Tosho Daimos

"Good to finally meet you in person," the captain of the Freeden said, shaking the newcomers' hands in turn. Jed couldn't help but look at the Captain's vertical scar on the left side of his face, despite his dark shades covering his eyes. But he could also sense that the older man was studying him as well.

"Anyway, here is my bridge team…" in which Jed caught their attention. Sara Tyrell, a professional looking woman wearing a pink businesslike suit, was Jamil's First Officer of the ship, Shingo Mori, a rather plain looking man as the helmsman and Toniya Malme, the blonde perky woman, was their communication officer. The bridge members were too busy with their posts to give a formal greeting, so Jed found himself nodding to them instead.

"We're sent by Lady Une of the Preventers to collect the Mazinger team. We also forward the message to your superiors in MITHRIL, which we will keep you in a positive accommodation, as I understand that our missions go hand in hand."

"We'd like to find out about that, though." Kouji reminded him.

"Of course. But I prefer that all the pilots are here to finalize our plans. They're still busy with maintenance, and I'll need to receive official orders from Commander Gou. Sara…" the First Officer immediately left her station and stood neatly beside him. "Please give them a tour around the ship, to help them become familiar with it."

"Yes sir." Sara complied, leading Jed and the others to the door, "if you follow me?"

As soon as the door closed, Toniya immediately broke the silence by saying. "They're pretty young for soldiers, don't you think?"

Shingo answered with a small laugh. "You're just annoyed because the newcomers aren't older than you."

Toniya gave an exaggerated sigh, but not offended by her friend's remark. "True. Until then, I'm still stuck between Roybea and Witz." She made a comical face, giving her opinion on the very idea.

"It shows that this war is having a crisis in manpower," Jamil replied seriously.

"That's a shame; kids shouldn't be put into the fighting at all." Shingo said, a bit surprised at the Captain's blandness on the issue.

"But they are, in ways we cannot imagine," the captain said somberly. "It happened before. And it will happen again."

And that was the end of the conversation… Jamil was so solemn when he said those words that Toniya's own mirth quickly evaporated like rubbing alcohol, from what she observed their usually cool tight-lipped captain looked like he was looking into a past that he never really relished seeing again. Respecting to avoid such painful subjects for his sake, the bridge went quiet, for now, and continued their assigned duties.

-----

It seemed that the tour was destined to be short-lived after all, as Sara showed them the hangar where their mechas were being repaired and maintained by their engineering team. The two pilots of the Gundams showed up, which Sara introduced as Roybea Roy, the taller brown-haired man who piloted the Leopard Gundam and Witz Sou, a few inches shorter than Roybea with spiky blonde hair as the Airmaster's pilot. Many introductions were given and taken, and then Roybea invited them to the entertainment room that was close by… complete with a bar and a billiards set for those tedious moments when pilots have nothing better to do with their spare time.

"I thought you're supposed to check on your Gundam?" Sara severely asked him, almost forgetting the newcomers.

"Well you know what they say: All work and no play…" Roybea replied smoothly, giving a grin to her, in which Sara ignored.

"Makes Roybea a moron," Witz, the obviously more short-tempered than his counterpart, bit out. "We are supposed to check our stuff for the next fight, you know."

"Well, Kid and his team seems to have things sorted out," Roybea replied, serious now, "besides, we'll only get in their way. I say we just relax and then swap stories to improve morale."

"Well," Sayaka admitted ruefully, "I am kinda thirsty."

"See?" Roybea said cheerfully, ignoring the glowering expressions from Sara and Witz "A cola would do wonders."

"But…!" Sara attempted again, "I'm supposed to show them around…"

"In this small ship? Trust me, the best place to entertain guests is the recreation room, or…" Here Roybea cocked his head at Kouji's direction, "you can always go to the clinic and watch the doctor brew coffee, if that's your idea of fun."

"Uh, we'll pass, thanks." Kouji said.

"And I'm sure you have much better to do in the bridge than spending time babysitting them." Roybea added for Sara's benefit. "I'll personally tell the Captain myself after this."

"Fine," Sara said in a defeated tone. "I'll leave them in your care then." Here she gave another stern look "And if you're going to make them drink liquor like the last time you'll…"

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things." Witz promised her.

"Well then, if you'll excuse me," Sara said, as she walked away from the hangar.

"Cheerful person, isn't she?" Jed commented, watching her.

"Actually, she's a fine second in command officer. A great asset to the team," Roybea admitted. "Her only problem is that she sometimes needed to loosen up once in a while."

"Which I'm sure you don't have that same problem," Witz said dryly.

"Of course. Now please follow me?"

