Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / Vandread Fan Fiction ❯ GunDread SEED- The Second Stage ❯ Part 1- New Forms ( Chapter 18 )

GunDread SEED The Second Stage

 

Disclaimer: VanDread is the property of Gonzo, while Gundam SEED is the property of Sunrise. Inc. I have no ownership of both or the companies. So lawyers…please leave me in peace.

 

Chapter 9 Part 1

 

< >: Thoughts

 

New Forms

 

*************

 

The Conference Room of the Nirvana…

 

“How long till we reach the debris belt that hides Talark and Megele BC?” Magno asked she and the senior officers were busy discussing matter while the rest of the crew were on combat patrol, routine maintenance, an regular duties. Kyo was still busy on combat patrol with Osso and his crew of Taisian pilots along with Meia, Dita, Jura, Max in their Gundams, while they were routinely supported by the Dread Squadrons who were now under Barnette's command.

 

“At least three to four more weeks Captain, we have still been encountering Harvester resistance, but the sensors of the Harvester battle-ship we have captured have been picking up strange Harvester ID tags recently. We haven't fully isolated the signals yet, but it seems that the Harvesters may be planning something. Their attacks seem to have lost some sort of edge that they normally have.”

 

“Buzam's got a point Captain.” Aleck Koubayashi said. “They may have developed new maneuvers and tactics, but they no longer seem to have the ferocity and numbers that they normally do. They know we are a big threat to their plans and yet they keep sending light forces to attack us. One thing I've learned in my days as a soldier AND on my exile…the only time the enemy is this lenient is when they plan to stab you in the back with a new weapon. Something stinks…”

 

The elder Talark soldier had been integrated into the pirates' senior officers due to his being the smartest in terms of leading Vanguard operations and training the girls in terrestrial combat maneuvers. Plus he was the only one in the group not to call Buzam by her name tag of BC.

 

“You do have a point Aleck…what do you suggest they are up to?” The elder captain asked the grizzled veteran.

 

“They know we can beat their Cube Fighters now…and in all the histories of warfare…when old weapons prove unable to catch up with the new world…you need to develop new ones to even the odds. Those Cube Fighters are tough, no doubts there, plus they are easy to replace, they can be programmed and don't need to be piloted by human pilots, being AI piloted, and lastly…they have the numbers advantage…but when you take out the Seed Ships, they don't get reinforced and they are on their own., then we can take them out. I won't be surprised if they are coming up with new weapons, like what we did back home after the Ikazuchi incident. When we lost the first expeditionary fleet nearly a year ago, the Talark weapons divisions devised faster moving turrets, improved Vanguard weaponry, speed energy usage, and armour, and improved targeting sensors to take out your Dreads, plus we have been digging deep in our bag of knowledge on other workable technologies…the warp-gate being one of the plans made…had that been perfected, the Talark military could drop strike teams right into the territory of Megele and hit the place with little to no warning. Plus, since our Vanguards were built for terrestrial combat, you can guess what would have been the outcome. I have no doubt captain that this decrease in intensity is meant to hide something. I can feel it…” The older male nodded sagely, he had been a student of war for many years, which was why he was the most respected Vanguard instructor in Talark's military.

 

The women nodded in agreement, this dulling of ferocity was certainly troubling since the fact was that since they knew who the Harvester truly were and had caused significant losses to the Earth Forces, then it would be no surprise that the Harvesters would intensify their efforts to wipe them out…but it seems that the Harvester were merely sending out skirmishers at them. There seemed to be a decrease in the elaborate plots the Earth had used in the past. The fake message on the desert world was one…plus the use of an entire fleet of Mirage Colloid equipped battle-ships was a certain sign of the desire of the enemy to wipe them out. But this sudden change was worrying.

 

Gascogne had also spent time in the Megele military and also agreed with Aleck's statement.

 

“The Harvesters have been acting weird lately, they are acting like before when they didn't take us seriously. I suggest we be cautious going to Megele and Talark. For all we know…we might walk into another ambush.”

 

That was when Misty came on the comm. screen. Magno pressed the receive button as the girl appeared on the screen.

 

“Go ahead Misty.”

 

“Captain, I have just received a coded record message from a tachyon signal. It seems to be having the same code signature as that of the Delta 6 Mission's transmitter and communication codes. It seems to be very urgent.”

 

“Understood, have it decrypted and we'll see it on the command bridge.”

 

“Roger captain! Leave that to me!”

 

They had seen Misty work communications before and since she knew a good deal about the science she helped in the communications and data-management section of the Nirvana's bridge when it came to certain codes and frequencies, being a quick study, her skills as a communication student certainly helped her in this case so the pirates had little to worry about for now.

 

*************

 

In Earth…

 

The newly assembled fleet was now ready to move at full speed to where the Nirvana would be heading…the two single gender worlds which would have the numbers and power to stand against the Harvest. The new Overlords were now integrated into the Armada…and their new Gundam series and rebuilt ones were now armed to fight their targets.

 

The leader of the new fleet smirked in his own command ship as he looked at the images of his fleet being rallied as they left port and were now reaching jump point for their assault on the universe. The Harvest will NOT be stopped and soon…the Resistance and even the Nirvana would fall!!!

 

But first…his new toy needed to be tested along with the other Gundams…and he knew of one world that would certainly qualify…

 

He looked at his computer screen and typed in the coordinates for the Fleet's first target.

 

Melanos…

 

In a heartbeat, the new fleet with Battle-cruisers, support ships, Cube Fighters, Urchin ships, Overlords, the Earth Gundams…and the most powerful battle-cruiser in the Harvester arsenal made the jump to their new target's location. Melanos was a key supporter of the Resistance that the Harvesters faced…and would now be the first to be struck by the new fleet…once it was wipe clean of all harvestable skins…

 

It would be rendered into nothing but debris.

 

The Harvester counter attack…and invasion of the human worlds had begun…

 

*************

 

In space…in what appeared to be an abandoned asteroid base…

 

A figure walked into a what appeared to be an abandoned hanger in what appeared to a base of some sort. The figure was human…but appeared to have replaced certain parts of his body with cybernetic replacements. He was dressed in strange clothes and seemed to be looking at a massive figure in the paddock. He then walked to a nearby data-console and nodded in satisfaction as he finished his downloads and encryption of a data-cube.

 

The man looked at the screen and gave a sigh…the sound however wasn't human even if he was flesh and blood…it sounded like his voice box had been broken and replaced. The man then nodded as he looked at all the data he had gathered and encrypted.

 

It was time for his atonement to begin. He owed them that much…those who showed him that this was his chance to make the right decisions for once…the universe had to know what was truly about to happen now. He had learned all that he needed to learn and what he had found made him realize how truly serious this was.

 

*************

 

Out in patrol…

 

Kyo scanned the rest of the sector of space in front of him with his Gundam's sensors, he had gone through this route nearly two years ago when he was still on his own and not with the crew of the pirates. He had gained some data pertaining Megele and Talark's location, and since he had managed to get to the planets, he had been able to study enough to choose landing on Talark. In some ways, the planet of Megele had more resources, but he had known enough of their standing with men to back away and Talark was a twisted but logical choice. He thought about that decision and was happy for it since this allowed him to meet the people who became his family and friends.

 

“Mr. Alien? Are you all right?”

 

“Huh?” Kyo looked up and saw Dita's face in his communication system, her face was showing concern…apparently he was so engrossed in his thoughts of the past that he had totally ignored her when he was being hailed by the redhead in her Azure Angel Gundam.

 

“Are you all right? You've been so silent I was worried there for a moment.”

 

Kyo smiled. “I'm fine Dita…just a little nostalgic; I took this route when I was still on my own. This was the same route I took to get to Talark. I actually considered going to Megele at first but went to Talark after getting enough information about your home planet and it's policies involving men when I hacked into the data transmissions. Not to mention the kind of chaos I would start if I landed there in the first place.”

 

“So you decided to head to Talark to avoid getting into a situation that would have made things worse?” Meia asked as she also got into contact with Kyo from her Silver Lightning Gundam. The former Dread Leader was interested with speaking to Kyo, she now took an even higher interest in getting to know him, much to the chagrin of Dita and Jura.

 

“Yeah, at first I thought that Talark was a mistake…but considering all that happened after the Ikazuchi incident, I guess it wasn't the wrong one.”

 

“So Kyo…any plans when this war is all over? I mean…you do have plans after all this right?” Jura asked calmly as she too got into the act.

 

Kyo thought hard about that. His relationships with the crew…and most all to the three in front of him now had helped him move on and find a goal in life. But the question still remained on what he would do once the war with the Harvesters would be over. There was a chance that he would join the pirates…but he didn't know how the other women in the pirates would handle his presence in their crew. Plus, the women of Megele would hunt him constantly. He didn't feel very much at home on Talark and there was also the current war between the men of Talark and the women of Megele. If by some miracle they could make some form of peace occur…and negotiations would take place between both worlds…then he would stay. Though what he would do when not fighting in his Gundam was beyond him.

 

The crew meant so much to him that the thought of leaving was still painful. And living with the girls, wasn't a bad idea in the least…but he still wanted to know more about his past. That part of him was still missing in him and he knew that until he found that lost part of him, he would not find complete peace in himself.

 

“Honestly…I don't know yet. Unlike you all, I don't…well have a place to go back to anywhere, and well…no one waiting for me…except all of you back at the Nirvana.”

 

All the girls nodded solemnly at the truth in the statement. But they certainly had no intention of letting Kyo walk away…not after all they had been through. Plus they had very strong feelings for Kyo and they had yet to express them to him in some way.

 

“You can stay with us…most of the other pirates don't believe everything our world says about men you know Kyo…plus you DON'T fit the mould of men the way the Megele government show men.” Meia offered, she knew that many pirates had severed ties with Megele, though there would be some who clung to the belief of what men were like in the eyes of their old government.

 

“I thought about that…but…well, are you sure about that?”

 

“I agree with Meia…many of the veterans don't believe all the things our home-world say about men, though there ARE some who believe it. But Kyo, it's up to you actually…you can choose to stay with us, as long as you need to.”

 

Jura said solemnly, she knew that since he had no home or family, at least none that he could clearly recall as of yet, Kyo had no place to go and she wanted him to stay, with them, plus she still wanted him to be her children's ohma. The others had the same sentiment as they waited for Kyo to decide.

 

“I'll think about it. I know that it will take me a while, but I'll think about that.”

 

Though that wasn't what the girls wanted to hear, they were happy at least that Kyo was not planning on leaving them behind, and even if he did, they would go with him and be there to help him.

 

Kyo wondered about how the situation was with the rest of the galaxy and all the human worlds. He had hoped that they would get word on the current situations on Megele and Talark, along with the other human colonial worlds.

 

That was when BC called them in, along with the rest of the combat forces of the Nirvana…Misty was nearly finished in decrypting the message coming from Elizabeth and the people of Delta 6.

 

*************

In one section of space…

 

The galaxy was far from fine as the many human worlds found themselves totally caught off guard by the incoming invasion. Defensive networks were barely able to contain the incoming flood of Harvester units. One fleet that had attempted to halt the advance…were terminated as the rest managed to flee, following their combat protocols.

 

All over the section space were the wreckages of ships, fighter, and little remains of human bodies still decked in their flight suits. There still some sporadic fighting, but the human forces were done for. The Overlords were not the only new units to take to the battle-field as the three Gundams flew around the battle-zone…with their variants flying beside them in combat formation. The rest of the place was surrounded by the debris of human fighters, cruisers, and battle-ships, behind the Gundams, Cube Fighters, and Overlords were the massive shapes of Harvester ships and most all…the mega battle-cruiser of the Harvesters.

 

The fleet of human fighters were part of a covert combat force meant to act as an early warning unit for new Harvester incursion, but they themselves were caught off guard when the Harvester Fleet made their attack on their position. At first it had been with regular Cube Fighters, then the new Overlords took to the field, startling the human forces, then the Gundams took centre stage, and when the numbers of Harvester units swelled to the size of a massive fleet forced the humans retreat from the battle zone…but not without losing many of their fellow soldiers, pilots, and crew as the ruined hulks of cruisers, fighters, and ships decorated the place, their fires still burning.

 

At the middle of the Harvester's largest armada to date was the main battle-ship…easily dwarfing the rest of the assembled Harvester battle-ships, not just be sheer size, but by fire-power, armour, systems, and support units as it had literally hordes of fighters ready to defend it and banks of weapon system ready to lay waste to any who would be foolish enough to launch a direct attack on it. But it's true power as a weapon would be revealed soon to the rest of the human worlds, and the first to suffer the wrath of the battle-fleet was Melanos.

 

In front of the ship was E-Vendetta, flying in the lead and waiting to strike. The Harvester leader smiled as he checked his combat fleet. There were losses, but those would be easy to replace, and in less then a month…the fleet would strike at Talark and Megele. Both worlds would be prime targets due to not just their numbers of viable subjects, but they would no doubt serve as a staging point for a full resistance, even if the two worlds were at war, the possibility of the Nirvana coming there and forging an alliance was too dangerous to ignore. Thus both worlds would have to be destroyed. The Gundam pilot smiled in the prospect as his Gundam flew around the numbers of the fleet and took part in the front while his forces were on combat assignment to wipe out all signs of resistance to the Harvest.

 

He then ordered a small regiment of Seed Ships, both the normal ones that unleashed Cube Fighters, and the others that unleashed the Overlords. And the leader ordered them ahead to locate the Nirvana…it was time to unveil their new power and the Nirvana was now on the target board. The Seed Ships followed their master's orders and then made the move to go into jump mode and their group were now unleashed to attack the Nirvana which had been determined to be still on direct course to Talark and Megele's main system.

 

The leader wished to take the fight to Kyo directly, but he did have a mission to do, a test, and…a demonstration to complete as his forces continued to where Melanos was.

 

Meanwhile, the remains of the covert human fleet had no choice but to run away and try to warn the Resistance of the new power of the Harvester Armada. After what they had seen, they realized that the only chance for humanity to survive was to assemble a fleet big enough to equal the Harvesters…or else, they would lose forever and humanity would be harvested to extinction.

 

*************

 

Back at the Nirvana…

 

Kyo and the others had gone back to the ship to listen to the data transmission from Delta 6. The Gundam pilot wondered how the rest of the refugees of the space station were doing since the last time he had seen them. He also wondered how both Asuka siblings were doing ever since he had met them and hoped that whatever news they had sent was good news. But something in his gut seemed to tell him otherwise.

 

The rest of the crew were also busy, namely Parfet and the engineering crew as they were naturally busy with ship maintenance and repairs, plus they had a hard time in dealing with clearing out the damage done to the converted battle-ship that thy had acquired in the last battle. The engineers were also busy keeping an eye on their chief due to her still growing romance to the doctor and they were wondering just when will Duero and Parfet go out on a date. Parfet blushed a lot more whenever Duero would give her a compliment every now and then and when he worked with her in the Engineering Bay she was more happy with him around. And even if her cooking skills were not as perfected as some of the girls, she worked hard on that part and Duero was okay with it.

 

Duero was not exempted either. He liked working with Parfet, both when he needed help in fixing the systems in the Medical Bay, and when she called him to the Engineering Bay to help her with her latest project. There were other times outside of the work-place, such s Parfet cooking food for both of them and he doing the same. He was now getting the hang of having a relationship with a woman, but he still wasn't sure about the whole physical intimacy bit. Parfet was certainly changing day by day…though not by very large margins, though when they were alone she certainly was more…open than most of the times he had known her.

 

As the data was finally decrypted, they listened in as the information was now transmitted on all comm. systems.

 

The images then showed what they didn't expect to see…Liz was there while many of the inhabitants of the station appeared to be milling around, working feverishly to accomplish something.

 

“This is Elizabeth Renard, leader of the Delta 6 Mission. If you are listening to this broadcast…we have been able to repel an attack by the Harvester Forces of Earth. But they have changed dramatically. On a routine defense patrol our forces were faced with not just Cube Fighters this time…the Harvesters have developed newer weapons. We lost a good number…of our pilots in the battle, except our Gundam pilots. The new weapons of the Harvesters…were called Overlords.”

 

Images then appeared before the pirates and their Taisian allies. The images high-lighted the performance of the Overlords in combat, how they had totally caught the Mission's defense forces totally off guard and how they had caused considerable losses to the squadrons and damage to the station itself with their attacks. The two variants were highlighted as well. The `normal' Overlords were in blue high-light, and the `advanced' Overlord was in red. That was when the technical data of the two Overlord models came on screen…which was from what the Delta 6 crew could salvage from the totalled wrecks.

 

“They came out like Cube Fighters from their own Seed Ships…but when they struck we were hit hard, not just by them, but by their Cube Fighter support, we found ourselves totally surprised and they came close to unleashing their harvester drones in Delta 6 when they got close enough and bypassed our defences. We were able to beat them back and destroy them. But not without costs.”

 

“Over half of our home's systems have been damaged and the station's defensive systems and capabilities have been reduced by half. We lost good fighters and pilots…along with several groups of our fellow refugees when we were finally able to tally our losses. The station's reactor has been damaged and thus we have to repair it as best we could. Though we were able to destroy the strike team…the station and our forces are too badly damaged and out numbered to be able to mount an effective defense. As of now we…we are abandoning this station and making our way to where the Resistance to the Harvester invasion. If you are reading this…we have already abandoned the station and have left to find other human worlds and warn them of this new threat. Please…for the sake of all human life…please send this transmission to other human worlds and warn them of what new weaponry the Harvesters have developed.”

 

The transmission ended and the crew of the Nirvana were all silent as they thought about the ramifications of what they had learned. The crew were busy discussing this shocking turn of events as Magno, BC, Gascogne and Aleck mused over the new data. Aleck's suspicions were right on the target, the Harvesters had indeed been up to something major, and now the introduction their new weapons was a sign that things had just become even worse.

 

The situation however was about to hit them in full force as the pirates detected signals from the Harvesters…a regiment of Seed Ships were detected in tracking them. And in less than five minutes, they would meet head-on...the very same regiment that the Harvester Leader had just deployed to slow them down.

 

The crew rushed to their stations as they were now about to fight with the Harvesters and their latest toys. As the pirates got into their machines, both Vanguards and Dreads, Kyo gathered all the data he managed to get on the Overlords as he moved to the Hanger.

 

Magno began getting reports and BC went on to gain the information from the rest of the bridge crew.

 

“Captain, Harvester signals are now three hundred miles, twenty minutes to visual contact.” Belvedere reported as Amarone also reported in as she tracked and determined the number of the incoming forces.

 

“There appears to be thirty Cube Fighters that are already deployed, along with ten of those Overlords, since I pick up several signatures that are Harvester signatures but are in Mobile Suits. We have at least twelve Seed Ships, half are the size that release Cube Fighters, and the larger ones…must be the ones designed to unleash the Overlords.”

 

BC then got into contact with all of their forces, the serious woman had loosened a bit, but for this battle with the new weapons of the Harvesters, she was back to being a serious text-book commander.

 

“Make sure not to get bogged down and avoid needless engagements. These are new weapons so don't think that they will be the same as the Cube Fighters we have been fighting with before.”

 

“Roger!”

 

The crew knew what that meant. The previous ambush was still fresh on their minds, the Nirvana clone, the Behemoth, Hell-Fire, Wyvern, and the Devastator Gundams were the show of just how far the Harvesters had gone to create new weaponry to conquer and harvest humanity. They had nearly lost in the ambush and they were now once more under attack and this time, they may not be fighting Gundam units, but they knew better than to look down on the brutal skill of the Harvesters.

 

Just as they all went into formation to engage the enemy, they were going to learn more as the Harvesters made their attack, Cube Fighters forming the spear tip, while the new Overlords formed the shaft of the attacking forces, the two Seed Ship types were now flying in the rear, ready to bolster the ranks if they incurred losses.

 

The result was explosive as the Dreads and Vanguards unleashed their payloads of missiles first and hen their beam fire, along with the Cube Fighters unleashing their laser cannons and the Overlords unleashed their own attacks. The entire region of space was now filled with missile trails, explosions, beam fire as the forces once more collided, but with the advent of the new Harvester Overlords the situation was different now. The Dread pilots were about to face for the first time in their lives, Mobile Suits.

 

*************

 

On Melanos…

 

“Admiral…are you sure we can do anything this time?” An aide spoke to her commander as the elderly man looked at the tactical map in his battle-cruiser's command room. The Melanos fleet gathered all of it's ships, fighters and personnel in order to combat the incoming Harvester menace. The people of the planet had placed a valiant resistance to the Harvesters, in the past they had not been totally inspired by Kyo in their first encounter, many of the fleet were new, but the core command fleet were composed of the same number of surviving Melanos ships that Kyo had met when he was wandering after leaving the Nirvana from Barnette's mutiny.

 

The fleet had been part of the Resistance for nearly the whole year and had helped lead the defence force for their planet and also helped in supporting their fellow Resistance allies in destroying as many of the Harvest Armada as they could, while making sure that under no circumstances would they be attacking their home-planets. The tactics have worked so far and the Resistance has been able to keep a balance with the Harvester forcers. But this time the tables were turned…

 

They were now facing a massive assault fleet unlike the whole military ladder had ever seen in their life-times. The number of battle ships was not the only thing that was impossible to grasp…but the presence of Gundams, and the newly deployed Harvester Mobile Suits were very troubling…but two rumours were the most terrifying of all.

 

A battle-ship that had the power and the size that rivalled ALL the battle-ships of the Harvester Armada…and it had more fire-power, armour, and support units than any other battle-ship the Resistance had ever seen. The ship may be slow and had to be escorted…but such a battle-ship would never be seen if something not major was set in motion by the Harvesters.

 

And a Gundam that was the leader of the ENTIRE fleet! It resembled the Gundam piloted by Kyo when they first encountered the Gundam pilot when the first defense fleet had been sent out to stop the Harvesting operation on Melanos…but they could tell that this one was far advanced, and could be a new prototype. They had seen no record of the Gundam fighting when they had encountered the fleet where a part of their people had been assigned to. The Gundam was mid-night black, red, and golden, and had crimson glowing feathers on it's wings. They had seen Gundams that followed the design of Kyo's Gundam flying alongside it and several other models as well that they had not seen before. The Gundam in question did not participate in the battle and seemed to be content to merely coordinate and direct the Harvester forces and their new weapons on the fleet. In less than thirty minutes, the fleet which their brethren had been part of had to retreat or face total destruction by the forces of the Harvesters.

 

The size of the fleet heading their way and the new weapons had forced the Melanos people to make the ultimate choice…and that was to prepare a planetary evacuation. They had also received the dire warning of the people from the Delta 6 station and knew that if what they had been told was accurate and authentic…then there would be now way they could muster a force strong enough to fight back against the incoming Harvester hordes. Though the idea of leaving their home-planet was appalling to the people of the fertile planet, it was far better for their people to survive than to be wiped out. They had less than twelve hours left as every non-military ship they had was being filled with supplies and reconfigured for the massive exodus of their people, half of their fully assembled fleet from their colonies who also were in the stages of evacuation, were to act as the first rear guard to slow the Harvesters down and buy time for the evacuation to occur. The other half would serve as the escort force for the massive exodus fleet. They had to hurry as delaying would spell their doom.

 

The older soldier sighed as he faced his subordinate.

 

“I do not know…such a fleet can only mean that the Harvesters now intend to wipe us all out…no doubt after they had stripped us of every organ we have.”

 

The aide trembled at the thought, but then wondered just why the Harvesters' sudden change of tactics.

 

“But why? Why did the Harvester Forces go from wanting to harvest us…to wiping us into oblivion? It hardly makes sense to me…and to everyone else. Such a fleet of that size… and then all those weapons…it feels like it is not a harvesting operation…but an extermination fleet. Why Admiral, would they decide to do this?”

 

“I wish I knew…I truly pray to all the gods that I knew the answer to that question…but I can't help but feel that such an answer would be too horrible for any of us to imagine.”

 

*************

 

Back to the Harvester invasion fleet…in the massive ship…

 

The leader was now facing the command centre he had personally supervised to be built in the ship. The massive room was the size of a large social dinning hall, where there were some beautiful stone pillars and amazingly enough…running water and plants growing. The place had been personally made by him when the massive battle-ship had been reactivated for the retaliatory invasion of all the human worlds, their final harvest…and their final destruction from this world, they had served their purpose after all…and it was time for the half-breeds to be finally wiped out from this galaxy…so only the true human race would take over and rule over all the universe.

 

As he entered the room, he went to a nearby command centre, where droid guards and human clones were manning the stations. The humans there were not living in the truest sense and were nothing more than biological androids that were made for menial labour and were very much expendable, since they would not live long, due to organ instability. But they were useful in some ways to the leader since they were nothing more than genetic constructs and were not born with any trace of humanity, namely personality, a sense of free will, dreams…and all the other terms that defined humans. They were very few in number, but were not used much. They had no `life' in them and would be easy to replace, but they could not be used to clone perfect organs and such were not useful to the Harvest. By all definitions, they were rejects and should have been wiped out long after the Days of Despair as they were now nothing but dying clones, stripped of any human traits.

