Paul and Jason eventually settled in their co-bunk room and laid down on their own separate beds before individually taking a quick shower. Paul had his eyes closed and he breathed in deeply and slowly as he came to grips about what was going on with him. However he noticed Jason had an old tape recorder out, which was odd, and he was saying the conscription protocol into it. Paul groaned as he leaned up and looked at his captain. "You're really doing it?" Paul asked him with dull surprise. Jason didn't reply to him and continued to speak into the microphone attached to his recorder as Paul laid down once more. "Man things are getting really weird these past few days. I don't like having these weirdos on our ship and I don't like their different tech that they have. There was the infinite different universes theory that he heard some people ran with but he personally didn't give it much credit until today. I mean those machines weren't made of typical ZAFT design. Puru, Saturnalia, Graham, and Gabriel all of them believed in different things. Now a younger version of himself might have believed that it was in their best interests to keep a extremely close watch on these people. They had already known them for about a day or so now and already they were fighting together? It seemed like something out of a bad story made by a rabid fan trying to get something out of it. Regardless he supposed that their one mission appealed to their sense of morality rather than anything saving Graham Aker's butt and everything.attached to it plus there was Saturnalia's such vehement hatred towards that prisoner, whom was sitting the brig now probably eating whatever food the cooks could spare, and he couldn't help but wonder if Saturnalia was telling the truth. Sure Nena Trinity was a PAIN in his ass but that was besides the point. She nearly blew her up in cold blood and that's not something a soldier would do. Soldiers take prisoners they don't outright kill in cold blood unless they had to or they were risking their own skins in the process.

Paul was snapped out of his line of thoughts when Jason turned around and cleared his throat, "Well Lieutenant Lyons I suppose that at the end of the day I am the Captain and I listen to all suggestions even those from newly conscripted soldiers. Gabriel what do you think of him?" Jason asked Paul who grunted, "He's a soldier who's willing to risk his skin for strangers. He's better than Saturnalia and he seems to have a unhealthy interest in listening rather than talking and sharing his thoughts. He's a man to keep an eye on for sure. And since I know for a fact that you're going to ask what I think about Graham here's my thoughts: he is a career soldier and will be a valued asset. I trust him more than the others here on fact that he has the air of a soldier around him and not some mental patient and or stuck up prick. Of course I just met him today. It helps that we both come from the same district." Paul commented as Jason chuckled, "Always so blunt my friend aren't you? I remembered when you first arrived in my care. You were so cautious that I wasn't sure if this was a joke sending you to me of all people." Jason laughed as Paul ignored the jab at his younger self. "Oh shut it finish you crap and get to bed captain you have work in the morning." Paul said sarcastically as he pulled the privacy wall up between him and Jason and fell asleep.

Meanwhile in the room of the communications officers...

"You're so COOL Miss Williams I didn't know that a person could make so many words out of thin air!" Puru commented joyfully as she watched Williams play scrabble with Axer and Baker who was still wearing her long uniform for whatever reason. Williams had already gotten sick of Puru's childish attitude and knew she was going to get along with Ensign Axer immediately. She had been beating Axer in the game for years now since they were in the academy and Baker decided she'd not get involved with this. "Yeah to be honest I'm not surprised Axer is getting the shaft here." Williams said as she got herself more and more points as Axer failed to and only got a couple per turn. "HEY I suck at board games! Plus reading wasn't my best subject in school either!" Axer complained as Williams remembered that he barely passed his exams in school and only got assigned here because of his speed and precision on the machines they worked on. "I know you can do it Ensign!" Baker said with a smile as Puru butted in before he could respond and told him that he'd need to work a lot harder than he was now if he wanted to win. "Hey stay out of this!" Axer scoffed back as he finally got another point by using the word Jupiter on the board along with Minerva. "I'm really big on Greek and Roman gods and planets as well so glad I at least know those." Axer commented to Baker who only noted that he had unfortunately lost the game as Williams declared the mercy rule....again. "Well I'm going to bed. The night crew will expect us up and about tomorrow morning and I hope Beta team figures out that mess they have. With their team scrambled and Lieutenant Paul Lyons losing most of his OMEGA Squad yesterday things won't be easy." Williams said as Puru chuckled, "Don't worry I gotcha. This whole place is scary but I feel like I can trust ya Miss Williams." commented Puru as Williams smiled and nodded.
===
Chapter 2: Raid on The Sleeves

Timeskip 5 days later - Time 2:40 estimated.

After going back to camp at the strange citadel they had dubbed the Twilight Citadel in the Chinese looking area they had spent much of their time reorganizing. Beta Team had worked out details on their structure and Paul Lyons had agreed to work with Alpha Team and was given Graham Aker to team up with. While Gabriel had been given to Beta Team at SIGMA's insistence that they didn't want a non-OMNI soldier working with them. Saturnalia was given over to the newly formed Independent Ops group led by no one unless they elected a leader and consisted of herself, The Sandrock Team, and Puru (whom though was a 'conscript' per say she was to young for official duty but to strong a presence to leave out on the field even though Jason disliked fielding child soldiers. Puru also requested that they help her find a boy named Judau Ashta who piloted a suit called the Double Zeta Gundam which was a big bulky machine meant for artillery usage and or simple overwhelming power occasions. Other than that they had scrapped Tallgeese for repairs on Sandrock and had sent SIGMA team in their signature MVF-M11C Murasame suits that they had purchased from ORB to scavenge suits from the battlefield they had left days earlier and had even managed to rescue some of the missing soldiers from the battle whom were unable to be rescued during the retreat the day before. Though many of them needed medical attention.

