Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Blended Dimensions ❯ Purge and Escape ( Chapter 20 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Blended Demensions
by Bud

Chapter 20: Purge and Escape

FINAL BOUT WILL COMMENCE IN FIVE MINUTES! THE NEW SENSATION OF BATTLER RANMA SAOTOME VERSES THE CURRENT CHAMPION RICO BANDERAS! CONTESTANTS PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE ARENA LIFTS! ALL ATTENDEE'S: BETTING WILL CLOSE ONE MINUTE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MATCH!

"Hey, Saotome," Bud called out to his friend, closing an access panel on the side of Weltall. "Whip his ass, but don't embarrass him too much."

Ranma smirked at him as he sat in the cockpit.

"I ain't makin' any promises." He cracked his knuckles. "Besides, I gotta pay him back for that damn ceremony thingy."

Weltall rose from the ground and into the battling arena. Like his first bout and all of the following matches afterwards, he started atop a small plateau near the edge. Directly across from the black Gear stood his opponent, an Ignas model Gear that was made specifically for battling.

Stier.

It was a larger, more powerful design that was originally a concept produced by the founders of the Battling sport which was made infamous in the Kislev empire. It's main weapon was a drill-claw that was capable of drilling through 0.85667 foot of steel. It is also armed with a triple cluster of 12.7 sem machine guns inside it's drill-claw and a 20sem gatling cannons mounted on it's shoulders. It also had a phalanx system which was an AMS or anti-missle system. A high-powered rocket was mounted on it's back producing incredible speed and manueverability for a Gear of it's size.

"Looks like it's just you and me, kid." Rico said over a comm link.

"Yeah, I still owe you for what you did at that ceremony...!" Ranma replied. "You sure were tough takin' on someone that not only had to do through three people, but injured too? I guess I was right callin' ya a chump, CHUMP!"

"What was that---?!" The green mutant growled loudly, almost to a feral roar. "You're going down you little weakling punk!"

BATTLERS READY!! BEGIN!!

At the sound of the buzzed, Stier launched high into the air in dove right at Weltall with it's drill-claw. It was comming in fast.

"No one call Ranma Saotome a weakling and get's away with it." Weltall followed suit with a powerful booster jump. It caught Stier directly in the head with a rising toe kick. "Now you're in MY world!"

Ranma started to demonstrate the finer points of Saotome mid-air combat applied to Gear battles. The black Gear's flight boosters continuiously fired off keeping the Gear in mid-air while it attacked Stier with an array of kicks and punches. Roundhouses, axe kicks, haymakers, jabs, hooks - anything Ranma's mind thought of.

But it did not last like he expected. The sound of metal tearing into metal cried in Ranma's ears as Stier's left drill-claw cut across Weltall's torso, opening a huge gash the left smoke and sparks flying out. He cursed at his over-confidence. Despite having professional tutoring and piloting skills instructed to him by Id, Rico was still a seasoned veteran and the current champion and had more hands-on experience than him.

Rico himself was stunned. Despite being a rookie, Ranma attacked him with a ferocity that rivalled or even dwarfed his own. The reaction time of Weltall's movements to his attacks was non-existant! The Champ assumed that either Ranma was a natural at piloting a Gear, or that he had some sort of system that allowed him to control his Gear with just thought alone.

Little did he know he was correct on both accounts.

There was a pause as both combatants seperated and squared off once again. Smoke was billowing out of Weltall's chest while Stier's own damaged was shown by the array of dents and cracks in it's armor frame. The time ticked away past the forty second mark. So far, by the crowds reaction, that this was the longest and most exciting battle in the tournament's history. Many of the various bet's were lost just by the match timer alone. But so far, the crowd remained silent as the waiting for the next move.

Weltall shifted into a cat stance. Stier shifted to an offensive pose with it's 'fist' up.

"Look, Saotome." Rico began as he spoke through a secure channel. "We can go back and forth all day. Let's just get this over with."

Weltall's head just nodded, expressing Ranma's own thoughts.

You better be careful Ranma, Id mentally spoke to him. When I faced him, his arm was injured and he still put up a huge fight.

Stier's engine powered up and the OD-green gear charged forward. Weltall back flipped away from the charge but was caught by surprise when a hail of bullet's slammed into it's chest. Ranma cried and covered himself as the monitor in front of him exploded sending sparks and smoke everywhere. When he felt a slight breeze, he found himself staring through a hole in his cockpit.

Fortunately, his systems were still working.

Rico charged again. This time Ranma hopped forward. Weltall's left arm came up as he mentally selected a weapon. A jet of greenish plasma blasted in front of Stier, stopping short of making contact but blinding the pilot. When Rico's sight return, he couldn't find the black Gear anywhere.

Until he finally looked up.

Up above, high in the air was Weltall. When Ranma used his Gear's exhaust as a distraction, he activated the flight system and jumped high enough to reach the ceiling. The black Gear turned in mid-air and braced itself against the hard, concrete structure with it's legs. A smile came to Ranma's lips when he looked at Stier through the hole in his cockpit while Weltall pushed off hard from it's perch.

"SUPER METEOR KICK!!"

Though different in name from the technique that defeated the monster Pantyhose Taro, the attack was just the same. Just without pantyhose.

With a booster assistance, Weltall's foot connected with the head of Stier, smashing though it and the rocket booster as it travelled down it's back. Stier fell to the ground, non-functioning and defeated.

Their was a pause from the crowd. Weltall stood from it's attack and moved toward the center of the field. It had a limp in it's walk - it's right leg giving out sparks - the result of it's devestating finishing move.

A clap was heard in the arena and eyes turned towards Kaiser Sigmund, who was attending the tournament as usual. He rose from his seat and continued clapping. Soon others followed his example and rose, applauding for the outstanding performance by both combatants. Then, cheering started to flood the arena as spectators cheered for the new champ.

WITH A SURPRISING PEFORMANCE THE WINNER AND NEW CHAMP OF THE KISLEV INVITATION TOURNAMENT IS NONE OTHER THAN THE FIRST TIMER, RANMA SAOTOME!


"Fuck yeah!" Buddy rushed over to the end of the paddock to Weltall, immediately jumping on Ranma. "That shit was awesome! Fuckin' hardcore ass shit dawg!"

Ranma grinned a little sheepishly, though he did look like he wasn't all to happy with the fight. Rico's advantage in being a seasoned battler pushed Ranma to the edge. He took too many close calls; his lack of experience, despite all that he's been through, would of been his own major downfall.

"It wasn't all that hard," he lied. Buddy have him a knowing smirk which caused him to blush. "Well - it was a tough fight, okay!?" His gaze turned to Weltall. "I'm jes' more worried about gettin' this fixed up before---"

Hah ha ha ha ha ha!

"An interesting match, I must say. But you still have not learned anything, have you?"

"Where the fuck are you, mutha fucka?!" growled Bud loudly, looking everywhere for the origin of the voice. Ranma happened just know that voice.

"Come out Wiseman!" he shouted, clenching his fist. "I know that yer somewhere around here!"

A shadowy figure appeared atop a gantry. Once it stepped close to the edge it revealed a man in robes with dove white mask of some kind.

"Long time... Fei."

Buddy gasped, while Ranma growled loudly. "How many times have I told'ya, you dim-wit! Fei died in Lahan!" He shook his head. "What'cha want anyway? I'm busy right now!"

Wiseman began to speak again, but stopped abruptly when Ranma's form shimmered, shrunk down slightly and bulged out in places no man should.

"Hello... Father." Id's voice seemed to drip with acid. Buddy cautiously took a few steps back, warry of what would soon happen.

This is fuckin' insane, he thought. He listened as they spoke to each other.

"I am not YOUR father, child of darkness. You are just a broken piece of the tormented psyche of Fei's existance. Though now you have squandered in that young man's mind - something I am truely curious of.

"Heh heh heh," chuckled Ranko. "Foolish old man. Do you not realize who I truely am? Take a closer look!" Ranko suddenly vanished and just as quickly reappeared in front of Wiseman, startling the masked fighter. He seemed to freeze in place, seeing the short red-head with her hair loose from it's pigtail and hanging down freely.

"...it-- it--"

She tilted her head slightly in curiousity. "It cannot be, you say?" The red-head, faster than Wiseman suspected, launched a fierce hook at the man's head, barely clipping his mask as he rolled backwards and away from her. A dark smile formed on her face causing him, and Buddy, to shiver in fear. "I am the Anima and the Animus. Contact and Anti-type like all my previous incarnations. I do not possess this man's body like the First does to all the females of this world - But I share it for we are one in the same."

"Mind, body and soul."

"...."

"A time will come when I will face the Seeker of Power, and change the ever growing path of destruction he seeks. There WILL be change in this world. And if I have to use every ounce of strength to stop him, then so I shall."

Wiseman remained silent. He removed his mask, exposing the strong, middle-aged face of a seasoned warrior.

"You are not of this world..." It wasn't a question. Id nodded. He glanced down at Buddy and back at her. Another nod. "I cannot stop you from what you wish to accomplish. But I must warn you - not all change is good."

"I know that, Father. Khan Wong." she turned her back to him. "Leave us be, Khan. And give my reguards to Queen Zephir. I shall meet with her when the time comes."

And he disappeared.

"Got some hidden agenda you ain't tellin' me 'bout, RanKO?" Bud asked suspiciously. He barely heard anything they said, but he got the gist of it. "Might as well spill the beans now instead of later."

"But I dun' wanna!" She turned to him with a cute puppy dog expression.

WHAP!

"Iteee.. What the fuck asshole?!" she growled at him, rubbing her head.

"Cut the crap already. Just tell me what's up and if I like it, I'll go along with it."

Ranko sighed. "It's pretty simple. In order to stop most of the devestation to this world in the months to come, we have to destroy Solaris."

"And?" he knew there was more.

"And.... I have to kill Grahf."

After Id's agenda was revealled, the two didn't leave the dock to celebrate Ranma's win. Instead, they decided to just stay and work on Weltall's equipment, body and framework with the consent from the Battling Committee. They used the excuse of paying them back for allowing Ranma to battle and the chance to achieve his title, yet they didn't know of the hidden agenda behind wanting to fix it. To later on steal and depart from the city.

It was half-way through the repair job that Hammer showed up to help out, much to their relief. Then a few hours later, Rico also showed up with Suzarn, Hentrich and new henchmen in tow.

"Hey, your machine has been rigged! I'm gonna tell the Committee on you!" said the new guy.

"Yeah, he's definately had his Gear equipped with parts that are in violation of the rules, or somethin'!" Hentrich added in.

Suzarn was rubbing her temples.

Rico looks at Hentrich and started to yell something at him, until he saw Buddy approach the new guy. The two of them stare at each other for a few moments before Buddy adjust his shoulders and eyes him.

"I don't know or never met you, but you have the balls to acuse us of cheating?" he asked, sounding heavily insulted and upset. "What's your name anyway?"

"My name is----"

"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS!!" Buddy shouted, holding his hand up preparing to back-hand the kid, making him flinch back in surprise. "You run your mouth talking about, 'yer machine was rigged' 'yer cheating!'. Well let me tell you this you broke ass cow-crap eating tweezer always masturbating son of a bitch! If I ever hear you talking crap or threatening to do something about me or any of my friends - I'm gonna take this wrench. Shine it up real nice. Turn this sum-bitch sideways, and stick it straight up yer candy ass!!"

"S-s-sorry! Ahhhhh----!!" he cried before turning to run away. As he did that, Buddy chucked the wrench with all his might, nailing the running coward before he reached the exit of the paddock.

Ranma stepped up to Hentrich. "Hey Bitch," he addressed him by Bud's given nickname. "I got another wrench. Ya wanna say somethin' else?" The henchmen quickly backed off.

"Bloody 'ell, ya can't find any good fukin' help now'a days." noted Suzarn, whom was leaning up against Weltall's right leg. "Oh well."

Rico shook his head.

"I originally came here to congradulate you, but this moron and the newbie had to embarrass me further." He paused and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Defeat is defeat... The Battling Champion is... you!"

".... Thanks, I guess."

Rico rolls his eyes and then looks off to the side.

"... Well, I have something I must see to. I'll be off now."

"'ell, I might as well go with ya boss." said Suzarn, comming up behind to his side.

"Champ! Wait up! Let us go with you..." Rico turns and shoots Hentrich a glare. He turns away and does not look back.

"I am no longer the champ! You guys will just get in my way! Don't follow me! OK!?"

Suzarn shrugged and walked over to sit where Ranma, Bud and Hammer were working.

"This means I'm acquitted! I am cleared! Oh, how the freedom feels!" Hammer rejoiced. Ranma ignored him while he and Bud watch Rico walk away.

"Think we should stop him?" Ranma asked curiously, knowing what Rico was about to do. Buddy just shook his head.

"Nah." He checked to see if the other two were listening. "We gotta get Weltall ready before the morning. Then we can rest from there. With Hammer here, we can get stuff done quick since he knows a crew that will help."

"Better get back to work then."

"Right." They both nodded to each other.


Gebler Airship Dock

A door opens up and Elly walks out, followed by her unit. They continue down the open area for a moment before Renk gains their attention.

"Hey look, check this out..."

The group stops and turns toward the open dock. They feast their eyes onto the huge hangar, checking out a small fleet of strange looking ships with even stranger equipment.

