The chapters in this story have more or less 10 or 15 chapters left, depending on how I make it. But, I have been stuck in a limbo because I find myself dissatisfied with the way I write. When I have to upload it, I must be satisfied with it.

"That woman was from the Superhuman Institute. Are you sure it's perfectly safe to let her on board?" Lasse asked, head slightly turned towards them.

They all knew firsthand what she was capable of.

Now wasn't that a shocking discovery. Allelujah returned with a woman, and not just any woman but the ace pilot of the former HRL Supersoldier program. Neil could understand why he was wary, hell, he was too when he found out about her as the pilot of the pink Tieren five years ago. One that he remembered giving them trouble for something that was inferior to their Gundam. But one look at her, one could say she was maybe pretending but he had a feeling her feelings were genuine with how softly she looked at Allelujah.

What was surprising was that Setsuna was more accepting of her than some of them did.

"We thoroughly checked her and found nothing." He put a hand on her shoulder and massaged Leesa's tense body ever so slowly, making her loosen up and lean toward him.

"Allelujah vouched for her and said her personality was overwritten. Made her become as Soma Peries." Just like Allelujah, but for him, at least he shared it with another him. He cannot imagine living as someone else for a long time. It always seemed surreal and showed how low people can get. The HRL really stooped lower than the former AEU or the Union ever did. "I don't trust her, but I would take his word for it. Besides," he said shrugging, "it's not like she can do anything. She knows we have our eyes on her."

Lasse didn't look convinced but otherwise nodded. "Right."

"Excuse me, I have to do something," Feldt ducked out and exited the room.

Neil looked at the door, feeling like he was missing something but perhaps he was being paranoid. "The A-Laws haven't acted since the last few days. I'm concerned. That just means two things."

"Either they've backed off or planning something."

Lips pursed, he nodded at Leesa's words.

Either way, it's bad, he thought. If they backed off, that meant they're possibly focusing on Katharon, down to the last man. The second one was a trap for them. She leaned at his touch, once more releasing her stress. "If they attack, we're already prepared. We know they will be supplemented by that Mobile Armor we fought and those custom units."

"When they find us, what then?" Lasse said.

"I'm still thinking of the options."

No doubt she already came up with something but deliberating on the most optimal choice. Based on their situation here on Earth, a return to space would be best with their worsening fortune if that last encounter was to go by. He just hoped that whoever their leader was couldn't predict their next actions.

"Papa said he needs to go to space to complete the 0 Raiser," Milleina added.

If Ian said that, then things are turning for the worse for them and they can't waste time anymore. He felt they would be unprepared the longer they stayed on the planet.

"We'll have to observe the events for a few days before acting."

Stopping by the door entrance, Tiera turned to him and then left the mess hall before any of them could say anything.

"What's wrong with Tiera?" Alleh, who sat beside their new crew member, turned to him and shrugged.

Frowning, he did notice it too, after the Allelujah search mission Tiera had come back somber than he usually was. Brows furrowed and eyes behind those glasses staring off at something only he could see. From all the time he knew of Tiera, the man wasn't one to be easily rattled. Not as prideful then, but one that would face something head-on with confidence. Very different from Setsuna's stubbornness.

That begged the question, what was weighing him down?

"Something is troubling him," Setsuna said as he ate. But only those who knew him could sense the underlying concern in his eyes. His younger friend may think he couldn't see it, but to him who was used to him after years of friendship it was clear as day.

"That's the question, isn't it. About what though." He leaned forward, head propped by his hands. "It's not about Marie, is it?"

"He was wary of her," Alleh said, sighing in obvious sadness. "It could be. I know you guys don't like her that much, but give her a chance. She's Soma Peries, but she's also Marie. A different person with the same face from the one during Fallen Angel."

"I'm sorry if I am causing this to your friends." Her sparkling eyes looked at him with innocence in her gaze.

How a soldier like her after all she did managed that was beyond him, but it just did. And the more he stared at her, the more his doubts melted away.

Is it that? Could it be that Tiera just didn't know how to act around Marie? Is it anger for being involved in Dr. Moreno, Christy, and Lichty's death? Or was it guilt? But he knew Tiera, and he was better than that. If he was angry, his eyes showed it better than his actions could.

