Jack kept looking, until it occured to him that this was going to get him nowhere... He could only try... he wasn't going to find anything just looking at the ground and tracking something... He had to think about what he would've done... So far, everything had been done without a hitch, save the miss on that Special's pilot. And now, he's left a trail to slow us down with... he's leading us somewhere... but where would he be leading us too? A closed off area where he has an advantage... but there don't look to be any warehouses anywhere... wait, there's one... and the trail leads there... Jack raised his pistol. Time to find out who the hell is responsible for this.

Meanwhile, Kara was slowly beginning to wake up, much to the delight of her doctor. She could tell that something had happened from the look of exhausted relief on his face and weakly stated to him:

"Okay.....no stupid lying and crap. What the hell happened? I feel horribly more exhausted than I did last, and in a lot more pain."

"Well, sorry to tell you, but there is some sort of spy or assassin on board. Succeeded in killing 5 of your fellow members of the 'Specials' - Falconheart (Anna Devreaux), Zephyr (Samuel Preston), Blitz-Ball (Jason Blackwell), Bullseye (Yuki Umishirou), and a star pilot and personal friend of yours, Mitsukai (Eiji Yoshida). They were all killed by some type of poison injected into their hearts from a needle. The murderer was about to inject it into your IV tube, but was caught by a nurse. Unfortunately, a drop of it got in and wreaked havoc with your heart. You're a very lucky young woman - we didn't know of any kind of antidote to give you, so it's been seriously risky in treating you. A pity you had been asleep - you could've helped us in identifying your attacker. Anyways, you're not out of the clear yet. Your heart suffered a small amount of trauma, and since you are recovering from those broken ribs of yours, it's putting a great deal of strain on it. So no funny business, okay? Too much exercise could land you in serious trouble or even worse."

At first Kara looked as though she were about to complain about not getting much exercise, but shut her mouth when the doctor mentioned about her health taking a dive over it.

"Oh, and here - thought you'd want to have this."

With that, he handed Kara what looked like a gold locket on a chain, with angel wings and a halo engraved on it with silver leaf. Recognizing to be Eiji's, she grasped it tightly.....then closed her eyes and let a small tear trickle down her face. Opening her eyes again, she looked up at the ceiling angrily. Whoever did this will pay dearly. For Eiji and all her fallen teammates.......

Jack readied himself and opened the door using the mechanized door 'handle'. The door slid open and Jack immediately moved inside and to the first stack of boxes on his left, closest to the door.

The shadow continued along cautiously looking to make sure he wasn't detected. He noticed that the door had opened and closed. So there's someone in here. The shadow immediately hid behind a stack of boxes and yelled out. "Who goes there?"

"Variable goes here."

Variable? Then I'm saved! He walks out with his weapon lowered and held by his side with one hand. "Come over here... you must be the other operative I'm meeting."

Jack slowly moved over to the shadow wearing the standard black covert suit. "Are we on radio silence?"

"Yes, sir."

Making it up on the fly, Jack tries to go with it. "I replaced the other operative at the last minute... But, there seems to be a problem with this situation. One: You got detected. Two:" he quickly shot the spy's pistol out of his hand. "We're on the opposite sides now." He raised his pistol to the operative's head. "Down on your knees. Hands behind your head. Fingers interlocking."

"Variable betraying the Confederation... this oughta be news when it gets out."

He picked up his PDA and opened a comm channel with the bridge. "I'm in... Cargo Bay Nine, I have the spy in my custody. Come and get him." He replaced the PDA to his cargo pocket.

The massive shipyard hangs in space adding the industrial element to the picturesque would-be void. The pinpricks of light making up the rest of the monitor satlleites view are suddenly joined by hundreds of much more immediate masses.

*Zak sat and watched from the viewscreen in Zero's cockpit as the shipyard replaced the streaks of hyperspeed and drew increasingly large as the flagship decelerated upon re-entry.
His feelings conflict over the joy of approaching battle from the pilot seat and the anger at the fact that he was performing the wishes of a man who he would desribe as an 'incompetant bastard' on a good day.
His musings where however interuppted by an incomming transmission*



"This is Grand Admiral Dalaa speaking, All troops. prepare to engage"

In his room after having left the bar a man runs in out of breath.

Sir. The Confederate fleet has launched a counter attack, They are appraoching the station now.

Thank you. Get to your station as soon as possbile.

Saluting quickly the man runs back out again.

They must be foolish if they think they alone can take on sthis station. There are enough ships docked here other than our own to take them down not to mention enough firepower on the outer hull of this place to repel all but the largest fleet.

Leaving his quarters and going to the Hyperion through the bustling hallways Isaac finally makes his way to the huge bay holding the Hyperion now filling with crew and watching as the enigneers hurredly leave as they ready for battle. On the bridge Isaac takes his possition and begins to look at the reports as dozens of ships leave the station while thousands more still gather their crews.

They may have caught us by surprise here but the stations guns will give us more than enough time to launch the ships.

Surrounded by smaller ships, and with the two huge battlewagons flanking it, the Sacrifice turns and begins to accelerate into the darkness

Sir... second beacon is within a few thousand kilometers of the first. They must have begun their attack. At maximum speed, we estimate a 2 hour hyperspace journey.

Very well. All hands, to combat stations. Engineering crews, prepeare for maximum hyperspace speed. Slave all ships to our command.

Jump in Three.

As the Sacrifice accelerates, hyperspace gates appear in front of all the Ronin vessens simultaniously. A few seconds later, it's as if they'd never had been there

A marine squad appears and takes the spy captive. Letting Jack breathe a bit before going back to the Med Bay to check on the surviving victim.

"Wow... thanks guys."

"No problem. Alright men, take his bastard down to interrogation right now." Some marines exit with the first spy. "There's someone else coming isn't there..."

Another shadow walks around the corner into the room.

Jack notices this and reacts. "Freeze!"

The shadow, freezes on instinct and starts to prove that he really isn't a spy. Just a pilot. Stupidly enough, he pulls out a Confederate ID.

"Spy..." He raises his pistol and shoots at the holstered pistol on his belt. "Take him too, Sargent."

"Sounds good, sir. All right, you get moving."

"Entering hyperspace. Intercepted battle-station orders. Logical station: board your MS, ready for battle. Weapons: use long range rifle setup.

Jack ran over to the Med Bay. He looked at the victim, who was now awake and walked over to her. "You must be that Specials pilot... I'm Jack Conway, a new pilot here on the Polaris. I found the spies that attempted to kill you... they should be in the brig now."

Yumi sits in her cockpit, ready for battle. Having heard the transmision to be rady to engage, she does so. She had gotten the OK from the doctor, to be allowed in battle. She is nurvous, but she plans to give it her all, and not let her worries from the past week take her over.
While waiting, she gets a transmission from Karina.

Are you sure you are ready for this, Yumi?

Yumi takes a deep breath before answereing

Yeah. I can't let my worries have us lose the battle. And I can't let my sister's deth go unpunished.... That is why I joined the confederacy...

a sigh can be heard in the transmission

Just be careful, Yumi... Your sister wouldn't want you to be killed doing something foolish, and your friends don't want you killed for the sae reason, either...

Yumi sighs as Karina cuts off the transmission. Karina is obviously flustered at the fact that Yumi won't take the advice to rest and sort out the problems that have been bothering Yumi for a while. But Karina's word of advice could probably never penetrate the stubborness of Yumi's determanation. All Karina can do is pray that Yumi won't get hurt... and herself not to get killed for worrying about Yumi...

((Sorry I wasn't around yesterday, I was out of town and staying at a hotel without internet.))

*Shadow, apon hearing an alarm sounding presses a few buttons on his holopanel and a camera showing the Damnation's main cannon.*

Ah, so it has been finished, this time, if the damn thing doesn't miss, we can put a small hole in their attack plans...

*Shadow quickly steps to the elevator behind the oversee-ers podium and presses a button and the evevatior begins its desent. Shadow then pulls out a comm and speaks into it. Accessing the ships speaker system, and it also sends out to the entire crews phones.*

This is captain shadow speaking. Alarm has been sounded. An attack in beginning. Although we have NOT received word from command to join the battle, I am assuming we will. ALL crew are to return to the ship and suit up NOW!

*Shadow steps onto the bridge of the ship and begins to power up its engines and weapons systems.*

With the fleet begining to be deployed and more ships lining up waiting to get out of the doors the fleet readies itself not far away from the base as the Hyperion finally crewed slowly emerges from the largest doors and takes its possition amongst the fleet waiting for the Confederate forces to come into range.

I don't want any ships going off to engage them. We'll wait for them to come to us so we can use the firepower of the station too.