"There's only one control ship," Stratski notes. "The other seven are all Ether guided. Just who the hell is controlling all them?"

"I never thought you'd be the escort commander."

The troops turn to the door they came through. A woman in white hair in a purple Gebler uniform walks out. Her expression is very cold. Elly seems to recodnize the person immediately.

"Dominia!?"

"... Dominia, who's that?" Helmholz thinks for a moment. "Hey, not the one from the Elements...?"

The white haired woman walks forward to Elly, the men scattering to make a path.

"It's been a long time Elhaym. The last time was Jugend, wasn't it?"

"What are you doing here?" Elly asks.

"This is a vital mission, ordered from central. I already have Ramsus' orders. The Hecht is not to be piloted by a common soldier. I will take the Hecht." Dominia pauses. "I didn't even need an escort, but this was also part of the plan. This will be a good fight."

Elly steps out of the way to allow Dominia by. She suddenly calls out, stopping her and macking her turn back.

"Wait! Tell me what our target is! You should know." Dominia turns to the side.

"That's restricted... but I guess I can tell. The electric generator in the eastern sector of Kislev's Imperial capital. The target is a reactor left there by an ancient civilization."

"The reactor!? If you attack that then Kislev will..."

She nodded. "Probably most of it will be destroyed. The rest will be uninhabitable for hundreds of years."

"Why are you doing this?" Elly asked, curious. Dominia's eyes firmed and held up a clenched fist.

"To purge, why else? You may know this already, Kislev has the Gatekeeper. The original gate is controlled by those vulgar Lambs. This land barrier was made by our predecessors. The Lambs are trying to destroy the gate. Are you going to allow that?"

"That may be so... but do we have the right to get involved?"

"Does that bother you? Since when did you have a conscience? War, strife, betrayal, deceit are all that are on the Lamb's minds. Surely you should know that by looking at the fools in this country. Just let them loose and see what they'd do. They would pillage and loot out world acting as if they owned it. Advanced knowledge or tools aren't necessary for common house pets. We must lead them where they belong."

Elly stated a fact she knew. "You were originally a land dweller. So why....?" That got a reaction as Dominia turned to Elly and shouted.

"I was chosen by the Commander! Don't look at me the same as those stupid Lambs!" She settled down and turned away. "Yes, well... You've shirked the duty that was instilled in you since your Jugend days. Arguing with you is a waste of time." She walks away, but suddenly turns back to Elly.

"I was a surface dweller myself, but I am going to purge the -Lambs-. I want you, the Shepherds, -Abel-, to see with your own eyes what I can do."


Nortune, A-block North Gate

Bud and Ranma stood at the exit along with Citan and Suzarn. While everyone was dressed in their usual clothes, except Buddy was wearing a pair of urban cammouflage BDU's, had a helmet on and stood next to a type of motorcross bike.

"I still can't believe you fell for that stunt Big Joe pulled," Buddy chuckled at the blushing Ranma. "What a goof."

"That was bloody funny." giggled Suzarn. Citan was also chuckling but kept it to a minimum.

"Well," Buddy controlled himself and took a serious look. "We're suppose to meet Hammer at the Wildcat bar sometime after 1400 hours. But first on the list would be for you guys to meet with Kaiser Sigmund since he is requesting to meet with you, Ranma. I won't be there since I'll take me half the day to get to the forest were I left Alpha-One. Once I get my baby back, I'll try to get here as fast I can." He paused. "Remember. Don't tell ANYONE of what's to come. I know it's sucks, but I don't think we should change time that much. It might have serious repercussions on us, got it?"

Ranma nodded. "I'll be waitin' for ya." The two of them clasped hands and held firmly for a few moments. They then let go and Ranma, Citan and Suzarn watch as Buddy started the motor-bike and took off out of the city.

As Buddy disappeared into the horizon, the three others made their way out of A-Block towards the Central Administrative District in the center of the town. They arrive to the entrance of a hallway minutes later made their way up to a door being guarded by two soldiers. One of the soldiers responds to the trio's presence.

"This is the Kislev Central District. Only authorized perso..." He looks over Ranma for a moment. "Huh? Well, if it isn't the Battling Champ, Ranma." He turns as the door opens. "The Kaiser's waiting."

Suzarn, Ranma and Citan look at each other before shrugging their shoulders. They followed the man in while the other soldier followed them, taking up the rear.

A few seconds after the door closes, Rico runs through a door and is now standing in the same place Ranma, Citan and Suzarn were standing. He looks around. No one is there.

"No one's around." he thinks aloud. He nods to himself. "I thought so. Security's been lightened to lure Ranma."

He walks up to the main door. "Hmm.. I suppose knocking on the front door's out?" He looks around, and when he looks up he see's an air duct. "Guess I'll get in through that air duct up there."

And so he starts climbing up one of the pillars to the duct.

"This is the Central District. The Kaiser's room is up the elevator and up the west wing stairs."

The trio of two men and one woman listen as the soldiers drones on about the central district. When they passed by a tactical room with a holographic model of a flying ship, he began to explain about this new Goliath airship. How it will help making Aveh and Solaris submit to them. Ranma shook his head at the soldier. It really didn't matter to him. They would be stealing that exact ship soon.

They continued on through various hallways. A sharp bark of a dog caught Ranma's attention. He looked down and smiled at seeing a familiar face. A soldier holding the dog's leash explained that he found it at the outskirts of Lahan. After petting the animal, they headed up a set of stairs. At the top, they were greeted by another hallway and a heavily guarded door on the east side. Suzarn thought that this was their destination and approached. But the guards stopped her.

"This is the Kaiser's wife's room. No one's been allowed in ever since she disappeared. Please, leave."

"The lady probably left if she had ta' see yer' ugly mug everyday while guardin' 'er, ya bloody oaf." said the british accented amazon. This made the guard upset but he couldn't do anything about it.

They continued up the hall to the last room and entered.

The trio's ears were greeted by the sounds of an organ playing. In the back of Ranma's mind, Id recodnized the organ song as "Pray for the People's Joy". They walked passed a mumbling elder and into the organ chamber.

The music stops. Sigmund, who was at the organ, stops playing. He turns to address the trio.

"Who are you?" He pauses and shakes his head. "!! I see... So you are Ranma... Welcome."

"Yep. That's me." He bows slightly. "Ranma. Ranma Saotome. Sorry 'bout this." He points at Sigmund. "Ya must be Kaiser Sigmund, right?"

Sigmund chuckled. "Ha ha hah. Excuse me. I am the Kaiser of Kislev, Sigmund." He continued. "This may sound sudden but would you like you join forces? I need your assistance."

A few seconds pass as Ranma scratches his head, trying to make sense of the request. Just as he was about to decline, Rico suddenly falls down from the ceiling in the adjoining room. he gets to his feet and shakes the cobwebs. Ranma, Citan and Suzarn - even the Kaiser - watches him with a sweat-drop forming on their heads. Rico suddenly realizes were he is and his mane suddenly goes up in shock!

"Ah!"

"!? Huh...?" Sigmund recodnized the mutant. "It's YOU! Rico!"

"Not good!" He dashes for the door. "Coming again! Laaater..."

Sigmund moves to a console and hits a button to speak. "... Mutant! Security!! Arrest this intruder!"

"He wasnt with you, was he?" Sigmund addressed Ranma.

"Uh, no.. We weren't.."

In another room, a more femanine looking room, Rico shook his head as he remembered many of his childhood memories.

"... why, am I remembering this now... This room...? That faint smell..." A loud knock on the door startled him. It was followed by a familiar voice.

"Eh, ya blood goof! You in there? Open it up..."

Suzarn, grumbled Rico. He move to the door and it opened up. In walked said person, Suzarn, followed by Citan. Another person also walked in - a redhead that he has seen hanging around Buddy lately.

"Ey' boss. What'cha bloody doin', breakin' inta the Central-Bloody-District? That ain't good at'o'll... .... What?" She looks at him curiously. He turns around and shakes his head.

"Forget about it..." He notices the red-head standing infront of him and holding a chain with a locket. ".. Huh? Give that back!" But her words stop him.

"This room once belonged to the Kaiser's wife," she began. "Only those with the DNA of either the Kaiser or of his wife could open that door. There was an old rumor that years ago, the Kaiser's wife left because she wanted to hide the child she was carrying. There was also a rumor that she gave birth to a mutant child, then died years later due to health complications... or a broken-heart."

"...!?"

The door to the room suddenly opens and in walks the Kaiser followed by several armed soldiers.

"You... How did you get in here?" He looked directly at Rico.

"Nothing.. I just came in through the entrance." One soldiers steps up and snorts.

"Ridiculous! It shouldn't open unless it scans the DNA. It couldn't open that easily!"

"... It was probably a malfuction." Sigmund nods at that reason. "It doesn't matter... Arrest the intruder. The Battling Committee is after him for breaking his contract. Let them deal with him."

"Yessir!"

The soldiers take Rico and begin to walk away. Rico stops and turns to address the redhead. His eyes look confused when he couldn't find her. He just addresses the other two.

"Well... I'll be seein; ya around sometime. Doc, Suzarn."

Sigmund mumbles something to himself before turning back to Citan and Suzarn.

"Where is Ranma?" he asks. The other two shrugged. Citan planned to introduce the redheaded Ranko, but suddenly found that she was missing! He just shakes his head and explained to the Kaiser that Ranma exited the building already. Sigmund easily accepted the lie.

"That man was suspected of trying to assassinate me. The police are looking in the matter now. Well, I have some sudden matters to attend to, so if you'll excuse me. Please tour the district at your leisure. Oh, and about my proposition... tell Ranma that I'll be awaiting a positive response."

He nods to the two.

"Good day."

A few minutes later, Suzarn and Citan exited the Central District and stood on the sidewalk. They were discussing what just happened in that room with Rico and Id.

"What the bloody hell was Red talkin' 'bout?" Suzarn asked Citan. Red was a nickname she usually used for red-haired people.

Citan shrugged.

"I do not know much about the former champion, but I have heard the rumors from a while ago about the disappearence of the Kaiser's wife." He took his normal thinking pose. "But also wonder where did Ms. Id disappear too. It was as if she vanished into thin air."

"Something like that."

"GAH!!"

Ranma chuckled as he watched the two clutch their chest. He tucked the cloth he used inside his shirt using a basic hidden weapons technique that he causually learned.

"Goshin Dai Ryu Sei Fu, or body-defense shooting star cloth." he began to explain. "I can literally become invisible to the naked eye. Even cameras can't see me."

WHAP! WHAM!

"Iteee.. What'cha do that for!?" he shouted at the two.

"Do that again and I'll fukin' slice your fingers off, ya moron." growled Suzarn.

"That wasn't very smart, Ranma." deadpanned the Doc. He shook his head. "Hammer should have been able to get that information by now. Let us go check out the Wildcat."


At the same time...

A lone motorcycle darted along the dirt path towards the forest ahead. Behind it the city of Nortune, capital of the Kislev Empire, became farther and farther into the horizon. The sun was slowly setting behind the city and soon darkness would cover the lands.

Soon, the purge would come.

The motorcycle's engine powered down and the driver skidded to a hault. Buddy lifted the supplied motor-bike helmet's visor and looked around. Some of the wildlife were running away from his arrival while a few stared at him indifferently, or in territorial caution. He didn't pay attention to any of that. A glance to a watch revealed under his left sleave displayed his position and the position of his target. It was a simple piece of technology - not found in this demension, but in a whole other alternate reality.

"It took me two days to get out of this forest," he thought outloud. "And it'll take me thirty minutes just to get to my plane." He happened to glance up at the sky and take note of it's darkening color.

"I don't have much time."

The motorcycle powered up and it's lights came on. Kicking the mechanical horse into gear, the tires spun the cycle around before he peeled off into the forest.


D-Block, Nortune, Kislev

The meeting with Hammer was productive. The 'Supplier' found out that all of Weltall's repairs were completed by the committee, much to Ranma and Ranko's relief. He also informed them that the Gear is being stored underground in a paddock facility under D-block. Only two ways to get in - Through the Battling Arena, which was out of the question, or the L-train the runs over the section of city and into the tunnels. Citan and Ranma decided to go with the supply train, since the sensors in the tunnel would be useless due to their lack of collars. When the meeting was over, Hammer said he would inform them of the train's time schedule.

Now, Citan, Suzarn and Ranma were heading their way back to D-block. They made their way towards the dorms where they were previously located. Ranma needed to get extra clothes, some supplies and a traveling pack. But just before they arrived, two battlers and an Amazoness walked out of the prisoner's barracks and confronted them.

"Who are you?" Ranma asked.

"Don't be so cruel." One of the battler's said. "We've been waiting for you."

Citan look down.

"Waiting? For... us?" The other battler nodded to Citan.

"Please, come with us..."

Ranma sighed. "This ain't gonna be another stupid 'Baptism Ceremony' is it?" He cracked his knuckles. "'Cause I'll just cream you guys right here!" Suzarn picked up a stance next to him.

"Hey, hey, wait a minute!"

Everyone turns to the other Amazoness.

"We're not trying to pick a fight. Keep talking like that and there's bound to be a misunderstanding." She looks at her two companions. "Leave this to me..."

