bloodyknight85: Really? I never read any of the SEED side stories, so all I knew was his name. But your wrong, he isn't trying to hide his past. His reasons will be revealed in the next chapter.

Phase Twelve: Beyond the Clouds of Sand

"Yes. Victor Cain was just an alias." Victor said. "My real name is John Alaric."

Kira stared at Victor-John, completely shocked. The man that was fighting alongside the Desert Dawn, was really working for ZAFT.

"You traitor!" Cagalli shouted, running at him.

Unfortunately, she forgot that she was in heels and tripped. John offered her a hand up, but scowled at him and got up on her own. John sighed. "I'm not a traitor. Well, not to Desert Dawn anyway. Aside from lying about my name, what I told you was the truth."

"Allow me to properly reintroduce myself. Commander John Alaric, formerly the commander of ZAFT's 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet." he said, preforming the ZAFT salute. "More commonly known as the Black Hawk. Currently working as a mercenary for the Desert Dawn. Andy and I have known each other since we were kids."

John poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip. "Mmm...This is good. Columbian beans with French cream and...Is that kona I taste?"

"Yes. It's one of my latest favorites."

"I can see why. Have you tried adding vanilla to this?"

"No. You know how hard it is to get that stuff."

"True. You know I have some-"

"Are you two just going to sit here and talk about coffee?!" an annoyed Cagalli said.

"And what's wrong with that?" Andrew asked.

"What's wrong?! You've captured us and he's been pretending to a mercenary and now all you what to do is talk about stupid coffee!"

Both men cringed at the words, 'stupid coffee'. "First off, you can insult us all you want, but never insult the coffee." Waltfeld said.

"Secondly, I haven't been pretending to be a mercenary. For the last six months, I have been a mercenary." John added.

"Yeah right!" Cagalli shouted. "You're spying on the Desert Dawn for ZAFT! You probably warned the Tiger of our attack after Tassil!"

John shook his head. "Let me ask you this, if I was a spy, why didn't I warn the Tiger of our ambush or the minefield when we save the Archangel? Why did I argue with those men that foolishly threw away their lives after Tassil? If I'm a spy, why hasn't the Andy attacked the Desert Dawn HQ? Surely if I was a spy, he would have attacked the HQ instead of destroying Tassil." John said. "Finally, why is it that you had no problem with me when I was just a ZAFT soldier, but now that I'm a ZAFT commander, you accuse me of being a spy?"

"I...You..."

"Or could it be that you wish to blame me for yesterday as well?" John said. "Blaming someone for someone else's death in war is pointless. You might as well blame Ahmed for foolishly following the others to a battle that they could not win."

"HOW DARE YOU!!!" Cagalli shouted. "Ahmed and the others were fighting for their families! Their homes! And you blame them for their deaths?!"

"Those that died yesterday, died because they would not listen to reason and went to fight a battle they could not win." John said. "They didn't have to chase after Andy. But they foolishly believed that they could beat him with nothing more than jeeps and rockets."

John sighed. "Andy, send out the kids. I have something to tell in private." he said, before Cagalli could say anything else. "And I don't feel like arguing with the Overemotional Goddess anymore."

"Very well then." Andrew said. "Aisha!"

"Yes Andy..." Aisha said, entering the room and pausing when she saw John. "John...You're alive..."

"Hey Aisha." John said with a wave of his hand. "So have you two finally tied the knot?"

Andrew's face immediately redden. "I take that as a no." John said with amusement. "You two really should. You never know what happens during war."

Andrew cleared his throat. "Aisha, could you take these two outside for a while."

"Yes Andy." she said, escorting the two equally confused teens outside.

"So what's this all about? Why did you fake your death?" Andrew asked his childhood friend.

"Well...It started..."

Aboard the Odin

In Earth Orbit

Six Months Ago

"Sir. We've just received our latest orders." William Stern said as he entered his office.

"Know what the one thing I hate about space is?" John asked, sitting at his desk.

"Sir?"

"Drinking coffee from a bottle." John said, taking a sip of his coffee. "So what's our orders."

"We've been ordered to engage the Earth Forces stationed near the abandoned colonies at L2."

John turned his chair towards the viewport behind his desk. "Why are they giving us such an easy assignment?"

He heard the sound of a gun being cocked. His eyes widened. "They feel that with the recent death of the Black Hawk, that the Fleet should take it easy for awhile." Stern said.