*With nothing to defend the Confederacy joint fleets initiate a full offensive strike against the ship yard, The mobile suits are deployed en masse and head out in a spread formation to minimize losses against any massive beam attacks.
The larger ships hang back and begin laying down a covering fire through pre-designated gaps in the suit formation. Covering the suits with heavier weaponary the relativley small although suit dwarfing Panther strike ships zoom in to engage and unleash their heavily offensively rigged arsenal.*

*Zak takes the zero foward to the front lines, he watches as ships swarm like bees from a hive out of the shipyards openings.
As he comes into combat range his fingers hover over the keypad before he tightens his resolve and enters the initiation code Z E R O, the cockpits displays become drowned out by a yellow glow before settling down and begining to fast feed the reams of battle data into Zaks brain.*

Carl hears that the alarm sounded and immediately jumped. He didn't know what to do, he ran out to the bridge to see what was going on outside. "Oh man. . what does a mechanic do during a battle???"

With the units on the move the Confederate troops adancing the Imperiums own dolls begin to drop from the carrier bays and tens of thousands coming from hatches on the surface of the station bringing assault weapons with them taking up possitions to support the hull mounted guns. With more ships and troops emerging from the hangars all the time the Imperium troops open fire setting the sky alight with the dolls heading up a charge into the ranks of Confederacy dolls while the small stike ships charge through the lines to get closer to the Confederacy battle ships.

*As Zak reaches combat distance with the hostiles he is filled with the exhillhirating and frightening feeling of vastly hightened, barely controlled senses and reactions*

C'mon, I've done this before so I can do it again. Even if it has been a few years



ADA: *fzzzt*....zero system....*crackle* ...over riding operating systems....initiating shut down........*fzzzuum*

Hmm, so ADA and the ZERO system can't operate at the same time

WELL, NO TIME FOR THINKING


*The zero draws and ignites its saber before piling into the dolls with the grace of a hunting tiger*


*Following in his wake the rest of the confederacy pilots soon enter range and unleash their flurry of firepower before entering into the melee*

*Shadow sees Carl run onto the bridge.*

Basiclly, if a suit comes in and is damaged, you fix it. Otherwise, just watch the systems diognosics and if something gets broken, fix it, or turn it off if you can't. Ok?

*Shadow turns to the ships main arms officer*

All mobile suits are to deply but do not move out too far from the ship. Gunners, fire the long range blaster cannons.

Lucky pilots get to go out there and fight. Feel the thrill, here I am stuck inside.......screw it.

Carl, can you go prep my suit for combat?

Carl salutes Shadow. "Yes, sir."

Carl goes off and loads up Captain Shadow's mech and runs the system. "All is ready Captain, I will be on the radio in case you need anything else. And I'll keep a look out for anything to might be damaged."

Oh, Carl, one last thing before I got o my suit, I want you to upload this program to the suit.


*Shadow inserts a disc into a CD drive and sends Carl a program with the file name "Advanced Manuvering.mse*

Load that up while I come on down. Bridge officer, your in command while I am out. DO NOT fire the Final Avenger unless I give the command. I don't want to use it unless it is a dire need. Or someone higher up wants us to...

*Shadow steps off the bridge and starts walking down the hall to the suit hanger.*

With the battle begining in full and the troops meeting each other in the middle the Hyperion hangs in the back lines waiting for an opportunity.

I want our ships to break up and try to get around the Confederate fleet to try and push them from this side and from another so we can keep their firepower spread and possibly prevent them from breaking up too.

Sir, new orders in, we are to move around to the rear of the confederate fleet and get them from the other side.

Crap, Carl, keep the MS prepared. Turn the ship and get us behind them.

Sir, that would take quite a long time...We could go though a few steady holes in their formation....


Hmm...*shadow takes a quick look at the radar for the fastest and most safe option.* We're gonna take some hits. But we've been in worse scrapes than this. Put the radar up on the front screen. *The radar goes onto the main screen. Shadow points at specific areas of the image.*

Ok, we are going to go though the gaps here on the right flank. We will move as fast as possible. I want all power diverted to the engines and medium to short range weapons. We will fight our way though taking out what we can in the process.

*Shadow opens a comm to the Hyperion*

This is Captain Drake, I will be moving to the other side of the Confederate force. But instead of taking the long route around, my ship will be moving though several gaps in the lines to get around and do as much damage as possible. Drake out.

*The Damnation begins moving towards a place in the line where there are fewer suits. It begins a heavy fire with all weapons that are in range.*

*Dalaa smiles as she watches an enemy brakeaway to head towards one of the gaps in the mobile suit formation.*

"The fools, all our heavy fire power is concentrated through those gaps and would rip any lone vessel to shreds Not to mention the fact that passing through the middle will leave the susceptible from all round to attacks from the suits.
Well alls fair in love and war, though maybe they'll see sense before they enter the storm."

*As the front waves of confederacy mobile suits engage the lines they use the Zero as a rallying point. Inside the suit itself Zak has broken into a could sweat and struggles to regulate his breathing.*

"I can do this, I can control this system, I will not be manipulated by A MACHINE"

*the beam sabre comes to rest for a few seconds as the suits highly polished gundanium vividly reflects the simultaneous explosions of a multitude of now disabled Enemy dolls.*

As a contingent of the Imperium forces break away from the grouping around the station rather than heading for the gaps they head straight for the lines of mobile dolls firing on their way with the heavy weaponry easily poping the Confederate suits while the dispersed and comparatively lightly armed suits have do little damage to the thick armour as the ships charge through rather than being bogged down by combat leaving behind the thousands of suits that were supporting them to deal with their equals.

Sir, every ship just turned towards us. Going though there will be a freaking gaunlet.

*Shadow stands in silence for about 2 minutes, thinking about his course.*

Damn, why do they always have to notice us. Turn the ship towards their formations edge, looks like we have to do the old fashioned flank manuver. I want all weapons on the port side to be firing. Heavy ships take the brunt of our weapons. Mobile suits are no problem, the others can get them from the front. We are moving to the rear for a reason. Now lets move!

*The ship turns and moves off a distance away from the edge of the line. It stays out of the range of enemy extra heavy weapons. Taking a few scrapes here and there from light weapons that can reach the range. In a short period of time, the Damnation is behind the enemys last line and preparing to make its main run with the other ships in the rear.*

With a sound resembling "foom", the Ronin fleet drops out of hyperspace 1,500km 'above' the platform, each ship pointing 'down' towards it.

Admiral, the fleet is in position. Lucifer Cannon at 95%, all mecha are green. We await your orders

Is this really wise, sir? We're too close


We shall see. All units, if anything makes a hostile move, blow it apart. Until then, we drift towards that thing.

On the Hyperion in the Conference room Isaac sits at the head of the desk with several dozen generals when the some of the screens spaced all around the room begin to show the approach of the Ronin forces quickly getting the attention of all those there.

Them again. What are we going to do about them? Our fleet is busy enough as it is assaulting the Confederacy troops without having to deal with them.

They are a strange group but so far they have been content to sit by and watch and we can only hope that they will do so again but we can't take too many chances. I want to pull back the main fleet to the station again. If the Confederates want us then they can come and get us but we'll have the full support from the station then. If the Ronin do decide to do something then we can move quickly to react. We hava enough force here to deal with both groups if needed but it will be a lot more costly.

Sir what about the groups that we sent out to engage the Confederate fleet at closer range?

Have them pull back to but I want them and the rest of the elite squad to do straifing runs of the Confederate formations. I don't want the Confederates to be able to rest a while.

Jack's PDA beeped to life again. He was being ordered to his MS. "Well, it was nice meeting you..." He tried to remember her name from the injured report.

*On board the Chimeara Mr Gregovitch recines languidley in the admirals chair, up till now he had been content to leave the real work to the seemingley capabley grand admiral Dalaa while he watched the monitoring system of the ZERO systems effects on Mr Segalls mind.
However with the expected emergence of the Ronin forces he remembers his orders and jumps to action.*

"I want all this ships firepower concentrated upon that new threat."

*From infront of him the bridge crew turn their heads as one to look incredoulously upon him, a woman looses her self control due to the lack of respect for this intruding commander and speaks up.*

"Excuse me sir but that fleet aided us on our last encounter and is showing no hostilities at the mo-

BANG

*The woman slumps foward as half her head lands on the floor ten metres away, Mr Gregovitch lowers his gun and looks at the rest of the crewmen with an icy stare.*

"Mutiny is punishable by death, Open fire"

*for a second the crew look like revolting anyway but loose enthusiasm as a squad of fully armed masked soldiers appear upon either side of Mr Gregovitch and point their rifles threateningly.*

As the confederacy force continues its attack the Chimeara breaks away from the formation and into range of the Ronin, for a secondit hangs as if at the front of the armarda and then opens fire

*In the middle of ripping apart a Virgo Zak becomes pre cognitivley aware of the sudden change of emotion aboard his flagship and turns to watch as beams lance outwards towards the newley appeared force.*

"THAT BASTARD, HE'S TRYING TO GET US KILLED"

*Shadow receives the message to move his ship back to the main group.*

Can someone send them a message to find out if we are one of the ships that has to to flybys?

*The ship starts on its way back.*

The beams slam into the Ronin fleet, most seemingly dissipated by their strange armour. After a few moments though several of the smallerships are overwhelmed and explode

What the hell is happening? I was expecting an attack to come from the Yard!

