Author Note: I hope you guys like this chapter. This upload is late so I will respond to reviews in either the next one or the one afterwards. This is a two parter and this chap is already pretty nicely long. Remember to follow, favorite, review, comment all that jazz. Have a great day!

Chapter 30 - New War (Part I)

"This is the start of a new war," the words hung heavy in the air, whispered like an ominous prophecy among the Zaku 1s hidden amidst the clusters of asteroids. They watched with a predatory gaze as the fleet of transport ships lumbered by, each vessel a behemoth armed to the teeth, flanked by another fleet as a menacing guard.

Standard factory design adorned the Zaku 1s, their forms streamlined and mass-produced, a solid bronze blue hue blending into the darkness of space. Each bore a unique shoulder shield on their right, while the left bristled with four menacing spikes. Their monocular eyes gleamed with a cold, calculating intelligence, ever vigilant as the embers of conflict ignited once more.

In their midst loomed a colossal transport freighter, its sleek purple hull a stark contrast against the void. Lions adorned its surface, but to the Zaku 1s, they were nothing but mocking symbols of false grandeur.

The transport ships were armed to the teeth, outfitted with miniguns, shields, and rockets, likely defended by a legion of mechs prepared to defend whatever precious cargo lay within.

The haunting melody of a piano drifted through the air, somber yet tinged with an undercurrent of terror, echoing like a macabre soundtrack to the impending carnage. Laughter erupted in response, a cruel counterpoint to the looming danger.

The Zaku 1s remained motionless, their mechanical forms poised and ready. Machine guns and bazookas were clutched tightly in their hands, while a select few wielded the devastating Anti-Space Ship Rifle ASR-78, a weapon designed to tear through the armor of enemy vessels.

Ahead of them, leading the operation, were mechs of a more advanced design. "How do you like the new Zaku, boys?" one of the members quipped playfully.

Five mechs stood before them, each bearing a different, more advanced design. Among them was the Zaku II High Mobility Type, a gift from a trusted ally.

"Thank you, Connor!" The words echoed through the radios, laced with sarcasm and mirth, laughter bubbling in their wake. But amidst the joviality, two voices remained silent, their annoyance palpable even through the static of the radio waves.

Commanding the group was the one with the authority, the one who bore the command antenna. "Second Lieutenant Marty, reign them in!" The order was sharp, cutting through the laughter like a blade.

There was a pregnant pause before Marty's voice exploded like a thunderclap. "Get the hell in line!" he bellowed. "Or I'll tear you a new one!"

Instantly, the laughter ceased, replaced by a heavy silence. "...And if I hear that damn keyboard, Wilkerson," Marty continued, his voice a low growl, "I'll personally rip it from your mech and smash it over your damn face!"

Wilkerson sighed resignedly. "Excellent, gentlemen," came the voice from the Zaku with the command antenna, a note of approval cutting through the tension.

Marty smirked, reclining in his seat, legs propped up on his mech's controls. His disheveled hair obscured his vision, framing his face with an air of casual defiance. Clad in pilot armor, he exuded confidence, his wingman pistol a comforting weight at his hip.

"Lieutenant Tobias, job well done," praised the snarking voice.

A sneer crossed Marty's face as he turned his attention to Cadet Travis. "What's the problem?" he demanded, his gaze piercing through the cockpit.

Travis bristled, his voice tinged with defiance. "Yeah, there is," he retorted. "You think we're here by choice? I follow Marko's orders, and if—"

"Shut it!" Marty snapped, his patience wearing thin. "You just volunteered for the vanguard!"

Travis fell silent, his defiance momentarily quelled.

Amidst the tension, Wilkerson's voice cut through the air. "Where are the freelancers?" he inquired.

Travis sneered again, his disdain evident even over the radio waves. "Since when did the Nexus 65th start cozying up to freelancers?"

"It's all thanks to Marko," came a new voice, its owner perched on the edge of an asteroid, a Zaku 1 at his side. Its monocular eye heavy with an enhanced sniper pattern. In his hands rested the Big Gun, a formidable weapon that promised destruction from afar.

Nestled within the hollow of an asteroid, his gun aimed through a narrow crevice, Keith watched as their targets moved into position, unsuspecting and vulnerable. "Hold your fire," the lieutenant cautioned. "We need to ensure they have no chance of escape. We'll cripple their fleet in this ambush and seize that cargo."

Keith smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Seems like Connor's got us playing the role of scavengers now," he mused. "Picking the bones of these corporate giants for their precious machine parts."