"Well, what the bloody fuk did'ja want?" snapped the scythe woman. The Amazoness sighed and motioned in another direction.

"... Not here. Let's go somewhere else. Come, follow me."

The six of them stood in the Champ's room. Citan stood off to the side while Ranma sat on the sofa. Suzarn was next to him cuddling up to his arm while eying the three across from them. The two battlers and the amazon stood on the other side of a coffee table, each holding a cup of tea.

"So... what'cha want with us?" asked Ranma.

The Amazon sighed. "The Champ... no I mean.. Rico needs your help." This got Suzarn's attention.

"Help? What the fuk' do 'ya mean, help? What happened to the bugger?"

Ranma looked perplexed also. "Hang on, what do you mean?"

One of the battlers looked upset. "Y'know what just happened...The special broadcast on the dorm's vid by the Committee!" How dare they fent ignorance!

"Yeah, y'know, the broadcast said something like this... This evening, the former Champion was found guilty of attempting to assassinate the kaiser, as well as breaking Imperial Code section B..." said the second battler. And he continued. "Thus, a public execution will be held at the arena..."

"....."

"What the bloody..." Suzarn couldn't believe it. She took off her had and looked down on at the floor in disbelief. To her, Rico was a kind person. A bit of a hot-head, but she was more of a friend than a henchmen to the green-skinned mutant. "We know he got caught, and put in jail... But he wasn't even gonna do in that bastard Sigmund!"

"Those committee members... The Champ probably got in their way somehow..." stated a battler.

Citan nods.

"... The Battling Committee?"

The amazon nodded. "The Battling Committee is made up mostly of people from the 'Ethos'. They used to have alot of pull in the goverment... But the current Kaiser, Sigmund, ousted almost all of the 'Ethos' influence from the goverment."

"On top of that, these past few years... In order to strength the military or something, the Kaiser has started to interfere with the Battling operated by the 'Ethos'. The Kaiser probably got in the way of them operating the Battling smoothly. So, they used the Champ..."

"Why Rico...?" Ranma asked.

"Rico was originally born in this town... But because Sigmund whipped up an Anti-demihuman sentiment, Rico was chased out of this town when he was young." then the Amazon added on. "So Rico hated the Kaiser, the capital of Nortune, and the whole Kislev Empire."

"To hate your own father.." Ranma mumbled. "Not even I hate my dad..."

"What was that, Ranma?" Citan questioned.

"Nothing..." He looked at the trio. "And that's why the went after Rico..?"

"In the past, the Champ has had many chances to kill the Kaiser. That the earlier crash into the box seat was disguised as an accident..." He said.

"But that failed too." The amazon added on. "The committee, fearing being exposed, used Rico..."

"The Champ is being manipulated by the committee. Please, Ranma! Help the Champ."

"Now, you are the Battling Champ, but our Champ is..."

As the battler speaks, another voice calls out from downstairs. It is obviously Hammer.

"B, b, bro--!!" he shouts. "Are you he-re?" The demi-human walks in from downstairs, babbling as usual, without looking.

"The supply train times, dates and destinations! I got them all... no prob!" He finally realizes that they were not alone.

"... Wha? Hey bro, what are you doing talking with them?"

"Hold on a minute." Ranma rubbed his temples. "Hammer, tell me about those supply trains."

Hammer looks confused. "Huh? Is it... alright? With these outsiders...?"

Citan nods.

"It's alright, they are our friends."

"Oh, really?" Hammer perked up at that notion. "Well, okay... The next supply train's operating date is... tonight! But ... if that's too soon, the next one is..."

"Good." stated Ranma.

"Huh? Good? Tonight? Well there are trains passing through... Umm, but bro... we need a thorough plan. Tonight is impossible!"

Ranma stands and clenches his fist. "It's tonight or never. Bud said he'll show up and we need Weltall to get out of here!"

Ranma and Citan nod. Ranma looks and Suzarn stand and recieves a nod in acknowledgement. Citan assumes a thinking posture and asks Hammer.

"... Did you hear any interesting tidbits of information outside?"

"Well... The dorms are in an uproar over that Master Rico thing..."

"Do you know any details? Rico is to be executed at the arena, tonight, right?"

"Master Rico's going to be executed... is this true?"

Ranma snaps his fingers.

"Hammer! You said there was another way into the arena, right?"

Hammer nods. "Huh, oh yeah, you mean via the arena, right.. Bro! You're not thinking..."

"Damn right I'm thinkin' that! You said it may be possible to get out through th Battling Arena, right?"

Citan nods at that plan.

"I see! Then we can probably help the Champion..."

"Doc."

"Hmmm. It might just work!"

Hammer nearly has a heart-attack.

"Wait a minute! Might just work...? You don't intend to just go bursting into the arena, do you?"

Ranma nods and pounds his fist into his palm.

"Either way, we are going to escape via the arena, so it's on out way... right!?" He smiles. "It's no problem. it's just one more thing to do on the way to getting my Gear back..."

"Leave the rest to us," says Citan. "And I would like you all to go to the arena tonight. We will leave Nortune, but if they think you were all involved with us, I do not know what they might do..."

The trio start leaving.

"We're counting on you... for the Champ's sake."

"We really appreciate what you're doing... Here, please take this." The second battler hands Ranma a sack of approximately 2000G's.

"Sorry, we had to ask you to do this..." Just as the Amazon was about to leave, Hammer caught her attention.

"Hey Dudette! I might as well give you that item you wanted the other day now before I forget." He started to reach into his side-pack. The Amazon suddenly became wide-eyed and started waving him to stop.

"No! Hammer don't give it to me now I don't want other to see----" Too late.

"Here!"

Everyone stared bug-eyed at the object. It was around 16inches long and a thick as Ranma's wrist! It was double-ended. It was colored blue.

It was a dildo!

"What the bloody hell..." Suzarn mumbled. She never had never seen a sex toy. The only time she had in contact with something similiar were Ranma, Buddy and a couple other men in the past. And the former were twice the size of the later. This thing she was looking at was just... huge!

"Gimme that!" The amazon quickly snatched the item and paid Hammer for his services. She hid it in her own side-pack and quickly slauntered away, arguing with the other two.

It went something like this:

"What the hell you need that for? Aren't we good enough?!" Yelled the two battlers in unison.

"Yeah, but your dicks are too small! Hell, that Buddy guy did a better job fucking me on his own, which made fucking you two at the same time seem like a walk in the park! And his dick is three times bigger than both of your's!"

"You fucking slut!"

"Whore!"

"Oh yeah?! Who did I catch doing sixty-nine on each other? Hmmm? Fucking fags!"

"....." Ranma sweated, followed by Suzarn and Citan.

"Remind me again why I'm leavin' with youse?" Suzarn asked suddenly.

Ranma pointed at the departing trio.

"That."

"Thanks," she replied in a monotone voice.

They had some time before the train would arrive so Citan suggested they take a light nap before they start with the mission. After an hour, they finally awoke and collected whatever they would need. Departing the Champ's room, they headed down the stairs to Latina's Bar. The place was dark and empty, only a hue of light spilled forth into the establishment from outside street lights. Outside, the street was just as dark and empty.

Ahead, they spotted a watchtower being manned by an amazon instead of the old man that usually watches the trains.

"That's the tower ova' there! Giddy-up mates!" Suzarn moved quickly, and so did Ranma and Citan.

The tower was situatate above the prisoners dorm on top of the building adjacent to it. A battler was standing by the access ladder. The trio haulted and he spoke.

"Sorry, I was so worried about the Champ I couldn't leave. Rico's counting on you."

They nodded and ascended to the roof. Ranma saw the Amazon waving to him so he also climbed the tower to talk to her.

"I though we told'ja to be at the arena..."

She shook her head.

"... Sorry. I ... can't go in the arena. No matter what you say, I can't." She sighed. "Well it's time... Tonight train will be comming through here... I wish you success."

"Maybe... we can meet again."

Ranma nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

"Maybe we will.."

He dropped back down and stood by Citan and Suzarn. They could hear the train in the distance but it would be a few more minutes before it shows up. Ranma felt a knocking in the back of his mind and he grumbled. This caught the other's attention.

"Alright, geez..." He faced the two while visibly shrinking and expanding at certain places. Ranko frowned at them. "Yo."

"Come here!" She grabbed Suzarn, suprising the scythe-weilding amazon, and started a full-contact mouth-to-mouth session. Suzarn, use to such antics by the red-head, accepted this greatly and started kissing back with the same vigor. She didn't notice the finger touching her neck until it was too late.

"Why---?"

Ranko caught the amazon before she hit the ground. She picked her up and look at the bewildered Citan.

"Change of plans, Hyuga." she said in the Solarian language. "I can do all this faster without you two holding me back." She paused and looked around. "The people of this city will need your expertise as a doctor more than I need your help getting Weltall. The -Abel-, Gebler, are sending a fleet of bombships to -Purge- this city. Aveh and the Empire believe that they should get rid of Nortune now instead of later. They will be targeting the nuclear reactor in the outer sector of the city."

Citan's eyes widened.

"Nuclear reactor!? But that would leave--"

"The land uninhabitable for over a thousand years." she finished for him. She handed him Suzarn and a small paper she fished out of her pocket. "Take her and go to this address. There is a family of medics that live there. It's the Jin family that moved away from Lahan two years ago. They should remember you."

"But--"

"Ya might as well go, Doc." Ranma said after another form shift. He took a rag and draped it over his head, tying the ends under his nose. He gave the impression that he was going to do some heavy sneaking.

The train was comming closer.

"I'll see ya later, doc!"

Just as the train approaches, he leaps backwards towards the tracks. He suddenly pulls a cloth from his sleave and wraps it around himself. Before Citan's eyes he disappears into thin air, just as the L-train passes and enters the tunnel.

"You surely are full of surprises, Ranma Saotome."

The train rumbled along the tracks at a somewhat fast speed. It began increasing it's speed now that it was in a non-civilian area, the tunnels, to reach it's destination.

Ranma looked back at the train from his perch on the top of the lead car. He watched as the last two of three cars detached and slowly drifted back and away from the train. He grumbled to himself. Those damn punk the old man told him about were messing with the train again, he thought. Whenever the old man wasn't around they would mess something up.

Down the lighted shaft he could see the duct he would need to jump towards according to Ranko. He prepared himself and watched the approach, trying to time his jump. With a push of his feet he was airborne, sailing thru the air towards the duct while being pushed foward by the speed the supply train was travelling. He crashed heavily into an old, rusted metal grate and started to slide down a long chute. For a few seconds it twisted and turned before depositing him into a cylinder shaped room with many crates and two doors.

"Ite..." he mumbled, rubbing his ass from the bad landing. A sound caught his attention. One of the door were opening up! He quickly grabbed his cloth and cloaked himself in the umisenken technique. Two workers walked in and stood in the middle of the room. One turns to the other.

"Everyday work, work, work. Doesn't anything fun ever happen around here?"

"No doubt..." said the other. "The last champion looks like he's been matched with the beast."

Beast? Ranma thought. What did the mean? Id then told him that Rico would be faced up against a Rankar. This made Ranma's eyes narrow. He continued to listen in.

"Now that's something. Let's get this work done and go check it out."

"Yeah. We need to do that, we've been workin' too much lately."

The two head for the other door. Ranma silently follows them while still cloaked. One of the workers pulled out a key card and uses it on the console. The door opens and Ranma quickly squeezes by. The two workers enter the door and head down the corridor. Ranma follows.

"Do you suddenly get the feelin' that we are being followed?" One asks the other.

"Why do you say that? We just came through the door."

"I know, but---"

The two of them stop and look back. Ranma sweats at seeing this. They are exactly five feet away from him and seem to be staring right at him.

"We're not being followed, numb-nut. Now come on! I wanna hurry up and finish our work and watch the old Champ fight."

He silently followed the two as the made their way. After a minute they arrive at a guard station. Ranko tells Ranma to move toward the door down the hall and wait for the workers. After they converse with the guards, the continue on their way and Ranma follows through the door.

The room was dirty, but it had the look of an office. He assumed that this must be the maintanence office were the workers keep all the paperwork and plans. He moved to a corner and listened in on the two workers.

"Hey, make sure you return the Master Key back to the shelf."

"Yes, sir." Ranma watches the worker place a key on a shelf in the adjoining room.

"This should do it..."

Suddenly, another worker comes through the door with an excited smile.

"Heeeey, did ya'all hear? The battle between the ex-Champ and the best is about to begin."

The first two workers turn to the third.

"Oh, it's already starting. There's no way we can miss this!" Two of the three workers leave, but the first worker looks around for a moment.

"I still feel like I'm bein' followed..." he mumbled before turning and leaving also.

The door closed. Ranma immediately stopped using the umisenken's invisibility technique letting out a long, tired breath at the same time. It was not a technique that can be used for a long period of time, but he somehow managed to do so. Standing up from his position in the room's corner, he casually strode into the adjourning room and picked up the master key. There was another item there that he noticed and asked Ranko if he should take it.

"What's that?" he asked her in his mind. "Think we need it?"

She shook her head. "It's a gear frame restorer. Uses a type of nanotechnology to replenish damaged Gear bodies using fuel. We don't need it."

"Okay."