 

They however were easy to program like the droids and thus found their uses…the leader had seen to that during his rise to power after the Days of Despair had ruined the planet. He had used them as copies of himself and others to foil assassination attempts by his rivals, and he set his rivals against one another by using clones of them as well…using the clones he had as the templates…namely their ability to be genetically programmed with ease.

 

Due to the effectiveness of using the clone DNA to merely take the full biological traits of the chosen template…the leader would send a clone into the mist of one rival who would welcome the clone, thinking of gaining an alliance…or an edge in combat, but then the clone would attack and kill the target and then the faction would target the other in retaliation for the supposed hit…while the leader had sent another to do the same attack on his other rival, framing his first victim for the attack. When the fighting was over, he would salvage the situation, and gain more allies into his fold.

 

These tactics, plus his own deadly skills had been all he needed to take the chair of Supreme Leader of the Harvester Council. By most standards, the clones would have been wiped out after serving their purpose…but he liked keeping keepsakes to remind him of his goals and achievements.

 

“My Lord…” One clone reported.

 

“Yes?”

 

“We have received a report from the science division…it appears that the Genesis serum as proven effective on several test subjects. It will take many years, but the science teams have determined that with the new supplies we can gain…the serum will be ready to be mass produced.”

 

The leader nodded in satisfaction as he knew what the ramifications of the report meant. The serum would then be used to repair all the damage to the DNA structure of those who lived on Earth…naturally, the first were those who were important, and then it would be distributed to the masses. The serum had many uses and thus would be researched even further until they had exhausted every resource. Until then…they had to use it well.

 

The leader then thought back on the report he had gained from the research team concerning the sample that he had introduced…taken from the blood of the Harvester's worst enemy.

 

*************

 

Flashback…

 

“The Project is successful?” The leader asked as he faced the head scientist in the lab. Inside the room was filled with cheers from the handful of scientists that were assigned to the project.

 

“Yes Leader…the serum as been completed and initial tests have shown that it is 100% compatible with human DNA, we have tested a highly saturated DNA sample with the serum…and in a span of three days, the DNA sample showed 100% viability. And when introduced into the organs that we still have on-hand, the organs are now fully operational and show no signs of genetic instability. However we still need to improve the test parameters to test live subjects to ensure that we can see if we can use the serum to synchronize the organs and the human body to repair the DNA damage in the subject, if the process succeeds, then not only will the organs be fully integrated into the subject with no danger of rejection…but the subject will no longer need to have replacement organs…however…with the decrease in organ supplies we don't have enough viable material to make the tests possible.”

 

“I see…the fleet I will be leading will be dealing with that aspect. Once the invasion is complete, you will have all the organs you need to complete the project and allow the human race to be reborn into the state it needs to be in the evolutionary ladder.”

 

“At once my lord, but what off the human colonists? Once we have gained the organs we need…and the serum is successful in the restoration of our people on Earth…what should we do with them?”

 

The leader nodded as that question was also on his mind…but he already had an answer to that question.

 

“They all have served their purpose well…they are nothing more than supplies for our survival and have done so well. They however have resisted this honour of giving their lives back to resurrect humanity and as such have caused us all much inconvenience. Plus with the serum and the organs we will collect to test resurrect our people…then they have served their purpose.”

 

“Then what will we do with them? Leave them be?”

 

The leader laughed a bit at the idea as he faced the head scientist.

 

“No…this fleet I am commanding has another purpose, once we have gathered all we need from them, we will hunt them all down and crush their resistance to our will…in lay man's terms…”

 

“I will wipe them out…ALL of them!”

 

*************

 

End of Flashback…

 

The leader nodded at the recollection of his memories on the plan to finally wipe out the Resistance. Normally most people would have considered leaving them all alone. But he knew better, the humans in the colonial worlds will never forget the assaults of his forces on their worlds, and like most people would be looking for revenge…once they got it into their systems to rally together and launch a retaliatory assault on the Earth. And that was one thing he could not allow. So while the Resistance was still expecting the same tactics, he had taken a fleet to finally crush them before they could rally, the numbers of human worlds were large and if they were united, then they would pose a serious threat to the Earth…better they were wiped out before that happened.

 

The Nirvana was also their symbol and had to destroyed before the worlds of Talark and Megele would somehow be united, their forces could be a deadly combination, along with those of other worlds. With them wiped out…then the human Resistance would be broken in will and morale…plus the final destruction of the Nirvana would be the death blow.

 

But for now…the pirates would have to wait their turn…

 

“My lord…we are approaching the outer fringes of Melanos.” One clone reported to it's master as the sight of the planet came into view…along with the gathered fleet as the Harvester sensors were able to locate the united fleets from the people of Melanos' colonies.

 

The leader smiled as he took his helmet and personal weapons.

 

“Then I guess it is show time…ready the Endless Vendetta for launch…deploy all our units to follow my lead.”

 

“At once my lord.” The clone reported as it and it's companions went to work to accomplish their master's orders.

 

The hammer was about to fall hard on Melanos…this world would be the first to feel the wrath of the Harvester Armada, along with it's Alpha Battle-ship…and the E. Vendetta Gundam.

 

*************

 

The people of Melanos were not the only ones who were about to fight the Harvesters however…

 

“Dread Team A! Move in formation pattern Alpha! Maintain speed and distance!” Barnette ordered as the Dreads and Vanguards were deep in the fight. The pirates realized that they were no longer fighting the same Harvester forces as Cube Fighters were supported by Overlords and vice versa. As the battle intensified, the losses of the Harvesters were growing as the Gundams and their pilots supported the Dreads and Vanguards…but that certainly didn't mean that the pirates got away scot-free.

 

Several Dreads were badly demolished and the pilots had no choice but to ditch their Dreads and escape from them as they were torn apart. The pilots were also badly injured from the impact of the weapons fire they had been caught in. Thankfully Kyo's assignment of Vanguards, a pair for each Dread proved useful as he Vanguards would retrieve the escape pod of their comrade's Dread and protect it until they could evac them to the safety of the Nirvana.

 

The Vanguards too had suffered, the Vanguards by nature were deadly fighting machines, an with Parfet's upgrades were now more effective war-machines, but the machines were nearly a year old and were not meant to stand up to newer and deadlier models…and that was proven true as the Vanguards were still able to survive though barely as either arms, or legs were blasted or ripped off. The Overlords who were armed with heat whips did most of the damage as they attacked with not just their heat whips but their beam weapons and their beam swords. The other Overlords attacked as well, their beam tomahawk, beam rifles, and weapons were giving the pirates a seriously hard time.

 

The Harvesters also had learned enough on how the pirates operated, they had enough of losing too many forces. Thus this time the Cube Fighters would prey on the ranged weakness of the Vanguards, and stay a good distance from the Vanguard to minimize the risks of them being attacked in melee range where the Vanguards were at their best. The Overlords targeted the Dreads, since the Dreads were vulnerable to close combat attacks so the Cube Fighters kept the Dreads occupied while the Overlords closed in for the kill. The strategy was getting more and more effective as the numbers of Dreads and Vanguards hit and damaged were growing, though they have not taken any pirate prisoners.

 

Even the battle hardened Taisians were also being pushed back as they fought against the new forces of the Harvesters.

 

The Harvester battleship that was converted by the pirates also suffered losses in it's Cube Fighter ranks as it unleashed more Seed Ships, it's numbers however were not hat many so the losses were considerable for the converted Harvester units. The units had adopted a golden sheen with blue and red to differentiate them further from the original Cube Fighters. They acts as security for both their main ship and the Nirvana, and came to the defense of the Nirvana, but they too were being massacred.

 

But the Gundams of the Nirvana were able to hold the line and so were the Vanguards and Dreads, having to rely on previous experience on the desert world when facing the multitudes of Desert Fangs, Ogres, and the Dominion Gundams, however they had to be careful since they were now in the front lines this time.

 

One Dread had been hit was about to be chopped in half by an Overlord's beam tomahawk, but the weapon was blocked by Jura's beam saber, forcing the Overlord away and the two Mobile Suits, duelled as the Overlord tried to hack Jura to bits while the blonde pilot blocked with her Gundam's beam sabers, she quickly dodged and incoming chop and then used her left beam saber which was in it's short setting and ripped into the elbow joint of the Overlord, severing the limb, and then she slashed off the head of the Overlord, allowing the Dread to retreat from the battle and gain repairs.

 

Jura then clashed with several more Overlords and with several precise strikes was able to take them down before using her shields deflect the beam fire coming from the ones that used their long range beam weapons, sending the shots back to the shooters, and when the Overlords dodged, they were attacked by the beam sabers, which were in the beam whip form as the energy blades ripped them into two. The Gundam then blocked an incoming beam sword strike with her retracted short beam saber and before the Overlord could use it's shield, Jura leaped back and fired her beam weapons and shredded the Overlord's arm and before the Mobile Suit could recover. Jura jammed her Gundam's beam sabers into the Mobile Suit's shoulders and then she took out the weapons and slashed the Mobile Suit in half.

 

“Man…these things are faster than any Cube Fighter!” The blonde said as she used her Gundam's shield to block even more beam fire from a pair of Overlords and Cube Fighters.

 

Both types of Harvester units however were not able to attack Jura any further as they were blasted apart by Dita' Azure Angel Gundam with all of it's beam cannons in HiMAT mode. The Gundam then blocked several beam salvos from the Overlords with it's beam shield generators. Dita then used her beam sabers and her Gundam's speed and manoeuvrability to close in while trying to dodge the beam fire and she attacked both Overlords. One had it's legs torn off by the redhead's attack and the other was able to escape, but Dita then fired her Gundam's abdomen cannon catching the Mobile Suit off-guard as it was trying to escape…it was torn in half by the attack. Dita then combined both beam rifles to the beam cannon form and blasted several Cube Fighters into scrap and she then released her Gundam's DRAGOON weapons and took out more of the Cube Fighters and disabled several more or Overlords. But another Overlord was able to evade the barrage and attack the redhead with it's beam sword, forcing Dita to place aside her Gundam's beam rifles and use her beam sabers to block the attack, and then there were two more coming to attack Dita from behind, armed with their beam swords. But Jura returned the favour from Dita previously by slashing both Mobile Suits with her Gundam's anti-ship swords, cutting both into two as she flew parallel with Dita as they continued to fight.

 

Meia took out more Cube Fighters with her beam rifle and then used her Gundam's beam aura emitters on her Gundam and streak into the masses of the Harvester units, taking out Cube Fighters and severely damaging Overlords. Once she deactivated the system, she took out her beam katana and began fighting with a pair of Overlords, one armed with a beam tomahawk, the other armed with a beam sword. She blocked the attacks with her shield and after dodging an overhead chop from the tomahawk wielder, she dodged in the strike arc, flipping her Gundam while in flight and struck diagonally at the Mobile Suit, managing to avoid the block from the Overlord's shield. The beam katana sliced off the left arm long with the shield. Meia then jammed her Gundam's beam katana in the head and defeat the Mobile Suit. The other Mobile Suit attacked with it's beam guns, making Meia move out of the way. The Overlord stabbed at Meia as she jetted back, but she was able to dodge the attack though barely and she was able to block the attack with her shield and then she took out her other beam katana and used the new one to slash off the arms of the Overlord and then she jammed her other beam katana into the back of the Overlord.

 

The former Dread leader then used her beam rifle to take out more Cube Fighters while closing the distance and taking out more with her beam katana while the shield was expanded to defend her from beam rifle strikes and beam swords as eh held her own until Dita and Jura came to her side as the three fought on.

 

Kyo was also busy as he took out his Gundam's beam sabers and began to slice through enemy opposition as he fought in what appeared to be through instinct. The Gundam was slicing through the enemy, and when facing long range enemies, the Gundam pilot switched to the use of beam rifles, his plasma cannons, and the rail guns, those that came too close were also treated to high energy darts from the collectors on the fore-arms of the Gundam and the CIWS guns installed on both shoulders and the head section. In a second, Kyo unleashed his Gundam's full beam barrage as the crystal feathers solidified and broke free in their metallic form and Kyo locked on all the targets he could spot.

 

“TAKE THIS!!!!”

 

The beam storm totalled Cube Fighters and Overlords, leaving massive amounts of wrecks on the side of the Harvesters. Kyo then took out his Gundam's anti-ship swords and slashed in half diagonally a bunch of charging Overlords. Kyo then combined both in zweihander form and began to hack and rip through the enemy.

 

Osso and his Taisian comrades were very much still in the fight, but they held on and maintained their focus as best they could…holding off the enemy and helping in rescue and recovery.

 

“Damn! My systems are getting clogged up!” Barnette shouted as sparks flew in front of her and her Dread's HUDS flickered a bit. Her Dread had been damaged considerably since the fighting had reached this stage and she could tell that she would have to retreat, but she would not leave her comrades alone to fight.

 

“Hang on Barnette!” max said as he flew his Templar Gundam close to her Dread, both worked side by side together well as the Gundam flew alongside her Dread to support it.

 

Barnette and Max were going at it too and at full tilt, but the Dread pilot's machine was badly hit and the damage was strong and inhibiting the Dread's performance, as Max was able to fend off most the attackers aiming to take out the new Dread squadron leader. The damage had also decreased the Dread's striking power and Barnette decided that she had no choice in the matter. She got into contact with Gascogne and made a new order.

 

*************

 

Register…

 

“Go ahead Barnette!” Gascogne said as she got the incoming order from Barnette. The Register were working at full tilt as they brought in fresh supplies, missiles and power pack, along with whatever the Dreads and Vanguards needed to keep up the fight.

 

“My Dread's getting hit hard! I need a new weapon.”

 

“What?! What new weapon are you talking about?”

 

“Load the Switchblade Gundam in the Dreki, I'll use it.”

 

Gascogne nodded and contacted the personnel in the Hanger to begin loading the Gundam in question into her shuttle for on the spot delivery. The Gundam was still in it's normal Mobile Suit mode so it would take time. However with the light of the current battle, even replacement Vanguards were in her Dreki to replace the ones that got damaged during the fighting.

 

*************

 

The battle continued to unfold as the pirates' Dreads were being rearmed by Gascogne as her shuttle was being defended by some members of the Crusader Squadron, along with Aleck's GUiAZ as the Mobile Suit was blasting away at the incoming Cube Fighters, he also had to be careful as the enemy were now armed with melee beam weapons. That was proven true as he dodged and weaved from the beam swords and beam tomahawks being used against him at every regular interval by the Overlords.

 

The grizzled Talark veteran dodged one attack, but had to sacrifice his Mobile Suit's assault rifle as a beam sword slash was aiming at his Mobile Suit's head. The Talark solder however retaliated with his own assault sword and quickly smashed his weapon right into the chest of his attacker and moved away before things could get too complicated.

 

Sara then contacted the Talark veteran and tossed him her beam rifle. The Talark male thanked her for the assist as she jetted off with the others to the Dreki and get her vanguard, which had lost both legs in a fight, along with several still hot welts from barely dodged beam weapons strikes. As soon as the Vanguards were picked up, the Templar Gundam appeared with Barnette's Dread near it. The two men then covered Barnette as she guided her damaged Dread into one of the cargo bays of the Dreki, under the guidance of Gascogne who told her of the location of her newly ordered war machine.

 

As soon as Barnette go into the Dreki, she got out of the Dread she had piloted and saw the extensive damage. The Overlords used their melee weapons when they got close enough to her and if it hadn't been for her training in the use of the Vanguard and the Switchblade Gundam in evading she would have been totally destroyed, though her Dread was seriously hampered in close quarters…as the welts, slashes, and exposed circuitry were showing on her Dread. Plus the fact that max was supporting her showed that she was still alive anyway. But her Dread was not meant to take on Cube Fighters and close combat units at the same time as she saw from her Dread's diagnostics that it was badly hit and some systems were in need of serious repairs. The Dread was locked for transport back to the Nirvana as Gascogne directed her to her Gundam.

 

She then got into the cockpit of the Switchblade and began to access the OS and make some changes that would help her performance. She had been training with the Gundam for a few weeks before so as to have some back-up options when in the fight and from the looks of the situation the training was paying off as she finished her work and then activated her Gundam. The systems came online and on the outside, the normally dull grey Mobile Suit went back to it's chosen colour scheme.

 

“Gascogne! I am ready to move out!” Barnette said as she got Gascogne on the communication systems of the Switchblade Gundam.

 

“Okay, get ready to be deployed!”

 

*************

 

Aleck and Max fought side by side as both GUiAZ and Templar Gundam in tandem as the two protected the Dreki from incoming attack. The Gundam's beam sabers were a better choice and thus Max handed one his Gundam's beam sabers to Aleck's Mobile Suit to use. As he blocked another attack, he was suddenly aware of an incoming Cube Fighter trying to blast at him, and he blocked them, the Cube Fighter was blown out of space by several beam shots, and sure enough, coming from the Dreki was the Switchblade Gundam armed with it's beam rifle and that was going all out as it took out more Cube Fighters with it and the rest of it's guns as it jetted beside them as he finished off his Overlord opponent by slamming his shield into the chest and then beheading the Overlord with his still present beam saber.

 

“You all right?” Barnette asked her partner and object of affections.

 

Max was about to reply when he spotted a squadron of Cube Fighters attempting to ambush Barnette from behind. He jetted quickly to her side and blocked their attacks with his Gundam's shield and then activated her HiMAT system and used is plasma cannons and rail-guns to turn them into scrap. He then turned his Gundam to face Barnette's own.

 

“Are you all right?” He said with a smile, asking the same question to the one he had just saved.

 

Barnette smiled. “Just fine, we've got to go help the others!”

 

Both Gundams jetted into action as Barnette got into contact with the Dreads and lead them once more while using her Gundam's Mobile Armour form. The Gundams worked in tandem once more, as Barnette engaged the Cube Fighters and Overlords while Max did the same and supported her with long range support bombardment.

 

They had to hold the line and fight off the Harvesters, as the surviving Taisians came to their aid along with their fellow Gundam pilots. Dita, Jura, and Meia were there, along with Sara and Mai, who were now riding new and freshly rearmed Vanguards, the Dread pilots who were taken out, began to reappear in newly rebuilt Dreads, though some were accordingly in the Medical Bay for injuries suffered in the fighting.

 

*************

 

Kyo had enough of this nonsense as he powered up his HiMAT once more and unleashed his SUPER DRAGOON cannons and then when they were unleashed, he fired a massive barrage of beams into the cloud of Cube Fighters and Overlords. The older fighters of the Harvesters were blown into scrap, while Overlords were being dissected, their heads blown off, arms blasted off, or their legs, chunks of their frames ripped out, being blasted into two pieces, and more by the beams from the interdependent cannons, the survivors tried to go on the defensive from the beam barrage, but Kyo charged into their ranks with beam sabers in the hands of his Gundam and sliced into them before they could be prepared, the ones who tried to escape were blasted by the beam cannons that flew in at different angles to take them out in various angles of attack with the beam fire coming from them. The Harvesters tried to branch outward, but that was when the beam cannons became beam sabers and slashed through their ranks, creating even more confusion as Kyo then took out his anti-ship swords once more than combined them into staff form and began to hack and slash apart Cube Fighters and Overlords, even if the Overlords tried to block the combined weapon, the impact was enough to smash through their shields with no effort as more were being reduced into scrap. The attacks from Kyo's Gundam with the beam saber/cannons blasting and slashing, along with all fifty cannons firing at once with the fused plasma cannons and rail-guns, reducing even further the numbers as Bart came into the fray with his own attacks of plasma.

 

The Seed Ships were getting ready to unleash more of their Cube Fighters and Overlords but Kyo and the pirates were certainly not going to let then get away with the idea.

 

The Gundams lead the counter attack, with the Dreads, Vanguards, Taisian Mobile Suits, and converted Cube Fighters next to them, with Bart providing salvo after salvo of suppression fire to lessen the numbers even further.

 

The Gundams went after the Seed Ships producing the Overlords to lessen the dangers the Mobile Suits of the Harvesters presented since they were a threat of they bypassed their defensive lines and headed for the Nirvana itself.

 

Kyo dodged the tendrils of one Seed Ship and introduced his beam sabers into the open maw, ripping into the insides of the Seed Ship and preventing it from closing it's maw in defense. He then fired his rail-guns into the mouth and then jetted away as the rounds exited the back of the Seed Ship and the ship exploded. He then took out his anti-ship swords and combined them once more into zweihander form and slashed downward on the head of the Seed Ship and then swung the blade on the other edge to slash to the side in half the Seed Ship.

 

Jura blocked incoming barrages and took a glancing hit from the tendrils of another Seed Ship, her Gundam's P. Phase Shift Armour more than equalized in terms of defense. She then slashed off the tendrils with her anti-ship swords and then placed back the weapons and then slashed the Seed Ship's armour with her beam saber. As it tried to retreat, Jura used both beam sabers which ad become beam whips to slash and whip the Seed Ship into oblivion. The Seed Ship sported a barrage of scars all over itself until the armour gave way and was melted like butter, along with the rest of the Seed Ship and it's insides was melted as Jura lashed out both beam whips for the last time on the Seed Ship, reducing it into four dissected pieces as she looked at her take down.

 

Dita slashed her beam sabers at the Seed Ship and blocked several retaliatory attacks with her beam shields. She then blasted at the Seed Ship with her beam rifles. She also unleashed her Gundam's own DRAGOON weapon system, along with the rail-guns and the abdomen cannon and unleashed a mess of beam fire that hit the Seed Ship repeatedly as explosions covered it and rendered it unable to effectively counter attack…and before the Seed Ship could escape, Dita fired her combined beam rifles and blasted through the Seed Ship's weakened armour in one hit, destroying her foe.

 

Meia used her beam rifle, plasma cannons and rail-guns to even up the odds, she then flew around the Seed Ship, using her Gundam's superior speed to out-flank and out wit her larger foe, while slashing away with both her beam katanas, leaving massive slashes and damage on the vessel. She then jammed both beam katanas into the front of the Seed Ship and then fired all her weapons on the now forced open maw of the Seed Ship, severely damaging the ship as she got her beam katanas and jetted away from the destroyed ship.

 

Max did the same thing, blasting at the Seed Ship to weaken it further, but instead of slashing repeatedly he slashed the ship's side wide open and took a few fragmentation grenades from a demolished Overlord and stuffed the weapons into the ripped open armour of the Seed Ship and then jetted back and fired his Gundam's weapons as the grenades, ripping off massive chunks of the Seed Ship's armour and insides. It tried to fight back with whatever energy it had, but Max then tossed both beam sabers like javelins at the exposed Seed Ship and when the weapons passed through he fired his weapons once more, ripping to bits the Seed Ship as he got his beam sabers back.

 

Barnette also took out her target as she dodged and weaved through the Seed Ship's attempts to stop her from attacking it. Her Gundam was still in Mobile Armour mode and that allowed her to keep in pace much better with dodging the incoming fire. She then got closer and like she did before on the desert world, used her Gundam's wing like a blade and slashed the Seed Ship, and that caused the Seed Ship to move away. Barnette however wasn't done as she flew upwards and blasted at the Seed Ship, namely where she had slashed it before, casing the Seed Ship to suffer more damage until she converts her Gundam from Mobile Armour mode to Mobile Suit mode, taking out her beam rifle and blasting away and then placed her weapon aside and drew her Gundam's beam sabers and slashed right at the Seed Ship in a series quick passes that destroyed the remaining armour skin and then Barnette fired her beam rifles, beam cannons and other weapons in Mobile Suit mode to finally finish off the target.

 

The pirates then overwhelmed the last of the Seed Ships and the ships were reduced into burning rubble by the combined strike of the pirates.

 

The battle ended with victory for the pirates, but they had suffered losses, many vanguards were either de-limbed, over-used and suffered system crashes, and had to be recycled. Dreads suffered significant damages from combat engagements not meant for normal Dread design and thus they all had been severely tested. The converted Cube Fighters were lost by the hundred as they were seen floating about, even some of their own Seed Ships were totalled.

 

The only good news was that none of the pilots were lost, many however were injured in the battle and they Nirvana could ill afford to engage in another battle until they recovered, plus there was the need to effect full repairs for all the Dreads, Vanguards, and the Taisian Mobile Suits, along with the Nirvana. They had to stop, rest, repair and rebuild their forces.

 

As they all made it back to the Nirvana under BC's orders…Kyo wondered how the rest of the galaxy and the Resistance were doing.

 

*************

 

Back at Melanos… a few hours after the Harvester Fleet arrived…

 

The admiral and his staff were in shock, despair and anger at what had happened in the battle of their home-world as they were now at least a few hundred light years away, near their surviving fleet were the cruisers, transports, destroyers and other ships from their main home-planet and other colonies. The fleet that had stayed to defend Melanos and it's people during the evacuation were lucky to have walked away, but had lost nearly two thirds of it's current forces to the Harvesters…but they had no choice as they had also lost another precious part of their civilization.