"Uh, I think I'll stay here." Jed said to the group, and he saw from the corner in the eye that Sagara has an intention to follow him around too. "And what are you doing here?"

"My orders are…" Sagara began.

"To stick with me, I know," Jed finished. "Are your orders include following me to the restroom or to the place I sleep in?"

"Yes, sir!" was the loud reply. Jed somehow regained his footing before face faulting to the floor. "That's not exactly what I expected to hear." He said, regaining his composure. He racked his brains to find a way out of this dilemma when an idea struck him. "Aren't I a former soldier?"

"Yes"Sagara, replied, surprised by Jed's sudden shift of conversation.

"And your superior officer?"

"Actually… you left the service and technically not an officer…"

"Whatever," Jed said, waving that point away, "And other than my memory loss, I don't happen to be dangerous, crazy or unpredictable?"

"Well you got the unpredictable part right…"

"So I'm not really in any danger of hurting, and getting hurt by, anyone." Jed interrupted patiently, "And we seem to be in a very safe ship. Ergo, as long as we're here, I really don't need a bodyguard everywhere I go. Therefore I order you to stop following me around; be, uh, at ease, have fun and leave me alone, alright?"

"But…" Sagara said, clearly not convinced despite the obvious points Jed said.

"I mean it. Go! Scat! I'll call you when I need your help, alright?"

Fortunately Sayaka and Kouji managed to come to his rescue by grabbing each of Sagara's shoulders and literally dragged him away from where he was standing. "You heard your boss, you can come with us instead," Kouji said in a friendly tone.

"But sir!" was his last call before the trio made a turn from the door.

"Funny guy." A young boy's commented overhead, Jed looked up to see that he was actually a few feet away from the GX unit that helped them in the last fighting. "Where'd you find him?" a young boy with messy green hair and in mechanic overalls called out. From where he's standing, Jed noticed that the boy was holding a wrench… no doubt busy with the repairs in the cockpit of that huge robot.

"I didn't. He followed me home." Jed shouted, in which the other youth gave an appreciative chuckle to his joke. "You the pilot of that thing?"

"Yeah, more or less." He called back. "I'm Garrod Ran."

"Jed! Pleased to meet you! Are you the chief mechanic here?"

"You're giving me too much credit! Talk to the little brat, he'll help you." Jed was surprised that Garrod used such words regarding their most important team member who's in charge of the ship and mecha repair when another voice shrilled out. "What do you just say, Gundam Boy!" in an offended tone.

Jed looked traced the owner of the voice, and tried not to look too dumbfounded at what he saw. A small kid wearing the overalls like Garrod, around 12 years old, was looking angrily at the GX pilot.

"I said there's a guy who's looking for you!" Garrod shouted back. But there was a slight teasing tone in his voice. "You'd better do your job down there and stop loitering."

"Who the hell do you think you are, anyway!" the little boy shouted, but he was now grinning as well. Well, at least he talks like he's a lot older, Jed mentally reflected. Eventually, the little boy looked switched his attention to him, "I'm Kid. The head mechanic here."

"I… see…" Jed said, almost using his whole willpower simply to stop himself from laughing. Outwardly he was wearing a very calm countenance when he continued. "Well, I really need your expertise on something."

"I'm your boy," Kid replied, studying Jed's expression about the obvious pun. Seeing Jed's air of seriousness, he added. "You're probably the first pilot who never made fun of me." In which it was Garrod who laughed out, for both of their sakes, "Unlike some other people I know." Kid called out in the open.

"I'm glad, I think." Jed said, suppressing a smile, as he handed the metallic capsule that he hidden away safely in his pocket. "Can you tell me what this is?"

Immediately Kid's expression turned into genuinely excitement at the odd object, after giving a thorough look on it, he finally said. "I've never seen anything like it, where'd you get this?"

"From that Sentinel's cockpit." Jed answered, "It's not a Mobile Suit part that I should be aware of? It could be a self-destruct mechanism." He shuddered inwardly, wondering if he was really that close of actually getting himself killed, which in a way, would probably the most embarrassing way to end it all, in his opinion. It was one thing to get shot down by enemy fire, but getting blown apart because he pressed a stupid button was something else entirely.

"Nope. I don't see any indication of that in this thing." Kid said, looking at the capsule over again. "It's definitely not a screw, if that's what you mean. Maybe it serves as a container?"

"I agree. But I have no idea how to open it."

"Well, you can give it to me so I can figure it out." Kid suggested "There's nothing like a good puzzle to exercise the brain."

Jed nodded at the idea. "Please do so. Call me as soon as you've solve the puzzle."

-----

"Captain, I'm receiving a signal from the Preventers HQ," Sara, as soon as she returned to her station, said. Upon further scrutiny, she added "It's an information stream."

