Vandread Fanfic - Slayer of God: Beyond the Time
Rating – Sci-Fi and a little romance here and there
Best viewed with the font Verdana, 10 point

Notes:
Thanx for the reviews on the last chapter, guys. Seriously, I never thought I could get any because of my hiatus. Well, let's get on with the story.

Chapter 7: Heaven Sword

Drive away, pull away
Just fly away from here
There's nobody to stop you now

All Around by Lia

Rick looked around inside the cockpit. It was way different since the last time he's in this Vanguard. There's only darkness around him aside from the seat and the monitor in front of him.

"Let's see...turn on the comm lines..."

"Connection established." Hotaru's voice boomed.

He could see Barnette on the monitor and he heard her voice from the outside;

"Rick! Be careful out there!"

Rick nodded as he put a thumb up.

"Yeah. Sure. Hotaru, you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Let's go."

------

"Now I'm seriously ticked off..." Erick muttered as he launched a massive laser beam with his rifle. However, the damage to the massive opponent was very minimal.As a payback, he received a powerful backhand. Erick was thrown far away upon the impact.

"Urgh...damn..." Erick cursed as he regained his balance. And to his dismay, the controls had gone haywire.

"Dad, are okay?" Mara asked.

"Don't worry, angel. I'm okay but I don't think I can do much with this kinda damage. Dammit. I can't even move."

"Dad, I'm carrying you back to the ship, okay?" Janette suggested.

"Yeah. Thanks."

------

"Commander, a Vanguard unit had launched from the catapault deck." one of the crew informed.

Startled, BC asked, "Who is it?"

Before she could answer, Rick appeared on the main screen.

"Commander, let me help them out. Our friend has returned."

Everyone could see the Vanguard X entering the battle at full speed. BC sighed.

"Guess I can't stop you, huh?"

------

From the window of their room, Aya and Faye saw the winged Vanguard left Nirvana. Aya could instantly feel Rick's presence on the unit.

"Dad..."

"Huh? Is Grandpa on that thing? Huh? Huh?" Faye queried as she tugged her mother's sleeve.

Smiling, Aya pat her head gently.

"Yes, he is."

------

The Super Vandread suffered another powerful blow from its huge opponent.

"Shields down to 10. Another hit and we're done!" Jura shouted.

"Shut up! I know that!" Hibiki yelled.

"Can we disengage?" Dita asked Meia.

"No, we can't..." Meia replied.

During this time, the giant robot drove its fist at them.

"No time for that. Heads up. Here it comes!" Pyoro informed.

Meia tried to move away but the controls didn't respond.

"We...can't move..." she muttered.

"Dammit!" Hibiki cursed.

"I don't wanna die yet! I wanna get married!" Jura shouted in despair.

Dita hugged Hibiki tight.

"Hibiki..."

"Dita..."

Meia closed her eyes and sighed in frustration. She could barely hear Axel, who was calling her.

"Mom! Mom!"

(It's no use, Axel. Rick, I'm sorry...)

Suddenly, a voice called her out.

(Meia, do you hear me?)

(Rick?)

(I'm gonna save you. Hold tight.)

------

Just when the final blow was about to be delivered, a blinding light appeared as the Vanguard X flew in and cut the mechanical giant's hand using its wings. It then floated in front of the Super Vandread and stretched its wings gracefully. Meia and the others could only stare at the Vanguard.

(Rick..?)

Axel was the first to break the silence. "Dad..?"

Rick established communication with all available Vanguard and Dread units.

"Sorry I'm late, everyone." he said.

"Rick? But how..." Hibiki asked but couldn't complete his question.

"I'll explain later. And right now, you guys need some recharge. Alright, do your thing, old friend."

The white Vanguard transferred some of its energy to the Super Vandread. Within seconds, most of the system and energy had been restored.

Jura checked every system within the Vandread. "Everything is restored. Status 100."

"Alright, people. Now we can kick some major arse." Rick motioned as his Vanguard approached their now enraged opponent.