 

Their home-planet, the one they had all been born on, where all their friends, loved ones, family, and their deceased had been on…had been completely obliterated. The planet was no longer habitable and was now nothing more than a barren, fire consumed mockery of it's former verdant and lush glory as they could do nothing but watch in horror, grief, and rage. Their scientists had determined that the massive damage to their world now made it a wasteland unable to support even the most basic life forms…for all intents and purposes…the planet Melanos was no more.

 

And it's people were now rendered homeless like the Taisians as they grieved for their now dead world and all they had lost due to the Harvester invasion of their home-system…

 

The fleet had barely got out in time…the Harvesters were letting them escape, as if they were showing mercy for once…but the admiral and his staff knew better. The leader of the Harvesters wanted them to leave and go to the Resistance and tell them of the fate that awaited their worlds when the Harvesters came and crushed their forces…

 

The people of Melanos had no choice, but they would never forget this day…and they will never give up until they had their chance at revenge.

 

*************

 

The Nirvana…

 

“Report BC, what was the outcome of the battle?” Magno asked as she and the rest of the senior officers were present, naturally this time, it included Kyo and the three former Dread pilots who now piloted Gundams, along with Osso Vega for their Taisian allies.

 

Buzam began to report as she indicated the images in the view screen. The first set of images were that of injured personnel and recovering members both their Dread and Vanguard squadrons who were being tended to by Duero, Max, Paiway, and even some security personnel, along with some of the Register girls who had been given some first aid and EMT training by both medics in case that they were short handed on medical personnel.

 

“Most of the pilots have been injured and are in recovery, many of them have sustain considerable injures from the engagement and it will take several days or to a week for half of them to recover, longer for the others who have more serious injuries, leaving us understaffed for a while. The only good news is that we have suffered no fatalities or deaths in the two squadrons and that we should be thankful for. There have been injuries also to our ship's crew when the Harvesters were able to come close and engage us. This means that until the rest of the Dread and Vanguard pilots recover, we have to rely on those that are still able to fight and pilot. Our Taisian allies have also suffered injuries but no loss of life, thank Grandma….despite this Captain…we have an even greater lack of personnel and that is a great danger in the situation we are in right now.”

 

BC continued at her report.

 

“Furthermore, the converted Harvester battle-ship's Cube Fighter numbers have been reduced considerably and it will take time to replace the lost units, which will make things bit harder, they are effective against Cube Fighters on the side of the Harvesters, but stand no chance with the Overlords.”

 

“What about our Dreads and Vanguards?”

 

The images changed to the Register, and the Engineering Bay. In the said locations were the bodies of badly mauled Dreads and Vanguards, all over them were Parfet's Engineering crew and the Register girls. They all were busy shouting orders and making needed repairs along with getting replacement parts and fuel cells for all the machines. Gascogne was the one who headed this section of the report as she took the floor.

 

“Most if not all the Dreads have been badly damaged, many of their power plants were over-heated and their systems are in need of overhauls and maintenance. Our Dread's shields were made to deflect beam fire, such as when we had been ambushed in that asteroid field nearly a year ago. But they were never designed to handle solid projectiles like the Urchin ships, and now even more so with solid energy blade weapons like those beam tomahawks and beam swords. To add to that, the inability of the Dreads' shields to block solid weapon attacks is evident with their heat whips since the Dreads have taken considerable damage, thankfully their heavier armour came in handy in that regard. The Dreads' also were at a severe disadvantage when they were engaged at close range. The weakness hat Parfet pointed out is even more evident now after this battle.”

 

“The Vanguards were not at all safe either. Many of the Vanguards had been severely damaged that most of them are only useful now as spare parts and junk. They have been pushed to their limits. Many of them have lost limbs and their systems have nearly been pushed beyond their design limits, even with some of Parfet's new instalment of better armour, power systems, and weapons. The Vanguards may be more numerous than the Dreads, but they suffered a larger amount of damages due to them not being able to hold their own with the Harvesters' new units. We may have a serious disadvantage of those Mobile Suits are now part of the Harvesters' forces. Until we can upgrade all our forces to even up the odds, we'll need to rely on half of the standing forces, the Cube Fighters we have under our control, and the Gundams.”

 

The pirates began to consider their current options, and saw that they had some serious things to consider. One was the need to fully overhaul all of their standing forces in order to defeat this new threat. The second was to forge even more alliances as they now saw that if the Harvesters had indeed made newer and far deadlier weapons. And the last was to rally and stop whatever dark and insidious plans the Harvesters had in mind for the rest of the human worlds.

 

As the others continued to discuss various options, Kyo hoped that the people of Delta 6 were safe, he prayed that they were alive and were not victims of the Harvesters' forces as he also listened to the possible solutions being placed forward.

 

The first thing he agreed on was the massive overhaul for all the war machines of the pirates, both Dreads and Gundams. Plus he agreed with the need to establish an interval system of the Gundams boosting the security of the ship with the support of both the converted Cube Fighters and the still operational Dreads, and Vanguards with the pilots still able to fight. He hoped that they had time for their fellow crewmembers to recover as the meeting went on.

 

It was going to be a long trip…

 

*************

 

Kyo's fear and worry was well placed as the Harvester Fleet, having devastated and rendered Melanos worthless, were on their way to continue their bloody and brutal assault on the rest of the galaxy. The human worlds have no idea what was happening, but there were some who were ready to fight…no matter what.

 

The people of Delta 6 however had little to fear as they were now joining up with the rest of the Resistance. Liz, Patch, Kouji, and Maia were happy beyond words to finally find other humans dedicated to stopping the Harvesters. The fleet of Delta 6 refugees had been adrift for nearly several days to near two weeks. And they had been doing their absolute best in the circumstances to avoid being ambushed by the Harvester forces that were now prowling the galaxy.

 

The Resistance were happy to finally gain the aid of more who wished to do battle with the Harvesters, and from the people who had warned them of the Harvesters in the past, the Resistance owed both them and the Nirvana and now it was time to repay that debt…they were able to share new data concerning the activities of their hated enemies and were also informed of the movements of the Harvest. They however began to feel fear and confusion when they began to hear rumours of the massive planetary exodus of the Melanos people since they had heard the communiqué from the people of the planet that a massive Harvester fleet was on their way to their world, prompting them to leave their world.

 

They had heard that the Melanos people were already on their way...but they had suffered very high losses. All the Resistance Council could do was hope that they would make it to the location of the designated meeting place so they can be given aid by the rest of the Resistance.

 

*************

 

As the Harvester Fleet left the battle-zone surrounded by the ruined hulks of ships and fighters from the fleet of Melanos, the leader was busy in the main battle-ship's hanger…overlooking the repairs and refuelling of his Gundam with a smile.

 

The planet was now nothing more than an inferno covered ball of fire as the fleet salvaged what they could and checked the number of organs they had been able to receive. Plus the message they had sent to the other Resistance worlds through the exodus of the people of Melanos would certainly have been received.

 

The leader then began to recall the reason for the project known as the Re-Genesis Project. When the event known as the Days of Despair happened, and the loss of life on Earth had occurred, it had caused a massive wound on the human race left on the once verdant planet…and after. The gene pool had been devastated by radiation storms, the lack of space, and the lack of variety, that naturally lead to a full gene break-down leaving no children to take over for future generations…and as such, the people relied on organs from other humans to survive. But like a good leader, he knew that such a plan would lead to the death of the people on Earth eventually due to the limited amounts of habitable worlds in the universe and wiping out the colonists was a serious flaw in thinking.

 

The Re-Genesis project relied on the DNA sequences they had gained from the Harvested humans to create a special DNA serum strand that when introduced into the human bodies would initiate a full stabilization of the human genome to allow humans on Earth to live again with the use of advanced technology, namely nano-machines. The DNA in the past had been so irradiated, broken, and unstable that they would not attempt to alter and repair the DNA sequence since so many attempts had ended in the deaths of a few of the survivors when the procedure was done…and thus would be a death sentence to them all, regardless if they were of the higher ranks or that of the lower ranks. The Harvester Council had known this and thus the attempt to find a more permanent solution was needed than just harvesting organs since the organs WERE limited after all.

 

Thus the Re-Genesis Project was born and he was the official leader of the project. It was started to create a special gene serum that could be also given nano-machines to support it and then when introduced could make the DNA structure more stable and more capable of replicating itself. The scientist were also told to find the needed `dominant trait' genes to ensure that the people on Earth would gain all the important advantages to survive, while the `recessive ones' were discarded. They needed it all, the physical and mental traits that would give them the advantage to allow the pure human race on Earth to claim the galaxy for it's own. However, they had to use the DNA of the colonists who had adapted and survived outside of Earth's now corrupted atmosphere, and had been able to procreate well to produce their populations.

 

The Re-Genesis Project, was naturally similar to the Harvest in objectives, gaining the needed materials to ensure the survival of humanity on Earth…but their resource targets were very different. While the Harvest targeted organs, the Re-Genesis Project targeted the blue-print of life.

 

However…unlike organs, the DNA was more plentiful and could be manipulated more effectively. However, due to the facts that such dominant traits are hard to locate and effectively cultivate, and due to large attempts that ended in failure for the past few months to near a year to create the perfect strain of the proposed DNA serum, and then to create the needed nano-machines to begin the reconstruction and integration process in a living test subject…which they had in very few numbers as well. For the past months before the arrival of the Nirvana, the Re-Genesis Project had hit a near deadly snag due to the pirates, and their resistance. That became more evident when their supplies for workable DNA samples had decreased. They had to rely on all that they could get. It was ironic in a sense that they now had in their possession the DNA of their greatest threat…

 

And through genes…Kyo Yamato became the saviour of the Harvesters in an ironic twist of fate. Now the leader knew that it was time to pay him back…

 

The leader then smiled and laughed a bit more…none of the drones acknowledged his terrifying laugh…except the Gundam he piloted as parts of the red Paeksis core that was revealed in strategic points all over the armour glowed in unison.

 

*************

 

Two days later…

 

Kyo was busy getting out of bed and eating his quick break-fast, consisting of dried meat, mashed potatoes, a few small pan-cakes, and some toast, along with some hot coffee. The Gundam pilot had been busy and had not slept well in the past two days since the incident with the new Harvester forces. The Gundam pilot was working since the crack of early morning to help with the repairs of the Vanguards and the Dreads alongside the rest of the Engineering crew and Parfet, though they had manage to get half of the numbers back on their operational status as weapons for the pirates, their pilots would need to have better time to rest and recover, thus they were still understaffed. The Nirvana now had to rely on the Taisians, their Mobile Suits, the Gundam pilots, their Gundams, the converted Cube Fighters along with the Harvester Battle-ship, and the still active and capable Vanguard and Dread pilots, with the machines that could still fight in a combat situation.

 

Despite the numbers advantage going to them for once, they had learned to be careful. The Harvesters had sent those units to merely test them, just like they did in the first encounter nearly a year before. The results of the test encounters were obvious, with the creation of Urchin Ships to counter the Dreads, the fast fighter units, the Dominion Gundam series, the Nirvana clone, the GunDread clones, and the Behemoth, Hell-Fire, Wyvern, Devastator Gundams. The Harvesters had used the battles to test and gauge them all more than once, and so it was natural for them all to assume that the Harvesters would soon come up with more powerful weapons and deadlier tactics. Thus the Gundam pilot and the rest of his comrades were on near 24 hour alert…changing on regular intervals to ensure that they were ready for anything.

 

In then came Dita, Jura, Meia, Barnette, and Max. All of them were still the same but they looked a bit more care-worn than most due to the increase of the patrols they had to do in their Mobile Suits. The reason was that although the Cube Fighters they had in their arsenal were far more numerous, the Cube Fighters were not very effective when it came to attacking the new generation Harvester units, the Overlords, thus they all would have to be in the battle-zone at a certain time frame when it comes to dealing with possible Harvester threats.

 

Dita took a break-fast of waffles, corned beef, vegetables, and cold lemon juice and naturally sat close to Kyo. Not to be outdone by the redhead, Jura also sat close to Kyo, with her was some chopped vegetables, fried lamb meat, warm rice, and some cool melon juice, Also not to be outdone, the aqua blue-haired girl also sat in close proximity to Kyo, her plate having some scrambled eggs, carrots, some fried ham slices, and some cold grape juice. Sara and Mai also came in and sat next to Kyo, Sara had warm spiced bread loaves, pan-cakes, hot beef, with coleslaw and warm tea. And Mai had garlic rice, with hotdogs, mashed potatoes with gravy, and hot tea. Both girls were not outdone by the three female Gundam pilots as they too sat close to the male Gundam pilot.

 

The three Gundam pilots had gotten closer to Kyo for the past few weeks and the two days they all had been doing non-stop operations for the past two days…naturally making Kyo all the more nervous around them when it came to his blasted hormones. The difference was, two days before he was now bunking down with non other than Jura basil Elden!

 

Having recalled the last time he had been in the room of the gorgeous blonde woman, he was VERY nervous at being so close to the blonde pilot, still a bit wary of any possible seduction tricks she was going to pull. And she didn't disappoint him, having came out of her room in her red sheer velvet nightdress, which was VERY seductive, while giving Kyo VERY ample opportunities to see her curves and swells in all the right places. The blonde was more than willing to let Kyo stay with her. And like any normal man, Kyo's mind was cooking in his increasing body heat when he saw her.

 

*************

 

Flashback…

 

<God…how am I going to survive this new week?!>

 

Kyo thought to himself as he hauled his personal gear to Jura's location. When he discovered that he was now assigned to bunk down with Jura, he realized that he was in SERIOUS trouble. The blonde was grinning like mad and sending Kyo VERY happy looks, which made Kyo nervous as hell, and the rest of the girls in a fit. They could do nothing however as Magno had made it clear that he was going to be staying with the blonde Gundam pilot.

 

He was finally before the door and waited. At that exact moment the door opened and out came Jura who had her hair well done as always, and was also in a ponytail beside her left shoulder and with a warm smile on her.

 

“Hello Kyo! Nice to see you've made it!”

 

“Uh…hi Jura.”

 

Kyo was trying his best not to look at Jura's figure and remained on her face…though that was a hell of a challenge, considering what the blonde had on her this time, it had been bad enough to see her in her normal garb, but apparently this one was for sleeping purposes.

 

The red velvet dress had thin straps, and that allowed Kyo to see the cream like skin Jura had and the top was doing a slightly fair job of keeping Jura's bust contained, though the shape certainly showed the fullness of her breasts, though the dress was a bit loose for added room and comfort to the wearer, and the dress also hugged her frame rather well, just like her dress, the only think Kyo was thankful though barely for was the fact that Jura's new garb wasn't as revealing as her normal one, but having seen Jura naked MORE once, he had NO trouble knowing what she looked like. The dress also had the same slits on the side of the hips, showing the womanly curves of her hips, and the sleekness of her legs. How he managed to not drool like a moron at the sight was beyond his understanding.

 

Jura smiled even more as Kyo was studying her VERY carefully, even though he didn't want to. She saw the effects she had on him and then for his benefit turned around a bit, allowing her to move her hair aside and show that the dress was backless allowing him to roam his eyes on her back. The blonde them smirked as she leaned and stood of her toes a bit and whispered seductively on Kyo's ears, with a warm husky tone.

 

“Like what you see?”

 

“Huh?! Yeah…I do.”

 

“Good…now I want to welcome you to MY room.”

 

“How?” Kyo asked, even more nervous than he thought possible.

 

“Like this.”

 

Jura smiled and then kissed him before he could do anything, a deep, hot and moist kiss on the lips, Kyo's mouth was open for a moment and Jura then slid her tongue into his mouth further startling the already aroused Gundam pilot. She held him in place with her arms and then, like before when they nearly had sex, Kyo responded and they began to have another deep kiss. And though it was brief, both were enjoying it immensely. Jura smiled and broke the kiss rather reluctantly and made Kyo wonder why as well.

 

She smiled at his totally stunned expression. “Come on in Kyo, I need same help in making the place comfy for you. I won't want you to have a TROUBLED week in my room you know.”

 

As he walked into the room, Kyo felt like he had been the dumb idiot who walked right into the lioness's den.

 

He once more asked himself the question that was plaguing his brain.

 

<How in the hell am I going to survive this?!>

 

*************

 

End of Flashback…

 

Thankfully, Kyo had managed, though barely to survive the few nights he had been with Jura, but the blonde apparently was taking her time and getting Kyo to lower his defences and she was doing well. Kyo's earlier thoughts that Jura would have made a great fashion designer was proven true when he learned that she liked to learn how to make her own line of dresses, along with her other good traits.

 

However, Kyo was always tempted by Jura and he was always on red alert when in bed with her. But she assured him that she would not try anything unless he was okay with it, and true to her word, she was. Even if she didn't stop teasing him every chance she got, she wasn't making any serious moves on him, though her sensual rubbing actions made him stay awake for a while, and showed that she was serious as hell on the plan of having a child with him.

 

Kyo put that out of his mind and focused on his break-fast, when he was done, he would go and visit Duero for normal medical check-up, and then to Parfet since the bespectacled head engineer had asked him if he could help in designing the new Vanguard combat models she was planning to creating when they got the chance. His insight on Mobile Suit operations made him the best source of information, along with Aleck, so he was more than willing to help the head engineer in such matters. They may not have the facilities as of yet to make the changes, but that certainly didn't mean that the project won't work. Kyo and the others knew that they would soon have to make changes in order to grow and adapt to the Harvesters' latest toys of war.

 

The designs that Parfet had would be very helpful indeed, but the need to reconfigure the whole design of the Vanguards would be too much for all the engineering staff of the pirates, and it would consume too much time for them to spare

 

As he finished his meal, he looked at his comrades and drank his coffee. Jura and the others were also drinking their drinks and relaxing a bit. Jura then ran a hand on Kyo's arm, getting Kyo's attention, along with the others who glare at her.

 

“Yes Jura?”

 

“You look like you need to sleep more Kyo.” Jura said with concern. Kyo's activities had been taxing to him since he was the foremost on the front lines. The others also nodded in agreement, though they didn't like Jura's closeness to Kyo in the very least.

 

“Yeah…but I can't right now…there's a lot of work to be done, and we all can't afford to be relaxing you know.” Kyo said with a sigh as he downed his coffee, unmindful of the slight migraine he had been getting due to the near constant physical and mental activity.

 

The girls noticed that and gave looks of sympathy to the object of their collective affections. They didn't mind too much the changes in their work loads, but Kyo was always in the combat formation, regardless of who flew with him. He also was busy checking on the condition of all the girls under his command, including the three former Dread pilots, but he also at times, neglected his own condition, though he was far more physically and mentally fit than they were, even he got tired, and they knew it.

 

“You really should rest Mr. Alien, you look like you will collapse.” Dita said with worry evident in her voice as she looked at him. She had grown closer each day and now the strange, but warm and wonderful feelings were stronger in the young and still very much innocent girl.

 

“I have to agree with Dita, it would be too unhealthy for you to tire yourself like this Kyo.” Meia likewise spoke her concern for Kyo, she had very much grown out of her shell, being near the Gundam pilot for such a long time could be a factor. She had become more open to the others as well, but her more intimate thoughts and emotions were focused on her fellow Gundam pilot, and that sense her commanding officer…though she still didn't like the idea of being more open about it since this was the first time she was this close to a person, namely a man.

 

“I can tell you are tired Ky…I mean Commander. Both Mai and I can handle most of the jobs until you're better.” Sara said, and while Mai didn't say anything, it was clear enough to Kyo that she too had the same sentiment as the others with him. He wondered about that since he knew that as a soldier he would have to rest at least once in a while or else he would burn himself out.

 

Kyo thought about it and nodded as he finished his coffee.

 

“All right, I'll take a break and rest, but make sure to call me if anything dangerous occurs, okay?” Kyo then took his tray and dishes as he got out of the table. As he left the tray and dishes to be dealt with by the kitchen staff…he unlocked the neck latches of his pilot uniform and unzipped it a bit and headed for the locker room to change into some clean clothes for a change.

 

The Gundam pilots, along with the leaders of the Crusader squadron were happy to know that Kyo would finally take a break and recover his strength. They wanted him to be strong and healthy, not only because they needed him to help them beat the Harvesters and win the war, but they cared deeply for him and didn't want any harm to befall him.

 

Later…

 

Kyo was now wearing a thin cloth long sleeved shirt, comfortable blue jean-style pants, and soft shoes as he rested on a blanket in the Bio-Park of the Nirvana, closing his eyes as he lay there, listening only to the sounds of the water in the artificial lake. It was a bit nice to take a break from all the hassles just for once. He however knew that the only time he could truly relax was when the Harvester forces were finally defeated and their plans to conquer and harvest all the human worlds. Then maybe there would be peace in the universe…

 

He then began to think about that part, once peace was restored, and his memories would finally come back…where would he go? The idea of leaving the Nirvana behind was not appealing, the people he worked with were now everything to him…but he knew he would not fit in either world, his knowledge of women and their true ties to men would have made him look clinically insane to the men of Talark, while him being a man in all senses would get him killed on Megele. But he wondered what it would be like to finally settle in and take root in one place…and not wander anymore.

 

And maybe even…start a family.

 

Kyo blushed a bit mentally at the thought, but he began to consider that idea someday as he took the chance to relax for once. Though who he would settle don with was one situation he was still not prepared for

 

In the Hanger…

 

Jura and the others were all getting rested as they were now checking their Mobile Suits as they got ready to fly in for their turn at security detail at least two and a half hours from now, Max however was not among them as he was back in the Medical Bay to help deal with their still recovering wounded and injured. Barnette `s Dread was also fully refuelled and ready as she used the Dread for now, but decided to keep the SwitchBlade Gundam ready for deployment should the need come to it. The Dread pilots who were still able to pilot were also a bit tired but they knew that they had to do…same was with the members of the Crusader Squadrons.

 

As they all ran routine checks on their machines, they began to think on what to do once they had returned home…and if they could try and get their world to work with that of the men to deal with the deadly threat the Harvesters represented to the human universe.

 

They also took the time to rest themselves, and wait for the rest of their teams to assemble. In the mean time, five certain girls began to wonder what they could do with a certain young man who was taking a break.

 

*************

 

In space… near a large asteroid belt…an hour later…

 

The Cube Fighters were deployed in small cloud formations while being supported by Seed Ships in a small unit, they were tasked by the pirates to act as early warning scout parties in order to avoid a serious overwhelming confrontation with the Harvesters. Many of them were still the same and thus used the same tactics, but they had to avoid acting LIKE Harvesters so the pirates had installed certain combat protocols to deal with unique situations the scouts might encounter.

 

And that certain unique situation had just arrived…

 

The Cube Fighter scouts in Recon team 7 of the pirates were suddenly attacked by unknown forces. Several were blasted to bits by missile fire and beam bolts…forcing the others to fall back and retreat. They then began to record and transmit the situation to the main Harvester battle-ship, which naturally relayed the information to the pirates as it ordered the Cube Fighters to maintain organized formations and retreat orders.

 

Several more Cube Fighters were destroyed as the others moved back…as out of nowhere came several Mobile Suits that were not Overlords…but appeared to be similar to another brand of Mobile Suit which appeared to have Mirage Colloid.

 

*************

 

In the Nirvana's command bridge…

 

“What's going on?!” Celtic asked herself as she began to receive coded transmissions from on their Cube Fighter recon units. She was now dressed in a nun's outfit, as she had decided to ditch her bear suit, having gotten used to being with men for nearly a year now, and learning more about them. She focused and read the reports, though they seemed to make no sense.

 

“What is it?” Buzam asked as she went over to Celtic's station. The silver-haired woman was still as serious as ever, but she also felt a bit of fatigue ever since the battle two days before.

 

“I'm not so sure Commander, Recon team 7 seems to be under attack and are retreating…but the scanners on them can't seem to pick the attackers up.”

 

“Could it be those stealth ships from the last time we fought the Harvesters?”

 

“I'm not sure Commander, I can't get a visual since the Cube Fighters were not armed with the programming to detect any unit with Mirage Colloid.…”

 

Buzam nodded as she studied Recon team 7's location, it was at the far path to the left, near an asteroid belt, at least an hour away from them…something was lurking there…but what? She knew that this was a seriously dangerous situation and then relayed the information to the Captain.

 

Magno nodded as she also studied the situation, this meant that they would have be ready in case of another ambush, and then gave the ship's crew to be on yellow alert and maintain defensive modes to avoid being surprised again.

 

However…they didn't have to wait long for them all to get into a fight.

 

*************

 

The recon unit was able to pull back, but the new Mobile Suits were not going to leave them alone, however the Mobile Suits suddenly stopped as they spotted the Harvester battle-ship that was in front of the Nirvana, the Mobile Suits however ere not retreating…and the reason came as several cruisers began making their way to where they were though the ships kept their distance, apparently they were NOT Harvesters as their ship designs were not the same and appeared more human.

