JinYuy neither owns Gundam Wing nr make s a profit from their ideas. The only profit he makes is the satisfaction of knowing that it's an awesome anime and that he's proud to provide faitful readers a wonderful story...

speaking of which, I better get to the story...

After Eve Gundam Wing: A New Heero

Chapter Thirty-Three

In the days following the attack on the TAC's airbase, the Gundam pilots spent their time trying to help the Alliance recover. Commander Max had been allowed to escape unharmed, save for his ego.

There was a knock on Colonel Vance's closed office door. He promptly commanded the knocker to enter, and Max stepped in, a manila folder in his hand. "It's the battle results from yesterday, sir," he said as he placed it on the desk. Vance didn't even look at it.

"We lost. There's really nothing to look at," said Vance as he continued writing something on a notepad.

"Lost?" asked Max. "Sir, we won by a landslide. They lost just about every pilot and Mobile Suit that they have left. We didn't have a single casualty! Plus, their base is in severe disrepair.

"You don't get it do you?" asked Vance as he stopped and leaned back. He looked up and was met with Max's confused stare. "You are right. We didn't lose anyone. And we lost a few AI Mobile Doll Tauros. Oh, and your Scorpion isn't too great anymore. But what's the big deal. Right? What are a few MD to us anyway?"

"I fail to see where you're going with this, Colonel," said Max.

"We are nothing but cowardly pigs that hide behind our machines Max," said Vance. "We use mindless, soulless demon machines to our bidding, to fight our war for us. Meanwhile, the TAC forces fight with their machines, going into battle with honor and their dignity."

"Sir, I think you're being a bit hard on yourself," said Max.

"Maybe I'm not being hard enough Max," replied Vance. "Numerically, yes, the TAC did certainly lose yesterday's battle. It was a numerical victory for us. But it's not all about the numbers in war. Yesterday, the Gundams were revealed to the public and to the fighters of the TAC, however few there may be. Everyone knows that the defenders of peace have returned."

"So what?"

"Max, when I started out, I didn't go after the Gundam pilots just because they were good pilots," continued Vance. "I wanted them out of the picture because of their influence. The very image of the Gundams fighting is enough to stir up more fighting. They are the symbols of peace to all pilots, and now they've been set loose upon the world, and this is to our disadvantage. Now, the pilots in the TAC are going to fight harder, the public is going to revolt with more violence, and the protesters will shout louder."

"They're just Mobile Suits though Sir," said Max.

"That's just the thing Commander. They aren't just Mobile Suits. They are the motivating force that will drive the TAC to fight with renewed strength. Even though their numbers are down, they possess a great force. This war could be dragged out a lot longer than I'd anticipated. Meanwhile, while they die with their honor, we hide from the battle from the safety of our bases... People used to fight like that a long time ago. Wars and battles could be won with just the push of a button. Where's the honor in that? Where's the spirit of fighting?"

"Colonel, with all due respect, this is war, and there are things that must be done to win," said Max. "No matter what's going on, you have to do some things, whether you like them or not."

"Spare me Max," said Vance with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I need to figure out how I'm going to win this war..." Max left in frustration and Vance turned in his chair, looking out at the ocean. "Maybe I should quit," he said to himself. "Maybe Rachel's right. This war is getting way out of hand. I didn't intend for so many people t die over so long a period of time...Did I?"

It wasn't hard to get the TAC up and running again. The fires were quickly put out, and the pilots used their Gundams or Mobile Suits for reconstruction purposes. Everyone was outside helping the TAC rebuild their base, everyone except for an emotionally tortured boy with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Jin spent his time underground in the workout room, where he found it easy to vent his anger on a punching bag. However, no matter how much he punched the bag or kicked it into oblivion, his anger just seemed to build up more. He didn't notice Stephen walk up to him from behind the bag, until he kicked the bag so hard that it hit Stephen in the face.

"What's up?" asked Jin as he stopped.

"We were just wondering when you were going to be joining us," answered Stephen. "We all want you to come up topside with us and help us out with the reconstruction. This is your base too you know."