Ranma shoved the key in his pocket and exited through the main door he came in through. With a burst of speed he made his way down the hall, running as if he was on air. Not a sound came from his advance. After a moment, he again arrived at the security station he passed earlier. No one was inside, but he did notice something on the desk in the back.

Hmmm.. Buddy would like that toy, he thought as he stared at the minigear figure. He accessed the guard station and grabbed the minigear.

"He is such a fucking idiot..." mumbled Ranko from inside Ranma's mind.

Just as he grabbed the model, a door opened up and one of the guards that occupied it earlier walked in. Ranma, caught unaware, jumped up and clung to the ceiling directly above his previous position.

"I forgot it..." mumbled the guard. He walks in and heads to the desk he sat at. Then he noticed something wrong. Something was missing. "Huh!?" He frantically starts searching around, looking under the desks and through drawers. After a few moments, he slams his fist onto the desk in anger after not being able to find what was missing. He sighs and looks up....

... And see Ranma holding the minigear.

An exclamation mark appears above his head!

!!

"Y, you! My super ultra great delicious excellent dynamite bomber special DX beautiful wonderful ultimately rare buy complete merging undefeated transforming I was going to put in a glass case in my home priceless Minigear!!" The guard dashes towards the alarm. "Theif!!"

"On no you don't!" The pigtailed man pushes off the ceiling at an angle and nailed the guard behind the neck with a swift kick. There was an audible crack as the man's spine was broken. He died within seconds.

"Shit..." He starts to exit quickly but another guard comes in.

"What the hell is---"

"Don't move!!" Ranma shouts.

"..huh?" The guard pauses suddenly. He watched the man with the cloth tied around his head and under his nose, looking very much like a burglar, sweep his hands out and--

"MOKO KAIMON HA!"

--kick him in the face. His vision suddenly went black as he was knocked out. Permanently.

"Double shit..." He saw an open closet that would be useful. Gathering the two dead guards, he quickly hauled them over and stuffed them inside before closing and locking the door. He sighed and thought of Id.

"So where to now?" he asked her mentally.

Head back to the room that he first arrived and take the locked door, was her reply. She also made a good praise about his quickness in dealing with the two possible threats. He just shrugged and said it was nothing.

Now it was time to get Weltall.


The Battling arena was dark. Only the light from the half-moon above the city gave any indication of lighting. The place was deathly silent. No crowds at this time at night. Not even for the execution of the former champion, Rico Banderas. The terrain was the desert portion of the arena and he was walking around on foot. He seemed to be in thought.

"Who woulda thought I'd be Battling using only my body...

A loud thump is heard. He looks around his sides but he see's nothing but sand around him.

"...? ... Must be my imagination."

He walks off for a little bit but stops again. The thumps are heard again, closer and not as far apart.

"A Gear doesn't vibrate like this.. It can't ... be."

He starts moving forward slowly, cautiously. The thumps are faster and closer as he walks. He stops. A distance away he could see something large approaching. His eyes widen seeing the visible form of a Rankar running at full speed towards him!

"That's a... Rankar!?"

The huge beast jumps into the air and lands behind the demi-human. It roars loudly in his face, the force of just the air being blowed by the roar causing Rico to tumble backwards a few feet.

"Crap! You gotta be kiddin' me!! I'm supposed to fight that without a Gear!?" He starts running as fast as he could, the Rankar following close behind it's meal. As he ran another sound, filled his ears. Something that was very familiar.

"Huh? .. That sound.. a Gear in Flight!?" As he speaks, a short distance away Weltall lands in the arena. The black Gear spots the Rankar and immediately charges and engages combat with it.

"A black Gear..." Rico mumbles. "Him...!?"

"Iiiiiikuze!!" Ranma shouts while delivering a powerful uppercut to the dinosaur! The lizard is knocked back hard but gets up just as quickly and lunges at the Gear legs first like a raptor striking with it's claws. Weltall side-steps the attack and uses it's hands to push the strike away from it. At the same time, it snakes an arm around the front of the Rankar's neck before quickly driving the base of it's scaly neck into the hard armor of Weltall's plated knee.

The Rankar squaks for a moment beore falling limp.

Weltall takes a few steps away from the dead dinosaur before kneeling down in a landing position. The cockpit opens up and Ranma easily jumps down behind Rico.

"...Why?" asked the demi-human. "Why are you here?"

"To get this back." Ranma jerks his thumb toward Weltall. "It's not that I came hre to save you... The elevator I happened to use to escape put me in the arena. I saw that you were gettin' attacked. That's why I saved you... nothing more than that."

Rico stares out into the distance, not looking at Ranma.

"For a coincidence, that's a convenient story..." Ranma shakes his head with a nod at the end.

"It's up to you what you think of it... So what'cha gonna do now?"

"... Do what?"

Ranma places his hands on his hips and looks around. "I barged into the arena. We're also fugitives... That's why we must escape. If you stay, they'll probably make you fight another monster again. Then you'll most likely die..." He looks at the back of Rico's head. "Is that what you want?"

"..."

"Even you gotta have things left to do here! But in your state of mind..."

Rico turns and shakes his first at Ranma.

"Silence! Shut up! Twice! That's twice you've--" He turns back around. "... If you want to escape from the Empire, do it now. I have no intentions of leaving. Even if this is going to be the end for me!!"

A vibration startles the two men. It is felt throughout the whole arena. This constant vibration causes Ranma to look up and search into the sky. Rico looks around, wondering where it is comming from.

"This vibration... That's... no? It's not coming from the ground." He looks around. "Is it the... vibration in the atmosphere?"

"It's starting..."

Rico looks at Ranma curiously. The pigtailed man points up at the sky. At the moment, air raid sirens began sounding as lights around the arena and surrounding city blocks are cut off. Search lights fill the sky and wave around in patterns searching for targets. Soon, the two men watch as gun fire is heard and tracers fill the sky with hot lead, flak and laser beams.

Off in the distance and from the view of Ranma's eyes, Id points out the largest of ships and their target. The Hecht. Both Ranma and Id watch as one of the small bombships collapses from the sky and the resulting flash of light from ground level didn't leave any room for imagination to what happened to the part of the city that the ship crashed into.

"What the heck is that?!" Rico shouts.

"It's an aerial attack by Aveh, specifically the Gebler Special Forces. They're gonna strike at the old nuclear power plant and blow everyone to kingdom come." He pauses at the hatch to Weltall's cockpit. "I don't know or really care about the people in this city. But it's martial-- No, it's a warriors duty to protect the weak and innocent. Even if it cost my life in the process, I'll stop them from killing innocent people that don't have a part in this bloody war."

"If you can, help get the people to safety."

Rico stares at the place were Weltall stood before taking off. His eyes then travel up to watch the ships as they slowly approached.

"..."


Up high in the sky, a total of eight ships including the Hecht are making their way towards the reactor. With constant barrage of anti-aircraft guns, the trip would be a dangerous one. Resistance also included the Kislev Military's air-gear units but those were dealt with swiftly by the escorting Gebler Special Forces unit commanded by Elhaym Van Houten.

Another Kislev Gear drops from the sky by Elly's hand and she whips her brow of sweat. Her squad was spread out in formation behind her with Broyer's Aegis Knight taking up her wingmate behind her. A blimp suddenly appears on radar that catches her attention, but Broyer's eyes gave a visual confirmation of the target.

"Wha? Who's that? Aren't those the Aveh pirates?" This gets Elly's attention.

"!? That's...... Ranma! What the....!?"

On both her sides, two more of her squadmates form up.

Stratski looked around at the city. "Hey, this is Kislev! What's he doing here?"

"He seems to follow us everywhere!" grumbled Helmholz.

"What's with this guy? A little too persistent, perhaps?" Vance added in.

"..."

Broyer came back on the comm net.

"Third times a charm! Let's get 'em!" And the Gebler squad disengaged from formation and sortied towards Weltall, flying ahead of Vierge.

"Ah! Wait!" she called out and began to follow, but Renk in his Wand Knight flew in front of her.

"Renk!?"

"From our last incident, I can tell that you're friends with that Gear's pilot." He sighed. "But, there's not way we can stop. It doesn't matter that we're escorting the Hecht. I wanna fight him, not as enemy soldiers, but as rival competitors..." His voice became firm. "We're the Gebler Special Forces and we won't be beaten!"

"..."

The Wand Knight turns around.

"Sorry, I'm gonna have to kick his butt. Any objections, ma'am?" But he flies of before even getting an answer.

"I..." Elly was at a loss for words.

Weltall blast through the Kislev lines and into enemy anti-Gear fire as he makes a beeline to one of the smaller bombships. It's flight pack is pushed to the limit as the Gear becomes a huge missle. The black gear turned and impinged into rear section of the flying bomb fist first. It pierced through the armored hull and the engine core before exiting through the opposite side. With a powerful thruster boost, it escaped the vacinity before the ship blew up in mid-air.

"One down..." Ranma steled himself to attack the next escort ship but something was waiting for him on top of it. "What.... you again!?"

He landed on the escort ship just in time for the Aegis Knight to attack him. Weltall ducked down and rolled back as the shield knight attacked him with a pile driver attack that would of heavily damaged his armor. Using his flight system to his advantage, Ranma had Weltall flip backwards after the roll and hover on course with the ship out of Aegis Knights reach.

"This is ... meaningless!" Weltall brought it's arms up over it's forehead and crossed them. "You're in the way!!"

"KIJIN RAISHU DAN!!"

Broyer blinked when Weltall moved it's arms. He noticed that they were by it's sides and nothing happened. That is, until his Gear's shield arms fell off of the main body. Though all brawn, he wasn't stupid. Like the last time, he retreated.

"Not you too!" Ranma growled loudly when the Sword Knight appeared and engaged him.

Unlike the Aegis Knight, the Sword Knight put up a relentless assault the put Ranma on the defensive. The shoulder mounted sword whips lashed out at the black Gear with a killer ferocity unmatch by the last two time they have crossed paths.

But this time, Ranma was much more skilled and through his matches at the Battling Arena, he seasoned those skills into an artwork. A masterpiece.

Weltall ducked, dodged and weaved out of the way of Sword Knights attacks, much to the frustation of the pilot. To Stratski, Weltall moved more as if it where 100% human instead of a Gear. And it frustrated him even more as he heard Ranma taunts.

"Whoops! Missed me! No cigar! Was that a feather? Stopped that, your missing me! Try again!"

With a shouted of annoyance, Stratski committed a full-powered sword slash at Weltall's legs. The black Gear simply jumped and flew away from the Sword knight leaving Stratski perplexed. Then he realized what was wrong.

His powerful strike not only missed it's target, it cleaved right through the engine block of the escort. He quickly disengaged the sword-whip from it's shoulder and took off, but not without loosing a leg when the ship finally exploded.

Down below on ground level, the air is hot and fires rage everywhere in the city. Explosions are heard in every direction as gun batteries fire into the sky and the enemy continues to drop bombs and debri from destroyed Gears, friendly Gears, crash to the ground. Civilians are running everywhere trying to find cover or lost loved ones. Many are screaming and crying to help while others think that this is the end of the world.

From atop of short stairway, Citan runs down as civilians run past him out of D-block.

"Everyone, over here! Hurry!"

Hammer runs up to Citan.

"Master, there're people over there thatc an't get out! We're doomed!"

"Don't give up, Hammer! Ranma is fighting too!" Citan looks up at the darkened sky. "Ranma... no longer wants to watch innocent people lose their homes, their town, those that are important to them..."

Off to the side and out of their view, Rico listens in. He looks around after hearing the doctors words.

"My.... town?"

"Hmph, don't make me laugh. Who gives a damn about this crap town..."

Even you gotta have things left to do here! Those were the words Ranma told him earlier, and it echoed in his mind. He looked around at all the destruction around him. At the people that didn't make it, dead under debri and rubble. Voices calling for help in this desperate time of need and suffering.

"..... I'm, crap too."

And he runs off out of D-block with the rest of the surviving civilians.

"What the fuck is up with you guys?! Did my old man stole something from you in this world?!"

Ranma pushes Weltall's speed to full throttle up past the side of another escort ship up to the awaiting Claw Knight. The black gear suddenly dived after getting in close and the Gebler Gear followed.

What is he doing? Vance thought to himself. It wasn't until his gear starts shaking heavily, tossing him inside of the cockpit that he realized that the 'Aveh pirate' took him directly into the range of anti-aircraft weaponry. He cursed loudly when a direct hit from a flak cannon destroyed his left leg causing him to retreat.

Ranma smirked. That was a tactic he saw Buddy employ back in the Gundam world and he finally had a chance to use it himself. Pulling back up to the escort ships he spotted two Gears on an intercept course to his position.

"Only two... enemies-- Huh?" He blinks as Stier, Rico's gear flies up beside him.

"Hmph, what a joke... Wasting time ona couple of guys like these."

"Rico?"

"I don't need a reason to beat the crap out of anyone who pisses me off. And of course that means you too." grumbled the green-skinned demi-human.

"That's also, one reason."

Rico growled at him.

"Shut up, Saotome! Let's go!"

The two Wand Knights, seeing an added guest decide to stick together and concentrate on one enemy at a time.

"Helmholz!" Renk called to his wingmate. "Stick with me and cover my ass. We're gonna take out that new Gear before we attack the black Gear."

"Roger!"