"So...How long have you been working for Patrick Zala?" John said, not even bothering to turn to face him. "When did you decide to betray everything I taught you?"

"You're blind and weak! The Naturals want to wipe us out! They fear us because we will replace them! Junius Seven proved that! And yet you hold onto that outdated code of honor and refuse to see what must be done!"

"No. I see all too well what must be done." John replied, turning his chair around. "It's you who are blind."

Suddenly, the door opened. Diana Kessel and several soldiers, all armed with guns, entered. "Lower your weapon, traitor." Diana coldly said.

"I knew that someone was spying on us for Zala and Creuset. I just didn't know who." John said. "I'm sorry to see that it's you."

"You're fools! All of you!" Stern said. "The Naturals will wipe us out! We have destroy them before they can!"

"Lower your weapon, scum. I won't ask again." Diana said.

"FOR ZAFT AND THE FUTURE OF ALL COORDINATORS!!!"

A shot rang out.

William Stern lifeless body floated backwards. A bullet hole perfectly between his eyes. John sighed, placing his gun on the desk. "Toss him out an airlock. Zala and Creuset know I'm close to something. Close enough that they'd try to have me killed."

The soldiers carried out Stern's body. Diana remained behind. "What are you going to do, sir?"

"There's not much I can do."

"But sir. Stern tried to kill you under Zala's orders."

"Unless we have concrete proof of that, it's useless. It could have been anyone that ordered him to do it. Or he could have been doing under his own beliefs." John replied. "Nor do we have any concrete proof of Zala or Creuset doing anything wrong. Everything is all hearsay and circumstantial."

John paused for a moment. "Besides, the Black Hawk is dead."

"Sir?"

John stood up and headed towards the door. "He was mortally wounded by an Earth Force's spy. The spy was killed by Alaric. And with his dying breath, named Diana Kessel as the new Commander of the 11th Fleet. Congratulations Commander Kessel." he said as the two made their way to the bridge. "But not all of the pilots agreed with that and a few left, becoming mercenaries."

"I don't understand sir. You're faking your death?"

"Yes. Zala and Creuset won't stop until I'm dead. They'll continue to watch the Fleet and harass us. So, I'll give them what they want. I'll continue my investigation by myself while posing as a merc. They'll never expect it."

"I'm sorry to hear about Will. He was like a son to you."

"That is the danger of men like Patrick Zala. They're so consumed by hate, that the hate becomes a virus. And others become infected with it." John said with a sigh.

"So what do you know about Zala's plans?"

"Just over six months ago, Zala started in secret, a project to find a way to cancel out the effects of the N-Jammer."

"He wants to use nukes against the Earth Forces?" Andy asked. "Well, that would certainly end the war."

"I don't think that's all he's planning. Not with his insane hatred of Naturals."

John was quiet for a moment. "I think he's planning genocide. The genocide of all Naturals."

"There's no way that the council would ever let him do that."

"They may not have a choice. Clyne is refusing to publicly fight with Zala out of fear that it will internally destabilize ZAFT. As a result, Zala's running wild and gaining more support through propaganda and fear. Watch a ZAFT news broadcast. It's chalk full of propaganda and fear." John said. "There's something else. Something that truly terrifies me."

"What?"

"I recently found some partially deleted records of communication between some high up in ZAFT and the Earth Forces. Unfortunately, they were too damaged to learn anything of any value."

"A spy?"

"I doubt it. I think that Zala is going to give the Earth Forces the means to cancel out the N-Jammer when they have it. The Earth Forces will use nukes against some ZAFT bases, scaring the people of the PLANTs with the thought of another Bloody Valentine. With that level of fear, they'll let Zala do anything he wants. Even staining everyones' hand with the blood of billions and ultimately dooming all of humanity to extinction. But what I fear is that both sides will be a position to wipe each other out and won't hesitate to do so." John said. "What happened to the honor and civility of war? Without honor and civility, war becomes genocide."

"It was throw out the window when the Bloody Valentine happened." Andrew said. "So what are you planning?"

John didn't say anything immediately. He just drank some more coffee. "I'm hoping to find enough evidence to show the ZAFT Supreme Council before it's too late. That's all I can do." John said. "That's it. You can send the kids back in."

Andrew nodded and called Aisha and the teens back in.