"No, we're just enemies by circumstance." Setsuna looked at her before going back to his eating. "Whatever we were before, it's nothing now since we're fighting for the same goals."

Leave it to Setsuna to be the voice of reason, he huffed. He didn't know there would come a day when the youngest one of them all would be the most reasonable one.

Shrugging, he added, "he's right. I…admit I am wary of you because of the past." The deaths of Dr. Moreno, Chris, and Lichti flashed in his mind but he pushed it down. For the sake of Allelujah and everyone. "What matters is now. And I have a feeling it's not that."

Setsuna turned to the door where their friend left and nodded. "Yeah."

After they ate, he searched for Tiera only to find him at the observation deck, gripping the beams tightly. It seemed he didn't detect him even when the door opened. Leaning against the door, he put on a smile. "Isn't it too early for you to be moping around."

Tiera turned to glare at him, but he felt no venom at it. Perhaps annoyance, but that was normal for someone like Tiera. His sharp eye softened as he looked down before looking at the empty sea once more with nothing but silence that he was happy to accommodate.

His friend would talk when he felt the need to. It matters not to him that all he could offer was his silent company because sometimes that was enough.

"Do…," After a silence that seemed eternal, Tiera sighed, glaring at the holding beams and glaring at it as if they offended him. "Do you think we're fighting for what's right?"

That was a question that often plagued him in the silence. With nothing but maybes or unsure yes at the end of it despite how much he assured himself.

"Yes," he said. More to himself than anyone else, but he had to believe otherwise there was no point in what they were doing. This was not to say what they're doing was perfect, because it wasn't. They knew lives would be lost, but they would do their best to prevent more than necessary. What's more, they weren't the ones unjustly killing innocents now, were they? "Remember Colony Hope, Saji, and what they're doing to the Middle East. Can you justify that like we justified our intervention when war was on the brink back then?"

They did no such thing—the Thrones not counted. All done with precision to minimize civilian casualties.

But A-Laws, they bowed to no one, even now it was obvious they were increasingly given power. Power to step down on people further. Not for the future, but power for the sake of power itself. Fists clenching, did they fight with their intervention for this to happen? "Look at the world, Tiera, and ask yourself this: was this what Aeolia Schenberg wanted? Was this what we wanted when we each promised to change the world? And was this what the promised future we fought for?"

No. Was the resounding answer to all his questions.

If Celestial Being were to die, he was willing to accept being a stepping stone for peace before mankind reached out further into space. Not because Alejandro Corner or anyone like him demanded it.

"I believe we're doing the right thing. To correct the mistake we caused. With the Gundams we've been given and most of all, the Twin Drive System. All of it, entrusted to us by old man Aeolia. So," he walked to his friend and patted his back, his smirk turning to a grin. "Always look forward and don't think about it too much. Just look at Setsuna."

His friend huffed and shook his head.

Federation begins reorganization of the Middle East.

Written at the headline of the news. Seemingly good intentions, but he knew it was everything but that.

"With the recent destabilization of the Middle East, we have launched a plan to reorganize the Middle Eastern states using all of the Federation's resources to secure the borders. As for all the continuing internal conflicts, relocating most of those hostile ethnic groups to colonies is being considered." The Federation spokeswoman looked at the camera with a straight face, making him wonder how she could say that looking like that.

For all of the espoused "Human Rights" of the Federation, what they're doing is short of anything but that.

He tuned it out already knowing where it was heading just by those statements alone. The plan served not only to secure Federation interests in the land itself, making them amenable by setting up temporary government they control. It also served as a warning to Katharon and further divided their forces. One stone, two birds.

"Come on, this lady is talking crazy." Lyle shrugged, smirking, as he shook his head in dismay. Who wouldn't, because what this woman was talking about was Grade A Bullshit.

"And the public would believe it." Leesa crossed her arms, none too pleased by this turn of events. Nor were they happy with it too. They're displacing people instead of actually solving the problem itself. They wanted to solve the problem in the short term without thinking about its long term effects. A short sighted view like the one that caused the bombings... he took a deep breath.

