Chapter 4: Value of Teamwork

Disclaimer: I don't own Vandread or the Ace Combat series.

The Odyssey of Discovery: Gryphus 1

Kyle wakes up after a rejuvenating sleep in his new room, wiping the sleep out of his eyes. He does the usual morning routine of brushing, flossing, showering and change into a fresh set of clothes. They were found in a chest inside a storage area the crew didn't know about until now. They were from the Colonization Era and surprisingly in mint condition. While plain-looking he accepted them discovering they fit his frame well

The attire he's currently wearing consisted of a black T-shirt, blue jeans secured by a belt, white socks and blue shoes with white trimming. After tying the laces, Kyle exits his room.

He, Alex and Eugene are still adapting to the situation they have found themselves in.

They are 800 years into the future, learned that something catastrophic happened back on their home world to make the inhabitants leave Earth and colonize other planets. Well, leaving its cradle on Earth has been mankind's ultimate goal but many challenges thwarted it in the form of financial costs, social issues and other critical areas. They were essentially walking fossils of days long gone.

Anyway, they find themselves in the middle of a gender war between Mejale, an all female planet and Tarak, an all male desert planet. A rather pointless war in Kyle's opinion. Now they are on a ship composed of gorgeous young space pirates led by Magno Vivan despite her being little over 100 years old. There were a few members of the crew Gryphus Squadron and Eugene got along with or at least tolerated. Them being Duero, the bubbly redhead Dita, the bridge bunnies, Mia Gisborn, Gascogne and Jura. However, they still remained cautious around the others. Plus the men were valuable members.

Duero's medical skills made him the ship's doctor.

Bart, despite his whiny attitude, became the helmsman and was rather vocal around Magno and BC.

Hibiki proved himself a natural talent with the Vanguard although it fed his arrogance.

Eugene proved a hard worker and his potential to being a pilot left him with promise.

And finally there was Gryphus Squadron. Their piloting abilities made them a force to be reckoned with though most of the female space pirates didn't approve of Magno's decision to have men part of the crew. However, they couldn't go against their captain's decision so they reluctantly agreed.

Kyle spots Duero approaching from the opposite direction, he nods at the doctor in hello and Duero returns it with a nod of his own. Kyle continues his way toward the cafeteria for breakfast.

Alex comes out of his room having finished changing into a pair of clothes, he woke up earlier to work out. He suddenly hears a scream and pulls out his M9A1 pistol then runs at the direction the scream originated from. He sees Dita being thrown out of the men's restroom.

Dita whined, "How come I can't watch?"

Hibiki replied fiercely, "How am I supposed to go with you watching?!" The door closes afterward.

Alex asked, "What's going on here?"

Dita replied, "Hi, Mr. Irvine. I heard that men have some sort of tube between their legs and I wanted to see it." It didn't take a genius to figure out what Dita was implying to.

Alex said, "You shouldn't evade someone's privacy, Dita."

Dita smiled, "Okay."

'So innocent and naïve. I have no idea how she became a pirate.' Alex thought.

Dita asked, "Have you seen it, Mr. Irvine?"

'Too curious for her own good!' He thought with a sweat drop.

He said, "It'd be best not to know at your age, Dita. You will understand it better when you're older!" He walks away before the redhead could bombard him with more questions.

Elsewhere, Parfet was asking for names to christen the ship.

She spoke through the megaphone, "We all believe the Ikazuchi is a boring name. I am looking for alternative names that will suit the ship better!" Parfet spotted Jura and Barnette approaching and lowered the megaphone to speak normally, "Whoever comes up with the name we decide on will win a whole year's worth of food certificates they can redeem at the Trapeza!"

Jura said in surprised, "A year's worth?! Are you serious, Parfet?!"

Barnette looked at one of the names, "What's this? The 'Nirvana'? That's kind of corny."

Parfet answered, "The commander suggested that one."

Barnette asked, "How are you keeping track of all the names?"

The engineer answered, "I just install them in my friend Pyoro." Barnette and Jura blink.

Jura repeated, "Pyoro?"

The now named robot said, "Ms. Parfet gave me the name. It's a really good choice, ain't it?"

Jura said, "Well, Luxury Night is my contribution. You'll put that in, won't you Pyoro?"

