Disclaimer: I do not own RahXephon, Gundam Wing, or Full Metal Panic.

Maya arched an eyebrow. "The truth? You want the truth? Even if I tell you, do you really expect to believe what I say?"

"I expect that if you don't that our people will wipe your fighters out."

"That will never happen, my dear."

"You've seen how good we are, and how fast we can progress. I'd suggest cooperating."

"My Lady! We have a breach in island five!"

Maya looked at Tessa, "Please escort our guest to her friends."

"I'm not leaving without an answer, Maya."

"And you're a fool for remaining. Escort her out, NOW!"

IIIIIIIIII

Heero and Sousuke ran through the odd ruins and hallways, pausing at each door and intersection. Anticipation kept their reflexes taut, but made no errors. What kept them on even more edge was the fact that they were not encountering any resistance to their infiltration.

"Agents!"

"Captain!" Sousuke put up his gun as Tessa came running towards them.

"Are you hurt, Ma'am?"

Tessa swallowed hard, fighting to stay calm for a little while longer. "No, I am not. Get me out of here."

"All units, this 01. We have the Captain, repeat, we have the Captain."

IIIII

"Tessa, are you sure they didn't hurt you?"

"Yes, Melissa, I'm sure."

All of them sat in the hangar, waiting patiently for her to speak of her encounter. But for how green she looked none wanted to press the issue. None, but for Melissa.

"Then dammit, if they didn't do anything, why are you so upset?"

"You didn't cease fire." She stated flatly.

"Madam, if we didn't, that thing would have possibly gotten past us to destroy the city!"

"You should know to follow orders, though!"

"Tessa, what the hell happened?"

"They're alive." She all but whispered.

"They're WHAT?"

"Those things you fight. They're living beings!
"And it's not just it that you killed, but one of them as well!"

"Tessa…"

"They keep them locked up, remotely controlling their partner… what one feels, so does the other.
"I know they can't be human, but I also know that they just want somewhere to live in peace."

"They won't find that here." Heero said.

"No, Mr. Yuy, they won't."

"Captain! You're sympathizing with them but condoning them to death just the same?" Quatre turned his own pained face to her. "I felt as if something else died the moment that doll exploded. I'm not sure if I could take much more."

"There must be a way."

IIIIIIIIII

"Fools." Maya mused, "They think they can defeat us, hmm?"

She looked to her son.

"Prepare the Xephon."

The next morning…

Heero was the first awake, and wasted little time on breakfast to get over to the hangar. There, he went over his modifications again, tightening a few things here and there. One space was a little hard getting the ratchet out of, and he scraped the back of his hand finally removing it.

Thinking nothing, he went to the bathroom to clean and put a band-aid on it. It was not until the water was on and soap was in hand that he paused to stare at his hand.

The blood seeping from the wound was blue.

TBC