Jamil nodded his head for a go ahead, and immediately they heard a heavily static noise filling the bridge. "The message's pretty corrupted." Shingo said, remarking the obvious.

"Wait, I'll try to clear the transmission for our radio waves." Toniya offered inputting the data on her station. Some may think of her as the resident dumb blonde of the group, but the people she worked with all this time knew better. A minute later she said, "I have it."

The message had been very short. But as soon as the transmission finished its message Jamil barked the orders to depart as soon as possible.

"Whoever the enemy is they're trying pretty hard to make sure someone won't call for help." Toniya commented, "It's a good thing we're nearby… anymore further and the message would be too garbled to even try figuring it out."

"Tell Lady Une we've received the message." Jamil relayed his instructions to Sara. "And alert pilots to prepare for combat."

"So after all this time, the Balmlings are officially in the war," Sara said, trying to hide the fear from her voice.

"It will be alright." Jamil assured her quietly, despite that he was feeling dread as well he was not willing to show it for the sake of his crew. And Sara knew that quite well.

"Yes, sir." Sara replied crisply, her fear disappearing gradually as she returned to her duties. There would be no place for such things, as they had much better things to do about it.

"Seems like we're gonna head to another direction." Kid said, looking up from the console that connects him to the bridge, with Jed and Garrod looking over their shoulder.

"Where are we going to this time?" Garrod asked his friend, and to Jed's ear, he caught a slight sound of strained frustration from his tone of voice.

"Dynamo base. One of those robot institutes in Japan," Kid replied. "We have to get there and support them from invasion."

"Invasion? Dr. Hell's army again?" Jed asked.

"Balmings." Seeing Jed's expression Kid replied, "Aliens from another non-existent planet."

"Alright." Jed replied. First, he wasn't the man that he thought he is; secondly, he pilots a Gundam from a military army. Hearing that there are aliens from outer space doesn't faze him as he thought it would.

"Well, we'll just have to convince them it's a bad idea then." Garrod said, removing his overalls before heading to the door, tossing it carelessly on the floor.

"What's his problem?" Jed asked.

"He's just annoyed we're moved again from schedule. Jamil told you're supposed to be briefed for a mission later thus afternoon."

"Yes, he did. What about it?"

-----

"It's a rescue mission." Roybea answered, finally giving in to Kouji's queries. Boss, Witz and Sayaka were finishing off their colas on a sofa at the opposite direction from where they were sitting on now. Other than them and some crewmembers who went there to have a glass of water, they had the recreational room all by themselves, "You've heard about Amuro Ray?"

"The Newtype from the One Year War. Who wouldn't?" Sayaka replied.

"Aaahhh, I'm envious when a pretty girl remembers him." Roybea said.

"He's also dubbed the White Devil by the Zion forces, for the Gundam he's using." Kouji interrupted, putting the conversation back on track, "I wonder what on earth happened to him?"

"Not good, or we wouldn't be going there." Roybea said.

"What do you mean?"

"It means that for some inexplicable reason, Neo-Zion find necessary to kidnap Newtypes and lock them up in a military building and doing some experiments. We are basically the rescue team," Witz answered them sourly. "Not only him, but one of our crewmember as well."

"You have a Newtype?" Kouji asked, dimly aware that Sousuke was listening in to the conversation very intently. "Is he a pilot?"

"No, she's more of a civilian." Roybea said. "But she has poor health, so I don't think combat is good for her."

"Tifa Adil," Sousuke muttered, and everyone else stopped talking to look at him in stunned silence.

"That's right," Roybea said, "but how did you…?"

"I'm also assigned for a rescue operation." Sousuke said. "To protect and safeguard those two, and another civilian."

"That's strange, Jamil never said there's a third person involved." Witz muttered.

"That civilian's life is entrusted to me, along with her personal information." Sousuke assured him. "Trust me, she's also as important."

"Your girlfriend?" Sayaka asked, smiling knowingly.

"NO!" For once Sousuke looked offended, "she's a schoolmate."

"You're a student?" Roybea asked him, stunned.

"Why not? I'm a student too… with Boss and Sayaka from my class." Kouji pointed out.

"Only the school was destroyed by Ashura a few weeks ago, so now we're on hiatus." Sayaka explained for them.

"This will suck once its finished construction for the summer." Boss griped.

"No, that's not exactly what I meant." Roybea said, looking over at Sousuke. "From the way you fought those huge lizards back there, and the way you talk to that Jed kid, I'd thought you're from the army or something. Why are you in a school looking over a girl?"

"He's a pervert." Boss guessed.

"A stalker." Sayaka answered.

