Disclaimer: Same as always.

Chap. 30

BAM!!!!!!!

Dead smashed right into Sandrock Zero and knocked him out of flight. Surprised, Zero shot back to reorganize, only to have Dead coming at him with his lancer raised over his head, like a demon out of hell. Zero swiftly raised his own lancer to defend and the two clashed. Dead pushed back and came at him again, not giving him any opportunity to attack back. But Zero saw the attack coming and dodged off to the side. Dead whirled pass and Zero came at him this time. The resulting clash was powerful as well as vicious as Dead was shaken by the blow. Zero came again and again and Dead was quickly loosing ground.

'How can he be so fast? It's like he knows what I'll do before...I do it.'

Dead's thought was cut off swiftly as Zero attacked again, knocking him back a good distance. Dead activated his boosters to stop the momentum and looked up to see Zero in his crystal hawk form coming straight at him. Reacting, Dead went into his own and both powers charged headfirst at high speed.

KABOOM!!!!!!

The resulting light was blinding, but it was only temporary. When it cleared, Dead was tossed back further through space. Zero charged at him again, but Dead wasn't out of it yet. His lancer morphed and the dark energy crackled.

"VOLTEKKAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A black beam flared out and Zero was unable to avoid it as it exploded right in his face. Dead finally managed to stop himself from flying as he looked into the explosion. His energy was spent, but he managed to subdue him finally. But a suddenly glimmered alerted his attention and before he could even think, Zero swooped out of the explosion and at him.

"Wh......"

Zero smashed into him and stabbed his lancer deep within Dead's armored ribs.

"Guukkkkkk!!!"

Zero held the lancer tight as he held the impaled Dead. Zero's shielded eyes looked as he watched Dead struggling weakly against it.

"Dead End..."

Zero suddenly lowered his lancer and flung his wrist, causing Dead to slide off of it and float off into space. Globes of red floated out of his body into space. Zero simply stared briefly before summoning his crystal hawk form and shoot away.

********

Lunar Base, Cell....

The three gundams sat in the dark prison, awaiting their fate. Heero stood in the far wall by the door, Duo paced in front and Wufei stood at the other end.

Duo looked at the door and commented, "So, I wonder what going on out there."

Wufei's eyes were shut, but he responded, "Even in prison, you still talk far too much Maxwell."

Duo grinned, glad that he got a response out of one of his two silent compatriots, "I'm surprised I'm the only one. But considering you and Heero, I guess not."

Heero looked up at the door, "We have company."

Shadows moved outside the door and the iron door opened. A troop of guards filled up the door, armed. Duo stood up to them, unafraid.

"What do you want?"

One of the guards said nothing as he merely punched him in the gut. Duo gasped and slumped down to the ground.

"Take him and the other one." he pointed to Wufei. Wufei raised his hands and went along with them while the rest picked up Duo and walked out, leaving Heero alone in the cell.

*************

Elsewhere...

A shadowy figure entered through one of the incoming ships. Looking around, the figure saw an empty locker room and entered. Minutes later, she emerged in a standard OZ uniform.

'A little tight, but it'll have to do. According to the data, the control terminal I need should be two levels up.' She looked around again and moved. 'I have to move fast. This won't last long.'

With her goal in mind, Fera entered the elevator and went up.

***************

Laboratory…

"Ready to proceed"

The 5 scientists along with the guards were in a control booth, overlooking two cylinder pods. Inside, Duo and Wufei floated within the strange liquid with breathing apparatuses attached to faces. Lower down, cables were attached to the pods that were connected to a computer terminal and into the two Sol-Tekkas.

"Begin."

The five scientists went to work on the machines and monitoring devices as the pools containing the two tekkamen began to swirl and glow. The two boys began to squirm and struggle in the liquid as the wires beneath them began to come to life. Loads of data downloaded into the terminal and into the Sol-Tekkas. The tekkamen were beginning to thrash in the pods violently, as though they were in severe pain.

Doctor J called back, "Well?"