Deploy the mecha! Capital ships, annihilate anything that's foolish enough to come within range. Demon, Archangel you're with us. Engage the command ship, full weapons spread but no heavy artillery.



The three huge vessels turn as one, turrets all turning to face the Chimera. Withing moments, a hail of yellow energy pulses tear towards the Confederate flagship

*as the first wave of beams strikes the ship the hulls structural integrity is pushed to it limits.
On board the ship Mr Gregovitch stands with a fixed grimace, his hands clenched tightly on the side rails*

"Be proud people, for you are the ones who shall go down in history as heralding in a new ruling order for our citizens.
It's you who are saving the people from needless years of war for by proving our allegiance with the Imperium and by sacrificing the fleet we crumble the resources of those tyrants who seek to throw the galaxy into constant turmoil
Today we die so that others will live in peace"

Kara badly wanted to talk to Jack, and him leaving so quickly was most unsettling for her. She was screaming inside - and not just from the pain she felt from her poor health. Eiji Yoshida was her best friend, and the person who asked her to join the Ronin forces in the first place. Often the other members of the Specials unit made jokes about them being so close, considering that Kara's callsign was "Chaos" and Eiji's was "Angel". Though she never admitted it to herself, deep down inside Kara had desired to be closer to Eiji - to be more than just friends. Now that dream would never come to pass, and Eiji was gone forever. Still clutching his beloved good luck charm in her hand, Kara allowed herself to shed great tears. Feeling unashamed since no one was around, she proceeded to cry as hard as she had the day her father died. Though grateful that the horrible men who had done this atrocity had been captured, Kara still felt like vengeance needed to be taken. Someone had to pay for taking her friend's life, and for her fellow members of the Specials. Such a terrible loss indeed - especially the loss of "Bullseye", who was known for his immensely accurate aim with any weapon, whether in his suit or on foot. As she pondered all this mess in her mind, Kara was trying to get some rest, when she was alerted by a nurse that there was some kind of conflict going on and that the Polaris might be called to action soon. Having finished her report, she checked to see how Kara's heart was doing. While she endured the examination, Kara wished that she was able to join the others in the battle if there was to be one - the urge to fight was raging within her like an unquenchable fire, and it seriously angered her that she was badly injured and needing a long time to recover.

"I promise, Eiji.....you and the others will be avenged."

"All right." Jack climbed up into his mobile suit's cockpit. He opened comms to the tactical channel abord the ship. "Tactical, what's my role in this next battle?"

Holy ****! What in gods good name is going on out there! Take the ship back to the yard RIGHT NOW! I don't want to be caught up in that rain of destruction.

*Shadow sends a message to Isaac asking whether he knows what is going on or not and what he should do.*

This is messed up...He must want his entire fleet destroied...

*The Damnation quickly makes its way back to the shipyard, cutting though the confederate fleet during the mass confusion.*

On board the Hyperion Isaac watches the latest developments as the Confederates begin to attack the Ronin forces.

Well this seems to be interesing. The Confederates are going to be going after the Ronin as well as us. I suppose we could probably do a lot of damage to the Confederacy with the Ronin going after them too but this does present us with an opportunity to do something about the Ronin forces too.

With a slight grin on his face one of the other commanders around the table speaks up.

Are we going to finally get a chance to take down those annoying Ronin forces then sir? They've been looking around our fleets for well over a year.

The station can take care of itself easily with half the fleet to support it so we can go after the Ronin. We've seen that their ships seem to be able to absorb energy weapons but they evidentally have a limit to how much they can take. i want the ships to focus their firepower on only a few ships at a time to overcome their armour. The Hyperion though has more firepower than they can possibly handle.

Several minutes later a large section of the Imperium fleet begin to break away from their guard of the station and make their way towards the Ronin fleet.

Sir, we just received orders to attack the ships of the ronin fleet.

Oh lovely, this is going to be damn fun. Focus all firepower on the ships in the center of their formation......DO IT NOW!!!

*The crew, having had a dazed look on their faces snaps to action as the damnation turns itself towards the enemy and beginds deploying the Final Avenger. All guns are aimed on a very large ship in their formations center.*

This time, we won't fail.....FIRE!

*As another doll flares in a brilliant blast of plasma Zak allows the zero to be propelled on the shockwave back towards the confederate fleet and the distant Tanis expediationary forces.
As he approaches his eyes widen in shock at the sight of his own ship finally cave in before being ripped apart by the ensuing blast of ruptured reactors, the blast encompasses the few unlucky nearby strike ships and the wave breaks up the formation of the closest larger vessels.*

"DAMN"

*Zak keys off the ZERO system and watches as ADA flickers back to operation,*

"ADA try to send a signall out on the frequency used by Hayate when he contacted us last time, we need to talk to him right now"

Aboard the Sacrifice, the mood is sombre as the Chimera tears itself apart.

Enemy command vessel eliminated.We are receiving fire from Confederate units.

Imperium ships in sector 47! Imperium ships in Sector 47! Incoming fire!

The Sacrifice doesn't even shake as multipule beams strike it from various directions. Rather, the beams seem so simply spread out over it's shimmering hull and fade away.

Increase the power diverted to the main cannon! All mecha, all vessels, fire at will!

All over the Ronin fleet, ships pick targets and fire. Yellow energy pulses mingle with yellow beams, Ruby Ion blasts, crimson lasers, and cyan cutting beams as ships from all three sides clash

Sir, this cannon is ready to fire at any moment...your orders?

*Shadow stands there for a moment looking out a window of the bridge at the battle, scanning all the ships for anything that looks like a command vessal. He spots a silvery vessal that is taking no damage.*

That one, the big one thats actin all cocky and takin the fire. Lets see what it can take from us. Divert all unnessacary power to the cannon. Full impact time. And don't mess up this time...

*As the power is funneled into the gun, many of the lights flicker a little while the cannon glows a bright blue color. When the gun is fully charged, its aim is perfected, and then it fires. A massive blue beam of light speeds towards the enemy command vessal*

God I hope this works...

The beam strikes home, and an entire kilometre of the Sacrficice is lit up with a blinding blue fire ball.

Disconcertingly, as the blast fades, the only evidence it ever existed is a large charred patch on the hull, and a fading glow along the entire length of the ship

Sir! Energy siphoned from that last blast has topped up the Lucifer's energy banks!

Target the shipyard, 10% of maximum power!

A large hatch next to the huge forward launch bay slides open, revealing a gun barrel atleast 100m wide. A dull red glow begins to form as the ship turns.


Elsewhere, the twin bombardment turrets of the Daemon open up, massive plasma blasts tearing apart an unfortunate batlleship that was in their path

With the fleet breaking up the half remaining with the station begins to spread out more blocking the path for the Confederate ships while the fleet led by the Hyperion begins to move in on the Ronin fleet moving into range as on board the Hyperion the crew notice the ominous form of the Sacrifice opening up it's main canon and turning towards the station.

I want the ships to stay out of the path of that thing. I don't know what it can do to a ship but I don't intend to find out.

With the main body of the Imperium fleet coming into range a huge volley of beams cross the sky with every few dozen Imperium ships only focusing on the one Ronin fleet as the Hyperion opens its own subcanons with dozens of beams coming from the sides of the main ring and along the 'legs' with three or four focusing on each Ronin ships as some of the smaller ships begin to explode.

*After a few moments of static and tuning ADA finds a strong link and verifies success*

"The connection has been established, however In light of the current situation it is doubtfull that anybody will take heed of your transmission."


*Ignoring ADA Zak activates the mic to initiate the transmission and takes a moment to compose himself before speaking*

"This Is Grand Admir...This is Zak Segall speaking. I wish to address Hayate Sori, I have no rank to bring to bear or a Side to call my own and so I am reaching out to you as a free man in this time of evil deeds"


*As the full confederacy fleet manuevers round to bring its arms to fire upon the Ronin it becomes apparent that The power of the government within the Navy was more profound than thought possible. Although Zak pays no further heed to the tides of battle and lets the Zero hang like a discarded puppet amoungst the flurry of light*

The glow shifts from dull red, through orange, yellow, white, cyan, and settles on a light blue, and seems to bulge from the end of the barrel

Plasma capacity at 10%, Heatsinks online.

Target confirmed. Range confirmed.

Magnetic field systems actviated. Radiation screens at maximum

Fire the Lucifer Cannon.

The massive light blue beam slashes through any of the ships foolish enough to be in it's path, and slams into the Shipyard. After a huge flare of light, a debris plume hundreds of kilometres high is launced into sapce from the impact point

As the debris clears as it floats of into space from their viewpoint above the Hyperion looks down at the station. With a gaping hole taking up nearly a quarter of the top surface the remnants of the atmosphere in the exposed secions exits into space.

Good God. How many people must that have killed?

Being a docking station it would have many different internal airlocks so the atmosphere loss would have been limited to the exposed sections but looking at the size of the hole theirs going to be several thousand dead.

With the damaged station still firing it's working canons the fleet heads towards the Ronin forces with renewed hatred for those that had killed the civilians on the station.

