Part Thirty-nine;
*Aftermath: The Gundams Enter the War*

         Paato Seruteinain;
         *Aftermath - Gandamu-tachi wa sensou o hairu*

Until the sighs that carve into skin
   Shaking     Silhouette     Delicacy
   “What” is captured inside of
   Eyes stolen away from you?
        hada ni kizamu toiki made
            yureru     shiruetto     derikashii
            nusumareta hitomi no oku
            kimi wa “nani” o utsusu no?

Touch if you want to see
   It’s better if everything’s taken from you
   ‘Cause I need to know
        furete mitai no nara
            subete ubaisareba ii
            ‘Cause I need to know

Embrace the trembling body
   The throbbing is now audible
   Drenched in the midnight sun
   I lowered my breathing
        furueru karada daite
            kodou ga ima kikoeru
            mayonaka no taiyou ni nure
            boku wa iki o hisometa

Touch until it’s broken down
   Love is changing you
   ‘Cause I need to hold
        furete kowareru hodo
            ai ga kimi o kaeteyuku
            ‘Cause I need to hold

Touch if you can finish
   It’s okay if everything’s lost
        furete shimaeru nara
            subete ushinatte mo ii

Touch because it’s breaking down
   Love it’s changing me
        furete kowareru kara
            ai wa boku o kaeteyuku

Everything…
   Love is…
        subete…
            ai ga...

                      [##]

For an instant, the stars disappeared. Blotted out by a sudden act of war, and when they returned the dance was mournful. As Hiiro tried to comprehend, he noted the blackness that covered the Earth and everything stopped short.

In the brilliance of space, amidst its shining stars and endless dance across infinity, a majestic mobile suit hung in the aftermath of a battle between the light and the darkness. As the light faded, the pilot was unable to see the peaceful light of the stars once again. His future destroyed by his own hands, he would never dance. His mind was clouded with the darkness of war... and death: a gaping black hole that engulfed Chikyuu in its entirety and swallowed all of Uchuu along with it.

War had consumed humanity.

Too late. It was all in vain. His dream was coming true, and there was nothing he could do about it now. In shame, Hiiro flew off to battle.

In Space, it's possible to see music. If you stop, and watch, it's there, in the beautiful infinite dance of the stars. Someday, I hope to be like that. I want my life to be beautiful...

                      [##]

" Damage report, status updates, casualty list, and a reconnected feed to Outer Space. I want it all and I want it now. " Nara closed the connection before she could be told, again, that it was impossible. Sitting back in the chair she closed her eyes and pressed her fists over them. Never again, she never again wanted to see what she'd just seen. Presently her hands slid upwards, pulling the cap from her head and the pins from her hair. As it all fell down around her neck and face, she slowly opened her eyes and let out her breath. Willing back the threatening tears, she sat forward again and began working on organizing the chaos in the aftermath.

Half the southern hemisphere was gone. Just gone. Getting into it was difficult due to the leftover electromagnetic effects of the Libra's cannon. The airspace was inaccessible because of this and it played havoc with the computer controls of the Mobile Suits. Not to mention they were short since most of their M.S. were currently in space. Preliminary photos showed an unending barren black landscape that occasionally crackled blue -- that damnable blue that would be forever etched into her memory.

She breathed a small sigh of relief as the feed to Outer Space was restored and the first thing she saw was the Talgeese II intact. " You are one lucky man, Treize Kush Renada. "

" Sorou? "

" Hai. What is it, Carson? "

" It's the Gundams. They're, uh, back... "

Nara's eyes had already caught sight of the other Mobile Suit heading straight for Talgeese II and Epyon. " I can see that! It's the Unknown Gundam! Do we have audio yet? "

" No, ma'am. Only visual. "

" Aaaaarrrrrrrggggghhhhhhh!!! " Nara punched keys violently in frustration. " This day is only gonna get worse! "

                      [##]

" Please excuse me, I have a soldier to go take care of, " Zechs said, bowing out. He turned and flew for the Libra, and Treize could only watch him go with relief.

Keying in a command, he said quietly. " Lieutenant Sorou, do you read? "

" We've lost audio with Earth, sir, " another officer informed him over the closed circuit.

" Damn, " Treize rubbed the bridge of his nose, falling back on this unwitting volunteer for his information. " Best estimate on who we've lost? "

" At the very least we've lost a hundred suits or more, sir, " came the response.

" People, soldier, " Treize corrected, " it's people we've lost. Suits can be replaced. "

" Gundam!! " another soldier cried, raising the alarm as his cry was echoed.

Treize turned the Talgeese II to observe with some sense of irritating dread as the Gundam WingZero approached at breakneck speed. Just over MO-III in the distance he could see the other Gundams, the Vai-eight, and the Aquarius following.

The day was only going to get worse.

                      [##]

" Trowa, get ahold of yourself! " Duo shouted over the com. " KUSOU!! "

" I really don't think swearing at him is going to work. "

" Shut up Hildey. "

" Please don't fight now, " Quatre pleaded.

" We should have left the onna behind. She's already proven she can't handle the true nature of battle. "

" Ex-cuse me?! "

" Well you know, Hilde... "

" Be quiet Duo. How 'bout I make you eat those words, Wufei? "

" Hmmph. "

" All of you shut up, " Hiiro's calm voice cut through the four-way argument, " this isn't the time, nor the place. Our main concern is to get Trowa back in control of WingZero; anything besides that doesn't matter. If you can't handle the mission, then turn back and leave it to me. "

" Oh, listen to you-- " Hilde never did back down without a fight.

