Oh, war, huh good god why'all
What is it good for you tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it

Huh good god why'all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it nothing
- War by Edwin Starr

At the entrance level of the palace, three Special Forces squads waited just a few feet away from the base of the stairs with weapons at the ready. The Special Forces had their job done. Yet the damn war machines screwed up, they had to recapture the royalty of Tameran and her and her friends at all costs.

Base of the stairs were where the group had to use. A thump from the top brought their weapons up and ready to fire.

Tink, Tink went a small metal ball bouncing down the stairs. Landing at the base, it stopped. The Special Forces glanced at each other, until smoke filled room in an instant blinding the group with a gray cloud. A black aura reached up and quietly picked the group off two and three at a time.

"Switch to vision mode," ordered the leader of the group taking note of the missing troops.

Almost an entire squad had disappeared. Getting struck from behind ended his leadership days. Nightwing heard the order for vision mode allowing him take out his target with a staff to the back of the head. Blaster fire erupted. They didn't stand a chance. The Titans were ready this time. Within minutes, the Special Forces were taken out. Moving out of the room, they came down into the entrance hall of the palace which they found surprisingly clear.

"Any of the guards would be downstairs, if we can get them free, we can setup a decent defense," said Blackfire.

"But we can't just leave this area," said Cyborg, "or else they're going to come through," keeping his arm in sonic cannon mode.

"That's our problem," said Nightwing turning to the Tamaranean sisters, "You, two know the lower levels better then us. Do you think you can free the others?"

They nodded. Nightwing motioned for them to go. As they passed him, he gently took a hold of Star's arm.

Pulling her into a quick kiss, "Be careful down there. We need you too much."

Smiled, she knew he really meant that he needed her., "I will be fine, boy that is friend Nightwing."

The two sisters left while the others appraised the situation.

Noticing her pale skin, "Terra," asked Beast, "are you all right?"

Shaking her head, "No, something's wrong," looking at him, "My powers won't work for some reason."

His eyes went wide.

"But… why not?"

"I don't know. I just feel weak."

Stepping forward being that the Titans were all listening in on the conversation, "It might have to do with the fact that you're on another planet," said Raven, "This is not Earth, yet you have Earth based powers, there fore you can't establish a connection with the planet."

Nodding in agreement, "I think she right," said Cyborg standing behind her, "It does make the most sense."

Panicking a bit, "Then, what will I do?" asked Terra, "I can't fight now, not with my powers not working."

"Don't panic," called Nightwing, "hang to the back and try to stay out of the way as much as you can. If you can't, use your training, its what its there for."

Before another word could be said, the palace doors creaked open, reveling the war machine army on the front door step, that were now coming in.

The Titans rushed into battle with their skills and the fact that the machines were slow helped greatly.

Where the others were thinking about winning, the only thought Raven could produce was, 'Please come back, Jake.'

Entering the room she shared with Daria, Altair noticed the bottle on the table and a shot glass.

"Do I need to ask?"

"Trying to remember," said Daira taking a shot.

Coughing, how could Jake stand this stuff?

Sitting across from Daria, "What do you remember?"

"How hot it was that night?"

Oh, when the demons attacked the base.

"It was hot. That night it was stuffing and hot. I slipped out of my room for some air. Sitting on the rooftop, marveled at the stars. Wondering at the possibility of other life which I discovered through the organization. Then explosions followed by the air raid horns. Wait, was it the sirens then the explosions. Never mind. Went to wake my parents up," tears forming, "my mother was eating my father. Stop mommy. Stop. Then a green blast killing her. This man surrounded by a green flame."

"Green flame?"

"Green flame. He wasn't on fire. He asked my name. Told him then cursed him for killing my mommy."

Breaking down, Altiar brought her head against her chest.

"Do you still hate him?"

"No. He just smirked and flew off. Never knew his name," wiping her tears.

"So, that's how it happen?"

"Yes, I never talked about him. Found by Miss Carroll and trained by the organization."

"And we met."

"Yes, we met," kissing Altair's lips then groping her breasts.

Brushing Daria's hands away, "Slept it off," leading Daria to her bed, "You smell of alcohol."

Somewhere in outer space where one can't be heard screaming for help or dying. In this case, one can hear, "Fuckfuckfuck," by Jake. Remember Jake's not a pod racer.