Renk climbed high into the sky before arhcing back down in a power dive, Helmholz following right behind him. Closing in closer to the green Kislev Gear, he dived passed it before suddenly stopping on a dime. The green gear's large rocket pack opened up and let lose a column of flame as it tried to take off. Renk brought up his gear beam rifle and started firing several burst of strong beam lasers in rapid succession.

"Helmholz! Chase him - I got your back."

Helmholz followed Stier, firing it's beam weapon. Renk stayed on his tail but flew backwards as he fired his rifle to keep Weltall at bay.

"Direct hit!" Helmholz shouted excitedly when a single shot impacted and exploded against it's right shoulder. "Take that fuc--- Shit!"

The blackened clouds of the explosion disapated leaving Stier hovering in mid-air, only a couple spark comming from an opening in it's shoulder.

"GRRAAGHHH!!!" roar Rico! He brough Stier's left drill-claw back and thrust it at the incomming Knight that shot him. His claw slammed into it's head and he drilled right through the heavily armored Gear like a knife through butter.

"Shit!" curse Helmholz!

Renk saw that his teammate couldn't fight anymore and instructed him to retreat. Helmholz followed the order, but not without complaint and alot of back talk.

Just me, he thought, eyeing the two Gears. He weighed his chances and knew he would lose eventually. But an idea formed in his head that would surely slow down the black Gear immensely.

He opened a channel to Weltall.

"Hey boy." he said calmly. "I guess you win again. Talk about a lucky streak." His hand danced along his control panel while placing on a pair of dark sun shades. "We may have lost today, but you won't leave without a scratch!"

Without warning, a canister shot from the Wand Knight's hip and sailed through the air towards Ranma. Saotome, thinking it was an explosive, charged forward with the intent on batting it back towards the Gebler gear. To his suprise, the canister exploded in an ultra-bright light that overloaded his senses. Ranma screamed as he was blinded by the light. His hands clutched his eyes in pain, covering his face from the intense rays.

"Gotcha!"

Renk opened up on both Weltall with a full on barrage of beam weaponry fire! With Ranma's hands off the control spheres, Weltall was just a sitting duck. The black gear took shot after shot, every salvo exploding and rocking the Gear side to side, to and fro. Renk stopped his attack once his weapons ether supply ran out.

"See ya, kid."

"Son of a bitch!" Ranma screamed loudly, nearly straining his voice with the loud curse. His eyes came back into focus and he found himself and his Gear falling towards the ground. With another loud curse he grabbed onto the control spheres linking with Weltall once again before fulling up into a rapid climb. Reaching his previous altitude, he checked his sensors and could find no trace of the Gebler Special forces units.

"I thought you're suppose to be the Champ, Saotome!?" grumbled Rico.

"Shut up!" He swivvelled his eyes toward the largest ship out of all of them, the Hecht. "Okay, we don't have the fire power to destroy that thing, so we gotta change it's course...."

As the two converged towards the Hecht, Ranma spots a familiar someone hovering directly in front of Hecht in his sights.

Vierge!

"Elly!" Ranma look out at Stier and shakes his head. ".... Rico, sorry, but you go ahead."

"What?! You've come this far and now you're scared!?"

Ranma bit back a retort and clenched his fist. He cooled down slightly before speaking.

"I know this one. I'll catch up, I promise... please."

Rico growled loudly. "Fraternizing with the enemy! I should have known! Hmph, I can make do by myself anyway! So I guess I'll go on ahead of you, coward!"

"..."

Ranma shook his head.

"I'm gonna kick his ass later."

He steeled himself and closed in onto Elly's position, seeing her hesitate to attack either him or Stier. He pulled in closer making the choice for her.

"Ya gotta be kidding! What are ya doin' here, Elly? I thought you agreed to get outta the military!"

"That's asking for too much!" she shouted back. Then replied with pride. "I'm an officer of the Gebler forces!"

Weltall waved it's hands around itself down towards the flaming city below, expressing Ranma's feelings on the subject.

"Then, yer sayin' this is also one of yer duties!?"

"Yes! My duty is to escort the Hect. And to eliminate all enemies that get in it's way..." She looked out of cockpit as if staring straight into Ranma's eyes. "So you better get out of the way... Cause if you don't move then I'll have no choice but to eliminate you!"

"Don't say that..." Ranma mumbles. He watched Vierge charge and throw a punch aimed at his chest. He simply brings up a fore-arm and deflects the blow. He then brings up a fist to counter-attack but Vierge flies back in defense. He sighs, thanking whatever God out there for Elly taking the feint. "Are you serious?! You do know what your doing, don't you!? How can you say that knowing where that ship is headed and what the outcome may be...?"

"..."

"C'mon, Elly! Say something!"

Inside Ranma mind, Id stares wide-eyed at how the conversation is going. At first before reuniting with Buddy, she had some influence to what Ranma said to people.

But now... everything that he was saying was some his own mouth and not hers.

"I know! I do understand what I'm doing!"

"Then..."

"Change." Elly says softly. "How I wanted to change... I've thought of changing, but I couldn't..." Her voice raises in pitch. "I don't have the freedom like you do!"

Ranma and Weltall points at themselves. "Freedom? Me?"

"Yes! Am I wrong? To be able to choose where you belong... To be able to fight alongside those you believe in their own cause... Even if you have much more anguish to deal with... At least you have the freedom to choose your own path!" Her voice lowered to barely a whisper. "Unlike me...!"

Ranma shook his head.

"Then why don't you do that too, Elly!?"

"If I could, I would already be doing it! But I can't..." She looks at her consoles. "This is my place. And that's how it is here!" She stops and looks down at herself. "... So... please, understand..."

"Elly..."

Ranma looks around his cockpit, at himself.

"I don't have a place I belong in either..."

"Huh?" Elly sounded confused.

"... Bart and crew, even their whole ship, are all missing... They disppeared after the battle with Gebler. so, I don't have a place I belong to anymore..."

"Really... Then, why are you fighting now?" she asks him. "Who are you fighting for...?"

"... Do you enjoy this?"

"?"

Weltall's hand gestures again around them. The burning city. The lights flashing around them. The tracers and anti-aircraft weaponry lighting the sky. The bombs dropping from the ships and the Hecht making its way closer on it's slow path toward it's target.

"Barging into someone else's country, and destroying the place... Dragging innocent people into becoming victims... Do you enjoy fighting that much!? It is that much fun for you to watch people die!?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Elly snaps back. "I would never find please in that!"

"If that's the case, then come with me!" Weltall flies towards Vierge, surprising Elly, and grabs it in a firm hold. Ranma could feel Elly was going to protest so he beat her to the punch. "Just shut up and come with me!!"

Down on the ground, Weltall lands on the ground with a heavy thud on the hard concrete ground. It unceremoniously drops Vierge to the ground much to the dislike of the pilot. Kneeling down, Ranma dismounts Weltall and climbs up to the hatch of Vierge, knocking loudly on it.

"Let's go!"

"Ouch! What?"

"Just come!"

Ranma grabs the Gebler officer by her uniform and hauls her out of cockpit. Elly screams and pounds her fist into Ranma's back as the pigtailed man roughly throws her over his shoulders and vaults high into the air. Elly immediately shuts up and clings onto Ranma, her eyes widening when the ground departs quickly. She feels him land onto a rooftop and she just stares down, estimating that she is around 50ft above ground level.

"OW! What's wrong with you!?" Elly grumbled, rubbing her rear from being dropped roughly. Ranma just looks around and gestures with his hands before speaking.

"Look at this town! Take a good long look! This is what you've done? Does the word, 'duty' justify all of this? DOES IT!?"

Elly takes a few steps away from Ranma.

"Elly!"

She turns around and face him.

"But that's all that was left!!" Ranma walks up to Elly.

"You're still saying that?" he asks in a cold voice. He rears his hand back as if to slap the red-headed officer causing her to flinch. But he stops himself and lowers his hand. He turns away from her and looks at all the carnage and destruction.

"....It's just not like you." he says softly, loud enough for her to hear. "If you don't want to then don't do it. You shouldn't have to force it just to have a place to belong..."

"..." Elly stares at his back sadly.

"What was I fighting for just now? You wanted to know?" He let's out a deep sigh. "I don't really know. I know I was helping Bart and the others. But I still don't know what I should do. Maybe I'm just looking for place to fit in. But I think it's better to fight than do nothing. If fighting helps you or your friends, even a bit, then it's worthwhile. That's... not nothing. ... It's something."

They both pause. Then Ranma spoke again.

"No, that's not really why I'm fighting." He shakes his head. "It's a martial artists duty to protect those that cannot protect themselves. That's what has been drilled into my mind ever since I could practice the art. But," he looked around at the city, flashes of light signalling explosions. "I stopped thinking myself as a martial artist a long time ago, because it'll take more than a martial artist to help these people."

He started walking to the edge of the roof.

"..." Elly see's him pausing at the edge. Then asks, "You said it'll take more than a martial artist. Did you mean yourself?"

Ranma shook his head.

"No. It'll take a miracle." He leaped down to Weltall's cockpit. "I'm going!" he shouts to her.

"No! You can't! Dominia is not like the other soldiers! She is an elite within the Gebler elite. She's one of the Elements, Ramsus' personal guard! You won't stand a chance!"

Ranma paused, staring up at her with wide eyes. Elly stared back, but became worried when a smirk formed on Ranma's lips.

"I guess I shouldn't keep the lady waitin'!"

"Ranma..."

"Citan and Hammer have nothing to do with Kislev... But they're trying despertaly to get the civilians to safety and treat the wounded. Even Rico, who must hate this town and me, still defends it. They don't have any ties here, but yet they help these people of their own free will. That's real freedom..."

Elly watches as Ranma's cockpit closes and the Gear powers ups. She watches as it takes off into the sky.

"Ranma..."

Weltall landed on the nose of the Hecht next to Rico. Around Stier was a large pile of destroyed Gears and various equipment that he had to fend off. Ranma sweat dropped as Rico started to shout at him.

"What the fuck were you doing, Saotome!? Were you expectin' me to do all the dirty work of clearing away these punks for you, alone?"

"Sorry about that..." His eyes caught something. "Oh, but I see you've made a girlfriend... If we can defeat her, we should be able to change the course of this ship. Let's go!"

Further up the ship was a strange gear-like object attached to the Hecht. It was colored the same, olive drab green, as the ship and was only a humanoid Gear from the waist up. The rest was a large structure that was the bridge and control section of the Hecht, according to Id. The Gear is what controlled the ship.

"Hmph. Just one more extra runt isn't going to allow you to down the 'Ship-Bomb Hect'!" proclaimed Dominia with a determind voice.

Ranma waved her off.

"Of course not! We're not gonna take 'this ship' down. We're gonna take YOU down!"

"Hah! What insolence!" she laughed at him. "But what do you expect coming from Lambs...!"

"Damn it! I'm not a farm animal!"


Four targets aquired.

Range: 50 miles

Target Distance: 15.345 miles


"Rico! Let's go!"

"Let me at 'em!"

Stier's charge headstrong, machine guns blazing, peppering the Hecht's control Gear. He let out a loud battle roar as Stier lunged at Dominia with a powerful drill-claw strike.

THAWOOMB!!!

"ARGHHHH!!!" cried teh demi-human. A huge floating object appeared from behind the Hecht and Dominia laughed loudly.

"HA HA HA! Too weak, silly Lamb!"

Super Aerod, Id informed Ranma. She instructed him to concentrate just on Dominia since controlling the ship, the escorts and the Aerod is a heavy task.

Ranma concentrated and cycled through his weapons. His quickly selected his weapon as the aerod zeroed in on him and began to attack. Weltall rolled to the side, nearly falling off of th Hecht and charged at Dominia. Bring his right arm up he fired several ether bullets at the Gebler Element, causing her to immediately go on the defensive with the aerod. Like he predicted the animum ether response-offensive drone moved to take the brunt of the attack. Weltall then ducked and rolled forward and struck at the Hecht controller with a powerful blow.


Master Arm: SAFE

Target Distance: 4.32 miles

Target Aquisition: LOCKED

Master Arm: ARMED


"KACHUU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!!"

Though not as fast as his normal version, Ranma gear version of the chestnuts roasting on an open-fire attack laid out rapid hits into a single point on the Hecht's control gear. Dominia cried out as her world was rocked heavily by the black gears attack.

"Eeeeaahh! You blasted Lamb, I will kill you and all of your worthless people."

Weltall flipped away from Dominia's reach, kicking at the super aerod in the process.

That was his mistake.

The aerod exploded in a powerful display of ether! Weltall flew back and landed on the deck of the Hecht, smoking and barely managing to get up to it's feet. Ranma gritted his teeth, looking over his systems. Weltall was heavily damaged but still in the fight. The blast mostly effected his armor and none of the internals. But the explosion did effect him. He was tossed around in the cockpit and impacted his head several time along with landing badly on his ribs. Fresh blood was running down his brow and down his face. He could barely keep awake.

"HA HA HA! I shall -Purge- this miserable city of all life and I make sure to torture you afterwards, -Lamb-!"

"Your badly hurt, Ranma. Allow me to take over." Id offered him as she spoke to him in his mind.

Ranma, at first was going to allow to to finish the fight, but something in the real world caught his attention.

Ranko, cut off from Ranma, could only smile as she watched the proceedings.

