Chapter 5: Tension

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

The Odyssey of Discovery: Gryphus 1

As the Nirvana continues its journey back to Tarak/Mejale territory, it comes across a desert planet.

Inside the conference room, BC and Magno study it.

Magno said, "This planet appears to be dead."

BC suggested, "I believe we should conduct a ground investigation we might gain some information about our enemy."

Magno closed her eyes to contemplate her answer and opened them to look at her second in command, "I'm not concerned about you going, BC it's the others I'm worried about." The platinum-haired woman understands her concern. The crew was still adjusting to the men being among them however, two people had Magno on edge: Meia and Kyle.

Ever since their little encounter prior to engaging the sea urchin, Meia's attitude toward Kyle Masterson went from cold to downright hostile. She tried pulling rank or put him in his place but Kyle countered saying that he was a squadron leader like her and while he doesn't completely trust her, he will protect the crew including her along with Alex and Eugene. At one point Meia challenged Kyle to a fist fight but Kyle refused saying that it'd serve no purpose and she would make a fool out of herself, all the while donning a stoic expression something that irked the Dread leader to no end. Yet a small part of her wanted to know more about the mysterious pilot that is Kyle Masterson.

After that confrontation Kyle decides to run an analysis on his F-22 Raptor to see what changes it underwent. What he found took him by surprise. In addition to having the ability to combine with the Dreads, the F-22 could turn sharper than before, its engine output had increased dramatically making it possibly the fastest aircraft in this alternate universe, the ammo capacity for his stealth fighter's weapons increased by 50% enabling him to stay in battle longer.

Hibiki finished up maintenance on the Vanguard and closed the hatch, sighing, "These women are slave drivers, aren't they partner? Man, they don't understand how hard this is." Dita sneaks up the stairs and shoots a heart at him, causing Hibiki to lose his footing and fall onto the platform.

He sighed again, "Maybe I'm not eating right."

Dita walked up to him, "Are you okay?" Little did Hibiki know he had a nice view up Dita's skirt making him uncomfortable for some reason and gulps.

The Tarak teen gets up and makes his way to the infirmary where Duero places sensors on his face.

Hibiki felt Duero's hand travel up his thigh and smacked it away, "What do you think you're doing?"

Duero answered calmly, "Examining you, that's all." Alex, who was with Duero, gives the doctor a look that said "What the fuck are you talking about"?

Hibiki hugged his legs, "Keep your hands to yourself!" He backs up when Duero comes closer.

Duero studied him, "You seem exhausted."

The Vanguard pilot sighed, "Well, going out there and fighting side by side with the women is no picnic, doc. Of course I'm tired someone has to protect them."

Duero smirked, "So you're fighting out there to protect the women, is that it?"

Hibiki twiddled with his fingers, "Well, it's more complicated than that. I'm stronger than they are...and since the women are weak..." His pulse rate increases as a result.

Duero suggested, "Let's stop talking about the females."

Paiway popped out of nowhere and wondered, "What's this? A video game?"

Duero asked her in surprise, "You've never seen a pulse meter? They're pretty common on Tarak."

Paiway replied, "What's it to you if I haven't? Anyway, all health problems can be fixed in the jacuzzi!"

Duero repeated, "Ja-cuzzi?" Inside the mentioned place Jura was being attended to by a bunch of therapists.

Jura said, "Space combat always damages my hair."

One therapist told her, "Don't worry. I'm here to revitalize your beauty, Jura."

Jura smiled, "Thanks, I don't want to fight unless I'm at my finest." She then noticed her leader sitting in the bath, "Hey Meia, are you trying to lose some more weight?"

Meia answered, "Excess body fat gets in the way of combat."

The blonde-haired pilot joked, "But you won't have any breasts left at this rate."

Meia smiled, "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself, Jura." At the cafeteria, Dita looks over the meals being displayed on the conveyor belt until she selects the one Barnette was going to have.

She made her displeasure known, "Dita, that's loaded with calories!"

Dita smiled, "That's all right, Barnette. He told me he wasn't eating right." The redhead leaves as Barnette blinks in confusion.