"Technical difficulties have been overcome Mam, initial results show it's ready to run and-"

*Elizabeth hits off the comlink and pulls herself out of bed, she takes a few carefull minutes dressing and composing her anger at being woken at this time before letting her grim satisfaction of success mount.
She had read the reports of the trip sent in by her agents in various fleets, she had been especially satisfied to hear the reports from Mr Gregovitch on the promise of obtaining the ZERO system although this had been overidden by the sudden turn up of the Ronin which had led to the initiation of a higher priority plan*

"No matter, the ZERO system will still by mine once Lance is put back into operation."

Er.....we're not attacking that ship anymore. Gun officer, do those old standard, shell firing guns still work?

Not all, but a few do, why?

Well, unless your a complete dumbass, you must have noticed that even a beam cannon of great power cannot damage their head ship, so we must use alternitive methods to damage their ships. Start targeting smaller ships with the beam cannons, including the Final Avenger. But use the standard cannons also. If possible, aim for the ships engines.

*The gun officer runs off the bridge and his men start readying the standard cannons as the beam cannons are re-aimed at other ships and they continue to fire. Almost once every ten minutes, the Final Avenger fires on a smaller ship either causing medium to heavy damage, or destroying altogether.*

We've got ourselves in a bad bad way here....

''Sgt First class Daniel Trentson, it is my duty and privaledge, to reinstate you as a combat officer, and give you your orders to be sent to the front''

HaVoK grinned, weeks of training and finaly, he'd kick some ass that wasn't a VR enemy.
''It's my honour to serve the confederacy sir! and to represent fort Gamma Sir!''

''well, go show em the best that fort gamma has to offer them.
What do we fight for!?''

''Freedom!!!''. The answer came from HaVoK as easy as a baby goes to milk. After all, on his right shoulder he had tatooed 'we fight for freedom!'
''Thankyou and goodbye sir''

''kick some ass for both of us son''

''yes sir!''

HaVoK walked up the ramp onto the transport ship, his MS TRIOD already loaded, and waiting to get into some scrapes. He turned around and looked at the colonel that who had gotted him this far
''See you on the otherside Sir!''

''farewell sgt!''

that was it, to the front he went, Daniel Trentson, HaVoK, Fort Gamma's best, Special operations combat officer, The Man

*The Damnation is still pounding away at the Ronin vessals, destroying small ones and damaging the smaller capital ships.*

Why the hell doesn't Isaac give any more orders or information...Nobody knows whats going on...

*Shadows pilots attack the already occupied Confederate ships, blowing up their engines*

With the Imperium forces moving into closer range with the Ronin forces the ships begin to open up with their smaller canons and the few projectile weapons swarming the smaller Ronin fleet a few ships at a time while the Hyperion flies through the thick of it with its large turrets managing to do more damage than even the largest of the capital ships. With the ships now in closer range the larger ships begin to drop their remaining supply of mechs as well putting them into the battle.

I want any damages ships or mecha to pull back to the station. It may be damaged but it's still the safest place around here at least and I would guess that that's what the Ronin are after so it's best we have a guard force there at least.

Ha, I don't even have a scratch yet. Start targeting the Final Avenger at the smaller capital ships also now. The more of those we remove, the better...

*The blue streams of light continue to cut though the groups of ships and mecha slamming into the smallest of capital ships with brilliant bursts of light. Doing small damage to them one at a time. The combined power of the conventional cannons give them a more destructive edge though, the final avenger fires again and a stream of fire is seen from the engines of one of the ronin vessals.*

So, they are mortal after all..

Jack could tell what was happening... "Conventional fire?" The ship had most definately shifted from the hit. "Come on! Someone give me the order or I'll get out there!"

Unfortunatley for Shadow and his crew it appears that someone has taken notice of his little escapades

Tighten up back there, Five. We've got us a live one here! First one to get a shot up his tailpipe buys the drinks!

A squadron of Super Valkyries scream out of the maelstrom, and begin to hound the Damnation, sending stuttering gunpod rounds into the ship's rear


---Sacrifice---

A man bearing the armpatch of the communications division rushes to the bridge, and whispers something into the Admiral's ear. He smiles and nods to the technitian

---Space---

Further from the battle, the Daemon cruises ever closer to the Shipyard's surface. It's smaller support vessels have ben sent to re-inforce the defences of the Sacrifice, while it attempts to flank some of the Imperial fleet



((Maverick, the Admiral's given the order to deploy all mecha. :p))

With the increased losses to all sides and the Imperium ships pulling back the largest of the battleship squads begins to break away and run deeper into the Ronin fleet and open up with the turrets on all sides with some Ronin ships exploding while others continue to absorb the firepower although leaving slightly melted patches where the huge canons land. With the high activity in the main body though the movement of the Daemon doesn't go un-noticed by the Hyperion.

This looks like a chance to hit one of their big ships. Ensign. How much charge does the main canon have?

Well sir it's only at 15%. The energy is being used by the repeated firing of the sub canons.

That should be more than enough. I want to pull back and aim it at the Daemon before it gets to the station. As quickly as possible.

"Initiate the system"

"Initiating"

*The faint whirring noise of the standby mode increases rapidly into a pulsating hum as a the mind link program sets up it's primary tendrils to its former puppets.*

"It's ready for further orders mam"

*Elizabeth paces slowly round the rooms edges glancing at the multiple observation screens, she stops beside a row of ten monitors labelled simply '1' through to '10' although beside each number stood a varying letter. Only the numbers 7 and 10 were accompanied by an A.*

"You see these consoles, One was allocatd to each standing member of the old lance squadron, there were always ten, never more or less. The letter refers to how many times a member had to be replaced.
These two, numbers 7 and 10 were the only original members left upon the disbanding of the program. These two were the only two left who underwent the full gene altering and therefore it is these two that could be the only ones remaining.

We know that Number 7, the position still held By the unknowing Zak Segall. We have no knowledge as to the whereabouts or survival of number 10... maybe now we can find out.

Sergeant start up the locator program and phase in the initial subliminal patriotism brainwashing."

*Shadow notices the ships coming in and shooting at his ship*

God damnit, all pilots, go try and deal with those folk. Get this ship out of here, pull back towards the station, and FAST.

*Shadow tries his hardest to stay cool under fire.*

The crews were running to repair mecha to stop the flare of the engine fire... I can't wait much longer.. I need to get out there.. "Come on! Order defense! We're going to lose more strength! Let's get the move on!" Jack hated to do it, but he began to move his mobile suit to the launch platform. He opened a channel to the pilots, "Who's with me! Let's defend this ship!"

None of the other pilots responded.

"What? Are you all so strict not to defend your fleet? I would give a lot to defend a great ship as this, if not for my newfound loyalties, then my ideals. That's right, you're defending your ideals!"

Still no verbal response.

*The damnation is nearing range for the shipyards defenses. Shadow opens a radio link to the yard.*

This is Captain Shadow Drake on the Damnation! I am coming under assualt. My pilots can hold them for a while, But backup is needed as SOON as we are in range!!!

*Closes the comm link*

Anyone bet they didn't listen to that? Anyway, get this ship moving as fast as possible, I only want rear weapons firing at the enemy suits and all other power to the engines.

As the Hyperion completes its turn facing the Daemon it slowly tracks it across space, as the canons on the arms remain firing wildly at any Ronin ships coming within their field of fire. With the Daemon though now clearly in the Hyperions sights as it drifts towards the station the huge ring within the centre of the Hyperion begins to glow an eerie white.

Sir the main canon is charged. We just await your order.

Well then by all means fire. I don't want to loose this opportunity to show them part of the Hyperions true power.

With the main ring on the front of the Hyperion glowing the arms begin to open out into a five pointed star and they lock into position the centre point on the Hyperion glows blindingly bright for an instant and then shortly a huge beam flies forwards scything through any ships in its path as it comes to hit the Daemon in a huge explosion of light obscuring the results of the impact from view temporarily.

As the blast dies away, it can be seen that somehow, the Daemon is still intact. Flames pour from huge rents in the hull, and most of the starboard side, including the bridge is melted beyond recogniton. Over the ship, automatic safteys kick in, jettesonning the damaged reactor into space. In the emergency bridge, chaos reigns

Damage report! Is anything still working on this damn ship?!Is anyone still alive out there?!

Most systems destroyed. 47% Superstructure damage. Weapons off line. Engines crippled. Emergency drives may still be operable. No response from the Bridge, Engineering or Gunnery. It appears you're in command, sir

---Space---

One of many small Ronin salvage vessels darts through the battlefield. Unlike it's brethren, it's looking for a single suit. Spotting it's target, it flies over and latches onto the white suit, before boosting over towards the Sacrifice

HaVoK had misjudged remembering how uncomfortable the deceleration out of hyperspace was.
The ship he was traveling in wasn't state of the art, and it couldn't defend itself even for a moment if it was ambushed.

as HaVoK looked through the viewscreen, he saw something disturbing. Space. He checked the confederacy meeting co-ordinates and they sure as hell were correct.