The soldiers sent down to the citadel noted it had some strange techology in it but was otherwise proving hard to study and had yielding no answers and Puru had complained about the place feeling weird which Paul and any of the other newtypes on the ship could probably confirm on but Puru especially was feeling strange when she got near the place as if the place was distorted. Unfortunately two days ago they had come across a group led by what they assumed to be a zaku type suit but much stronger and was painted a terrifying purple color. It took the combined efforts of Puru (who was oddly unable to use her funnels doing the battle), Gabriel, Saturnalia, and Paul Lyons to force the suit back. It had fled to a mother ship of sorts and they were unable to confirm with Puru what the ship was but it was definitely of Zeon make for sure. What came next was a real hindrance. Daily raids were sent against them piloted by advanced looking zaku whom proved much more stronger than Glemy's Gazas and Zaku ll's. In fact Paul and Graham were nearly killed twice by the pilots of a black gundam piloted but from what Paul could gather it was piloted by a female pilot and strangely enough had an OMNI tag on it and another by a man who piloted a a red mobile suit which was particularly troublesome and had been forced back by the combined efforts of Graham, and Gabriel with a late assist to Puru. Over all it seemed that they had found a new enemy in this Zeon group and Jason was particularly not happy with this turn in events as it wasted already needed ammo and they were lucky that they were able to force back these raids with no casualties thanks to the superiority of their ace class suits and the abilities of their leaders over theirs. Lucky the purple suit had not shown up again.

Paul was in the hanger fixing up some scuff marks on the Raigo after it's most recent encounter with the enemy suits. The machines had proven most annoying and their use of laser weapons was really proving to be a major problem for the OMNI Enforcers. The bastards had even given him a run for his money. But he wouldn't go into the grave again until he met his wife once more and proved himself not to be a liar. He had obligations to more than just himself now. This crew also needed him and the assistance provided to him by the new guys was most agreeable. He normally was the only gundam pilot on this ship which made him particularly outgunned. But he was impressed by the skills of the pilots to an extent. For now he wanted to get rid of that big ugly purple monster they had a run in with some time back now. Graham was working on his flag down a couple of rows and the machine had taken a bit of bumps and bruises but thanks to the others it was still flyable. Graham's skills had proven him more than just a normal suit pilot. He was without a doubt an ace to be able to take on suits of the quality they were fighting without getting mowed down like cannon fodder.

The days were fast for the ESUN duo that joined the Sundown, assisting in battles as much as they can. The battles themselves had enemies far stronger than the 'Zakus' they faced but nonetheless prevailed. Drops from the field included a beam machine gun to replace the beam sub-machine gun that wasn't transported with them to this world and rechargable e-pacs were scattered across. It still took time for Donna to interact more with her allies outside of the battlefield but her mentor wouldn't rush it. She would be interested in speaking with the other 'allied' units though, finding common ground as strangers and small allies.

The generousity of offering Tallgeese's spare parts were greatly appreciated by Instructor W, who saw that the spare parts will allow them to last a month at least. One news he received of a certain Mobile Suit he thought to have been destroyed troubled him. His theory of people drawn from different times turned out correct if so. The Instructor gave much information on the OZ-16MSX-D Scorpio as he can get to the Sundown so they can be better prepared. The beam machine gun brought back by Donna was something for him to look at too, making sure of it's compatibility and adjusting it along the e-pacs to make sure.

The two were at the hangar most of the time, which more-or-less became their base of operations. Everyday, Donna brought coffee for the Instructor while he was working with the maintenance. "So is the machine gun usable?" She asked
The Instructor nodded and stopped looking at the roughly drawn chart of Sandrock the he used. "It should be compatible now." He answered. "The fusion generator of the Sandrock should strong enough to handle the output without the manipulators malfunctioning. Did you speak to talk with any of the pilots on the ship?"
There was no response from the pilot and assumed she didn't have success. The Instructor shrugged it, understanding how he can't force her to interact. "I continue to suggest making friends here so we can coordinate in battle more effectively." He gave his input from experience as a pilot. "See if you can get the pilot of the Virtue. While she provides heavy support, you can aid by intercepting approaching foes or she can give cover fire when making an advance."

Meanwhile....

Angelo Sauper and his crew of strangers were finding a hard time deciding their next course of action. After finding a hostile group of soldiers, they were scavenging an area of gunned down Zaku ll's, they knew that something was very wrong with this. Two identified gundams with a possibly modified ZZ Gundam, and a Qubeley 2 of all things. Along with a various mismatch of suits and it was clear they were fighting an interesting group of foes. Angelo sat in his private quarters thinking about how all of this was going to go down. They had a technological edge that was clear but they had ace quality pilots to match their own as was apparent when that girl Stella, and of course Victor were all surrounded by the enemy upon trying to attack the enemy. Or so Victor reported. It was all they could do to survive the attack by the ace pilots. "Gundams pah. Outdated suits from an outdated era not even funnels or beam shields." Angelo said as he stood up and walked down the corridor and into the meeting room where his 'allies' were gathered. Stella Loussier, the gundam pilot from Earth whom Angelo had accepted aboard just to grab her suit but she had proven herself useful, stood dejectedly in a corner next Rondo. Victor stood vigilant near where he would take his place, as assured by the captain of Full Frontal's guard, at the head of the center of the rounded room. There was one more person they picked up the day before whom Angelo didn't care to listen to after his pompous attitude immediately pushed him to dislike this man with long black hair. Anyone else in the room was beyond his caring at this point as he stood in the center of the room. "Gentlemen and ladies attention!" Angelo said as the Zeon soldiers saluted their captain and those few who weren't gave him a bow. Perfect people...bah like they could match up to Zeon.

"Today I want to inform you of our intention to wipe out the enemy forces we have found. We will attack later tomorrow so we will be planning our strategies for tomorrow now. After this we will prepare our suits for the coming day! These enemy forces have disgraced us by killing our allies and looting their bodies like common vultures! They will know the fury that we have to offer for such a grave insult!" Angelo said with passion as he slammed his fist on the table. "Gundams....possibly three or four with outdated tech. They stand no chance compared to the power that is Zeon and of course our friend Victor from the Perfect People!" proclaimed Angelo with zeal. The Zeon soldiers clambered for revenge for their fallen comrades.The Perfect People went along with it but it was more to humor Angelo than nothing. What did they care for the guys? The seemed like they shared similar ideals but Angelo's seal for his Zeon nation put off many of them. Victor smiled, "We will start with Stella and Rowen leading the charge with enemy forces engaging them we will surround them led by me and Angelo. With that done we will..." Victor continued his line of thought as various tactics were discussed and given. At the end of the day the plan was decided and Angelo dismissed his soldiers.