Using the afterburners, managing to keep ahead of the barrage of missiles they launched against him. And from the other side, another set of fighters heading straight towards him.

Pulling straight up, "SHIT," cussed Jake trying to get away from the two.

The fighters that followed him got hit by a few missiles which thinned out several fighters nipping Jake's tail.

Of course, this ran into the problem that Jake now faced with an oncoming barrage of combine laser fire from three battle cruisers and five different destroyers.

"OH FUCK ME!" screamed Jake, flying to the best of his abilities.

Why did Jake volunteer for this hell, well the answer is quite simple. He's done this before, against a smaller armada yes, but really it was the same. Plus it impressed the women. Truthfully, they were doing more damage to each other then him. Taking a close call, still they hadn't hit him and the missiles kept striking the different ships instead of them. They needed Philip 'First Class' Asshole as their gunner.

All the same, they weren't bombarding the planet, which was the important part actually cuddly with Raven was important. And he was alone because no one in this reality was this good and they need as many fighters on the ground as they could get. Can't wait for him to met Jess and Rath. The palace really was the best place for defense with a high canyon wall to its back. Don't underestimate the power of the darkness. The defenders could focus on the front and not worry about the other sides. Guess, he didn't know about the secret ways in.

"Come on all fucking ready," grunted Jake trying to out run the pursuers.

Another missile struck a fighter behind him. It was a bit too close. The resulting explosion rattled Jake knocking his course off, and sending him right into a battleship hanger.

"Welcome to the v-tech, cadet" said Captain Rogers shaking her hand.

"Yes, sir," saluting him.

Returning her salute, "Two days report to Captain Gordon. Then your real training begins."

Switching to guardian mood, he glided to the back of the hanger resting his jets against the back wall.

Realizing there was an enemy vehicle among them, the work crews gathered weapons to kill this intruder. Taking aim at the closest threat, Jake unleashed with his gun pod. Wreaking the hanger, Jake left nothing standing including three rounds into the fuel depot.

Blinking, "FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKK!" as the fire ball engulfed the dead hanger.

Using full thrusters and afterburners, "Come on you bucket of bolts," cursed Jake, "move your fucking ass!"

He finally saw the closed hanger door. That didn't stop him ripping it to shreds with his gun.

Exiting the ship's hanger at full speed, the hanger erupted setting off a chain reaction which took thirty seconds for no more battleship. With the armada being so close, the explosion caused two of larger ships to crash against each another therefore destroying them.

Switching to battleoid mode, Jake watched the results of his dumb luck.

Blinking, "Woow, I'm good." No, luck trumps skills when facing those without skills.

His screen flashed on. Turning the fighter towards the alert, his eyes widened to the sight of more missile coming right at him.

Bringing up the arms of the fighter, Jake's only thought was, "I'm sorry Raven." That's why you don't amount to much.

On Battlestar Yashuman being serviced at the shipyard near the planet Sadal, Altair paced the floor of the quarters she shared with Daria.

"Something doesn't feel right about this," said Altair

Since the Dolza case, Altair and Daria had been together getting close as a couple can get. Daria was a little nervous with her emotions and the direction their relationship was going. Altair was able to loosen her vice grip on her emotions a little at a time since they joined RDF.

It seems Daria protected her emotions while Altair was tight lipped about her thoughts. Daria never knew what would sent off Altair thought process and trying to get Altair to talk what was on her mind at times was a challenge.

Digging into Altair's file, Daria discovered the Battlestar they are assigned on was Altair's old ship she served on during the Shadow War. Currently Altair was internship as a nurse. It seemed she was going to be as a shift doctor, however she turned it down stating she wanted to earn her spot which caused some chuckles.

As for Daria, she went from a Thunderstrike patrol working her way to a v-tech squad. With a little help from shots of whiskey, she passed her v-tech training. Now she's waiting for an assignment.

Rolling her eyes, "I know, sweetheart," said Daria, "but if Jake had felt something was off, he would have said something."

Stomping her foot, "Don't you think I know that, but we also know that he wasn't sure about where he was going."

The door chimed before Daria could retort.

"Enter."

The door slide open and in stepped Admiral Gloval. The two hunters shot to their feet and stood at attention.

"At ease," he said with a small smile and a wave of his hand, "these are your quarters, and nether of you are on duty, so no need to stand at attention."

"Sorry, sir," said Altair with a small smile that shared with the one on Daria's face, "Force of habit."

