"Puru do you recognize that suit?" Captain Jason asked as he turned on the camera to the screen in front of the crew that was being sent by Raigo. It showed the Zeta unit in front of them and Puru looked at that suit with a frowned face for a moment and scratched her head, "I dunno it looks like the gundam Zeta but it's not comparable to it in terms of color. I can't say for sure Captain sir!" Puru said after a moment of pondering what led Jason to believe that this guy could be from a part of the group Puru was in but was in a different version of it or an alternate version of it. It was risky to bring a soldier on board but he'd done so multiple times already and he had been lucky so far. He however already knew what action Paul would take. He knew so because the boy thought like him in a manner...unsurprising being the man he was to the second of command of his ship.

"If that's the case would you please land and allow one of my allies to quickly inspect the suit and would you comply with a very quick inspection of your suit's cockpit. I wouldn't do so in your position but that's another story 'Rowan'. Unlike the others whom we've met before it'd be stupid for us to let you on board the ship this late in the game. We're sure that enemies are everywhere and you're not in imminent danger like a certain group of pilots we've rescued." Paul chimed in as he held his beam rifle at the suit in case it tried anything. Regarding the the previous events that happened here the first group of companions they picked up had plenty of time to kill them when they, the Sundown Crew, were undoubtedly unconscious and they'd been escorted by arm guards to the captain. They've proven themselves since then and have become useful in their own right. Now of course this guy was an unknown because surely they're cover as Earth Pilots had been known by any of those neo-zeon assholes who attacked Puru. This suit was alien to him as well and of course the beam weapons he'd seen being used by suits similar to this guy's suit most likely had would nullify the phase shift on his suit anyway..." Paul said and he quickly switched back to Jason, "Sir any orders?" Paul asked him as Jason shook his head, "No orders Lieutenant as you will. I trust you as I always do." Jason said with authority as Paul nodded and switched back to his radio, "As for this Neo-Zeon...you're in luck those bastards have been terrorizing most of us and they're not by any means friends of ours. The fact that you state you're Earth Federation makes me both suspicious and a bit more trusting though. If you're lying your going to be thrown in jail. If you're truly a friend then you came to the right place just comply with my orders and everything will be fine. I just need to make sure you're not packing bombs. We'll confiscate any guns and rifles you have on your mobile suit and on your person. Should you need them back you'll be given them back once you leave the main ship we're staying in. I'm sure you can understand why we can't let strangers walk around our important areas of the ship. Especially the hanger bay. Be warned I'm sure we've mobilized our main defensive force by now so you won't be taking anyone by surprised in the hanger should you prove to be an enemy." Paul finished as Grant stood vigilant nearby, "Come on Lieutenant we don't need a speech." Grant said silently to himself.

As Saturnalia wondered if what else she could ask Grant, Lieutenant Lyons came and Dragged Grant away on a recon mission. When the message came that a possible enemy had been spotted, she made to get ready, but first she walked up to Donna who was looking over the Sandrock.

"I guess we should get ready," Saturnalia said, trying not to be too pushy as she had heard that Donna had lost someone she knew in the battle where the Sundown had come to her, Graham, and Puru's rescue, so in a way, Saturnalia felt responsible. However, Saturnalia thought that it was rather inefficient if they didn't establish some sort of chain of command so she decided to bring it up, "As members of the Independent Ops team, we should appoint a leader. As of right now, I have no desire nor aversion for the position, however, I must make it clear that I feel Miss Puru lacks the maturity to take a leadership role. Well, just something to think about, for now, I'm taking the Virtue up onto the deck of the Sundown to take a defensive artillery position in case any enemies appear."

Saturnalia headed for her suit, open to continuing the conversation with Donna should she reply. If Donna got into the Sandrock, they could also continue to converse through the comm.

Gabriel had just finished the last bit of maintenance on his suit when the ship was put on alert. he didn't even take the time to switch into his flight suit before jumping into his Gundam and checking the systems. Luckily he had done everything right and not only was the GX up and running, he was able to restore some of the functionality to the suit. It was amazing what fresh scrap could do to a busted up Suit like his. Once he deployed Gabriel took up position with Beta Team, things with Beta were a lot smoother as the leader wasn't the hothead that SIGMA was, and even though they had only fought in a few battles Gabriel did respect the way Beta lead his troops. Falling into his spot Gabriel waited for the order to move, or for the sight of an enemy.

Rowan listened to the other pilots' orders carefully, impressed with the level of care being taken, and understanding it perfectly.
"Roger, Lieutenant. I'll put down right here so you can inspect my Mobile Suit. I'd do the same in your position, so I understand the need for being careful; don't worry - I don't hold a grudge against you for doing it. I'll co-operate fully with you."
Slowly decreasing the Zeta-Plus' throttle, he dropped in altitude back into the clearing Lieutenant Black Star had been waiting in, grasping the Beam Smartgun by the barrel with the suits' left manipulator and detaching it from the right arm as he descended, allowing the butt-end to rest on the ground as the machine settled to terra firma. As soon as it was solidly set down, he set the long-barrelled powerful weapon on the ground and put the mass-production Zeta variant into a crouch. Opening the cockpit hatch, he climbed out and waved to get the other pilots' attention.
"I'll leave my sidearm in the cockpit seat, and wait on the ground, okay? And I've left the Mobile Suit on standby for you to inspect. Most of its' weapons are built-in, so I can't do much about that, but they're there for you to take a look at. I think that's the best I can do for now, I'm afraid..."
Climbing down to the ground, he waited for the Lieutenant to come over, standing what he believed to be a safe distance back, and waiting for any further questions.