"Back in the day, all you needed was a good ole titan," Lieutenant Tobias reminisced, his gaze fixed on the fleet of ships. "But we of true Harmony stock know just how reliant these fools are on their fancy technology."

Travis rolled his eyes, his disdain evident. "You Harmony fanatics are all the same," he muttered under his breath.

Chuckling, Keith chimed in. "Well, Travis, whether you like it or not, we're all in this together now. You, me, and Marty—we've all got those damn nails implanted, turned into machines for this godforsaken war. We're blood now, just like me and Wilkerson's true blood."

Travis bristled at the suggestion. "You think I wanted to be part of your twisted little family? To be dragged into this senseless war? I'm only here for the woman, the fighting, and the money."

Marty's laughter cut through the tension. "Looks like you got more than you bargained for, Travis. Adventure, indeed."

Travis shot back, his voice dripping with venom. "Mocking me, Ensign?"

Marty's retort was sharp and merciless. "You're already a joke, Travis."

The first lieutenant intervened before their bickering could escalate further. "Enough! Save it for the battle ahead. In a matter of minutes, we'll all be fighting for our—"

A streak of blue light sliced through the darkness, drawing their attention. "Is that coming from our side?" Travis asked, his voice laced with alarm. "Who the hell is alerting them to our attack?"

Marty's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lieutenant, do you see this?"

Tobias nodded grimly. The streaks of blue light danced like azure swords, heralding an unexpected turn. They were receiving a message, a warning or perhaps a threat, from an unknown source.

"Let's hear it loud and clear," Keith demanded, his voice edged with skepticism. "You don't think it's—" His doubts were swiftly confirmed.

"This is Gundam Lfrith Thorn," a female voice announced, a rare occurrence in the predominantly male enclave of the legion.

A second voice joined in, brimming with jubilance and aggression. "Did you catch that, gents?" she exclaimed over the mic. "Gundam Thorn and Lfrith Ur, ready for action!" Her tone was exuberant, almost gleeful.

"What the hell are they playing at?" Marty screamed in frustration. "Lieutenant, lieutenant, the operation!"

"I know, damn it, Marty!" the first lieutenant barked, his frustration palpable.

"Damn, this is a mess," Keith muttered under his breath.

Wilkerson shook his head, his expression twisted with horror. "You don't have to tell me," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the source of the commotion. "That's where Keith is..."

Then, a look of sheer terror crossed his face. "My little brother is over there, those damned Earthians," he gasped, struggling to maintain composure. "They've got him in a Zaku 1, for God's sake! He won't stand a chance in space like we can!"

Tobias hurriedly keyed into his intercom. "Gundam Thorn, Gundam Ur, care to explain what the hell you're doing, jeopardizing our operation?" he thundered, his voice crackling with urgency.

Marty recognized the voice, a surge of resentment coursing through him. "Freelancers," he spat, his grip tightening on the controls of his high-mobility type. His mech boasted a Type A configuration, its distinct helmet and additional booster rocket marking it out from the rest. Yet, even as they abandoned their titan plates for the allure of revenge, Marty couldn't help but smirk. Amidst the chaos, there were still brothers of the legion fighting in their trusty old titans. At least now, they all had reliable killing machines.

It was Norea who responded, her tone dripping with disdain. "You expected us to sit idly on the ship?" she retorted, her words laced with defiance.

Travis's voice crackled over the intercom. "Damned freelancers, did you really think we needed you here? There's a reason the legion doesn't allow women."

The shorter, feistier girl laughed, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. Even Marty, peering through the viewport of his mech, could sense her infectious energy. "Is that what you think, pencil dick?" Sophie retorted.

Travis bristled. "I don't have a pencil dick!"

Sophie chuckled. "Oh, you don't? You seem pretty worked up about... your short pencil dick."

With a roar of rage, Travis slammed his fist against the intercom. "Shut your mouth, Earthian whore!" he screamed.

Sophie only laughed harder.

Suddenly, Norea's voice cut in. "Ignore them, Sophie. Let's focus on the mission."

Sophie chuckled again. "Catch you later, pencil dick. Try not to choke on my dust."

Marty intervened. "Enough bickering. This is a military operation," he declared, shooting a glare at the two troublemakers. "Travis, get in line. The Nexus 68th doesn't need freelancers."

Sophie laughed, her tone laced with mischief. "You sound awfully stiff, mister," she teased.

Norea sneered. "I heard you Harmony dogs are so fixated on your dead world that—"

Marty snapped, surprising even his lieutenant with the intensity of his outburst. "I ain't nobody's dog!" he shouted.