"Quite all right," he said placing his hands behind his back, "I was wondering if I could speak with you to about Spiegel."

They both nodded.

"Is that why you are here, sir?" asked Altair.

"Yes, like to know what did you two think of him appearing at Macross City and his request."

Shaking her head, "Nothing much, sir," replied Daria.

Nodding, Gloval looked at Altair, who seemed to be thinking her answer.

"Medical Officer Altair, I understand you served under Captain Tylor," said Goval.

"That's right, sir. I think something's up that Jake wasn't telling us, sir. He wouldn't have left with an armed fighter if he didn't feel that something might go wrong. It just feels like something's wrong."

Looking at her, "I still think if there was a problem," said Daria, "Jake would have said something, and he wouldn't risk Raven's life if there really was a problem."

"I know that, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't hide it from us too."

Daria sighed.

"I feel the same," remarked Goval, "I do believe Jake was hiding something from us. What I do not know, but I feel nothing good come of it. I asked for outside advice."

"What was suggested, sir?" asked Daria.

"Following him," he stated, "with three Battleships along with the allied Zentraedi forces. I have a feeling they will be needed. The fold systems are already being adjusted as we speak to fold near Jake's location."

"Um," said Altair raising an eyebrow, "how are you planning on doing that?"

"We've done it before," Gloval replied with a smile, "we used the fold system to jump into another section of the universe to escape our own destruction. We would have remained as well, however we felt we must find our own home which we did with help."

"What do you need from us, sir?" asked Daria.

"Just be ready in case you are needed," replied Gloval, "we will be on yellow alert till other wise."

"I hope we're wrong," sighed Daria as Gloval left.

Rubbing Daria's back, "So do I," said Altair, "but we'll find out soon."

Floating in the Tameran section of space was the Red Wolf with its pilot waking up.

"God, my head is killing me," he thought with another hangover in the darkness.

Hurting too much meant he wasn't dead then again he did fight the demons of hell as a disemboweled spirit. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw his helmet faceplate was cracked. His left eye felt swollen shut and maybe cut. Normal for him.

Bringing up the comp screen, it indicted extensive damage. Communication: out. Both battleoid arms gone. No more missiles. Even if he had any, the targeting computer was shot to shit. All in all. He was a cod in a barrel waiting to be shot.

The external camera was still working allowing him to see Val-Yor's armada. He barely put a dent in their forces and here he was going to die. He wasn't only to give up that easy. His healing factor won't let him die.

Switching back to fighter mode, he prepared himself for a suicide run. He was going to take something out.

In the back of his mind, he prayed to a god I didn't believe in, "If you are listening, I could use a miracle." Strange, God believes in you and visited you on Christmas.

A colored light behind him made him use his rear screen. His jaw dropped as his eyes went wide.

"Oh fuck me," escaped his lips.

Clashing of metal echoed through the catacombs of the forgotten. Welding two swords, Sin clashing blades with a dressed in black combat armor. A black cowl shaped like a bird of prey, truthfully he looks like Winslow without the musical abilities, covered his face.

"Stop using the standard attacks," blocking Sin's attempts, "Use the unorthodox," watching Sin throw one sword up, blocked the one in Sin's hand then with his gauntlet blocked the one caught by sin as Sin jumped over him, "How often must I tell you?" witnessing Sin running at him slashing like a tornado of blades, "Control my central line," dodging attacks, "Good," waving of his hand knocking Sin off his feet, "Faster. Destroy my focus. You're holding the sword too tightly," disarming Sin, "Now too lightly," catching Sin's sword while kicking the second one past Sin's right ear.

Kneeling before his master, "Your training will aid me in my revenge."

"Don't let your pursuit of revenge cloud your reality. If you are to succeed in combat against the best of hunters you must have fear, surprise, and intimidation on your side. For if any one element is lacking it would be best for you to retreat. You must break them before you engage them. Only then will ensure victory and your revenge."

Pulling his sword from the wall, "After making Jake suffer, the demon killers will fall."

"You're no ready for killers of demon. Finesse. Artfulness. Economy. Otherwise, you'll lose your head to a demon killer. Refer back to the rule of retreat. That's a different breed. You're a full blooded demon. Hunters are beyond you're concern even this weakling Jake Spiegel. His strength is his healing factor," chuckling, "never dawned on him, that there's those that can defeat him. He relies on his guns and fists. Yet, all he can do is brawl,"

"Malso proved to be a disappointment."