"Now what to do with you three?" Andrew said, his gun once again raised.

"You saved my life and this isn't a battlefield." he said, putting his gun down. "Go. I enjoyed our talk and our reunion, John."

"The next time we meet Andy, it will be on the battlefield. You know that." John said.

"I suppose you're right."

"What's the tally at now?"

"We're dead even at 50 victories apiece."

"Then that battle will be our final battle." John said. "One of us won't be returning."

"It will be an honor to defeat you for the final time." Andrew replied.

"Funny. I was gonna say the same thing. Regardless, at the end of our battle, one shall stand, one shall fall."

"Wait! You're suppose to be best friends. How can you just go ahead and agree to kill each other the next time you see each other?" Kira said, shocked by their vow.

"Because, although we're friends, we're warriors and soldiers at heart." John said. "Neither of us will back down from our duties."

"And neither of us will dishonor the other by not fighting." Andrew said. "That is why we will fight and kill each other when we meet on the battlefield again."

Aisha led Cagalli to a room where she could change in her cleaned clothes. After she had changed, Aisha led them to a waiting jeep to take them back near the restaurant where they had met the Tiger. None of them said anything, but Cagalli glared at John. When they arrived, the jeep dropped them off and left, leaving them.

"Are you done glaring at me?" John said. "Despite what you may think, I'm not your enemy."

"Are you going to tell Sahib and the others who you really are?" Cagalli said, her tone still as rude as ever.

"Of course." John said. "I doubt it will be much secret anymore."

Desert Dawn HQ

A Few Hours Later

"So let me get this straight." Murrue said. "The name Victor Cain is just an alias. You are in fact, John Alaric. Former Commander of ZAFT's 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet. You faked your death and for the last six months, have been fighting as a mercenary."

"Yes." John said. "Though I would ask that you all keep that a secret in your reports for that. If word got out as to who I was, there'd be people on both sides that would seek to kill me."

"You just can't expect us to just omit something like this from our reports." Badgiruel said.

"How about this Captain, I will serve aboard the Archangel until you have no need of me and in exchange, you keep my true identity under wraps." John said. "Even if we succeed here, there'll be a great deal of distance to cover before you reach the Earth Force's HQ. And you need all the help you can get."

Murrue thought it over for a moment. They need any help they could get. "Agreed."

"Captain!" Natarle said. "We can't just just-"

"He makes a valid point." Mu said, interrupting her. "We only have the Strike, the Raven and my Sky Grasper to protect the ship."

"Actually, Petty Officer Dante volunteered to pilot the second Sky Grasper." Natarle said.

"Really? Does her brother know?" Mu asked.

"No." Murrue said. "I told her to tell him before I would allow her to pilot a Sky Grasper."

"Well, that's one battle I wouldn't be a part of." Mu said. "Two mobile suits and Sky Graspers, one of which is being piloted by a someone with no real flight experience. So we need all the help he can get."

"What about you Sahib?" John asked. "What do you have to say about what I was keeping from you?"

"Nothing. It doesn't matter to me. As you've said before, you were just a hired gun. Your personal matters are not my business."

"Well, now that this little business is done with, we can focus on our next task. Getting past the Tiger and to the Red Sea." John said. "Which won't be an easy task."

Sahib nodded. "This area here, is full of caves left over from abandoned mines." he said, pointing at the map. "And this area here, we've laid our landmines. If we're going to use any place for a battlefield, it would be here. Of course, the enemy knows this as well and they'll try to fight us there also."

"And the Tiger will likely have his own trap." John said.

"Are you okay with this?" Mu asked Sahib. "Not counting us, with how well your equipped, you can expect heavy casualties."

"We could do as the Tiger says. Give up and work for them. It's a very tempting offer and we would be assured a peaceful life, like those in Banadiya. Many of our wives have urged us to do so. But a ruler's hand can be fickle and brutal. Our people have suffered for centuries because of this." Sahib said. "We will not rule or be ruled. That is our wish. If we could retake the eastern mines that the Tiger took over, that wish would be fulfilled."

Sahib sighed. "Of course, we'll be taking advantage of your power as well. So that should put your mind at ease."

"Very well then." Murrue said. " I accept your offer to assist us in getting past the Lesseps."

"I was wondering, Captain Ramius, if I could borrow some of your crew hanger for a few hours?"

"Why? What do you have in mind?"