Professor G answered, "90%...95%...100% Transfer complete."

Dr. J nodded, "Shut it down.""

The fellow scientist obeyed and deactivated the tanks. The pods stopped glowing and the liquid inside grew still. But the boys within were immobile as well.

"Are they dead?"

Professor H checked their vital signs, "No, they're alive. But the strain on their bodies has caused them to pass out."

"And the Sol-Tekkas?" Master D inquired.

"All data and combat systems are up and running. They're completely operational"

*************

Control terminal…

In a darkened room, Fera was accessing one of the master terminals. Nearby, one of the guards lay unconscious. But she didn't have time to think about what she had done. Not when she had a mission to complete.

'Hmmm. This has quite a wall system.' She clicked on the keyboard rapidly, moving as if it was second nature to her. 'It'll take more than that to stop me.' The screen suddenly flashed with information. 'Okay, I'm in. Let's see...Okay...The Space Ring? I don't believe it. This whole time, he's been right under our noses.' She clicked the computer off and went for the door, but the guard had awoken and clicked a gun on her. Fera raised her arms as the guard came up behind her.

"I should have moved faster."

The guard positioned the gun on her back, but as soon as he did, she whirled around, grabbed the gun and spun again, positioning herself and the gun on his back. Before he could react, she slapped the gun to the back of his head, knocking him out again,

"Sorry about that again. I guess we all make mistakes, huh."

**************

Lady Une's office...

"Well."

"We only have one candidate for the Sol-Tekka."

Lady Une narrowed her eyes at the soldier, "Where's the second?"

The soldier replied, albeit nervously. "According to the data of the machine, they require a certain level of control from the pilot. The problem is that there aren't too many around skilled enough to use these Sol-Tekkas."

Lady Une absorbed the information. It was true that these machines were advanced. So it would only be natural that the pilot would have to be skilled as well. "And your selection is?"

The soldier seemed slightly relived, "Cadet Trowa Barton. We've tested him out and he's really good. He far outranks the new recruits in terms of natural skill and may be best suitable for now."

'Trowa Barton. That name...where?' "Yes. He was the one who captured that tekkaman earlier. A fitting way to reward him. Bring him here at once."

"Yes ma'am."

**************

Space Knight CC, medical ward.

"Uggghhh. Where...?"

"Welcome back."

"Huh?" Dead's emerald eyes gaze around and recognized that he was in the medical ward. Surprisingly enough, Yumi was standing beside his bed adjusting the nearby flowers.

"I guess I lost." he stated grimly. He knew that was an understatement. He was lucky to get away with his life.

"We found you in space after we got reports of high energy level in space." Yumi answered. "You were pretty messed up, but I knew you could pull through. You're a tough guy, like Blade."

"Hmph. What about Quatre?"

"He disappeared again." She looked out the window. "I hope he's okay."

"Okay?" Dead shook his head slightly and smiled darkly, "Heh. With an attitude like that, how did you ever become a Space Knight?

Yumi turned to him and pouted, "Hey, that's not fair. I'm just worried, that's all."

The smile didn't leave his face, "Sounds like you're in love with the guy."

Shock registered on her face, "No way! But he's one of my best friends. I don't have too many of those, aside from you guys."

Dead shrugged it off and was ready to dismiss her, but he then took into consideration her words.

"Does that mean you consider me a friend?"

Yumi scratched her head a bit and looked up thoughtfully, "Oh, well...ummm.....of course!"

He gave her a dark gaze, "Even after I tried to kill you along with the other Knights?"

She simply waved slightly, "Hey, that was a long time ago. You're different now."

'So naive. But still...I've seen her strength. It's strange.'

"David is right. You're a sweet kid."

Yumi smiled, "Thank you...hey!" She pouted again, "I'm not a kid!"

Dead's chuckle was his only reply

*************

Lunar Base…

"Cadet Barton. At ease."

Trowa dropped from his salute, but he remained motionless as Lady Une stood up before him.