------

Erick limped out of his unit, bearing several nasty bruises on his upper body. If not because of the suit he wore, his injury could have been worse.

"Ugh, damn...it's more serious than I thought..."

"Erick!"

He looked up and saw Barnette rushed towards him along with Janette. He smiled.

"Hi honey..."

The two helped him regained his balance as they walked to the infirmary.

"Dad, I thought you said you're okay back there..." Janette said worriedly.

Erick grinned. "Kid, a guy needs to act tough no matter what...ooof!"

His reply was followed by an elbow to the chest courtesy from Barnette. Erick writhed in pain.

"Hey, I'm the damaged goods here!"

Ignoring him, she said to her daughter; "Do that if your boyfriend puts up that kind of stunt."

Janette smiled warmly at her parent's antique.

------

Using its speed as an advantage, the Vanguard X piloted by Rick easily crippled every single part of the machinery they are facing.

After another blow that severed its leg, Rick flew away from the monstrous form. "Now I suppose you guys can finish this one..." he said.

Hibiki grinned as he activated the weapon installed by the white Vanguard. "Oh, we will. Maximum output. Let's blast this joint and have a good rest."

"Output set to maximum." Jura informed.

"Mega Particle Cannon at full charge, You may fire at will." Dita informed.

Hibiki nodded. "Meia, prepare to get the hell out during the explosion." he asked.

Meia nodded in approval. "Gotcha. Possible escape routes identified."

"Blast it, kid!" Rick shouted.

"Shut it!" Hibiki exclaimed as he pressed the button, releasing a massive blast from the newly installed weapon. The shot hit the target and it roared in agony before exploding.

------

Rick jumped out from his Vanguard and was greeted by the others. Meia approached him. "Rick, how do you..."

Rick turned to his Vanguard. "You'll see."

The unit glowed brightly as it was replaced by a young woman. "Hotaru..?" Meia muttered.

Rick nodded. "She's...the incarnation of Axis Alpha."

"No way. How could it still exist after so many years?" Hibiki questioned. Rick shook. "I don't know. You have to ask her."

Hotaru stared blankly at everyone. "I...I will tell you about The Creators..." But she collapsed to the floor before she could finish.

------

"Grandpa! Grandpa!"

Rick turned to his granddaughter. He kneeled down. "Hey, Faye. What's wrong?"

"Where's daddy?" she asked, with eyes blinked. Rick smiled at her. Sometimes he thinks this child had a mind of a six year old instead of eleven.

"Hmm. I think he's submitting the battle report to the Commander. Where's your mom?"

"Faye!" Aya shouted as she ran along the corridor towards them. "You shouldn't run off like that..."

"Aww, mommy. I know how to take care of myself. Right, grandpa?"

Rick patted her head, smiling.

"Yeah. For some reason, you remind me of..." Rick turned his attention to his daughter.

"DAAAAD!"

Laughing, Rick raised his arms in the air. "Okay, I surrender."

Faye turned to her mother, then back to Rick. "Hmm? What did I remind you of, grandpa? Tell me! TELL MEEEE!"

Knowing that Aya was glaring 'daggers of death' at him, Rick laughed it off. "You remind me of someone special to me, Angel. That's all..."

"Who is it?"

Rick rubbed her head gently as he turned to Aya. "Naah. You shouldn't know about it."

"Dad..."

"Now, off you go, Angel. I think Pyoro is back at the engine room. Play with him, okay?"

"P-chan? Em! This time I'll make sure Karu-neechan play with me as well!"

"Haha. I'm sure you will." With that, she left and quickly disappeared beyond the corridor.

Staring blankly, "She's like a whirlwind. Reminds me of your mother..." he said.

Aya chuckled. "And me too, right?"

Rick smiled at her. "Heh. Yeah. She tends to rush things but the same can't be said about Meia."

Aya nodded. "I know that. She's analytical." Then, she continued. "Maybe too analytical at times."