"Now that's something Roybea would likely do," Witz agreed, hands akimbo, nodding, ignoring Roybea's noise of rebuff.

"I'm afraid that information is classified." Sousuke replied stiffly, taking no offense to what the other two just said.

"Hey, we're team mates after all," Kouji coaxed him. "How are we supposed to watch your back if we don't know where you're going?"

"My superiors asked me to keep this as confidential as possible. I'm sorry to say."

"Guy says no, so drop it." Sayaka chided them as she offered to carry the empty bottles to the nearest trash can. She had just barely tossed those items in the recycling container when Jed entered the room.

"Yo!" Kouji said, waving his hands to the newcomer. "What's up?"

"Seems like we're gonna pick up a new robot along the way." Jed grunted, motioning Sousuke not to leave his chair for him, and remained standing. "Anyone heard of Daimos?"

"Not the robot, but the pilot." Witz replied. "Ryuzaki Kazuya was one of the people chosen for the outer space mission programs on the Excellion three years ago. They've brought back some sort of energy source to study."

"Father said something that Daimos was one of those Super Robots created to stem off the invaders." Kouji contributed. "Kazuya was elected to be its sole pilot. I never heard the reasons why though."

"Could be a good reason to find out." Roybea said. And the others felt the same as well.

"So let's check our robots for the battle then," Kouji suggested. "Let's see if your chief mechanic was as good as he claimed he is." The others agreed to his idea and left, leaving Jed and Sagara alone in the room. Sagara never left his seat, and Jed was looking for an orange juice in the drinks stand.

"Do you want me to leave, sir?" Sagara asked.

Jed repressed a sigh, although he did stop searching, switching his attention to his companion. "I wish you don't have to go around asking my approval on everything you do. I'm not your dad or anything."

"I'm afraid I'll have to." Sagara said. When Jed finally looked at him, he added, "I was only eight back then, sir. The groups I've been in were always on the move, given that we are not exactly popular to the people. On the mission that we're trying to stop the nuclear transport, I ended up almost jeopardizing everything for a foolish mistake." He looked at Jed, and for the first time since they've met Jed noticed a look of respect from his friend. "You risked your life, and your commission, for me, when it was more practical to leave me behind and continue the operation."

Jed shook his head. "I have no memory of that." He reminded him.

"I know. Afterwards, the military bunch then asked you to look after me for the rest of the mission." Sagara finished ruefully. "It's become a habit ever since."

"I see. I imagine it must have driven me nuts."

"On the contrary, you encouraged me to join MITHRIL. You and another fellow officer. He'd be pleased to see you again."

"I can't say for that, but I have to be clear on something." Jed said, finally finding his drink but still didn't open the bottle. "I'm not the Jed that you've worked with all this time. And you're not an eight year old kid like before. I'm sure that on whatever you do and whatever you set for yourself, you, and the army for that matter, won't need me."

"And that doesn't bother you?"

"To be frank, no. The reason I'm here is because there's a memory that I've lost somewhere, and I don't want to get shot in the future on something I did that I conveniently forgot."

"Back then, you're the type of soldier who was so dedicated to his duty. You said so yourself that it's become your life."

"As you can see," Jed said, drinking his juice, his eyes half-closed in thought. "I'm obviously mistaken."

-----

The Dymobreak Base was technically a center for Japan's energy research facility, the youngest base from all other institutes, it also proved to be as dedicated to its research as its counterparts. Searching for a safer energy source, they worked closely with the United Earth Expedition Forces, that once in their earlier missions made Mars a suitable planet for humans to live in. Professors Ryuzaki and Gous successfully created those nanomachines that now resided in the Red Planet's atmosphere.

Though, like all its predecessors, they were now also the target of an enemy force. But unlike Dr. Hell's insane bent on world domination, this enemy was the accumulated fury that originally came from the stars, a vengeance that had not been inflicted for many, many years.

Kazuya Ryuzaki was raised with mixed feelings towards the Balmlings. But even this will not deter him from his sworn duty when he accepted this huge undertaking. With Daimos and the Galver FX-II, a small yellow freighter plane, the Dymobreak's defenders, they're now going to intercept the group of Balming mechas that were attacking the nearby city.

"Seems like it's a huge party down there." Kyoshiro commented, looking at the smoke rising from the smoldering buildings. It was fortunate that the citizenry were most likely hidden away in their respective bunkers, protected from the enemy's frenzy dance of destruction.

"We'll make them pay for that," Kazuya answered his friend grimly, willing Daimos to the ground, in the midst of those red-colored robots with tank like base supporting the humanlike torso, reminding him of those Guntanks that were prevalent in the One Year War.

