The lights were off everyone sat down around me. I felt cramped in this really small interrogation room. They stared and examined me like I was some sort of alien.

They started by barraging me with questions. The basic details. A man with a cold look and shadowy cap briefs me through what I can and can not do. Then we start the interrogation.

Who were your squad mates?"

"Lisa, Commander Cole. We were the bulk of Vogue troupe before we were shot down."

"Describe to us the fate of your comrades?"

Ask me to jump off a cliff, you jerk. "I...Well..They.."

"Continue."

"They were incinerated by a laser in front of my own two eyes."

"You say it's, a long range laser? That fired three hundred vectors? Beyond the usual battle map field, which is about 50 kilometers. Do you have proof this weapon exists?"

I fiddle in my seat. The wound on my head is becoming unbearable, usually the head would stop stinging after the first few hours. But it still hurts.

When they brought me back from the wreckage, I was operated on in a hurry.

"PFC, Mori, answer the question."

"New Emblem Frames were found at the site. Seldor must have lost technology. The laser they used-"

"We can't confirm that on suspicion alone. And possessing lost technology is not a war-crime. On a further note, why did the Seldorian people attack you?"

"I-..I don't know."

"You don't know? Well that's maybe because you're lying. This interrogation is over."

"Wait!"

"I'm not convinced, Sayaka. We can discuss this at your court martial how you provoked a war and murdered Vogue troupe."

I squinted, and punched the table. Bastard.

I answered the best I could, but I really didn't know what to say. They jot down some things and walk out of the room.

Now I'm all left alone. Did they really think I could kill them? After everything they did for me?

The door gently slides open, "Can I come in?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Hey.. Don't be like that," he sits down next to me on the table. I scoot away. "..Lovely weather today isn't it?"

"I've been indoors all day, I don't know."

"Oh, would you like something to drink?"

"Your good cop tactic isn't going to work on me."

"A-alright.. So, how are you?"

"They put me under house arrest. They think I provoked the dynasty into war. My day can't get any better."

I won't give in, not even to a hero like him. Besides, he was pretty annoying.

"You were the only crew in Seldor territory at the time. Anything could have happened. And well..."

"Well what?" He flips open documents, a picture of me on the side being mugshot. "During the Eonia coup, you were affiliated with the rebels, at the age of three.."

"I was young! I couldn't harm anyone." I smack the table. I can't believe they arrested a little girl because of that. He squirmed. This was the man that defeated hostile alien races that threatened two dimensions and he's squirming, as if he was afraid.

"What did they tell you? That I'm a traitor? I've lived in Transbaal all my life."

He shakes his head with a nervous smile, "No, no, not at all. It's just the they showed me the documents... They didn't say anything about your age... You do look kind of old in this picture."

"Wha-" I rub my skin. "What are you implying?!"

"Nothing..this would be a lot easier if there were more survivors." he scratches his head.

My arms are crossed, the fists clenched. I look away. He's noticing. "Oh right.. I'm sorry. It must have been hard.. Losing your friends like that."

"You have no idea."

"It would be hard for me too if all my friends weren't here. I almost die and get moved thousands of lightyears to a planet full of people I don't know."

He slides a cup of tea toward me. I take it.

"You have it easy. Your squad are the Galaxy Angels. The most famous pilots in Transbaal history. No matter how bad things are, you always pull through and work miracles. I'm just a scrub, when something happens to me, I'm gone for good."

He shakes his head with a closed smile. "That's where you're wrong. The Galaxy Angels are normal people. They don't work miracles, they stay strong when things don't go their way they keep going. Never give up," he sincere smile. Pauses then continues.

"You're a miracle, Mori Sayaka," he pats my bandaged forehead, "Somehow you survived an explosion, crashing into the ocean, where new Emblem frames were. I have a feeling you're special. Despite everything that happened, you're still alive."

I'm blushing at what he's saying. But I know it's true. Only an angel could've saved me from that day. "So..," I mumble, "If you're not here to interrogate me.." The door opens, and a man in decorative military uniform decked with medals and a fancy cape marches in. "Is this the girl?"

"Yes, Takuto." He was the commander in chief of the entire Transbaal army. I immediately jump out of my seat and salute him. "General Meyers!" Wait.. He doesn't like to be called that. Uh, what did he say he wanted to be called by? "I mean, T- Mr. T?"

Both of them are sweating. "She's something, indeed..At ease."

"Right."

"So Kazuya, did you two get along?"