"I don't know Stephen," said Jin. "I've got some things to work out in my mind right now."

"Things huh?" asked Stephen sarcastically. "You've spent two days down here and you haven't figured anything out." Jin didn't reply or even look up. "I miss ya' buddy. I miss ya' a whole lot. When the real Jin's ready to have a good time and get serious, we'll all be waiting." Stephen walked out of the fitness center, and Jin balled his hands into fists so tight they hurt.

He turned and punched the bag one last time, and it fell off the chain that held it to the ceiling.

"How's he doing?" asked Anita as Stephen returned from his chat with Jin. The other pilots were in the hangar under their Gundams.

"Same as he's been," said Stephen. "He's just being a grouch still. He won't let anyone through this barrier he's set up. He doesn't want anyone to know what he's thinking or something."

"It really got to him," said Rachel, "the fact that he almost killed someone. That's really taken a toll on his soul over the past couple of days. He's talked about killing Max and...Vance...for so long, and the other day, he had the chance to kill him. He really could have killed Max then."

"And he no doubt would have," said Kreed, "if you hadn't interjected. That was the bravest thing I've ever seen anyone do." Rachel only smiled a little. "You stood between Jin and his Buster Shot. What were you thinking?"

"I...I'm not really sure," replied Rachel. "I can't explain what it was that went through my mind. Now that I think about it, Max really would deserve to die...Wouldn't the world be a better place without him? Can any good come from him still being alive? I can't help but think I didn't do the right thing."

"You did do the right thing," said Jin as he walked into the small hangar from the flight of stairs underground. Everyone turned their attention on him. "How soon you've forgotten your own words. Who are we to determine who lives or dies? If it's our time to die, it's our time to die, but that isn't decided by mortal man."

"So you're back from your solitary confinement," said Rachel.

"Yep," said Jin. "I'll begin to feel bad if I don't do anything productive. I can't just watch everyone else do the work."

Jin and the others worked together to get the base back up and running, and within the week, it was fully operational again with only minor repairs left to be done.

"Thanks for the help kids," said General Black as they stood outside on the beach. "The TAC would have fallen if you hadn't come to our aid last week. We owe you kids big time."

"I'm sure you'll find a way to pay us back," said Stephen as he donned a pair of black shades.

"Thanks for reequipping the Gundams," said Jin as he looked up at the Mobile Suits behind tem. They were standing on the beach on the shoreline. "We're gonna get ourselves home."

"Yeah," said Anita. "I'm a little homesick to be honest. I don't get out much."

"Right," said Kreed.

"Thanks again kids," said the General.

"No problem," said Jin. "If there's anything else you guys need, we'll be more than happy to assist in any way we can."

"Got it," replied Black. The pilots turned and boarded their Gundams. "Good luck!"

Wing Zero picked up off the ground, followed by the other four Gundams, and they blasted away to the ocean horizon, on the way home. Back to Pacific City.

"There's Varsity City below us," said Jin. "That's my home city..."

"Really?" asked Stephen.

"It's a nice town," said Rachel. "It's one of the prettiest cities I've ever been to."

"I miss that life," said Jin. "But the past is the past...and you can't change the past."

Bleep-Beep!

"What's going on?" asked Anita.

"Incoming enemy," said Jin. A troop of them...They're heading right for us, enemy Mobile Dolls!"

"What's their deal out here?" asked Kreed. A rain of energy beams in the distance approached, but they didn't aim at the Gundams. Explosions littered the ground beneath them. The enemy was attacking the city.

"What the hell are they doing?" screamed Rachel.

"Those are civilians!" shouted Kreed. "Dammit!"

"Guys!" called Jin. "We have to take down OZ. They can't be allowed to deal extensive damage to this city."

"Roger," replied all pilots simultaneously.

They all neared the enemy troop and found out the enemy was nothing like what they'd faced before.

End Chapter Thirty-Three

That'll be all for now. The next chapter will be a revelation of the new Mobile Suit forces that OZ has created, and you can bet that it's gonna get interesting for sure.