"Why," Allelujah asked.

"Because they're not directly affected by it."

Closing his eyes, he sighed because she was correct. None would look deeper into it since it was far away from them. Any who did dig could be labeled as a Conspiracy Theorist, and at worse be assassinated. The best scenario is to join a group like Katharon.

"This is just the start of things. Next would be the consolidation of power for the A-Laws and Federation with anti-Federation sentiments rising from the Middle East and African countries. It was only a matter of time before it got worse. Of course, their main target would be us and Katharon."

Lyle combed back his long hair and sighed. "That means they'll be pursuing us with full force soon then. Is that what you're saying, Miss Sumeragi."

Allelujah for his part, looked at Marie and they seemed to have a silent conversation as they held hands. "Then what's the plan," Allelujah asked.

"What's the status of the Gundams."

"I've finished maintenance on the Gundams and the temporary repairs on 00 and Arios are done. What's more good news is that the two support units and Dynames' additional equipment are done. So, to get the Twin Drive working right I'll need to fine-tune it in base." Ian snorted at the last part, amusement and exasperation in his expression.

He kept hearing about his Gundam's additional equipment, but not one idea was told about it, so he was excited about it. His Gundam was internally improved giving it capabilities equal to the other Gundams, but it was not without its deficiencies. It had less armor than the Cherudim for those extra sensors. Fewer missiles like it originally used to compared to the successor unit but it did give the Dynames speed and mobility greater than the Cherudim.

A small smile flashed on Leesa's face. "I understand. Milleina, can you handle the maintenance while Ian's gone?"

"Yes! Yes!" She jumped, hands raised.

That meant that they'd had to return to space soon. A good thing since if her predictions were right, which was most of the time, then that meant the A-Laws would soon take action against them. Especially with their few holdouts on Earth.

"Decoded message from Wan Liu Mei."

"Decode it."

"Everyone, I've received news that the leaders of A-Laws never before seen in public are attending a party with business leaders. I will be reporting my findings."

"I volunteer for this recon mission!" Tiera burst out making Neil look at him strangely in silence. As far as he knew Tiera, he was never one to be this impulsive. To say something out of the blue was more of a Setsuna thing to do than him. His friend muttered something, but he missed it. All he knew was that the level of his glare was something he had seen far too many times in the mirror.

"I'll join this mission too."

He smirked, expecting Setsuna to volunteer for this. "I guess I'll come along to keep the two in line. No guessing what these two could attract." Noticing the glower of Tiera, he rolled his before turning serious. "Just like them, I wanted to see the faces behind A-Laws."

I want to see those who inherited Alejandro Corner's malice. He wanted to see it with his eyes. The cold eyes of their true enemy that had plans for humanity whether they wanted it or not by misusing Veda and stepping upon all that Aeolia Schenberg and Celestial Being stood for.

Hands on her waist, Leesa smirked. "Well, you three better follow my plans to the letter."

Hours later, they rendezvous with Wang Liu Mei who provided them the transportation with Setsuna as the chauffeur as agreed. Him being Tiera's bodyguard like the man that was with Wang Liu Mei all the time. With their cover of Tiera being one of her invited friends, their cover was safe as they headed to the party.

The mansion they arrived to were wide with lands miles away still the owner's property and all of it surrounded by forests. High-end collectible and rare cars parked neatly on the broad cemented field near the wide double-door entrance. The valet opened the doors to their benefactor's car before it parked elsewhere. Setsuna stopped their car just before the entrance.

Neil smoothed his suit, and he smirked at Tiera as Wang Liu Mei's "guest". "Shall we," he said going out first, body taut, eyes vigilant as a bodyguard would before stepping aside as she came out.

This is it. He said to himself as the door was opened for them.

He would see the faces behind the formation of A-Laws and those who seek to corrupt Celestial Being's ideals for a better world. As the door opened, they were greeted with an illustrious bright dance hall lit by regal chandeliers and filled with more than fifty people in fine suits and dresses that mingled with one another.

Laughter and mirth filled the hall, but he knew what lay beneath was deception. Lies and deceit in their gamble for more power. For no one's benefit but their very own self-interest even if it means stepping on the people they should serve. The beauty of this party all a smoke and mirror trick to hide the snakes convening for more selfish gains of money and power.