The "monster tanks", as Nana dubbed them, shifted their attention to the newcomer and fired their lasers from the singular eye that served as its head. It's energy heat enough to melt a GM on its tracks. Unfortunately for them, Daimos was not a GM.

With the Galver overhead supporting the huge robot by firing its heat seeking missiles, Daimos smashed three of the tanks with its twin daggers with uncanny speed and precision as a martial artist. Another tank somehow sneaked up from behind of the buildings, but was instantly shot down by Daimos' daimoguns, which the Galver later finished it off.

The tanks, so limited in movement for their overall design, were nothing more but target practices for their more agile enemies, and it seemed that Daimos could have won the battle by itself, until circumstance almost cost Kazuya his life.

A young girl, around Kazuya's age or younger, had somehow stumbled into the battle. If Kazuya had not been looking at the small screen flashing from the left side of his cockpit, he would not have noticed her. He shouted at her in a futile effort to warn her against the danger, but the girl looked confused and walked as if one drunk, not realizing the battle overhead. She attempted to step forward, lost her balance, and fainted. Her prone form sprawled on the ground, with a building above her threatening to collapse.

Kazuya threw caution to the winds, ignoring his companions' cries he willed Daimos to crouch above the girl, just before the building's fragile walls finally gave way, and protected her from the raining debris.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Ryuzaki!" Kyoshiro almost but screamed at him. As the Galver flew overhead, attempting to draw the enemy fire to itself.

"There's a civilian caught up in the fight!" Kazuya answered, but as he responded he found himself staring at the girl intently, whose raven hair seemed to flow gracefully against the wind. He couldn't help but think she, whoever she was, was very beautiful.

"The hell?" Kyoshiro looked at the screen and affirmed Kazuya's report. "How'd she end up there?"

"How should I know?" Kazuya fired back, "but you have to get her out of here!"

Kyoshiro made a grunting noise, he didn't like the plan of leaving Daimos behind. But on the other hand, she was a taxpayer, an idiot one at that, and would not be good publicity to let her die in that manner. So despite his misgivings, the small plane made an emergency landing where the mysterious girl was lying, and Nana, immediately jumped from her seat and attempted to lift the stranger by herself as Kyoshiro was left to take care of the engine. Despite the raven haired girl's a few inches taller than Nana, the blonde girl had proven she was quite stronger, and both staggered towards the plane as fast as they could.

"Hurry!" Kazuya called out, as Daimos straightened up and positioned into a defensive pose, a fresh resolve building up in him, realizing that girl's life, literally, depends on him.

He couldn't let her down now.

-----

"Captain! There's a battle going on at twelve o'clock!" Toniya snapped as the overhead screen projected the battle.

"Looks like we barely made it." Shingo agreed, awestruck at the sight.

"Tell all pilots to be ready for launch," Jamil calmly ordered. "And prepare the Freeden's turret guns."

"All fighter pilots, scramble!" Sara relayed the message from her console.

"Sir, a flying object is heading to our direction." Toniya called, "the pilot is hailing."

"Understand. Open channel."

Immediately a young man wearing a green trench like coat, tinted eyeglasses and retro 70s style puffball hairdo appeared onscreen. Had the bridge not been in a battle alert approach, Toniya would have laughed out loud from the first sight.

"You must be the reinforcements." Kyoshiro said, deciding to keep the usual pleasantries until after the battle. "Glad to see you guys made it in time. I have a civilian on board. Requesting permission to give her medical care."

"Permission granted." Jamil said, motioning for Toniya to contact Franzenberg. "We're ordering our squad to move into the battle, can you board our ship in motion?"

"Never tried that before, but I guess there's a first time in everything."

"Sara will synchronize with docking procedures." The First Officer nodded her affirmative as she took control of the communication line of the Galver before replying. "Captain, mechas are ready to go, they are waiting for your word."

"Mark!"

-----

Jed never found the helmet he needed, but Kid was kind enough not only to restore the Sentinel's shield, he'd also added the seatbelts attached on the chair he's now sitting on. Now, at least, he wouldn't be having difficulties to keep his bum on it every time his cockpit shakes uncontrollably after getting hit by enemy fire.

By vote, Kouji was elected as the squad leader. Despite Jed's decisive actions that won them a battle last time, he had to admit, along with Sagara, that Kouji has far more actual fighting experience with his robot than he was. And so Mazinger Z was now the first mecha being prepped for the fight, with Sagara, in Arbalest, serving as second in command. The Gundams, however, were another squad, with Garrod's GX apparently leading the team.

"They're bringing in a civilian." Sayaka replied, when Jed asked her why it was taking so long for them to leave the hangar.

"Wounded?"

"I don't know. Toniya's not saying anything."