As he spoke, Marty noticed the turrets of the spaceships locking onto their position. "We've been made," the lieutenant announced grimly. "Get ready, gentlemen. Whether we like it or not, they're on our side, and we've got a mission."

Turning briefly to Marty, the lieutenant gave his orders. "Ensign Moreno, repeat."

"Copy, Lieutenant," Marty responded, facing the battalion. "Ensign Moreno, reporting! Our mission is to destroy anything Jetturk. Take out their warships, transports, everything. We're not here to raid—we're here to send a message. Meanwhile, the high mobility squadron will raid the main Jetturk command center and recover or destroy the two experimental mechs. Lock and load, gentlemen. It's time to move out!"

He spun around, the colossal mech's footsteps reverberating through the asteroid. "Get ready, gents, to sortie!" Marty's voice echoed with gleeful anticipation as they all leaped into action, igniting their thrusters. Orange industrial smog billowed from their rockets as the sons of a dead world once again plunged into battle.

Guel

Meanwhile, Guel and his brother raced through the halls, a sense of urgency in their steps. "Petra!" Laude's voice reverberated through the chaos as he shouted into his phone, his eyes scanning the ship's perimeter where mobile suits clashed in a deadly dance. "You have to get Felsi and Kamil. Find an escape vessel before—"

"Mr. Laude," Petra's voice interrupted, firm and resolute. "We can't abandon ship. The battle is closing in!"

Laude's gaze darted around. With their command vessels protected only by shields and other ships, enemy mechs buzzed past, sleek and deadly. One in particular caught Laude's eye, its scanning monocular eye flashing past with alarming speed.

"If they're closing in from all sides," Laude began, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Guel slammed his fist against the metal, frustration boiling over. "They're using the asteroid belt for cover, aren't they?"

Laude shook his head, a hint of resignation in his eyes. "This isn't just another mech skirmish, Guel. I had hoped we could avoid this madness."

"Jetturk men don't run from danger," Guel retorted defiantly. "Our people need us out there, Laude."

A deafening blast rocked the ship. "Guel! Laude!" Kamil's voice cut through the chaos. "Felsi and I are heading into battle."

"We've got no choice, Laude!" Guel insisted.

Laude met his brother's gaze and smirked. "Only if you've got my back, brother." They clasped hands. "Petra, please, stay safe."

As they turned, flames engulfed a crashing transport ship. "This is a declaration of war by the Jetturk Corporation," Laude declared grimly. "Their military tactics, their mechs—they're the Sons of Harmony. We're in for a fight like none other."

Guel shook his head grimly. "Probably a splinter cell from their legion. They must've caught wind of what Dad was transporting, and..."

A towering mech appeared against the glass, blazing and hovering ominously above them. Its proximity caused the glass to crack, sending shudders through the bay. The brothers stared in horror as the mech—no, the Gundam—loomed before them.

"The Gundam!" Laude's scream pierced the chaos.

They sprinted to the opposite side of the bay, but the windows started to crack as they ran. Laude grabbed onto a group of workers, and Guel did the same. As the glass shattered, they were sucked into the closing atmospheric doors or lost to the void.

"Laude..." Guel's voice echoed with horror.

"I'm here, brother," Laude's voice crackled over the radio. "We need to get to the hangar. These guys mean business."

Guel nodded, his jaw clenched with determination. "Harmony... Aiden Winters," he muttered, his gaze darkening with anger. "Damn you."

His eyes drifted to the descending stairs. "Father said one of those mechs was packing serious firepower. Let's see what that's about."

With resolve etched in his features, Guel descended, his thoughts swirling with memories of his lost bride, the shame of Suletta Mercury, and his repeated defeats at the hands of Aiden Winters. His father may have welcomed him back, but Guel knew he hadn't earned it. The burden of his brother's secret weighed heavy on him.

But he would bear it.

Ensign Marty MorenoTop of Form

Marty's mind spun with consequences, but he brushed them aside. Consequences didn't pay the bills. So, his Zaku streaked through space, leaving a trail of blue smoke in its wake. A bright smile stretched across his face as he maneuvered through an array of Jetturk ships, their faces visible for a fleeting moment before his thrusters shattered the glass.

He gripped his machine gun, the brass casings ejecting as he tore through their space shuttles. "Give them nothing but lead and lost ground, boys!" he bellowed, striking a cigarette between his lips. "We're professionals here!"

