"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back,

a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions."

-Anais Nin and Lao Tzu

Shiva is seated quietly outside the palace. It's a sunny day and people form all around the country have to come to hear her speak. They are lined outside the gates and clogged the streets. Voluntarily, police officers came on the scene to keep everything in order.

To her left, Takuto is standing proudly with her mother Shatoyarn. Ten years ago, she lost her family and became queen of the Empire, the first solo queen to rule a nation.

The people all gaze at her eagerly in silence. The royal guard present the flag of the Transbaal, the Gryphon reaching for the stars. She rises up and in response the guard fire rifles into the air.

Shiva turns to Takuto, her smiling mother. Shiva never gave a speech before. When the people came to her for guidance, she had no choice but greet them on the palace grounds.

Her mother gives a earnest eye to her daughter, proud of her.

Earlier they quarreled. "Mother, I'm no good at speeches. I can't do this."

"The people need you to speak."

"But- I-" she is nervously stuttering her lines.

"We're all afraid, Shiva," she lowers herself before the young queen. "We can't stay afraid forever. We have to confront our fears. You've done it before."

Shiva nods and closes her eyes to breath. "I'll speak," she tears up the lines she would have recited to the people.

And now here she is at the front of the palace gates. She take sone last breath of air.

My people, a long time ago our land was attacked by Eonia. Our royal family, was wiped out. I was the only survivor. I was twelve then and only a girl. Through the war I have watched over you as part of the Navy. My trust with you was far from dissident, we were united by our suffering, our need to move forward.

The day I admitted I was a girl, you were at first shocked. I wasn't concerned about that, the safety of my people. Anyone who judged my gender were offset by my leadership.

Much has happened since, I have now come of age and it is now my duty to speak to you.

I put my faith in Takuto, the Galaxy Angels, and Shatoyarn.

We are all nervous, we all have doubt in our heads. The Seldorians are longtime allies, but I must tell you- confront it. The fear will subside in time, much like Eonia. Rise up, and no one, not even Seldor or the Val-fask can destroy our unbreakable will!

I now speak to the army on land, the navy in the sky, the people in their homes, move forward! We shall overcome!"

The royal cannons fired into the sky. WHOOSH. A squadron of fighters zipped over her and left a trail of smoke with the colors of the imperial banner, White and Green.

People on board the shuttle cheer and roar over the television. A patriotic fervor spread through the plane. I sit by the window with a transcending feeling in my heart. Something holy. Pure. The clouds below clear and paint the endless prairies of the Skylon.

My phone rings, "Did you enjoy your stay there?" Old bi-planes hover over the waving grain fields. "I'm going to miss this place."

"Don't get homesick, Vindictus is your home now... Are your parents..."

"I don't have any. We live in a small community though. The people there took me in as a orphan. Before the coup."

He wears a long, grim face, "...Well you'll be able to come back one day. I haven't showed you to the crew of the Vindictus, yet did I? We're going to need to get you updated since the vacation...Hmm..," he scratches his head, "We might have to travel to a few different planets... They vacationed all over the system. Those guys..," he sighs.

"It's alright. Take your time," I hang up. It wasn't my idea of a vacation, but Lisa's parents had to know. I came on their front porch welcomed with open arms. Lisa and I grew up on this farm together, worked together, served together. I was an orphan, but not an only child.

I was afraid, afraid I wouldn't fit in. I can still imagine that time I was under the silo during the accident and it rained. She walked up to me and gave me hot coco. She pleaded I stay once her parents found out.

"Please, let her stay. Please."

She always had this energy around her, that never ran out. Always jumping, joking, being casual until the very end.

A few hours pass by and the shuttle lands in the mouth of the ship hangar. All passengers exited along the aisle leaving me alone in the cabin. It's time then.

Kazuya is there with three pilots. "You're here!"

"I made it just in time," I yawn.

"Allow me to introduce to you, the angels."

He named them one by one. He started with a boy in cape and wearing a ruby cane. "This is Fleur Christophe."

"Please to meet you again, Madame," he scrolls through a deck of cards in his hands.

