his beam saber extended and sliced the suit in half.
"YUU!" a female voice screamed.
"No . . . no, it can't be . . . we destroyed all of them, how can it be?!"
Another one of the black suits attacked Yuu with its heat saber. The sabers smacked against each other as the Miracle fought the enemy off.
"The way this person fights . . ."
Yuu swung his saber horizontally. The black enemy thrusted back and aimed its beam machine gun at Yuu.
". . . Nimbus?!"
The Nuremburg launched from the Titanic. "Now, Feddies, let's see what you can do."
Four missiles flew from above. Sanders dodged them. He looked up to see the Lionheart transforming into Mobile Suit mode.
"A new model . . ." both Yazan and Sanders said, as if they were in each other's minds.
Yazan drew his compact beam rifles and aimed them. "This'll be fun."
Sanders grinned and drew his automatic shotguns. The battle was just beginning for them.
To Be Continued . . .
A full day has passed. Things seem to have calmed down, but the tracer on the Black Dream's ship has disappeared, leaving Londo Bell staggered in their war effort. Sanders is now decked out in one of the Black Dream's ragtag looking uniforms.
"Who's that?" Sanders asked, looking through a glass into a medical room.
"That's our top pilot," Nanai answered.
"He doesn't look too good."
"Sure, doesn't look too good, but he's in the best of condition."
"I don't know . . ."
"You know the condition of Zum, don't you, Mr. Sanders?"
Sanders is dumbfounded for a second, but realizes Nanai's point. "HE did that?"
"You bet. He's a monster in battle. An unstoppable force."
"Jesus . . ."
"This way to the Mobile Suit deck."
The walk into it and over to the Nuremburg which is now painted a pale white and silver color.
"You like?"
"This is for me?"
"Of course. We wouldn't have you here unless we couldn't give you the best. You're the Black Dream's knight in our crusade against the Federation."
"Whatever."
They leaped into the zero gravity and floated up to the head of the Nuremburg. Sanders' face reflected in the eye of the monster of a machine. A devilish grin appeared on his face. Soon, it would be time.
A few Londo Bell soldiers were escorted to a train inside Side 3's 24 Bunch. Among them were Philip and Yazan. There was so much silence that you could hear a pin drop. The situation was odd, but Philip decided to break the longstanding silence.
"So . . ." he asked. "I hear you were a Titan."
Yazan spat on the ground and turned to Philip. "Yeah, so, what's your point?"
"No point. I was a member of the Titans, too."
"Really?" Yazan replied with a certain level of surprise and curiousness in his voice. "Where were you stationed?"
"Kilimanjaro. You?"
"Aboard the Alexandria most of the time. I was all over space."
"Why are you with Londo Bell?"
"Heh, you've got the same need to know everything that the kid has."
"The "kid"?"
"Yuu."
"Hey, I think our captain deserves a little more respect than that."
"Our "captain" is too much of an optimist."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"You got an issue with him?'
Yazan fell back in his seat and laughed. "We're arguing over a guy here."
Philip did the same. "Pretty stupid of us."
"No, not of me, kid. Just you."
"So, you've got a problem with me?"
"Only if you have a problem with me," Yazan retorted.
"I'll keep that in mind. I wouldn't want to have to mess with someone like you," Philip said sarcastically.
"You wouldn't want to. Just ask any of these space junkies."
"Space junkies? You don't have much respect for these people, do you?"
"Kid, I don't have much respect for anyone."
"That's understood. You don't like being out here, do you?"
"Hell no. I'd rather be home eating a 3 course meal, but the money I get from working the field just doesn't pay enough."
"Money? That's all you care about?"
"Geez, you're just like Kajima, you all have this conscience that tells you that there's got to be more to life . . ."
"I don't have a problem with it. I never said I had a problem with it. I just don't see many guys like you anymore. Not since back then way back in 0087."
"That was the life back then. We didn't have to do shit that wasn't our problem. We lived our lives the way we wanted to."
"I'll admit, it was good back then, but not all good . . ."
"Not again with you and Kajima's conscience for the "better good" . . ."
"No . . . it's something personal."
"Heh." Yazan got up as the train started to slow down. "Forget what I said then."
The train stopped at the colonies governor's office. The two tough guys of Londo Bell exited. On the Ra Cailum, Yuu floated down the halls with Lieutenant Carl.
"You wanted to talk to me, Lieutenant?"
"Yeah, it's about Admiral Noa."
"What about him?"
"Ever since the war with Char and his Neo Zeon ended, he's been acting . . . strange."
"Strange?"
"Yeah, really strange. And it's just gotten weirder and weirder."