"DIE LAMB---- Eeeaaaahhhh!!!"

Before she could attack, a missle streaked in from the rear and impacted against the Super Aerod causing a chain reaction explosion that engulfed the Hecht's control Gear.

Ranma's head swivvelled around and watched as missle after missle homed in and impacted against all the escort ships, purposely missing the Hecht and the escort next to it. He watched as an escape pod ejected from the Hecht which followed by a vow of revenge from Dominia.

"Guh...." The white haired Gebler element looked around from inside her pod before finally looking up. Her eyes became smoldering pits as she stared at the one that caused her to fail her mission. "Why you.... Remember this-- One day I'll pay you back for this... I promise!!!"

"What the hell happened!?" asked Rico, looking around for whoever did that missle barrage. He knew one thing, that was definately not a Kislev weapon. Ranma also searched around. He just happened to glance at the remaining escort ship just as something spectacular happened.

From out of the sky, a hail of tracers rained down onto the central section of the escort, literally cutting the ship in half. The two pieces seperated and fell to the surface below, but not before two pairs of missles streaked down from the sky and finished them off in a bright explosion.

"Made it just in time," came a familiar voice!

From out of a high cloud bank soared the YF-19. It banked and dove down from the sky to pass by Weltall. To Ranma, this was a sight to behold, seeing his friend and his fighter together again.

"Buddy!"

"BUDDY!?" Rico gasped, wide-eyed in surprise. His eyes upgraded to a bug-eyed expression seeing that this little plane flew without the aid of a propeller. And he nearly fainted when it mechamorphasized into a humanoid gear before landing on the deck! "W-What the heck is that thing!?"

"Good to see ya too, Banderas. But we got no time for that. Explainations later!" Alpha-One turned to Weltall. "I don't know what's in this thing so I can't blow it away. Saotome, Banderas. We need to divert the course of this monster before it hits the nuclear power plant. Let's move!"

"Roger!" Ranma acknowledged. Ranma noticed Rico not moving.

"Rico! There is no time! We gotta change the course now!" Rico finally came to his senses and nodded to the black gear.

The two Gear flew to the nose section and placed their hands on the hull. Intense fire started blasting forth from both Gears as the pilots pushed their flight systems to the redline!

"GGRRAAAHHH!!!"

"KIYYYAAAAHHH!!"

Down blow, Elly is still standing there. She looks around at the destruction that has been caused by her people upon the innocents in this city. She watches as a woman runs by, takes a child into her arms and runs away quickly before the child was crushed under falling debri from the sky. Without hesitation, she spots a ladder and starts climbing down to her Gear.

Back up the sky, Ranma and Rico are struggling to change the Hecht's course without much success. Their engines were literally turning red-hot and comming into the dangerzone trying to redirect the massive ship bomb.

"Damn!! There's too much mass!"

"Keep trying Ranma!" Urged Buddy.

Rico growled loudly. "Why don't you help us out, smart ass punk!"

"Fuck you Banderas! My mecha's engines can't handle moving such a large object in atmosphere, I'll overheat to fast and we'll ALL be in a world of shit if my fighter overloads!" His eyes catch something. "Gebler Gear, incomming! Watch out!"

"Huh?" Ranma hears the sound of an incomming Gear and moves out of the way at the last second. He's surprised to see that it's Vierge. "Elly!? You..."

"Hold on! We can avoid a direct hit on the reactor with three Gears."

Buddy, after realizing who it was, immediately cut in and linked a comm signal to Vierge.

"You! You should know what the Hecht's payload. What is it?!"

"Who are---"

"Doesn't matter who I am!" Buddy snaps. "Just tell me now!"

"Type Mk VIIb phospherous high explosive bombs and ether munitions." Elly stated, curious but still worried about getting attacked by the strange, futuristic looking and unknown Gear.

"RANMA, RICO!!" Buddy shouted loudly as the YF-19 switched to fighter mode and dived towards the Hecht's target. Reaching around six hundred feet above the energy facility, he again transformed to soldier mode and informed Ranma of his intent. "Get out of there!"

"I'M GONNA BLOW IT OUTTA THE SKY!!!"

This got the reaction he wanted from Ranma.

"HOLY SHIT!! RICO, ELLY!! RUN NOW!!"

"What?!"

"Huh!?"

Weltall disengaged from the Hecht and powered up his flight system to use whatever fuel he had left. With a flash of engine exhaust, Weltall blasted away from the Hecht.

"Don't just stand there! Just run! You don't wanna be caught in the blast of his main gun!"

As the three Gears quickly left the scene, down below the YF-19 was going through another transformation. Hovering above the nuclear plant, the twin booms of the buster cannons raised up to the shoulders before lowering down at a forty-five degree angle. Inside the cockpit, information was displayed and Buddy checked off all systems within ten seconds. A power guage read that he was at full charge and cooling systems told him he had only one shot because due to being in an atmosphere.

A reticle appeared in his visor and he carefully aimed. Another circular reticle appeared over the first and he used his mental link with the fighter to adjust the blast radius to envelope the whole ship. With his setting adjusted, he placed an open communication to anyone that could hear him.

"To anyone in the vicinity of the old nuclear reactor..." he began. "FIRE IN THE HOLE!!"

Ranma, Rico and Elly watched in awe as a massive beam of energy lit the night sky and lanced through the Hecht before expanding and engulfing the ship-bomb. The beam continued for a few more seconds before finally shrinking and disapating, leaving no evidence that the ship existed at all.

"......"

Rico and Elly were speechless. They could not say anything about the incredible and previously unimaginable display of utter power and destruction.

Ranma remained silent also, trying to figure out how to explain all this.


That following morning...

The group was assembled in a house in A-block district. Buddy, Ranma, Elly, Citan, Suzarn and Hammer where sitting on various furniture. Everyones eyes where mostly directed to towards Bud and Ranma, who sat next to either other as they explained what has been going on.

"--and that just about sums it up." finishes Bud. He looked around at all the people that were listening, including the owners of the house. Only Citan and Suzarn didn't react to all the news having already heard it.

The reactions from the assembled varied from person to person. Hammer's jaw was practically hitting the floor in disbelief. The Doc sat with a look of intense thought. Elly remained silent. And Suzarn... she heard all this already.

"Besides the evidence that is presented, it his very hard to believe, Mr. Bud." Citan finally said, breaking the ice. "That weapon that you piloted, your clothing, and everything else that you now have could simply be lost technology that you have found. There are many legends of weapons of mass destruction in history text from the Ethos. And many of which are part of Solaris current technology."

"...." Elly didn't have anything to say. All she knew was that her outlook on life was very different. Her feelings for Ranma... she was so confused now that she didn't know what she felt.

"Bro! Is this true?! W-w-w-wow!" exclaimed Hammer.

Buddy frowned at the doctor. "What is there NOT to belief, Hyuga?" He jerked his thumb toward Ranma. "You've seen what has happened to Ranma and whom is apart of him. I even explained everything I know about YOU and HER," he said as he jestured to the only Gebler personnel present. "And yet you still don't believe the possibility of demensional travel?"

Citan sighed and crossed his arms. "The thought has crossed my mind many times before, but actually believing that it is true is just as hard to accept."

Ranma places his arm on Citan's shoulder. "Don't think to much, Doc! Even I could hardly believe it myself sometimes. And I've experienced it." He glanced over to Elly. "You okay, Elly?"

"...." She let out a deep sigh after a moment and shook her head. "It's... difficult to believe, I guess." She paused for a few seconds, looking back and forth between Ranma and his friend. "But for some reason, I have this feeling that both of you are telling the truth.."

Suzarn had a throughtful look as she looked between Ranma and Elly. It was something that was tickling the back of her mind and she wanted to know. "'Ey Ranma. Elly." Both persons looked at her and she couldn't deny what that feeling was. "Did'ja both know that ya' bloody look alike?"

"..." Ranma didn't say anything.

"Hah?" Elly looked at Suzarn curiously. She wondered what the amazon was talking about.

Buddy shook his head.

"Look, let's deal with all this at another time." He suggested, not wanting the shit to hit the fan. "Ranma and Elly looking alot is just a simple coincidence that happens with many people in the world. Shit, maybe somewhere in another demension, I'm related in some way to either one of them. It's simple genetics. Everyone is similiar down to the very core. It's just those little details that make everyone different."

"True.." Citan said, now eying Ranma and Elly. He thought of the painting in Nisan of Mother Sofia and couldn't help but hide a smirk after piecing all the information together.

"I'll give you a fukin' coincidence, ya wanka'." murmured Rico's former lackey.

"Let's move on to a more important issue. Getting the fuck out of this damn city." Buddy grumbled. "Whoever put an APB out on us is a fucking loonie. Gebler-Girl over here," he jerked his thumb over to Elly. "I could understand. But we saved the fuckers. Damn morons!"

"...First we save the empire, now we're being chased by them..." sighed Ranma.

"Just like home, eh Saotome?" Joked Bud. Ranma knocked him upside the head for that.

"Not funny."

"We cannot make a wrong move with security this tight..." Citan started to think of a way to depart. "Suggestion?"

"The most logical way would be to steal the 'Goliath'." Eyes turned towards Ranma but were greated with the sight of Id instead.

"B-bro!" stuttered Hammer.

"....."

Elly couldn't help but stare at the person in front of her with a wide-eyed expression of total disbelief. Before her very eyes the man named Ranma Saotome, in a display of some sort of magic, transformed from the handsome man that she knew to an almost mirror image of herself! She stood quickly and backed away, almost toppling backwards on her fallen chair.

"H-how---?"

"Sit down, Elhaym Van Houten." commanded the red-head in Solarian. It sounded like jibberish to everyone but Citan. Buddy always thought it sounded like german. "Do not make me force you to sit down, Lieutenant."

The voice and intimidating look got Elly's attention. She couldn't help but listen and sit back down on her chair. This girl, that looked just like her except a year or two younger, was more intimidating than her drill instructors in her early days in the Solarian Military.

Id switched back to Ignian, or English. "I am Id, the darkside of Ranma's psyche. I am the one that destroyed Lahan, and I loved EVERY minute of it." she lied. Behind her, Buddy pointed his finger at his head and make a twirly screw-ball motion. "That is ALL you need to know, Elhaym. Cross me and you WILL die a very painful death."

Elly was about to speak up but saw Buddy behind Id making a motion with his hand across his neck. She knew that it ment not to say what she was about to ask. She just sighed and nodded to Id.

Suzarn rolled her eyes.

"Anyways, the bitch is right." He paused and look back. Behind him, Id was whistling calmly. He turned back around and started to speak, and that allowed the girl to make motions as if trying to strangle him. "The best way is the Kislev's 'secret' airship, the Goliath. According to rumor, it suppose to be able to decimate Bledavik all by itself."

"Yes. The models that I have seen inside the Central district showed that it can drawf a Gear as if it was a pea." Citan noted.

"It's not all that great really." stated Id. "Due to it's large size, it's visible to early warning devices such as radar and an easy target for anti-aircraft. It's slightly faster than a Solaris destroyer, but that is only went it's has no payload. Not to mention it needs propeller assistance to stay in flight. It's nothing but an oversized strategic bomber and Gear transport."

"It's housed in the underground dock north of the city inside the mountain range." Buddy look over to Elly. "You've been there before when you infiltrated with your group and stole Weltall, correct?"

"Yes," she nodded. "But I didn't know something like that was in the basement..."

"Good you didn't know. You would of blown it up, right?" She nodded. "Seems like luck is in our favor. It's just a matter of getting out of the city now."

"We must leave quick before the empire decides to launch a counter-attack against Aveh." urged the doc.

Id looked at the assembled. "First things first." She looked at Suzarn. "Are you in or not? Once you leave, you'll never be able to return..."

"Blood' right I wanna leave. Dis' moron' ain't gunna miss me at 'ol."

Id stood and walked over to the closet door. She knocked a couple times. "You commin' or goin' Hammer?" She heard a muffled 'yes'. "Just to let you know, if you betray us, I'll kill you." She suddenly shoved her hand and pulled Hammer by the neck to face her. "And I mean it too."

"Y-y-yes ma'am-- sir-- err.. Bro!"

"Would you stop playing grab ass with Hammer and help me figure a way out?!" shouted Buddy. Id turned to him and pouted cutely, but that didn't effect him at all. She walked back over and sat back down next to him and frowned.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you about Master Rico, bro." Hammer started. "I brought up that you guys had a plan to escape from the captial.... Says he can't help us though."

"Wouldn't be much help anyway." Buddy murmured. He stood up and face everyone. "No matter what he do, we'll be fighting guards on the way out. The best and most logical choice would be to just charge on throught to the front gate and get the fuck out of here in our Gears. They should be safe were we camouflaged them."

"Should we not have a much more detailed plan?" asked Elly. Buddy shook his head.

"Detailed plans never work. Anything could happen in the battle that would disrupt a well-formed plan everytime. Citan, where is Hemidal?"

"Hidden in a small cave two-miles inland near the coast north-west of the forest."

Buddy nodded. "Here's the plan."

"We'll seperate into two groups. Ranma, Elly, Citan and Hammer will break-through the southern exit. Suzarn and myself will, at first, head towards the northern exit by C-block commercial district. But, I already know that the army will secure the North and south-west main passes along with the arena when you guys try to break thru. Half-way there, we will double-back and follow you guys right through the southern exits."