"Haha. I wanna hear her reaction to that."

Then, a cold voice came from his back. "Reaction to what?"

Rick almost jumped. It was Meia, still in her pilot suit.

"Oh, Meia. Sheez. Stop doing that on me. I think my heart almost left me."

Smiling, Meia held his hand. "Hehehe. I like doing that on you."

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Rick protested.

Aya smiled at the couple. "So, how's Hotaru?"

"She just need some rest." Meia replied. "That battle took a lot out of her."

Rick stared at his palm. He muttered silently,

"A blessing, huh?"

------

Bart was sitting idly at the cafeteria, thinking about the whole situation. He had a feeling that this war will end soon. But they need some time to recover from their recent battles in order to be ready for it.

"Hey Bart." A voice called him from behind. He turned woman that called him.

"Yo, Jura. You okay?"

"More or less." She replied, flaunting her blonde hair. "Having a near death situation really makes me sweat a lot."

"I see. That explains the outfit then." Bart remarked, looking at her clothing. She was wearing a simple t-shirt and a pair of trackbottom.

Smiling, Jura sat next to him. "I would wear a bikini if I could though." she said.

Bart laughed. "I'm sure you will."

------

Few hours later...

Erick slowly opened his eyes and bright light poured into his sight.

"Erick, do you hear me?"

"Barnette..."

Barnette, who was sitting beside the bed held his hand. "Rest." she said.

Erick found that he couldn't get up as the bandages around his ribs tightened. Sighing in frustration, he smiled at his soulmate.

"Fine. I'll rest."

Barnette nodded. "You do that. I'll be here always." Then she rested her head on his abdomen. Smiling, Erick stroke her hair. "Thanks."

------

"No enemies in within our field of detection." One of the crew informed. BC nodded.

"It looks like they are finally letting up. We'll be taking a break here. All of you may take a rest." she added.

When the crew are about to left, the radar beeped. "Commander, an unknown object approaching in fast."

"Hm? Its alone?"

"Yes. From the design and shape, it's probably a Dread fighter."

A black Dread fighter blipped on screen. Its design is different from most standard units but it is still recognizable because of its sleek design. Surprised, she raised her eyebrows. "A Dread? Here?"

"Commander, the fighter is requesting for transmission. Should we accept it?"

"Patch it through."

An image of a woman appeared on the screen. However, she was wearing a pilot suit and a helmet with dark visor, causing her to be inrecognizable.

"Commander Calessa of Nirvana?" she asked.

BC nodded. "Yes, and who might you be?"

------

The female pilot jumped out from her Dread unit as BC, Parfet and Kahlua looked on. Kahlua looked at the unit.

"That's the new Dread prototype. DX-180 Heaven Sword." she said. Parfet turned to her in surprise.

"You knew?"

Kahlua nodded. "Yes. I was the one that came up with the basic design. But I don't know anything beyond that."

"So, you still want to keep us guessing who you are?" BC asked the mysterious pilot.

"Hehehe. Of course not." She then took off her helmet as her dark, violet hair flowed down her shoulder. She was stunningly beautiful but still preserve that aura of 'that annoying little brat' she used to have. BC and Parfet gasped as Kahlua tried her best to remember who she is.

She smiled. "It's been a long time, Vice...I mean, Commander." She nodded to the two engineers. "Parfet, Karu-chan."

"It's...you..." Parfet muttered.

Suddenly, Kahlua pointed at the pilot. "Aah. I remember you. You're from way back when I was still a baby."

BC managed a smile. "Now you have to state your reason here, kid."

The woman tilted her head, smiling at their reaction. "Wish I have a camera to record those faces."

She then saluted BC. "Requesting to aid Nirvana, sir!"

We'll see heaven from the sky
I'm coming over just for you
Every day I feel your love forever

We'll See Heaven by Digital Planet


Additional rant: If you guys clever enough, guess who the woman is on the last section. But I'm sure you guys know her :P