"Luxury Night? Hey, wait!" Pyoro reviewed the name it as Barnette typed it in before leaving with Jura.

Alex said from behind the duo, "Hey Parfet, what's up?"

Parfet turned around, "I have asked people for names to our ship. Do you have any suggestions?"

Alex replied honestly, "I'm horrible at naming things, although the 'Nirvana' does have a nice ring tone to it. Add my vote to it." The engineer does that.

In the infirmary, Duero examines the steady growth process of Ezra's baby projected on the screen.

Duero said, "Peculiar, this doesn't exist in man's physiology."

Ezra replied, "It's called the uterus."

Duero smirked, "A reproductive organ. Very interesting."

Ezra smiled, "I wanted to have a baby, you see. So I decided to carry the seed."

Duero asked, "What's the seed?"

The gentle bridge bunny explained, "It's where take the genes of the person who wants to be an Ohma then splice the genes of the Fahma into it and implant it in her uterus. Where I'm from anyone who wants to be a Fahma can be."

Duero cupped his chin, "Hm, does that mean I can be one?" Ezra looks at him weirdly.

Kyle leaves the cafeteria after eating breakfast which was compiled of eggs, sausage and coffee by the time others show up to eat. He heads for the hanger to study the changes his F-22 went under.

In the men's section of the ship, BC finishes installing data into the message pods.

Magno showed up the screen, "BC, report."

BC answered, "I finished inputting the data."

Magno observed another pod, "Why is there an extra pod?"

BC replied, "This one's meant for Tarak, captain. I thought it'd be fair to let them know as well."

Magno nodded, "Very well. Launch the pods!" BC presses the button that send the pods on their way.

However, they don't get far because they get destroyed and cube-types were detected.

On the bridge, Magno ordered, "All hands, level 1 battle stations!" The Dread pilots rush to the hanger, Meia arrives to see Dita staring out to space.

Meia said, "Didn't you hear the alarm, Dita? Get into your Dread!"

Dita exclaimed, "It's just that Kyle flew out of here. Just like that, whoosh!" She spins like a ballerina to emphasize it.

Jura stated in surprise, "You mean he's out there already?"

Eugene assured, "Don't worry, Gryphus 1 knows what he's doing." Out in space, Gryphus 1 accelerates toward the cube-types.

He fires the Raptor's Vulcan Gatling cannon tearing one cube-type apart and somersaults to avoid a joint attack by the fallen cube-type's comrades. Switching to special weapons, Gryphus 1 fires 2 XLAAM at the remaining enemies and destroys them.

'Strange. I was expecting them to send more, must have been a recon unit.' He thought.

He contacted the bridge, "Gryphus 1 here. I was able to destroy the enemy, apparently it was a recon unit sent to scout our ship's capabilities. However, I was able to stop them before they could return with the data."

Magno said, "I see. Return to the ship." Gryphus 1 lowers the landing gear and flaps, lining up with the hanger floor and steadily brings the stealth fighter in. The back tires touch down first then he levels the plane out and applies the speak break. The fighter's speed decreases until it comes to a complete stop.

The canopy opens up and Kyle looks down to see Dita standing away from a fuming Meia.

Kyle asked, "Something wrong?"

Meia spoke with barely restrained anger, "Don't act like that. You put yourself in a lot of danger by doing that, you are to act under my direct orders." Kyle slides down the ladder and calmly removes his helmet.

Kyle said, "Correct me if I'm wrong but I heard the captain say all hands to battle stations including the pilots."

Meia snorted, "Small dogs always bark the loudest."

'This is pointless. Does she think he'll fall for that?' Eugene thought.

Kyle explained, "That was a recon unit sent to scout our ship's abilities, I engaged them not only to prevent them returning with the information but to also conserve the limited amount of fuel and supplies we have at the moment. If it was an invading force, I would have waited for the other pilots to come out."

Meia seethed, "You are just a male, not a member of the crew!"

The Aurelian's face remained expressionless, "That's where you are wrong. The captain made it abundantly clear that Alex, Duero, Bart, Hibiki, Eugene and myself are part of this crew. You heard her yourself so accept the fact that we are all in this together." He spots her fist shaking in anger and the way her posture showed that Meia's struggling to keep her anger in check he must have unintentionally struck a nerve.

Dita's hands were shaking from the suspense between the two pilots.