 

They resembled battle-ships in the strictest sense, but were armed with side-built launch ramps which were also releasing several more Mobile Suits of the same design as that of the ones that were already out there that were keeping a silent watch on the spotted Harvester battle-ship, unlike the stealth mode Mobile Suits however, these were not armed with Mirage Colloid. The ships also bared resemblance to an ancient ship class once used in the Earth Alliance military, and was actually somewhat familiar in some ways to those who knew history.

 

Inside one of the ships' main command bridge…

 

“Ma'am…we have tracked one Harvester battle-ship…but there's something wrong with it.”

 

“What do you mean?” the commanding officer asked her subordinate as she stood near him.

 

“I'm picking up no sign of the massive support fleet that normally escorts one of them, and according to the scanners, they also are transmitting the wrong ID transponder signal, there's a massive amount of programming that seems to show that there's something wrong with it, plus…the ship seems to be using only it's own array of Cube Fighters and Seed Ships, there are no other units with it. There are massive inconsistencies with what is normally recorded and detected from a Harvester battle-ship. This doesn't feel right Captain.”

 

“Possibly, but this whole thing could rapidly become a trap so we'll have to keep watch. Keep track of the Harvester units and inform us of anything else you have detected”

 

“Yes Ma'am.”

 

The female officer then spoke on the comm. frequencies to her officers on the ship, her crew, pilots, and to the rest of her strike team.

 

“All crews and officers, attention. The Harvester ship we are tracking seems to have become different from the ones we have normally encountered and as such is unknown in nature, fire-power, and support at this time. Until we are able to fully identify this ship and learn if this is a trap set by the Harvesters, all forces are to maintain stand-off positions and await orders, remember, do not fire until fired upon.”

 

She then ordered her ship's crew to maintain a safe distance while the helmsman and his group were to be ready for any change in course and also to prepare for manoeuvring from enemy fire. All the officers, namely the CIC unit were ready for the possibility of attack, and the captain knew that the situation would in her ship would be the very same on the other ships under her command.

 

*************

 

The crew of the pirates were now getting ready to support the Cube Fighters when yellow alert was declared by Magno and the rest of the officers. Kyo had been relaxing well enough and now was in his pilot uniform and was now on his way to the Hanger, next to him was his Taisian friend Osmond Vega as he and his own unit of pilots were moving in to pilot their Mobile Suits. The girls had launched ahead of him and he was ordered by Magno and Buzam to be on stand-by. Kyo then faced Osso and nodded.

 

“I can't believe that it's only been two days, but now we have to fight once more.”

 

“I know, but the Harvesters are cruel sadists and they would love nothing more to clobber us and harvest us all anyway. However, that's not what I heard, the units attacking us appear to be using Mirage Colloid.” Osmond reported back as he reached his Mobile Suit along with the rest of his crew.

 

“What? Great, this'll make things even more interesting. See you outside.” Kyo answered as he got into his Gundam and began to power up the systems. As soon as his Gundam was on full operational stand-by he activated the Prominence Phase Shift Armour and launched out of the ship with his Gundam's feathers unleashed and he flew in the direction of the girls, while Barnette was in her Dread leading the Dread Squadrons, while Sara and Mai led the Vanguard pilots. Osmond and his team also were now in position as their own Mobile Suits came into the group, behind them was Gascogne's shuttle the Dreki, while Aleck's GUiAZ acting as escort for the supply shuttle.

 

He then greeted the girls and assured them that he was feeling fine now and ready for any possible attack from the unknown force that may OR may not be the Harvesters. Kyo did however wonder on how they had managed to design Mobile Suits in their fleet with Mirage Colloid so soon.

 

*************

 

The unknown Fleet…

 

The rest of the fleet were now in combat position, if the Harvester battle-ship forced an engagement, they would do heir best to divert and keep the ship from finding them and then heavily damage the vessel, however, they were curious of one thing, what would a lone battle-ship, with no support fleet, and a strange transponder signal be doing out here. The pilots however were more concerned with the coming fight than the niches of the commanding officers. As the bridge crew tracked the Cube Fighters, they were suddenly surprised when several unknown signatures came into the scanners. Some came from Mobile Suits, others from Mobile Armour. At first they suspected the arrival of the Harvesters' new toys, the Overlords, but the data didn't match the data they had gained from the people of Delta 6, and the Mobile Armour were certainly not showing the profiles of the Cube Fighters. This meant that this was not a Harvester fleet, but what it was still under debate as the captain began talking to the rest of her officers in charge.

 

Some said they should investigate more, others said they should just attack and fade away, as was their normal combat doctrine. The Captain saw both the pros and cons of each decision and decided to maintain a close eye on this strange fleet.

 

However they got the surprise of their lives when their respective CIC officers when they all began detecting transponder signals that were VERY familiar to them from a band of Mobile Suit units that were now part of the force that they were tracking.

 

“Those are transponder signals from…”

 

The fleet now decided to make their move…though this could very well be a trap they recognized just who those Mobile Suits belonged to. The Captain then ran through the ship's database and scanned what appeared to be a lit of transponder signals and codes as if they were looking for a specific code. The captain, after a few minutes located a certain code and then ran a comparison check for the one they were picking up.

 

“I don't believe it…” the female officer muttered with surprise as the stored transponder codes was the same as that of the Mobile Suits' own transponder codes.

 

She then turned to some of her fellow officers and bridge personnel and began giving some orders, one of which was to scan the Mobile Suits with their long range sensors and determine of there were any signs of human life. It didn't take long for them to determine that there was human life onboard those Mobile Suits. It was also when they detected another ship near the Harvesters, but it sent a very different transponder signal

 

The Captain then made a decision as she called in all the Mobile Suits, Mobile Armour to drop defensive status and approach the Harvester Ship and the new ship with caution and open communications with the new ship. The Captain had a sneaking suspicion and the only way for her to be sure was to go forward and speak to the new ship.

 

“Captain, are you sure that is a wise move? This could still be an elaborate Harvester trap!” One of her aides said as he looked suspiciously at the view screen of the force arrayed against them.

 

“Only way to know is to move forward, if I am right, then we may just have found some new allies…along with some of our lost soldiers.”

 

“And if you are wrong?”

 

“If I am…then you know what we have to do.”

 

Following the captain's orders, all ships left the asteroid field and so had their forces, all Mobile Suits and Mobile Armour were now aside their ships on escort in order to meet up with the unknown forces. The Captain then ordered the officers to raise the assembled fleet before them and finally confirm the questions that she had in her mind since the first encounter.

 

*************

 

The Nirvana…

 

“Captain…I'm picking up signals from several unknown ships and a mixture of Mobile Suits and Mobile Armour. They don't have the signatures of the Harvesters and seem to be hailing us.” Ezra reported as she intercepted the communications coming from the unknown vessels.

 

“I see…they seem to be humans judging by the way the ships were designed.” Magno said as she gazed at the images of the newly approaching fleet. It was the first time, with the exception of the people on Delta 6 that the Megele pirates and their Talark and Taisian comrades had seen other human beings, but they were still a bit cautious. She then got into contact with both Kyo and Osso as to ask both if they knew the ships and who they belonged to.

 

The two already had the answer.

 

“Those are Taisian Planetary Alliance ships, Captain, I'd recognize them anywhere!” Kyo replied and before Osso could provide further proof the communications came in as the Captain of the new fleet appeared.

 

She was a tall woman, nearly the same height as Osmond himself or Buzam, and had a serene look which was surprising since the others could tell that she had been in combat for a while, considering some lines on her face. Her eyes were deep violet and her hair was black as night, all in a long tail behind her, she appeared to be around Buzam's age as well, and seemed to have the same aura of skill, talent, and intelligence. She wore an officer's uniform and when she spoke to the Nirvana and it's crew, she spoke with clear military skill and authority.

 

“This is Captain Maria Trance of the Taisian Planetary Alliance 31st Mobile Recon unit, identify yourself.”

 

Magno replied. “This is Captain Magno Vivian of the pirate ship, the Nirvana.”

 

The reaction of the other female captain was shock and awe. Like all members of the Resistance, she had heard about Magno's crew and their successful battles with the Harvesters for quite a while now. She too had hoped to meet the crew of the lone thorn in the side of the Harvesters to fight for them…but she never thought that she would be the first of the Resistance to meet the famed leader of the pirates.

 

She also got a surprise when she recognized two more men who smiled and greeted her.

 

“Hello Maria…been a while.” Both Gundam pilot and Taisian officer greeted the young female Captain. Kyo had met Maria since before being assigned as Captain nearly a year before, she had been one of the Mobile Armour pilots Kyo had to fight with when he had been on Taisia Prime. Osmond knew her as a fellow cadet in school back home and had been a friendly colleague when they went to fight in the war with the Harvesters…and she was his wife's cousin.

 

“Osso?! Kyo?!”

 

Maria could not believe the sight she had just witnessed, the Gundam pilot who had been their best guest had come back to them, a close friend and relative by marriage who had been thought lost was back…and the leader of the most famed anti-Harvest group were now in front of her.

 

They had a LOT to talk about!

 

Later…

 

The Nirvana and it's Harvester battle-ship were now on their way escorted by not just converted Cube Fighters, the Gundams, Dreads, and the Taisian Mobile Suits…but this time was flanked by several Taisian battle-cruisers, and medium class ships, complete with other Taisian Mobile Suits and Mobile Armours. The two Captains had been discussing several important matters and it didn't take long for both parties to come to decision.

 

The Taisians would escort the Nirvana to their World Cruiser that was not far and there, the crew could replenish their supplies, rest and recover a bit and help out with the Resistance. The rest of Maria's crew were shocked and in awe and respect to finally meet the pirates they had heard so much about. They were also inspired by the reports of the Harvesters' plans being thwarted by the Nirvana's crew and one would say that they dreamed of finally meeting the pirates in person and it seemed that now they got their chance as the combined fleet made it's way to the location of the World Cruisers and the support fleets.

 

As the fleets travelled a bit further away from the path, they were now able to catch sight of the rest of the Resistance forces. The Resistance had made plenty of changes in their war with the Harvesters. If their worlds were under threat despite their best efforts, all the fleets of the planets with the Resistance would leave their worlds and start moving to fall-back spots to allow then regroup and fight back when the time came. It was not just the Taisians who made the fleets, but the rest of the fleets were also in different locations as to insure that they would not be suddenly attacked and wiped out in one single Harvester assault.

 

All over the sector in different areas were Taisian battle ships of different makes and sizes, there were also large numbers of Mobile Suits flying about alongside Mobile Armour units. The Mobile Suits were very much the same make and design as that of Osmond's own Mobile Suit and that of his fellow soldiers…meaning that these were the basic armies of the Taisian people alongside their standard Mobile Armours.

 

The Mobile Armours of the Taisians known as the Aethers were large arrow shaped units that appeared to combine both beam cannons, gatling weapons, and several missile hard-points, and it seemed that this time, unlike his last visit, they were armed with some smaller beam cannons on the sides in strategic areas…and from the design, was installed to keep a Mobile Suit from getting too close to it. (**)

 

He had fought them before and they were tough, but like the Dreads before were never meant to be able to defend themselves at point blank range and would not be able to match up to well armed and piloted Mobile Suits. Apparently with their Mobile Suit comrades, the Aethers were not easy to mess with.

 

The World Cruisers however were a different story…

 

The ships were massive…nearly the size of the Nirvana…but larger and longer, like a massive shard of crystal. The ship was named World Cruiser in the sense that it was designed as a Mobile Home for many of the Taisian refugees. It was able to support almost three to nine hundred thousand people, both civilian and military in good comfort in the same way the Mission Stations acted as shelters for space travellers in the days that they were widely used. That meant it had all the people needed to be able to feel back at home. However, the ship was not just a floating city…but a floating fortress.

 

From what he had learned from Maria and Osso who were part of the fleet….the World Cruiser was armed, armoured, and shielded to the highest levels needed for survival in combat. It had complements of Aethers and the Mobile Suits now known as Zealots to act as it's defensive force outside in space. Inside the ship itself were several companies of Space-born Marines, SpecOps troopers, and security personnel dedicated to the defense of the World Cruiser's civilian inhabitants, all of them were armed for combat and would rather be dead than allow any threat to attack their fellow people. Thus a World Cruiser was a deadly force to be reckoned with but like all ships that carried civilians, was not meant to be totally for combat, despite the massive amounts of shielding, weaponry, forces, and whatnot.

 

First and foremost, it was a city ship and there were few of them…granted that combined together, they would become a massive wall of destruction against any foe foolish enough to attack them, but the civilians were the primary concern and the loss of even one World Cruiser would have dire repercussions to the Taisian people. He knew that they were by heart, warriors, and to be forced to abandon the world their ancestors had built, and to be reduced to wandering the universe with no planet to call home…was in a way worse than being killed. The World Cruisers were all they had and he hoped fervently that the presence of him and the pirates would not further endanger the people here…their lives were hard enough without them being suddenly attacked by the Harvesters, all because of taking them in.

 

The Gundam pilot however had little time to consider it as he and the others were now in the main meeting hanger of the World Cruiser, the `Verdant Soul'. The Nirvana was docked with the World Cruiser and was under heavy guard from the Taisian soldiers, both Osso and Maria assured them that due to their reputation as stalwart allies of humanity's defiance to the Harvesters, they were under the full protection of not just the Taisians, but of the Resistance as well.

 

As soon as they arrived, their Taisian comrades were greeted by couples of either women, or men with children, and some men or women who were alone and had no children, but were very much relieved. Due to their Taisian allies being men and women, the new arrivals were their wives/husbands and children, or girl-friends/boy-friends. Osmond smiled as one woman with her hair in dreadlocks, same as her husband and light tanned skin and emerald eyes, which were brimming with tears as she held their children…his wife Fiona.

 

Lena was a slender but strong young girl who always had her hair in a long straight fashion though she had a strand into a braided pigtail, her eyes, the same as her father's own were also brimming with tears…as were the emerald eyes of Osmond and Fiona's son Darrell, who was a slim and tough youth and his short, normal messy hair was still the same.

 

“Father!!!”

 

“Osmond!!!”

 

The wife and children ran up to their lost family member as he too greeted them with warmth and happiness, his wife hugged him tight, her grip was unrelenting as she cried holding her husband, only relenting in her embrace to allow their children to also tearfully welcome him home. Fiona then spotted Kyo and her eyes widened in recognition, she then walked over to Kyo and hugged him…surprising many of Kyo Megele comrades, Kyo however was not surprised and even more so when Fiona released him and bowed with tears in her eyes.

 

“Thank you Kyo…thank you for bringing my husband back alive and safe.”

 

“It was my pleasure Fiona.” Kyo replied with a warm nod and bow of his own.

 

Fiona could say no more as Osmond with their kids in tow held her and she bit back with some effort her tears. This was a happy reunion, though some of the couples or loved ones cried when they didn't see any familiar faces. It was sad to many of the Nirvana crew to see that those families or loved ones would not see their dears ones again. The five girls after Kyo's heart were saddened by the tears they saw and vowed not to let any harm come to Kyo, while the other couples, Duero and Parfet, and finally Max, and Barnette hoped that neither of them would experience that kind of pain. Gascogne and Aleck also felt sorrow for the sad families and dear ones as well.

 

It was then that a group of people came into the hanger and they were military soldiers, fully armed, and armoured and in the lead was a tall man in a uniform that was the symbol of a Vice or a Grand Admiral. The man appeared to be middle age and kept his hair in a short military style cut, and so was the beard and moustache in the same cut fashion. His steel grey eyes showed a strong sense of duty and honour, along with an open mind when finding solutions to problems. The man showed that he WAS NOT someone to either take lightly or insult…due to his experience on the field, years of service…and more.

 

However that face turned into a warm, but stern smile as he faced the Gundam pilot, who despite being towered over by the middle aged man's 6 foot 5 inch height and muscled build also smiled back…, both greeted one another with crisp military salutes, then both men exchanged more open and friendly greetings with hand-shakes.

 

“I see that time has been kind to you Kyo, only wish I could be young again. I trust you have been well?”

 

“I have no complaints Admiral Jerald Halverson…or should I call you Grand Admiral now?”

 

“Well, you can call me the latter officially. Come…the rest of the Council wants to speak to all of you…we've got a lot to talk about old friend.”

 

“I have no doubt of that fact.” Kyo replied as he and the others were escorted by the Taisian soldiers to meet with the Council.

 

*************

 

Later…

 

The Council meeting chamber was the size of a massive meeting room, with a hologram projector and several extra monitors in the walls. The hologram projector was surrounded by two tables, on facing the hologram projector on one side, and another table on the other side. The upper side was decked with the officials from the TPA and the Nirvana crew was on the other. They were busy discussing the situation as it stands as new reports came in from the Taisian scouts and the rest of the Resistance.

 

Kyo listened in and they all stopped when the doors opened and in came Patch, Kouji, and Maia Asuka, and Liz…all were surprised to see Kyo and the pirates again, and the feeling was mutual as they greeted one another. The council then began to fill in the pirates of the current situation.

 

“The Harvesters have been using a vast and powerful fleet unlike anything we've ever seen before, they seem to be recalling half of their currently deployed fleets and they are making a full scale assault in the sector where we believe the worlds of Talark and Megele are located…due to the interference of the debris belt and storms of gases and radiation on the outer fringes of the belt, we have not been able to establish communications with them to warn them of the impending Harvester Invasion fleet. We have managed to finally make an estimate of at least twenty to forty Harvester battle-ships along with other weapons as well. They appear to have new Gundam models with them…along with those new Overlords. We had encountered those Gundams only rarely since they were assigned to battle the Nirvana…but now it seems like the Harvesters have called them all for this invasion of theirs.”

 

Their fleet is massive and would take at least 30 to 60 days to arrive on Talark and Megele Kyo….we've decided to send out drone units to try and inflict as much damage as we can…but the fleet of the Harvesters are going around the universe attacking planet after planet, stripping the people of their organs…and then wiping it out. We've just received the report that the people of Melanos will be arriving…their world was the first to be attacked by the Harvesters.”

 

“No…” Kyo said in shock, recalling the people of Melanos who had been his benefactors all those months ago when Barnette started that mutiny, he recalled Seran and how she and many others had died. Now they were homeless.

 

“I'm afraid so…they were able to get all their people out of the grasp of the Harvesters, but they sent us some very troubling information, apart from the Harvester invasion fleet. They will be here within the hour once they have passed through our defensive barrier at Gamma sector, they said that their world had been completely incinerated by the Harvesters and thus, they had no place left to go.”

 

“I'll go out and meet them.” Kyo said as he got out of his chair and took his helmet. None of the others stopped him since they trusted Kyo to be able to handle himself, after all, Kyo had been the one who inspired the people of Melanos to fight when they were nearly wiped out.

 

The rest of the pirates were allowed to take a bit of a break from all the fighting, Duero and Max were assisted by the medics on the ship in treating many of the injured pirates and from the looks of the advanced medical technology and supplies the Taisians had on hand, it would not be long before the crew of the pirates would make a full recovery.

 

Osmond also asked permission for Parfet and her crew to propose her use of the World Cruiser's mobile factories and R&D facilities to begin construction of the proposed new weapons the pirates would need. The Council was amazed at the return of their two lost Gundams, the SwitchBlade and the Morpheous and asked if they could gain something in return. The deal was that with the data from the Gundams' OS, they would be able to upgrade most of their forces and design newer versions of the two Gundams for their forces. In exchange, they would help the head engineer to build the new Vanguards she had envisioned, and would also allow the two Gundams to remain in the use of the pirates as they trusted Magno and her crew with them, along with giving some new tools that were also meant for the Gundams as well...but were developed too late to be in the arsenals of both Gundams.

 

Magno and the others considered that a fair trade and an alliance that was very important was made as the Taisians also offered to help repair the ship, and replenish their supplies of food, fuel, munitions, medical supplies, clothes, and all the other necessities. They were the guests and allies of the Resistance and the Taisians were generous people after all.

 

*************

 

An hour later…

 

Kyo flew in his Gundam and waited on the outer fringes of the defensive perimeter of the Taisians' rally location and the drone defensive perimeter, he had been able to enter his ID code so the drone fighters and combat stations would not open fire on him suddenly. He hoped that his fears were not allowed to come true, the people of Melanos apparently from what he had learned before leaving had been the most fervent allies of the Resistance and he prayed that they didn't pay too high a price for this alliance.

 

At that moment, out from space appeared several fighters that Kyo recognized as that of the Melanos Space Fleet, he was about to hail them when his military side noted that the fighters had accelerated at an attack speed. He didn't know what was going on but quickly went on the defensive, and his actions saved his life when several missiles were fired at him along with beam bolts. He dodged them and tried to figure out why the heck he was being shot at.

 

“What's going on?!” Kyo said as he dodged more and more attacks from the Melanos fighters. He then tried to get into contact with the fighters but was denied that when several Melanos cruisers appeared and like the fighters began to bombard at him!!! (***)

 

He tolerated it a bit more, and had enough and sent out a communiqué to the Melanos Fleet.

 

“What are you doing?!?!”

 

“You won't take us so easily you sadistic bastard! You may have wiped out our home but now that you are alone we will have our revenge!!!”

 

Was the only reply he got as the ships continued to fire, as he also continued to dodge the attacks, normally he would have fought back, but these were people he knew and he was not going to attack them even if they were attacking him.

 

“Revenge?! Look, I came out here to see you all and escort you to the rest of the Resistance, if you don't who I am, then the name's Kyo, I'm sure you guys must know THAT name! I fought with your fleet nearly a year ago!!!”

 

The ships suddenly halted their weapons fire and then on Kyo's communicator, came in the face of the leader of the fleet, a face Kyo quickly recognized.

 

“Captain?! Is that you?!” Kyo asked in shock as he recognized the fleet leader of the Melanos Anti-Earth Defense Fleet. The face was a bit older and care worn, a new tiara was there, but there was no doubt in Kyo's mind that the man in front of him was the same leader he had been with in the fleet.

 

“Kyo?! By the Gods…you are alive!!!” The leader of the Melanos Fleet was in awe as he recognized the same Gundam pilot who had been pronounced dead by his officers when they had fought with the Harvesters once, he had been the one ho repelled the Harvesters from their home-world…and inspired his people to resist to the bitter end. To see that he was alive was a shock to him and those around him.

 

*************

 

Later…

 

“I am sorry…I guess we once more owe you an apology for acting so rashly when we first met each other and now.”

 

The leader of the Melanos Fleet, named Vaan Renard, said as he walked with Kyo to the Council chamber, where the Taisian Council was still in session, along with the pirates of the Nirvana. He had much to share with them with the state of the Harvester invasion force.

 

“It's all right Admiral, at least nothing worse happened. I still need to know what happened to Melanos…how did the Harvesters…?”

 

Kyo was surprised to learn that the captain he met was now an Admiral and the reactions of the Melanos people were of respect and awe. Apparently his supposed martyrdom had inspired the survivors and the new soldiers and pilots of the pale humans of Melanos to fight all the more fiercely, he had even seen a mural of him and Freedom fighting the Harvester battle-ship to the death in the ship when he was allowed to board the ship to meet him. For them…to meet the man who defied the Harvesters to the death…and live to fight again was an honour.

 

There were some who even asked if they could become his support pilots in the war they were fighting. He respectfully declined, saying that their people needed them here, and he asked politely to meet the Admiral…who greeted him with a sad smile and an apology for their rash actions.

 

He then directed the people of Melanos and their fleet to where the Taisians were and now the people of Melanos were allowed a reprieve from all they had endured since the fall and decimation of their home planet. They needed that as they mingled with the Taisians, who despite being taken a bit back by the pale skinned humans of Melanos, welcomed them as fellow humans on their World Cruiser. Vaan and Kyo were busy with other matters and left the people to relax and settle down a bit.

 

“I will tell you…and I have to tell you why we attacked you suddenly…it was because of what he had seen…or rather who we had seen to have lead the Harvesters when they came and decimated our world.”

 

As soon as the leader of the Melanos entered the Council chamber he went to the rest of the Taisians and greeted them, along with the rest of the Megele pirates. He then gave his report and inserted a recording disc into the hologram display and began to recall the evacuation events that led to them leaving the planet of their birth.

 

“Our part of the covert defense fleet what was the first to reach us and we were informed of the incoming Harvester force…we were shocked to hear such a massive fleet was heading in our direction. We knew quickly that we didn't have the numbers of firepower to stop them, so we ordered a system wide evacuation of Melanos, from all the planets that had our people…we moved as fast as we could since they could be on us in mere hours. We had managed to nearly evacuate our main planet…when they came right on us.”