Resisting the urge to scowl, his eyes observed anyone they passed by as Tiera was greeted cordially with bows and smiles. Despite the joyous occasion and laughter all around, everyone reeked of power play and politics with truth as a privilege.

"My, my, I didn't know Miss Wang Liu Mei had such a beautiful friend. I daresay she was keeping you for herself." A plump blond man bowed, kissing the back of Tiera's hand. A brief but strong glare appeared only for her other hand to cover her giggling mouth. "And who's your partner? Your escort?"

"Thank you," she said with a smile. Judging by the man's upward quirk of his lips, he bought Tiera's acting. God, his friend was a fine actor, if he didn't know any better, he would assume that he was born as a girl. "This is my bodyguard, father never lets me leave without him. And my friend, Wang Liu Mei would not have me without a protection detail. You know how it goes." She waved her hand lightly, laughing along with the others with him.

"Yes, I quite know my dear. Anti-Federation sentiments are the height of folly these days." He laughed. "After all we've done for them they still want more."

This man, he thought in keeping his anger was an A-Laws high-ranking officer based on what Wang Liu Mei told them earlier. A General from the former Union that was transferred to A-Laws when it was formed.

The people that gathered here were not one would normally see in the public eye. These were the cog in the wheels that she knew worked for the machine that was called A-Laws. He saw some of those high-profile people, but not all of them. And not what he needed to see. They were high-ranked, but not the ones behind the scenes.

These were mere puppets in the long run.

His very guts told him that such a person would be here. He had to be, or otherwise… it would've been all for nothing. Surely. If Alejandro Corner knew the Gundam Meister's identity that he'd tell the Throne pilots, then it would make sense whoever controlled Veda now knew as well. And he would anticipate that knowing gaze of that person or group with the fire that burned in his very being.

As Tiera mingled, he never once deviated from his mission. His thoughts were purely on examining and remembering the people they met. Most were from a big corporation like the Iris Corp, but they met some belonging to the three blocs like the former scientist of the Union, Billy Katagiri, and most of all, the head of A-Laws, Homer Katagiri.

Nepotism at the highest level, he scoffed at the blond American man.

All of them noteworthy with their possible connections to A-Laws. Not what they needed in the long run.

"Yes, I assist Miss Wang Liu Mei in her business endeavors even if I may not look like it." Tiera giggled with the grace of a real woman.

"Truly amazing for a woman your age."

"May I have this dance?" Smooth young voice said behind him. A young man with green hair and an old-style high-class suit bowed at them. His form was above what they wore and very his stature straight and confident. Oh, but his eyes; Neil shivered and his heart throbbed in fear at those sharp green eyes. That jealous greedy green gaze saw through him and smirked.

Could this be one of him? He couldn't say. It was just a feeling. He had seen many people and been to places, but he could see a.. or rather feel a knowing look pointed at him when he smirked briefly.

"It will be my pleasure," Tiera said smiling, charm and grace exuding from her form belying her wariness. Judging by the way people made way for them towards the middle of the ballroom just as the orchestra increased in volume, he was the host. An influential host with connections to the higher echelons of A-Laws and the Federation.

Standing there watching the dance, he could see the control the man had as they danced. How he was in control all the time when Tiera slipped and the man caught him before smoothly righting her and spinning as if nothing had happened. He was so far away that he couldn't his friend's expression. When the dance ended, he clapped along with everyone for their display.

Led to the stairs by the man after their performance, Tiera briefly curled his two fingers and Neil nodded. Going out, he took out his comms to see where the man was leading their fellow meister.

He tapped his ear comms. "Setsuna, distract the guards for me. I'm following Tiera."

There was no reply but he knew he could count on Setsuna. He stood by the column near the door as if waiting for Tiera when Setsuna called the guard who had to assist him with "engine troubles."

The mansion was so big he had to stick to the walls to prevent being seen by the roving guards. Whoever this man was, he could have either taken a fancy to Tiera or he knew them. But knowing Tiera, a refusal would have sufficed and the man would have to suck it up. The fact that he didn't refuse meant it was someone he thought to be important.