"His downfall was chasing that pussy. Causing many men to do stupid things,. Speaking of pussies," staring at a mirror.

Materializing on the reflective surface, they watched Jake perform the In and Out Load maneuver.

"Plus it doesn't sink into that skull he can be studied. He didn't kill Trigion. Just delayed him. He will crossover in time."

"His daughter sensed us."

"Yet, she couldn't pinpoint your location. Learning to move without making a ripple, will separate you from the lesser of your brethren."

"Is that why demon killers succeed?"

"They can die. They live and die by their skill. Their weakness is that they're not team players. Overwhelm them and they can be defeated. Remember the three points. Have an escape plan ready or you'll lose your head. Now back to your lessons," tossing Sin back his sword.

On the bridge of the Battlestar Yashuman, "Coming out of hyperspace fold in, three, two, one, now," counted Claudia.

The bridge crew looked out into space when the energy screen clear, and gasped.

Brown haired Vanessa, the radar tech looked at her screen, "sir, I count over four thousand ships, in fact, its just shy of five."

Lisa called from her position just in front of the captain, "incoming message sir."

"Put it on speaker," Captain Lee Adama.

"…Unidentified ships, state your business. I repeat, this is the armada of Val-Yor that is here to cleanse the galaxy of the Tameran Troqs, unidentified ships, state your business."

Standing beside Captain Adama, "Tameran," said Altair, "that's Starfire's home world."

"Sir, I'm picking up a single but heavily damaged ship," said Vanessa, "It's the Red Wolf!"

"What?" shouted Adama rushing to the radar screen.

"He's pulling away from what looked like an attack course."

Turning to the other bridge crew, "Go to full red alert, opened up all batteries, and prepare the main gun to fire. Have a fighter squad escort the Red Wolf back to the ship. And Lisa, contact Breetai and tell him to have his forces open fire as well."

"Yes sir," Lisa said.

Turning to her screen, she saw Rick's face. He was ready to launch in Skull 1, the most decorated fighter of the RDF.

"Lisa, what's going on?" he asked.

"Rick," she said, "its bad. Four thousand ship, and we found Jake on radar, and his ship is badly damage, we need someone to make sure he gets back."

"Roger that," said Rick placing his hand on the throttle, "Skull 1 to all Skull squadron, get to Red Wolf and get him back safe. Move out."

The fighter with the skull and cross bone art launched, followed by a blue and red fighter.

Reaching Red Wolf took a bit of time every Jake to figure out what had been going on, finally getting the idea that the infamous skull squadron was escorting him back to the Battlestar Yashuman, considering his ship had absolutely no fight left in it. He rolled into the hanger as a couple of techs came running up.

The first came up and called up to the cockpit, "Sir, Captain Adama requested your presence on the bridge ASAP."

"Understood," called Jake, jumping over the side of the cockpit, not even bothering with the ladder down. He pulled off of his helmet, and looked right into the tech's eyes, "get a spare fighter prepped and fully armed, with an assault rifle with as much ammo you can put in place in the cockpit, and I want it in twenty."

Not even waiting for a reply, Jake rushed off as fast as he could. Making his way to the bridge proved easier on a Battlestar then SDF-1, he found Altair and the bridge crew waiting for him.

"Ok," he said catching his breath, "not that I'm complaining, but where did you guys come from?"

"Well," said Altair, "being that everyone knows how much trouble you get into and can't out of without help so everyone else decided to come after you, and I guess I was wrong."

"Yes," crossing his arms, "why did you not tell Admiral Gloval of this attack?" asked Adama.

Crossing her arms, "And where are the other Titans?" asked Altair.

"I didn't tell you cause I didn't know," replied Jake, "and the others are on the planet, fighting against an army bent on taking over the planet down there."

Their eyes went wide.

"Sir," continued Jake, "they need help down there. I'm taking a spare fighter down, but any support would be helpful."

Turning to Lisa, "Contact Breetai," said Adama, "and tell him to send the micronized combat units."

"Sir, they need medical assistance," said Altair, "permission to follow Spiegel to the planet."

"Permission granted," turning to Lisa again, "and have Rick, Max, and Miriya go with them."

The two hunters didn't wait to hear the other orders given to the bridge crew as they rushed to the fighters.

A commando stared at fallen battle on the floor blood covering his lifeless body.