===

At the Sundown...

As the Sandrock Team was working on their own devices in came Graham Aker who was getting ready for his patrol duty for the day. When he saw the duo at their normal stations Graham walked over to them, "It's good to see someone being diligent and taking such good care of their mobile suit Miss Donna. I can respect a person who takes an interest in the welfare of their machine and sees it more as just an instrument for destruction. A mobile suit is the extension of ones self. It is like the blade of a katana wielded by the ancient Samurai of Japan. If you don't take care of it what kind of soldier are you....it's sad to see so many people down here just like Engineer Yuri take care of these suits." commented Graham with his daily reminder that he was a soldier and that he loved battle. It was only three days and he had already shown that he was three things, dedicated to his flag and his status as it's pilot, that battle was a way of expression, and that he was passionate about his way of living. "You know Captain Aker you don't need to shout out your philosophy to everyone in the ship." shouted Grant as Graham Aker chuckled, "Of course." Graham answered with a smile.

Gabriel spent the next five days between field work and making repairs on his suit. Luckily the scraps collected from the battles provided him with everything he needed to repair his suit along with the Sundown's engineers. The battles with strong opponents was something Gabriel had actually missed about real combat. Testing himself and pushing his newtype abilities it reminded him of the slight bit of joy he actually took out of combat. And the more Gabriel returned to the battlefield the more "rust" fell off and he began to live up to his real potential. In his down time Gabriel would try to socialize with the other pilots, but being the "old man" of the group he kinda stood out, although the girl Puru did stand out for him. The young Newtype was full of energy and did intrigue Gabriel. Something was different about her, but it wasn't exactly a bad thing.

Now dressed in a black tanktop and a pair of jeans, net exactly regulation, but it worked for repairs, Gabriel was working on his GX making sure it would be prepared for his next deployment.

The last few days had been stressful, disconnection from Veda for such an extended period of time was making Saturnalia lose direction and purpose, though she tried her best to hide it from everyone around her. To make matters worse, the only people who were familiar with the world as she knew it were Graham and Nena. Unfortunately, Graham didn't seem that fazed by the current situation and was too much of a combat eccentric for Saturnalia's tastes. Nena on the other hand was the enemy, and so as not to reveal her true allegiance to Ribbons, Saturnalia was content to simply ignore Nena and let her rot in the brig. The battles had also been continuous and relentless, revealing a plethora of unfamiliar technology. For the most part, Saturnalia hung back near the Sundown, providing artillery support and base defense; there was no point rushing out without a clear objective. This way, she could also easily recharge if necessary since the engineers had successfully managed to finish constructing power conduit for her GN drive. Saturnalia was wondering if she could figure out a way to commandeer the Throne Drei's false GN Drive for herself. Unfortunately, she had already told the crew of the Sundown that the false GN drive was dangerous so they had it secured.

She had been rooming with Donna Lindemann, but for the time being, they had each kept to themselves. Saturnalia heavily considered trying to talk to her, as she was the only other female pilot who wasn't a child. Saturnalia was sitting in the Virtue's cockpit, trying to figure out a way to reconnect with Veda, though if she herself was unable to do so, it was even less likely the Virtue or Nadleeh could, even though the Nadleeh had a special connection to Veda. Deciding to give up for now, Saturnalia opened the cockpit to see a few of the pilots having gathered in the hangar. She lowered herself down, and approached, suddenly becoming very nervous. In actuality, Saturnalia had been in hibernation her whole life, learning from Veda, and had really only been awake for a few years. She had difficulty having conversations, usually she only communicated for the sake of whatever mission she was assigned. Talking about anything besides the job at hand was awkward and put her out of her element.

"G-good morning sirs...and lady," She began timidly, showing a side quite unlike the objective serious she had displayed when they had first met and whenever she was in battle.

Rowan had found the last few days to be a whirlwind of strange events and confusing revelations.
The last thing he'd remembered, he'd been in the cockpit of his Zeta Plus C1, ascending from the lunar surface to the waiting Taskforce fleet - and the next thing he knew he was passing rapidly into unconciousness, before waking up... wherever he was now.
After that, he'd found himself surrounded and escorted by what looked like a menagerie of Zeon-derived mobile suits, and other he'd never seen.
After being bombarded with questions, threats and demands; his new 'friends' had maneuvered him into helping them, and - reluctantly, and with nowhere else to go - he'd decided to go along with them.

They'd shown surprised that his Zeta Plus was so 'old', and that he hadn't know who they were - and he hadn't believed them at all to begin with when they'd stated they werre from eight years into his own future. At that point he'd wondered if he'd somehow fallen into a coma and lost eight years - and then the other, stranger, revelations had come, about people who were from other times and places altogether.
At that point, he'd decided to just stick it out until things started making sense, or someone he could sympathise with and join forces with came along.

As such, when the silver-haired pompous and arrogant young man who seemed to be leading this group began his chest-thumping and flowery address about the upcoming mission, Rowan, who'd taken a position out of the line of sight, and near the other newcomers - and especially the dejected-seeming pretty young woman who'd seemed very reluctant indeed to be here - started paying attention.
More Gundams? He thought with a flash of interest and hope. They could be from the Federation, or one of the other groups opposing these people! He tried not to get his hopes up too high - after all, Gundams had been used by hostiles in the past. The Titans and New Desides had proved that among others. But it was still something.
His attention came back with an alarming jolt as he heard his own name mentioned by another of the commanding officers in the room.

, "We will start with Stella and Rowen leading the charge with enemy forces engaging them we will surround them led by me and Angelo. With that done we will..."