 

The images showed to everyone in the Council room a massive fleet, the image was nearly filled by large numbers of Harvester battle-ships, and hordes upon hordes of Cube Fighters, Overlords, Seed Ships, Urchin Ships…and more…namely when the Gundams were seen…

 

There were Dominion Gundams, still armed in the setup that they were seen when the Nirvana had been caught in the desert planet nearly two months before. The introduction of the newly restored and limited in number production of the Devastator, Hell-fire, and Wyvern Gundams were disheartening…along with the presence of the Behemoth Gundams. The crew also were now greeted by the sight of the latest combat Gundams of the Harvesters, all of them were based on the three Gundams that were developed by the Harvesters…the Neo-Gundam series.

 

The new variant of the Devastator Gundam resembled it's stock model, the Devastator, but where the Devastator was made for long range bombardment, the Devastator Edge was apparently built for close range combat. There was now in place more close combat weapons than there were long range ones, the Gundam had two massive anti-ship swords trapped to it's back, on the forearms appeared to be shields and what appeared to be beam blade emitters, a length of power cable showed that the shields may be used as throwing weapons as well. On the hips were also beam sabers, and on the shoulders appeared to be two extra beam boomerangs along with the ones that were already present. The Gundam also had no hard-point for a beam rifle and the only beam weapon it had for long range was located on the abdomen. This Gundam appeared to have been made to support it's companions in close range slaughters and from the arsenals it carried, it meant to do it' job VERY well. (****)

 

The next Gundam was similar to the Hell-Fire Gundam, but was all black and silver, and was armed with what appeared to be a solid plasma energy scythe, which while intimidating was further enhanced with the discovery of it having TWO solid plasma blades. The machine appeared to have a different weapons pack than the original, the weapons pack gave the look of demonic wings. On the forearms appeared to be collapsible general purpose shields. And on the sides of the weapons packs' wing like appendages were massive hook shaped claws. There were signs that it carried beam weapons made for ranged combat but most were hidden in it's weapons pack All in all…it looked like a demon from the darkest pits of hell. (*****)

 

The last Gundam resembled the Wyvern…but appeared to be totally different…in the fact that this time it was armed with double beam glaive and what appeared to be dragon-like heads on the forearms, replacing the original weapons of the first Wyvern Gundam. The Gundam also appeared to have rows of energy emitters on the fore arms. It still had the wings of the Wyvern and those also had the beam blade emitters. This meant that the new Gundam could still act like a battering ram in combat when in it's beast like Mobile Armour Mode. It was decked in green and brown armour as it and it's fellow Gundams all had Phase Shift systems. (******)

 

The new Gundams were formidable and were certain worth paying attention to. But the sight of the main battle-ship and it's lead Gundam were the most shocking of to everyone within the Council chamber…even to the battle hardened Gundam pilot.

 

If they thought a single Harvester battle-ship was massive…the Main battle-ship of the Harvesters was a behemoth!!!

 

The ship was huge in every sense of the word…all over it were nearly hundreds to thousands of Seed Ships and Urchin Ships were everywhere… coming from it. It had massive gun ports and the front resembled some sort of tripod that in Kyo's mind must be where the main weapon of the battle-ship. Whatever weapon it was, from just the look and sheer size of the battle-ship. Kyo knew that the weapon on first battle-ship faced must be nothing but a toy pop-gun compared to what behemoth was carrying.

 

His eyes however was riveted on the Gundam that was totally different from the ones he had already seen…this was the first time the E. Vendetta Gundam came into view for Kyo and he could tell that this one was NOT a mass production model or another clone of his Gundam…but one of a kind. The Gundam appeared to be black, red and golden in colour scheme, but there was nothing gaudy in the looks, he knew Gundams and very much a lot of war machines, this was no toy.

 

Vaan confirmed Kyo's suspicions as he began to outline the events that transpired over their home-world as they watched the battle between the valiant defenders of Melanos and the now oncoming Harvester horde. But in the lead wasn't their full force, but the dark looking Gundam itself.

 

“We were caught off guard when the Gundam suddenly attacked us all…we thought this one had suffered a fault in it's programming…and we assumed that it was not as powerful as it appeared at first. That was our first and last mistake…my people paid for that dearly as the Gundam without any warning, attacked our interceptors…and decimated them.”

 

*************

 

Author's notes:

 

I am taking a bit of a break here to see to my other projects, and will update this soon, I also have to gather ideas on the fight sequence for the E. Vendetta Gundam with the Melanos Fleet. This will be brutal and bloody, probably even more so than when we introduced Max and Aleck's back story way back in chapter 5…so if you are ready for that, then be prepared for the fight scenes, in the mean time, take your time and send me those comments and reviews.

 

And if you have suggestions, I am willing to accept them, along with constructive critiques, but you all know my policy regarding flames.

 

*************

 

Flashback…

 

“Sir…what is that…thing?!” One aide said as they all gazed at the massive Harvester Fleet. However they couldn't help but feel their gazes drawn to the demonic angel-like Gundam…something about sent chills down their spines as they gazed at it…it appeared merely content to gaze at them as if assessing their numbers, combat strength, battle-experience, and whatnot. The officers thought that the Gundam would do nothing and allow it's forces to attack, since the records they had gained showed that it took on a commander role for some reason.

 

The admiral however had doubts in his mind that the Gundam they were looking at was going to stand still for long. The whole situation was very troubling since this was the first time the Harvesters had not merely and ruthlessly attacked them, in all battles, the Harvesters would not hesitate to use their superior numbers to their advantage, and not care for how many they would lose…considering the facts that they could merely replace their loses, unlike his fellow humans. This was also the first time he had seen a Gundam act as a commander unit. All the time his people had fought with the Harvesters, they had not fought with the Gundam units, but had heard about them and now had seen records of how they fought, and they were deadly units. But the leader of practically ALL of the Harvester fleets' movements were the CPUs inside their main battle-ships. This was the first time the Harvesters were under the command of ONE unit, let alone a machine that was far smaller than the battle-ship.

 

Something wasn't right…

 

“I don't know…keep an eye on it…”

 

The warning came too late as they saw the Gundam's wings open up and blood red crystal feathers appeared, and before they could do anything…the Gundam streaked at them and attacked. The admiral wasted no time as he ordered all front line fighters to begin the counter attack. He noted however that the black Gundam was not being followed by the rest of the Harvesters, he wondered if the Gundam was a suicidal unit sent to goad his forces…

 

“ALL FIGHTERS!! WEAPONS FREE!!! ENGAGE!!!”

 

The lead fighters fired their payloads of missiles, but were shocked as the Gundam took out a pair of beam rifles and quickly began shooting down the weapons with amazing precision, others were dodged as they exploded behind the fast moving Gundam. The Gundam then attacked as it fired beam bolt after beam bolt…hitting Melanos fighters head on…destroying them quickly and effectively…their pilots barely having enough time to finish their screams as their fighters were destroyed. Several fighters tried to fire their energy weapons, but they too were dodged as the Gundam moved in and out like a dancer through the barrages and fired back…one pilot had fired all he could but had no time to escape as her fighter was shredded by blaster fire. The debris barely scattered as three more interceptors were shot down as the Gundam moved out from the explosion and fired it's beam rifles.

 

The Gundam didn't relent and chased several more interceptors that tried to break away, two were shot down as they tried to make an escape. The pilots hadn't even known they were dead and only saw their cockpits explode. Three fighters open fired as they tried to both take out the Harvester Gundam and avenge their comrades…but their attempts failed as the Gundam's wings blocked their barrage and the Gundam retaliated…it fired it's beam rifles and destroyed one and before the others could break away, the Gundam jetted at them and replaced it's beam rifles and took out it's beam sabers, and slashed the interceptors into two… it pressed the attack into more and more of the Melanos interceptors and the pilots that tried their best to hold on and fight back, their missiles were unable to take the Gundam out and their beam fire was deflected by the Gundam's beam sabers that moved too fluidly for a computer to do at the speed of both the beam and the pace it as moving in. The Gundam slashed off the wings of several interceptors it passed, and then fired it's folded rail-guns at the helpless interceptors, reducing them and their pilots into rubble. The other fighters were then reinforced by more of their fellow pilots, but it would mean nothing as more and more fell to the weapons of the nimble Gundam.

 

Several pilots could only scream in fear as the Gundam slashed the cockpits of their interceptors, killing them instantly. While their comrades tried in desperation to open fire, their missiles were then shot down by the assault guns on the head and shoulders of the Gundam. They were then hit by the Gundam as it placed away it's beam sabers and took out both it's anti-ship swords and dashed into their ranks, cutting interceptor after interceptor to pieces. One pilot tried to ram his interceptor on the Gundam, but was dodged and then Gundam struck, giving the pilot no time to defend himself as the blade sliced through his cockpit killing him instantly. The Gundam continued to rip apart more of the Melanos interceptors, forcing them to keep their distance, but even then, the Gundam would not let them leave so quickly as it's ranged weapons, including a pair of powerful plasma cannons as more fighters were ruthlessly wiped out, their comrades both in the coming interceptors and the ships could do nothing but see their fighters exploded into debris and hear their screams as they were destroyed.

 

The Gundam didn't care as it placed away it's anti-ship swords and took out both beam rifles once more. Around it was the debris of more six to ten dozen Melanos fighter squadrons.

 

The admiral and the rest of his fleet could no longer stand back and watch good pilots being massacred and ordered their gunnery crews to open fire on the Gundam using all their missile arsenals to finally defeat the Gundam that had decimated their fellow comrades. Several cruisers lined up and opened fire, along with the surviving interceptors. The missiles were flying in like a wave of death, in normal circumstances most if not all enemy units would have retreated, but not the Harvesters, and certainly not this new weapon of theirs…it had it's own counter to the attack.

 

The Gundam's feathers suddenly shattered and the exposed parts were now solid metal and then flew away from the Gundam totally numbered at fifty in all. The new feathers then fired out powerful beams of pure red energy…showing that it too had the same SUPER DRAGOON weapon system as that of the Kyo's own I-Freedom Gundam. The weapons flew around and in different paths but did the very same thing as they began to fire beam after beam of intense Paeksis boosted energy. The network of energy weapons fire decimated the incoming missiles as they were destroyed before they could lock onto their target. The entire battle field was covered in a wave of missile explosions and bright light as the missiles from interceptors and cruisers were wiped out.

 

The crew of all the ships in the forward forces were lucky to have spotted the Gundam as it came out after them. That was when they all gave the full order to use their ships' cannons and so did the interceptors as beams of destruction were fired from both ship types, hoping to over-power the Gundam with sheer volume of weapons-fire. The Gundam however didn't move away but charged, making them think it had gone nuts, but the feathers suddenly opened to reveal powerful emitters that created diamond like fields of energy that began to fly in a set defensive pattern and blocked their shots…event hose from the cruisers…much to the shock and horror of all those present…

 

“MAINTAIN FIRE!!!!”

 

The Melanos forces fired their beam weapons to the point of overheating, but were barely able to score any hits that broke through the light red glowing shields that protected the attacking Gundam. The Gundam speeded up as the shields moved away and reverted to the beam cannon modes, hiding the shield emitters and the feather cannons fired their own barrage catching the Melanos people off guard once more as interceptors were either ripped to shreds or blown apart before they could react properly to the sudden reprisal. The cruisers fared little better as weak point areas of the ships were hit by the beam fire, causing massive as explosion rocked the ships hit by the barrage, crew members, both male and female tried desperately to escape and seal off damaged areas, those who were not lucky were only able to shield their eyes or scream out in fear as they were swiftly or brutally killed by the explosions and shrapnel. The others tried desperately to rescue those still alive, but had to hurry and sometimes had no choice as the too critically wounded died before they could be helped…or were dragged into the merciless grip of the zero-gravity environment of deep space.

 

“Damn it! Take that thing down!!!”

 

The crews of the other ships tried to fight back, but the Gundam proved to be hard to kill, as it put aside it's beam rifles and took out it's anti-ship swords and began attacking the cruisers once the feather cannons had returned back to the wings and had also returned to crystal mode allowing the Gundam to defend itself from beam and ballistic attacks more effectively. The anti-ship swords ripped through the armour of the cruiser the Gundam was currently attacking…the weapon ripped apart the ship as if it was like a piece of bread as the beam edge sliced through the ship…inside crew members were only able to scream as the weapon destroyed them and without pause. The Gundam then took away it's anti-ship swords as it diced apart the ship while streaking past it and flying around it…turning it into a burning wreck…the Gundam left the cruiser as explosions occurred and the ship fell like a desiccated carcass as the crew tried desperately to escape in shuttles and escape pods.

 

“TAKE IT OUT!!!”

 

Several interceptors tried to block the attacking Gundam but the Gundam merely dodged their attacks and in mid flight flipped upside down and fired it's plasma cannons, destroying the interceptors and before the Captain of the cruiser could do anything, the Gundam combined both anti-ship swords into one doubled edged version and sliced the ship's bridge…instantly killing him and his officers before they could even scream in fear. The crew were also not spared as the Gundam fired it's assault cannons into the gaping hole where the bridge used to be, shredding the ship, before destroying it with a massive beam barrage from it's weapons.

 

Two cruisers tired to gang up on the Gundam but it moved too quickly for them to lock on and the Gundam slammed it's combined anti-ship sword on the upper section of the bow and began to drag the weapon over the Melanos cruiser…literally gutting the ship from top to bottom as the Gundam sliced all the way to the rear of the ship, right past the bridge…killing many with one pass. The other ship was just as doomed as the Gundam was now behind it and then did the same move…but on the bottom of the ship…gutting the ship one more from the engines to the bow of the ship…it then attacked with more powerful slashes and thrusts until the ships couldn't take anymore. The Gundam flew away as both ships were destroyed as it's crew tried to flee in the life pods.

 

The Gundam then broke the swords from the current twin blade formation and converted them into a staff style weapon which it used to slice into more interceptor formations and then without warning, the Gundam tossed it's twin bladed staff at a Melanos cruiser…the weapon slammed into the bridge of the ship…killing it's crew as the Gundam arrived and then ripped out the weapon and then went with a downward slash that cut the ship lethally. It then slashed the rear of another ship…fatally damaging the engines, rendering the ship dead in space. The Harvester Gundam then took out it's beam sabers and began to attack two more cruisers. One was slashed in various areas resulting in critical damage and the last was hit hard when the Gundam tossed one of it's beam sabers right into the face of the bridge…killing the crew as the Gundam took back it's weapon and sliced into the ship….literally gutting from the inside out as the ship exploded and the Gundam jetted out of the wreckage. It suddenly jetted back to the fleet as if in retreat…but the admiral and his crew knew that this was only a bad sign for them…

 

“Admiral! Planetary evacuation is complete! Retreat at once!” Came the call from high command as he looked and saw that his people had now been able to leave the planet and all the civilian ships with all their people had been able to leave their world…it galled him to leave everything behind…but he had a job to do.

 

“Understood…all fleets, prepare to retreat!”

 

The front line officers and their pilots bravely volunteered to remain behind and hold the Harvesters off as best they can until the rest of their comrades could leave and escort the refugees…the admiral had no choice but to allow them that task and watched in growing anger and frustration as the Harvester fleet…under the command of the E-Vendetta Gundam attacked in full force to overwhelm the fleet before them…which had been brutally tested by the dark angel Gundam. Vaan could only pray that the soldiers, pilots, officers, technicians, mechanics, and engineers on those ships and fighters that stayed behind would not be forgotten as they clashed with the Harvester fleet.

 

*************

 

End of Flashback…

 

The holo-record then showed the last finale of the whole massacre of the rear guard of the Melanos forces… as the Harvesters main battle-cruiser opened it's tripod like front and fired a colossal beam of pure destructive energy that ripped past the wreck hulls of the defense fleet that were defeated adding more mockery to the Melanos people as the remains of their fleet and military were incinerated in a moment before their eyes and they saw the horror of their world put to the flames as the beam rendered their world into a flaming and volcanic mockery of it's former glory…oceans were destroyed, plains, grass-lands, forests…all of it were wiped out…along with their homes, cities, lives…everything…

 

In less than a heart beat after the assault of the demon/angel Gundam of the Harvesters…and the attack of the Harvester fleet, the Resistance was treated to a view of what would be the fate of their worlds should they stand and fight them…this had rendered the Council of the Taisians…and the crew of the Nirvana, including Kyo totally silent as Vaan finished his report…they saw that the man was on the verge of tears as he recalled the brutal loss of life on his side of the battle…the lives of all those under his command who were slain by the new Gundam of the Harvesters, and the forces of the Earth based tyrants…and the death of the only home he and his family…his whole civilization knew was their own.

 

They had a LOT to talk about…and to plan if they hoped to stand a chance…now matter how slim or remote it may be, against such a powerful force.

 

*************

 

The Leader of the Harvester forces merely sat back on his command chair and drank some wine with a smile as he watched the crews of clone slaves and droids gather the combat data gained from his attack on the Melanos fleet and begin compiling it with the data gathered from the battle that followed his attack on the fleet, he was a bit disappointed that he couldn't stay in the fight and push the full limits of the Endless Vendetta Gundam…but he had work to do…all he hoped now was that the rest of the Resistance could be more…entertaining than the weak Melanos forces, though he had to give them credit for resisting the way they did.

 

Now…which planetary system was next on the hit list?

 

*************

 

Later…back with the rest of the Taisian forces…

 

The people of the Resistance were busy as can be…they had some new devices and weapons to develop, and plans to make, they knew that a head-on attack on the massive Harvest fleet would be suicide…so they had to rely on strike and fade attacks, not to mention that even if it would be heart rending for them all, they sent out messages to all the worlds of the Resistance members to…abandon their worlds should the world be attacked by the Harvester fleet. Though it would be hard for the people to bare…it would be far better than to lose so many lives. The strategy was to deny the Harvesters the chance to inflict horrendous damage to their people, and to get their civilians to a safer place…away from the fighting, while the Resistance would gather and strike at the fleet while ensuring that if the time would come…they could gather and strike down the Harvesters…it was a desperate and slim gamble…since even it if worked, it would limit them in terms of locations for gaining supplies, munitions, rest places, and more, and the loss of worlds would be a serious blow to the courage and spirit of the people. But that would be far better than enduring the sight of their world being reduced into nothing but a burning, irradiated, ruined ball of stone.

 

It was a tough decision…but when considering the danger of standing in front of the massive Harvester fleet and being wiped out…it was the best decision to be made…if it worked, gather all their might, and if they did do enough damage to the fleet, then they would gather to the best site to launch a counter-offensive on the fleet…they had to…or else all humankind would be wiped out for all eternity. But they had the time to make new weapons…they were going to need every advantage they could get their hands on if they were to win this war. And with the weapons they had gathered, the Nirvana's Paeksis powered Gundams, along with the Templar, Morpheous, SwitchBlade Gundams, and the Gundams of the Yurenian siblings…they had a chance to win this battle if they could make weapons that could equalize against the new weapons and numbers advantages of the Harvester Forces.

 

*************

 

In one of the Verdant Soul's manufacturing plant's…

 

Parfet and her fellow engineers were busy working side by side with the combat engineers and technicians of the Taisians, and the Melanos survivors to create new weapons and technology, their main projects however were focused on the creation of the series of Mobile Suits that Parfet would be developing, using the data and plans of the three Gundams in the possession of the Nirvana…both the Morpheous and the SwitchBlade stayed with the pirates, and the same could be said with the Shinobi and Kunoichi Gundams of the Asuka siblings, both of whom agreed to aid in the creation of the new Mobile Suit series to help supplement the power of the Resistance.

 

Along with them was Kyo, who being the most experienced with the creation of custom OS systems helped in the design process. He was to aid in constructing the OS of the Mobile Suits which would be using the old Vanguard frame design and would be used by the pilots of the Crusader squadron. He also would help the others, by helping create parts of the OS for the rest of the Mobile Suit series that would be developed for not just the Melanos people, but also for the Delta 6 defense pilots, and the Taisians. The council decided that in order to make their forces more effective, they traded Mobile Suit designs…and also improved the designs of their current forces, namely their fighters and interceptor units to give their pilots who flew them, a fighting chance against the growing threat of the Harvesters and the massive invasion fleet.

 

It normally would take a long time to create a new Mobile Suit series even for just one faction…but with all of the Resistance giving all their manpower, resources, time, equipment, machines, materials, and facilities, it would take at least a week tops, in the mean-time the whole fleet would move soon out of the area, once the Nirvana's own Mobile Suit series was completed and the supplies, plans, equipment, and more which could help in the construction of spare units would be possible

 

The first part was experiment with the Mobile Suit version that copied the flexibility of the Morpheous Gundam with it's Form Packs. The Form packs would also be reversed engineered to create slightly simpler but no less lethal and effective versions for this version of the Morpheous Gundam. Once all the needed combat data was gathered from the OS and the recorders of the original Gundam, the data would serve as the plan basis and test bed of the new Mobile Suit series. It would still have some basic weapons when not using the Form Packs so it wasn't helpless in combat. The new Form Packs were already finished in design all they had to do now was to create and program them since they too would have basic CPUs and systems to use the `smart-magnets' plug system as the Morpheous.

 

The first Form Pack design was made for close combat, armed with a pair of beam boomerangs on either side of the shoulder guards, both which could be modified via OS to become spare beam sabers, and a pair of anti-ship swords which could connect to create a zwei-hander style weapon, along with it would be a special shield that could fire a pincer claw with a high tensile cable, and that could be used to catch a target to either drag it to the Mobile Suit or take the Mobile Suit to the target, or to act as a battering ram to knock away a target from the Mobile Suit, along with that, was the shield was armed with a small shield generator to deflect both beam, ballistic and explosive weapons. (*A)

 

The second Form Pack design favoured long range combat and was armed with a high powered pair of heavy beam cannons that were attached to the back and could be slung under the arms for use, the next was a weapons combination pod on both shoulders, each pod housed a pair of heavy assault beam chain-guns and an anti-ship torpedo pods and another weapon combination set attached to the lower legs, the pods were able to fire smaller but more numerous missiles and could fire grenades that fired small high impact explosive tipped anti-armour darts (**B)

 

The third Form Pack design favoured manoeuvrability and speed, the Pack would allow great speed in the realm of space and also flight on ground operations. It was armed with not just thrusters and flight wings, but also a pair of reachable anti-armour knives hidden near the shoulders, and also a pair or retractable plasma cannons located on the Form Pack which could be used when slung to the hips, along with that were a hidden set of weapons, including several heavy machine cannons, and a pair of advanced versions of the beam sabers (***C)

 

The fourth Form Pack design incorporated both the hologram system of the Koenig Form Pack and the Mirage Colloid system of the two Yurenian Gundams. The result was a sniper pack that could create illusions of the Mobile Suit which would act as bait while the Mirage Colloid system would mask the real Gundam. Due to the Morpheous Gundam's powerful energy supply, both systems could be used along with the Polaris Phase Shift Armour system. This gave the Gundam a useful edge in keeping hidden and fooling the enemy. (****D)

 

The fifth Form Pack copied the features of the Raiha Form pack, but they had to remove the use of the spears due to the weight and replaced them with a standard assault sword, but with what appeared to lamination liquid coating to lessen the danger of the weapon being broken by beam sabers or heavy beam blades. The weapon system was given another addition with an upgraded rail-gun cannon rifle that fired not just standard high armour piercing rounds, but also small EMP grenades from a lower launcher system, the grenades would hamper enemy systems and help the Mobile Suit unit using the Form pack in finishing off a massive target or multiple targets. (*****E)

 

The sixth and last Form Pack relied on the Galahad Form Pack and focused to combine elements from the first three Form Packs. Namely were the additions of twin rail-guns, a pair of anti-ship swords which were easy to reach from the hips, a set of heavy assault beam cannons and finally a special defensive shield with an attached beam boomerang which could be used as a short beam saber, and a powerful beam Vulcan gun and a beam shield emitter. (******F)

 

The second phase was to create a series of Mobile Suits which copied the abilities of Max's Templar Gundam unit. The HIMAT system installed in the Gundam was perfect for Parfet since it didn't have the complexity of the system possessed by Kyo's Gundam and that also of Dita's as well. The system was easy to grasp and she also relied on the original records from the time the Gundam of Kyo was in it's normal form. He system would mean that the second Mobile Suit series would be able to engage multiple targets at once using it's main cannons and other weapons, it however made sense it would be armed with beam sabers and some other tools for close to melee combat and defense.

 

The third was to create a series of Mobile Suits that followed the combat ability and function of the SwitchBlade. The Gundam's ability to convert from Mobile Suit form to Mobile Armour form and back would be valuable since both modes could omit the weaknesses of one another in combat. The Mobile Suit series based on this Gundam would be equal to a high speed strike team that could be deployed quickly, hold their ground in combat and then rapidly retreat and move to the next battle-zone. This unit would have to be a breed of both Vanguard and Dread models.

 

The fourth phase was to create for the people of Delta 6 another Mobile Suit series that would incorporate features from the first three and the two Gundams in their use, the Shinobi and the Kunoichi Gundams, the series based on them will also have their most distinguishing features which is none other than their Mirage Colloid System. The two siblings agreed to the use of the system and to have the system tested for other applications. Kyo was the first to put forward the idea of having a version of the Mirage Colloid to be used as a shielding system, and that was being tested now.