A blazing Dilenza soared toward him, its beam saber outstretched. But before it could reach him, a voice cut through the chaos. "I've got you, Ensign," spoke Keith, his voice cold and calculated. Across the battlefield, in a slow-moving Zaku 1, he aimed a massive gun hooked up to generators. The blue blast tore through the Dilenza's cockpit.

"Nice shot!" Marty cheered.

Another enemy closed in from below. Marty wielded the stub arm on his Zaku's back, backing up as a volley of missiles homed in on him. He ascended, bullets ripping through the missiles before he thrust forward, the heat hawk in his left hand igniting as he sliced through the enemy mech.

"Corporate trash," muttered Private Travis.

"I want to see more ships sunk, Ensign. Get them in line!" shouted Tobias.

"Did you hear that, lads?" Marty hollered.

His other stub arm gripped the missile launcher on his shoulder. "Ensign Marty," Tobias spoke again. "You're part of the fifth... or..."

"Fourth generation, sir," Marty replied proudly. "Not true Harmony stock like you and Great Lord Marko, but the nails grant me the gifts of Harmony." He swapped out the heat hawk for a missile.

Tobias chuckled. "Fourth generation. Some of your kind went rogue... we called them cursed. But the loyal ones, like you, are obedient. Never have to worry about you lot turning traitor."

"Fucking whore!" Travis screamed, his Zaku careening past debris. "Watch where you're shooting, you damned bitch! You nearly took me and..."

"Clear out of my way," Norea spoke, her voice as cold and calculated as ever.

Travis's chuckle was as dark as a moonless night. "Oh, I'm going to relish getting my hands on you when this is done... who knows how many of our own are lying dead because of your little surprise attack."

"Agh! Norea, is he bothering you?" Sophie's voice cut through the chaos, sharp as a knife. "Leave Norea alone, you pencil dick!"

"Damned freelancers," Marty muttered coldly, his fingers tightening around the grip of his bazooka. With practiced ease, he leveled the weapon and fired at a ship, the explosion sending debris hurtling into the abyss of space.

"Anti-ship weapons, focus!" Marty's command echoed through the main channels.

"I've got you in my sights!" Keith's voice crackled over the radio. The roar of his weapon drowned out the chaos as the enemy ship was engulfed in a blaze of blue energy.

"Nice shot!" Travis's voice carried a hint of grim satisfaction. "The Nexus 65th doesn't need help from cursed mobile suits like theirs!"

"You boys forgot about the prize!" Sophie's laughter rang out, sharp and gleeful.

As Marty realized he was out of bazooka ammo, he discarded the weapon with a sneer, readjusting his grip on his machine gun. "Marty," Tobias's voice came through the radio. "Link up with me and the rest. We're storming the command center, and the Gundams will cover us from outside."

"Prepare for a space walk..." Travis muttered, annoyance evident in his voice. "Space travel with no thrusters or jumpers... always gives me the jitters."

"You were trained for this," Tobias countered confidently.

Ignoring the comment, Travis focused on the task at hand. The mechs rendezvoused in the middle of the battlefield, facing the looming Jetturk command ship. "Ready to spear them?" Marty asked.

Norea's voice cut in, cool and collected. "The turrets are shredding everything. We'll take out everything in our path and head into the hangar. Remember our objective."

"Alright, let's do this," Tobias affirmed. The mechs turned as one and streaked toward the ship's side. "Stay sharp, don't let up!" Norea's command reverberated through the chaos.

As missiles homed in on them, Marty deftly redirected them toward the enemy vessel. His weapon erupted in a hail of bullets, targeting a squadron of space fighters approaching from the distance.

"Oh, shit...!" Marty's voice reverberated in his throat, his eyes widening as the rush of exhilaration and raw adrenaline coursed through his veins.

The other girl was feeling it too, screaming and cackling. It seemed the demons of this war had finally come to possess them.

"Ensign Marty, focus!" The Lieutenant's command snapped him back to reality.

Marty's eyes snapped open, and he unleashed a barrage from his drum magazine, rending apart the three mechs coming towards them. "Get ready to zoom!" his Lieutenant shouted. With a surge of power, Marty ignited the thrusters on his high mobility suit, followed closely by the Ensign.

They soared through the atmosphere, dwarfing even the appearance of the Gundams. For they were the exception, the sons of a dead world embodying the primordial essence of what they were - expendable weapons. Yet, even the expendable could prove exceptional at times.

Marty's Zaku's leg crashed into a starfighter, tearing it in half and sending it exploding in two directions. "Nice of you two to join back in the strike!" Norea's voice crackled over the radio.