He tried to cover his alarm with a nervous smile and a nod, searching the room and meeting eyes with Stellar.
Did she want to get out of this too? Was she stuck here like him? He searched the young woman's face and body language for clues. She seemed to constantly be escorted, almost like she was a prisoner. Maybe if they were going out in front, there was a chance to get away... he needed a chance to discuss things with her.
"I'll be glad to be out front," he said, nodding with more confidence than he felt, as he began to form a plan. "We'll lead the charge against the enemy. We'll come up with a sound strategy to leave them open for you and Angelo, of course".
Hesitantly, he flashed a smile, hoping his bluff was adequate to draw them in, and that he wasn't misjudging the girl and her intentions. Either way, he hoped the old saying was true - the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Donna noticed the Flag Fighter's remark. "Thank you, Captain Aker." She replied, bowing with respect. "Since we are in an allied, but foreign ship we believe should be maintaining our equipment ourselves. Instructor W is in charge of most of the repairs but I help where I possibly can."
Instructor W saw the interaction. "I am also impressed with your piloting skills." He added. "According to what Second Lieutenant Lindemann told me you have been able to fight on par against Gundam-type units. That is quite a feat."
Donna saw Saturnalia enter the conversation, now becoming a flame that attracts insects. "Good morning." She greeted back. "I'm wondering if we should work closer in the battlefield next time. I feel we can complement each other by providing supports when needed."
The Instructor observed the conversation, smiled with how his student is interacting now. He returned to speak with Graham. "So Captain Aker, how is conflict in your world?" He asked with interest.

Grant smiled widely as Saturnalia decided to come and speak up. It seemed that Sandrock girl, whatever her name was she didn't seem like the type of girl Grant was particularly going to remember besides the fact that she stuck around a older man and a robot all day, didn't notice her and Graham didn't hear her over Sandrock girl talking. So he decided to step up on his game after Linda got done talking and Graham came up, "Sup Saturnalia? Something up? You're normally on patrol this time of day." commented Grant as he gave a grin. "Don't mind them they're just geeking out over suit stuff. I hope you don't mind talking to a lower ranking captain like me." Grant said chuckling. "If you do suppose you could just talk to that wall or that one girl in the brig you seem to hate with a fiery passion." Grant said as his female co-pilot walked up, "Captain....Saturnalia..." she said with caution as it seemed most of the ship wasn't as open minded as Grant was. "Oh sup? Need somethin?" Grant asked his co-pilot quickly before she shook her head and informed him that she had to go to the bathroom before they went out on the patrols again. Grant gave her permission to do so before turning his attention to Saturnalia if she was still there. "So we were talking about?" he said as he turned around.
===
"Yeah this place is pretty weird and big and has that look like something made out of a movie but I'm sure we've both seen stranger things in our lives than this. Like that mobile suit over there piloted by that girl named Nena and that weird little robot she has that cursed at me when I was asked to look at it the other day. The thing called me an A-hole before telling me I was a loser." Graham said as he turned to the railing and leaned over it as he looked over to Raigo and there next to it Gundam X. "Then there's guys like Gabriel who are a complete mystery to me. I really don't get him he seems off. What are your opinions on everyone here? Since you had a friend here who died in battle I figured you would be in the same boat as me. Before you ask I heard so from the Captain when he was talking about scrapping that machine called Tallgeese for your usage." commented Graham as he looked at the Gundam with a smile and a firmly gripped hand on the railing. "As for my skills I just do what I can and I give it all I got out there.
===
"Of course junker. You and that Zeta will be able to fool them into thinking we're weaker than we are. Don't worry you're not fodder...you're just a....distraction. I'm confident a man who can pilot even a mass produced Zeta unit could prove his ability to destroy anything they have." Angelo commented as he was forced to stop what he was about to say and turn around to look at Rowan. Even sitting across the room the man was an eyesore. That suit he piloted was even more garbage than some of the suits they had to use in the past. He would serve his job however and if he made it out alive...so be it just one more mouth to feed. He was just lucky to be in the presence of the head of Full Frontal's guard. Stella continued to sit there with a lack of real emotion on her face besides....acceptance? or was it sadness? or maybe longing. Whatever it was she had simply nodded her head. "Good then I assume Mr. Rowan knows his job now so we may continue on." Angelo said glad to not have to look at the man again. The crew believed him to be a junker whom had happened upon the suit. The idea was pitched forth by the captain of this ship. Has currently at the helm and he only referred to Angelo for orders. As for the black haired individual. Whoever he was he was an enigma. He refused to give his full name out and stated that he would help them as long as they didn't ask to many questions. Suffice to say he was as unhappy to be here as anyone else was and the intended to get through this ordeal alive. Which was why all the more interesting came when he spoke up, "I suppose that we better get ready then. If Rowan knows his deal he and Stella should leave. Especially since he has patrol duties today correct?" the man said as Angelo nodded his head, "Yes I suppose you have a point unless you have more to add Mr. Rowan you're free to leave." commented Angelo as he waved one hand at the man. "Same to you Miss Stella." commented Angelo too as he looked over at the girl who silently did as she was told and left the room. After she left the room she headed down the hall to the left towards the medical bay.
===
"So where is it Trinity?" asked Paul again as she stubbornly glared at him through a straight jacket and the bars between them. "Why don't you just fuck off already I told you Glemy Toto was the man who led the ship. I barely knew him for a day when you attacked us." she commented as Paul's frowned eyes tried to piece her stubborn mentality. "There's surely more to that because of your mobile suit's ability to cause static in communications. Just so you know our engineers already figured out a way to at least make it so we can communicate with each other in close distances now. Our chief engineer is a genius no matter how short he is. We can make this a lot less painful than it needs to be." Paul said as he pulled out a small shock baton as he tapped it on the floor. Nena wasn't impressed. "So you're going to torture me Mr. Lieutenant?" commented Nena as she looked at him. "Like I care I've seen much worse before and I'm sure you're violating more than one protocol in doing this." Nena commented as Paul's frown deepened. "I don't enjoy this so why don't you just spill the damn beans about everything you know so I don't need to beat a little girl like you." commented Paul blatantly tapping the baton louder against the metal floor. "That Haro unit you have is also pretty annoying. It's decripted so heavily that it has to have some nasty little secrets about this Celestial Being organization you're a part of. I already know more about you than you have let on. It's only a matter of time before you're whole life is an open book. That Haro will break if you don't." said Paul as he looked at Nena's eyes. "Yeah like you could. I don't buy it." Trinity said as Paul got up and smacked the rubbery boots he wore so that he would get electrocuted by his own baton. "Last chance Trinity" Paul said as he put the baton right up against Nena's face before he was suddenly pulled out of what he was doing by one of his soldiers. "Sir Commander Jason want's to talk to you." the man said as Paul slowly turned to face him while keeping an eye on Trinity, "Fine." Paul said as he dropped the baton on the floor deactivating it and kicking it over to one of his fellow men who were watching and recording this whole ordeal. "You got lucky Trinity very lucky." Paul commented darkly before leaving the room while Nena rolled her eyes. As Paul left the room his arms drooped. It was hard being a lieutenant sometimes. Interrogations were not Paul's best spot. And it made him feel disgusting afterward. Luckily for him Saturnalia had informed them about Nena more than enough to consider he a threat. But they could certain not convince her to become an ally after what he just did to her. "Like it mattered Saturnalia toasted her suit. She hasn't betrayed us just yet. No one has. That should pass any immediate threats...but they're still threats....especially Gabriel. Even looking at him should make that clear to anyone." Paul said to himself as he walked onto the elevator.