Video screens popped up as Belvedere stated, "Heat signatures confirmed."

Ezra added, "There's a sand storm raging so I can't really tell but there appears to be an artificial structure."

BC suggested, "Let's send a ground team, there might something worthwhile down on the surface."

Magno sighed, "Our kitchen is running low on supplies." She donned a smile on her face, "Oh well, we'll have to do things like old fashion pirates."

BC nodded with a smile, "Thank you, captain. Begin monitoring weather, let's decide the best time to send out a party!"

Belvedere responded, "Roger." Kyle walks through the hallway when he hears the PA system beep.

BC said through it, "Attention crew. We're going to investigate a planet, all available pilots will begin simulation training onboard the Vanguards."

Inside the infirmary Hibiki sat up, "What?! Women are going to be using the Van-Types?" At the hanger, the assigned pilots watch the engineers paint the Vanguards all bunch of colors. Some were a single color while other had mixed color schemes. One had a rainbow color scheme, much to Alex's chagrin. He can understand the battleship gray color was dull but the engineers didn't have to go overboard with the paint.

Barnette groaned, "I know it's impossible to get to the surface with the Dreads but still doesn't mean I like using a Vanguard." She brings up a valid point. While the Dreads were designed for space combat they were never designed for surface operations like the upcoming mission.

Jura looked at the red Vanguard, "I don't care what turns out just as long as turns into something beautiful." Bart appears out of nowhere and tells the pilots some made up story of him being involved with the development of the Vanguards, something that Gryphus Squadron didn't buy. Bart's little story telling gets cut short when a lift collides with his head knocking the helmsman to the ground.

An engineer scolded, "What do you think you're doing, some of us are trying to work so stay out of the way!"

Bart answered in a dazed voice, "Okay." Alex places a hand over his mouth to stifle the laughter threatening to escape.

Hibiki rushes through the door and spots Dita about to spray his Vanguard with a paint spot.

He shouted, "Wait!" He jumped in the way of the paint and half of his body got covered in paint before he get got up, shooting a glare at Dita, "What do you think you're doing?"

Dita said starry-eyed, "Wow, a pink alien! How cute!"

Hibiki sighed, "She's nuts." Alex lost control of himself and rolled around on the floor laughing his ass off, the crew members in the hanger stare at him like he finally lost it. Alex waves their concern off saying that he's perfectly sane.

Throughout the course of the simulation training, results came out.

Alex and Kyle completed the training without problems thanks to their experience as combat pilots, Eugene struggled throughout the simulation but he's steadily getting better, Jura and Barnette surprisingly got the hang of it.

They were currently simulating a space battle and they had trouble with the controls since there was no gravity in space.

Jura growled in frustration, "I've had enough! What's wrong with this thing? Why can't it move with more elegance? I'm out of here!" She pushes the button to open the simulation pod.

Hibiki, Duero, Pyoro and Kyle from the observation room.

Pyoro asked her, "Don't you need permission?"

Jura replied, "Oh, shut up!"

Duero stated, "Guess I'll be needed on the bridge."

Hibiki said, "See? There's no way a woman can ever pilot a Van-type." That earned him a smack on the back of his head from Alex, "What was that for?"

Alex informed him, "These women haven't piloted a Vanguard in their lives, Hibiki so don't judge them needlessly. Give them time and practice and they can master the Vanguards." Kyle along with Duero notice Meia's vital signs higher than normal.

She was breathing heavily, sweating and looked withdrawn and frightened. Kyle concluded these signs meant one thing: Meia has claustrophobia, fear of enclosed spaces.

The simulation screen showed "Died in combat, simulation over". Meia slams her fist against the wall and panted as sweat dripped from her face.

Duero appeared on a screen, "Are there medical overrides on Mejale?" Meia looked at his image, "On Tarak, doctors have the authority to ground pilots when they're in situations like yours. Do you want that?"

Meia retorted, "Of course not!" She hated the idea of this man thinking Meia was weak.