Meia rushes forward, fist cocked back and thrusts it at Kyle's face but the Aurelian catches it, pulls Meia in and trips her. Meia rolls on the floor and gets up to charge at Kyle, throwing punches and kicks that Kyle either blocks or sidesteps them. One of her kicks hit Kyle's left arm, a painful throb occurs in her foot. Once Kyle saw Meia losing energy he quickly outmaneuvers her and points his wrist blade near Meia's throat daring her to continue. A few agonizing minutes tick by until Kyle sensed that Meia had calmed down enough for him to get off. Looking around he can see the Dread pilots staring at him with open jaw expressions. They couldn't believe that Kyle defeated Meia who was considered the best in close quarters combat. Little do they know that Kyle was trained by an undisputed master of armed and unarmed combat.

He arrives at the bridge in time to hear Hibiki talking to Magno.

Hibiki said, "Can you get that alien obsessed girl to quit bugging me?"

Magno answered, "That must be Dita you're talking about."

Hibiki ordered, "Also do something about that creepy woman with that strange thing over her eye. Tell her not to get involved in man's business!" Bart was listening in on the conversation.

He commented, "Negotiations aren't one of his strong points."

Magno thought for a moment before answering, "Okay then, how about I transfer you to the Reg crew?"

Hibiki raised an eyebrow, "Reg crew?"

Magno smirked, "It's an interesting job and under different management."

Hibiki shrugged, "Okay, I'll give it a shot."

Once he was gone, Magno asked, "Does that satisfy you?"

Meia appeared on the screen, "Thank you very much, captain. Having a man like him is extremely dangerous and could bring down the morale of the crew."

Magno said, "Got something else on your mind, Meia? I might be over 100 years old but I am well aware that something else is bothering you."

Meia offered, "With your permission, I would like to have Gryphus Squadron transferred to Dread Squadron. I feel it inadequate for it to stay a two-man squad. I haven't seen that newest male in action so I don't know about him. Having Kyle around is so...infuriating. He ignores orders and doesn't watch his back."

The pirate leader shook her head, "Hate to break it to you but I can't do that."

Meia blinked in surprise, "Why? You're the captain."

Magno explained, "I didn't create Gryphus Squadron, the military leader in their dimension created it. No offense but I doubt Alex or Eugene would take orders from you, Meia. They trust Kyle with their lives and he has proven to be an excellent squadron leader and has saved lives. I have made my decision. End of story."

Meia sighed in defeat, "Understood, captain." The screen closes and Magno sighs.

She rubbed her forehead, "That woman. She's as stubborn as ever."

Bart mumbled, "I'll never understand women."

Magno shouted, "How long are you going to continue eavesdropping?" Bart jumps into the helm typing a bunch of buttons to engage the autopilot before telling Magno he's going on break.

Kyle walks toward the shooting area, his one-sided bout with Meia made him conclude that she's arrogant like he was at one point. During his earlier days as a fighter pilot he believed he was better than anyone else, feeding his arrogance. However, a mock battle between him and his teacher caused him to reconsider his skills in turn made him conquer his arrogance.

'What gives her the right to judge me or my friends?' Kyle thought.

Entering the shooting room, Kyle pulls out his pistol and spots Jura watching her friend Barnette shoot targets.

Kyle greeted, "Hello, girls." The two women turn their heads to see Kyle approaching an empty spot.

Jura smiled, "Ah, you must be Kyle Masterson that Alex told me about. Nice to meet you, I'm Jura Basil Elden and the girl standing to my left is my friend Barnette." Kyle waves at Barnette who gives an unfriendly glare in return. He ignores it and presses the button and cocks the gun.

Barnette and Jura look on as Kyle shoots down the targets one after the other in quick succession, occasionally loading a new magazine into the pistol and resume firing until destroying the last one. Smoke emanates from the barrel until Kyle blows it away then puts the gun in the holster after turning the safety on.

Barnette couldn't help but ask, "How...how did you shoot them all without missing a shot?"

Kyle answered, "Practice. Lots and lots of practice. I am certain you honed your marksmanship skills the same way, right?" Alex searches for Hibiki until he reaches Reg Central, the door slides open to show Hibiki dressed in the same outfit the stagehands wear. Alex bursts out laughing.