"Yes, sir." He pats his head, "Well, then- son."

"Son? Did you just call the second in command, son? This is too informal." Wait, did I

say that out loud? Takuto laughs, "No worries. He's not my real reason."

"Won't that cause confusion, you are marrie-"

"It's only a nickname. It' helps to relax because-"

"We can't fight well if we are exhausted and stressed."

"You sound like a big fan," he chuckles.

"Oh, I have tons of books about you- the army doesn't allow me to practice your methods though-" He's not paying attention. "Um, Takuto?"

Whoo," he looks around the room. "It's really boring in here. Sayaka, can you still fight? I heard the Bishop Incident was your first mission."

"I did the best I could.."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, it happens to everyone, sergeant."

"Yes.., wait what?" I tilt my head. Did he just..

"As of now, you're promoted to sergeant. I'm transferring you to the new flagship of the Imperial Expedition force. "Imperial Expedition- I didn't hear about this."

"Of course not. I told the idiots they should have had TVs in this room. Anyway," he digresses, "Mori, are you truly loyal to the Empire?"

"Yes, sir!" I shout at the top of my lungs. He picks his ear. "I'm sorry, I think I'm getting old can you say that again?"

I shout at the top of my lungs, "YES, SIR!"

"Good, show us how loyal you are on the battlefield."

"Wait," I pause, "Why are you doing this for me?"

His charming smile is replaced my a lamenting frown. "Mori... Do you still believe people are good on the inside? No matter what other people say?"

"Yes...Sometimes, giants can be gentle."

"Kazuya is from NEUE. The war with Seldor will cause other planets to join. They're more than just enemies. They were friends."

I rub the wound on my forehead, it covered my right eye and stung badly. "I won't let you down...I won't let them die in vain."

He kicks open the door and looks around, "All right, let's go."

I remember something. I should ask for an autograph, preferably one of his books "Hey, Takuto!"

...Oh wait, the attachments were destroyed.

"Yes?"

"Uh.."

"It can wait, a bit. Don't worry you can ask later. We need to hurry though."

We casually walk out when the interrogators notice. "Hey, you! Stop!" The police pull out their batons and run at us, but Takuto clumsily stumbles forward and collides with them.

"Quick," Kazuya grabs my arm and we run out of the building.

"Oh, sorry about that," I hear Tact chuckle. "Dammit."

"Kazuya," I puff, "He didn't get authorization to do this, did he?"

"No."

"I'm glad."

We sprint downstairs. There's a robot blocking our way. We can't run around him., " Evening. I am an automated officer 2.0. Is there a specific problem you need me to help with?" "Dammit."

"There you are!" It's the officer that interrogated me in the room. "When I'm done with you, you'll regret ever being-"

"Unit engaged. Analyzing situation. What is the nature of your-"

I scream at the top of my lungs, "That man has a gun!"

The robot lunges forward and tackles the officer to the floor. "Nice thinking."

He's squirming under the weight of the robot.

"Good thinking, Mori."

As we run down the stairs I told him, "No, call me Sayaka," and wink.

"What was that robot doing there anyway?"

"Usually when someone is off duty. Someone is supposed to be guarding the stairs. Odd, I only read that the interrogator withheld questioning until tomorrow."

"So that man was..I should have known."

We burst through the backdoor. The alley is empty and the street is to the right. The cars are honking and floating along the road quickly.

"Hey, there they are!" two officers come charging out through the backdoor. "Eh, Taxxxiii!" Kazuya runs into the middle of the street. A yellow car comes screeching to a halt and opens the door.

"S-So sorry."

The cab driver is hollering at us, "Hey, who the hell told you to- Oh wait, it's the Kazuya. I didn' recognize ya'. Where do ya' want to go?"

"To the Transbaal Dockyards! Step on it!"

The cab driver nods and stomps on the gas pedal. Vrooom. Dodging and navigating through traffic until finally the officers behind us were nothing but bleak figures.

"Won't Tact get in trouble?"

"Ahh," Kazuya slouches in his seat. "Don't worry. I think Tact will be fine."

"But he just-"

"Milfie, Milfeulle will vouch for him. She told us about you and said, "That girl shouldn't go to jail."

"Milfeulle, I heard about her.. She's really lucky. But why call me a girl though," I'm frowning, "I'm young, yeah. But I'm a women now."

"Don't worry about it. They.. Kind of drew you really old." He holds up a picture of me with warts, wrinkles and an eyepatch.