Duero advised, "In that case, I recommend you switch your pit monitor to full screen that will help reduce the stress to your body."

Meia fired back, "Keep your advice to yourself. I don't anyone's help least of all you. I'll be fine, thank you very much." Kyle shakes his head, this woman's pride was proving to be her Achilles heel. He needs to do something before that costs Meia her life. He exits the observation room and Duero follows him.

Bart read an instruction book, "Let's see. 'How to use the ten in one knife shield'. Following the will of the pilot in sync with the electronic pulse beam." He closed the book, "Oh, I can do this!"

Hibiki yawned and said to him, "Whatever. Just keep doing whatever it is you're doing." He suddenly finds himself buried in-between Jura's breasts.

She purred seductively, "Hello there. The next time we go out, you'll combine with me. Hope you keep that in mind." She leaves allowing Hibiki to breathe again.

He blinked in confusion, "What was that about?"

'If only that kid knew. Most men would die happy from having their faces sandwiched between a woman's breasts.' Alex thought in amusement.

Duero arrives in the simulation room in time to see the pod open, Meia rested against her arms as she struggles to get her breathing under control.

The young doctor said, "The change of your pulse rate seemed to have originated from something psychosomatic in nature. Do you know what could have caused it?"

Meia smirked, "Your observation couldn't be more wrong. It's obviously fatigue, doctor."

Duero narrowed his eye slightly, "An adamant denial. This case is rather serious."

Meia stood up, "It's just fatigue!" She struggled to exit the pod and almost fell over and refused Duero's help, glaring at him, "There's nothing I hate more than nosy people." She walks away.

Pyoro sighed, "I guess I'll never understand humans."

Duero said, "But that's why they are so interesting, don't you agree?"

The white robot shook its head, "Not really."

Duero smirked, "Fighting primal instincts, keeping desires restrained, humans are the only ones who can do that. They truly are fascinating creatures." Meia nears the exit door when she sees Kyle leaning against some stacked crates looking at her with serious eyes. For a moment, Meia finds herself being unnerved by those intense blue-gray eyes of his before she snaps back to normal.

Meia asked, "What do you want?"

Kyle answered, "You better sit this mission out, Meia. If you went on this mission you'll wound up getting yourself killed."

Meia retorted, "If this is about the simulation, it was only fatigue, Kyle!" She forced his name out with spite which Kyle noticed.

The Aurelian calmly stated, "You're horrible at lying, Meia. You perform exceptionally well inside your Dread because it's more open spaced but within the confines of a Vanguard's cockpit you freeze up. You have claustrophobia. Deny all you want but the fact is your fear of enclosed spaces will only put the ground team in jeopardy. That's why I recommend you sit this mission out, not only for the safety of the ground team but for your own as well. Heed my advice, Meia." Kyle turns around to exit the simulation room.

Hibiki popped up on a screen, "Old lady, you there?"

From her seat on the bridge, Magno replied, "There's an old lady right here. What is it, little one?"

Hibiki barked, "Tell all your people to stop messing with the Van-types! I mean this is really starting to annoy me. Anyway..." He panics at the sound of Dita's voice and cut the transmission short.

BC blinked in confusion while Magno chuckled, "Ironic, ain't it? It's gotten livelier ever since we captured those men." In the nirvana's garden, Dita watches Hibiki eat one of her boxed lunches she made earlier, when Hibiki sensed her watching he changes his direction but Dita mirrors it.

Hibiki asked, "What are you looking at?"

Dita shook her head, "Nothing, I just want to watch you." Satisfied he resumed eating while Dita smiled, "Seeing you eat that makes me happy." Paiway snaps a couple of pictures from her hiding spot in the bushes and later speaks with Jura who was showering.

Paiway said, "The funny thing was that he was under Dita's control, all because of one boxed lunch."

Jura purred, "I see." Barnette wore an apron to replace her shoulder pads as she applied some sauce to the steak being cooked in the pan.

Barnette angrily asked, "That's it? That's the reason I'm doing this cooking?"

Jura examined her fingernails, "It's so I can combine. You love me when I'm beautiful, don't you Barnette?"