He stopped at the rooms halfway to the rear of the house when Tiera entered the room. With him much closer now and with the silence of the outside, he could now hear what they were to talk about.

Climbing a tree, the branch held strong enough for him and he brought out the disassembled pistol. His eyes never left them as he listened while assembling the gun. The room may be a few meters away, but he couldn't fully see the interior.

"So you're serious when you said you control Veda."

Veda. Neil's breath stopped when he heard that. Their plan hitched upon the recovery of Veda. It was their loss of Veda that contributed to one of their defeat.

Tiera stood stiff staring at the man probably sitting beyond his sight just to the left of the chimney of the dim room.

"You should know. You experienced it firsthand." His voice was as smooth and silky as his clothes, and just imagining the smirk he was giving Tiera. If he was unaware, he'd no doubt be charmed by this man, but he sensed something from this man just by his gaze alone earlier. It triggered his instincts, the need to fight rising within him. Above all that, he understood what he was saying.

They all felt the effects of his actions five years ago. He loosened his hands around the pistol just from remembering the thought of being stuck helpless in the cockpit of the Dynames, waiting for death to strike them then and there without accomplishing their mission. That meant that this man, he, this man, was the one who inherited Alejandro's malice.

"The force stopping of the Trial System." His friend said reeling back from shock. "The one who deactivated our Gundams. You…"

Tiera, give me a name. So that he could shoot this man where he stands. For their family; Chris, Lichty, Dr. Moreno, for their cause, and most of all, for the small scar on his right eye. A constant reminder of his brush with death back then that aroused his anger every time he saw himself in the mirror. Of the weakness he had back then.

"You also gave the UN Forces the GN Drive. Why." Tiera's voice tensed.

"Yes, it was I, Ribbons Almark." He picked up the small sound of shuffling clothes and shifting glass. "I inherited Aeolia's, and in turn, Celestial Being's will. Because the plan specifically called for the destruction of Celestial Being. According to the plan, you guys were supposed to die four years ago."

"No…." Tiera breathed in harshly. "No!" Louder this time. "Lies."

This Ribbons Almark let out a chuckle of arrogance. "What reason do I have to lie? I have everything I need to guide humanity. You can join us if you desire to see the plan for yourself."

"No." Neil flinched from the pain in Tiera's voice. "You and Alejandro Corner defiled that will. The wishes of the people."

"Alejandro Corner was a fool. Deeming himself the guide for humanity when he himself was human. A sheep cannot lead a sheep, only the shepherds can." Ribbons paused, and he prepared himself for anything that could happen to Tiera. "It is us Innovators who are destined to guide humanity for the next step of the plan."

"Yes. That's right. You are going against the plan of Aeolia Schenberg."

Neil's face twitched, glaring at the form hidden from him. How would he ever trust his words knowing he changed the plan with their greed. The innocent lives ended with the Throne's intervention.

"No! Aeolia Schenberg entrusted everything to us. The Gundams, GN Drives, Trans-am system. So… I'll follow my own path! Call me a fool, but you're all wrong! This isn't the plan. This is all for your twisted entertainment."

Ribbons laughed. A smooth malevolent sneering laughter that made his blood boil in cold. "I see you were corrupted worse than I thought. You who is one of us, brought down to the level of lowly humans. Who was it? Setsuna F. Seie, Allelujah Haptism, Lockon Stratos, or Sumeragi Lee Noriega. A lost child soldier seeking redemption, a mentally broken man, the man who let revenge take his soul or the woman who ran away from her despair."

Neil glared at the unseen man who he imagined looking at Tiera with his unending arrogance. How dare he! It was true, all of it, but for good or for bad, it made them who they were now. Their pain, reluctant as he was to say, made them strive for a better world. It strengthened them and made them better than before. For this Ribbons Almark to laugh at his friend's face, it lit the wrath in his chest.

"Foolish humans that they are, yet you let them too deep in your heart."

"Shut up!" Tiera held his gun only for it to fly out of his hands as a gunshot rang out from the door.