" Oh yeah, Hiiro, you're gonna take WingZero all by yourself. "

" Listen to Hiiro, all of you, " Quatre's voice entered, the firmness in it silencing them all. " He's got a point. Let's just hurry and try to get this over with. "

" ... roukai. "

                      [##]

" What is the meaning of this Quinze? " Zechs demanded, storming into the control room, not having bothered to remove his space suit.

Quinze turned to face him, confidence etched across his bird-like features. " It looked as though the Gundams had joined forces with Oz against you. I took action to show them that we would not be toyed with. "

" I never gave the order to fire the main weapon ahead of schedule. You do not have the authority to change that schedule. "

" Remember who brought you into White Fang, Milliardo Peacecraft. " Quinze said, peering at Zechs over his pince-nez dangerously. " I have every right to take authority. "

Zechs narrowed eyes at him. " Status report? "

" The main weapon won't be at full power now until fifteen hours after the previous ETA, " answered the officer back at the controls. He was rubbing absently at the angry red mark Quinze had left on his cheekbone.

" Fifteen hours, that's almost a day. "

Zechs and Quinze looked angrily at the new arrival. Dorothy Katalonia stood in the middle of the control room dressed in an olive green and ivory military dress. Lowering her eyelids half over crystalline amethyst eyes, she said smugly. " I'll make sure there are no more setbacks, Milliardosan. "

                      [##]

Nara held up a hand abruptly, silencing Carson mid-sentence. The fingers of her other hand reached out to touch the screen, right where the Atlon entered battle and swung the trident around to keep Oz at bay. The suit had changed, but the design was still fundamentally the same.

" Wufei... " Her eyes disappeared behind reflections of space within them. " Stay alive so I can prove you wrong... "

                      [##]

" This is Quatre Rababa Winner, I strongly suggest that all Oz personnel vacate the area immediately. "

Several suits moved back slightly, but they hung in waiting for their leader's orders.

" It's the computer... " Treize stated quietly, the realization finally dawning on him.

" Yes, " Quatre acceded, a sad smile touching his face. " I apologize for any harm done by my part previously. "

" As do I, on behalf of Oz. " Treize said diplomatically. " May I ask who's piloting the Unknown Gundam? "

Quatre paused. " The pilot you know as Zero-Three; Trowa Barton. "

Treize considered the graceful machine before his eyes, as it twisted and turned effortlessly. Evading all attempts by the other suits to contain it. It beat the Vai-eight, the Aquarius, and all other Gundams combined. A fantastic M.S.... it might even have been a more worthy opponent of the Epyon. " Does the Gundam have a name? "

" WingZero. "

" Ahh... " Treize turned his attention to another member of the Gundams' group. " Wufei, I have some news that may be of interest to you. "

" I have no interest in any words of yours, " Wufei snapped. Atlon turned and aimed a dragon fang at the Talgeese II. " All I desire of you is your death! If we die, then it will bring the world closer to peace! War is begot of warriors, with nothing else but to fight! "

Now would be the time the communication with Earth was restored. Treize quickly reached over and turned off his link to Luxembourg. " Not yet... " he said softly. To Wufei he challenged, " If that is true, feel free to prove it. " He drew his beam sabre. " Fight with all your heart and prove your ideals, Wufei. "

                      [##]

" Hiiro! " Rilina cried frantically, jabbing a finger at the main screen. " One of those has to be Hiiro! " She gripped the shoulder of one of Howard's technicians. " Can you open a link to one of those? I need to know if it's Hiiro! " She turned around. " Hiiro should be able to talk to my brother, don't you think Noinsan...? " She looked around, but neither Noin nor Sally nor Howard were in the control room of the Peacemillion. " Where did she go? "

                      [##]

Duo let out a cry as inertia threw him against the back of his cockpit. Opening one eye, he watched the Atlon and the Talgeese II engage in battle. " I think it's safe to say we've lost Wufei, " he chortled.

" Back me up, Duo; I'm going to use the fleet of Leos as cover. "

Duo opened both eyes wide and protested. " Hilde! You can't do that! What if he fires? "

" Duo, Hilde, Hiiro and I have a plan, " Quatre interjected, his voice quiet.

" What's that? " Hilde asked skeptically.

There was a long pause, as the Arabian boy struggled with the decision. " We're fighting the Zero System with the Zero System. I'm switching modes. "

" Say What?! "

                      [##]

" Are you sure about this? " Sally asked, handing Noin her helmet.

Noin took it and smiled sadly at the other woman. " If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't even be here. Good luck. " She headed for her Taurus.

" You too, " Sally said. She looked at Howard ruefully. " Ready for this? "

" Won't be the first time, believe it or not. "

**

[The question is, do we want to know what Sally and Howard are talking about? And don't think I don't know what all your hentai minds are churning out right now. The answer is no. Oh-ho. The next chapter's gonna be a doozy. At part 40 it oughtta be. ^_~ See you then.]

[Written by Inseiko, 2001]
         [Song: "Fragile" by T.M.Revolution
            Lyrics taken from The Memorial Hall of Translations with permission from the translator, Mina-P]

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