"What the..," I grab that picture. "I look like the wicked witch of the west."

"What's happening to you over the news is unfair. So we want to help you show everyone you're not a bad person. I'm from NEUE. But I'm helping Takuto and the others. They should trust you, too."

"Thanks, Kazuya."

He's whistling and scanning with his eyes at random things. "Oh.. Here," he gives me a bag of books. "They were found in the wreckage. I didn't know it was from you until.."

"Thank you, Kazuya."

Beep. "Should be a few hours, you haven't been around Transbaal for a while have you?"

"No, not for a while.. Please hurry as fast as you can."

"I'm stepping on it. Enjoy the city while you're here though. You might not see something like this for years up in the stars."

Kazuya's stretching, his arms twist on the power button for the radio.

"Welcome to radio Rhome. Your eyes and ears on the everyday life of Transbaal citizens. A week ago, a border incident between Transbaal and Seldor happened. A squadron fired on the Seldor forces instigating them to apparently fire back in retaliation.."

That was all wrong. Kazuya looks at me. He can tell how mad I am. I wouldn't kill them, It was my first mission. I was told to protect the diplomat, nothing else.

"Sayaka..."

"I didn't attack them. They shot me first...," my fingers are twitching. "I- I still don't understand why they would do that.

"The criminals who carried this attacked were all killed. A request was sent to envoy with Emperor Soldum Seldor. Though he wasn't physically present the Seldorians and allied planets promise he will be there."

"Wait," he adjusts the volume of the radio. "Seldor Soldum will be there?"

"It's the man who helped found the exploration program meant to travel throughout the universe.. UPW, right?"

"Yes, I haven't seen him in years.. Is he alright.."

"It's been three years since the Civil War started. Military control around the system has been tight. We have no word on what's happened to him. We've been told since the war, he's been occupied trying to put down the rebels, which are now gaining momentum..."

"Soldum Seldor!? Uh, no that means-" he breathes. "That's not right. Sayaka, we need to hurry. Taxi?"

He adjust the rear mirror. "Trouble with the law, miss?"

"I, well.. It's not really what it seems."

"I figured, when you said you were there. I'll pretend you're dead, they're not gonna get anything out of me. Good luck, you two,"

he accelerates around the curb and drives up the highway.

"Are we headed to the ship?"

"No, we don't have time. If it's right that Seldor's emperor hasn't been seen since the rash actions they've made.. We have to hurry."

I have read books about Rhome, our capital. In the aftermath of the wars, bomb craters punctured our capitol. It took years to rebuild. One crater, though it wasn't as big as the kilometer long shells, left a painful feeling in the proud people of Transbaal.

In the center of Rhome, there are trees lined up in a royal palace, centered by a beautiful water fountain that leads from the gates to the palace. Where the royal family lived

It was destroyed in the a war called the Eonia coup. Everyone was killed instantly when an explosion rocked the ceiling.

Ten years later, we're standing at the remains of this palace. It's now a stadium. The sun is warm as always on Transbaal. Here, it is no exception. Eager people are walking about the streets to enjoy the stadium's history or crowd at the front doors, awaiting news of the conference.

"We need to get inside," Kazuya scratches his head. "Maybe try the backdoor?"

"No," I see guards walking past mobs of tourists. The crowds are starting to cramp the palace grounds.

"Hey," someone barks, "Have you seen this girl?" An office is holding up two pictures behind us to the locals. "How about this boy? That must be us, I tug Kazuya's arm. "I have an idea," I squeeze through the crowds and arrive at the front gates.

Up close, we can hear people shouting, the news reporters demanding to know what's happening inside.

"Hey, Hey, mister, what's going on inside?"

"How's the treaty going?"

"Has Seldor arrived?"

"We don't know, at the moment, the assembly is still..."

He's drowned out by the news reporters. "They're determined as us to see the Emperor."

"Yes, we have to get inside first before we're found here. It won't look good on Tact if I'm caught."

"Yeah..on second thought. What is Seldor like?"

"He's like what they say in the books, kind, patient."

My eyes open wide, "Really?"

"Well.. There is one thing."

"What is that?"

He whispers it to me. My eyes are burning hot. "Thanks so much," I hug him.

"HEY! Seldor is stealing free samples from the cookie lounge!"

The mob explodes, they run forward shouting, "Me first!" "Move aside!" They topple over the guards and run to the lounge.

Everyone else follows in while we blend with them and disappear from the pursuing officers. "He really does that?"