 

The name given to the Mobile Suit series in a sense was befitting their role as weapons…the Retribution series.

 

The next was to test some of the combat principles in their current machines, namely for the Melanos interceptors, and the Megele Dreads, along the fighters of the Taisians since thins was the first time they had so many design concepts in one place and they had to use all they had to their advantages. They were not going to toss out the use of Mobile Armours even with the advent of the Mobile Suit series they were developing since they would still be part of the war effort to counter the still present Cube Fighters, all they needed to do was develop ways to counter Mobile Suit attacks at close range and weapons that would help equalize against the swarm tactics favoured by the Harvesters when they fought.

 

This would mean that while they were on the move, the Nirvana would have to stay with them for at least two weeks. Such time lost would be a problem, but considering the new danger the Harvesters were sending their way, in the eyes of Buzam and Magno…it would be time well spent for them all. If they could at least have a chance to equalize, then so be it.

 

Naturally, the officers also allowed them all some down-time, even if they were working around the clock while they were with the Taisians, and considering how some of their crew worked…it would not be a bad idea either.

 

*************

 

Two days later…

 

“Man! I am exhausted…” Kyo said sadly as he was in a café drinking some hot chocolate, along with Dita, Jura, Meia, Sara, and Mai. All five girls saw how exhausted Kyo was since he had been up for two whole days, and rarely got sleep, making an OS program was hard enough, but to make custom OS for more than four Mobile Suit series, along with adding special functions was even harder…not to mention he had been busy also with the installation of other needed functions and also helped in developing the HiMAT system along with Max, and Duero. Both men were no doubt tired as hell, caring for the rest of the crew and helping out whenever possible.

 

As the young man drank his hot chocolate slowly and savoured the taste, the girls merely watched him and hoped that he would be fine, having been working for so long.

 

“Thanks for letting me take a break, I owe you all.” Kyo said with a tired smile as he finished his drink, a few minutes later.

 

“It was nothing. You need to relax too anyway.” Meia said for the others as they took drank some of their own drinks…also relaxing a bit, they too had been busy as the Nirvana' combat personnel were helping in the patrols to make sure the Nirvana and the rest of the Resistance were not suddenly attacked as the fleets were evenly spaced to avoid hitting each other when they stopped or presenting themselves too much a target.

 

The day they arrived in the plant, Kyo was busy in front of the monitor in the room, making any changes and correcting flaws. He looked tired the very second they saw him and it made them feel sad to know he was working hard…they knew he could force himself to move on, but they knew he would burn himself out at the rate he was going. So they had called Magno to ask if they could allow Kyo to take a break, to which the elderly woman nodded with a smile. Despite his earlier protests on finishing his work, he decided to go along, assured by the rest of the technicians under his command that they could handle it from here.

 

Once he got there, he had to contend with the fact that a lot of men, whether civilians or military were enjoying what they saw in the ladies that joined him. Jura in her normal garb with her sword strapped to her hip, Dita in her tank-top, jacket, mini-skirt, and boots. Meia in her form hugging flight suit with her chest/shoulder padding, along with her still present circlet. Mai in a short sleeved body suit and cut-off at mid thigh, with a jacket and short skirt with her boots, and Sara in a Chinese still dress. The men were looking like a pack of leering dogs…and that was enough make Kyo wanting to lash out at them and warn them to back off. He settled for a dark and very unfriendly glare which said only one phrase…

 

`BACK OFF!!'

 

The guys got the message and left that be, but they were grinning from ear to ear as they saw how close he was to the girls, and from they way helped him, how close they were to him, his enhanced hearing picked up what one of them said.

 

“Lucky bugger isn't he.”

 

Kyo smirked a bit at that statement when he thought about his girl situation…yeah…he was lucky, but how long will his luck hold anyway. For the fact remained that he was still unsure about being honest with how he felt for them. But for now…just being with them, alone, without a care in the universe for once…he felt at peace.

 

A flash of a memory came back to him in a second, him playing with the blonde woman with green eyes who he knew as his cousin, and his two siblings, all of them playing in the play-ground while their respective parents watched them. He felt how nice it was to be young again and not have a care in the world. Kyo smiled at that memory no matter how brief it was.

 

“Is something funny Kyo?” Jura asked as she and the others noted a smile on his face.

 

“Nothing, just…recalling a memory, they're coming back now…slowly but they're there.”

 

“What do you recall now?' Sara asked eagerly.

 

“I saw…my cousin and my brother and sister. We were playing in a play-ground while out parents were watching us. We were having a good time and it seemed that I didn't have a care in the world back then.” Kyo said with a sigh as he sat back and tried to recall anything else. But for now he then chose to table those thoughts aside as he felt sleepy. He had not slept well and he knew it as he yawned a bit.

 

The girls noted that and helped him a bit since he was really sleepy, the chocolate had begun to make him feel very relaxed and sleep seemed to be the first and only thing in Kyo's mind at the moment. Dita and Meia helped him up a bit, while Jura and the others hailed a cab and they all boarded it. He cab driver was a guy and to see that many females in his cab and in the different forms, a blonde bombshell, aqua-haired babe, sexy but innocent redhead, brunette, and a copper-haired cutie…he was lucky today, he knew who they were since the announcement came on who the Megele pirates were and them being the ones who fought with the Harvesters the longest, it was an honour for him to be taking them to where they had to go. He also felt a bit envious of the guy they were with, they seemed so attached to him. The driver put that aside and went to work.

 

“Where do I need to take you all?”

 

The girls handed the driver the data-pad over to the driver, who nodded and activated his ride. The Taisian Council had dedicated a small university style complex in the Verdant Soul's civilian quarters section for the crew of the Nirvana, the place was enough to house the crew who disembarked while being close enough for the pirates to return to the ship which as still being guarded by their security teams and by the Taisian troops. The ship had been left totally unharmed and Buzam was in charge of keeping the ship ready for the time when they had to continue to move to Talark and Megele. For now the crew who were too tired were allowed to rest there since the complex too had a hospital, and that was where they were fully recovering.

 

Later…

 

Kyo was busy sleeping peacefully as he lay on the bed in his under shirt and shorts, having been able to take off his clothes before hitting the bed and sleeping the very second his head hit the pillows. The Gundam pilot wondered what the girls were doing now while he was still out cold…having been working for two days can really tire out a guy, and for now he was sleeping well, unmindful of the facts that the women were in the room…in the bed-room watching him.

 

Dita, Meia, Jura, Sara, and Mai all spent their time looking at him, merely admiring his face and wondering what they would do, some of them wanted to chat with him, but they knew how tired he was right now and so they allowed him to sleep when they got to his suite in the apartment complex, but that certainly didn't stop them from ogling him in his sleep, even before he unconsciously took the blankets to cover himself, they had seen his lean, well sculpted frame, and even if he was indeed wearing clothes, it certainly didn't mean in the least that they were not in admiration of his form. And now that he was sleeping and looking blissfully relaxed, it was a sight.

 

Kyo was tired and sleepy…so it was not very surprising that he was unaware of his surroundings, however if he could read the minds of his female companions, he would have woke up and high-tailed out of the room and hide.

 

Jura was wondering what she could do now that Kyo was asleep…she was certainly VERY tempted to take advantage of him there and then, but she restrained herself since the others were there, she certainly didn't plan on having a fight with the others and getting Kyo angry since he really needed sleep right now, and she certainly wasn't an exhibitionist. She did have experience with sex, but that was when she was with a partner, and certainly not with others in the room, Dita, Meia, Sara and Mai were her comrades, but for some reason, she wanted her chance with Kyo to be special. But the temptation was strong enough to make her reconsider the idea and find a way to get Kyo alone with her.

 

Meia recalled the times she had seen Kyo sleeping, and for a very special treat before his time being her bed-mate was when she made the mistake of asking if he could stay close to her until she slept, her fahma and sometimes her ohma would do the same. She had tried to erase that slip of the tongue, but Kyo agreed and when she held him close she didn't let him go, and that was by far the most interesting night she had, (NOT THAT WAY) and she loved to feeling of his warmth…but now she was beginning to have more…indecent thoughts, having seen him nude before on a few occasions. She may have had been in a few relationships in the past, but they were very brief and very simple, just the release of physical desire, nothing intimate or of the `passionate' sort, but with Kyo…it was a different story, and she wanted to desperately be closer to him but reminded herself that she wasn't alone in this room and doing so would attract some serious trouble from everyone else…plus she didn't even want to guess what the rest of the crew would say if she DID have sex with Kyo. That however certainly didn't stop a part of her mind planning ways on what do when she was finally alone with Kyo.

 

Dita likewise wanted to cuddle up to Kyo and be close to him, but after the times she had kissed him and the time he admitted that he really liked her, the redhead began to have thoughts on taking it a bit further. She was a young woman and being with Kyo had invoked new and very warm, strange feelings, she had been feeling them grow stronger for as long as she was with Kyo, namely when she had seen him nude several times and when she kissed him. There was growing desire in her to get more intimate with Kyo and the images of her own nubile form being close to Kyo's was becoming a bit more frequent, even more so when she was near him in bed. She didn't act on them since she didn't know yet if Mr. Alien felt THAT way about her yet…and being in the room with others was not a good thing to her…but it was true that she was hoping that the others would leave soon so she could be alone with Kyo.

 

Sara wondered why she suddenly had this desire flow into her as she looked at Kyo's serene face. Having recalled the VERY stimulating scene of Kyo taking a shower and recalling the time she had seen him naked and even came to touch him all those months before had a very unsettling effect on her body, at times she had dreams about her…she blushed horribly as she recalled those sinful thoughts and tried not to think about them. He WAS her superior after all and it would be a serious thing if she did try it. The thought of her having…sex with Kyo would have in the past horrified her to no end, but now…she felt as if she could do with without batting an eyelash and she would enjoy it. But getting into a fight with the others was not a very healthy option for her…but a part of her brain didn't relent on the thoughts and also was planning on what to do once she got time to get Kyo alone with her.

 

Mai was in the very same boat as the others, she too wondered why for some reason, looking at Kyo was making her think very indecent things. She had been feeling these emotions for a while no, and they were growing, even more so when she had seen him nude twice. She too had touched him in the Nirvana communal bath like the others all those months before and those had left an impact on her that merely touching Kyo at times would sometimes make her feel a little weird, not bad weird…but good weird. She was no stranger to intimacy but the idea of being with a man in that sense was totally new to the young woman. However that certainly didn't stop her from imagining the idea, and a part of her was now planning on how to do that…for real once Kyo and her were alone.

 

*************

 

Of course…he wasn't the only one of the male Nirvana crew members who was being ogled while they rested.

 

*************

 

Elsewhere…

 

Duero was busy resting on a nearby table in his own given quarters, which was near the medical bay of the complex, his arms acting as pillows while he was lightly snoring, unlike Bart who snored loudly, Duero was a light snoring type of man and right now he needed to sleep. He had been busy integrating some new medical techniques, supplies and equipment while working with the rest of the Medical personnel no the World Ship who helped him treat the wounded and recovering patients on the Nirvana. After that, he was happy to know that they would be back on their feet in two days. But his work was far from finished.

 

He had been gathering new medical supplies, along with more books and material to still work on his research, along with historical records on the events that led to the Days of Despair and the years after the Bloody Valentine Massacre on Junius 7 and the War between the Earth Alliance and Z.A.F.T before the Junius 7 Peace Accord and the Cosmic Era of Reunification.

 

Being a First Class citizen, he had been exposed to history, however, he knew that most of the historical records on Talark had been doctored by the Talark Government's Propaganda Section for their own purposes, in the doctored history, men were the ones who lived in Earth and Space and fought against women who in turn were the ones who started the conflict by invading Earth…and only by the blood of their ancestors were humans able to reach beyond the stars until the women followed them and enslaved them, until Grand Pa and the first Generation freed man from the vile grasp of women and founded Talark, thus they will always be in conflict with the women until the end of time, that was today's history.

 

He had no doubt in his mind that the women had their own version of history, and with them being the heroes or heroines and men were the vile cowards who left them to suffer. Thus he had no doubt that not just the men of his world, but the women on Parfet's world were also unable to know the true history between men and women and their true relationships as two halves of humanity.

 

He wanted to have all the records he was able to get in order to determine the true events that led to this era, so to clarify things, and what better way than to get unbiased information, and compare them from the ones he had already on hand, and his most trusted source were the undisturbed records that were hidden deep in the Ikazuchi and the records that the Resistance member factions had. This was a tough task, but he believed that this would help remove the lie that kept both Megele and Talark from learning the truth and would help them make the move to stand united against the soon to come Harvester invasion.

 

One of the trade-offs with such a noble plan…was sheer mental exhaustion, as he found out while he was only 30% finished. And he was human after all…

 

Parfet came into the room, hoping to speak to Duero after she too had been driven to exhaustion while working, sure she could handle a few days hard work, but not with projects this important to the defeat of the Harvesters that were now on the move. She then saw that both of them were very tired from their respective work, but she knew that Duero would be having body pains so despite her dislike of disturbing Duero from his well deserved rest she had to wake him up.

 

“Duero? Please wake up.”

 

“W-What?”

 

Duero said with a hint of annoyance since he was finally getting to relax a bit, he was a consummate professional and didn't mind waking up early, but he was also a human being so he too was not in the mood to be awakened. However once the sleepiness faded he smiled a bit as he spotted Parfet who still wore her glasses.

 

“What is it Parfet?”

 

“Nothing that needs your…attention, but I wanted you to wake up so…you can sleep in your bed, I think that would be a lot more comfortable.”

 

Duero thought about that for a second and agreed silently. Though he didn't mind sleeping in the position he was in so he could immediately continue his work, he was a doctor and he knew that waking up in a position such as the one he was in was an open invitation to back pains, cramps and sore muscles, and he didn't need such things while working and that would inhibit his performance as a doctor, besides…a bed certainly was a far better option right now.

 

Both walked to the bed room and there was the bed in his quarters, spacious enough for Duero and also for another person though Parfet did have her own room, as did every other member of the Nirvana crew. As soon as he got there, he thanked Parfet and then took off his trench-coat, apparently his exhaustion made him unable to realize that Parfet was next to him, as soon as he put aside his trench coat ,he lay down on the bed gingerly and sighed at the soft covers and mattress, and the very second his head hit the pillows, Duero McFile was out like a light…which naturally allowed Parfet to gaze at him in full form since he had not taken on the blanket to cover himself up.

 

She had seen him when he took of his trench coat, but that was when they were professionals and working on shifts, though there were private moments, she couldn't take it too far since the rest of the crew were watching and her fellow engineers would tease her about that, but for some reason, now that they were alone in private…she began to feel rather warm as she looked Duero's exposed form on the sheets, in his unzipped, short-sleeved body suit and boots. He was lean and well sculpted and it was true that she had seen his form nude already when they all had managed to peek into the private bathing quarters on the men's side…but now she felt this desire to run her hands over his firm and hard chest…

 

Parfet then felt a raging heat take over her as she looked in the nearby mirror and saw her deep red blush, but she still couldn't deny how…desirable and sexy Duero looked in his relaxed and yes, vulnerable state. The bang of hair that covered his face parted aside, allowing Parfet the chance to admire his handsome features, that added more fire to her as she began to squirm as she felt warm all over her body, namely in the juncture of her thighs. And to further add fuel to the fire she began to have images in her head about her being able to…

 

<Oooooh! What am I going to do?!>

 

Parfet thought in a bit of a panic, part of her wanted to leave the room since she might do something that might not only get her into trouble with Duero, but make their friendship difficult, on the other hand… a part of her was egging her own to take advantage of how vulnerable Duero was in his sleep, to touch his hot skin, to feel his hard muscles, to take in his scent and…

 

Parfet sighed as she shook her head. Sure, like any woman on Megele, she too had been given sex education, and was familiar with the mechanics, but ever since her friendship with Duero had gone to the higher levels…and seeing him in his naked glory…well, she wondered if…

 

<Calm down! Now isn't the time.>

 

She knew that train of thought to be true as she was still very tired and her body needed rest, since she was already in a bed-room she might as well get some sleep. She took off the top part of her engineer's jump-suit and then took off the lower part along with her boots, leaving her with her tank-top on and her normal pair of shorts, the same design and make as that of her top. She then took off her glasses as her mind, craving sleep made her lie down next to Duero, as soon as that happened…she squealed a bit in joyful surprise when Duero reflexively placed his arm around her and drew her closer to him, she smiled as she took up the blanket to cover them both as she snuggled up to Duero.

 

*************

 

In another part of the complex…

 

Max sighed as he held the cup of hot milk that Barnette had given him. He had been busy as well as his brother was. He had been gathering extra supplies and also helped in the development of the Mobile Suit series that would be using his Gundam as the basis for the design system. Thus, apart from taking his brother's place in the Medical Bay, he was also busy looking for whatever supplies that they might need, and like his elder sibling was also looking for more information, for now however he was on rest break as he was in his own quarters, namely the living room. Next tom him was Barnette who was still in her normal attire, right now she was busy.

 

Barnette got out a small pack of snacks that she knew as carrot and celery sticks with some cream and handed them to Max, who quickly ate his food in relish, famished from not eating well enough since two days past. Max smiled warmly as the food and drink flowed down his stomach and he felt his body relax.

 

“Thanks Barnette…I wish I was a bit more helpful though, I feel kind of helpless and men don't like the feeling all that much.”

 

“I take it being helpless is frowned upon?” Barnette asked as she placed some more of the food to Max and watched him as he ate voraciously. She didn't mind looking at him, and since she had already eaten, she wanted to spend as much time as she could with Max while he was on a break, no matter how short or long it was going to be.

 

“Not really…but being battle-hardened and ingrained with the will to survive no matter what the challenge can make you feel the need to show you're not helpless in anything. It's a normal thing back home.”

 

Barnette nodded as she sat next to Max and they chatted for a while, she liked having to talk with him in a civil situation for once, and thankfully she didn't have to worry about anyone interfering with the conversation. They began to just chat about normal things, namely about each other, about Barnette's family back home, and how life had been for Max before being in the military. The conversation went on for a few more minutes until Barnette noted that Max had fallen asleep on the couch, and was now leaning a bit on her shoulder. She couldn't help but feel a bit flustered and hot, and not due to the temperature outside, since the temperature regulators of the complex took care of that.

 

As she began to run her hands through Max's unbound locks of hair, she took off her gloves and felt the hair, smiling at how smooth the hair looked. She also blushed a bit more as she felt the warmth radiating from his hard form. Looking down and seeing how close his body was to hers, she began to have some rather interesting thoughts…the same ones she had been having ever since becoming closer to Max, learning how men and women had children, and finally…seeing him naked… She began to recall her many dreams and wondered if she could…

 

<Damn! Why is it now that I am feeling these desires?! Why is it I want to…>

 

Barnette sighed and wondered just how such a thing would feel…Jura HAD told her on how she felt when Kyo kissed her and what she felt when she and him nearly had sex. The way the blonde pilot had described the sensations made Barnette hot and bothered…even more so when she saw herself and Max doing the same things Jura said she and Kyo had done on the desert world before. She began to reach out and take Max's hands…

 

<No…don't do that! How do you know if he is willing anyway?!>

 

Barnette controlled herself and sighed as she too was feeling tired. She decided to take a light nap and make a warm meal for Max when he would wake up from his own nap. Nodding to that thought she hugged Max and placed her head on his and smelled his scent, which she liked and snuggled up to Max as both began to rest…both unaware how…intriguing their postures were.

 

*************

 

In the Nirvana…namely the male created sub-bridge…

 

Buzam was busy on her own side of the bench, so to speak. The bronze skinned and silver haired woman worked on sending the latest message pods to both Talark and Megele, the situation they were in needed a quick resolution and had to be done as fast as possible, with the Nirvana soon to reach home, it was invaluable that current events be relayed to Talark and Megele to make the possibility of an alliance between both races to be possible. There were some of the pirates who were on duty and naturally accompanied her to her work, and assisted her.

 

The woman then went to the pod designated to be sent to the world of men and installed the data. She however typed in several special code locks that amazingly enough were in the language of the men. But not the normal language…something more complex and coded in a unique fashion that she only seemed to know about. Most of the pirates chalked that up to Buzam being an elite so she wasn't bothered by any of them as she worked.

 

Buzam knew that both worlds would have hardliners who by nature would try and discredit the reports, her conversations with both Max and Aleck proved that to her, and it was natural to assume that neither government would budge that easily from the century long war they had been in. This hopefully would be enough to convince the men and women to consider making an alliance or defense pact.

 

Since the Nirvana was docked next to the Verdant Soul, and in one of the massive ship hangers, it was hardly surprising that Buzam had no problem releasing the pods, which still possessed the masking systems to make them appear as Harvesters, but this time they were using an updated recognition system to avoid them being destroyed by the new Harvester forces.

 

As Buzam looked out to see the pods gone, she went back to her duties on the ship, there was still a lot of work left to do and time was not on their side. As the women were out of sight, Buzam took out a few of the coloured pills that Bart had handed her before, during the Christmas celebration, she smiled and ate them, and amazingly, she didn't get disturbed by the taste of the tasteless pills…

 

But seemed to like them.

 

*************

 

Inside a hidden Mobile Suit…

 

The pilot sighed as he kept track of the massive fleet that was moving along the way. He spotted the fleet shortly after activating his Mobile Suit's system cloak in order to avoid giving away his position, and staying close enough to track the fleet, but keep out of their own sensor range. He knew that it won't be long before he would be spotted…and considering all he had done…he would not blame every last person in the fleet for wanting him dead…

 

And maybe…he deserved to die.

 

But the people who found him and spared his life said that he still had a part to play in the play of life, whether it will be for good or for evil was up to him. He had seen enough to know what would await him if he sided with evil. And what he had experienced, learned, and what been able to learn about the enemy further hardened his resolve that if he had time left to be alive in this universe, it was now time for him to make amends for his past though how slim it may be.

 

He owed the people who saved him that much…even if in some way he too was responsible for what they had to endure for nearly a generation. If what he will give would give the human race, the same race he betrayed a fighting chance, then so be it, and if his death would finally make up for all the lives he had led to the slaughter, and give them some measure of peace in the after-life…then so be it.

 

He also knew that now…there was one who could lead the humans to victory over their enemy…it was once the place he wanted to have for himself, but he was not the one to take that place. He allowed his arrogance and greed to blind him, but not anymore…after this, if he lived, he would guide that one man to where he needed to be, to regain what he had lost. And if he died, then the result would still be the same.

 

He put those thoughts aside and powered up his Mobile Suit and went on to follow the fleet of the Resistance.

 

*************

 

A few hours later… in the after-noon…

 

(Make-out time!)

 

Kyo woke up and yawned a bit as he sat up on the bed…wondering for a moment just where her was this time. As his memories came back on what happened the morning before he wondered if the girls were still there in the room with him. He looked about and found that they were not there right now…apparently they didn't try anything on him and for that he was a bit thankful, though…a part of him was somewhat disappointed.

 

He quickly banished such thoughts with a shake of his head as he got out and stretched his arms a bit to work out some stiffness he found there. He moved out of the room and headed for the bath-room to take a quick shower and then get a glass of water for drinking since he had to relax and soon, get back to work, it was also later he realized that he hadn't taken his lunch yet, apparently he was so tired, he had skipped eating. He put those thoughts aside for the moment and went on with his bath.

 

Since he was still in his room and in the bath, it was hardly surprising that he didn't hear the chiming of the door alarm showing that it let someone into his quarters. The intruder turned out to be Dita who went there to check on Kyo after she and the others decided to leave him alone to get some rest after such a long day. She also knew that Kyo would not have eaten yet ever since the moment he went to sleep and being the ever caring girl that she was…she decided to cook something for him.

 

The redhead immediately made a beeline to the kitchen and began to check what she had to work with in the supplies of food and ingredients.

 

Later…

 

<Ahhhh….finally, I haven't had a decent bath in a while.>

 

Kyo thought mentally to himself as he switched to wearing a soft cotton shirt and short pants, his clothes had been placed in the laundry for cleaning when he stepped out of the bath-room, with his wet towel now joining the pile that was to be picked up by laundry service inside the complex. That was when he smelled something being cooked the very second he got out of the room and was in the living room. He then made a beeline into the kitchen and before he knew it, he collided with someone…and that someone was a certain redhead.

 

“Ahhhhh!!!”

 

“What the?!”

