Disclaimer: Same as always.

Chap. 29

Space Knight HQ

"It has been two weeks since Sandrock reappeared. Ever since then, he has been destroying both Radham and OZ alike. We don't know how he gotten so powerful, but he has to be stopped."

The group was assembled for a briefing with the Chief. Yumi was in among them, after recovering from her injuries a day before.

"I don't see why." David spat out, "So far, it seems he's doing us a favor."

The others, minus Dead and Aki, looked at him strangely. Aki decided to address the issue.

"You may want to rethink your words." She then indicated to the screen showing the Space Ring as well as the neighboring colonies. Two green spheres were also seen.

"He has also been attacking colonies." she said finally.

They were all now shocked by this, including Dead. "What?"

Aki continued again, "According to our latest intel, he had already destroyed two colonies. Casualties were minimal, but that won't hold up."

"Minimal?" Natasha asked surprisingly.

"Yes. Apparently, he's warning the colonies before attacking. According to the reports, he often makes his presence known an hour before he attack the colony directly. But he's been showing less restraint in his attacks and it will only be a matter of time before he simply attacks without warning."

"It doesn't make sense." Anita commented. "It's like he's crazy, but not totally."

"We should leave him alone."

They all turned to look at the speaker. "Dead?"

Eyes closed and arms folded, Dead responded, "If we confront him, he will attack us. And don't be sure he'll show any restraint."

Natasha glared at him, "What are you saying? That we should leave him and let him keep killing people?"

Dead didn't respond and kept silent. Seeing that nothing more was going to be said, Aki went on.

"In any case, he has to be stopped. And Dead is right. If it comes down to it, he must be stopped...by any means necessary."

Yumi looked worriedly, "But Chief..."

Aki cut her off. "That's the order."

The Knights saluted and left, all except Yumi.

"Chief. Can we talk?"

Aki stood and nodded to her, "Go on."

"I know I haven't been around for any of this, but isn't there any way to help him?"

Aki closed her eyes, "You're right. You haven't been around for any of this. So you haven't seen what he's capable of."

Yumi stared down, "But Quatre is such a gentle guy. Do you think that maybe...something's wrong with him?"

"I know there is. And we're going to do everything to get him back to normal. However, we also have to be ready to stop him no matter what." She gave Yumi a softened look. "I know you don't want to fight him or any of your friends if you can help it. But this is a different case. And you must be strong for whatever happens, okay?"

"Okay, Chief."

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Lunar Base...

"So these are them."

"Yes. These are the two prototypes. Mercurius and Vayaete."

Lady Une had gone to inspect the doctors' work in the construction chamber. Behind them stood two massive Sol-Tekkas, both almost the size of the Tallgeese.

Dr. J. began, "They each possess a far greater rate of power and speed than the Tauruses. We also equipped them with separate, but linkable weapon systems. They are to fight as a team in order to realize their full capacity."

Her eyes narrowed, "Explain."

Dr. S. indicated first to the red Sol-Tekka, "The Mercurius possesses a very highly advanced shield system, making it capable of withstanding even a Voltekka blast." Next, he pointed to the blue one, "The Vayaete possesses an advanced quantum energy cannon which can match a Voltekka power and use in consectively."

A slight feral grin came up Lady Une's face, "Impressive."

"However, for these systems to start functioning, we'll need to import them with the data systems of a tekkaman. We'll only need two of them in order to do so."

Her eyes narrowed again, but she agreed. "Very well. Proceed." Her tone turned dangerous. "I don't have to explain to you what will happen if you try anything foolish."

"Yes, of course." Dr. J. answered simply. With that, Lady Une left the scientists to their work. Dr. J, rejoined his compatriots. "

"Well?"

Prof. G. answered, "Everything is set."

"Have you considered the Zero?" Prof. H interjected.

Dr. J raised his claw, "One problem at a time. The Space Knights have dealt with the Zero before. We may have to leave it to them."

Master D nodded in agreement, "Right now, we have to please our 'masters'." His eye shifted briefly and the small camera that was on the ceiling that was supposed to be hidden to them.

Command deck...

"So they knew about it after all." Lady Une commented. She had been monitoring them since they arrived. So far, they have fulfilled their part of the bargain, but now she wondered if this Zero was part of whatever plan they may have had.

"Of course they did. Once those prototypes are completed, I want them..."

Lady Une suddenly stood in a strange shock. Her eyes widened and she staggered back. The officers saw this and began to rise to aid her.

"Lady Une?"

Lady Une regained her composure. "It's nothing. Select two candidates for the prototypes and have them brought to me."

With that order said, she walked off the deck and to her private quarters. She staggered a bit and sat down in her seat with a mirror before her. She held her head briefly and removed her glasses. She then looked in the mirror, but she wasn't sure of the person she saw in the mirror.

"What...is wrong with me?" she whispered to herself

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Docking port...

A line of OZ soldiers were assembled just as a shuttle entered the bay. The hatch opened and out came a man, somewhat elderly, with grey hair and narrow eyes. He stopped to look around at the base before descending the stairs to the head soldier.

The soldier saluted, "Welcome to Lunar Base, Colonel Tuberoff."

Tuberoff didn't return the greeting, "I will be taking charge of the construction of the new Virgo Sol-Tekka Dolls. How have they been progressing?"

Luckily, the soldier was able to answer, "Steadily, sir. We've managed to double the construction rate."

Hiseyes narrowed slightly, "Only doubled?"

"It takes time to incorporate the Radham systems with the machines sir." The soldier answered. "It's almost a miracle we have it at this rate."

Tuberoff seemed satisfied with the answer, "Very well. Where is Lady Une? She was supposed to meet with me."

"She's overseeing the construction of the new Sol-Tekkas."

"Dolls?"

"No sir. Prototypes built by the gundam engineers."

The colonel frowned as he thought, 'Hmph. A waste of time. Dolls are the only weapons that will be needed by Romefeller. I'll have to show her that.'

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Space Knight CC…

David was on his way the Dead's quarters. He wasn't too sure how he felt about the whole thing with Quatre and the destruction he was causing. Normally, he would talk to Yumi for such things because she a still a child and gave the simplest answer to things sometimes. He didn't like relying on people for his own problems, but sometimes it was the only way. And Dead seem more adamant about leaving him alone, so he wanted to know why. He approached Dead's quarters and knocked.

"Hey Dead. Dead?"

David opened the door, only to find the room empty and the window open. David half grinned and half frowned.

'Should have seen this coming.'

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Space...

A purple flare soared through out past the Space Ring and stopped in the middle of space. Materializing, Tekkaman Dead simply stood, lancer blade in hand as he waited. He didn't have to wait long. A massive blue flare appeared and streaked through space like a comet. Dead powered up his crystal hawk and soared right at him. The two forces collided as the two tekkaman held each other off and finally pushed each other away.

Sandrock's head crystal shimmered red, "Dead...End."

Dead's own eyes glowed as he held himself in battle position, "Well, let's get started."

________

Dead End faces off against Sandrock Zero. But even Dead is no match for the powerful Zero and is nearly killed. Meanwhile at the Lunar Base, the final push in the doctors' plans begins while the choices for the pilots for the Sol-Tekkas continue. Trowa is chosen, but with no one else to match the skill, Lady Une uses a gundam. Tuberoff sees this and takes matters into his own hands. But unknown to all, another figure has infiltrated the Lunar Base and is gathering information on someone else. Next on Gundam Tekkaman: Confrontations