The next man wore a military cap, and uniform. He was chewing gum and spoke in a gruff voice, "You don' need to introduce me. I can do it maself," he shakes my hand violently, "Baron Von Wagner. Weapons Specialist. You fought at the capital Rhome didn' you? Shame I didn't join. I was busy at the academy. Just got out."

"That's... Nice. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"All mine."

"Hmm?"

"The pleasure I mean."

"I see.."

Kazuya jumps between us, "Oh, uh, there's another Angel I should show you," he points to a quiet boy younger than the rest. He looked twelve.

"John, introduce yourself."

He waved his hand, covered in a white gauntlet ring around his wrists. "You are the commander?"

"Why- yes."

He's eyeing my suspiciously. I step back a bit. "I've read your reports. Your expectation of survival is low. I advise you spend more time in the simulation room."

"H-Hey, now. Sayaka came back from a battle!"

"The statistics and reports do not lie. Please practice next time, Sayaka."

"All is well, madame. Don't mind him."

I observe the hangar, it looks like little has changed since I took off last time. "Thank you."

"Don' mind the boy. Just do your job and show us what you're made of."

The exit door hisses open. " That's your squad for now. Now I should show you around the ship."

John walks through the door and takes a right. Kazuya leads me into the hallway. "This ship is bigger than you think, Mori. The hallways lead into different directions...Sayaka?"

I get poked. "Hmm?"

"Don't worry about John. He just has it rough. Like all of us."

We take an elevator and move up a floor and a few turns through the dormitory of the maintenance crew to a glass automatic door that sides open up for us. Inside music plats complimented by display of goods: Jewelry, Candy, food, clothes.

"You have a shop inside here? This material is pretty extravagant," I turn around in circles.

"Don't worry, we didn't buy this. A corporation sells us these goods. You've heard of Blanmanche haven't you?"

"Blan-Blanmanche sells these? ...The candy or just the clothes and jewelry."

"All of it," he laughs.

"You're okay, with the corporation selling you this? It looks pretty pricy."

"We get a discount! If you want I can buy you something."

"Are you sure?"

He nods, "It's no big deal."

"Won't your fiance."

"Kazuya!" a girl with a cat tail and ears jumps on kazuya's shoulder.

"Whoa-" I fall back.

"Hey- Hey- It's alright."

I regain my footing, "Is that-"

"It's my faince. Mori, meet Nano-Nano."

" A pleasure to meet you, Mori! Nyaa- What are you up to, Kazuya?"

"I'm buying Mori something. She wants to know the discount for Blanmanche's goods. Isn't that right?"

She pushes my nose. "Don't worry, they're reasonably cheap. But not too cheap. They won't rip you off."

"Are you sure? Well.."

"Give it a try, Nyaa."

I shrug, "I guess it wouldn't hurt." I start with the jewelry. There were necklaces, gemstones...some things I didn't know what they were called, but they looked shiny.

Then I saw the rings, the cheapest ring, a golden wedding gift with a heart engraved in it, 20 denari.

"20 DENARI?"

"Hey, hey," a tan women in a baseball cap and sunglasses jumped up from below the counter. "Don't yell so much, I'm trying to rest."

"Oh, sorry. It's just.. This price is to good be true.

"You must be new. It's the real deal," she takes off her cap and sunglasses. She puts on the ring effortlessly and taps it. "If you're not convinced," she pulled out a scanner and waved over the jewel. Beep. "50 Karats. No more, no less. So, would you like one?"

"Well..," I ponder. "I'm not getting married," my face is red, "Can I get a birthstone?"

"Sure, sure. Take your pick," she brings up a box lined up with jewels of various shapes and colors: ovals, circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, hexagons.

"Wow, um.." My eyes find a white pearl..

"Pfft." The PA beeped, "Kazuya, we need you to report to the infirmary. Oh, and tell the new girl Tact said Hi..again."

"Ah.. We have to hurry then. Can you save this display for her until we come back, Anise."

"Sure, no problem. I need something to do anyway."

"Did you find something you like?" Kazuya says while keeping up with Nano-Nano running down the hallway.

"Yeah," I turn back to the pearl. "I did."