'This is Gamma Cavalry alpha, come in confederacy fleet' Said The pilot of HaVoKs transport.

the airwaves went dead.

'Gamma cavalry alpha to any confederacy ships, do you copy?'

the airwaves remained...

'This is comunications relay one, i here ya GCA, what's battle ships doing way out here?'

'This is our rondezvous point with the fleet. Where the hell is the fleet?'

'The fleet has moved out, to battle. And it's not looking to good at the mo, get your ass to these co ordinates!'

Moments later, GCA recieved a set of coordinates.

'Who'm i talking to anyhow?'

'This is the transport vessel of my squadron. I'm SFC daniel Trentson'

'Damn! HaVoK and the Gamma bunch! well, make like a vt-84 and get your ass into hyperspace!'

The communications link broke off, and 'Gamma Cavalry Alpha' broke off into the distance. He's only been in space for a couple of hours, and he was about to go straight into battle.

'This is commanding officer, SGT First Clas d Trentson, to all MS fighters onboard, man your ships, and prepare for Immediate battle. Our destination is a Hot Zone, i repeat, We're going into a hot battle, so get ready'

*Barely aware of the craft suddenly attaching itself to his suit and braking his temporary rest. Inside the cockpit Zak clutches at his head with his hands and fights against the perpetual ringing noise blunting out his other senses. A cold sweat broke out across his brow and he visciously gritted his teeth*

"Why? whats wrong with me?" It didn't used to be like this "What didnt used to be like this? I'm fighting it "WHAT? FIGHTING WHAT?" my place is with my...my place is with...the confederacy? "I'M A FREE MAN."


With the confederacy fleet in apparent dissaray and suffering heavy losses from the sudden turn of events they now find time to begin a regroup with the brahe forces concentrating upon the Ronin.
With all hands on battle stations surveying the immedate threats and seeing to repair little heed is paid to the incoming flight sensors but upon a small craft hovering relativley safley near the centre of the fleet a hyperspace burst is picked up heading straight for the current location but with a point of arrival dangerously close to the Brahe Shipyard...

*With the massive blast coming from the hyperion, the suits that were tailing the Damnation back off and rejoin their group. The ship is now closer to the shipyard and is much safer compared to where it was.*

Ok, we're in the clear right now. They may be back soon. But until then, lets keep doing what we were. Fire the cannons at smaller ships, and the Final Avenger at the same small ships.

*The ship continues firing in the same way it was before.*

'S**T!!! easy does it man!' I want to be able to fight before i die ya know!' HaVoK screamed to the pilot of his teams Transport ship.

'Shut the hell up! i got ya through that blockade didn't I! Now sit your ass down This ships defenceless, but it's sure as hell not slow!'
The Pilot Flew his way through ships coming at him trying to avoid any hits before his ship were all the other ships of it's type were, the scrap heap.

Finaly, the pilot flicked some switches and the transport vessel slowed down
That's our Flagship aint it?
He said pulling up to a huge overshadowing ship

That's the ****in Brahe Flag ship! Where the hell did the military find you as a Pilot? ''This is Danny Trentson to all combat officers, Bail out, and start shooting!''
HaVoK screamed over the intercom

Hurry the hell up!, i'm a ****ing sitting duck till you boys get out!

This motivated HaVoK into action, he ran out the bridge, and straight to the cargo section, where his MS Triod awaited him.
As he approached it, he saw technitions staring her up. HaVoK got in.
''Ok boys, just like VR, take it easy, a frantic pilot's a crispy Pilot remember!''

HaVoKs MS flew out of the bay doors, into the Brahe filled area around him. Close behind were 6 other MSs.

He saw it as clear as anything, the large laser bolt, which must have origionated from the huge Brahe ship in front of him, fly past his suit and into the open bay doors of the transport ship. In an instant, the ship that had gotten him this far, that contained the pilot he had just gotten to know, was engulfed in flame. It took the last two MSs of his squad with it.

S***! They're winning two nil already!
''This is SFC HaVoK to all Confederacy fighters, Gamma Cavalry Alpha is up and running, repeat, the cavalry has arrived!''

HaVoK swooped through the Ships, fireing his Pulse Repeating cannon as he went. This was gonna be a long night!

((Wow. This is getting so exciting. And HaVok, why do I suddenly get the strange feeling that you have somehow modeled your character after Seargent Kurz in the show "Full Metal Panic"? Hmmm.....quite interesting. Can't wait until Kara gets
well again and is able to show her badass side in seeking vengeance for Eiji and her other fallen comrades.))

((HaVoK~didn't want to waste another post with a non RPing post so, i've never heard of full metal Panic :P. o well, i didn't base HaVoK on anyone, but his now deceaced pilot was kinda being used around a CID (FF) template. O well. Looking forward to the rest now.

And lets try an Keep pure comment posts out of the middles of pages, it could screw with people's heads :P))

On the battleship, Yumi is seriously flustered. Her anger, her need for revenge caused her to lose her perception. Her skills where very poor during the battle, and she had lost many friends. She felt as if this was her fault.

THIS IS NOT RIGHT!! she begines to break down, crying Why? Why can't I do anything right? Is her death in vain? Why? Why can't I do this anymore... Her body shuddered with sobs, of sadness, anger, and maybe insanity. She felt as if she didn't understand. Karina Watched as her friend broke down, probably going insane.

I think you should skip the next battle, get some rest, and figure out your feelings right now. You can't battle well like this, and it's obvious...

Yumi glared at Karina, her eyes with an almost evil glow.

Shut. The. Hell. Up. Don't tell me what to do!

Karina sighed, and quickly jabbed something into Yumi's neck. Yumi gasped in pain before collapsing in a heap on the floor, unconscious, having just been drugged.

I'm sorry yumi. Karina Stared at her sleeping friend.[/i] But this is for your own good. Please, figure out your feelings. I will be telling the Admiral you won't be in battle untill you do so.
Karina took Yumi to where she could get some rest, and clear her head, before she got everyone killed.

((OoC: Sorry if this may be a bit messed up. I started my Junior year of high school, and
I got stuck in french class, which is hard, because I find it difficult to learn languages, so I've been studying and been putting this off... sorries))

The radar read more Confederate units arriving... and more Brahe units on the Ronin ships... The Polaris had already been hit...

"Okay, forget this. I'm going out. You can dicipline me later."

He moved his MS to the launcher and took his rifle out readying his suit for the long battle ahead of him. He took a deep breath and engaged the catapult. He was thrown into space.

"Variable is engaging."

He raised his energy rifle and took out a formation of suits coming off his ten o'clock low, three shots and three suits down immediately.

He checked around the Polaris and made sure that the engine repairs were going smoothly. They only had native defensive turrets to defend them. He moved over there, taking another suit out on his way, and positioned himself next to them and took out incoming suits as they came.

"Don't worry, you guys keep repairing, I'll cover you."

---Daemon---

We've lost internal gravity control... emergency engines are operable. Intercom might last a while longer. Thrusters... well, apart from the starboard ones, they seem okay.

Thankyou. All personell, this is Lieutenant Comm~ Acting Captain Dunbar. Abandon ship. The Daemon is going down.
...
Lieutenant, where are we reliative to the hole in the surface of the station?

About 10km vertical, 50 horizontal... Sir, are you going to do what I think you are?

Spurts of gas jet from the thrusters on the outside of the crippled Daemon, as it orients itself. As it comes to bear, the emergency ion drive activates. With pitiful acceleration, it's hard to see if the ship is moving, but soon it's dive becomes clear

---Sacrifice Bridge---

Touche, Hyperion, Touche. Impressive weapon...

Hayate twitches, like he's got a cramp, and sits down heavily in his chair

<What the hell? Get out of my head!>

---Sacrifice Hangar Bay---

Outside of the hangar bay, the hulk of an Imperium cruiser drifts past. Small salvage vessels launch from the bay, ready to drag the hulk in for intellegence, POWs, and just plain old resources.

A smaller salvage vessel scoots into the huge bay, a white mecha in it's arms. It drops the mecha into a secure cage, before heading back out into space

Well, well, well, what do we have here? Looks like an impressive piece of work. Doesn't look damaged... I wonder if anyone is home?

With the forces on all sides beginning to thin out as they slowly wipe each other out the Confederate forces bigger ships largely damaged no longer much of a factor in the battle the Imperium forces all but leave them alone focusing their power on the Ronin forces although endless amounts of suits from all sides have their own seperate war away from the power of the larger ships as they gather half way between them and the station.

Jack continued to snipe out as Imperium forced edge closer to the Polaris' position. Some mobile suits exited the hangar but one was different than the others... He covered them as they made their way off of the catapult's effect. He took out two mecha positioned on both sides of the hangar. His unquestionable performance was beginning to draw attention from nearby MS formations.

With the battle thinning the ranks of the suits as the battle continues the Tallgeese breaks out of the largest formation of Imperium suits. Breaking away from it's own spot of safety it made its way to the front of the lines with the large mega canon on its arm rivaling the power ofd some of the shots from the frgiates as it scythes through the ranks of Confederate mecha and even the Ronin faring not too much better although taking a more direct hit to take down. Moving forwards into the staring of the Ronin ranks he pulls his sabre and begins to attack the suits in a melee.