He felt he shouldn't bother to pry, for they suddenly received the order to launch.

"Follow me, team!" Kouji cried out in enthusiasm as he went outside, full thrusters burning.

"Good luck," Garrod said to Jed, for his team would have to wait for a few minutes until Kouji's squad was clear.

"You too." Jed returned the gesture, as his own Sentinel was asked to launch. A few seconds later he was in the open, firing his buster rifle at a nearest Balming mecha.

-----

Barbas, a distance away from the fight in his personal Garunrol ship, had good reasons why he wasn't pleased at the developments of the fight. Their first battle against those hateful humans, and their recently constructed mechas were doing poorly against them. And finally, he received reports that one of the offensive ships had been shot down, among those soldiers…

He couldn't bear to continue his line of thought. He quickly snapped orders to all soldiers who managed to survive on the ground to keep a lookout for her. Barbas couldn't bring such news to his leader. He could only hope that the Princess had somehow survived, despite the other facts glaring in front of his face.

But even that may not be enough.

The enemy tanks had managed to gang up on Daimos by entangling the huge mecha with its chains it produced from its neck, using the huge eye as a hook to keep it in place. As Daimos was helplessly held, he was rained with missiles from the other tanks. Kazuya knew that his robot took quite an extensive damage, and that he may not hold off the attack for long, when he felt the enemy's grip loosening, when Mazinger Z's iron cutter, a blade attached on the Mazinger Z's flying fist connected on the robot tank, in which it immediately exploded.

"Sorry we're late." Kouji's voice cut in as the rest of his squad formed a defensive circle around Daimos' kneeling form, with Aphrodite using her repairing equipment that was installed in her system. A few meters away, the Gundams were shooting the mechas away in an efficient manner, easing Kouji's team somewhat from the heavy fire.

"I'm just glad you made it." Kazuya replied.

Jed fired another volley of lasers on the insistent enemy mechs, fighting against a feeling of déjà vu, and not from the last fight. He was wondering why he should be when Mazinger cut in front of him, to take damage from an enemy energy bolt aimed at the Sentinel. "You alright?" Kouji asked.

"I was distracted, sorry." Jed said, annoyed at himself for that and added. "Thanks."

"Just do the same for me if I fouled up."

Jed was about to reply when Daimos asked the two of them to clear the way, when the Gundam team finally herded the tanks to one area that the other robots are facing.

Sentinel and Mazinger Z complied by jumping away from the spot they were standing on, and witnessed an impressive feat.

Daimos called upon it's Double Blizzard attack, and from its chest two huge fans appeared, and from there produced sufficient kinetic energy to literally form a huge tornado. The red tanks flew away helplessly into the air like paper toys, and as the blizzard dissipitated and the robots fell towards the ground, Daimos immediately punched and kicked into each of them with such speed and grace in humanlike proportions. All those punches connected on each mecha a second before they hit the ground like a karate practitioner hitting those falling planks of wood. All of them exploded as Daimos flew away.

Jed felt like his mouth was hanging in shock, it would have helped if he knew that Kouji and the rest were doing the same. But he could only watch Daimos in respect as the huge mecha fled to the Freeden as fast as it could.

-----

Kazuya had left his robot and was running into the Freeden, when he saw that the girl he just rescued was sitting up on the medical bed that would have wheeled her to the clinic had she had any serious injury. But right now, she seemed to be looking around in confusion, with the Freeden's doctor looking into his equipment.

"She's alright," Techs Franzenberg said to the agitated Kazuya. "She's just fainted, but…"

Kazuya didn't bother to let the doctor finished. Instead, he went straight to the girl. "Are you alright?"

The girl looked up on him, and Kazuya noticed her emerald eyes. It must be a female instinct that made her say, "You… are the one who saved me."

Kazuya nodded, mesmerized. "Are you from around here? What's your name?"

The girl looked distressed, as if it had never occurred to her before. However… "My name? My name is…Erika."

"Erika. What a beautiful name," the young man said. "I'm Kazuya. Ryuzaki Kazuya."

"Kazuya…" Erika echoed his name thoughtfully, trying to remember if he was someone she knew. For some reason she felt comfortable with him.

"Is she a friend of yours?" Franzenberg asked him.

Kazuya suddenly felt awkward, after the fight and seeing so many people injured, he felt slightly foolish for barging in the clinic as if he owned the place. "No, not really. But…"

The doctor continued gravely, "Then I'm afraid I'll have to tell you something. She is not hurt physically. But I fear she is suffering from amnesia."

Kazuya felt like he was punched on his face "What?"