"Tiera, get out now!" He shot the glass, breaking it, and covering for Tiera who ran and flew out of the window. Three more shots stopped them from running after Tiera before Neil followed suit by jumping and landing near Tiera before running towards the car. Glancing around, no guards followed them which worried him.

The mission ended prematurely, but they had what they came for. A name, a face, and his goal. It was revealed with his silent words that lay behind his smooth charisma. All of his evil hidden behind the charming farce of a man.

If possible, Tiera shook with anger never before seen. "We know it now, Lockon. The ones behind the theft of Veda. Our fall. And the ones behind the A-Laws."

"Ribbons Almark." The name etched in his heart. His anger at it for corrupting their goals. Their wishes. Their ideals. All spat by the ego of one man deigning to play God.

They ran to Setsuna who was consoling a kneeling girl his age that huffed, out of air as she clutched her chest and other arm on the fountain edge for support.

"Setsuna, let's go." He tapped his shoulder and tilted his head towards the car. Setsuna said something to the girl as the guards ran towards them weapons still not drawn, which was good news. The girl nodded, even as she scowled.

"If you see Saji, tell him, I send my best wishes for him."

Setsuna nodded and moved to the driver's seat.

As they distanced themselves from the mansion, he did not relax his hold on the gun underneath his suit until their car was great distance and no one was following them. Setsuna turned right on the road, the path becoming rocky every second. Their Gundams knelt in rest, deactivated, waiting for them.

With haste, they rode their units and flew away. He was not complacent nor assuming enough to say the A-Laws would not follow them. To be precise, Ribbons Almark himself, the one who pulled the string of A-Laws, the Federation would surely follow them. He would want the original Solar Furnace for his guidance of humanity.

All the blood of the people now fell on his hands. A hand that cared not with every blood spilled.

"Setsuna. We've found it." The tension in Tiera's voice echoed within Neil's chest for he desired his head. The flames, oh so, familiar flames of revenge that once burned in him lit up small as an ember with the desire for the death of Ribbons. Not for him, but for his lost friends and the people suffering under A-Laws. "The twistedness that's in the world. With our Gundams, we'll cleanse the Earth of their presence. "

"What—"

"Easier said than done!"

A familiar rough voice called as red beams shot towards them and were intercepted by Tiera when his GN Field glowed. Blood red color that haunted him in his sleep. The color that nearly sent him to his death as he fought for his very life.

His heart skipped a beat when the same blood-red Mobile Suit flew in front of them. It was new and old at the same time as its general shape brought forth the anger and nightmare. This Gundam… another Throne, that came out from the pits of hell it was born from.

The Throne! How!? Why?

Confident in its stance of being unarmed and open. But what's more his heart grew cold when such a thing drew forth memories and hot burning emotions in his chest he thought he left behind.

"You…." He stopped himself from snarling at the man he thought he had once slew.

"Ali-Al Saachez!" Tiera said.

Neil let go of the controls as he breathed deeply. Dousing the flames that burned faster than he could control.

"Heh, I see we both survived our deaths." The smirk evident in his words alone. "Now! Let's start this Gundam war of epic proportions! Fangs!"

With a fast pull, he reversed the Dynames. SMG and Pistol on hand, he started firing at the small fangs flying about only to find out he wasn't the only one that had an upgrade. The fangs flew zooming by like buzzing bees shooting back with red rain even as he shot nonstop. He reversed and raised his right shield only to release it as it exploded when a Fang hit it.

Tiera screamed as his GN Field exploded while Setsuna charged only to meet a sword, sparking and lighting the sky in the night. Neil moved up, down, and everywhere avoiding the fangs going his way. "Haro, prioritize targeting Fangs." When the screen bled red with the targets, he fired all the missiles and raised his guns up and right to hit a few of them.

When he dashed forward, he rolled and counterattacked only for his shots to meet nothing but air and in return, the small sharp remote weapons fired back causing him to take cover behind his remaining shield and pushing him back. "It's fast! But not fast enough!" Hands moved together with the eyes, faster than they were before raining upon the smaller weapons.

Elation filled him when they exploded, freeing him from some of them.

"Tiera, cover Setsuna!"