"Quiet down!" Wilkerson's shout cut through the chaos. His Zaku II zoomed into the fray, crashing hard against a Dilenza unit and cleaving it in two with his heat hawk. But another Dilenza loomed, ready to strike.

"Brother!" Keith's voice echoed through the air. "The barrel's hot, I can't..."

"Don't underestimate us, first Harmony lot," Wilkerson spat sternly as the Dilenza's laser glaive bore down on him. With a swift movement, he disappeared into a wisp of white and crackles of black, reappearing behind his enemy. "Some of us haven't forgotten the powers of the Titans!" he bellowed, cleaving through the Dilenza with his heat hawk, rending it into two exploding pieces.

The Gundams closed in on them, the battle still raging around them. They kept moving, darting between the hulls, navigating through the chaos as the echoes of battle reverberated through the void.

"This is a whole new dawn of warfare for the legion!" Wilkerson's voice boomed, his mech's axe raised defiantly against the distant sun. "We can fight with this... take our revenge on the corporations!" His words echoed with determination, ringing through the vast expanse of space.

"Barrel reloaded," Keith chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Wilkerson sighed, addressing his younger brother. "Little brother, do you really doubt this now?"

"About time for Keith to grow up and see sense," Travis interjected, his tone tinged with cynicism. "This war is only good for us to strike back at the corpos. You get lucky, you get yourself ranks and a good hunk of dough... real lucky, a girl or two..."

As Travis's voice trailed off, all eyes turned to witness a streaking vessel careening downwards through the blackness of space, fiery and ominous. "Ohhh... shit," Travis smirked.

"That was our kill," Sophie's voice murmured over the radio, cold and aggressive.

"We've got this in the bag," Norea declared confidently, though she cast a sideways glance at Sophie. "If you actually listened to me instead of charging off, we would've been able to pincer and strike them..."

"Tell me, Norea, that you didn't want a good hit on these corpo spacians," Sophie challenged.

Norea fell silent at that.

"Codename Gundam Uruth... Gundam Thurn... shall we continue the pincer attack?" Tobias stated, his voice steady and authoritative.

Yet, Sophie and Norea gazed towards the farther parts of the ship, their expressions unreadable. The fleet had taken a significant hit, and the implications were clear. What had Jetturk been cooking up? What secrets did these corpos hold in their closet?

"There is also the option to throw a bomb and destroy it," Norea stated bluntly. "The pay is all the same," Sophie added.

"Fucking bitches..." Travis muttered under his breath.

"Huh, what is that?" Sophie questioned, leaning towards the cockpit mirror within the radio, her gaze sharp and dangerous. "You want to repeat that again, pencil dick?" Her tone carried a dangerous edge, causing Travis to avert his gaze.

"Nothing..." he mumbled, turning his mech to the side.

She settled back into her seat, her demeanor cool and composed. "That's what I thought," she remarked, her gaze fixing on Marty. "How are you doing... ENSIGN," she emphasized his title, drawing it out.

Marty let out a deep sigh. "Doing good, Ma'am."

Her eyes widened slightly. "You were right about being stiff."

Tobias chuckled, interjecting, "He isn't of Harmony stock, and he's one of the few who got the nails, and..."

"I joined of my own accord," Marty stated bluntly, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "I come from a military world, Ma'am. All I've ever been taught was order, structure, and the mission. Always the mission."

"Is that true, Spacian?" Norea questioned curtly.

"Yes," Marty confirmed, flicking off the pilot helmet, the Pulse Blade design reflecting his no-nonsense attitude. He adjusted his glasses. "These corpo dogs need to be stopped. And I've been very efficient at dealing with the..."

A battalion of Dilenzas wielding beam rifles approached, a formidable sight. Fifty men, heavy injuries, the manpower required. Kamil, Laude, and Felsi manned their Dilenzas, poised for battle.

Ironically, as Laude took his first shot at the approaching Dilenzas and Gundams, Marty spoke confidently. "...and I always accomplish the."

"Enemies approaching!" Keith's voice rang out, his big gun roaring in his hands. The void was torn asunder in a rainbow of destruction, three mechs falling to his onslaught.

"Dart, dart, dart!" Kamil shouted to his squadron, directing them to take cover among the debris of their dying ships. The encroaching mechs of higher mobility, coupled with their numerous henchmen, presented a daunting challenge. They definitely had the numbers advantage.

"Laude, come to me, Laude!" Kamil's voice cut through the chaos, rallying his people. The fifth member was pierced by one of Keith's shots, eliciting a violent cry from Felsi.