"Fritz! Fritz, get up for god's sake! Get up! They've killed Fritz! They've killed Fritz! Those lousy, stinking, orange skin Tamaraneans! Those horrible, atrocity filled vermin! Those despicable animal warmongers! They've killed Fritz! Take that!" firing his weapon, "Take this!" Bang, "Take that, you green slime!" Bang, "You black hearted, short bow legged-"

In his blood fury to avenge his comrade, he didn't notice Fitz standing up.

"Max! Max! I'm okay! I'm okay, Max. Just a scratch. Look, I'm alright."

"Oh, oh. Damn! There you go again stepping on my lines, raining on my parade, costing me medals. Oh, damn!" crossing his arms accidentally shooting Fritz, "Ohh, oh, Fritz?" noticing Fritz's dead body, "Fritz, get up for god's sake! Get up! They've killed Fritz! Those lousy, stinking, orange skin Tamaraneans! Those horrible, atrocity filled vermin! Take this!" Bang, "Take that!" Bang, "They killed Fritz!"

In the palace, everyone was dead tired. The army would not stop and there was no end in sight. Three hundred Tamaraneans of mostly guards and servants were rescued. The Titans continued fighting like it was their final fight. Blackfire showed her fighting prowess. Terra managed to help with the wounded.

Slumping against a wall, Raven took a moment to calm herself before the next wave. The army sent wave after wave of war machines against the palace. It was thankful to say the least. It gave them a few moments of rest before the next wave hit.

"Raven," said Nightwing checking on the team, "are you alright?"

Nodding, "Just tired."

Patting her shoulder, "We'll be ok. Just need Jake to give us more time."

Chuckling, "If he's still alive."

"Hey now," he said, "You know that if anyone could pull it off, it was Jake. And you know you don't believe that he's dead."

"I know, but for how much longer?"

The ground shook. A crash followed. Looking out to see a giant of metal with a pair of cannons for armies.

They thundered firing into the top of the palace. Not destroying the actually building, but shaking it to the core causing bits of the ceiling to fall onto the floor.

At that moment, her radio shouted to life, "Raven, can you hear me?"

Her heart stopped.

Grabbing it, "Jake, what's wrong?"

"I need a beacon," he shouted back, "I can't find the palace with the smoke out here."

"If you can hold them back," shouted Blackfire, "I can signal him! I'll stand out in the smoke!"

"I will come as well," said Starfire.

"No," called Blackfire, "that would be the perfect time to capture you, at which point we all loss."

"It will not happen," Starfire said calmly.

"And why not," demanded Blackfire.

Stepping closer to her sister, "Because your strength will protect me. And do you remember all those cycles ago, when we first used our bolts together?"

Taking a moment to process that information, the light dawning in her eyes, "Would it work?"

Smiling, "It will."

The three flying females flew towards the roof along the stairwells. It provided the most cover.

Reaching the roof, "Do your best to get us time, friend Raven, " said Starfire.

Without another word, the two sister back to back floated into the air.

"Ready sister," asked Starfire balling her fists.

Bringing her fists up, "I just hope we're strong enough for this to work."

"It will," whispered Starfire.

The two snapped straight smashing their fists together. Screaming as streams of bolts of energy erupted from their hands going in every direction.

The radio came to life again, "I see it. We're coming in hot, twenty seconds."

Raven couldn't ask who Jake was talking about because she noticed the robot not far off preparing to fire again. Raising her remaining strength, she could see the glow of power from the robot's cannon. Until she heard whine of missiles followed by BOOM. upon contact the robot exploded becoming a ball of smoke and flame. And gliding to a stop in front of her position was a Veritch much like Jake's Red Wolf in full battleoid mode .

"Jake?" she whispered.

The head turned. A voice from an external com unit, "Sorry, I'm late, but I had to pick up a new fighter and some friends."

Raven, Starfire, and Blackfire turned with the head following its gaze to watch five more fighters like his change and land beside him.

A familiar voice came over one of the fighters, "Hey Star, miss us?"

Starfire gasped, "Daria?"

"Don't forget me," called Altair from the same com unit that Daria used.

"Talk later," remarked Jake, "Max, Miriya, secure a landing zone," he ordered a blue and red Veritech, who changed to Guardian mode and flew off.

"Everyone else," Jake called, raising the gun in his v-tech's hand, "defense positions, and hold at all costs."