"One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes a revolution in order to establish a dictatorship."
-George Orwell

Ptolemios II

Setsuna, the other Miesters and Marie were all together in the briefing room.

"So he knows about the Thrones, and he has a genuine GN Drive," said Tierria. Allelujah scratched his head in frustration.

"This is just crazy. The only good thing about this situation is that this Veritas person isn't going over the top."

"Oh he's going over the top," said Lockon, "He just isn't killing people left and right."

"He must also have access to Veda."

"What makes you think that?" Marie asked Tierria.

"First off, he is able to broadcast media that the Innovators themselves can't get a hold on. Second, he is able to access information that very few people can. And finally, he knows about the Innovators themselves."

"How the heck do you know that last bit?"

"Because he made references, two now, to the supposed leaders of the Innovators. His name is Ribbons Almark." They all knew about what Tierria found out during the party, but no one really got the point until Allelujah remembered something.

"This, and a little ribbon of control over the media..."
"Just tie a little ribbon on it and it would be the perfect gift for a terrorist."

"He made references to a ribbon twice, once in each broadcast."

"Exactly," confirmed Tierria.

"But what do we do about it?" Setsuna asked, fists clenched in fustration.

"Nothing," said Lockon. Everyone gaped at him. "Look, I think this guy knows what he's doing. He knows the people are going to be riled up after those last two broadcasts. He's probably going to lay low for a little and see how things blow over. After which he will look at the results and make a move based off of that."

"Sounds reasonable," said Setsuna.

"But how are we supposed to catch him if he's in hiding?" Allelujah asked.

"Unfortunately," Tierria answered, "unless we figure out where he's hiding, we can't do anything about it."

Louise sat on the edge of the bed, hands twisting in her lap and head hung. So the Innovators were causing all this pain and suffering? But they helped her, Mr. Almark especially. But then...what about all those people who died? She buried her head in her hands. What was she going to do? Gundams killed her family. Saji is alive but with Celestial Being. The A-Laws are responsible for the incident at the orbital elevator. And the Innovators, who backed the A-Laws, were the ones who helped her through her pains.

There was a light tapping on the door.

"Who's there?" she hesitantly called out, her voice soft and pitifully weak.

"It's me," Saji's cautious voice replied.

"Oh...um...come in." The door slid open and Saji came in, dressed in a casual shirt and pants that Louise was all familiar with. It was relieving to see him like that actually.

"Hey, are you alright?" She nodded a few times.

"Yeah, I'm alright I guess " She shivered momentarily, but Saji still noticed. He came to the edge of the bed and placed his hands on her shoulder and forehead.

"Are you cold?"

"No," she said, even as she shivered again. Saji gently sat down next to her and pulled her into a warm embrace. She buried her face into the warm confines of his neck, eyes closed, savoring the gentle warmth. "Saji...what do I do?"

"What do you mean?" Her fingers grabbed onto the material of Saji's shirt.

"After all that has happened...I nearly killed you without realizing it. First time was at Proud, when I assisted in the deployment of the automatons. Then there was that time when we were fighting Celestial Being. In the battle where we lost the lieutenant, I tried to charge in and attack this ship head on despite all the warnings from the other officers."

"Don't say that," Saji almost pleaded, tightening his hold on Louise.

"Why?"

"Before that battle, I was helping out the mechanic. But I wanted to do more. I felt so useless at the time, so I asked them to put me on one of the gunner positions." Louise made the connection.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to continue." Tears began to seep from her eyes and she felt tear drops on the back of her neck, Saji was crying too. "Saji...I'm sorry...I...I..."

"No Louise, we are both at fault. Let us forgive each other."

A-Laws Carrier
Indian Ocean

Colonel Kati Mannequin and Billy Katagiri scrutinized Lieutenant Andre Smirnov as he informed them of what had happened between Louise and the Gundam. Kati sighed.

"So her boyfriend was traveling with Celestial Being ever since Proud. I guess it can't be helped. Did you get the name of the Gundam pilot by any chance?"

"No ma'am; however, I could tell that the pilot knew the Warrant Officer by name and he sounded as though he had his origins in the Middle East."

"Setsuna!" Billy growled.

"What?" Kati was now surprised. Billy had an obvious anger when he spoke next.

"You recognized Cujo didn't you Kati? Well when Celestial Being returned, some punk by the name of Setsuna came to where I was saying to collect Cujo, calling her 'Sumeragi Lee Noriega' and saying she was Celestial Beings tactical forecaster! I saw him again at that function."

"So you think this 'Setsuna' was the one who the Lieutenant was referring to?"

"Without a doubt," said another voice. Mr. Bushido had slipped in when no one was looking.

"Oh Graham," said Billy in a surprised tone, "I didn't see you there. You should really make a noise every once in a while."

"Graham?" Now it was Kati's turn to be surprised. She quickly put it together and was shocked over the drastic change from the Union's FLAG ace to this man in a mask. "Graham Aker? Oh my God, you've been Mr. Bushido this entire time? What happened to you?"

"That young Gundam pilot, Setsuna," he explained, raising his hands to his face and removing his mask to show his scars. "He gave me these four, almost five, years ago. I saw him before then too. You remember, don't you Billy?"

"Five years ago? No I'm afraid I don't."

"He was the young man who was snooping around while we were in Krugis."

"What?"

"Yes, the one hiding behind a rock. Dark skin, black hair..."

"Gah! I'm an idiot!" Billy smacked his forehead as Graham replaced his mask. "Why didn't I make the connection sooner?"

"Don't get upset at yourself Billy," said Graham, "I always thought that kid died a long time ago. So it came as a surprise to me too."

"So what do we do now?" Kati rested her forehead in her hands. The office door then slid open and Patrick Colasour rushed in.

"Hey Colonel! Ah!" he ducked his head to avoid the cubic paperweight that Kati threw at him.

"How many times have I told you to KNOCK before you enter?"

"But it's important Colonel!"

"I don't care!"

"The civilians who survived the Auto-purge are-"

"Get out off- wait, what?"

"A single Linear Train was discovered not far from the Tower. All the civilians on board have survived!"