'What an amazing world you live in, Jura.' Barnette thought.

She spotted a bottle of fiery hot sauce and an evil smile formed on her face, secretly applying it to the steak, "There we go, all done." She places the food a platter then on a food cart.

Jura smiled, "That's why I love you, Barnette. Let's hurry up and find him, I can't wait to see the look on his face."

'Neither can I!' Barnette thought.

Alex enters the kitchen in time to see Bart spewing fire from his mouth, looking at the frying pan he suspects the helmsman must have eaten a piece of the steak that had the fiery hot sauce on it resulting in the puffy red lips he had. Feeling sorry for the man, he grabs a glass and opens the fridge to grab a carton of milk. Next he fills the glass and hands it to Bart, the man looks hesitant.

Alex said, "Drink that, Bart it will douse the inferno you're feeling at the moment. I do the same thing when I eat something spicy." Taking his words to heart, Bart chugs the milk down and to his surprise he feels the heat fading.

Bart looked at the pilot in surprise, "Huh, it actually worked! Thank you, Alex." Now he has to find some way to return his lips to normal. He exits the kitchen by the time Dita enters with a pair of ice cream cones in hand and Ezra emerges from the storage area holding some lemons.

Alex took one of the cones Dita offered to him and starts eating it, feeling that cursed brain freeze happen. To counter this, he puts his tongue up to the upper jawline inside his mouth. The relief is automatic, the icy sting dies off (I was shocked when told this but it actually works).

Ezra commented, "Men sure are weird."

Dita noticed the lemons, "Why do you have those, Ezra?"

The gentle bridge bunny admitted, "I've had the craving for something sour lately." Dita dons a cute look on her face while Alex chuckles, he knows the craving was part of Ezra's pregnancy.

After eating the cone, Alex wiped his mouth before saying, "I'm sure you will have a healthy baby, Ezra. Your mother would be proud of you."

Ezra smiled brightly, "Thank you, Alex." The alarm sounds, signaling to begin the mission. Dita throws her uneaten ice cream cone in the sink and heads for the hanger to join the others. Alex and Eugene decided to stay on the Nirvana should the enemy choose to attack the ship.

Kyle leads the ground team toward the desert planet in his black Vanguard, Jura, Barnette and Dita rode an entry vehicle similar to a bobsled.

Jura said, "I'm not letting you get away that easily."

Dita told her, "The only person Mr. Alien is going to combine with is me!"

Jura fired back, "You be quiet!"

Barnette hung her head, "Hopeless." The leading Vanguards point their re-entry shields in front of him to deflect the superheated gases created by friction, once through the atmosphere the heat shields turn into umbrellas to slow their rate of descent the bobsled the other members used disengages and they deploy their umbrellas. The boosters activate to soften their landing, however only Barnette and Gryphus 1 touch down correctly as the others land on their backs or in the case of Hibiki crashes into a sand hill.

Meia arrives in hanger too late for the mission.

Pyoro said, "Don't push yourself! Won't they be okay without you, Meia?"

Meia replied, "This shouldn't have happened. I'm responsible for all of them including Kyle!"

Pyoro informed with regret, "But the drop ship was made for one use only, there aren't no more."

Meia's eyes widened, "What?" Back on the desert planet's surface, the recon team survey the place.

Jura said in a bored tone, "This place looks deserted, huh?"

Barnette agreed, "There was no reason for Meia to come with us." Gryphus 1's gut was telling him a different story. The scanners onboard the Nirvana picked up signatures on the surface but they couldn't see anything worthwhile. No structure, nothing.

Dita said in awe, "Wow, look at this sand!"

Hibiki told her, "Wait, don't you go on your own." His Vanguard loses its footing on the sand and trips, sliding down the sand dune before coming to rest.

Dita asked in concern, "Mr. Alien, are you okay?"

Hibiki groaned, "Come to think of it, this is my first time using my Vanguard on land. I feel pretty embarrassed." He flinches when he sees Jura's red Vanguard looming over his.

Jura said coyly, "Hey, can we hurry up a little?"