 

As both bodies nearly fell to the floor, they were both lucky that they were near a counter so they were not able to fall on the floor. Kyo had naturally reached out with both arms, one to steady himself and the other to catch whoever it was he collided with. Thus when he looked he found himself staring at Dita…who was wearing an apron over her normal clothes and she had her hands to her chest in a cross fashion, just covering her breasts which were somewhat easy to see due to two things, the apron was covering her form very well and due to the accidental meeting, and the fact that Kyo and her were VERY close to one another…

 

Dita looked back at him and the male Gundam pilot found out that his fellow female Gundam pilot sported a furious blush that was the colour of her own hair all over her cheeks, like the skin of a tomato. And he knew he was having the same look too, considering the VERY compromising situation they were in…he had her in his arms, her lithe and well formed body moulded to his own, along with the fact that one of his legs was between the juncture of her own legs, allowing him to feel their very INTIMATE closeness, and naturally…the fact that there were only a few centimetres between their faces added to that. Before he could apologize for this situation and move away…Dita, uncharacteristically took the chance from him as reached out with her arms, which she freed and kissed Kyo square on the lips.

 

Apparently, despite still being sixteen, Dita was becoming more and more mature, no doubt being with the crew for so long, and naturally, no doubt the war they were in was taking a toll on her, and she knew that she needed to grow up a little bit more, though she knew Kyo liked her the way she was and didn't want her to change. But she knew her feelings for Kyo had changed…considerably.

 

In the past, she had started the relationship they had merely out of her desire to learn about men, who she thought as aliens, ever since she was a child, and Kyo was the first man she met and thus started their relationship…if one would call it that, over time it grew stronger and she recalled how many times she felt the emotions Kyo's mere presence invoked in her. She felt so warm, safe, and happy near him, and even when he smiled, she felt warmth flow from her face to her toes, and the times she kissed him, the feelings ran like hot water and electricity from her skin to every point of her body, not to mention the happy times she had with Kyo, how mad he was when Rabat injured her and how he reacted in her defense. She knew that what she felt wasn't some form of infatuation, or a passing crush, as her childhood friends would call it…but love.

 

Yes she was in love with Kyo, and she knew he felt the same way, and she wasn't as ditzy as some would care to think…she knew that Jura, Meia, Sara, and Mai were showing the signs that they too, like her had the same feelings for Kyo, though it was only now that she was acting on these strong feelings she had for Kyo. She was somewhat familiar with love and some of the physical intimacy involved in it, but that form of education was based on her world's principles and culture…so this was unfamiliar territory for her, to be in love with a man…and wanting to show that love too, she was willing to do that though, since she was now curious, in a mature way, on how it would feel to be intimate with a man, and to show that love to Kyo.

 

Kyo tried desperately to rein in his desires, but the way Dita kissed him and holding him made that near to impossible and just like before, when he was with Jura in her room a few months before…he gave into his hormones and male instincts.

 

He reached out and untied the apron from both Dita's waist and neck, and with a quick motion, without them separating at all. Once that was out of the way he went on to kissing Dita passionately, to which the redhead replied, in the same but very innocent fashion. Knowing that despite her sudden change in attitude towards him, she was still innocent in all this, he took things slowly…

 

He kissed her further, nipping her lips gently and brushing the bitten spots with his tongue, gently prodding Dita to open her mouth a bit, which the redhead did slowly. He reached out with his tongue and touched Dita's own, prompting a moan from the young woman and making her grip on him tighter…she then responded with her own tongue as they began to kiss deeply, though both did this carefully, Dita, being this was her first time kissing a man, and Kyo, while not as innocent, due to having done this kind of kissing, what was the term again? Oh yeah, `French Kiss, with Jura before, did this one carefully and gently so as to not frighten Dita. It didn't take long for Dita to free herself from her shell though as she began to kiss back more intensely and their little tongue duel became more heated.

 

Two minutes passed since they kissed and Kyo took that further, though he had to break the contact between them. Dita moaned and whined a bit at the loss of contact, and naturally voiced her complaint.

 

“Mr. Alien! Don't…ahhhhh!!!”

 

Dita' moaned in bliss when Kyo kissed her neck and nipped lightly at her skin, and then kissed her on the chin, her vision was hazy somewhat as Kyo smiled at her, in a very sexy and mischievous way.

 

“You were saying something Dita?”

 

“Uhhhh…”

 

“Didn't think so.” He said with a gentle smile, to which Dita could only blush as sweat began to gather on her form…and on his.

 

Kyo went back to what he was doing, and kissed Dita once more for good measure, he recalled what he had done with Jura before, and hoped that it would be all right. Putting those thoughts aside for the moment, he then went on to remove her jacket, forcing Dita to release him from her grip, which she did so with obvious reluctance. Once that was out of the way, he went on to kiss her shoulders and the column of muscle and skin to her neck, kissing and nipping it gently, along with a few soft but firm licks from his tongue, another idea he wanted to try though where he had the idea was beyond him, until he reached her collar-bones, and did the same, while running his hands through her hair, marvelling at the smooth and wavy feel of her crimson strands, he was hardly surprised, since women loved to take care of their hair, Jura was one example and even Meia showed signs of…he put the thoughts aside for now since his brain was very much moving on hormonal instinct at this point. He then went further to taste some of the sweat that Dita had, gathering on the middle of the juncture of her collar-bones, making Dita whimper a bit more

 

Dita however reciprocated his actions and did the same as she reached out and touched his own hair, running her fingers through the strands, marvelling at how soft and smooth they were, she then frowned a bit as she reached the cloth band that held Kyo's hair in the ponytail that he always had, even when piloting in his uniform. She removed it quickly and ran her hands into the locks of the now released chocolate brown strands. She went even further and managed to get Kyo to stop his actions and look at her and to which she kissed him on the lips and even took a drop of sweat on the upper side of his mouth…making her blush at what she had just done…while making Kyo blush and smirk at the rather…sensual action on the redhead's part.

 

The two went at it a bit more as Kyo reached with his arms and reached Dita's chest, namely her breasts and before the young woman could say anything, he began to massage them gently, kneading and moulding them like a sculptor would mould clay in his or her hands. The reaction of the redhead was obvious as she moaned louder and then wrapped her arms to his back, raking her fingers on the cloth fabric and feel the hard muscles underneath. Kyo went on with his actions until Dita couldn't help herself but moan and squirm…which due to their positions to begin with made her rub herself on Kyo, arousing the Gundam pilot more and more.

 

Kyo then did what he had done with Jura before, but first he had to remove Dita's tank-top, he moved only the upper portion of the cloth and he gazed at Dita's perky and well formed breasts, though they were not as large as Jura's, they were fit for Dita's age and figure. Kyo smiled as he was now dully controlled by his hormones as he gazed at Dita, now seeing that her blush had reached her chest, and her rapid breathing made her breasts heave a bit…that had a result as he felt his manhood become even harder and was now prodding Dita's right thigh…rather insistently if he could still tell with what wits he still had left in his brain, right now his male hormones were on riot mode as he finished his kissing and leaned to kiss the valley between both fleshy, cream coloured mounds...making Dita moan and hold him closer.

 

She HAD intended to ask him if he knew what was that warm, soft yet hard thing that was rubbing on her leg, but the moment Kyo kissed her in that area between her breasts, that plan flew out of her mind like beam bolt fired from a beam cannon…which was now replaced on how soft Kyo's lips were and the hot sensation they left on her. Dita couldn't even begin to fathom how could being this intimate with Mr. Alien would make her feel so hot, vulnerable, helpless, and hungry all at once! But she wasted little time in understanding those things as she ran her hands to his face, running her fingers over his features and guiding his face to where she anted him to be, and when he came there…he acted.

 

He finally managed to feel her breasts without the tank-top barring his way, he went slower and more gently tan when he was with Jura since Dita, being very innocent about the whole thing, still had to get used to the sensations, but her innocent moans were driving that idea out of his mind rather effectively. He rolled her nipples slowly, and gently, he felt both breasts and cupped them, then he went to what he had in mind, he licked the nipple of Dita's left breast and made the redhead yelp in surprise, pleasant surprise at that. He then took in the hardened pebble into his mouth and began to lave more oral attention on it, gently biting it with the right amount of pressure, licking it with his tongue, and then he kissed it and sucked it for a few seconds while licking the aureole and doing that plus kissing the breast, he went and did the same to her other breast while massaging the other with his hand and still cupping his new target.

 

Dita was mewling in pleasure and wasn't going to soon forget this moment and wanted to get even closer to Kyo, and did so has she held him even tighter.

 

Kyo then saw images of the others run into his mind, Meia, Jura, Sara, and Mai and realized that he was hurting them once more, he felt that like the time with Jura, he was betraying their feelings for him. He had been becoming even closer to them and this would be getting him in even more hot water, he wondered just when would he finally be able to handle his girl problems one of these days. He knew that what he was doing was wrong in two ways, the first was obviously the fact that he was betraying the feelings he had for the other girls in his life, and the second was that despite his change in attitude, he wasn't going to take advantage of Dita's innocence and feelings for him…namely in this fashion, he wanted to make sure that he set things straight with not just her, but the others as well…he knew he would be asking for some serious flak from all this, and he knew that Dita's feelings might be hurt, but his time talking with Osso, and Captain Magno made him realize that while that would be unavoidable, he should at least be honest about it…though after all they had just done…this would prove to be far harder than anything he had done before…

 

<God…I really need help…> He said to himself as despite his hormones raging in him once more…he moved away from Dita…who whimpered at the loss of contact and before he knew what was happening, she began to cry.

 

“What's wrong Mr. Alien? I'm not sexy or beautiful enough?”

 

“No Dita, you are that, I just don't think now is the right time for this.” Kyo said as he gathered the whimpering redhead in his arms and then held her face upwards and kissed her, gently, like before. Dita responded to the kiss and hugged Kyo, the kiss lasted for a minute, but to both of them, it was far longer than a mere sixty seconds. He then placed his right finger on her lips as the y broke away to silence her protest and spoke.

 

“We have a lot to do and there are too many things going on, plus I don't feel all right about this, for a several reasons. I know…it's hard for you, and it is the same for me…but please trust me…when all we face is over, or at least has not followed us, then I will tell you why and when, please, for my sake.”

 

Dita whimpered and despite some tears, she wiped them away and nodded, trusting that soon, she could REALLY show Kyo how much she loved him, and how much she wanted to be with him, no matter what fate awaits him and her, she knew that she would get into trouble with the others, namely her comrades Jura and Meia, along with Sara and Mai, but she wanted to at least be with Kyo, no matter what stood in her way, until she and him were one.

 

“All right, I promise…”

 

They were able to calm down, and just in time too as they heard the chime of the bell that told them that the door to the room was open, realizing what that meant, both Dita and Kyo worked together to clean up the kitchen to hide what was happening. And they made it as Magno and Buzam came into the room.

 

“Hello Captain, Commander.” Kyo said with a smile as he greeted the two older women.

 

“Hello Kyo, I see you've finally awakened since your nap, I hope that you don't mind we discuss plans here in your quarters before we all have to leave soon for Talark and Megele?” Buzam asked professionally as both women sat down, while Dita, who now wore her clothes to the original order, placed some food on the table and smiled warmly as she placed Kyo's meal before him, and something in her smile made Kyo blush a bit faintly and touched Dita's hand to thank her, making her blush too. They hoped that both older women didn't notice that…

 

BC was on her professional mode and didn't mind or notice the exchange as she worked on what they had do in her head. But Magno was different, she noted the exchange and smiled warmly.

 

< I see…hmm, things will be even MORE interesting now!>

 

*************

 

Author's notes:

 

Well, I hope that you all enjoyed the intimate scene between Dita and Kyo, since it was brought to my attention that Dita has not yet been intimate with Kyo, so I hope that this will give you readers a taste of what to expect soon when we DO get to the real lemony parts. You can suggest changes to this scene if you like…just follow procedures.

 

And for all readers who are Parfet X Duero couple fans and I KNOW that there some in the site, I hope that I have your attention with this bit…cause when I get back to updating this story…

 

It will be their turn!!! That's right, Duero and Parfet are now about to get intimate!!!

 

Care to stick around? Ideas for their turn are welcome!

 

*************

 

Elsewhere…

 

<Hmmm….I never realized how tired I was until today. Well, at the very least I managed to rest.>

 

Duero began to shake the cobwebs in his mind as he began to rouse himself from his sleep. He knew that sleeping would help a great deal after two days of non-stop work. But now it was all worth it…however due to his still sleep relaxed mind he was unable to comprehend the fact that he was in bed, as soon as he did, he tried to figure out why he suddenly felt very comfortable. Though it was true that he was feeling comfortable and the beds were quite comfortable that what he used to sleep in when back on the men's side, it wasn't THIS comfortable, he moved his arm and that was when he felt a form was lying next to him.

 

He was quickly awakened by that fact and then looked to see a mass of brown hair and a familiar female face without her glasses. Duero looked to find himself in a rather unique situation and apparently, the male side of his personality was now acting on the same emotions and desires that he had been feeling and Kyo had taken the time to explain to him. He moved away the blanket that covered the plucky head engineer, and looked at her form, bare of the engineer's jumpsuit that she normally wore, and was in her tank-top and what appeared to be shorts that were of the same material as the top and was near the upper portion of her knees, she also had taken off her boots and socks, thus leaving her barefooted.

 

The fact that she was sleeping as well as he was, certainly wasn't lost at all to the male doctor as, what Kyo explained to be his body's naturally reactions to women, he studied her, admiring her form, as he found himself doing many times since he had been introduced to the side of his male being that had been suppressed ever since being born on Talark. He looked at her while sitting on the bed in cross legged fashion.

 

He was still unsure about what Kyo had told him, but followed the Gundam pilot's advice and just do things slowly. He looked at every curve and swell of Parfet's figure. He immediately felt his body react to the feelings in him as he gazed at his only female friend on the Nirvana. And now he was in the same boat as Kyo was, but in a slightly different mind set. He knew from his conversations with Kyo that he did like Parfet more than he himself would care to admit, and from what Kyo had told him about how women acted at times, he knew that Parfet had deep feelings for him too, however he had no idea on how to act on such things, since he had been always using the scientific and analytical approach on all things he did, but the emotions this situation inspired in him were beyond his reasoning. But that certainly didn't mean they were unpleasant.

 

He looked at her form from face, to her upper torso, he immediately slapped himself mentally for staring at Parfet's breasts, and had to struggle not to fall to the still unknown urges to touch them, for fear of making a mistake that could hurt Parfet. He looked at her form and admired how…attract' she was when not wearing either glasses or her jump-suit. He realized just how grossly inaccurate was the word plain on Parfet, she was beautiful to him, why, he had no idea. He also resisted the temptation to touch her, since not only would she wake up, but he didn't want to break the atmosphere of the situation.

 

As he began to look even more he was unaware of the fact that Parfet herself was now awakening.

 

<Wow…I never had such a good sleep before, and I feel as if I'm being watched over by someone I care about.>

 

Parfet moaned a bit, barely heard as she began to move up, she had felt so safe and warm, even warmer as if she was being observed by someone. As she turned, she opened her eyes and panicked a bit when she did as she found herself alone on the bed and wondered just where Duero went, that is until she looked up and found Duero staring intently at her. Now she knew why she was feeling goose bumps on her skin for some reason, and now she was feeling rather hot and flustered. The way Duero stared at her was both unnerving and very attractive, as if she was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on, that fact made the engineer blush harder. She was plain by the standards of her home-planet, but when she was around Duero she felt beautiful.

 

The two then stared at one another, intently, Duero's onyx gaze delving deep into Parfet's amelyst gaze as well. The silence in the room was deafening as the two stared and unknown to the two, they began to get closer to one another as Duero edged closer, and so did Parfet, even if they didn't intend to at first. They were so lost in another's eyes that they moved ever closer…until they kissed each other suddenly.

 

It was at that same moment that both of them became aware of the ramifications of what they had just done.

 

Duero realized that he had just become the first man of Talark to kiss a woman from Megele…and not get his life sucked out of him.

 

Parfet realized that she had just become the first woman of Megele to kiss a man from Talark…and not become sick or infected.

 

Both also realized how each other tasted and…they loved it as they kissed a bit harder.

 

If there were any remaining traces of their world's teachings about the opposite gender that forbade such things in their minds…they had just been stuffed in the air-lock and shot out into space!!!

 

Both Duero and Parfet continued their first kiss, amazed at what they were feeling. Duero couldn't help but smile mentally at how soft and supple Parfet's lips were, and the same could be said for Parfet who was amazed at how nice and warm Duero's own lips felt. The kiss was simple and rather clumsy, since neither of the two had been in any previous relationships that included physical intimacy…but that certainly didn't mean that it didn't have an effect on them as they drew ever closer. Both of them then closed their eyes and as the kiss became more passionate…

 

Duero then opened his mouth to voice out a moan, at the very same moment, Parfet's tongue was licking the inside of her teeth and naturally had passed her lips, and then she realized that she was now kissing Duero with her mouth open and her tongue was now touching him INSIDE his mouth.

 

The taste was…something else…it wasn't bad, just different, she couldn't begin to describe the taste, but she could certainly describe the feel inside Duero's mouth. Warm, smooth, wet, hot, soft, and delicious! She delved deeper, and then moaned even more as Duero's own tongue tentatively touched hers as well, the result was both of them moaning in each other's mouths, exciting both at the same time…and making them more aroused.

 

Both remained in their kiss as they deepened their osculation. Duero then felt a strange urge telling him to reach out and touch her, which he followed…as he ran his hands on her face, carefully. Parfet felt his hands, warm and calloused on her face, but didn't mind the roughness, since they felt…nice. The woman moaned even more as the doctor finished his exploration right on her breasts a minute or two later.

 

Duero felt the softness, firmness, and weight of Parfet's bosom and marvelled at then, but he wondered just what he should do now…he then recalled the image of the naked man massaging his female partner's breasts while she too was naked in the video he and his brother had seen. He didn't know the full mechanics of the actions…but tried it anyway, as he gently moved his hands on the fleshy orbs, through Parfet's tank-top.

 

Parfet moaned warmly as she felt Duero's warmth through her tank-top. The fact that Duero had no knowledge about women shined through to her as he was moving in a very unsure fashion while touching her breasts. She decided to take the initiative and reached out with her hands and intertwined them with his Duero's own and before Duero could inquire as to why she wad doing this, the head engineer began to move his hands in a set pattern, the very same one that made her feel very happy.

 

<This feels pleasant…I guess what I saw in that video was accurate.>

 

Duero thought as his brain was now feeling warm and very active as he continued to massage Parfet's breasts, and even her nipples, which had hardened due to the intimate contact and the fact that they were still kissing, along with Parfet moaning as he continued to massage her breasts. He touched the hardened nubs carefully to make sure he didn't hurt Parfet since he did find out that those parts of the woman's breasts were very sensitive.

 

<Oooooh! I don't want this to end!! Duero…more!>

 

Parfet mentally screamed in pleasure as she still remained in the kiss while Duero massaged her breasts and nipples in the way that made her moan and gasp. If this was how women felt when with men in the most physically intimate level…then the rest of the women on Megele had NO idea what they were missing! She then decided to do the same as she ran her hands, which she had free of her gloves and ran her hands on Duero's hair, marvelling at them and she then felt the slightly rougher skin on his face, but instead of being repulsed, she revelled in the tingles she had running up and down her body. She moved on and came to his torso…marvelling the smooth, muscular and hot feel of Duero's form even if he was wearing his body suit. She ran her hands carefully over the opening in the middle that showed a portion of Duero's muscled chest, feeling even warmer as the sensations the touch inspired in her began to grow larger and hotter.

 

It was then when they finally broke the kiss due to lack of air and then looked at one another, namely where their hands had gone adventuring. Before Duero could even say a word, she hushed him with s gentle peck on the cheek and a warm smile…and then grabbed the zipper that closed Duero's body suit and…drew it down, and when it was done she opened the suit up and with Duero's resistance on an all time low, he allowed her to move the released portions of his suit aside…exposing his torso.

 

This wasn't the first time Parfet had seen Duero naked, namely when she had hacked into the security system of the male section of the Nirvana and showed the men nude in their own sauna to the rest of the crew. But now that she was the only one with Duero, the situation was different as she felt more heat rise in her cheeks…

 

Duero was slim and well formed, hardened muscles everywhere, his skin was light bronze in colour and was somewhat exotic, though she knew that being from a desert world, Duero's tan was normal and simple to others, but looking at him made her feel that he looked very beautiful, despite having no concept herself of male beauty as of yet. He was like a statue that she had seen in the under-ground city, smooth skin, well proportioned, and muscled all in the right places. His build showed power, grace, skill, and technique…how women on her world had considered men inferior in all ways, including form was now seen by the young woman as pure foolishness. He was a God to her as she roamed her eyes on his form, there were scars, but she wasn't disgusted by them, they were testaments on his struggles in life…and they looked right on him, since the two had been sweating, she wondered a bit on what they would taste like.

 

Duero knew that he was considered average looking back on Talark and though he didn't bother with that detail for all his life, he now felt that maybe he could have taken better care of his form and body…since he wondered if his form was appealing to Parfet. He also wondered if he should have used cosmetic surgery to remove his scars, since he learned that women on Megele hated scars with a passion, and that plus other things made him wonder if he was attractive to Parfet. He wondered why he should bother with that since Parfet didn't mind being with him…but now for the first time in his life Duero McFile felt uncomfortable with himself.

 

It seemed however that his fears would be gone as Parfet reached out to him and began to slowly touch his shoulders, feeling the muscles of his arms all the way to his fingers, making Duero shiver a bit, as she did the same thing again on her return to his shoulders. She then began to trace her fingers on his chest, running her fingers slowly as if trying to feel every fibre of him, this apparently had an effect not just on Duero, but on Parfet as well, as she was blushing and also panting somewhat, until she reached his abs and began to run her hands on the muscles there.

 

Duero however reciprocated the actions as he began to run his own hands on Parfet's form, starting with the shoulders and arms, feeling the muscles that showed Parfet's own natural strength. As he reached her chest, he stopped, hoping to gain permission, which Parfet gave with a quick and desperate looking nod, he then took off her tank top and saw her exposed bosom. Normally he HAD seen her breasts before, but that was when he was in the Medical Bay and was a professional, now he was looking at her with the feelings she inspired in him, that made him feel like hot metal and he was…starting to like it. He ran his hands carefully and gently on her breasts, making Parfet moan even louder, and for reasons he still didn't understand, he liked the fact that she was moaning, just from him touching her, and he was getting more interested to see how much more sounds he could get from her. Who knew that such…pleasure could be derived from just this part of the `making out' as Misty had phrased it? How would it feel if he and Parfet did the same things he had seen on the video?

 

Turnabout is fair play though as Parfet continued her ministrations on Duero as he too moaned, and she too was feeling even MORE warm and wet in certain parts of her body, her heart was beating faster and faster, and her woman's soul seemed to smile and revel in the moans Duero was giving out due to her actions…and the looks on his face…she couldn't even begin to describe how arousing it was to her, to know that she could do this Duero and both him and her were enjoying it immensely!

 

This could have gone on…hadn't it had been for the chiming on Duero's computer that his newly downloaded files were now completed…along with Parfet's communicator, telling her that her crew needed her back at the plant for the next batch of tests.

 

Both partners were broken away from their little world and the atmosphere was of silence and awe as they began to recollect what they had just done. Both looked at one another and blushed profusely at each other's near nakedness. Despite their desire to finish what they started even if they were not all that sure of what would be the results, (minus the fact that Duero knew that he MIGHT get Parfet pregnant) they knew that they were needed and the war with the Harvesters was their primary concern.

 

Later, after eating some food and getting back into their garments, both Parfet and Duero went out of his quarters and headed off in two different directions, Duero to continue to treat his patients, and Parfet to finish her projects in the Nirvana's own Mobile Suit series. But before they separated, both kissed one another deeply and held hands before leaving, each hiding from their respective partner the deep crimson on their cheeks…and the secret plan to someday see just where this would take them.

 

(I hope that was enjoyable…now it's the younger brother's turn! Barnette and Max are up!)

 

Barnette yawned a bit as she woke up and still found herself on the couch…since she was still a bit sleepy, she wasn't aware of Max being close to her, namely with his head on her shoulder, hen she did she panicked a bit, but relaxed, knowing that Max would never try anything to hurt or frighten her, but this situation allowed her to admire his features once more without waking Max up. It was also when she noted that while he was sleeping, max had wrapped an arm of his on her thighs and since his head was near to her shoulder, he was close to the upper portions of her breasts, due to her very interesting outfit. Barnette didn't mind it, but whenever Max looked at her, she couldn't help but feel warm and nervous, such feelings were new and strange to her, a bit frightening, but hardly bad in a way…it was almost as if she wanted Max to see her in full flower, which would be the reason she took up to having perfume on her, namely the brand Max liked, which was lilacs. She moved a bit to get a better position, but that woke Max a bit, and though he was still sleeping peacefully, he subconsciously reached out and embraced Barnette gently, with both arms, the first now holding her by the waist, the other around the back of her neck and on her other shoulder.

 

Barnette blushed even harder now, and even more so with the very intimate contact they both were having at this very second. But she felt another feeling get to her, namely since she saw how close Max's face was her. She brushed aside his hair and before she knew what she was doing she kissed him on the forehead, no matter how awkward the position was right now.