"Felsi! Lock in!" Kamil's command was clear. It was do or die.

The shots from the Zaku and the Gundam were closing in, their laser rifles painting the sky with deadly streaks. The Zaku's incredible mobility made them elusive targets, dodging bullets with ease, their thrusters propelling them through space like cosmic dancers. "Is this what these dogs are capable of?" Laude bellowed, frustration evident as shot after shot missed its mark. "Die, you sons of Harmony dogs!"

Then, a grenade was hurled into the fray. Marty spotted it too late for a warning to be of any use. "Sophie... Gundam... get away!" he shouted, his voice edged with urgency.

Sophie's eyes widened as she registered the danger. "What..." was all she managed to utter, frozen in shock. But Marty was quicker, ramming into her Gundam, using his Zaku's shoulder shield to intercept the incoming blast. Perhaps if it had been a standard grenade, but...

"Holy shit, an incendiary in the deep void!" Marty exclaimed, panic creeping into his voice as he felt the heat engulfing his cockpit. "Holy fuck, holy fuck..." Bullets whizzed past them, a cacophony of danger.

"Keep flying, Marty, keep flying!" Tobias's voice cut through the chaos, urging him on as the incendiary crept closer to his cockpit.

"We need to find a place for him to eject, or he'll be lost in the void... his colors are too conspicuous!" the Lieutenant shouted urgently.

"We have a mission to complete!" Norea countered, her tone resolute.

"He's in this position because he shielded your friend's cursed mech!" the Lieutenant retorted. "We won't leave him behind. Find a docking point or..."

"Norea, h-he saved me," Sophie interjected, her eyes fixed on the burning Zaku as Marty fought to maintain control and return fire at the approaching Dilenzas.

Norea shot her a disdainful glance. "He's just some Spacian boy, and he's only one life out of..."

Bullets continued to fly, and Travis let out a scream. "Get away from me!" His bazooka discharged at point-blank range, only for a Dilenza wielding a glaive to cleave through his left arm, sending him into a frenzy of pain.

"Aggh!" Travis roared, striking his mech's cockpit in frustration, only to be met with a precise shot from Keith.

"Nice shot, Keith!" Wilkerson cheered. Amidst the chaos, Marty's Zaku continued its relentless assault, the machine gun rattling off round after round, the stub arm reaching for another drum magazine as Laude's laser rifle found its mark, severing the stub arm of Marty's Zaku II.

"Motherfucker," Marty muttered under his breath, deftly catching the drifting magazine with his left hand and reloading his gun. Bullets erupted from the barrel, finding their mark against three enemy mechs.

They rocketed forward, hurtling toward the hangar. "We're almost there!" Norea's voice cut through the chaos.

"How the hell are we getting in?" Travis yelled. "That place is probably the most fortified in the whole damn ship."

Sophie's dark smirk twisted into a chuckle. "That's why they sent us and our cursed machines. To do the dirty work when the regular grunts can't."

A pregnant silence followed her words, shattered only by the sudden explosion that sent Marty's mech reeling. The incendiary had found its mark, engulfing his equipment in flames. It was a miracle he wasn't incinerated.

"Holy shit!" Marty's scream cut through the chaos.

"Ensign's bailing!" Travis observed.

"He's going to have to eject," Norea stated firmly. "He's got no other choice."

"The hot zone's too damn hot!" Tobias exclaimed.

"Fuck this, sorry, Lieutenant!" Marty shouted, his voice laced with desperation. "But military rules be damned. I'd rather take my chances in space than burn alive in this fucking tin can. Let's bail, boys!" With a decisive slam, he hit the eject button.

Thrown from his mech, Marty hurtled toward the bulk of the Jetturk ship. "The shields are down..." Sophie murmured, her realization tinged with awe.

Norea nodded, her mind racing as the squad debated their next move. Then, in a flash, Marty's mech exploded into a torrent of debris.

"Holy shit!" Marty's voice echoed as he tumbled through space, arms and legs tucked, desperately trying to regain control. But the explosion had sent him careening off course, hurtling toward the side of the vessel.

"Marty!" Tobias's shout carried through the void, a desperate plea amidst the chaos.

But Norea only shook her head. "Want something done right, you've got to do it yourself," she muttered, her eyes fixed on the black blip that marked Ensign Marty's trajectory. "The shields are down," Norea murmured, taking aim with her cannon. A steady beam pierced the hull, and a thunderous blast followed. Oxygen escaped into the void, and Marty's tumbling form was drawn inexorably into the breached craft.