"Anything specifically wrong with him?"
"No. But, I was talking with Ensign Kerrigan, and she said that Bright received a medical report from his doctor and he wouldn't show it to anyone."
"Think something's wrong with him?"
"Think? I pretty much know by now that something's wrong with him. I talked with some of the bridge members, and they say that there've been times where he'd act totally act out of character and just walk around like some sort of drone . . ."
"Maybe we should go talk to him."
"No . . . no, I really don't think that would be a good idea . . ."
"Why not?"
"The captain's really a closed door if you know what I mean. I wouldn't get in his way."
"But if something's wrong with him . . ."
"Yeah, I know. I'll try talking to the meds on board and see if they can help."
"Alright. Later, Captain Kajima."
Lieutenant Carl drifted off into his room. Yuu glides down the hall and into the Mobile Suit deck where Jill Kerrigan is standing.
"Ensign Kerrigan?"
"Captain Kajima."
"What're you doing out here?'
"Nothing really . . . I'm just bored, sir."
"You should be getting some rest."
"You should be doing the same, sir."
"I guess I should. But . . . whenever I sleep I think about my wife and our child . . ."
"Problems between you two, sir?"
"No, no, not at all. I just haven't seen her in a long time. I miss her."
"Must be nice, having something to go home to after this is all over."
"I'd think someone like you would be married."
"No, sir. I've been in the militia ever since I was 18 and even before that I never had time for men. I've just been too busy all my life . . . I've never even been kissed. Then again, if you saw the chaps back at Londenion, they weren't much to look at, anyway."
"Well . . ."
"You're going to bring up Ensign Hughes, aren't you, sir?"
"Looks like I can't get anything past you."
"He's a nice guy."
"He wasn't always like that. He was . . . well . . . an asshole . . . at s least that's how he puts it."
"Someone like him? I wouldn't be able to see that, sir."
"Yeah, well, that changed a few years back during the Gryps Conflict. During the One Year War, me, him, and a man named Samana Feuris were assigned to the same platoon. During the Gryps Conflict, they were both Titans, and Samana died . . ."
"Oh no . . ."
"And he blames himself for everything and says that if he wasn't such a jerk everything would've been different." Yuu lifts his head and smiles. "Man, I can't believe I'm telling my best friend's life story to a stranger he might have a chance with."
"I never said he had a "chance" with me, sir."
"Of course. That's why you're red."
Jill continues to blush.
"He's a good guy. We made it this far, and we'll make it pass this. After this, I think it's about time I retired from fighting." Yuu released his hands from the railings and let himself float in the zero gravity. "So, Ensign Kerrigan, what do you plan to do after this ends?"
"I don't know. I don't have any plans, sir. I don't have a spouse like you do."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find one."
"I'm sure I will, sir."
"How long is it until Philip, Yazan, and the others get word on whether we can land or not?"
"I don't know. I'm just going to pass the time here, sir."
"I guess that's a good idea."
"What's she like, sir? You're wife."
"My wife . . . she's the most beautiful person I've ever known. I've had the biggest crush on her since high school."
"High school sweethearts . . ."
"Not exactly. She was going out with my best friend, a guy named Frank. We all went to the Federation academy together and became fighter pilots. They got married."
"What happened to him?"
"At Odessa . . . he was shot down. Amy, that's the name of my wife, was praised as the Odessa Eagle for her kill count, but after she heard what happened to Frank, we had no reason to celebrate. A few years after the One Year War ended we bumped into each other, she was bankrupt and the Federation refused to give her any money since she retired right after the war. I took her in and . . . well . . . it just started there . . ."
"I see."
"I'm dying to go home and see her. These wars have taken too much out of my life."
The two looked on at the Mobile Suits. The leg of the Miracle Gundam was repaired for the most part and ready for combat. On the Titanic, Nanai and Sanders open the door to Admiral Constatine's office.
"Major Nanai. And this must be Sanders. I'm Admiral Constatine . . . I vaguely remember you from the funeral."
"Same here, Admiral."
"Your cousin was my best friend. I couldn't have asked for a better leader."
"I'm sure he felt the same towards you."
"Please, take a seat."
The three sat down.
"Everything depends on this conflict now, Sanders. You're part in our war is an important one."
"I know that, Admiral. I'm ready to kill as many as I have to get what I want."
"That's the attitude I need."
"I know what you've been through during the One Year War, Admiral."
"It wasn't just the incident during the One Year War. There's even more after that."
"Yes, you never finished your story," Nanai threw in.
