Disclaimer: I don't own starocean

This is getting old.

Karin: sure is. That is lame. it's glowing.

that's a christmas tree.

Karin: is it? i thought it was the easter bunny.

no, it's not. It's a jack o' lantern.

Nyiko was being pressed hard. Not only did he lose five of his ships, but it seems like Maria's fleet was having trouble as well. In fact, the 'Justice Reign' had stopped moving completely, not even firing a single shot, as if they're entire power was short-circuited. But communications was still able to flow, which proved that that possibility of poewr failure to be false.

What surprised Nyiko even more, was that Maria's entire fleet was pulling back to where Nyiko's fleet were at. The jarjanaught class ships had far longer range than any ship in this battle field, so that was why his fleet were stationed behind, while Maria's fleet, which had shorter range, was up front. But if they retreated, then something was definately wrong. He was about ask when his vice captain spoke up.

"Sir! The 'Justice Reign'! It's glowing!"

"What!"

Nyiko looked towards the ship and saw that it was true. The entire ship radiated blue, not faintly, but almost as bright as a sun. Nyiko squinted his eyes as he tried to look. Giant circular ring symbols encircled the entire 'Justice Reign', from front to back.

"Sir! The 'Justice Reign' is firing their PGCs!"

"That's impossible! They shouldn't have be able to recharge so quickly!"

But just as Nyiko had spoken, the beams of the PGCs, shot out from the 'Justice Reign', but only about the size of moons and being blue in colour. Each beam destroyed a fleet of the Yzaks with one hit.

The sight of such a thing brought out fear in Nyiko. Yet, he stared at the sight, as though it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. The sight of a beautiful and graceful destruction.

"Strange readings from the 'Justice Reign'!"

Jose did not need to say. Nyiko had already seen it. The flagship's blue light became brighter and almost blinding. But Nyiko was entranced by the sight. The Yzaks seemed to be stunned by the sight as well, as none of their ships were doing anything, besides the fact that two of their fleets had disappeared in a flash. Then, all of sudden, the light around the 'Justice Reign' started to move.

Nyiko could not describe it. He could not understand how light can move away from a light source. But yet, it did. The blueish light seemed the 'dance' above the flagship, as though enticing playfully at the people who stared at it. And right before their eyes, the light began to take form. It looked human, having hands and a body and a head. The legs seemed to melt into the base of the light. The light looked male, wearing a giant armour that glowed more brightly than the body itself.

"Mother mercy."

A presence of what Nyiko could only say to be one of the Gods. What he saw, he believed to be a god, a god of war. Wielding a sword and a shield, the figure pointed its sword forward, as though leading a charge of men.

And a charge of men it was. Maria's fleet began to mobilize, blasting everything they had, including their PGCs which had used the distraction to charge up once again. But something else caught Nyiko's eye.

Almost half of the enemy's fleet, was encircled by the same ring symbol that circled the 'Justice Reign'. The ships glowed blue as well, but unlike the 'Justice Reign', their light was not as bright and it sooned disappeared, as though it had never occured at all.

"Wha-, what just happened?"

Nyiko wondered. But his answer was soon to come. The ships that were encircled by the symbols, exploded. Not one by one, but all together, they exploded and a giant fiery explosion, sending a giant shockwave of their combined explosion force and hit even more enemy ships. It was like watching a christmas tree in outspace, but only with fire. It ended as quickly as it had started.

Nyiko was shocked beyond words. His mouth would not move, his mind could not comprehend. Was this also a design of Jino's ships? Some sort of hidden power in it that could cause such destruction? What was it that he had just witnessed?

"Sir! What are our orders?"

"Orders?"

Nyiko felt confused.

"Yes! The 'Justice Reign' and her fleet are moving in on the enemy. What are our orders?"

Nyiko knew what had to be done, but what he saw was terrifying. How could he feel at ease like this?

"Move forward, support from behind."

"Aye, sir."

Was this how it was suppose to be? To live and forget? How could he.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was she satisfied with how it turned out to be? No. Definately not. She never wanted it to be like this. She never wanted to use it again. But there were not many choices given to her. She turned the machine off, finding her energy totally spent.

She pulled the visor off her head and slowly, and painfully, pulled the wires and tubes out of her arms. After getting rid of the rest of the wires, she stumbled off the chair and tumbled down the steps onto the floor.

She lay there, her body still aching with pain. It felt slightly stiff, but she thinks she can still move. Pushing herself up, she gather her shirt and slips it on, without buttoning it.

She was just simply too tired. Her hands and arms were bleeding, but it wasn't life threatening. The door was being pounded on, but not by her. Someone else was outside. Maria shuffled her feet towards the door, using the wall as a support. Her hands were hurting.

Blood marks on the walls. Without having any feeling in one arm, she had to rely on her other hand and her already weakened legs get her to the door. She unlocked the door and the it slid open, but that was the last thing Maria saw, as she fell onto the floor, unconscious.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He suddenly got up. Something was wrong. Something, he could feel it. It was like an uncomfortable feeling that won't go away.

"Maria... How long till we reach?"

"About half an hour, minimum."

"What about the rip-gate?"

"We can't. Their systems got hit hard. This is the best we can do."

"Dammit, convert all power to engines, i want to get there as soon as possible."

AN: ... i have nothing to say.