*Zak was momentarily brought out of his state by a powerfull jolt, rembering where he was and what he was meant to be doing he quickly checked over his readouts to discover himself held within a starships interior.

For a few moments he tried to rationalize as to wether it was safer to stay in the cockpit but the buzzing sensation in his prevented any quiet contemplation so he reached out to smack the emergence release and tumbled out of the cockpit facefirst onto a hard floor.

Getting back to his feet he turned to see the zero lying in a ungraceful heap above him as if it had been deposited rather than landed and would explain the jolt he had felt. All around in close proximity to the suit stood a large cage, large that is to a person but small enough to restrict excessive movement from a mobile suit; especially one of zeros size. The cage bars gave off a faint glow accompanied by static sparking giving a strong impression that It would be best not to touch them so Zak made his way to the edge to look out into the hangar*


-------

"Well we seem to have located #10, both of their monitoring systems are picking up feedback and they are registering extremely close to each other... but it seems that their extended seperation from the system has given them strength to put up a strong resistance to the pulses.

*Elizabeth clasps her hands tightly behind her back and turns on her heel back to face the waiting operators*

"Send the orders to the new Lance Squadron, they are to converge on the co-ordinates given by these readouts."

---Sacrifice Hangar Bay---

Hey, we've got a live one here!
...
And a high ranking one, by the looks of it... Security!

A squad of marines in grey armour rush over and de-actiavte the cage. In a couple of minuites, Zak has been prodded in the direction of a lift

---Daemon---

90% of remaning escape pods launched. Engines building up acceleration. Range to station, 10km... 5...
Brace for impact!

The Daemon enters the huge crater left by the Lucifer Cannon at a reliatvely high speed. Its huge mass punches through the thin decks as if they were paper, and it ends up hurtling through the vast void of the shipyard 'floor'. Seconds later, the Daemon slams into the huge armour plating in the bottom of the shipyard, and comes to rest at the centre of a huge debris field, virtually snapped in half by the impact.

---Sacrifice Bridge---

Hayate tries to ingnore the nagging feeling in the back of his head, by staring intently at the War Room's display of the battle. Seeing the final dive of the Daemon, he understands what must be done

Prepare to take the Sacrifice into the station. They must not be allowed to get their hands on the Daemon

*As the the cerebral intrusion becomes a mere memory Zak is left with the full force of what had happened in the past few minutes, The scene of his old ship turning and firing un provoked upon the Ronin before being inveloped by a rain of merciless light.
Zak surfaces back to his current situation and glances round at his 'honour guard' he doesnt bother to ask them any questions as firstly they were under no obligation to answer a prisoner and secondly at the moment he didn't really care*


*Back out on the edges of the battlefield drift two suits hand in hand, the Yin and Yang show no signs of life but appear to have suffered little damage from the chimeara's explosion due in main to their superior armour. However within the cockpits the two women show an equal lifelessness as although no exterior damage had occured the blast had been powerfull enough to jolt the pair into unconciousness*

One of the marines cocks his head, as if he is listening to something, then turns to Segall

I dunno who you are, but we've just got orders from the top. Apparently the admiral wishes to see you.

Almost imperceptibly, the other five marines seem to move further away from Segall, giving this now rather more important visitor the space he deserves

In the depths of space away from the fighting a pair of carriers and a battle cruiser drop of of Hyperspace to reinforce the 1st fleet but come upon a battle already in full swing.

What the hell? They must have been set upon while they were in repairs.

On board the Hyperion the appearance of some reinforcements don't go unnoticed.

You got here at the right time. I want as many suits as you can to get over to the station and see what you can do about the forces heading there and I want the battle cruiser to try fend off the ships.

With the orders given the carriers drop their thousands of suits as they make their way to the station ahead of the cruiser.

*With the apparent loss of Grand Admiral Segall, the destruction of the chimeara and the cease of orders from Dalaa's flagship the Basalisk the confederacy fleet has little to no unified aim.
All over the admirals of seperate divisions take control of their own with some striking out against the Imperiu forces and some following the newer target of the Ronin forces.*

*Zak smiles vaguely at the turn of events taking an educated guess at who the admiral will be, with the apparent change from armed guard to escorts he now feels at liberty to initiate some small talk with the marines to shift his mind from its disturbing paths and focus on some of the more pressingly important matters*

"You know, I can smell food nearby"

We're just passing through one of the flight crew's rec areas. This is a fairly slow lift, but we should be arriving at the Security station momentarialy. You'll have time for meals afterwards, the Admiral is not one for speeches.

True to his word, a moment later the lift slows and stops. The doors open into a brightly lits room, and Zak is lead through offices and barracks before ending up in an dark office over looking the hangar bay. The only ligth in the room comes from the standard bright blue lighting used in hangars the galaxy over.

The Admiral shall join you shortly

*Zaks eyes dart round the moody interior*

Yes, it does seem his style "What?"

*The retreating marines turn back to face him as one speaks* "We said nothing sir"

"Huh?..Oh! Not you, I was just...nevermind"

*As the door closes Zak walks to the large transparent wall and looks out over the massive hangar.
His eyes travel over skeletal construct forms and more complete Tanis vessels, then pass over the more familiar forms of Confederacy and Imperium ships in the process of being taken to peices or undergoing modifications.
He closes his eyes to shut out the signs of further warfare and rests his back against the pane to slide down into a hunched position on the floor.*

Who are you Hayate, really, what is this bond tied between us. And yet what is this screen that keeps us apart?

Having been in heavy combat, a top-ranking member of the 'Specials' was assessing the damage done to his MS as he floated dead through space. Fortunately, the only bodily harm that had been done to him was a mere scratch on his forehead from a lose wire overhead. But his MS, the "Shogun", was severely battered. Running some diasnostics, the ace pilot Thomas LeBlanc commented aloud to himself to keep from getting too panicked.

"Thank God the life support systems are still operational. One more hit from that battalion, and I would've been a goner for sure. Damn Imperium bastards. I wonder if they were the ones behind the murders aboard the Polaris? If they were, those assholes are going to pay for what they did. Bullseye, you'll be with me always, buddie. 'Dark Knight' will avenge you and the others. And since poor Ranmyaku's out of commison right now, I might as well help her get her revenge for Mitsukai as well. Now, if only I can just get this fukked-up comm unit to work again, I can send out an SOS to the Polaris and get some help."

*tries for the 6th time to get it to work; does his best to send out a call*

"Attention Polaris or any Ronin vessel in range. This is 'Specials' unit pilot, codename Dark Knight, requesting immediate rescue. My engines are dead, and life support is at a bare 20% and dropping. Please respond, anyone."

*Shadow stands on the bridge of the Damnation, he appears to have become confused when his ship was rocked by a stray shot from a confederate vessal. He rubs the back of his head because he fell down and smacked it against a control panel. He walks up to the view screens and looks at the battle going on.*

Can somebody send a message to the hyperion and get us some fresh orders? This undirected attack is starting to fall apart like the confederates...And would SOMEBODY shoot that ship that knocked us around!?

Aye sir, we are sending the message....now: "This is the Damnation, paging the Hyperion. We are without new orders. Are we to continue our random attacks? Or do we have some sort of direction? Hell, we could annhialate the entire Confederate fleet right now in minutes, if we just shift our attention for a little. Give us some god damn orders. Damnation out"

Sir, the gunners have located the vessal that shot us. Firing the Final Avenger upon them now.

*The blue beam streams towards the confederate capital ship, a smaller one at that, it is split in half from the blast and its already sustained damage.*

Without warning, asmall projector drops down from the ceiling. From outside, there's the sound of the door guards coming to attention and a short conversation.

The door opens, Hayate walks in and straight over to the window, where he looks down over the frantic action below. Finally, he removes his glasses adn without turning, begins to speak

I can't tell you quite how relieved I was when I found out that you had nothing to do with your ship's attack.

Jack notices the distress as he takes out another suit inbound. "Copy that. I'm coming over." He opens a link to the workers. "I'll be right back, one of the aces needs help." He scans the mobile suit for damages... sure enough there was a very minute weakness in the structural field... one more shot would certainly destroy the suit.

Jack quickly directed Variable over to it while avoiding fire. Giving himself cover fire, he boosts over to the machine. Upon getting there, he took a couple of shots in a leg of Variable. "Dammit." He quickly took out the rifle and fired the gun out of the enemy MS' control then depressurized it's cockpit. "Ronin ace! Grab on! I'll take you back to the Polaris!" He took another three shots stopping another formation starting an attack run on a smaller Ronin frigate.

(Darn, I was kinda hoping for Thomas to get captured or something. Oh well.....)

Thomas noticed the MS heading for him, and thought real hard for a few moments. Switching back on the comm, he exclaimed:

"I hope you mean to have the Shogun in tow with us, because I sure as hell do not intend to leave my MS here to fall into enemy hands! *pant-pant* Aw damn.....life support just took a dive. Fukking back-up drive's shot. Dammit....."