"You four will have a easy time, but they'll be on your asses from the get-go." Buddy said. "It's the best plan but it's simple. These morons have the man power to stop us but they don't have a good command structure to use it properly. And moral would be fairly low because of the attack."

Buddy eyed Ranma as he shifted back into control and pointed at him warningly. "And don't give me any lip about not being able to fight."

Ranma put his hands up in defense. "Hey man, I didn't say anythin'. I'm just worried because Elly, the Doc, and myself are more than exceptional fighters. Between you and Suzarn, she's just as good as Elly if not better. But from what you said, you two have it harder than us since they would be chasing you around more."

"Ey' I've livin' on these dirty ass street since I was a little ladette. I can take care of me'self."

"Don't worry about me, Ran-man. You know I always got something up my sleeve." He picked up a large pack he took from the YF-19 and set it on the table. It made an audible impact and a jiggling sound. It was clearly a military duffle bag according to the United Earth Federation insignia on it.

"Didn't you bring that with us on the trip?" asked Ranma. Buddy nodded yes. "I didn't get to see what's inside."

"Just a few items to make life easier for myself." He opened it up and looked around, the others not able to see what's inside. Buddy looked up at Hammer. "Hey Hammer. How bad is D-block trashed? Is the dorm still standing?"

"Yeah dude! It's really strange how that place took so much a beating and it's till standing." said the demi-human. "Need something, bro?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. Remember all that military items you got for me?" Hammer nodded. "Under my bunk is a panel that can open and that large chest that I told you to get for me. It's VERY heavy, but I need some of the stuff to help us get out. Think you can get it for me?"

"No problem, dude! I'll be back in a few!" Hammer was out the door before anyone could say anything.

"Ey Stud," Suzarn slinked over to Buddy. "Ya' ain't gonna be killin' blokes, are ya?" He nodded. "Better 'ave somthin' extra for me because I won't be able ta keep up with ya."

"Here." He reached inside and pulled out an H&K MP5 Navy. The weapon was similiar to those used by the Kislev military, but had a much more higher rate of fire and better ammunition. He paused before handing it to her. "You do know how to use one of these though, right?"

She snatched the sub-machine gun from him and glared. Suzarn immediately ejected the magazine and looked over it. Loading it back up, she pulled back on the forward charging handle and switched the weapon to safe.

"That answer ya?"

He shrugged. Looking over at Elly, she spotted her side-arm and asked for it. "Let me see that." Elly hesitated for a moment. She looked at Ranma and saw him nod.

"Your not going to---" she began while handing him the gun.

"If I was gonna shoot you, I woulda killed ya when I had the chance last night in the air raid." Buddy said while examining the pistol. "Walther PP7. Pretty decent for a 9mm weapon." he mumbled. Ejecting the clip, he shoved both items into his duffle much to the protest of the Lieutenant.

"H-hey! My weapon!" Another, bigger pistol was presented to her. "... what is this?" She had never seen a pistol like this one.

"My personal weapon. Desert Eagle .357 Magnum." He briefly showed her how to operate it. "It's an armor-piercing round. You have nine rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber." He handed the weapon to her plus a pair of extra magazines. "Keep it on safe, will ya?"

Elly nodded, looking at the weapon with a dumbfound expression.

"Anyone else?" He looked at Ranma and Citan. Both shook their heads. Buddy looked over at a clock and noted the time. It was still early morning.

Time seemed to pass slowly for the group as the waited. No one spoke. Everyone seemed to be in deep thought. Some seemed nervous while others were comfortable where they sat. Buddy noticed that Elly seemed to be taking worried glances at him and Ranma. He thought he saw fear in her eyes when she looked at him. He stood and sat back down next to the auburn-haired woman. She shuffled away from him.

Bud sighed. "Listen kid. Your gonna have to trust me if you wanna survive." He relaxed his elbows on his knees and looked down at the floor. He seemed to gained everyones ear. "I didn't give you my own gun because you'll need it. Consider it as something as a peace offering of sorts. You don't have to think about it or accept it, but all I asks is that you place some trust in me and Ranma." He looked at the pigtailed man. "The two of us are the most dangerous men on this planet. The knowledge contained within our minds could make or break this world. But we need your trust in our abilities and our judgement to make sure we don't screw up everything. It's a decision you'll have to make now - even as we speak, we're changing history." Buddy looked at Suzarn and Citan. "This goes for everyone."

Citan simply nodded to them, a firm visage of understanding.

"Ya' all' ready know my answer." Suzarn stated.

Ranma eyes turned to Elly and they stared at each other for a long moment. When she broke contact and looked at the sincere expression on both Buddy's and Ranma's face, she nodded.

"I'll place my trust in you."

Hammer returned close to an hour after he left. For a little man, carried Bud's chest-o-surprises pretty easily. When it was set down, it made a loud crashing sound that startled everyone. Hammer chalked it up to being eager to leave.

"What the fuck you got in there? A tank?!" asked Ranma sarcastically.

Buddy shook his head and brushed the pigtailed warrior off. With a swift kick, the trunk opened up displaying a small quantity of clothing, body armor and load-bearing gear. The the one thing that the chest was mostly filled with were books. Many books, mostly about the history of Gear technology and mechanics. It seemed like Buddy knew he would be working on Gears in the future.

"Quite the scholar, Mr. Bud." noted Citan. Many of the books were outdated, but he did notice many current editions that are currently being distributed by the 'Ethos'.

"It's more of a need that I know this stuff..." He ignored everyone as he started to dawn his armor and load-bearing gear. This made Ranma curious, because he noted that he wasn't taking any of the weapons in the chest. Buddy, noticing Ranma curious look, pointed at the large duffle bag. "Got a few weapons in there along with alot of ammo. You might as well empty it out."

"Okay..." Ranma moves over and peaked inside the bag. He frowned. "You gotta be kiddin' me..."

"What?" inquired Elly. She wondered whatelse this Buddy guy had up his sleave.

Ranma kept the frown and simply lifted and dumped the contents of the duffle onto the table and floor.

An Ak-102's. One H&K USP .45 ACP pistol. Two Colt 1911A7. A case of 10 high-explosive grenades. Ammo to for all above mentioned weapons. Three cases of chain-linked 5.56mm NATO ammunition. And finally, one M249 SAW machine gun for said mentioned ammunition.

"What?" Buddy asked Ranma, wonder why his friend was looking at him strangely. "I had to take some stuff. You really expect me to go anywhere without the proper weapons?"

Ranma sighed and picked up one of the Colt 1911's. "I better take some of it since you'll wanna keep it all."

Buddy quickly used pouches to load up the 5.56mm ammunition for the machine gun. He had four pouches total hanging from around his waist plus one already attached to the SAW. Each drum-pouch carried 200 rounds of ammo. On a thigh holster, he placed the second 1911 pistol while the USP was holster on the opposite leg. He dawned his PASGT helmet before slinging the M249 around his neck and shoulder. Though weighted down, he felt right at home.

"Ready?" Buddy asked, charging the SAW's handle. Ranma step up as Buddy open the door. "Go! Go! Go!"

Ranma lead the charge, followed by Elly, Citan and Hammer. Buddy nodded to Suzarn and they exited last.

After exiting the house, the group of six split up and headed in their respective directions. Ranma's group headed for the south exit of the district while Buddy's group went north. Ranma's group, only a minute after leaving the house, had a problem already.

The Imperial City guards put up a check-point station within the past two hours at the same exact spot they were heading.

"...Hey! Isn't that the guy in the 'wanted' poster... perhaps?" ask Guard-2.

"... Yeah," Guard-1 said after taking a look. "They say that everyone has two or three people that look exactly like them in this world..."

Guard-1 looks at Guard-2.

"Besides, even if he was the 'wanted' guy, what chance would mere guards like us have against him? That guy is the ex-Battling Champ!"

Guard-2 takes a good look at Ranma.

"Let sleeping dogs lie, huh!"

"Exactly!" said Guard-1. "So even if we were to see him here, then we'd just pretend that we haven't seen him, O.K.!"

A third guard walks up to Ranma and company and gets excited.

"Hey, that guy! He's the ex-Champ who broke out of the arena with his Gear and is now 'wanted'!"

The other guards look at Guard-3.

"Are you stupid?!"

"Damn!" growled Ranma. "We're done for!" He looked back at everyone. "We've got to give it a try! Doc! Elly! Let's try and force our way through here!"

"Oh no! They're serious!" shouted Guard-1.

"There's no way we can beat the Champion!!!"

Suddenly, gunfire is heard from the northern section of the town. The radio at the check-point is on and loud enough for them to hear the transmission.

WE'RE BEING ATTACKED BY TWO ESCAPEES ARMED WITH HEAVY WEAPONS! HELLLPPP----!!

Then, three powerful gun shots ring out and the guards collapse to the floor with holes in their chest. They turn to Elly just as she lowers Buddy's gun with neutral look in her face. She idly rubbed her wrist, the recoil from the gun was very powerful.

"Ranma..." she started, but the smile on his face confused her.

"Good job, Elly. Let's go!"

The group started running down the streets as quickly as they could. Seeing another check-point ahead, Ranma decided to duck down an alleyway to try and cut across the city faster without having guards chase them. A few feet later, he made another turn, but stopped in his tracks.

"Rico..."

The green demi-human nodded, leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed.

"... I changed my mind. I'll leave Nortune for a while, until things calm down. You plan on seizing the new mega-battleship 'Goliath'? Well, I'll give you a hand... up to the city limits."

".. You don't want to fight together with us?"

"... Make no mistake here! I don't intend to become friends with you guys!" He turns away. "I have something I have to do and I have to do it on my own...! When we leave the Imperial captial's precincts, you can let me out anywhere that is convenient, O.K.!"

Ranma moves past him.

"Fine by me. Just don't lag behind us!"

Citan passes by a nods, followed by Elly who just ignores the demi-human but couldn't help but look back at him. Rico snorted and folowed, taking the flank.

On the other side of the district...

"HA HA HA HA!!" Laughed Buddy with maniac-like gleem in his eyes. "Get sum! Get sum! HA HAAA!! Get sum! Get sum, get sum, get sum!! Get sum!!"

He was firing wildly while running down the streets, causing guards and soldiers that responded to the call early when Suzarn and himself attacked the northern check-point. His M249 roared, spitting semi-armor piercing bullets in almost every direction. Kislev elements of their military cried loudly in pain and terror when they were struck by the shots. Many ran and took cover in fear, never seeing such a monster of a weapon being wielded by a single man before. Just the rate of fire alone caused the soldiers to run in terror. But that wasn't their ownly problem!

The female with the witch-like hat, the scythe and the smaller weapon added to the chaos. Suzarn picked off soldiers with her H&K sub-machine gun, covering their flank from those brave enough to try and take them on. Occassionally she would grab her scythe, which was slung around behind her back, and throw it like a boomerang. One attack evenly sliced off three soldier's heads, before and after she pulled the string to send the flying scythe on a return path to her.

"Loading!" she shouted, stopping in the middle of the road and ducking down to reload. Buddy stopped and swung around with the SAW, cutting down a new squad of attacking soldiers. "Locked!" She charge her MP5 and fired, moving backwards to take point this time.

Buddy paused in firing, grabbing his Colt 1911 on his left leg and firing at a soldier poking through a window. Holstering the pistol again, he turned and followed Suzarn around a street corner.

Just as he turn he immediately ducked down when a large group of Kislev soldiers started laying down concentrated fire down on his position. On his stomach, he started crawling low towards Suzarn who was taking cover behind a large pile of fallen debri, concrete and scrap metal from the early morning raid.

"This's jus' bloody perfect!" she shouted loud enough for him to hear. The kislev soldiers never stopped firing and the sounds of bullets impacting the pile, the little 'hisses' and 'snags' of rounds passing overhead effected their hearing. "We're pinned down, and those jolly ol' wankers ova there wanna tear us a bloody new arse!"

"Listen!!" he shouted back, handing her a 4inch long canister. "This is a flash grenade! When I give you the signal, both of us will toss these babies at the soldiers and rush them while their blind and can't hear! We won't be able to hear also, but we're protected from the flash so we'll have to be quick!"

"Al' right!"

He leaned up against the pile and used a little periscope to peek over the rubble. He smirked and got back down.

"They're around 40 meters in front of us!" He moved back and kneeled behind the pile holding the flash-bang and it's safe-clip. "Follow my lead! If throw hard enough, we can get these babies right in their faces in the air!"

Suzarn nodded and copied his position. At the same time they both pulled their pins but held onto the grenade and arming switch.

"One! Two! GO!!!"

The pair through with all their might then grabbed their weapons. Suzarn casually grabbed on of Bud's grenades and pulled the pin also. When the screams of men and the firing stopped, both rushed around the pile and charged guns blazing!

"Eat this asshole!" The grenade left Suzarn's hand and flew straight and true, the arming switch flying off at the same time. It exploded in mid-air over a group of guard rubbing their eyes, fragging them immediately.

Bud simply ran forward, sweeping the M249 back and forth, cutting down soldier after soldier. He leaped over a barricade and thrusted the butt of the machine gun into the throat of an officer in a powerful melee attack.