They had a large infirmary building on the other side of the floor we were on. Luckily, I only saw sick people lined up at the front door. A women in her 40's dressed in a hospital uniform came out to check up on them with the stethoscope.

"Is there a bio weapon on the loose?"

They're looking at me. "Nah, it's just the common cold. The AC is broken."

"Oh..forget what I said then."

Kazuya walks up to the lady, "Hey, Dr. Cera! Did you call for me?"

"Oh yes, walk inside.."

We open the doors into the clinic. Bedrooms were empty that day and the monitors shut off. Except for a girl in the corner. I squinted my eyes, "Is that.. Natsumi?"

The footsteps of a doctor tap behind us. "Mordent, is she going to be alright?"

Beep.. Beep.. Beep...

"She's breathing normally. She might regain conscious anytime."

"Have you tried waking her up?"

"We have, but we don't want to push her with medication. She'll have to wake up naturally."

"Can she hear us?" Kazuya sits by her side.

"Yes.. She can. Should I leave?"

"Nyaa, it's alright. It won't be long. Kazuya has to tour Mori-sama," she pats my head, "You're so young. And cute," she rubs my cheek purring.

"I trust you can handle the patient as always, Nano-Nano."

"Yes, sir."

I look at both of them. Kazuya whispers in her hears then gets up. "Thank you Mordent. I hope she feels better. We should be going."

"Hmm, one moment," Mordent is examining my forehead. "This cut is pretty deep. Nano-Nano, can you do something about it?"

"Yes, doctor," she waves her hands over and wags her tail.

A flash of light and dust fill the room and then evaporate. "Feel better, meow?"

I rub my forehead, the pain is gone.. You.."

"Nano-Nano helps around the clinic with her powers."

I notice the empty bedrooms again. "So that's why the room is empty.."

"Yes," he smiles and nods.

"Thank you..," I slowly take off the bandage over my forehead. His eyes open wide, "Keep it wrapped around you.. There's still a cut."

"Well.. Thanks a lot."

"Sorry.. Some wounds can't be healed. But your headache is gone. The wound will close in time."

"Thank you, doctor...," I pause for his last name.

"Bagel, Mordent Bagel."

"Pfft," I cover my mouth, "...Ahaha...Ahahaha..Ahahahah...,AHAHA. Your name is Bagel!"

"Hey, stop that now... You might hurt his feelings.

The doctor nudges his glasses and sighs at me. My gut was about to bust. A doctor named after a pastry? That was pretty funny. "Hmm..," Natsumi moves a bit.

"Huh?"

"Hahahah...Bagel... HAHAHA. That was his name the whole time?" she catches my laughing fit and rolls over the bed. "Ow," Natsumi gets up.

"Natsumi!"

"Hmm.. How long have I been unconscious?"

"She's.. Alive?"

"Of course I'm alive! I'm standing right here talking to you."

"Hey, you just got shot in the head how did you-"

A mark on her forehead flashes and a shield emerges then vanishes. "Hmm... It sort of works.."

"Oh I see.. Is everyone here a wizard or something?"

"Sorry, Mori. I should have told you. NEUE is a magic system. Everyone is born with an ability or two."

"Weird..."

"You'll get used to it, don't worry. It'll feel like home. Oh that's right, we have to go! Your tour!"

"You're leaving already?"

"Sorry, Natsumi, I'll talk to you later. We're behind schedule."

We leave the infirmary and head for the nearest elevator all the way to the top floor. "Tell Takuto you've seen all the ship. I'll give you the map later."

"Isn't that dishonest, Kazuya?" she bonks him on the head.

"Hey- It's not lying..."

I flip through the layout of the ship. Four floors, several blocks wide in each of them. The page of the map turns to show the distinct blocks and areas we saw, plus some more.

"See, she's reading through it now."

"I'm going to get lost."

"Don't tell Takuto that.."

The details, labels, landmarks overwhelm me. "I'll try to study it, I guess. This isn't like the prairie at all..."

"I'm sorry, but it's only for a while, trust me."

The door opens. "Let's go."

Takuto is at the bridge balcony and underneath him the crew is navigating through the outer reaches of space. "Welcome back, Mori. Is the ship nice and comfy?"