"I suppose I'll fill you both in, then. After the One Year War, I became the head of our forces and became part of the Titans. We were combined with various other forces and were stationed in space. We fought on various fronts against the AEUG and stayed loyal to the Federation, even though they had already backstabbed us. We then received orders to gas Side 2 colonies that supported the AEUG. My men . . . they were all reluctant. I was reluctant. But I did it. We did it. We gassed the colony. It got worse. We were asked to enter colonies and go on a massacre spree. We shot down shuttles and maimed innocent civilians . . . all in the name of the Earth Federation . . ."
Admiral Constatine looked like he was about to cry. He continued.
"After the Gryps Conflict ended, we were the largest remaining Titans force left . . . the Federation abandoned us instead. We were left to be hunted by what was left of the Federation. So, we hid. We hid all of this time while making large amounts of money through various methods. After being disowned, it was the last straw. It was time for justice."
"And here we all are right now," said Nanai.
Sanders stood up. "We're all victims of the Federation, one way or another."
"Yes, yes we are." Admiral Constatine stood up as well. "This is why we must attack and we must attack now."
A soldier knocked on the door.
"You can come in."
"Sir, the Zeldagis is has arrived with the Ginn Dogas."
Nanai smiled. "I think we should give them a test run."
"Are the clones ready?" Constatine asked.
Sanders looked dumbfounded. "Clones?"
"The Jinn Dogas as well as the Regalus is equipped with the EXAM system. We found a blueprint of the plans on Axis asteroid as well as a heavily damaged version of the machine in Side 5 space. Also in Side 5 space, we found a badly burnt finger."
"A finger?'"
"Yes. It was burnt, but it was preserved in space. We assumed it was the pilot of the machine. We've created some clones of this pilot to pilot our Jinn Dogas in battle."
Admiral Constatine sat back down and gained the attention of everyone. "Everyone to their battle stations. We're going to test these Jinn Dogas."
The alarms on the Ra Cailum suddenly went off.
"Everyone to their suits!" Bright screamed. "Where's Captain Kajima?"
A screen pops up, showing Yuu in the Miracle. "Yes, sir?"
"Have the techs launched the Lionheart yet?'
"Yes, sir, it's flying towards the colony."
"Hopefully Yazan got out message and will rendezvous with you as soon as possible. Good luck."
"Thank you, sir. Yuu Kajima out!"
The Miracle Gundam launched with a legion of Jegans into battle. Jill's Jegan shot forward and avoided enemy fire. The two ships of the Black Dream were visible.
"Why won't they use their stealth?" Jill asked.
"Probably because only one of them has the ability to. The other one would be vulnerable then."
The fighting began. The Geara Dogas went down easy.
"Something's not right . . ." Jill said to herself. "Why are there so few?"
"Yeah, you're right . . . what's going on?"
On the deck of the Titanic, the grey and silver Regalus waited. "It's almost time . . ."
A sudden wave of fire blew up two Jegans. About 7 black Mobile Suits rose and began to deal major damage to the Londo Bell fleet.
"What the helll?!" Yuu screamed.
The Jegans could hardly follow the enemy suits. These black suits moved so fast they merely appeared as a blur. They were impossible to follow. Yuu could barely lock on to them but got off some decent shots, but not good enough to hit them.
"What the hell? What the hell is going on?!"
Jegans fell one by one. The suits then began advancing on the Ra Cailum.
"Everyone! Be careful! These aren't your normal suits!"
One of the suits suddenly shot at Yuu. Yuu dodged the attack. The black suit clashed against the Miralce with its heat sabers. Yuu swung his beam saber and parried the attack. He studied the battle. Studied the movements. These attacks brought a sense of déjà vu to Yuu. Yuu was the only one who was able to keep up. The black suit lunged forward with a stab. Yuu dropped his altitude and rose with his beam saber extended and sliced the suit in half.
"YUU!" a female voice screamed.
"No . . . no, it can't be . . . we destroyed all of them, how can it be?!"
Another one of the black suits attacked Yuu with its heat saber. The sabers smacked against each other as the Miracle fought the enemy off.
"The way this person fights . . ."
Yuu swung his saber horizontally. The black enemy thrusted back and aimed its beam machine gun at Yuu.
". . . Nimbus?!"
The Nuremburg launched from the Titanic. "Now, Feddies, let's see what you can do."
Four missiles flew from above. Sanders dodged them. He looked up to see the Lionheart transforming into Mobile Suit mode.
"A new model . . ." both Yazan and Sanders said, as if they were in each other's minds.
Yazan drew his compact beam rifles and aimed them. "This'll be fun."
Sanders grinned and drew his automatic shotguns. The battle was just beginning for them.
To Be Continued . . .