Hibiki exclaimed, "Stop laughing, damn it! This isn't funny!" That only makes Alex laugh harder to the point where his sides began to hurt.

He wiped a tear away and calmed down, "Sorry but you look so funny in that outfit." He spotted the Reg leader walking towards them, "Ah, I take it you're the leader of this place?"

Gascogne nodded, "That's right."

Alex asked, "What do you do here exactly?"

The Reg leader replied, "Our job is to supply the Dreads with ammo and make sure the pilots come back alive. We're the people who work behind the scenes, so to speak. Anyway, there's something I want to show you. Come with me." Gascogne leads them to the supply depot.

Alex whistled, "Wow, quite a stockpile you have there."

Gascogne smirked, "This is where we keep our weapons reserve. Think you can handle that? You'll be in charge of overseeing distribution of the weaponry. Oh yeah, Alex your friend Eugene Solono discovered a supply cache of "Swarm Missiles" today."

Alex titled his head, "Swarm Missiles? What can they do?"

The Reg leader said, "Judging by the information he managed to uncover they start out as a single missile but halfway to the target they open, releasing their payload of many missiles."

Alex concluded, "So they initially start out like the first stage of a rocket that discards the part halfway into flight."

Gascogne nodded, "That about sums it up. It's really effective against large groups of enemies. Eugene's been a great help around here, says it keeps him from getting bored."

Hibiki sulked, "I suppose but it leads me back to where I began, just maintaining a machine."

Gascogne looked at him, "Hm?"

Hibiki told her, "Look, I came here to prove myself and now you're saying I have to go back to that shitty place?"

Gascogne smiled, "So you are one of us. There's something else I want to show you, follow me." Elsewhere, Parfet opens a door and an avalanche of pellets pour out, burying her and Pyoro in them.

Parfet asked, "What is this stuff?"

Pyoro informed, "This is the food of Tarak."

The lead engineer cried, "Men eat this?"

Pyoro freed himself, "One tablet provides enough nutrition to ensure 300 hours of labor."

Dita saw them and asked, "Hey Parfet, do you know where Mr. Alien went?"

Parfet answered, "I heard he's been transferred to Reg Central."

Dita blinked, "To Reg? What's that you're holding?"

Parfet held the pellet up, "Apparently this is what the men eat." The redhead puts one in her mouth and regrets it because the pellet tasted horrible.

Dita grimaced, "I can't believe they eat this stuff, poor Mr. Alien." She got up as an idea formed, "I know!"

Parfet asked, "What about a name for the ship?"

Dita said, "How about Roswell?" Back at Reg, Gascogne shows Alex, Eugene and Hibiki a holographic image of a city on Mejale.

Hibiki asked, "So this is the women's planet? Don't you think it looks kind of gaudy?"

Gascogne nodded, "Sure do. It's a real clean and beautiful place but I hate how everything's super efficient. Mejale is a world where everyone's friendly and having a good time but that's only the surface most of the women of Mejale love being showoffs, competing with their neighbor over who has a better garden. They waste energy on trivial matters like that and because of it one of our living units had shut down. Our captain had nowhere else to go so she started up this pirate gig with all of us." The image switched to a pirate crew raiding a ship, "For pirates like us, there's no difference between men and women that's why we spared your lives. If we were the Mejalian Army you would've been dead before you could spill out the world please." Multiple explosions destroy the ship from within as the footage ends.

Hibiki gulps before Gascogne pushes him forward.

She span the projection ball on her finger, "As far as I'm concerned you are just like us, you have nowhere else to go. The number one rule onboard this ship is that we all got to work to eat, you can complain all you want but make sure your work's done first."

Hibiki asked, "So what am I supposed to do?"

Gascogne shoved a mop at him, "Just put a smile on your face."

Hibiki grabbed the mop, "Whatever." The ship's radar detects a new enemy.

Amarone stated, "Scans have picked up a new enemy 3,000Gr."

Magno asked, "They're certainly in a hurry today. How many?"

Ezra stated, "Only one."

Amarone informed, "Distance 2,500Gr and closing." Bart runs through the door and heads for the helm, complaining about why the ship had to be so huge.

Magno told him, "Show us what you can do."

Bart looked over his shoulder, "I'll show my specialty: Running away!"

Magno smirked, "Sounds like you."