A grunt was the response as Seravee slashed from the other side only to be blocked by a saber.

"Got you now, you monster." His reticle on its chest, he breathed deeply and pulled the trigger.

So sure Neil was of his shot that he felt nothing as his shot approached its death mark. Swift as lightning, the Throne flipped and from each foot, more beam sabers came out cutting Seravee's left knee cannon and 00's blade. All this happened in a span of seconds as the laughter of the bastard echoed.

"So much for being Gundam Meister when you three can't even defeat me!"

"Trans-am!" Neil smacked the button as everything turned to a near blur. "Setsuna don't use Trans-am. You and Tiera distract him." He spun around them firing his guns at the long Throne all the while dodging the 00 and Seravee's—which was now a blur too— blades.

The red Throne deftly dodged left, evading his shot to the chest from behind a mere inch away making him growl in anger. More shot was evaded at the cost of the leg cut by Tiera. Setsuna followed with an upward slash as he bellowed, cutting the Gundam horizontally.

As if that wasn't enough, a blast from Seravee above melted its left arm. He pulled the trigger piercing the crotch in an explosive detonation.

"Tch, this isn't fun anymore."

Something moved, before he could know what, the GN Drive disconnected and flew. So true was his sight, befitting of his former name, when the lock-on beeped red. But before he could, the sensor beeped and he rushed aside when a thick yellow beam of light came from the east that not only shook them from its intensity alone but rivaled that of the Cherudim's ranged attack.

Screams of Tiera rang in his cockpit as it hit his GN Field sending him careening down.

"Tiera!"

No doubt about it, this was Ribbons Almark or one of his ilk. "Don't underestimate us!" Still in Trans-am, his mind worked fast on calculating the location of the enemy sniper. If that's how they play, then they'd know why he was known as Lockon Stratos! The man who could shoot beyond the stratosphere! "Haro, all energy on beam!" He pulled the trigger, releasing the strongest attack his Gundam could do with its sniper rifle. His eyes glared at the direction of it but glared harder when nothing happened. "It escaped." he clicked his tongue.

"Whoever they were, they're good."

He agreed with Setsuna. Their shot was accurate to even hit Seravee at this distance. They needed to rendezvous before more came.

After they arrived, as they went to the strategy room for debriefing, Tiera called him.

"Lockon," he said, his eyes lacking the same fiery spirit it always had. "I'll… let me tell the part about Ribbons and the Innovator." Those purple eyes which exuded strength, were now drained and raining with doubt, he hadn't the strength to correct he was not Lockon anymore and nodded. He trusted Tiera would make the right choice.

When they arrived at the strategy room, everyone was already there. Looking at the map, highlighting their position and potential positions of A-Laws, including the one that shot them.

He told them of what happened and he glanced at Tiera who had still not told the others of what fully happened. Not one to be troubled, he'd asked after the debriefing.

"Ali al-Saachez." Lyle with a blank face. "KPSA leader is still alive. The one who bombed that day."

Neil's fist shook but he let go of it to stop Leesa from worrying about him.

"I was a member of KPSA. The ones who bombed people."

"Setsuna!"

Their youngest ignored Allelujah's cry and stared at Lyle. Neil remembered when Setsuna said this, how his anger overcame him making him point the gun at him. That was then, this was now.

"So what." His brother shrugged. "That was you then, you changed. It's not you to blame, it's that bastard Saachez. You're fighting for what's right now. I'm not about to go on a crusade to kill you and whoever's left. Unfortunately, it happened, but we can't change the past and only move forward."

Lasse smirked and shook his head. "If I didn't see a clear difference between you two before, I do now."

Lyle for his part returned the expression before turning serious. "What's the plan."

"Cut the snake head. They're the ones supporting Saachez, Katigiri, and the Federation president." He took a deep breath. It would do him no good to let his anger get the best of him now after all these years.

With all the information they had about A-Laws, they had a goal. He doubted striking the A-Laws would be easy with cities fully protected. Still, assassinating them was on the table, but with the influence of Innovators, would it really be that easy? There's also the fact they lacked the numbers unlike before. Most died in the hunting of the UN Forces which destroyed most of their bases forcing most satellite bases to be evacuated, and most to quit their organization.