"What do you think?" Jack put his rifle onto his MS' back and drew his sabre. "Grab on, it's going to be a bumpy ride!"

*Zak slowly turns his head to watch hayates progress across the room and then looks down again as he speaks, for a few seconds he lets silence fall as he sorts out his thoughts before replying*

"Everyone of the personnel upon my ship were soldiers, they were ready to die. They were ready to follow my orders because they trusted that I would ultimatley make the right choices, that if I did put their lives at risk it would be for a just cause. I mean, thats what battles are all about. Fighting and dying for what you believe in.
But they didn't, they didn't die in the defence of their homeworlds and way of life. They didn't even die because of a mistake along the way. Those people died because a corrupt government decided to use them as tools to initiate conflict between two previously neutral forces in a ploy to gain the grace of those who we were orignally fighting against.
Why Hayate? why are there people out there who show blatant disregard for the basic humane concept of doing what is right?"

Hayate polishes his glasses, and puts them back on. He doesn't turn around

Out there, hundreds of thousands of people are fighting and dying. The debate can wait until later.

We picked up escape pods from your ship, got some rather interesting information.

At the present moment, the Confederate fleet is in disarray, our fleet is being whittled down, and the Imperials appear to be the only ones in a half-decent tactical position.

We can answer your questions later. First, I have a request. Your fleet needs a leader. They will be annihilated if they remain in this state.

I ask you to take command of them again, not as leader of this force, but as someone who hates to see pointless carnage.

For the first time, he looks at the taller man sitting on the floor next to him

...If it is any consolation, they fought bravely. Your ship's destruction was... regrettable. I did not desire it, but this is war. Mourning can come later.

"I'll give it a go though I wasn't the leader of this force, if Dalaa is dead however then it all depends upon how much respect I still command within the fleet, and how deep the seeds of corruption have been sewn"

...they're coming... "They're coming?"

*Zak jumps to his feet with all traces of the previous angst wiped from his face*

"The Lances, Lance Squadron. The governments hitmen...but why? What are they after, they can't take on a whole fleet. The ZERO system! they still want the system...
Why do I know this?"

That is presently irrelevant. Very shortly, they won't have a fleet to go to.

If you want to clear your conscience, I would advise you to make that call.

He turns back to the window and watches as a new frigate is launched into the battle

I am a busy man, Mister Segall. Try not to keep me waiting for too long.

Jack started making his way towards the hangar. But he noticed some odd mobile suits arriving on the battlefield... "What... the... hell? Is that the Lance Squadron?" He sped up to re-enter the hangar. He was about 1/3 of the way there.

With Hyperion having done its work it begins to pull back towards the fighting although more to the sidelines rather than in the thick of it as the generators recharge the turrets.

-

In the Tallgeese as the ships and suits go by Corvus picks a fairly important looking one moving away from the battle with another suit in tow and heads towards it using its huge thrusters to catch up on the suit before it can catch up pulling the canon out taking aim and firing although at the distance the shot misses by a small margin although as he begins to close the distance more he pulls the beam sabre intead until finally it catches up parking itself in front of it.

As the seeds of war spread by the Brahe Imperium grew the Confederacy began thier major scheme to reinstate a fully fuctionall galaxy wide fleet to protect all the planets called home by human colonizers.
Many of the returning soldiers were coming back to a Job that they had been laid off from over the past few years as the continuing peace lulled those in power into a false sense of security. These old hands quickly resumed their old roles with many gaining positions of authority due to their experience.
However the main bulk of the new Fleet comes from heavy enlisting schemes set down where ever there was human civilization. Applicants were tempted by tactfull propoganda showing the glory of war and fighting for their freedom. It became the done thing for all the able youths to sacrifice themselves up for the good of their home planets.
Afterall who could really pose any threat to the Confederacy? Upon applying the eager young men and women were put through a series of written and practical examinations. Nobody was turned away as the confederacy wanted all the people they could get, the purpose of the tests was to single out the very best of those joining.
It was these people, these top 10%, these elite who became what was known as 'the specials' rather than being thrown straight into duty after a meager 2 week training program these people were given intense care and supervision, they were put through an intensive 6 month transformation
process and emerged as real warriors.
Some of these people were taken off to become leaders of the more 'basic' troops but the rest were left in their very own fighting fleet. The Specials were not attached directly to the navy but acted more as a specialised strike team, they were sent into areas of intense conflict and led the fight from the front. Many died but those that lived once got better at living again.
Survival of the fittest, or luckiest wittled down the ranks but they were soon bolstered by new applicants.
However those who showed exemplary skill and bravery were again singled out from the rest, they were once again taken away for extra training and not all of them survived. In the end 10 individuals emerged and became the first members of Lance Squadron. These few were the best of the best, they
were gods of combat and worshipped, if not liked, by the rest of the navy.

*At a distance from the conflict ten suits flashed into existance, they displayed a sleek elegance of design that exuded grace and power their arms held loosely at their sides.
The Gemini mobile suits were the newest model augmenting prototype technologies including the recent discovery of metatron aided teleportation discovered by Zak segall during the Brahe Liberation incident.
Each suit bore the twin arm loaded beam sabres that gave them their name, they had no need for long range weaponary due to their teleportation capabilities and the pilots each specialised in close combat.*

"This is 1, 2 to 10 stick to mission breifing. Hang back and observe untill told otherwise."

*back in the office Zak makes his way to the door.*

"What do you want me to do? command from here or send me back out there?"

What do you think you can do out there? Outside, you are just another statistic to be used in the number crunching that is warfare. In here, you can make a difference.

We should be entering the shipyard shortly. Whatever you indend to do, do it soon, Segall.

There's a faint hint of a sigh as Hayate walks over to the table and pulls up a chair. Hitting a button on the table, the projector activates, displaying the battle outside on the blank wall

"Oh ****.....it's the Tallgeese! Dude, get us over to the Polaris IMMEDIATELY before we get our asses fried!!! Awww man, I knew I should've packed that extra blaster for the Shogun....."

Thomas, his eyes wide with panic, feverishly searched around his cokkpit in the hopes of finding something that could help them get away from the Tallgeese in one piece. His heart pounding inside his chest like a hammer, he sadly found nothing that could be of any use to him and shouted at Jack over the comm:

"GET MOVING! He's going to kill us both!!! And since you're the only one with a functioning MS, I suggest you do something to keep us from biting it!"

"Oh here we go!" He made sure that towing Shogun was going to let him have as much speed as he could. With a couple flips of switches, he diverted some life support power, the cockpit lights and illumination outside of the MS to engine power. The small jolt sped him up, and he kicked the afterburners of the engines, sending him closer to the hangar. "Polaris! I need some cover fire now! That Tallgeese is right after me and I'm giving the Shogun a tow! Cover me dammit!" He was about 2/3rds of the way to the hangar, and newly deployed MSs started to cover Variable as he came towards the hangar.

*Zak gazes at the thousands of moving shapes on the miniature battlefield. He reaches out for the device that Hayate indicates to and holds it up to his mouth. Before he presses the button he looks over at the other man*

"My strong point has never been tactics, Others plan while I used my Charisma to lead. I can't get these people to win against the imperium for you, I can only organise a retreat."

*He enters a confed fleetwide transmission frequency and hits the activation switch*

"This is Grand Admiral Zak Segall speaking to all confederacy vessels. This battle is over, all those still loyal to our cause must realise that the chaos caused today is of no plan of mine.
Any ships firing upon Ronin vessels are no longer under Military command and are to be viewed as Hostile forces. As an order to all those who will follow my lead for the good of your homes withdraw from the battle and reform at Sector Epsilon 7, further orders shall be sent there."

Any responding transmissions are cut off as the Sacrifice enters the bowels of the station. After an unopposed descent, it moves up to a large pier-like structure and starts deploying Destroid Ground Assault units.

Come with me, Segall. I belive I may have a use for you.

With that, Hayate stands up and leaves the room

''...reform at Sector Epsilon 7, further orders shall be sent there."

HaVoK presed a switch on his display.
''You here that boys, Our fleet is moving out! This is HaVoK to all 'Gamma Cavalry Alpha, let's get our ships out of here in one piece. We lay down cover fire, and once the path is clear, we all move out.''

''Rager that sir! GCA, lets clear the way!''

4 ships orbited the fleet, providing defensive fire, while the other two blasted away at any ships that looked like threats

''Sir! that's a s*** load of ships up ahead, we'll never break through! We should find a way around''

''There's always a way through CPL! Get your suit ready for a Body pickup. You'll have about 4 secounds to get in, pick me up, and clear the blast radius...Clear?''

''Sir!''

HaVoKs MS zoomed through the battle, towards the many ships ahead. Then HaVoK was in range

''Ok Kid shoot me!!!''
The blaster cannon of the MS Triage, blasted through the Triod's shields, and the suge went through all HaVoK's systems.