 

Max wondered why there seemed to be a soft sensation on his forehead, and naturally he woke up, and for real this time. He then moved forward and before he knew what was happening, he found himself locking lips with Barnette!

 

Both were shocked by what they were doing, but apparently the tension in the two of them, their feelings for one another, and finally, and the most important fact was their respective discovery on HOW men and women had children, and had…sex with one another. That coupled with the closeness and the now present lip lock was enough to spark a fire in the two of them…which naturally went on for a bit.

 

Barnette moaned as she kissed Max, at first, since she was new to the fact of kissing a man, but it was far from disgusting and vile than she had heard it to be. Back on Megele, some of her school-mates would make cruel jokes on what it would be like to be close to men, even kiss them, merely for the sake of insulting humour, and she was once asked that and replied that if any man would even dream of doing it to her, she would kill him…the thought of doing THAT was totally disgusting to her when she grew up.

 

Now however, she began to take it back….

 

The feelings were, different…warm, soft, but yet hard, smooth. As they deepened it further, she did what most women would have thought horrid beyond accounting…and that was to taste Max's mouth with her tongue, she prodded him a bit and to her delight, he reciprocated and opened his mouth a bit, then she tasted him with her tongue. He tasted nice…she felt the faint taste of sweetened milk in his mouth and for some reason, that faint taste coupled with the somewhat delicious way Max tasted was intoxicating, as if she had drunk a very old and perfectly made wine. The results were obvious as Barnette moved from the spot and now straddled Max, with him between her legs as she deepened the kiss in effort to get more of Max's taste in her mouth and tongue. She recalled how fervent the kiss was between the man and woman in the video, and now she realized she was ravenously kissing Max like the woman was.

 

<If only the women back on Megele knew just how much they were missing!!!>

 

Barnette shouted mentally with joy as he deepened her kiss even more.

 

Max felt like he was in Heaven, he too had wondered what it would feel like to kiss a woman. Back on Talark, the mere mention of it was a situation men would dread to the very core of their beings, with the belief that if they did do it, they would be eaten alive. For a while, when growing up in the Academy in the southern city of Talark, he too believed it. And now he felt his innards react to the kiss….but certainly not in the way described by his fellow men!!!

 

His heart was beating like a jack-hammer and his lungs was seemingly gasping for air, and despite his need to breathe he couldn't even dream of breaking the kiss, and his brain seemed to be miles away….namely when Barnette stuck her tongue into his mouth, he reciprocated that and his tongue met hers, and before they knew it, they moaned as their tongues danced in such an arousing and erotic way, it was hardly surprising that their heart-rates tripled, their breathing sped up, and their temperatures became higher. One thing became obvious in Max's mind…

 

<My fellow men had NO idea what kissing a woman meant at all!!!>

 

The two held the kiss for several minutes, until they finally broke away fro some air, they were flushed and had blushes on their faces as they stared at each other, they watched as a thin cord of their combined saliva bind them until it broke. Barnette wasted no time and decided to tease Max a bit…she began to remove her long sleeved gloves, followed by the shoulder padding held by a clasp on the collar, and did so slowly, revealing her slender arms, and then she reached out and unzipped her thigh length style leggings, and also did the same thing slowly, as to entice him, just like what she had seen in the video. The effects were immediate as Max's lustful and heated stare grew in intensity…and his body showed the effects as well, as Barnette felt a hard bulge in the spot between her legs…and that excited her to no end. Max also took the next shot and also opened his body-suit, and fully exposed his lean, but well formed, sculpted and muscled form to Barnette.

 

His body form was that of his brother, due to them being from a harsh desert world and strict regimes were the forge for his form. Barnette couldn't see an inch of fat on him ,and if there WAS some, she doubted it would be enough to be even qualified as fat. He was so…beautiful, and in such a way that send shivers down her spine and hot tingles from her toes to the very tips of her hair. To think she sued to consider men ugly…well not anymore!

 

She ran her hands on his shoulders and arms and then to his chest, feeling the rougher, but warm, soft and supple skin, and the hard muscles underneath were something, the feel of both hot skin and hard muscle and to feel the rising and falling of both was intoxicating to the green haired girl's vision and touch that she too was panting, as she reached his abs, she retraced her path, apparently, in her desire saturated brain she intended to memorize EVERY part of Max until she knew his form by heart. She then decided to let Max do the same thing to her as she reached to the catch in her own outfit and with barely controlled desire, she moved her released suit by releasing the clasps on the criss-crossing cloth in the middle…allowing her to expose her body to Max, at least the upper and middle half.

 

The young medic felt his nose bleed once more, but contained it and stared lustfully at Barnette's now exposed form. There something very…arousing at the state they were both in. Barnette now barely clothes and straddling his hips while he sat on the couch with y\only the lower portion of his body suit covering him. That fact wasn't lost to Barnette either as they stared heatedly at one another.

 

Max then recalled what he had witnessed in the video and began to touch Barnette, carefully running his hands on her soft creamy skin, hoping that she won't mind…and to his delight she didn't. In fact Barnette moaned as Max's rough, calloused, but gentle, muscled, graceful and hot hands touched her skin, making her feel even more heated as if he was branding her…no way in the universe did she ever know how delightful it was to be touched in such an intimate way by a man. Max ran his hands on her arms, shoulders, and then between her breasts to her abdomen, and then to her navel, his hands then went up to her breasts as he began to touch and massage her boobs carefully as if afraid he was too rough on her.

 

She proved him wrong as she reached with her hands and helped him by showing him how she liked her breasts touched. Like all women on Megele, Barnette was familiar with sex, due to the educational systems of her home-world, and like any youngster before she joined the pirates, she was familiar with the workings…but this was the first time she was actually getting this involved with a man, despite the teachings of her world calling this relationship heretical, obscene, and worse…she felt this was the most normal thing she and Max were in.

 

It was then that they had to cut their situation short when they heard their respective communicators go off…telling them that they had to get back into their lives in the war with the Harvesters. The two then got off one another as they each got dressed, but not before peeping at one another and chatting in hushed tones. They knew that their relationship was at a very serious point and they knew that until the war with the Harvesters was over…and peace would rule and a time of understanding between their respective worlds, they should focus on that for now. Both talked about what they will do when they would arrive home to their respective planets, and both agreed that even with all the dangers of what they each planned to do…the plan to reveal the truth about the need for men and women to reunite, they would not give up.

 

But as they walked side by side out of their apartment, having dressed up, they share a more intense and private moment as Barnette and Max kissed each other intensely for the last time before heading back to what they had to do so that when the war was over, then all people in the galaxy would have a chance to live for peace…and then…maybe they could see how far their relationship would go. They already knew that they felt deep emotions for one another and now they knew that they were physically attracted to one another as well. The two knew that sooner or later…they would have to take it to the next level, they knew that there were going to be difficulties and dangers for them…but after all they had gone through and what they had learned about one another…they were going to face those difficulties as men and women did generations before…

 

Together…

 

*************

 

A day later…

 

“Well…I can see that the new weapons show a lot of promise. But we still need to test them in both simulated and real fire conditions.”

 

Magno commented as she looked from a nearby platform to the newly developed and upgraded Vanguards, now renamed into the Crusaders. The Vanguards had been transformed in many ways, and even their normal forms had been removed and fully updated. They were now similar to the Taisians' own Mobile Suits. The normal single eye was replaced with two eyes and had head mounted assault guns, modified to fire high grade ammunition. The body design was more sleek, but didn't deviate from the need to have optimal protection as it has sections of armour.

 

The engineers from Taisia, Melanos, and the Nirvana had devised the use of a simplified version of Phase Shift Armour. They couldn't copy the power rate and design of Kyo's Gundam, along with Dita, Jura, and Meia's Gundams, but they could use the Templar, Shinobi, Kunoichi, Morpheous, and the SwitchBlade Gundams. The Morpheous and SwitchBlade Gundams' Polaris Phase Shift was different in the sense that it decreased it's ability to handle physical weapon attacks to reinforce a resistance to beam fire, with permanently losing the normal function of the armour against solid weapons. The Templar, Shinobi and Kunoichi Gundams however used the version which was basic Phase Shift Armour, due to the Gundams being the few to use beam weapons. Thus the new Mobile Suit series could withstand solid weapons and could at the least withstand beam fire, but not beam sabers or beam blades…so to equalize, the engineers used light and easy to replace sections of laminated armour on vital areas, namely the cockpits.

 

And the engineers were at least able to understand energy shield designs in order to create temporary but disposable beam shield generators for the Crusaders, to deflect beam and ballistic attacks.

 

The basic weapons were also a combination of beam and ballistic weapons to even up the odds. The Mobile Suits were armed with a beam saber, and a collapsible sonic resonance sword, which was also coated with a special anti-beam coating solution so it would be able to block attacks with beam sabers as well. Apart from the head mounted assault guns, there was a set of beam pistols hidden in nearby holsters and a pair of hidden mini-guns hidden on the shoulders.

 

The power plants for the new Crusaders now relied on clean fusion power packs, granting the Mobile Suits increased operation time, similar to that of the Infinite Freedom, Azure Angel, Crimson Edge, and Silver Lightning Gundams which used the Paeksis crystal reactors. This was a serious upgrade from the normal Vanguards that needed to refuel when depleted of power. The Crusaders could now maintain combat form far longer than the Vanguards and could fight harder as well.

 

The Crusaders were designed in several variants, apart from the basic frame, the Morpheous variant used the same `smart mag' plugs as the original and could connect with the various Form Packs that were developed by the engineers, allowing the variant in question to change into a new combat configuration when it needed to.

 

The SwitchBlade variant was armed with some of the Gundam's weapons but had more of a beam arsenal. It could take the form of a Dread so it would have the same speed and armour of the Megele interceptor and space fighter, and when in Mobile Suit mode, could fight more effectively when facing other Mobile Suit opponents, all in all a quick attack force was this version.

 

The last followed the designs of the Templar since it's fundamental weapons were similar, though in truth it had the same weapons as Max's Gundam and most all….it could engage multiple targets at once due to it's own HiMAT system and the various beam weapons as well. They borrowed a weapon concept for it from Dita's Gundam and created a pair of beam rifles that could combine to form a beam cannon, allowing this Crusader variant to act as long range forward artillery.

 

Of course, several members of the Nirvana crew took an interest to create their own custom made versions, though there would be few of those units.

 

Sara Elsman had taken the normal frame of the Crusader Mobile Suit and added a powerful set of weapons, namely in the shape of a Type 23 `Hyper-Pulse' beam cannon rifle, and a modified “Callidius' Type 10 rail-gun, both weapons were deadly in their own but when used in unison, the weapons could shred through most opposition and could be combined to form a single dual barrelled cannon, allowing both weapons to support one another. The Mobile Suit chosen by Sara was also armed with the basic weapons, namely the beam saber, head mounted guns, sonic resonance sword, and a set of missile pods. In exchange, the Mobile Suit was unsuitable to use the Form Packs, and could not use either the HiMAT or the transformation mode of the other Crusader variants. (*******G)

 

She wasn't the only one though…

 

Mai also took another Crusader Mobile Suit from the assembly line and had it modified to her specifications. The Mobile Suit still carried the basic weapons, and had a beam rifle…but she requested a katana style sonic resonance anti-ship sword which was stored in the back, due to the sharpness of the blade, it was tested to cause damage to even Phase Shift Armour, thus this weapon was a valued addition to it's already present arsenal, along with that was the replacing of the beam pistols with an amount of high explosive anti-armour throwing knives, thus making the beam rifle, and assault guns were the only ranged weapons in her custom Mobile Suit, however in Kyo's mind, it showed the fact that Mai was proud of her martial arts skills and heritage, he however was the one who requested her to keep her Mobile Suit's installed guns and the beam rifle. Mai agreed, knowing the value of ranged weaponry first hand ever since becoming a Crusader Squadron member.

 

“Yeah, but we still have to test fire the systems in a simulated environment to test and fix any bug problems.”

 

Parfet answered as she ran the data through the console in front of Magno and the others. Alongside the elder female were the pirate officers, Kyo, and his fellow Gundam pilots, including the Asuka siblings, along with them were also members of the Resistance, the Taisians, the Melanos, the Delta 6 survivors, and others as well. They all watched as the massive fields of the Verdant Soul were filled with the units of the new Mobile Suit series. The plan was simple enough, the Mobile Suit units would be mass produced and each group of respective units will be handed over to each faction within the Resistance, this would give them the edge they will need to equalize the full power of the Harvester Fleet, now they had to test the weapons in combat, simulated combat to work out any possible kinks in the systems and features of each of the Retribution Series variants.

 

The others nodded as the pilots of the Resistance, and the Nirvana's Crusader Squadron got into the Mobile Suits and begin their tests with the features and functions first, they still had time since the other members of the Resistance informed them that they were sending groups of remote drones to help mislead the Harvesters until they were able to make the plans needed to end the Harvesters.

 

As the Mobile Suits moved out, the Gundam pilots were also there on the scene, they all were in their on Mobile Suits to begin training with the new machines to help in the training…by becoming the enemy Gundams. The weapons of each Mobile Suit of the new series of the Resistance would be decreased when they were finished in the first phase of the exercise, the first was to fight with the Cube Fighters that were part of the force of the converted Harvester battle-ship that the Nirvana had taken, in the battle that gave birth to both the new Paeksis powered Gundams and the creation of the Super GunDread.

 

Still far away from the Resistance Fleet…

 

<Hmm…they really worked on overtime on those things. They'll need them for hat they are going to face soon.>

 

The man said as he still remained out of sight in his Mobile Suit, watching the beginning series of exercises between the Nirvana's crew and the Resistance. He looked to a nearby picture that he had stapled to a panel in his cockpit and saw something he thought he wished was again…

 

The picture was a man who was in an older style space suit, not like the more well designed ones, and the man looked familiar, and on the picture was a name.

 

`Samuel Adams.'

 

<A name I haven't gone by for a very long time…it has been nearly two years since that day I landed there…they saved me once…and now they saved me again, and not just from death this time…but from myself. I guess they were right, I wasn't the one to lead…he is.>

 

He focused his sensors and there in front of him was an image of a certain Mobile Suit. The Infinite Freedom Gundam was now unleashing it's wings and was now being escorted by several Gundam units as the mock battles went underway. The man then looked away as he thought of what appeared to be his past.

 

He then shook his head at the memories and focused on keeping track of the fleet and the Mobile Suits, there was a lot of things to do and thinking about the past would not help, in time it would, but for now…things had to be done. He then looked at his reflection one more time and saw his face.

 

He had a long tail of hair in front of his face, and an electronic eye-patch…but behind it was a long, well lined yet large scar, there were also long lines on his face, all were scars. He didn't pay them any mind as he worked on.

 

*************

 

After one week…

 

The Nirvana was now on it's way to where Talark and Megele were located…it was still a long journey for the pirates, but they at least had a slim hope left. The Resistance would still try to keep the Harvesters occupied and use drones to minimize casualties to the human colonists…but they knew that the only way was to strike back, and now they had to rally all of their fleets into one massive force and fight with the Harvesters. The Nirvana and it's converted battle-ship escort would go to the male planet of Talark and to the female planet of Megele and try to rally the last remaining human colonies to side with the Resistance and fight the Harvesters for the future and their right to exist in the universe.

 

The pirates went on with their duties…with some new changes…Parfet had created a launch bay for special remote flier units to take the Form Packs into the battle-zone to those plots who needed them when they needed an edge and a weapon set that could help the survive the war that they fought in. Kyo had stepped up his training of Dita, Jura, Meia, Barnette, Max, and Duero who needed to be ready when the time came, both Talark medics were to be kept in reserve so that they won't lose their best doctors in a possible fire fight.

 

The Asuka siblings stayed with the Delta 6 people, who integrated themselves into the Resistance to gain the long sought revenge on the Harvesters…both Patch and Liz were given command of their own ships, and event their own Retribution Mobile Suits. Liz and Patch kept their weapons as secret, even from Kyo, though he knew that they were only going to fight if they needed to…they were the leaders of the people of Delta 6 and if they fell, they would lose their will to fight, and that was one thing neither of them wanted to happen.

 

Osmond and his forces were now back with their people and they were all ready to fight when the time came for them to do so. The Taisians…being the first to have been attacked by the Harvesters were by far the leaders of the Resistance and they knew what they had to do…rally the human colonies to fight the Harvesters…and then when the time came…strike back on the monsters who have done so much damage to the human colonists, all for their own survival, even if they were doing nothing but genocide.

 

Kyo wished them all the best of luck, namely the two Yurenian siblings, the people of Melanos and his Taisian comrades…for now he and the pirates had a long journey ahead of them.

 

<To think I am coming back to Talark and Megele…to defend them. A lot has happened since I boarded the Ikazuchi, and my memories are coming back…why am I feeling that there is something waiting for me…out there?>

 

As the pirates left…they were unaware of them being tracked by a hidden Mobile Suit…and a very familiar looking stranger.

 

*************

 

To be continued…

 

*************

 

Hello folks, I'm easing back now that I don't have school and I am on semester vacation into the writing habit. Though I think I've been rather rusty as of late due to having so many details to attend to.

 

Please send the comments and reviews so I know what I can correct and how is it going for all of you there so far. And I know I've said this many times, but I want to say thank you for reading this work of mine. Your reading and comments makes all the effort worthwhile.

 

The Dreads and Vanguards are getting into the fight and their weaknesses are being exploited by the Harvesters, and naturally the new weapons of the Harvesters have now changed their tactics, no longer relying on the original swarm tactics of the Cube Fighters, they didn't remove it, but incorporated the Overlords to act as partners for the Cube Fighters, very much the same way the pirates have for each Dread a pair of Vanguards to support it. This tactic comes in handy when it comes to rescuing their comrades and preventing losses.

 

The Gundams will now have to be in the fore-front of the fight since they will be the ones who could help out the most. That means that since her Dread's badly damaged and the situation is grim, Barnette will now have to use her Switchblade Gundam to even up the odds as the Switchblade could fight both as Mobile Armour and Mobile Suit.

 

(*) Ever seen the dress that Bonne Jenet of KOF wears all the time? Well, I have just converted that into one of Jura's night clothes, and in red, minus the skull pictures of course. Heheheh! I hope you like it boys!

 

Now that Kyo is bunking down with Jura…what will happen eh? (Perverted smile)

 

(**) Based from the Earth Alliance Mobile Armour unit in Gundam SEED Destiny known as the TS- MB1B Euclid…minus the Positron Deflector system, though I will be adding that soon as a test bed piece…plus some ideas I have in mind will also appear soon in the story.

 

(***) Remember the first time Kyo met them?

 

(****) If you've guessed it right, then you will recognize this little number as the Sword Calamity Gundam, the one Gundam you only see in special versions of Gundam SEED. I did add some changes though to the Devastator Edge model. The fact that it carries more than two beam boomerangs and a pair of beam sabers shows some of the changes, but also added along with the weapons is the fact that the rocket anchors now had the ability to be used as retractable impaling weapons.

 

(*****) Sound familiar? The new Hell-Fire is somewhat modelled after Gundam Wing Endless Waltz's Deathscythe Hell Gundam. It however is not based on that Gundam in all terms, but only in certain similarities. It still has the ability to used the Geschmeidig Panzer system just like it's original stock body the Hell-Fire, but it's new weapons are very different and I will show in action later in the story. But I'll tell you this much…it will be a serious spike in the drink.

 

(******) Think of a fusion between Gundam Wing Endless Waltz's Altron Gundam with that of the Raider Gundam. And those dragon heads have a VERY nasty surprise in them for combat with any foe. That will also be revealed, but I can assure you readers that this Gundam will not be as easy as some would think to take out.

 

Now for the new Form Packs of one of the new Mobile Suit series to be used by the Nirvana pirates:

 

(*A) Combination of the Sword Pack of the Strike Gundam and that of the Impulse Gundam's own Sword Silhouette system, plus the addition of a shield similar to the Infinite Justice Gundam of Gundam SEED Destiny. Though minus the beam boomerang attachment.

 

(**B) Also a combination of both the Strike Gundam's Launcher Pack and the Impulse Gundam's own Blast Silhouette system, with a few additions of my own design, so as to even the odds for the pirates a bit more.

 

(***C) Based on both the Aile Pack of the Strike Gundam and the Force Silhouette of the Impulse Gundam, though there are some personal additions and the beam sabers are a bit stronger and more powerful than standard beam sabers.

 

(****D) Bit more unique…combines elements from the Blitz Gundam and the Destiny Gundam, namely the Destiny Gundam's use of Mirage Colloid based technology to create illusions to confuse both human eyes and enemy sensors. The only trade-off is that the Form Pack demands that the Mobile Suit not move suddenly from a set location, in order to maintain the `animated' illusions and make them real, instead of mere computer generated images.

 

(*****E) Added the function of the rail-gun cannon rifle and the grenade launcher as a personal touch of my own.

 

(******F) This one is based on another Strike Gundam Pack that was not seen in the original series, and this is the IWSP or Integrated Weapon Striker Pack. It was to be used in the series but wasn't seen at all. So I figured I can use this one plus a few changes here and there.

 

(*******G) Basing the design from the Red Frame Astray Model of Gundam SEED Destiny Astray.

 

*************

 

And to really add some spice to the story ladies and gentlemen…the men of Talark and the women of Megele will ALSO be upgrading and including some brand new weapons and tech which will be also from the bag of technological tricks from Gundam SEED!

 

Time for all of you to guess the latest weaponry the men and women will be including in their arsenals soon.

 

*************

 

How was the first time the E-Vendetta saw combat action? Enough for you all…or way too much?

 

The kill rates apart from the already mentions squadrons of Melanos interceptors includes seven, that's right, seven Melanos cruisers. That's how many this lone Paeksis powered Gundam of the Harvesters…and it's dark pilot could destroy…too much or too far-fetched?

 

Looks like this Gundam of the Harvester Leader is no pushover and it's pilot is very much apparently skilled and very deadly if he could do that much damage to a fleet that is far grater in size that his Gundam is, along with being more numerous than him as well. Just how will it be between Kyo and him when they finally cross paths?

 

As you can see, the SUPER DRAGOON system used by the E-Vendetta Gundam is similar to the Orb-Akatsuki Mobile Suit's Shiranui system. The feather cannons in the Gundam are now armed with beam shield emitters which can be single unit use to create an interdependent shield to block beam or ballistic attacks from a different angle or can be connected as a network to defend massive numbers of allied units, though this feature is not seen yet in the battle here. It may be seen soon in the coming chapters though so stick around!

 

By the way…do you think the E-Vendetta Gundam and the I-Freedom Gundam will be evenly matched once they fight one on one? The soon to come battle between both one of a kind Paeksis powered Gundams will be in the last chapters. Unlike the other Gundam series which don't have that much Paeksis energy in them, due to only using small though powerful amounts of Paeksis energy, this one is brimming with the Paeksis due to it's pure Paeksis core reactor, thus it can cause intense damage…so imagine when both Paeksis powered Gundams go head to head?

 

*************

 

Hehehehe….Pheromones are flying tonight!!! I am now taking the more mature theme into play here. And besides, it HAD to appear sometime in the story and why not now?

 

Kyo's in a VERY interesting situation now, isn't he? Just so you all know, the girls will NOT try anything that resembles serious sex yet. THAT is coming up on the next chapters so hold your horses!!! But as you may soon find out, all FIVE of them will get a chance to ogle and make out with in this part of the chapter and the other parts…so this will be a prelude to what you all will need to expect once we DO get to the sex parts, but be sure to send me ideas and pairings…

 

And I DO have a plan for those parts, but contributions from interested parties ARE very much welcome.

 

And just between you all and me…if my creation Kyo Yamato was a live person, he is SO going to kill me for what I plan to get him into with the women in his life…ah well, that's my call.

 

Of course…he ISN'T going to be the ONLY one today, just to be fair to the other men, they get a shot at this too, as we are about to see.

 

Will Parfet take advantage of Duero when he wakes up?

 

Will Barnette manage to get more physical with Max?

 

Find out later in the story!!!

 

*************

 

Kyo's become a bit more loose and amorous now that he is acting on his hormones, now isn't he? Wonder what would happen once he let's go and finally makes love to one of the girls? Interesting thought too.

 

I am enjoying this, are you?

 

*************

 

Well, this officially ends this chapter…

 

Though I could have made more, I have to take a break since I am really busy now, and I need to do more research to finish this fic, but I am nearing the end and I will complete this before tackling my other projects.

 

The next chapter will be more of a filler episode before we move on to the next part of the Chapter 9 arc. In that part, we'll see the new Mobile Suit series of the Nirvana in action in real time actual combat with the Harvesters, plus this Samuel Adams character will be here as well…after trailing the Nirvana after they left the Resistance Fleet, what will he do now that the Nirvana is all alone? Find out in the coming story arc. Along with that will be some other ideas I intend to add once the time is right so wait for that.

 

See you there!!

 

Comments anyone?