Once inside the helm, Bart chuckled, "Heh heh, I'll take us to the end of the universe if I have to!" He fires up the engines and the ship moves, the new enemy swiftly catches up and swings around to appear in front of them, prompting Bart to apply the brakes.

Magno narrowed her eyes, "What are they up to?" Bart boosts to the right and the sphere does the same thing, boosting to the left the sphere performs the same maneuver.

Ezra stated, "The enemy has maintained a fair distance from us."

Magno ordered, "Bart, stay on course. Launch the Dreads, prepare for combat!"

Inside her Dread, Dita rubbed the wrapped box when Meia suddenly asked, "Where were you?"

Dita asked, "Something wrong, Meia?"

Meia scolded, "This isn't a game, Dita. Being late can mean the difference between life and death!"

Dita replied, "I'm sorry."

Meia ordered, "We're going to try an attack formation, you got that? Focus on the battle!"

The redhead saluted, "Roger." Hibiki rushes toward the exit of Reg Central when Gascogne catches him and drops the lad in a chair, placing a restraining cuff around it effectively keeping Hibiki secured.

Gryphus 1 lines up with the hanger exit and accelerates and raises the landing gear after entering the area of combat, Gryphus 2 took off shortly after that Crux joined him with his new aircraft: The E-3 Sentry II.

The E-3 Sentry II is a scaled down, more efficient version of the original E-3.

In addition to maintaining its AWACS role, it has the capability of a multi-purpose aircraft, giving it a top speed of Mach 2.20 slightly under the F-22. The radar normally in front of the tail section that'd be a major target to enemy fighters was no longer present, its highly advanced radar system inside the cockpit made up for it and twin Pratt & Whitney turbofans propelled it through the battlefield. Offensively it was armed with AMRAAM missiles, AIM-9M Sidewinders and twin M61A2 Vulcan 6-barrel Gatling cannons in both sides of the nose. Defensively it's equipped with chaff and flares to shake off missiles, ECM to disrupt enemy radar, sonar or other tracking systems and a device that emits an electromagnetic pulse that disables all electronic equipment. The range can be adjusted on a console located near the joystick, quite useful to make a quick getaway.

The sphere remained stationary making the crew wonder what's it waiting for.

They get their answer when the main Dreads appear and the sphere begins to move, tentacles pop out of the many holes on its body that turn into jagged spikes.

Jura cringed, "A s-sea urchin? Are we seriously gonna fight that thing?"

Meia ordered, "Calm down, Jura. All teams, check your position. Commence the attack!" The Dreads swarm in as the sea urchin's spikes begin to turn

Barnette fires a pair of missiles at it but the spikes act like a shield, protecting it from harm.

Jura asked, "Those needles block our shots. Now what?" The enemy makes an attack run on the crew's ship.

Ezra gasped, "It's gonna hit us!"

Magno barked, "Young man!"

Bart replied, "I'm trying!" He tries to maneuver the ship but the sea urchin was too quick, its spikes grind against the ship's hull then comes around, damaging the left wing and Bart gets a cut on his arm.

The sea urchin targets Gryphus Squadron and the pilots fly through the valley of spikes with skill. However, the enemy pulls a surprise when the spikes become pointed and every one of them were launched at the squad. Taken by surprise the Aurelians take evasive action, the spikes rocket past them. Executing a hard left turn, Gryphus Squadron arms their special weapons and fire the missiles roar past Mach 2. The spikes regenerate and block the missiles.

Crux said, "Are you kidding me? That thing can replenish its spikes that quickly?"

Gryphus 1 cried, "Calm down, Crux. Getting frustrated won't help the situation." Radar warning blared inside his cockpit, "Looks like our target brought some friends." Appearing out of the blackness of space was a giant formation of F/A-18E Super Hornets closing in from 12 o'clock.

Crux mumbled, "Oh, shit." Out of the corner of his eye, he spots his squad mates selecting the XLAAM and fires 4 of them at the enemy formation, the targeted fighters turn into fireballs lighting up space.

Gryphus Squadron flies into the swarm, mowing down every single F/A-18E Super Hornet in sight until Gryphus 1 takes evasive action to avoid spikes being launched at him by the sea urchin. Fortunately the spikes weren't guided so he didn't have to worry about them following him.