Dita told her, "Hold it! The only person Mr. Alien's gonna do it with is me!"

Jura retorted, "Wait just a minute! Who do you think you're talking to?"

The redhead blurted out, "You just can't!"

Fed up with their arguing, Hibiki demanded, "Will the two of you knock it off?!" His takes off and when he reaches a certain altitude, a sensor picks up his unit's signature and shoots a laser at him, shooting him down but Gryphus 1 catches him. Looking up the Aurelian watches as a laser grid forms trapping them inside. Suddenly the dust whips up and attacks them.

Duero noticed the change of their vital signs from his control console seat on the Nirvana's bridge, "Their pulse rates are rising, something's happening down there."

BC contacted the recon team, "Ground team, come in! What's happening?"

Barnette told her, "The sand's attacking us!"

The platinum-haired woman's eyes widened in disbelief, "What? The sand is attacking?" Down on the planet's surface, the sand begins to cover Hibiki's Vanguard.

Hibiki asked, "What's up with this sand?"

Jura said, "What is this stuff? It's almost as if it's alive!"

On the Nirvana's bridge BC ordered, "Run an analysis! Quickly!" A gray Vanguard makes it through the atmosphere and discards its umbrella.

Its pilot said, "This is Meia, does anyone copy?"

Duero watched Meia's vital signs appear on the console screen, "She's pushing herself." Alarms blare as the ship's radar detects enemy fighters closing in from 12 o'clock high, prompting all pilots to scramble.

Gryphus 2 swiftly puts his helmet on and jumps into his F-22 to take off, Crux follows him out.

The enemy formation was a mixture of MiG-29 Fulcrums, F-16 Falcons and cube-types.

Gryphus 2 said, "I know you girls don't like taking orders from a man but for this mission you'll have to put up with me. Crux, you're on me, Mia, take control of B team. Protect the Nirvana, everyone. Move out!" He gets a "roger" from the pilots.

Back down on the planet, the sand continues to accumulate on the Vanguards no matter what they do.

Hibiki's Vanguard falls to the ground.

He said, "The hell? I can't move!"

Dita offered, "Mr. Alien, try to hang on I'll see what I can do to help."

Hibiki told her, "No, that'll only make the sand harder!" Jura flies her Vanguard over and uses the central exhaust vent to blow the sand off.

Hibiki commented, "Nice work."

Jura smiled suggestively, "And for my reward, you know what to do."

Hibiki said, "Are you still going on about that whole combining stuff? Haven't you figured it out that I can only combine with your Dread? How am I supposed to combine my Van-Type with another Van-Type, huh?"

Look of disbelief formed on Jura's face, "You're kidding! If I had known that I wouldn't have signed up for this mission!" Meia's hands grip the controls of her Vanguard as she brings it to a landing, shuddering upon landing and her vision turns red as the effects of claustrophobia kick in.

Duero contacted her, "Meia, listen to me. You need to turn on your monitors! Meia, can you hear me?"

Meia said in a raspy tone, "He should mind his own business." She succeeded in turning on the monitors then her eyes widened when Meia spotted something ahead of her, "What is that?" She only has enough time to gasp when the sand comes toward her, knocking the Vanguard down and starts covering it with sand.

'What should I do? I'm scared!' Meia thought in fear holding her head.

Kyle asked, "What did you say?"

Duero said, "Meia landed on the planet somewhere. I've lost contact with her minutes ago!" Kyle tightens his grip on the control sticks. His team was under attack by Sand Vanguards after realizing they walked into a trap and now Meia went against his advice of sitting this mission out and now she's located somewhere on the planet.

Kyle ordered, "Grr, we don't have time for this! Barnette, go find Meia please."

Barnette objected, "Why should I take..."

Gryphus 1 cut her off, "Because if you don't her death will haunt you for the rest of your life. Another reason is what do you think the crew will respond to Meia's death they will probably blame you for it. Is that what you want? Tormented by your guilt to the end of your days? If not, then get going." Barnette wanted to retort but hearing the words repeat in her head, she decided that any further argument would be pointless. She heads out to search for Meia.