Rowan wasn't entirely sure why Angelo kept referring to him as a 'junker', but he was sure it wasn't a compliment of any kind. Of course, scorn dripped off of the haughty man's every remark. His assumptions about the Zeta Plus were interesting as well. Rowan was somewhat worried - after all, if mobile suits and pilots from many different universes had ended up here, then there was every chance his machine would be outclassed, but - to quote the dandy man - 'even' his Zeta should be able to match some of them. After all, it was no slouch in speed or in firepower, and it's transformation abilities gave it a lot of versatility.
Either way, right now he was less concerned with fighting and winning, or with his suits' performance, than he was with making a break for it and getting out of here.
Angelo dismissed him after a few more words, and Rowan took the opportunity - gladly - to leave, silently slipping out and following Stella.
The young woman had remained silent and mostly expressionless during the meeting, and that had thrown some doubt as to his theory about relying on her or her motivations and loyalties being in alignment with his own.
All the same, he wouldn't know until he tried to ask, and given he'd exchanged less than two words with her so far, he had to try and find out. If she did tell anyone then well, he was due to launch on patrol, so there wouldn't be much of a chance for the word to get out.

Resigning himself to the idea, he followed her in the direction of the medical bay, catching up with her a short way down the corridor.
"Excuse me, Stella," he said quietly and with a slight smile. "I was wondering if you had a moment - I need to discuss something with you. About these people, and this ship.."

[Ignore, double post]

Stella was startled when the man known as Rowan appeared behind her. She turned around quickly and looked at him with a confused face, "What do you want?" she asked the strange man she knew little about and when he replied she was less than happy about his response, "I see....what do you want to know? I don't have much information about this place since I come from a different ship but...I'll gladly offer anything I know to you." She said kindly with a smile but behind that smile was obvious hidden fear of the orders she was given. The small little girl in front of Rowan was nothing like a normal soldier should be. But on her chest she bore the insignia of that of a military logo embedded on right side of it. She was a frail little girl and obviously was uncomfortable with this entire situation but she was trying her best to cope with the situation. "I just want to get checked out at the doctor...my head hurts a bit and I am feel a bit anxious. After that I was planning on wandering around so I don't have any reason not to talk to you." Stella said as she looked at Rowan with her innocent/inquisitive violet eyes.

Rowan was surprised by how flighty the girl seemed. Evidently she was afraid - maybe of him. After all, he was an outsider here, and he had just followed her down a corridor. But brushing the thought aside he hesitated as he searched for the right words, before launching into conversation.
"I'm not from here too. This ship, or even I think, this um, universe. These people... do you know anything about them, or their intentions?" He looked away, back down the corridor, with a frown. "Angelo, and that Victor guy... they don't seem like... good people, I guess. And from what I've picked up and learned, some of them might even be former enemies. Or allied with them, at least..." he trailed off as she explained her own situation, holding his hands up in apology.
"I'm sorry - I'm probably not helping with any anxiety you're feeling. I just wanted to get an idea of how someone else was finding it being here. I'm sorry if you're not feeling well. If I can help, let me know - I didn't mean to bother you".
He dipped his head in a slight bow and stepped back, intending to head on toward the hangar and ready his mobile suit.

"Well they're just stressed I'm sure after all who else in the world would be that way in this strange place. He's been good enough to help me with my health problems so I don't see anyway I could complain. Besides complaining is for people who have no solutions to their complaints. I just follow where I'm pointed to." commented Stella as she shrugged and twirled around. "I mean this place, these people, these individuals...they all have a reason for doing what they were doing and if not then that's just how they live. I don't think about it much but I live a similar way with my team back where I am from. It's not a good life but a doctor once said, "it's the life I've been dealt." Whatever that means I'm fine with that it may not be a glamorous life but it's a life. I'm sure Angelo and is friends and Victor and his companions all know about struggling with conflict. The world I wish it was free of troubles like that. Mr. Rowan. You should take everything with a grain of salt." Stella commented with a smile. She was clearly not trying to think about the battle or was trying not to. Whatever or whoever Stella was she wasn't going to provide much if hate towards anyone. "If you want someone to talk to though Mr. Rowan since we're partners in the following fight like Angelo said I'll be glad to lend you an ear." she said sweetly.

In response to Donna, Saturnalia replied, "Yes, one of the Virtue's sister suits is a Gundam that specialized in melee combat, so I think I will be able to work well with you in the Sandrock."

"Hello Grant," Saturnalia replied, "By the way, if my name is too cumbersome, you can call me Nalia." It was a name one of the other Innovators had started calling her, however before it had caught on, she had found herself in this strange situation. "It's just..." She was beginning to feel a bit nervous and uneasy; she was so used to having a constant connection to Veda and the other Innovators, that she wasn't used be being alone with just her own thoughts, the mental silence was unsettling. "It's just...we're in this weird situation, nobody's allegiances make sense to anyone else, we're being hounded by enemies we don't recognize, there isn't even a civilian population. There are buildings and landscapes, but the only people that seem to be here are us...combatants...like some strange arena or something." She took a deep breath quietly. "I guess...I feel like we're going to be in this situation for a while, so I might as well try to get to know the people around me...so I just wanted to make some small talk, so feel free to tell me about yourself."