'Triod to SGT D Trentson. Triod damaged beyond repair, evac immediately, detonation in 10, 9'

HaVoK jetesened himself into the space around him, tens of enemy ships around him,

''WHAHOOO!!!''
the CPL pulled round and picked up HaVoK's suit in one swift movement, just as HaVoK's suit detonated, and the ships that blocked the path, were gone

''This is CPL J Donson, i Have SGT HaVoK, and the path s clear. GCa teams keep your defence up, the road has been sweeped. Let's get out of here''

*Zak places the communications device back on the desk and silently follows Hayate out the room and tried to understand the feeling that he was back with somebody he'd known a very long time and could trust with his life*

*Back on earth Elizabeth watched the battle monitoring screens in horror as the vast majority of the confederacy forces began to peel away from the battle and make hyperspace jumps to a new location, the forces that did remain behind either merged with the imperium forces or met a quick unsheiled fate at the hands of massed crossfire.*

"DAMN HIM, My people had full authority to take complete control over those ships. How can they dare to disobey and follow that renegades orders"

"M'am Lance Squadron are in position and observing as ordered."

*Elizabeth shot the aide a venomous look as she composed her heated anger*

"I can see that thankyou, send new orders to start up the cerebral probe magnifier pulses to be ready for activation at this end."

Right Mr Segall, lets see you and your friend overcome this

Segall, you mentioned Lance squadron? I get the feeling that they might help both of our enquiries.

As he talks, he boards a small train-like machine with Segall, and they are whisked along at a fair whack.

We should be arriving at the starboard hangar momentarialy. I'm afraid I cannot allow you to pilot your original suit for this fight, it's too much of a liability.

However, I'm sure we can find something to suit your tastes.

"As a mobile suit pilot I look foward to the challenge of going into battle in a new suit. But the zero holds a computer that has become almost a friend to me, I don't want to loose that suit."

*In the distance of the train tunnel Zak sees the light of an approaching wide opening*

"But for now im willing to do anything, I feel a significant need to take out my pent up feeling in some way other than talking"

"We're in!" The two MSs enter the hangar and Jack manuvers his MS so that the Shogun could get off. "Thank me later pal!"

With the Confederate ships now almost out of the battle the hardy Ronin forces and the large Imperium force remain to duke it out. In the chaos of the battle the Hyperion drifts slowly towards the station away from the battle as the ranks of ships thin more and more leaving only damaged or large ships to still keep up the firing as wreckage floats around in the emptiness of space now beginning to impact on many of the ships hulls.

As the ship battle begins to come to an end the hordes of mecha on all sides still continue to fight ferociously now with many of them fighting on the outer hull of the station and some inside as they begin to engage the Ronin forces deployed from the command ships.

*The Damnation floats around in the battle firing on strategic targets of oppritunity. Taking out trouble makers, but otherwise doing the same as everyone else. Although it is still closer to the station, it is making the same effect as all the other capital ships are.*

This war is nothing like the days of old. Too much reliance is placed on large capital ships these days. Back then it was man vs. man or at least a doll. Now all we do is sit in our armored ships and duke it out from a distance like wimps. I know see the drawbacks of command posistion during war...how I long to fight alongside my men...My trusted old suit...it would stand toe to toe with the best of them out there...

The Variable turns around and makes its way back towards the catapult. He gets ready and awaits the command from the hangar control.

((Oh, I am soooo glad this is picking up again; I am so psyched to do this now that I have come into possession of the manga "Gundam Wing: Episode Zero"))

Thomas, greatful to have gotten aboard the Polaris alive and with his beloved MS, was hit with a bit of nervous concern for the sake of his comrade. Shouting over the comm to him, he briskly declared:

"You gotta be kidding me, going back out there after nearly getting your ass whooped saving me! Come on, stay here and get your suit fixed up. Let the other pilots deal with that maniac in the Tallgeese. I don't want.......I don't want to see another good pilot end up like Bullseye and the others did. Bad enough I now have no friends because of those war-crazed basterds out there. Ya hear me? Don't go condemn yourself to getting mercilessly slaughtered....."

As he said this, the repair crew and a few medical officers were opening the hatch to the Shogun to see if Thomas was okay and to begin work on his MS. Being wheeled off to the infirmary in a wheelchair, he watched to see what course of action Jack decided to take after hearing his rousing speech.

"You're right." He moved the suit to his transport to and replaced his coolant cell for his rifle. "Okay, I'm going out now. I'll be back." He steps back onto the catapalt and awaits the countdown.

*Lance squadron suddenly becomes aware of a unpredicted event*

One : Two suits appraoching the immediate vacinity, no signs of controlled movement. They appear to be drifting.

Six : Organic scanning shows occupants are unconscious, all vital signs low but currently stable.

Three: Suit ID's check out as the Yin and Yang piloted by Zak Segalls personal bodyguards. Very little information is held upon either except that both are female and entered the confederacy following the brahe incident.

Eight : Hey One, you think this could be an organised attack?

One: You can be to cautious Eight, theres no way they could have detected us in the middle of battle.
No these two could be usefull to us, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten take these suits back to headquaters. The rest of us will be able to complete the mission.

Thomas, greatful to have gotten through his checkup without trouble and learning that he'd only sustained a few bruises and a cut on his forehead, was sitting on the side of a bed in the infirmary of the Polaris not far from where Kara Takahashi was residing. Feeling in the mood to talk, he walked over to her and hoped she was awake so he could discuss what just happened to him. Kara was restlessly trying to take a nap, without much success, so when she realized that someone was near her she promptly sat up - startling Thomas a bit.

Thomas: "Gah! Don't spook me like that, Kara."

Kara: "Sorry, Tom. Hmmph.....been trying to get some rest, but all this hustle and bustle with a battle going on is keeping me up. That, and how crummy I feel inside. So - what brings you to the infirmary, and don't tell me it was just to see me. I know how much you love to be in the midst of all the excitement."

Thomas: "Uhhh, well, some asshole out there got a lucky shot on me and fried the Shogun's main engines. Coulda been worse - almost killed lifesupport systems. Don't worry, I'm okay. Thanks to some new guy I was able to narrowly avoid getting my bucket kicked by some nutcase piloting the Tallgeese."

Kara: "Tallgeese? Oh man, they are seriously playing dirty out there. Okay, if your not so bad off, then why the hell are you still hanging out around here?"

*looks slightly embarassed and cast his attention to the floor*

Thomas: "I, uh, well.....wanted to see how you're doing. Kara, you're the only friend I got left now that the others are.....you know. Eiji wasn't the only one who ever worried about you. We all care about you - and not just because you're team leader, either. When I.....when I heard the others had been killed, I almost thought for a split second you had been among them. Made me feel like someone had shoved a hook in my gut and yanked it out suddenly. As soon as they said you'd survived the attack on you, imagine the tremendous relief. Now that Eiji's gone, do you.......do you think I could have the honor of watching your back for ya, Kara? Everyone always used to joke that he was your 'guardian angel' in the heat of battle, with how many times he saved your ass. So, what do ya say???"

Kara looked for a moment as though she had the urge to cry, then let out a deep sigh as she struggled for an answer to give him.

Kara: "If you want to take it personally to keep an eye on me, then fine. But don't let me catch you sticking around here if you're ordered back to duty any time soon. I'd hate to see you get in trouble on my account, and I'd hate to see you miss out on the action. So, you want to talk about how you got the Shogun into such a mess? I'm eager to hear all the juicy details."

With that, Thomas seated himself comfortably at one end of Kara's bed and began to artisticly relate the tale of his fight and of how Jack had saved him.

The six remaining ships of 'Gamma Cavalry Alpha' came out of their Hyperjump in 'Sector epsilon 7'.

All six MSs being 'triages'. Sgt HaVoK in the copilot space of Cpl Donson, after he was forced to destroy his 'Triod'.
''ok kid, guide our unit into the flag ship's hanger. I need a word with my Sup.''

''aye sir.
To flag ship, this is GCA fleet, CPL Donson...confederacy fleet, request docking for maintanance and debriefing.''

''request accepted. Make your way to bay 4, and tell your CO to report to the Bridge. o, and, welcome home boys''

''We're still a long way from home yet, this place is more of a hole than a battlefield.''

The six MSs manuvered their way round the vessels, till they reached bay 4. Their ships mooved simultansiusly, like they'd done it millions of times, they were in perfect sync.

Sgt Daniel Trentson got out of the cpls MS, he didn't like the Triage, and already he mised his vapourised Triod. He made his awy to the command station, breaking into a jog. When he got their, silence filled the room.

''sirs! today i saw two of my men die, i lost the ship i'd had for a decade, and all just to retreat?
I am not one to question officers such as yourselves, not the admiral, or captins, or anyone.
But somebody give me a new MS, which was lost defending our fleet, and some co-ordinates, where i can fight and perhaps die. For i am but a soldier, and ask just to be handed a weapon and a target. Will you not give it to me?

A Major walked over to HaVoK.

''Shut it Kid! you stopped being a good soldier when you started talking with a foul mouth to your superiors''