Moments later, within the bowels of the Jetturk Command Craft, red lights blared and warnings of emergency sealant filled the air. "Emergency Gloo Sealant, be wary of burns!" echoed through the ship. Marty's breath still echoed in his ears as viscous syrup sprayed from concealed turrets in the vessel's ceiling, coating the breached area and hardening into a makeshift seal.

Struggling to free himself from his helmet, Marty's sweat-soaked hair clung to his face. He wiped away the damp strands as bile stained the floor beneath him. "Ensign... Ensign!" Tobias's voice crackled urgently through the radio.

Gasping for air, Marty lifted the radio to his ear. "I-I am fine."

A sigh of relief sounded from Tobias. "Good, so you're actually within the vessel?"

Surveying his surroundings, Marty's gaze settled on his own retching. "The gravity in here is fucked, Lieutenant," he managed. "Looks like we've hit the target harder than we realized."

"More like our freelancers can't control the amount of power they throw into their punches," Keith interjected. "Ensign, if you're within the craft, you may be able to recover the mission objectives."

"...or the Ensign can toss an explosive into their generator and really knock them out of commission," Travis suggested.

"Enough," Marty snapped, his narrowed gaze piercing through his glasses. "This ship alone doesn't have much life left in it..."

As Marty navigated the darkened hallway, he saw shadows flitting through the flickering lights. Explosions rocked the vessel, sending shockwaves through its metal corridors.

"What was that, Ensign? Was that from you?" Tobias's voice crackled with concern.

"Yes, sir," came the swift reply, echoing through the air thick with tension. "This ship most definitely does not have much life left in it. Where is the cargo?"

Tobias's eyes widened at the Ensign's blunt response. "Don't be a fool... If things are going that badly to shit, I'll give the order for you and all our guys that have boarded to abandon the ship. The mission was either to recover or destroy both mechs."

Wilkerson let out a low chuckle, a rumble of dark amusement. "If we can't have them, no one can."

His words sparked laughter among the warband, but the Ensign remained resolute, shaking his head. "No thanks, Lieutenant," he replied firmly. "An ace is an ace, and it's kind of a part of our job to make the impossible possible."

"Ensign?" Tobias's tone turned incredulous. "You can't be telling me what you're thinking of doing?"

Marty sighed heavily, his gaze fixed on the sealant. "Winters needs this mech from Shin and Earth," he muttered. "You speak of turning this war around, and the only way we can is by recovering one of those mechs... damn it, let them or some scavenger have the second one, I'd rather blast it!" His voice rose with fervor, echoing through the desolate corridors.

Tobias fell silent, his thoughts racing. "You've changed so much, Marty," he finally murmured.

"I always accomplish the mission, Lieutenant," Marty declared, his voice ringing with determination. "You know that better than anyone. I'll report back... with a gift."

For a fleeting moment, Marty felt a wave of nausea wash over him. What was he doing, risking everything for Winters? He wasn't the man's biggest fan, and yet here he was, risking life and limb to retrieve what Winters wanted. The academy, the war, it was all a blur now, melding into one endless conflict.

His thoughts drifted to the void, to the flames that had nearly consumed him. He could leave, disappear into the darkness on one of those escape pods... But then his gaze fell on the bile staining the steel hull, a grim reminder of the price of war. Next time, it would be blood, and nothing would save him.

"Hey, Mr. Stiff..."

The voice came through on a different frequency, softer, more intimate. Marty brought his mangled helmet to his ear, listening carefully. "Y-yeah, this is... Ensign Moreno, reporting."

Sophie's laughter echoed in his mind, and he felt a frown crease his brow. This girl, laughing at him, calling him stiff... "You don't have to speak to me or Norea all military-like," he heard her say. "It's funny, but you really don't need to go through all that 'Ma'am' stuff."

The Ensign nodded. "Noted then," he said, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.

On the other end of the line, there was a deep breath, but Sophie's voice still rang with enthusiasm. "Thank you for saving me. Such a close hit, especially to my cockpit... would've cooked me inside. You took the brunt of that and risked your own life. Thank you."

"I do what I can," the Ensign replied with a chuckle. "Kind of stupid... I thought that the explosive would've been sucked up by my shoulder shield, but..."

"You still saved my life, and you've shown me a thing or two on this mission," Sophie said.

"We'll talk more later."

"There is going to be a later?" the Ensign questioned with a sly grin.

Sophie paused, then chuckled. "Well, I've got to go, Mr. Stiff," she said, her laughter lightening the heavy atmosphere. "Don't go off and dying on me. I've still got to find a way of making it up to you."