"Yeah, it's huge though."

"Hahah.. I know."

Kazuya and Nano salute him. "You can leave now, you two. We're fine."

"Thanks, sir. Ahh," he lets out a sigh and returns to the elevator with Nano shutting it behind him.

I observe the flashing control panels and the empty space we are flying through and take in the site. It was like a ocean of stars.

He rests his elbows on the railing, "It's overwhelming, isn't it?"

"Takuto.. Does this sight ever get old?"

"No, not at all. There's always something new around the corner. A wall of ice floats by us, burning a trail of dust behind it. "Like that comet over there."

"You must feel at home here."

"No, I get homesick sometimes. The job is pretty stressful sometimes."

I sit down on the railing and cross my legs, "Really? Where are you from, Takuto."

"You've read the books and interviews haven't you. Hah, I come from a farm. I've been serving for who knows how long and I'm starting to get old. One day, I ought to go back to the farm and settle down..."

"Why not now?"

He shrugs and shakes his head, "I love what I do though. I won't be doing that anytime soon. I have friends and a girl I love that need me."

I nod and gaze out the window. "I came from a farm too. I didn't grow up with many friends, I had one that was special to me. Her name's Lisa, but she's...,," I choke up a bit, thinking about it.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

"Takuto, we're approaching the gate to NEUE."

He presses a button, "Okay, All crew scramble. The gate is in range."

I saw a large ring with a flashing portal. So this is the Gate.

"Engage anything that moves, crew!"

"Wait, Takuto, why are we-"

"He shuts off the PA. "Everything in the Gate and Beyond is Seldor Territory. Up until the war, we've had to go through wormholes like the Infinite Corridor to get to the planet Seldor because of piracy and hostile fleets. But now we're going to establish a foothold for the Imperial Navy on the other side.

Sayaka, are you ready? This is your time to shine!""

"..Let's do this, then."

We step into the elevator and descend into an isolated office room. Three other elevators from different corners of the room opened up. Kazuya, Baron, Fleur, and John stepped in.

"It's a pleasure, seeing you again, m'am."

"You too."

We all gather by the table. "Okay, Angel Troupe. Listen carefully, the Vindictus will fly through a narrow corridor of light. If you want to come out on the other side with us, fly close, 20 yards is the maximum furthest you can go."

" Eh, will we run into any enemies?

"As far as we know some Seldor ships will try to shoot you down. Don't let that happen. No one gets left behind. That's all. Scramble, pilots."

"Yes, sir!"

We all went our separate ways and regrouped in the hangar. The mechanics lifted the glass canopy of the ship open for me to climb in. As I did, someone cried, "Hey!"

I turn around. Kazuya is waving from the balcony. "Good 't mind the guys and do your best!"

"Thanks.."

I wave back, just then John is walking past me. "Hey," I call to him. He nods and leaves for his ship. "Huh.. That guy.."

The cockpit closes. The catwalk aligns us all perfectly in a v-formation and we blast off into space.

I push the buttons on the console. This is my first time commanding, please don't mess up. Please.

"All squad members spread out."

The V-formation splits off, I see The Red Masque jolts left. To my right, Baron's ship cruises right with its heavy batteries and guns. His fighter might not catch up.

We enter the tunnel. That was when the lights scratched background rapidly like the flow of a river through time. I focus back on Baron.

"John, can you cover Baron's flank. He's going to move back a bit."

"Isn't it wiser to let the support ship stay in the back?"

"You're a support well- It's just for now, Baron won't be able to strafe the tunnel.

"I'm afraid I can't carry out that order."

"John! That's an order. Baron's going to crash or end up MIA."

"Baron's steering is adequate," he hangs up on me.

Dammit, I punch the console. "Hang in there for a while, Baron."

"Don't mind him, madame. This formation will suffice for now."

Beep. My radar flashes red in several directions. I can make out dots surrounding us.

"Enemy. Engage! Don't use your missiles.

Seldorian fighters bash through the tunnels and joust the Vindictus. I corkscrew backward and pull up. Three emerge through the tunnel. I blast them once they reach gun range. My turret cuts them cleanly in half.