"Yeah, it's a long story."

"I..I didn't know that would make the media wild. How did you know it would interest them?"

"Also a long story. I just have these feelings."

That didn't make me any better. I need to remind myself not to think anything bad while around him. We run around the building looking for the meeting room.

"Pzzt," the tvs flash on. "Attention, people of Transbaal, we are now live at the signing of the peace treaty. TCY, 421. 3 years since the War..."

We have to hurry, I open all the doors in the hallway, but find nothing but empty offices.

"For years, our alliance has been forged through understanding and common goals. But today, we are beginning to split from our convictions of peace... This conference-"

I hear footsteps. Kazuya pushes me into an empty room.

Tap Tap Tap.

Slam

"Good! The meeting room is nearby."

"Ten years ago, this was the destroyed ground of the royal palace. Now it is a center for the conjuring and signing of peace treaties. So that no more needless blood be shed again. We've received word that Lady Shiva has arrived. There she is, ladies and gentlemen."

We open the doors. Inside is a massive coliseum. The seats and floors are high, circling around a single, round stage. The podiums are set up for the speeches and the lights on Shiva.

"We don't have much time," Kazuya stumbles downstairs. "Wait for me," I cry out.

"This just in, Soldom Seldor's shuttle has arrived. I hear him coming in."

Lady Shiva raises her hand in the air. Everyone stands up in the room and crosses their arms to recite their oaths. But we do not, we are a few floors down to the bottom. Everyone's eyes are on us.

"Oh what's this? Someone is interrupting the peace conference!"

The guards reach for their weapons.

"Argh!' Kazuya raises his arms up, "Don't shoot! This is Captain Kazuya Shiranami!"

Everyone whispers immensely. The queen is not amused, Shiva rises up ad points at Kazuya, "You there, why are you interrupting the peace between Seldor and Transbaal? Answer me!"

"I, Uh.. Well-"

He's going to die if he doesn't speak up. The helm guards thrust their spears at him.

"Argh! I'm sorry, we think the peace conference is going to be attacked! Soldum is planning to kill you!"

Everyone mutters loudly, "What, no.. How could this be.. Not possible..unlikely.."

"What makes you say that?"

"Soldum is at civil war, he can't travel all the way here to meet you.. He won't be able to negotiate even if he wanted to... Because because.. He has.. he's found lost technology!"

And planning to use it against us and all his enemies."

"What? No.. Lost Technology?"

The guards grab us by the arms and legs. "Liar! Soldum is an honest man, why would he do that?"

"I..I'm not sure, but we found Emblem Frames and a new ship in one of the planets in the blockaded area he won't let people fly through."

"I've had enough, take them away." An official whispers to Shiva. "He's at the door? Bring him in!"

"Wait!" I punch the guard behind me in the gut. And I take one last look at the round handles of the doors to the conference room.

I hear a girl shriek. The entire room is dead with no sound or noise but the girl's.

All the glass in the room breaks. When the doors open a small girl falls forward. She looked like something out of a fairy tale with her outdated locks and widow's peak. I then noticed that her arms were bound together by rope.

"Let go of me, you traitors!"

She looks up.

"Natsume..?"

"Kazuya! Seldor is-"

BAM

A tracer hit her forehead, the energy pulse scattered. She collapsed on the floor.

"Quiet you!" a squad of men in white armor bearing crosses as their insignia stormed the room.

The room erupted in a panic as everyone trampled each other trying to get out. The terrorists pointed their lances at the crowds of people.

Tatatatatata.

Kazuya was in front of them. "Get down," I tackled him and put myself on top of him. The seats and paperwork in front of us was torn to bits and the papers were sent up in sparks of flame.

"Lady Shiva," the guards sacrifice themselves, jumping into their line of fire.

"Breaking news! Terrorists have seized the colisuem-" BAM.

The tv pieces shot up. Our seat was not far from the center of the stage. I peaked slightly over the chairs. They were backed up against each other breathing heavily. "Hurry and cuff her already, you fool. We need to bring her back to the order."

"I-It's Seldor-" Kazuya squirms and crawls out from under me.

"No," I whisper, "They said something about an Order. This can't be the Seldor Empire that's acting here."

"But they're the only government in the system-"

BOOOM.

Pzzztt.."The shuttle has exploded.." I can hear the staticky screams and people running through the stadium.

I look around. On the floor I see a dead guard lying on the floor. It was the first time I saw one, and it terrified me. There was some sort of aura about his body. How it lay there like a bloodied, light mannequin.