"Making it up to me?" the Ensign repeated, his grin widening. "How would you suppose that?"

But all he heard was the sound of her laughter as the radio went dead. He chuckled, dropping his helmet. "She hung up on me, she actually hung up on me."

"Ensign!" Tobias's voice cut through the air, but it was drowned out by the pounding footsteps in the distance.

"Where did your man go?" Norea's voice pierced through the haze of battle.

Tobias sneered. "He's going after the experimental mechs."

Sophie's chuckle floated over the radio waves. "Mr. Stiff? He's just going to end up getting himself killed."

Travis's voice broke in. "Don't be talking shit about our ace," he said firmly. "He always pulls through."

"Quiet, Harmony dog," Norea snapped.

Travis's eyes flared. "I am no one's dog!" he shouted.

But then, something shifted. Norea's eyes widened as she surveyed the battlefield. They were upon the hulk of the main vessel, the remnants of their foes drifting in space like ghostly echoes of the battle.

Dilenzas fought and died as planned, their battle unfolding with a grim choreography that should have brought satisfaction. Yet, Norea couldn't shake the unease that settled over her like a shroud. Why did everything feel so unnaturally quiet?

"Lieutenant," Keith's voice broke through the tense silence. "There's something detected from underneath their home base..." His words trailed off as his eyes widened, fixed on the radio display. "What the hell is that?"

Wilkerson's fear was palpable as he turned his mech toward his younger brother. "What is it?" he demanded.

"I'm picking up something on the scanner from the cruiser. I thought it was a Dilenza or an escape cruiser, but..." Keith's voice faltered, and the tension among the squad grew thicker.

Norea and Sophie fell silent, their mechs pivoting to see what was unfolding. Travis activated his own scanner, his eyes widening as he relayed to his lieutenant, "Tobias, I've never seen anything move that fast, and it's beneath the ship."

Tobias clenched his jaw, activating his exterior comms. "Lieutenant Tobias of Squad 1. Squad 3, have you finished neutralizing their warship turrets?"

Their ears were filled with screams and curses over the radio. "It's burning me, it's burning me!" cried a Son of Harmony amid the chaos of exploding Zaku 1s.

"Lasers," Tobias said grimly. "We need to provide support. There must be a battalion of Dilenzas or reinforcements—"

"Wait, Lieutenant," Travis interrupted.

"What is it?" Tobias's reply was laced with an anger that surprised even him.

Travis sighed. "There's only one mech causing all that damage."

Silence fell over the group. "One mech?" Sophie's voice held a hint of excitement. "A worthy adversary," she chuckled. "Norea, do you mind if I swing by and give our new friend a warm welcome?"

Norea's response was curt and devoid of warmth. "No. We're here for the extra scratch, not to risk our lives in their war."

"Brother!" Keith's voice broke through the tension once more.

"What is it, Keith?" Wilkerson's shout cut through the tension like a knife.

His eyes darted between them all. "We've got to do something or—"

"The mech is coming straight at me!" Keith's voice cracked with urgency, and then they saw it.

"Holy shit!" Travis's words were terse as they all witnessed the spectacle. The Big Gun fired streams of starlight into the sky, a dazzling and deadly display.

"He's going to burn through his barrels," Travis remarked, turning to Wilkerson. "Lieutenant, Keith's going to be—"

"I know," the Lieutenant replied sternly. "Thurn, Uruth, keep doing what you were doing...the rest of us will support Keith. Keep attacking the main command vessel!"

Travis, Wilkerson, and Tobias maneuvered their high mobility Zaku's. "Travis, need a top-up for your bazooka?" the Lieutenant asked.

Travis's eyes widened as he received the Lieutenant's weapon. "What about you, chief?"

The Lieutenant leveled his Zaku machine gun. "You don't need fancy toys to get the job done," he said firmly.

Norea spoke up. "So, you want us to keep attacking the command vessel, even with Mr...Marty," she added, rolling her eyes at the nickname. "He's still inside."

The Lieutenant chuckled as he and the two others prepared to move. Wilkerson traded his Warship Sniper Rifle for his bazooka. "Remember, shoot to kill," he instructed his men.

Turning to Sophie and Norea, he added, "Marty always accomplishes the mission." With those words, they sped off to join Keith at his sniper placement. Yet, as they raced, both Sophie and Norea saw a blue flash drawing closer.

It raced towards Keith, who screamed in horror as the reality of the situation sank in.

"Oh my god, it's a Gundam!" His cry echoed through the battlefield, a chilling harbinger of the danger they faced.