I then jerk my ship down and regain formation. Baron's frame stalls. Seldorian fighters start harassing his wings. The turrets of the frame steer around in circles and fire thousands of yellow tracers, shaking the enemy off.

'"John!" He doesn't pick up. Dammit. "Did John shut off his communications?"

"I believe so."

"Does he hate me that much? How can I get through to him?"

"I'll cover the front and dance with the brigands. You are free to quarrel with your subordinate," Fleur burns his engine past me.

John scatters his beams, wiping out the enemy that swarmed behind me.

"It's important to keep formation when traveling through the tunnel."

The weight of the ship thickens, my steering is getting harder and harder to manage. I can't imagine how Baron is doing.

"Dammit, Mori get him to help me out here!"

"Do you think this is some sort of game, we're going to die out here!"

"My objective is to keep the squad alive. I wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize their safety. He skips under me and takes position up front."

What's this guy's problem?

His green ship shielded our squad in a huge bubble. Flaring missiles and bullets crashed into the walls and dissipated.

"Good job, John. We're approaching the light. Steering should be smooth sailing from here on out. Takuto out."

I tail-gate John, "Why didn't you do that earlier?"

"The success of the mission is the commander's responsibility. A true commander would have threatened obedience or ditched

the pilot and assume he is dead."

"What? I can't do that. You're an important pilo-"

"The mission is the most important thing. If you won't do it, then I will."

"This isn't right!" I protest.

Fleur sighs as he strafes by me, "He does have a point though. Sorry, Madame. Let the guys take care of this."

The light at the end of the tunnel explodes in our eyes. We're in empty space.

"The enemy's not here. Well, good work everyone. I want you all to report back to the hangar. Stay there for a while though. We might run into the enemy later!"

When we return to the hangar, the repair crew clap and cheer, then pick John up from his ejection seat along with the other men and carry him away. I'm left in the seat disappointed.

"Hey, are you alright?" Kazuya sitting on the wing of my Emblem Frame. I don't say anything. "Hey.. What's with the long face?" Nano jumps in the backseat. "It's nothing," I shrug.

"We could hear some of the radio chatter, Mori. It was more than that."

I sigh, am I really a good commander? "You can tell us what happened?" Nano's patting me on the head.

I think about it deeply for a while, "Do you think Takuto can demote me?"

"What do you mean?" he looks as me if I were crazy. "I don't think I would make a good commander. I'm.. I'm too kind."

"Don't talk like that. What makes you think that?"

"I couldn't ditch John and complete the mission. I'm too kind, this is a war and I just don't seem to.. Get along with the others."

"Well, Takuto is in the lounge, maybe you can talk to him."

I get up and head for the door. He shouts, "He-Hey wait! What are you doing? He told you to-"

"I'll be back soon."

It took a while but when I found the lounge room, I saw Takuto playing pool while a few of his the bridge members blow off steam on the arcade games. "Oh, hey, Mori. How was the machine?"

Clack

His eight ball slams against the other balls and scatters them. "I wanted to talk to you about my rank."

"What about it?"

"I don't think I deserve to be a commander. John is more fit for the battlefield."

He lines up the balls again for another hit. He strikes with his stick and repeats the process. "Takuto?"

"I didn't pick John though."

I'm racking my head. "But.. Why did you pick me?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Well.. I didn't do well in the academy... I got assigned to do regular assignments. And.. Most of all I'm a private that just happened to survive.. After my last squad was shot down.."

He offers me a chance to play, "Go on."

"Well.. I actually don't know. I feel that I'm not right for it because of what's happened to me. You were a straight A student in the academy and had a great service history before joining the angels. I'm just a girl that's still dreaming."

I awkwardly aim with the pole. "Keep it straight, like this," he holds my hand. "I didn't choose you because you're a military genius. I chose you because there's something special about you. Somehow the Emblem Frames were found near you after you survived a powerful Chrono-shot."

"That's what it's called then.. That laser."

He steers the pole a bit to the right.

"And then you fought saved Shiva, Rhome too. In a an Emblem Frame. We had trouble looking for pilots at the time, you see. Did I tell you the Emblem Frames can reject the pilot?"