She heard Graham complaining about Nena's Haro, but she refrained from saying anything; she might give away too much if she revealed that she had knowledge on the Haro.

Rowan listened to Stella's words. To him, it sounded as though she was more aligned with the views of the people aboard the ship itself, or at least more innocent to their cause or reasoning, if not buying into it. Her comments about lacking a good life, and seemingly having no drive or motivation of her own to do anything was troubling, in a way. He was a firm and strong believer in the idea of self-determination, and had never met anyone who didn't have their own motivation to do anything.
It was clear that she was, for the moment at least, content to remain here, and that it would take more than a simple conversation to bring out any dissenting feeling within the girl. He didn't know enough about her to know where any loyalties of any kind were, and if he could change her mind. And with the imminent patrol mission, he'd miss his chance to get out if he didn't go now.
"I guess I'd better let you get on," he said with a gentle nod, excusing himself. "I'll see you in the hangar later, when we launch".

Stepping away, he headed for the ready room to change into his pilots' suit to prepare for the sortie. As he did, he ran ideas through his head.
If he wanted to head for the ship belonging to the opposition - and his potential allies - he'd need the location. The patrol would be just that; a circuit around the immediate area, and not an attack on the oppositions' ship.
The location of the vessel should be known - if other mobile suits and support craft had engaged, then it should be stored in their OS file and flight recorders. He could gain access to the data, plot it into his machines' flight computer, and then rendezvous with the other ship.
Adjusting the last few seals on his suit, he resolved himself to the course of action, and strode out from the ready room and into the hangar. His Zeta Plus, in its' normal low-viz grey, was being prepped for launch; hoses were being disconnected and panels closed up from the regular maintenance. He exchanged greetings with the maintenance people, before checking in the cockpit. Everything was normal, and he made a show of test-checking some equipment, before climbing out again, and heading for one of the Zeon-like suits - Geara Zulu's, he'd heard them called - stood at rest around the hangar. Angelo's personal suit looked similar, but had a paintjob as distinctive as the main himself, in pink and purple. The machine was also modified with dangerous-looking claws on each arm instead of hands, more impressive shoulder armour, and of all things, high heels.
"Hey, man! There's an issue with my flight computer," he called to the technician maintaining one of the more conventional machines, with a carefree and confident demeanour and a rapid-fire string of words, keeping eye contact reassuring the worker with a pat on the shoulder as he spoke, making a confidence ploy to get him through. "I haven't got the latest set of updated references and terrain after being thrown through all this crazy distortion and interference. I don't wanna screw up the mission because my suit isn't up to spec, so I think it'd be best for everyone if I avoided the wrath of Mr Sauper and company by updating the info on my Gundam".
Swinging himself into the seat, he quickly booted up the mobile suits' system, tapping through screens and copying the information down onto his personal PDA, keeping up a stream of chat and talk with the technician as he did, and then shutting off the machine as soon as he was done.
"Thanks, man - you've been a lifesaver. If this wasn't done, well - you know how it can be, right?"
He quickly left the bemused man behind, and climbed back into the Zeta C1's cockpit, quickly updating the navigational info. By the time he was done, the order to launch had come through, and the Mass-Production Zeta Plus was elevated to launch position and catapulted off into the skies.
Almost as soon as the machine was airborne, Rowan felt a familiar thrill of excitement tingle through his veins. He'd missed piloting, and felt near-helpless and uncertain while on the ship. Now he was back in his mobile suit, he felt back in control, and able to actually influence his own course of action, rather than being a captive.
Hitting controls, he transformed the sleek mobile suit into it's aircraft mode, parts switching and sliding with sophisticated ease and engineering. More agile in the atmosphere and now capable of powered flight, the machine was able to quickly leave the ship behind.
"All right," he murmured to himself, putting the machine into a steady climbing bank, leaving the vessel behind. "Let's get this show on the road."
Accelerating with a touch of throttle, he pointed the smart beam-gun that made the machines' nose in the right direction for the patrol, and began the first leg of his already plotted route. As soon as he reached the leg that took him nearest to the 'enemy' location, he'd fake a communications scare and go off route. As soon as he had a good fix, he'd drop below radar altitude and scram for the other ship at high speed, only climbing when he was within visual distance, and then contacting them to broadcast his own intentions.

All he had to do now was hope it would work, and he didn't get shot down.

Grant smiled and chuckled to himself as he heard Saturnalia talk he shook his head, "Man you're over thinking this whole deal 'Nalia'." Grant said as she motioned around him, "People are strangers and enemies are enemies that's how I've come to view my life in general. When you come up to somethin' alien of course you're going to question it. I don't care if this is all just a bad dream or some sort of computer simulation or whatever this is. My job is to protect these people and that's what I'm going to do. Like I said an enemy is the man trying to kill those closest to you and or your own body." Grant commented as he gestured to Gabriel over there, "See take him for example. Lieutenant called him fuckin' crazy couple days ago. He also saved SIGMA Leader's butt trying to save your butt. Just because he's strange don't make him suspicious to me." Grant said as he shrugged, "Then again I'm a grunt leading a group of grunts. My job ain't to question orders my orders are to follow'em." Grant said and when Nalia continued onto ask him about himself he laughed not out of mocking but out of genuine surprise.