Franzenberg adjusted his glasses at the bridge of his nose. "I'm not sure how, but it seemed it must be from the shock from the fight. If she has to regain her memories, she'll need considerable time to recover." He looked at Erika, "is your family nearby?"

Erika seemed agitated at his question, "I… I don't know… But I think I remember…I never lived here before…"

"She'll need someone she trusts to take care of her." The doctor said. "Will you stay by her for awhile? I have other things to do right now."

"Yes, you can count on me." Kazuya nodded.

As the doctor left to take care of the other patients, Erika looked at her clasped hands. "I'm so sorry, Kazuya."

"Don't be. The doctor says you'll eventually recover from that. Just take it easy."

"Thank you."

-----

Chief Miwa, a tall man of considerable age and hair that seemed to put his head on fire for its hairstyle and leader of the Japanese Defense Forces, was quite unimpressed by the valor Jamil's team shown. In fact, he was ranting, not pleased with Kazuya's first performance in spite that he rescued a civilian. Sara could sense that this useless tirade was trying Jamil's ample patience, but he quietly held his peace, out of stiff politeness, or from habit, if not for anything else.

"Anyway, Gou asked permission to have Daimos join with you for now," Miwa shouted, "finally, Kazuya is being useful."

"What do you say, old man!" Kyoshiro burst out angrily, as he was never fond of the man. For him Miwa was all bluster who can't even hold his own weight.

"The Freeden thanks you for your cooperation," Jamil said, laying a firm grip on Kyoshiro's arm to stop him from doing anything rash. "And as you could see, time is of the essence here. We will leave as soon as supplies are acquired."

Miwa nodded in impatience.

"If we are to be excused?" Without waiting for a reply, Jamil, Sara and Kyoshiro quickly left the room by entering the nearest elevator. Miwa was too busy with the clean-up operation of the city, and paid them no heed.

"I'd feel sorry for any Balming's unfortunate enough to be alive when Miwa gets his claws on them." Kyoshiro commented.

Jamil nodded, "Miwa has strong aversion towards aliens. He's not the only one in the military who has those feelings." He didn't add though, that Miwa was rumored to be a member of the Blue Cosmos. Whether that particular information was correct was never found out. But he was wary nonetheless.

"He doesn't strike me as a leader though," Sara ventured to say. "He almost looked panic-stricken."

Jamil shrugged, "The Federation's choices are their own. We are not on the position to criticize their officers."

"Whatever you say, chief." Kyoshiro replied easily, "just letting you know that Miwa, no matter what rank he's carrying, is a jerk, plain and simple." The elevator stopped a few levels below, as Kyoshiro decided to join the other pilots in the ready room, and left Jamil and Sara to head to the Freeden to double check on their supplies.

"Strange man," Sara said, but Jamil kept his thoughts to himself, as the elevator continued its descent.

-----

Kouji, Sayaka, Boss, Garrod and Jed decided to eat their lunch on the Dymobreak's kitchen with Nana's cooking (consisting of Chinese noodles), but Sagara, Witz and Roybea declined to join in… Sagara left to maintain his robot and the other two taking the opportunity to scope up the base, as the Dymobreak usually discourage outside visitors. This was where Kyoshiro headed as soon as he left Jamil and Sara.

"Ah, they're not poisoned?" Kyoshiro teased as Nana gave a second helping to Boss.

Nana stuck out her tongue at him, "For your information, they actually liked it."

Garrod honestly thought the noodles needed a little more salt, but kept that in peace.

"By the way." Nana said, "Have you seen Brother?"

"He's been hanging around with that civilian ever since she's been rescued." Kyoshiro said, "I'm surprised he doesn't introduce her to anyone." As soon as he said those words, the door to the kitchen opened, and Kazuya bringing Erika along, entered the room.

"Ah, she's so beautiful." Nana said, sighing. Jed agreed wholeheartedly, and from Kouji and Boss' stunned expressions, they were apparently impressed by her looks as well. The only ones who weren't interested were Garrod, who was eating and Sayaka, who was fuming.

"KOUJI!" Sayaka cried angrily, dumping her bowl of noodles unto Kouji's head before stalking away from the table. Kouji followed suit, calling in an apologetic tone to Sayaka, who did not seem to hear him.

Kyoshiro, Jed and Nana burst up laughing at the scene, and Erika looked embarrassed, "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be," Boss said, "Those two were doing this for awhile… speaking of which," he flashed Erika his most, uh, charming smile and said "My name is Boss, what's your name, pretty…" here Jed and Garrod decided to unceremoniously drag him away, before Boss would alarm the poor girl any further. "Thanks for the noodles!" Jed called to Nana, "they're very delicious."