"Just a little something to demoralize the Tiger's men."

The Lesseps

Outside Banadiya

The Next Morning

"They're on the move?" Andrew asked he, Martin and the recently arrived members of the Creuset Team entered the Lesseps Command Deck.

"Yes sir. They're heading north-northwest. And there's something on the legged ship."

"Let's see it. Increase the resolution."

The screen displayed the Archangel and a group of rebel jeeps, heading for the Red Sea. The screen focused on the Archangel and the object on top of it's hull. Atop the Archangel's hull, a black GINN with white trim stood. A pair of white strips ran down each arm and leg and a white hawk in flight was on it's right shoulder. It's hands resting out in front of it on the barrel of a sniper rifle, like a statue of knight. Waiting for battle.

All of the ZAFT soldiers aboard the Lesseps, all of the ZAFT forces for that matter, knew that GINN. It was the Farsight. The GINN of the Black Hawk. Through ZAFT's propaganda, the Farsight, along with the other GINNs of the 11th Fleet were icons of ZAFT's military might. To see it aboard the an Earth Forces warship was...well like a slap in the face.

"No way! Is that the Black Hawk's GINN?" Dearka said.

"It can't be." Yzak said. "It's got to be some kind of trick."

"No." Andrew said with a smile. "It's him. The Black Hawk has thrown down the glove. He's sided with the legged ship and wants to fight me."

An uneasy silence filled the command deck. To face one of their own aces like the Black Hawk in battle was a truly frightening thought.

"They're heading for the Darpadia mines. If I was their commander, I'd do the same." Andrew said. "I wanted to wait a little while longer, but I guess it can't be helped."

"We're going to engage them?" Yzak asked.

"Yea. Get the Lesseps ready for take off. Notify the Petrie and the Henry Carter. One way or another, this ends today."

Aboard the Archangel

An Hour Later

Kira poked his food with his fork with little enthusiasm. Sitting next to him was Lieutenant La Flaga, eating his own lunch. Leaning on the wall behind them was John, drinking his fifth cup of coffee since the Archangel left the Desert Dawn base. Sitting across from them was Chris and Liz, eating their own lunches. When Chris found out that she was going to pilot one of the Sky Graspers, he had been less than pleased. The two had been arguing on and off since last night. In fact, this was the first time, since Liz told her brother, that they've been in same room and not arguing. Though they still weren't speaking to each other.

"Eat up, kid." Mu said, putting a donor kebab on his tray. "Come on. We're gonna going into a battle. You need to eat to keep your strength up."

"I love these things." Mu said, taking a bite out of his own kebab. "You should try it with the yogurt sauce."

Memories of Andrew Waltfeld filled Kira's head. He never imagined that the Desert Tiger would be so...so normal. Had they met in different circumstances, they easily could have become friends.

"What's the matter?" Mu asked.

"It's just the Tiger said the same thing." Kira replied.

Mu nodded. "It's better not to personally know your enemies. Forget about him."

John chuckled. "He's not a machine. Telling him to forget about Andy is pointless."

"Then what would you recommend?"

"To mentally prepare himself to fight and defeat Waltfeld." John said. "Telling him to do otherwise is pointless. The only way we can win here is to defeat the Tiger."

"But how can say that?! He's your best friend!" Kira said.

Everyone stared at John. John simply shrugged. "Because if I don't, then the odds of you succeeding is that much much smaller." John said. "There are times when we all must choose between what is easy and what must be done. I could take the easy path and not participate in this battle. But like I said, that would decrease your odds of success. You need my strength to aid you in this battle. I will take the hard road and fight my friend. And if need be, kill him. I accept that."

The sound of explosions filled their ears. "It's starting." John said, downing the last of his cup and heading for door. "Good luck out there."

Everyone rushed out of the mess hall, towards the hanger.

Kira finished zipping up his flightsuit as Mu argued over one of the comm consoles with one of the hanger crews. "That's right. Launcher on Unit 1, Sword on Unit 3. Why? Because it's faster for me to switch fighters than it is to reload!"

Mu sighed as he closed the comm channel. He turned to Kira. "I hate to say this, but we just can't count on the strength of those guerrillas. I'd wish you good luck, kid, but the way who've been fighting recently, I don't think we'll have too much problems."

Mu turned to Liz, now wearing a light blue flightsuit. "And you, stay on my wing and be careful. A real battle is far different from a simulator."