"Like I said sweetheart I'm just a guy from nowhere with the unlikely aptitude to be placed in charge of one of the finest group of nobodies under a Lieutenant who makes me look like a chew toy, a captain I'm not worthy of serving under, and a group of strangers who are questioning me about my looks and my suit and what flag I salute rather than asking me out to a nice dinner date. Maybe later." Grant said with grin and he shook his head, "I'm just messin' with you. I don't ask out total strangers. Not that you aren't pretty Miss but I just met you and to be honest I gotta go and get out on patrol duty soon as my prissy team mates get off their BUTTS~" Grant called and was met with a middle finger by one of his team mates which made him nearly bust a gut not trying to laugh. "See we're all family here. You gotta be if you're out there trying to kill each other. My recommendation? Go see what you can find out about Puru, Gab, or you can go to my angsty Lieutenant, don't tell him I said that, and try to weasel something out of him. Good luck with that last one." Grant said as he juggled his helmet from his hand to his other hand. "Anything else I can help you with?" Grant asked.
===
"What is it Captain?" Paul asked Jason as he walked into the bridge as Baker who was with Captain Jason at the moment turned around quickly once Paul entered the room and went back to her station as he walked up to his Captain. Much to Paul's surprise..."CAPTAIN! LIEUTENANT PAUL!" Puru shouted as she smiled and grabbed him from behind. "Lieutenant! I've been learning all about new stuff. Hard to remember but it's still so cool. All these controls and all of these do-dads it's crazy! I didn't think a ship was this hard to pilot! These people are so cool!" Puru said as she grinned at Paul and let him go spinning around to get in front of him. "Of course Puru but why are you even here?" Paul asked her as Jason shrugged with a chuckle on his face as he gestured towards John who was frowning intensely. "Puru helps keep up morale even if she is a bit overzealous." Williams told Paul as he grunted. "Hey I'm not over...zeal...ous....I'm fun sized!" Puru said with a pouty tone but Captain Jason nodded and patted her on the shoulder, "Yes that you are Puru that you are." Captain Jason stated. "Besides she's just so fun and cute she makes the bridge a bit brighter. Right Baker?" Williams asked as Baker shook her head silently nodded her head shyly avoiding eye contact with Paul who wrote off the newbie. "So much for our whole deal with the others....if Puru's here whats stopping the-" Paul started as Puru shook her head, "Hey! I'm no trouble! Besides I've helped you out the past few days didn't I? Doesn't that mean anything?" Puru asked with puckered up lip and Paul had to admit Puru was a decent pilot. And those DRAGOONS or rather funnels that she uses were more than dangerous.

He knew first hand what those things were capable of at the hands of the infamous Lao La Lugara the infamous OMNI traitor who Jason had a personal grudge against...and for that matter Paul as well. "Whatever. Captain just tell me what you want me to do." Paul asked in resignation to the situation as Jason finally got serious, "I want you out there with Grant's team. I don't need the bastards sneaking up on us and quite frankly I'd feel much better with you close at hand but I'd be long dead if I went off my feelings. I want you and Alpha to go out and make sure those bastards aren't anywhere near us. If they are break them like only you can my friend." Jason said as Paul nodded. Paul also caught Baker cringing slightly at the word, break and wanted to shake his head. A soldier doesn't cringe from destroying what they have to destroy. And they also don't cringe at betrayal either. It was a staple of work. And it was something he'd experience multiple times in his life. But one time hurt more than others. "I'll help if you want Lieutenant Black Star!" Puru volunteered as Paul looked at Jason whom shook his head, "No Puru you're job is here to protect all of us." Puru frowned at that, "Alright...I just don't like being pinned up in this ship is all." Puru said as she walked over to Baker, "Miss Baker can we take a bath later? They're more fun if I have someone who can wash my back for me." Puru said as Baker blushed bright red but smiled and said, "It's a bit weird of a request but I'll do that for you. It'll be a bit cramped though." Baker commented as Paul left the room not wanting to hear where this was going. "I hope you're getting a kick out of this Captain Jason. Because I'm not." Paul commented bluntly.

As Paul walked out of the changing room, now clad in his signature black suit that was stolen from ZAFT all those years ago, he casually walked over to his mobile suit. Black Star Paul Lyons...a soldier like him reduced to being a damn recon scout. "I'm an multi-time ace damn it...why couldn't someone like....oh wait he's got to patrol soon enough. Hey you two break it up. Get the crap out of your ears and get ready to launch. You take east I'll take North. I want you with me Grant got it!?" Paul shouted as Grant quickly shook his head in confirmation and said a hasty goodbye to his team before he grabbed his helmet on a nearby table. Paul walked towards his suit and as he did so he sighed to himself and entered the cockpit of Raigo after entering it's pass code to get into the machine. He put on his helmet and put in the boot up sequence. "Hey Boris I'm leaving detach the charge cables." Paul called as the cables detached. He attached his aerial pack to his back so he could be prepared to get the hell out of where he was if he needed too. Plus the added fact of how far he was going didn't make the whole walking scenario plausible.

"Lieutenant you're clear to go!" called the chief engineer. as Paul walked towards the catapult on the deck as the latch protecting the hanger opened. "Let's do this..." Paul said to himself as Jame's Axer's face came up on screen, "You're clear to go Lieutenant." James said as Paul sighed, "I'm not even on the damn catapult yet hold your horses I know this isn't your thing but you should know that much. You should be ashamed to call yourself a special forces operator." Paul admonished him as Axer groaned and bowed his head, "Sorry Lieutenant." said Axer as Paul sighed and entered the catapult. "Whatever. This is Black Star in GAT-FJ108 Speculum Striker Raigo Gundam is launching!" Paul shouted as he was propelled forward. He'd gotten so used to using this thing that it didn't phase him anymore. As he activated his Phase Shift and made sure his shield was properly being held in his hand he launched out towards where his team would be."

===

About sixteen minutes later...