"…"

"So, what are you doing here, Kazuya?" Kyoshiro asked as Nana hastily brought up fresh bowls for him and Erika. "Aren't you supposed to take her to an evacuation center now? Just in case her family comes looking for her?"

Kazuya looked uncomfortable, but he managed to blurt out "Erika didn't live in this area, she's sure of it. And you guys know she's suffering from amnesia, I'm thinking we should take her along to the Freeden."

Kyoshiro was one of Kazuya's long time friends, and he always knew Kazuya wasn't very bright whenever he makes his choices, but this one has taken the cake.

"Are you serious, Brother!" Nana cried, voicing Kyoshiro's thoughts as well, "You know we're not just joining the Freeden for a vacation. If we get involve in the fight, Erika will too."

"But it's much better if she stays with us than with total strangers!" Kazuya argued.

"Bringing her along will only tax your strength and crowd your responsibilities, Kazuya." Kyoshiro reminded him seriously, and added tactlessly in spite of their visitor, "And I don't trust her."

Kazuya stood up, glaring at his friend, knuckles protruding. "You better take that back!"

"The world is at war!" Kyoshiro snapped, "You have to be careful on what you do from now on! Or have you forgotten what happened to your father?"

Kazuya would have brought this level of conversation into a brawl, had not Erika quietly added. "Please don't fight! I'm…"

Immediately Kazuya lost his temper, and tried to soothe her by saying. "What about you, Erika?"

Kyoshiro turned away in disgust, and Nana came closer to the older girl, saying kindly. "Do you want to come along?"

Erika's decision had been brief. "I want to be… with Kazuya…"

"So it's decided." Kazuya said, smiling in relief. And Kyoshiro knew that the votes were against him. But he decided to keep his eye on Erika from thereon, for both her and his friend's sakes.

-----

Lithiel, the youngest commanding officer of the Balming invasion forces, received Shogun Barbas' reports on that disastrous attack against the Daimos robot. As well as the sad news concerning his sister's fate…

Erika, against Lithiel's orders and common sense had accompanied the Balming soldiers as a field doctor in the first wave against the Earth forces, the ship that Erika rode in had been shot down during the fight, and no word from the survivors ever since.

Shogun Raiza, one of Lithiel's commanders, looked with outmost sympathy for her leader, knowing his grief that he carried all this time had increased into a hundred times more, now that his remaining family was no more.

"We're still not positive if the Princess Erika has been killed in action," Barbas said, trying to bring hope to his commander's spirit. "It's possible she may have been captured by the humans, she may still be alive…"

Lithiel's furious glare silenced Barbas' words, as he said angrily "How dare you say such things, Barbas! If that had been the case, have you been in Erika's position, will you allow yourself to be captured by these low-life aliens!"

"I would rather die, with the pride of Balm in my heart." Barbas admitted, grimacing to the truth of those words.

"My sister, too, is a proud Balm woman! She would rather choose death than bring disgrace to our people!"

"Sir!" Raiza said.

"Either way, Erika died for our cause, therefore we must carry on. This is not the time to grieve for our fallen." He looked at his two officers, "Leave me! I wish to be alone."

Raiza and Barbas, though unwillingly, left the room in haste. Only in their absence had Lithiel surrendered to his grief, he had not cried ever since his father's murder. Now he wept for his gentle sister, whose life ended violently in the war. His own anger towards the human race increased, and silently vows that he will avenge their deaths, one way or another.

-----

Garrod was now standing on one of the observation "balcony" of the Freeden, watching listlessly as the Tranzer, in actuality Daimos folded into this truck-like vehicle, being moved into the ship's(1) hangar. As much as he appreciated Jamil's plans to get as much people as they can, he can't help thinking what Tifa must be going through out there.

Being experimented on… even that was too much to bear thinking of.

He heard someone approaching him, and he looked over his shoulder to see Jamil silently overlooking the view as well.

"I knew I'll find you here." Jamil replied as Garrod acknowledged his presence. As if to answer his questions, Jamil produced the document he received from Gou and Une to show the young man. "I want you to hear this first. We're given the 'go ahead'."

Garrod's green eyes widened in shock. "You mean?"

Jamil nodded slightly. "Yes, it's time to rescue them."

-----

The Two Gundams

Ahgama came too late when the Heliopolis colony was destroyed by ZAFT. AEUG was shocked to find that the supposed neutral colony was in fact creating a new kind of Gundam, and that ZAFT has managed to steal all but one of them

Jed, Garrod and Sousuke infiltrate a Neo-Zion base that held Newtypes Amuro Ray, Tifa Adil and a mysterious girl named Chidori Kaname. During their escape, Tifa activates an old weapon that lay dormant for many years, and the destruction it brought with it.