He retaliates with the M61A2 Vulcan Gatling cannon but like before the spikes regenerate and deflect the bullets. The missile warning sounds and Gryphus 1 releases chaff to jam the radar of an AMRAAM fired by one of the few surviving F/A-18Es and U-turns to get behind the Super Hornet responsible for that missile and fires a Sidewinder on it blowing the plane to smithereens. The sea urchin fires its spikes at Gryphus 1 but this time around he meets them head-on. The wings glow yellow and extend to 6 feet in length, taking on their bladed appearance. He called this attack "Wings of Judgment". The F-22 barrel rolls becoming a tornado of light. The blades cut the spikes into pieces before exploding, Gryphus 1 ignites the afterburners hoping he can eviscerate the sea urchin before its spikes grew back. This never happened because they replenish the ones shot at him so Gryphus 1 had to cancel his attack run and banks right to avoid the jagged spikes.

Crux releases flares to shake off an AIM-9M Sidewinder then somersaults to dodge 20mm bullets from the enemy's Vulcan Gatling cannon. He arms the AMRAAM and waits for the missile lock to turn red and fires, the radar-guided missile rapidly closes the distance to the target and rips the Super Hornet apart. The missile warning sounds and Crux looks both ways to see two AMRAAM missiles coming towards his plane and at the last second dives rapidly in turn causing the missiles to collide. The E-3 Sentry II's sleek design allows it to turn hard right with ease and shoots down the enemy fighters.

Gryphus 1 spots the surviving F/A-18Es in full afterburner racing to their home, images of people screaming, the piercing noise of bombs falling and explosions going on flash through his mind.

He narrowed his eyes, "I won't allow the past repeat itself! I refuse to let these people get slaughtered by you scrap heaps." Lighting up the Raptor's afterburners, Gryphus 1 races to catch up to the Super Hornets.

Selecting the XLAAM he gains a lock and fires all 4 missiles at the enemy fighters.

Barnette fires her Dread's missiles at the sea urchin but the purple sphere uses its tremendous speed to avoid them.

She said, "Damn, that thing's too fast!"

Dita contacted her leader, "Hey Meia, let's call out the alien."

Meia retorted, "No. He's our enemy because he's a man!"

Dita frowned, "But he's a good alien!"

Meia fired back hotly, "What have I told you about relying on others? This is our battle, we fight on our own!" She barrel rolled through gunfire, "We can do this. I don't need a man's help!"

'She's letting her pride get the best of her.' Gryphus 1 thought.

Inside Reg Central, Hibiki struggled to get out of his seat, "Don't fly like that! Come on, get me out of this!" He feels the restraints come off and looks over his shoulder to see Gascogne holding the remote to the restraints.

She held out her hand, "Come on, it's time for you to see what we stagehands do." They board the Reg delivery ship and the vessel accelerates through space.

The arms attached to the underside of the delivery ship grab hold of the Dreads.

Gascogne said, "Resupply commencing, let's finish this in one go." The screen in front of her shows Gascogne the progress of the resupply, the pilots watch in satisfaction.

Hibiki gasped, "Watch out!" Gascogne changes the angle of her ship so that the armored part takes the impact of the sea urchin's jagged spikes.

The young pilot asked, "This is what you guys do?"

Gascogne answered, "I told you the pilots aren't out there on their own." The screen showed the progress reach 100%, "Delivery complete. Give them hell, girls!" The Dreads return to battle.

Hibiki noticed something, "Hold on, there's still one left."

Gascogne smirked, "Oh, is that so? Well, we brought it out here so we'd might as well use it!" Hibiki hops into his Vanguard and joins the battle.

Gryphus 1 combines his F-22 with Mia's Dread to create Amaterasu and the machine aims its twin-barreled plasma rifle, the beams charge up and is let loose at the oncoming cube-types. The targets disintegrate from the beams' energy. Out of the corner of his eye, he watches the Vanguard get clipped by the spike and unintentionally flying toward Meia's Dread.

Meia started, "There's no way..."

Hibiki finished, "...I'm gonna let this thing beat me!" The same bright light appears and the Vanguard lands inside a compartment on the Dread and the machine flips over, flexing its talons and a visor opens to show aqua green eyes.

The Vandread resembled a silver eagle.

Barnette gasped, "Did you see that?"