Barnette locates Meia's Vanguard and begins to shovel the sand off when the pilot suddenly panics, punching the purple Vanguard and leap into the air to touch the laser grid, a loud alarm echoes through the sky.

Barnette asked, "Now what?" On the Nirvana's bridge, a timer appears on the bridge control consoles.

Belvedere alerted, "A self-destruct system's been activated. 300 seconds to detonation."

BC ordered, "Ground team, did you get that? You need to leave now!" Back with the recon team, they find themselves surrounded by Sand Vanguards.

Hibiki said, "Yeah, we'd be out of here if we weren't trapped!" He turned around to spot another enemy unit, "Another one?"

He readied one of his unit's swords when Barnette stopped him, "Hold on, that thing is Meia! The sand got hold of her unit and is controlling it!" Inside the gray Vanguard, Meia was almost catatonic as her claustrophobia had taken over.

Hibiki's voice snapped her out of it, "Hey! What are you doing, napping in there? Hurry up and get that stuff off you!" He tackles her machine to the ground.

Meia said in a weak voice, "Stop it. Just...forget about me!"

Hibiki shook his head, "Not gonna happen! You may exist just to piss me off but I'd never forgive myself if you died here. Stop acting selfish!"

Gryphus 1 told him, "Hibiki, those tanks near you contain liquid nitrogen. Burst them open, the sub-zero temperatures should deal with the Sand Vanguards."

Hibiki nodded, "You got it, Gryphus 1!" He throws one of the Vanguard's swords into the tanks, bursting them open and the sub-zero mist comes out.

Jura shivered, "What are you doing? It's getting cold in here, I'm freezing!" She realized, "Wait a minute. Freezing?" Jura watches as the enemy units become brittle and crumble. The sand over Meia's Vanguard cracks and breaks apart, allowing her to see the light of day again.

Meia said, "To think I'd owe a man my life."

Hibiki told her, "How dumb are you? Man or woman, it doesn't matter. If you have no interest in dying then take my hand!" Meia makes her decision and her machine grasps the Vanguard's hand.

The timer reaches zero and the bridge crew watch explosions taking place. For several minutes they feel the ground team didn't make it but Duero sees their vital signs reappear on the console and looks out the observation window to see the Vanguards gaining distance from the planet as the Dreads and Gryphus Squadron mop up the last of the enemy attack force.

Ezra said in relief, "Every unit is safe and counted for."

Belvedere stated, "We've obtained data from the enemy."

BC ordered, "Read it."

The blonde-haired bridge bunny looked at her, "You want me to read it?"

The commander gave her a stern look, "Didn't you hear my order? I said read it!"

Belvedere said, "Sorry, I'll read it now. 'Attention: This year's crops are red blood cells, white cells, platelets, lymph cells, etc. All blood components are in good condition'. This is where the data ends."

BC whipped around to face Magno, "Captain, t-this means..."

The pirate leader said in disgust, "It appears what the enemy wanted was to harvest us for their own purposes. It's safe to assume from this information is that they think of us as nothing more than vegetables! If there's one lesson we have learned is that we're facing truly formidable opponents." The Vanguards are put into their storage units as the pilots recover from the mission.

'Being saved by someone is bad enough but being saved by a man is a disgrace. And of all them it had to those two!' Meia thought hatefully.

She heard Hibiki moan when he came out of his Vanguard, "My head feels like it's gonna split open. I think I caught a cold." He looked at Meia who turned her head away, "What's wrong with her?" He sneezes again.

Footsteps alert Meia to someone approaching her location, looking up she locks eyes with Kyle who stared at her with an unreadable expression before it changed.

Kyle growled, "You fucking idiot!" He throws a right hook that sends Meia careening across the hanger floor. Kyle was normally a calm, restrained man but what Meia did was the last straw.

Meia sat up, nursing her cheek, "What was that for?"

Kyle glared at her darkly, "The better question is what in God's name were you thinking? I asked you to sit the mission out because of your claustrophobia and you ignored it. I have never seen such insubordination in my life!"