"We'll have to go to space soon. Their pattern suggests that they will move soon and strike." Leesa leaned against him, and he for his part massaged her tense shoulders. "The sooner the better."

Feldt nodded and took off to prepare.

"Are you sure, Miss Sumeragi?" Lasse asked. "We didn't exactly achieve what we planned."

A grim nod was the response he got from her before pointing at the fleet formations. "See the formation of the three small fleets from our north, east, and west? They will eventually flank us in all directions once the enemy commander is certain where we are."

"I guess one of us will have to stay behind and do that then."

She turned around, eyes wide, faster than he thought, and protested. "Neil!"

"Lo… Neil." Tiera stared at him, unsure what he was thinking before turning to a glare. "We're at risk if we divide our forces."

He smirked. "Not this time. We have Katharon, don't we? I'll conduct operations here with them to disrupt the A-Laws and their plans. With Katharon's forces, it'll be enough to make them think we're attacking them from space and on land."

Not a bad plan, if he says so himself.

"The Federation will be all over you when they find out a Gundam is on Earth."

Shrugging, he replied, "That's what our bases are here for, isn't it? In case things turn south." He knew all the locations of what few of their auxiliary bases on Earth that were not found on Veda and unused. They were briefed about it after abandoning their old ones during the UN hunt for them. If that doesn't work, their old ones could serve as good bases for Katharon with their manpower. That is if the Federation didn't find it and occupy or destroy it without their knowledge.

The second one was more likely than the first since their bases were out of the way and in remote regions. Occupying them would cost the Federation manpower when those could be stationed elsewhere.

Leesa zoomed out the map and looked at their bases highlighted as blue while the Federation was blue, the A-Laws were red, and the Katharon was green. Only a handful, but add that to the ones Katharon had and it would make a great auxiliary base for them to have. A flash of worry appeared in her eyes with her frowning lips, but he could see that she considered that line of thought.

"Whoa." His brother gasped. "Celestial Being has this much information on Katharon?"

"We've spies in most places. Even little information is enough considering how difficult information gathering is without Veda's predictive abilities," Feldt said.

"Even more so with Veda's information control abilities." Tiera glared at the map, knowing what they both knew, it had to be the Innovators.

"The risk of dividing our forces is great, but it could work in our favor if we cooperate with Katharon on their disruption operations." Briefly, her eyes went to Lyle, before looking at the map again.

Allelujah stepped forward. "I'll go with Loc—Neil."

Neil for his part, chuckled and shook his head. He appreciated it, but there was no need to further divide themselves. "I appreciate it, but the Ptolemy will need you for defense. I can handle this myself."

"Are you sure about this?" Tiera blinked and looked at him eyes full of doubt. As he looked at him more, he realized his folly and that it was worry that filled it instead.

"Yes."

"Really." He blinked when Tiera and Leesa said it at the same time causing Lasse to chuckle. Tiera, crossed as always, did not easily agree with him while Leesa looked worried.

Pulling the worried Leesa to his chest, she gasped and pressed her hands to his chest to stop herself from colliding with him. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"The last time we did that, you nearly died at the hands of—"

He pulled her closer, brushed the hair on her forehead aside, and kissed it, much to the other's exasperation and annoyance. "I promise, didn't I? That was before. This is now." Leaning forward, his lips brushing against her ear, making her stop breathing for a second. "I will always come back to you."

To home.

"I'm holding you to that," she said, a small smirk adorning her face.

After what she had done for him, after pulling him out of darkness. This was a promise he would never break, bend, or circumvent. He had something worth fighting for other than his revenge or justice. This was different than before.

"Lyle," he tilted his head towards the door and kissed her one last time, then turned to the others with a nod. Setsuna nodded his silent answer all that he needed to know. "I better head off fast if I'm to catch Katharon."

"Neil," Leesa called as he was on the door. "I trust you, but can you wait for half an hour."

One look at her piercing gaze and he could already see the plan forming in her mind.

It's been long but I promise you, I was writing chapters for this on the side. It's just that, it's hard to make a chapter that's up to my satisfaction.
But I think this turned out better than I expected,