"Really?" I turn and look at him.

"Yes, you see the emblem frames use HALO. It varies with human emotions. All Emblem Frames are different and the perfect pilot is needed. Or the fighter won't work..."

"I still don't understand. What makes mine different from the rest?"

"Your Frame kept rejecting every pilot in Transbaal Academy. Even John. We decided to forget about ever getting it to work. Until we heard about your amazing survival story. Sayaka guess, what saved you from drowning that day? How we found you. It was a seal emitted from the Emblem Frame you are using."

My heart rises. He pushes the pole forward sending the balls scattering into the holes. "Hah, you're pretty good at this."

I let go, "Thanks, Takuto. What's my Emblem Frame called anyway? They never told me it's name.

"Alexander, that name suits someone him. A gentle king that protects his people."

I nod, "It fits him."

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

"Alert, Takuto report to the bridge. Saint Angel Troupe has engaged the enemy."

"What, what happened? I thought I told them-"

BOOM

An explosion rocked the ship and sent us falling over. "Mori, get to Alexander."

"Yes, sir," I run forward to the hangar. What was happening? Did John attack them? I hope he's alright.

When I reach the hangar, Nano is carrying John out of his ship which is wrecked on the mobile landing platform.

"John. Is he alright?"

He shakes off Nano and limps. "I'll be fine. I heal quick." There was blood dripping on his right leg.

I stop him, "You still need help. Tell me, what happened?"

"We were attacked by out of nowhere... They launched a few drones at us out of nowhere. We were going to call for you, but you weren't here.. I had to take the initiative and fight.."

Nano carries him by the arm and moves him out of the hangar. "Wait!" I shout, "Who's in charge out there?"

"Fleur."

"You left him in charge?"

"He was the only one available..Everything happened so fast I wasn't able to prepare an appropriate response," he coughs and falls over. "Hang in there!" Nano lifts him onto a stretcher.

"They won't last long without help," I jump onto the Alexander.

My ship hovers a few yards above the platform. WHOOSH

It jumps out of the hangar into space. Lasers and explosions out of a movie were decorating the landscape. "Where is Saint Angel Troupe?"

A drone is being shot at by a moving line of bullets however it splits into several smaller ships and evade the turrets of the battleship Vindictus.

"Sayaka, you lifted off, thank goodness. We're trying to pinpoint the troupe's location and their communication's broken. You're going to have to use visual aid."

"Roger that."

"If you can't handle the mission, you can always, Mori, you can always let someone else take command like last-"

"That won't be necessary, sir!"

"Hahaha, alright. Move out!"

I fly through debris and random missiles. Fleur jumps by me and performs a spinning eight on his enemies. "Christophe! What's the situation?"

"We're fighting gloriously!"

"Your hud doesn't look good, are you telling me the truth?"

"No... We're surrounded, but don't tell anyone that, it's undignified. The enemy has an endless stream of drones from nowhere."

"It's not over yet, where's Baron?"

A barrage of melting bullets and flashing missiles whizz right by me and explode, covering me in a giant cloud.

"Behind you," Baron closes in. "Boy, am I glad to see you."

"We're being overwhelmed and we don't know where these damn things are being launched from!"

"This is Mori," I call through the comm, "I found the Saints."

"Good, we're retreating!"

"Through the tunnel? But Takuto we just came here!"

"If we keep fighting we're going to lose a lot of good people."

He's right, but I can't give up. After I saw Rhome razed the thought of retreating didn't sound right. Like I was letting down a lot of people.

Especially if they come back to attack our system again.

"No we can't retreat."

"We're taking heavy damage, madame. This much glory is too much for me."

"I told you, we can't. We have to break through the gate, now! What did Shiva tell us to do when we are afraid? Confront it!"

"Damn, I guess you're right, mam," Baron laments, "I'll cover you."

"And I shall distract the enemy!"

"Right!" I turn left and scan the maze of wreckage littered about space. There's a small ripple in space and a drone hovers quietly out and scatters and hammers with several lasers.

"They're to our immediate north," I fly forward, with Baron sending concentrated streams of fire into the enemy. Fleur sweeps left around me and distracts a garrison.