When the firing stopped, Buddy looked around at what he and Suzarn have done. Soldiers and officers lay dead or mortally wounded. Blood covered the streets. He couldn't help but look up at the buildings. What he saw nearly made him cry. Families looking down in fear at the carnage. Mothers pulling their children away from the window, only to glare hatefully at him and close the blinds.

He shook his head and reminded himself that this was a game. A game of life. And in life, you have to survive.

"Oi, Bud. We should double-back now..." said Suzarn with a worried tone. She took his hand and almost gasped when she felt it trembling. ".. Come on, luv. We bettah go!"

"Imagine?"

"Hey Bud-man, what took ya so long!" Ranma joked. But his smile faded when his friend just walked right past him with a grunt of annoyance.

"Leave 'im be for a good while." Suzarn says, moving next to him. "We had'a big fight on our hands an' alotta blokes got killed. Me thinks that he's kinda stressed out by it, that's 'ol'."

Ranma nodded and walked over to Buddy. His friend was sitting at the foot of the YF-19 (while still in Gerwalk mode), staring off into the distance. His eyes seemed hollow and almost blank, devoid of life. He remembered his dad pointing out some of the older U.S. Marines in Okinawa when that visited as a child. One of the Marines, an officer, had the same look that his friend has right now. His dad described it as the look that see's beyond the horizon. The american's called it the "Thousand Yard" stare.

"Oi," Ranma began in Japanese, sitting next to Bud. "You okay, man?"

"...."

The pigtailed man shook his head. "Buddy-kun, are okay?" Nothing. "Fine then! If you're gonna be an ass---"

"Before I came to your world... I killed over a million people with a single shot, just to survive." he said. "Soldiers. Civilians. Women and children." He leaned back, looking out into the distant sky. "Even today I can still hear their cries of agony as their world comes to an end. Still hear their shouts of pain and death as they are suddenly consumed by a nuclear fire. Faces I don't know. Images of death and destruction..." He sighed, tears forming in the corner of his eyes. "Everytime, I swear to not kill in cold blood or take pleasure from taking someone else's life... but I-- I--... It's like I opened up a pandora's box and can't close it anymore--!"

Ranma reeled back in surprise. Whatever is wrong with him, this was some truely deep shit he was talking about. He then felt the transformation take place, rain pouring down from the sky triggering the curse by surprise. It was if God was listening to Buddy's crying and offered Id as a means of comfort.

The short red-head pulled her friend into a tight embrace. He cried into her shoulder while she rubbed her hands up and down his armored back in a soothing motion.

"Shhh... it's okay. It's okay.." she whispered to him. "Let it all out..."

And just as quickly as the rain came, it left allowing sun to shine down upon the temporary encampment.

An hour later, Id was standing in front of the YF-19 with the others, except Buddy, forming a circle to devise a plan of action.

"Buddy is suffering combat fatique." Id stated, already knowing the diagnosis despite lack of official medical expertise. "We'll have to devise a plan of action without his help in obtaining the Goliath."

Rico grunted while everyone else nodded.

"Suzie," she used a nickname for Suzarn. "You'll stay here with Bud and keep the guy company until we're airborne with the airship."

Said person nodded.

"Everyone else will infiltrate into the facility and help in hijacking the battleship. Some of us will have to share a ride, so Citan will have to ride with Hammer in that Fix-Bot. We have to leave Hemidal at that cave. Sorry, Citan."

The doc shook his head. "We can always recover it at another time."

Id nodded to Elly and Rico. "Quicks the word and sharps the eye. We move out now before Kislev launches a retalitory strike."

Suzarn watched the three combat gears and the fix-bot depart towards the mountains with a sigh. This was her first time kind she was just three years only that she has been outside of Nortune - she expected her first taste of freedom to be more sweet, not bitter as it is now.

She looked at Buddy.

As she help him out of his gear, she couldn't help but think of how low he was emotionally struck within a span of a few minutes. When she first met him months ago and fought him in the baptism ceremony, she was impressed to be up against a man that was strong, cocky and confident that he would come out on top when the chips were stacked against him. She was proud to be claimed as his lover, despite the relation being only physical. She was excited to fighting side by side with him during the escape route they took. She saw how intelligent and how good a tactician he was in coordinating both of them when they were pinned down by the enemy.

But that's were everything stopped.

Looking at him now, her total outlook on him was different. His body posture. His lack of expression. His eyes, especially his eyes. She has seen it many times before from returning soldiers that have spent too much time on the border during the times of heavy fighting between countries. It was the look of a warrior that has fought the good fight and won, but came out a loser in the end. Even the most well-trained soldiers have their limits. Buddy must have had so much bottled up inside himself that he finally snapped.

"Poor baby..." She kissed his forehead and held him. She felt him wrap his arms around and held tightly onto her.


Kislev Military Mountain Facility
Secret Entrance

The entrance to the factor was easy to find along the mountain side. It seemed that Kislev didn't do a good job of hiding it, or just didn't care to hide it.

Weltall, Vierge and Stier entered the Goliath Factory. Id, already knowing the route, took the lead and negotiated throughout the twist and turns of the facility. Their Gears mostly stayed idle, coveyor belts doing most of the traveling for them. Their slow ride also allowed them to see what exactly was being built here. They passed by many fabrication machines putting together large weapons and integral parts mostly found in Gears. Elly even noticed things she didn't have the liberty to check out since her first visit. The array of weapons were clearly from an advanced civilization, possibly blue printed from relics found by the Ethos dig sites.

Occassionally they would be ambushed by a group of either Harquebus Mk10, NeoMusha Mk100 or Hatamoto Mk3 Gears. Elly and Rico didn't even have to lift a finger - Id simply took them out with a single hit or an Ether spell. The spells really caught Elly's eye because they were only found in the Element caste of Gebler Special Forces.

Id called a halt to the group when the conveyor dropped them into a crate-filled docking area. She scanned around with Weltall's sensors and found nothing. Just like before in her and Ranma's 4th life.

"Stay here." she commands in an icy tone that left no room for protest. After seeing what this little girl, Ranma's other half, could do, neither Elly or Rico put up much of a complaint. Weltall moved forward ahead of the two, passively scanning with her sensors while she stared forward. Pausing in a step, Weltall took a step back to look at Vierge.

"Elhaym," she began in Solarian. "When you see that I am attacked, cast a wind ether spell at the enemy when I strike it."

"Uhh.. Okay."

Rico grunted. "What did she say?"

"Just to use an ether spell when she attacks."

Weltall to that first step forward, and all hell broke loose. Sirens began wailing. Strobe lights flashing in warning. From out of a cargo bay door charged an egg shaped gear holding a spear and shield.

Id smirked as Fis-9 charged her. When it thrusts it's spear at the black Gear, it ducks under the attack rises into fierce uppercut that penetrates it's armor. Twisting the hand, Weltall grips the plating and literally rips off a chunk to expose the insides. Id suddenly felt the air thicken and she bailed out of Weltall and ran. She got far enough out of the area when three bolts of blue lightning came out of nowhere and literally fried the Fis-9's internals.

"Feh." she spat on the ground. "Too easy."

Then out came a large group of mechanics - around twenty of them. They started to climb the Fis-9 holding repair tools.

"H-hey!"

Suddenly from her rear, gunfire erupted. She watched as a stream of bullet tear into the mechanics into nothing but piles of mutilated flesh. She looked back and saw the smoking barrels of Stier's shoulder machine guns.

"I can't let you two have all the glory," he growled. "And I don't need a woman to protect me!"

"Whatever."

A few minutes later, Ranko, Elly, Citan, Rico and Hammer walk in, out of their Gears now. Rico looks around. Elly and Hammer keep turning and look around the place.

"Get a load of this! I can't believe they'd make such a thing..." said Rico, truely surprised.

Citan turns and assumes his thinking posture while looking at the controls.

"... Shall we see if it works?" He looked at Id and she nodded.

"It is fairly simple to fly compared to Solarian airships." Id stated, sitting at a control console at the far end of the forward section. Her hands moved around, flipping switches and hitting keys with her fingers. "The Goliath was designed in a way that she only needs seven people to be battle worthy. As long as she was loaded, that is."

"Hyuga, please man the communications array. Buddy can be contacted using frequency 105.9," she stated. "Everyone take a seat for take off."

Rico grumbled and stay in place while everyone else took a seat and buckled up.

The sound of engines turning got their attention. The ship began rumbling loudly as all the engines activated and cycled in order. Id smiled and pushes forward on the controls.

CRASH!!!

The ship shook and everyone looked at Id. She rubbed her forehead in thought as she looked over the console. She giggled girlishly.

"Silly me. It's in reverse!"

Multiple groans.

"Now.. Let's go!"


"Woah! Look at al' the gizmo's in this fella!" exclaimed Suzarn, seeing the inside of the YF-19 for the first time. Anything she looked at, whether it be the seats or the console, seemed to be out of this world. She looked at Buddy. "Are ya' sure you ya' feelin' fine?"

He sighed and dawned his "thinking cap," having already changed into his flight suit.

"I'm fine... A little time in the air will fix me up just fine." He handed her a large travelling pack as he climbed the service ladder, followed by his M249. "Put this behind your seat and secure it with those straps. We'll be taking off in minute."

She did as told, but questioningly held up some sort of clothing and bubble thing she found behind it. "What I bloody do with this?"

"Anymore room back there?"

"No."

He got up and looked down at her part of the cockpit. "Put it down on the floor in front of you and strap in."

"Watch you hands, dropping the canopy."

The cockpit closed up and an audible hiss signalled that it was pressurized. A few flicks of his fingers and the fighter started to rumble, the thermonuclear turbine engines coming online and powering the fighter. Dust began to kick up from the ground, tossed around easily from the thrust of the leg engines. The low whine of the turbines picked up in speed and pitch and the variable fighter began to hover off the ground.

"Holy mother of God..." Suzarn muttered. Her eyes widened when she looked down. Instead of seeing a floor, she saw everything straight to the ground. Her feet felt solid flooring, but it still looked as if she was sitting on air. Turning to look at her surrounding, she gasped when the fighter spin on a dime and moved forward so quickly she was thrust back into the seat. With her eyes closed, she felt the ship lurch to the side and felt pressure on her shoulders from her harness.

"Open your eyes." she heard Bud say, and she did.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!" came her scream. She was looking 'up' at the ocean while the fighter flew over it, inverted so the cockpit bubble was facing the water.

"Hahahaha!!" Buddy laughed, easing the controls forward then jerking it to the side to level the fighter right-side-up. "Thrilling, no?"

Suzarn clutched her hand over her heart and slowed her breathing. She stared at Buddy's turned head which slowly turned to a glare.

"If ya blood weren't flying this.. whatever is it, I would of killed you, ya arse-bandit!"

"Whatever..." He checked his radar and got a large blimp. He looked up and scanned the horizon, spotting the Goliath immediately. "Coming up on the Goliath. I'll contact them and----" He paused, squinting his eyes. Something was wrong here. "What the fuck is that...?"

"What?" asked his passenger.

"There seems to be a Gear---?" Then it came to him. "HOLY SHIT!!"

Suzarn found herself once againt slammed into her seat. The fighter was rapidly gaining speed. She found that she couldn't speak, the force of gravity too great against her body to do anything else but watch. Even keeping her eyes open was a task, but she managed. Her main thought though, was what got Buddy so worried?

"The shaking has subsided. We should be in good shape for now."

Id turned around looked back. Everyone looked fine, though Rico seemed to still be upset for some reason. It'll probably be a cold day in hell if she ever found out, though. She saw Hammer carefully approach her. She held back a bark of laugher seeing him jump from just her look.

"B-bro, what're we gonna do now? Go to Aveh as planned?"

She pauses in thought.

"Maybe---"

THA-THUMP!! (Heartbeat)

She slowly turned around and looked out of the forward window. A black Gear is hovering in front of the Goliath. Her eyes widen as she centers right on the person she wanted to see. And he was standing there right on the Gear's shoulder. A rumble started in the back of her throat. It slowly builded up, causing everyone to take there eyes away from the Gear and settle onto her. When she saw the Gear fly forward and over the bridge of the Goliath, she growled like a feral, blood-hunger tiger, desperate for it's next meal.

"Citan." She stood, setting the Goliath on auto-pilot. "Take over." The Doc nodded simply, watching the red-head walk towards the bridge exit. Before she steps out, Elly speaks.

"Ranma-- err.. Id, where are you going?"

She looked at her while her body shifted, replacing the short red-head with the taller, black-haired man. He stared into her eyes for a moment before speaking.

"To face... my destiny..."

End of Chapter 20


Author's Notes:

I apologize to my fans (All four of them) for not finishing this earlier. Been tired lately and the story hasn't been feeding as easily as it should of been. But I happened to finish this chapter and I the next one will be comming soon.

I'm planning on one more long chapter for the next one and then short chapter for finish off the Xenogears section and the Flash Back arc of my story. Afterward, I'll work on a short (6000-9000 word) chapters for all future chapters. I wanna get out of the Zoids universe as quickly as I can because it is the only universe I know the least. But oh well.

As a reminder for those of you that do read my story, I would highly appreciate it if you give you thoughts and critique by reviewing it. I'll be making notes at the begining of each chapter from now on as a reminder.

Next Chapter 21: The Zeboim

C&C+Flames: hibiki54@earthlink.net
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