Meia fired back, "I am leader of the Dreads and as such it's my responsibility to see that everyone comes back alive."

Kyle's glare darkened, "Listen carefully because I won't repeat myself. When placed under my command, you are to follow my orders. You were not put in charge for that mission and your pride almost got us killed. It was only through my quick thinking that we survived. Don't bother making some excuse, Meia because I don't buy it. If you don't change your ways you won't live much longer. I have seen many pilots get killed due to their arrogance or pride, some by my hand and some by the enemy. I have been in two wars, Meia. You've been in what, one? Had you faced me in a dogfight the only thing you'd be hearing is the missile warning going off and a missile coming towards you. Your life would be extinguished before you could even blink! I'm not saying this out of arrogance but of fact! Do something like that again and you won't have to worry about the enemy killing you because I'll spare them the headache and do it myself. You do well to remember that, you stupid bitch!" His eyes become that glowing red and his pupils slitted. The other pilots who were there felt their blood freeze in their veins from the killer intent radiating off Kyle.

Kyle leaves the hanger area not wanting to be anywhere near Meia.

Alex walked to the Dread leader sighing, "While I believe Kyle could have handled that better you have only yourself to blame, Meia. This whole propaganda about men being your worst enemy is bogus. This might be just my opinion but I think you're jealous of him. You're jealous because Kyle can work in ways you can't and that eats you alive on the inside. I have known Kyle since my days in the Aurelian Air Force Academy and we have been through thick and thin during the Aurelian War. If it wasn't for Kyle, I wouldn't be here. Besides that, Meia he...he's experienced tragedy like you'd never believe. He hides that pain under a stoic mask. A mask that I fear is beginning to break."

Meia's expression changed to one of curiosity, "What do you mean?"

Alex responded, "You should ask Kyle that. I have tried to ask him why he's like this but he doesn't answer. Maybe you can help him, Meia." That night, Kyle sits on his bed thinking over the events that transpired earlier. In his hand was a photo of five people including himself. The photo was taken on September 2, 2020, one month before Leasath invaded Aurelia.

The first of the three siblings was the oldest at 20 years of age, had black hair that went past her shoulders, blue-gray eyes, stood at 5'11, slender figure, creamy white skin and 38C cup breasts. Her attire was composed of a blue V-neck shirt that exposed decent amount of cleavage, black shorts and purple Adidas shoes. Her name was Jessica Masterson.

The second one was Kyle himself at the same age he is now and wore a red T-shirt, blue shorts and brown sandals.

The third girl was 17 years old, short black hair cut in a boyish style that was straight at the front and fanned out in the back, stood at 5'6, fair skin tone, blue-gray eyes, athletic figure and 34C cup breasts. She wore a white shirt, tan khaki shorts and dark blue shoes. Her name was Sara Masterson.

The fourth girl was the youngest at 5 years of age, blonde hair tied in twin pigtails, brown eyes, fair skin and wore a pink shirt, blue shorts and pink shoes. Her name was Bianca Masterson.

The last person was their mother. She was very beautiful at 37 years old, stood at 5'9, pale skin, shoulder-length black hair, 38C cup breasts, blue-gray eyes and toned figure that still made men drool. Her attire was composed of a light purple blouse, blue shorts and red Nike shoes. Her name's Michelle Masterson.

They looked so happy in the picture, nothing could take it away.

Tears fell from Kyle's face as he said, "It's not...it's not fair, it should have been me not you. You girls did nothing to have your lives taken, there was still many places to go. Mother, Jessica, Sara, Bianca, I miss you so much. What have I done to deserve this? I've only fought for what I believe in. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" He hugs the picture to his chest as he cries harder.

A/N: Chapter 5 done.

The crew discovered a desert planet and sent a recon team to gain some information on their enemy which turns out they wanted to harvest the crew for some purpose.

Meia was asked to stay behind due to her fear of enclosed space but she didn't listen and Kyle wasn't happy about it. In response he gave her a warning.

Read and review.

Stay tuned for chapter 6.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Vader 23A