I open all my switches and press every fire button I knew. The hull was being smashed and damaged was definitely being done judging by the explosions in mid-space.

"We need more firepower, Takuto! Can you use your main gun batteries?"

"I need specific coordinates."

"I well, uh," I scan through the map.

"The coordinates! BOOM."

TATATATATA

"I can't hold out forever, y'know!"

"Right, Right! Gosh this would be a lot easier if Alexander could see for me and tell me the coordinates!"

BEEP. A dot appeared on coordinates A3, C5. Northeast of me.

"Oh.." This Emblem Frame..heard me?"

"Do you have the coordinates?" Takuto repeated.

"Uh, yeah, fire here!" I upload the position.

The vindictus' guns roll out from under the bow. They make loud CLICK.

TOOOM. TOOOM. TOOOM.

Three shells are burning through space, picking up smoke and steam. They whoosh by me. The invisible battleship reemerges, tears apart and envelopes into a wall of smoke.

"We- We did it... YEEEEHHAWWW!" Baron's comm stretches.

Takuto's end is the same, the bridge is shouting euphoric chants of "Hail Shiva!"

Our tattered Emblem frames return to the hangar and land, welcomed by everyone on board the ship.

When I open my cockpit, they're quiet.

Kazuya, Nano, Takuto, and John approach me.

"Mori!" Nano hugs me tightly.

"Hey..stop that!" I joke.

"Sayaka," Kazuya waves to John and Takuto.

"You have to something to say to her, don't you, John?" Takuto nudges him.

"When I saw you, I thought you were a raw recruit... Raw recruits make bad comman-"

"Enough about the statistics, what about me?"

He mouths his words, "...Forgive me."

"It's alright," I give a sigh of relief."

Takuto addresses the crowd, "So.. Who wants to celebrate?"

Everyone erupts in cheers and carry the two of us through the halls of the ship. John is squirming uncomfortably. "What is the V-park?"

"So.. What do you usually do in the ship?"

"I tend to my duties as Ace-pilot-"

"Outside of your duties, when you want to relax."

He pauses, "The V-park. I also help around the ship."

They open a set of doors and we soon find ourselves in a park with picnic mats and food perpared in advance. The sun was present in the room along with moving clouds, we were on another planet, practically.

The crew put us down. "There's no soda, hmm."

"I'll go ask Anise!"

"Same here, we'll get some dessert!"

The crew disperses for the preparations until only me and John are left.

John is reading something on a tablet, "Bridge has confirmed the enemy has retreated. Our celebration will not be interrupted."

"That's good," I breath fresh air, mixed with grass and the sounds of birds. "Is this.. A real park?"

"No, it's virtual except for the animals."

"Haha.. That reminds me," I get closer to him and bow with my hands behind my back. "I didn't get to introduce myself."

"My name is John," he offers his hand.

I shake it, "Sayaka Mori."

We sat down with the squirrels that day beside the shade of the tree until the celebration. In that time, I learned he was concerned for the mission very dearly, when I asked him why he told me, "I owe my life to the Vindictus."

I didn't know what he meant when I pressed for him to be clearer he didn't say anything. We celebrated afterward, and Blanmanche's gourmet food, certainly did not disappoint.

Christophe and Baron found us, "What are you lovebirds doing?"

"Looking at the clouds."

John doesn't say much, he just looks at the clouds, ignoring both of them.

"Damn he looks like he's havin' fun. Let me join," he lies down beside John.

"Don't forget, moi."

The virtual sun had set after a few hours and we were gazing at the stars together. "Mori! Mori!" Kazuya ran through the crowds of people. The party music and chatter stopped and the crew disburses.

"What's the matter?"

"The Imperial Forces have arrived, we've got another assignment!"

"The party ended so soon...," I look up to the stars. I found something in the stars today, something incredible. "Tell Takuto...I'm no longer a dreaming."

"I'm not sure what that means.. Is it a code? Oh well.. I'll tell him," he heads for the door, "We won't be in action for a while."

"I'll sit here and watch for a while."

"Bye then!" he waves and leaves.

A shooting star passes by, and I make my wish for the future. "Thank you... Shooting star."