Grant, in the ugly looking slaughter dagger of his with that green armor, stood next to Paul as Paul scanned the skies. "This whole thing is just a big mess Lieutenant!" Grant said suddenly interrupting Paul's concentration. "We're on patrol at least do that job right." Paul commanded with annoyance as he went back to his screen when Grant insisted on continuing, "Hey I'm serious big man I want to know what this whole ordeal about as much as the next guy and quite frankly you got that sixth sense thing going on. Most people I've seen can't pilot half as fast as you do. So what do you think is up with this place? Why are there so many different people?" Grant asked Paul as Paul turned around and fired a beam round onto the ground next to Grant causing the man to quickly back pedal, "Yo what the hell sir!?" Grant demanded as Paul shot a second time, "I told you to be quiet didn't I? You know you only dodged me because you're paying attention to only me now what if there's other people around here with a stealth system like Blitz Gundam that was reported last time. If that sort of suit gets past us the ship is SCREWED. Granted we most likely won't be able to see it but we can hear it definitely with this rocky terrain keep your eyes peeled....And to answer your question I have no clue what to think." Paul said as he turned his sights back to his computer. He didn't sense any of these newtypes that he was supposedly like. The only presences he felt out with his senses were back towards his ship a couple miles back. However suddenly on the very end of his radar he saw a small dot. "Of course....thinking of sneaking up on us again huh? Won't happen...Hey this is Patrol 1! Me and Captain Grant will secure the enemy!" Paul declared as he launched his Raigo full speed towards the direction of the area as Grant quickly tried to do the same before a voice came, "Grant stay behind Paul and wait. If there's more ambush the ambushers." Williams said as Baker said she'd get everyone else moving.

When Paul finally arrived at the direction this enemy was heading he hid behind a large boulder that was conveniently nearby. He wasn't sure if this enemy had radar like his. All likeliness was that this person was a suit pilot...if this place was a alternate universe collective like Captain Jason had suggested that meant all of the people here were most likely all mobile suit pilots from what he could gather. When the suit was finally within range he waited a second before engaging for it to enter the area a bit further. "One...two....!" Paul thought to himself as he suddenly launched off the ground and into the air pointing his rifle at a strange looking jet fighter. "Hey you there stop if possible! If you can't land on the ground! I am Lieutenant Black Star of OMNI Enforcer and you're in our camp territory surrender or fight me you're choice buddy!" Paul called as suddenly Puru's voice came through the com, "Hey that suit looks like the Zeta!" Puru was heard exclaiming as Paul looked at the suit. "Zeta?" Paul asked himself silently as he waited for the suit to reply. If he didn't the thing would be shot down that simple. If he did then perhaps this man was a member of this AEUG faction...

The Instructor thought about what to say about everyone in the ship. "I can say that as long as we don't aim a gun at each other we will be fine." He shared his thoughts to Graham. "If we won't work together we will all fail to survive wherever we are." He thought about people individually. "We can say that we all find each other strange in a way with different organisations we never heard of and Gundam units that we've never seen." Hearing about how they on the 'same boat', possibly from losing an ally he can agree. "Naina was a promising ally." He agreed. "Losing an ally is something Donna isn't used to either but I hope she's okay. From how you said the 'same boat' I assume you have lost a good number of comrades as well, Captain?"

Donna gave an effort to smile. "That sounds good." She replied. "If we have Gundams that have similar purposes then coordination will be easier." She walked away to let Nalia speak to Grant. She returned to look at her Sandrock still as a suit of armour in a castle.

"Hm you make a good point sir." Graham said with a grin. "We need more reasonable people where I come from. Most people intend to just destroy each other. Not that I can do much about that. I'm just a pilot who wants to prove he is better than the gundams. Now that I have more to deal with it seems I'll have re-double my efforts. Especially since people like Donna have come along. I'll be competing with all of you to prove I'm the best and hopefully we can find our own way to get out of this world." Graham stated as he nodded at the two of them before he turned away. As he did however an alarm rang with Baker's voice coming through it, "All soldiers prepare yourselves. There has been a possible tango spotted by Lieutenant Black Star and Ensign/Squad Captain Grant. Captain Jason Hiyan assures you that there has been no shots fired yet but you should still be prepared accordingly." Baker informed the people in the hanger. Graham Aker wasted no time in running alongside SIGMA Team to their respective suits. Beta Team was not in the hanger so it seemed that they would take more time to mobilize. Graham however was hoping they'd get a chance to fight because that meant that he'd get a chance at that purple suit they were fighting against last time which he didn't get a chance at. No matter how hard they fought no matter how hard they tried they were soldiers and soldiers were drawn to combat. Of course this could just be him overreacting but hey anything was possible in this world. This world was the world of infinite possibilities in Graham's mind.

Rowan's course had been well-plotted. Flying nap-of-the-earth, he'd dropped off of the radar, and weaved through valleys and followed the course of rivers, roads and other terrain to stay low as he'd approached the ship, only rising to altitude as he'd planned.
Interestingly to him, the area seemed relatively devoid of minovsky interference. This further pointed to this place being 'far from home', and that whatever the other mobile suits he may have seen were, they didn't necessarily operate on the same rules as his own machine, and those he knew well.
Before he could muse much further on the situation though, he was interrupted as his radar and other sensors picked up movement ahead. Forcing down the lump in his throat and hoping that whoever was out there didn't shoot first and ask questions later, he altered course to head for the blip, reducing his speed as he did so.

Moments later, he had a brief visual of a mobile suit. It was unfamiliar, but judging by the shape and the distinctive face, it was a Gundam of some kind, and blasted into the air on backpack thrusters to intercept him, a rifle pointed toward the aircraft-mode Zeta.

"Hey you there stop if possible! If you can't land on the ground! I am Lieutenant Black Star of OMNI Enforcer and you're in our camp territory surrender or fight me you're choice buddy!"

Rowan waggled the wings of the Zeta-Plus and changed mode with a shifting of limbs and wings, coming to a hover ahead of the mobile suit, and making sure both hands were pointed up, and the beam smartgun well away from the lieutenant.
"Lieutenant, please don't shoot - I surrender. I actually came here looking for you and your allies in this camp. I'll be glad to follow your orders, and those of your superiors and allies, and I have information about an impending attack by hostile forces. I'm Lieutenant Rowan Bracket, of the Earth Federation Forces. I was assigned to Task Force Alpha, before I ended up here. Now I'm trying to find anyone else who isn't Neo Zeon or allied with them".
He hoped the explanation made sense as he hovered in front of the other machine and it's pilot, waiting for an answer of some kind, or to be blown out of the sky. He was dearly crossing his fingers that it would be the first outcome, rather than the second.