I reached into his pockets and found a gun.

The Seldor terrorists pick up Shiva. "Let me go!"

"Sorry, my lady. But we have orders to bring you to the Emperor."

They walk out of the room unopposed. "Kazuya are you alright?" I load the gun and turn off safety mode. "Argh.. Yeah." His arm looks badly injured, so I pick him up and carry him out into the hallway. The terrorists appeared to have ran through the back door.

"I'll come back and get you."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going after them."

"But-"

"Without Shiva, Transbaal won't survive. I have to go after them," I leave him and head through the backdoor.

There were a long set of stairs. I look at an angle, they were carrying her up to the roof. A few lasers shot down at me, melting the floor. That was close.. I return fire and hit one of them.

They clutch their wound and fall off the stairs, "Arrrghh!" Thump.

I continue up the stairs. At the top, they slam the door shut behind them. "Great."

I aim at the security lock and fry it with a precise shot and kick the door.

The men carry their lances. The wind is blowing hard from up here. "Let Shiva go!"

They laugh under their helmets.

WHOOSH

The force of typhoon pushed me back. When I open my eyes I see a Seldorian fleet. With the cross and ghostly white appearance. These were the men that attacked us..."

A laser streaked from the largest ship, an unusual bullet-boat with wings. PEWWW. The laser dissipates and a cloud of fire gushed the city landscape.

A shuttle comes and lands on the roof. "You can pursue us alone or save your precious city, either way you will make sacrifices."

"I..I..," my eyes are open in horror. My gun is shaking. I aim and click the trigger. Click. Nothing. I collapse on my knees.

"Die with dignity, wanderer." The shuttle opens up a cannon of missiles and aims at the roof I am standing on.

Can I make for the stairs? No, the whole building will crumble. What would Kazuya do in a situation like this.

BEEP. No, it's locked on to me! I cover my eyes.

BOOM.

The wind is still blowing against my hair... Am I dead? I open my eyes and see that the shuttle is damaged, the wing cut off by a precision laser.

A red fighter spins freely in the distance, steers and jolts to a stop in front of me. "Lady Shiva!" Takuto is carrying an assault rifle.

PEW PEW PEW.

He strafes the lance fire and dispatches all three of them.

"Takuto!"

"Oh, hey Mori."

"How did you get here so fast?"

"I knew they would try to pull something like this. That's why I attracted the attention of police and military officials to the scene!"

"And... What if they didn't come?"

"Well..hmm, I didn't think that far ahead."

"Err..," I'm scratching my head.. "I'm sorry at the last moment I almost-"

"Don't worry, you did well so far. Everyone is alright."

More soldiers come in with javelin cables and fire them, latching on to the shuttle to bring it down.

"You mean that Natsumi girl and kazuya-"

"They're on the way to the hospital. Some people didn't make it out of the conference room.."

"I see.. I'm sorr-" He covers my mouth, "You tried your best..."

The soldiers rush into the shuttle and bring Lady Shiva out. "Thank you, all of you."

Queen Shiva walks over to me. Her eyes fixed. "I owe you an apology. Good job, Mori."

With that she leaves. My spirits rise, I didn't imagine that the queen would be praising me at all.

Takuto is looking at the skies. "Mori. Can you still fight?"

"Yes, why?"

VRRRRMMM. The sun is blotted out by a massive shadow overlooking our roof.

It was the hull of an operational battleship. "Vindictus, are you on the line?"

"Yes, Tact. This is Coco. Do you need anything?"

"Bring us up, we're going to launch another angel into battle soon."

"Wait," my heart jumps with excitement. "Coco? Do you mean, we're going to- I'm-"

"Deep breaths. You're just like the newcomers. Mori, I'm leaving you in charge of the battle. What do you say?"

A light flashes over us and I'm now inside a large hangar of catwalks and balconies. A single Emblem frame is docked on the landing platforms.

"I- Am I really- This.. This is amazing! I can't believe that I'm fighting with the Angels!"

"Deep breathes, ffff... ahhh.. fff..ahh."

"I repeat after him."

"So, will you help us?"

"You bet!" I climb into the Emblem frame. The cabin compresses with a hiss. The sirens flash red and I'm lowered into the launch pad. The hangar opens. The white fleet is facing me, the men that killed my squad.

"Let's do this."

"Launching in 3...2...1..."

Whoooosh My seat jerks back. Before I can count to zero, we're in the skies.