Jura cupped her face in awe, "It's so cool!" Inside the Vandread, the pilots come to and Hibiki's back comes into contact with Meia's breasts, shocking them.

Hibiki barked, "What do you think you're doing?"

Meia pushed him, "What do you think you're doing in here? I never asked for your help so get off me!"

Hibiki retorted, "News flash, if I could I would have!" The cockpit shook as the Vandread got struck by the spike, "We don't have time for this." They grasp the control spheres and the new Vandread races through space, its speed allowing it to keep pace with the sea urchin.

Barnette commented, "That acceleration's incredible!"

Hibiki groaned from the speed, "I don't know how much longer I can withstand this!"

Meia asked him, "You sure complain a lot, do you?"

Hibiki answered, "Shut up. It's the proof that I'm still here."

Meia said, "Let's see how long that remains true." She presses her foot down on the thrust pedal putting the Vandread's speed to maximum output.

It weaves through the volley of spikes and gets behind the sea urchin. A blue-green aura envelops the Vandread and it charges toward the sea urchin, plowing right through it and emerging through the other side. Its eyes glow as the enemy explodes.

Gascogne closed her eyes, smirking and arms crossed, "I guess it's safe to say you're not meant to be part of the stagehands." Inside Vandread Meia, the pilots breathe heavily after the battle.

Hibiki said, "Man, it's a real mess out there."

Meia cried, "Never we'd agree on anything. Do you understand now? You can't win every battle with just your Vanguard."

Hibiki told her, "The same thing goes for you and your Dread, don't you think?" Meia doesn't answer but she understood that he had a point.

The pilots return to the ship now that the enemy's defeated.

Dita whined, "This is so unfair! Mr. Alien was supposed to combine only with me."

Jura said, "You know something? If the Vanguard combined with me, my Dread might become something elegant too. Awesome!" The fighters land one by one and power down the engines.

Eugene exits the E-3 Sentry II and removes his helmet, looking up he sees Kyle walking up to him.

Kyle commented, "You did great for your first dogfight, Eugene. With a little more training you could become a formidable fighter pilot." Alex hid a smile at the look on Eugene's face getting a praise from Kyle was considered an honor because it's sort of hard to impress him.

Later that day, it was time to rename the ship.

Magno asked, "The ship's name?"

Parfet said through the screen on Pyoro, "Yes, we compiled a list of names and we want you to choose one of them."

Magno smiled, "You want me to choose?"

Parfet nodded, "Just as long as you pick a fancy one." Her face gets replaced by the name list.

Magno looked through it until one name caught her eye, "Hm, the 'Nirvana'. Not a bad suggestion, whose idea was it?"

Pyoro smiled, "It was the commander's idea and Alex added his vote to it."

Magno announced proudly, "Then it's decided. From now on this ship will be called the Nirvana!"

Parfet appeared on the screen and sighed, "I should've known." Hibiki returns to the brig and sits down on his bed.

He said, "That woman's a pain in the ass."

Bart knelt, holding a pellet out, "Cheer up. Have one of these."

Hibiki frowned, "Not really interested."

Bart blinked, "Really?" Dita came in and flicked the pellet away, "What'd you do that for?" Dita opens the box lunch she made and Pyoro holds Hibiki's mouth open for the redhead to place some of the food in and the white robot forcibly makes him chew and swallow.

Hibiki donned a comical look on his face, "What is this stuff?"

Dita asked, "You like it?" Hibiki grabs the boxed lunch and devours the rest like there was no tomorrow.

The redhead clasped her hands together, "Mr. Alien, can you combine only with me? Please?"

Hibiki paused to answer, "Would you stop calling that?" The black-haired teen licked the remains out of the box.

Parfet launches the new message pods. All the crew can do now is pray that the pods will reach their home planets.

A/N: Chapter 4 done.

I decided to give Eugene an updated, more efficient version of the E-3 Sentry. As described it can be used as multi-role aircraft, not just for AWACS purposes.

Kyle didn't fall for Meia's attempt of entering a verbal exchange with her and the resulting potential fist fight didn't go well. He could seriously hurt Meia if he wanted but chose not to.

Kyle, Alex and Eugene are getting along with some of the crew but still cautious around the others.

Read and review.

Stay tuned for chapter 5.

Vader 23A