Liz nodded. "Got it."

John climbed in the Farsight's cockpit. He powered his machine up. It's crimson eye glowing. The Farsight lifted it's rifle up. "Archangel, Sahib, hold back for a moment. I wish to try something. Don't deploy the rest of the mobile suits and the fighters until I say."

There was a pause. "Very well." Murrue said.

"Attention ZAFT forces." John said, opening his comm to all channels. "This Commander John Alaric. I wish to speak with Commander Waltfeld."

Andy and Aisha were sitting in the cockpit of the LaGOWE when the call came. "Sir." DeCosta paused, unsure of how to say the next part.

"What is it, DeCosta?"

"The pilot of the black GINN, claiming to be John Alaric, is sending a message to our forces."

"Hold deploying the mobile suits and patch it through."

"Commander Waltfeld, as you know, I am a member of a group called the Desert Dawn. We are fighting to free these lands from the tyranny of any outsiders." John said. "However, neither of us truly wish to see lives needlessly. I propose we settle this with a duel. Just you and me. If I when, all ZAFT forces must withdraw from this area permanently and allow us to pass. If you win, the Earth Forces warship will surrender without a fight."

Needless to say, just about everyone was shocked by John's words. All of them silently waited for the Tiger's response.

"That's a tempting offer, John." Andrew replied. "But my answer is no."

"As much as I would like to battle you one last time in a duel, I have my duties and responsibilities as an officer of ZAFT. I cannot indulge in a duel here." he explained.

John nodded. "You have, of course, made the right choice." he said.

"Now! Deploy the mobile suits!" both men shouted.

The Lesseps and the Petrie deployed their BuCUEs as combat helicopters moved into position. While the Archangel deployed the Strike, the Raven and two of it's Sky Graspers as rebel jeeps and rocket trucks headed for the ZAFT forces.

The Strike fired it's beam rifle at the incoming BuCUEs. The BuCUEs dodged the beams and fired back with their missiles or railguns. Suddenly, a pair of railgun rounds tore one BuCUE as it avoid one of Kira's shots. The Raven flew overhead, it's railguns and heavy machineguns firing on the BuCUEs.

A shot rang out. A helicopter exploded. Another shot rang out. A round tore through a BuCUE's head, destroying it. A third shot rang out. The round tore through a BuCUE's front left leg. The Farsight scanned the battlefield. Kira and Chris were holding their own against the BuCUEs. The two Sky Graspers were hitting the ZAFT land carriers. Mu's Sky Grasper fired it's cannon at the Petrie. Smoke started billowing from the Petrie as it slowed down. He noted that two of the stolen G-Weapons and red GINN were atop of the ZAFT flagship. But there was no sign of Andy yet. "Come on Andy. Where are you?" John said to himself. "What are you planning?"

Suddenly, missiles hit the Archangel from behind. The Henry Carter emerged from it's hiding spot amongst a rocky region the Archangel had just past. More missiles and cannon fire rained down on the Archangel from the ambushing warship, forcing the Archangel to descend to the ground.

"Should have known." John said. "It was far too easy."

Suddenly, he saw it. The LaGOWE. In Andy's colors. "There you are." John said, taking off. "Let's settle this!"

The LaGOWE fired on the Strike. Kira brought up his shield, blocking the beams. The LaGOWE's beam sabers ignited as the mobile suit raced for the Strike. The Raven appeared in the air, firing on the LaGOWE. Andy dodged the shots as Aisha aimed the LaGOWE's cannons at the Raven and fired. The Raven turned, avoiding the shots. Kira reluctantly fired on the LaGOWE, but the LaGOWE was too fast and avoided the shots.

Suddenly, a shot rang out and the LaGOWE left wing exploded, stopping the LaGOWE in it's tracks. The Farsight lowered it's sniper rifle.

"John." Waltfeld said.

"Andy." Alaric said.

The LaGOWE's cannon turned, aiming at the GINN. The Farsight dove out of the way as the beams flew towards it. The Farsight discarded it's sniper rifle and drew it's assault rifle as it got back up. The two aces fired on each other as they dodged the other's attacks.

Elsewhere, the Archangel was taking a pounding from the Henry Carter as the Lesseps advanced on the warship. Suddenly, Sky Grasper 3, equipped with the Sword Striker, launched from the Archangel. Cagalli piloted her 'borrowed' fighter towards the Petrie.