"I'm sure you know why you're here, but I'm going to say it anyway. You have been chosen to pilot the new advanced Sol-Tekka, Vayete. We are still in the process of finding you a partner for the Mercurius, but effective immediately, you are the official pilot of the Sol-Tekka. Any questions?"

"Just a suggestion, ma'am." was the quiet response.

That surprised her a bit, "What is it?"

"Have one of the gundam tekkamen pilot the second machine. They would be easily suited to use the machine more than anyone and it would save time until you can find a suitable replacement for the Mercurius."

Lady Une narrowed her eyes. "That's quite a bold suggestion, cadet."

"The machine could be rigged to self-destruct on command should he try anything." he answered back, alleviating any fears she may have had.

"And why should he listen at all?"

"Because as a gundam, he wishes to protect the colonies. So he will. OZ is best using such techniques as this."

Lady Une smiled, "I'm impressed. It's quite underhand....ughhh." Lady Une staggered back slightly, but quickly regained her composure, "I'll take you suggestion into consideration. Dismissed."

Trowa gave a quick salute and left the room. As soon as he did, Lady Une sat back down and held her head in confusion.

'Again. Why? Why does this...Mr. Trieze?'

***********

Cell…

Meanwhile, Heero sat alone in the cell as the soldiers returned with the fallen bodies of Duo and Wufei. The soldier tossed them on the floor and then pointed the guns at Heero.

"You, come."

Heero silently complied.

*************

Sol-Tekka bay room

"I object to this, Colonel."

Lady Une had accepted Trowa's proposal and was set up the arrangements when Tuberoff barged in, angry. Lady Une simply replied coolly, "Whether you object or not is of no concern to me."

Tuberoff wasn't finished with her though. "Using a gundam to fly the machine is foolhardy and you know it."  He then pointed at the two Sol-Tekkas, "Why are you even wasting your time with those stupid machines anyway?"

Lady Une didn't flinch and responded coldly, "Remember, you're only here to make sure the mobile doll are ready. Other than that, I make the decisions here."

"When Romefeller hears about this..."

"I suggest you hold your tongue, Coneral." At this point, she was getting tired of this man's objections. "As I said earlier, I am in command here, so you better think twice before you question any of my decisions again."

With that said, Tuberoff had no choice but to leave Lady Une. As he did, he thought to himself, 'You are only in command because Trieze put you there. But his time in the sun is almost over, as soon will be yours, Lady.'

*********

Colony...

A force of Taurus Sol-Tekkas was awaiting the arrival of Sandrock Zero. Based on his path of destruction, they figured that he would likely attack their next and thus prepared a full defense line should he arrive.

He did...

"There's the target! Fire!!!!"

The Sol-Tekkas unleashed a hail of energy beam at the tekkaman. But Zero wasn't affected in the least and it continued to come at them. Dispersing his crystal hawk form, Zero swooped in, lancer in hand and attacked. Nothing was spared his wrath as he swiftly ripped apart Sol-Tekka by Sol-Tekka. The remaining ones backed away toward to colony to get some space between him and them, but that proved to be a fatal mistake.

"You're afraid of dying, aren't you guys? In that case...you shouldn't be fighting at all!!!!'

Putting the lancer away, Zero's cells unlocked and opened wide. When they reach full power, Zero let loose a monolithic wave of energy. The energy incinerated the Sol-Tekka's and continued on its path to the colony. It smashed straight through and burst out on the other side. The colony erupted with bright light and suddenly exploded altogether. As the colony blew up, Zero simply watched the destruction. White sparkles floated in space before his eyes.

'These sparkles...they're like tears. But yet...I don't feel one bit sad.'

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

With the new Sol-Tekkas set, their first mission is to stop the Sandrock Zero. But they may find it difficult to stop their former comrade with his awesome powers. Fera almost leaves the base, but is captured by OZ forces before she could make her escape. Trieze resigns as leader of OZ and this in turn, allows Tuberoff to take over. Worse yet, the new Sol-Tekka Dolls are almost complete. Next on Gundam Tekkaman: Dark Horizons