"Who's in Sky Grasper 3?" Mu asked.

"I am." Cagalli said.

Mu sighed. "Okay. Stay on my wing with Liz. And try not to get shot down."

The Sky Graspers headed for the Petrie. The three fighters fired on the ZuOOTs atop of the land battleship. Bullets and beams tore through the ZAFT mobile suits, destroying them. Mu fired the Agni cannon on the Petrie, damaging it as Cagalli sliced one of the cannon turrets in two. Liz fired on another turret, destroying it. The damage vessel fired a barrage of missiles at the girls. Liz managed to dodge the missiles. But Cagalli wasn't fast enough. One missile detonated near her Sky Grasper, damaging it. Cagalli struggled to keep her fighter airborne. But ultimately, she was forced to land on the sands below.

Meanwhile, the Raven, having turned it's attention to the Lesseps. Chris swooped down on the ZAFT flagship, first firing on the left cannon turret and then the ZuOOT on the left side on land carrier, destroying both as the Duel, the Buster and the GINN fired on him. Chris pulled up, avoiding the incoming fire.

"Enough of this!" a frustrated Yzak shouted as he jumped off the Lesseps. "I'm through sitting around."

Unfortunately, he didn't realize that the Duel would need to be reconfigured for movement on desert terrain and it immediately sank into the sand.

Suddenly, the Archangel's Gottfrieds and Valiants fired on the Lesseps. Both the Buster and Zane's GINN were forced to leap off the warship to avoid the fire. And like the Duel, they too sank into the sand and all three found themselves being harassed by the jeeps of the Desert Dawn.

The Strike fired on the LaGOWE, which dodged the beam and returned fire, destroying the Strike's rifle. The LaGOWE's cannon fired on the Farsight as it turned towards the GINN. The Farsight jumped up and fired at the LaGOWE. But both missed.

Their battle had been long and grueling. All three machines were starting to run low on power. They all knew it would soon be over.

Andrew glanced at the Lesseps. It couldn't take much more damage. "DeCosta, signal the retreat." Andrew said. "There's no way for us to win anymore."

"Yes sir."

Andrew turned to his copilot and lover. "You too, Aisha."

"Actually, I'd like to stay sir."

"Then we're both idiots." Andrew said. "Let's do it!!!"

"Please! Stop this Commander Waltfeld!" Kira pleaded, trying desperately to stop the battling friends. "There's no reason to fight any more."

"I told you kid, I'm not giving up until one of us is destroyed!" Waltfeld shouted.

"But-"

"This is a battle between true warriors, Kira! It will only will only end in death of one of us!" John added.

The LaGOWE and the Farsight fired on each other. One of the LaGOWE's cannon barrels exploded while the beam tore through the Farsight's rifle and pierced it's right arm, rendering it useless. The Farsight's left arm drew it's beam saber. "Come on Andy, let's end this as warriors!"

The LaGOWE's beam sabers activated. "As warriors!" Andrew shouted.

The LaGOWE took off, heading for the Farsight. The LaGOWE leapt up as it reach the Farsight. The Farsight severed the LaGOWE's front left leg while at the same time, the LaGOWE severed the Farsight's left arm. Leaving it defenseless.

The LaGOWE continued past the Farsight, preparing to attack again. "It's over." Andrew said.

"Yes it is. The Hawk falls to the Tiger." John said, turning to face the LaGOWE. "End this Andy."

"NO!" Kira shouted, a seed shattering in his mind.

The Strike knocked the Farsight out of the LaGOWE's path. The Strike drew one of it's knives and stabbed the LaGOWE's back as the LaGOWE tackled the Strike. The Strike flew back while the LaGOWE landed and then crumpled on the ground, it's reactor going critical. In the LaGOWE's cockpit, Andy and Aisha embraced each other.

The LaGOWE exploded. The Farsight's cockpit hatch opened and John emerged. He saluted the fiery remains of his best friend as a lone tear rolled down his cheek. "Rest in peace, my friend."

Kira sat in the Strike's cockpit, staring at the remains of the LaGOWE. "It...It didn't have to end like this!!"

And so the Desert Dawn arc ends. Things are certainly going to heat up in the next couple of chapters. Personally, I can't wait to do the stuff between now and JOSH-A. There'll be some interesting things to come.