"Fair enough...hey Alpha Captain get in there and search the place. If you can't do that then I don't know why we pay you the big bucks." Paul shouted at Grant whom appeared from his hiding spot before making a quick look around. "Alright sir don't bite my head off." complained Grant as he moved his custom slaughter dagger towards the enemy pilot and opened up his hatch and using a extendable capable to go onto the ground. He made sure to have his fire arm's safety unlocked and his gun kept ready in case he needed to use it. "Don't worry pal just don't do anything silly. I don't enjoy killing people, never have just don't make me regret getting out of my dagger." Grant said cautiously as he passed the man and started to inspect the machine by hand especially checking out the joints. If there was anywhere you'd hide a bomb it'd be in the joints where it could be hidden. After that Grant reported he couldn't find anything on the outside. "This is Lieutenant Black Star reporting to Sundown. There are no enemy mines on this thing." Paul said to high command as Williams responded to him, "Understood Lieutenant Sir! how about the inside?" Williams asked as Paul responded that Grant was on it already. "Man dude you need to take a shower or clean this thing it smells like crap in here...or maybe it's because I haven't smelled an inside of a suit that wasn't mine in awhile." Grant said as he took a flashlight and looked over every part of the inside of the cockpit as he could. He then went over and patted down Rowan to make sure he didn't take anything else out. "ALRIGHT he's telling the truth he does not have anything to hide orders sir?" commented Grant as Paul nodded, "I see that this is all going well and dandy. You may get back into your suit. Grant take the weapons you can and hold here. You can regain your weapons soon enough. Don't worry sir this is just a precaution and we won't lose anything you own if not you can take some of our own weapons." Paul said half telling the truth. He'd never let this guy take some of his own weapons but his conversations with Jason in the past have told him half truths are better than half lies. "Mr. Gabriel could you please come over here if you can hear me. I need you to pick up some weapons. Alpha Leader will have trouble carrying all this back to Sundown." Paul said as he waited for the reply and for the guy to get back into his suit.

Rowan stood off to one side and stood to attention as the Lieutenant passed by, being sure to behave well, and make a good impression. He was encouraged by the other pilots' relatively friendly attitude and demeanour, and relaxed slightly, nodding as he mentioned not enjoying killing people.
"I'm glad to hear it," he commented in reply. "Good to know we have something in common, at least".
He gave a sheepish smile at the comment regarding the state of his suits' cockpit and gave a short laugh. "Ah, sorry about that - I guess I didn't notice it when I was piloting before. I'm either used to it, which is pretty grim, or I don't notice because I'm usually wearing a normal suit, or in space... Maybe I can scrub it out later on, heh."
He co-operated as he was patted down, assuming the position to be searched without prompting, and being sure to advise about the survival knife and personal swiss-army knife he carried before being searched. After being advised he could re-board the Zeta Plus, Rowan climbed back up into the machine.
"Thanks, Lieutenant. I'm glad everything is working out okay. Like I said, I'm not here to cause any undue trouble for anyone."
The Zeta Plus climbed back up into a standing posture with a whirring hiss of Mobile Suit machinery, eyes glowing as the machine came back to life. The head pivoted to follow Black Star's lead, waiting for further orders to proceed.

Donna thought about the leadership of their team. "I might have an idea." She responded rhetorically to Nalia.
The Gundam pilot returned to where she was previously and found Instructor W setting up a radio and a small satellite dish to his laptop while wearing headset. "So you managed to requisition the sets?" She asked.
Her mentor turned around to answer, his goggles reflecting the light of the hangar. "I did." He replied. "It's connected to your Sandrock so I can give you orders."
With everything set up Donna chose to approach him with the. "So you can command?" She asked.
The Instructor nodded "But not too far." He added. "Tell Nalia to join our channel so I can give orders too. With both of your Mobile Suits I can say staying close to the ship is our basic strategy as this thing is still limited in a way."

Donna got to her Sandrock and started the OS. The cockpit closed and the main camera showed the hangar. A small window appeared on the interface, indicating connection to her mentor. She looked at connecting channel to the Virtue typing commands until a connection is established. "I am thinking of Instructor W as our commander." She suggested. "If you join our channel he can give orders as he got his own command post running. Until he says so I will stay close to the Sundown and your shooting spot."

Gabriel got his orders from Blackstar. the order itself was a little annoying as there were surely members of his team closer to the spot and it would be easier for them to grab the weapons. But orders are orders so he got on his way. "On it, ill be there soon" he relayed as he moved forward to go on collection duty. It took Gabriel a bit to cover the ground and reach the area but once he got there and collected the weapons. Yet again there was another suit he didn't recognize, but then again he was kinda getting used to that. "Now trading sides before a battle is new to me, I have heard of it before and most of the time it is to sabotage the other side during the battle." he commented while carrying the weapons back to the Sundown.

"It's all on Captain Jason now. You, Mr. Rowan follow us, Alpha Leader stay behind us. Make sure your team is ready for any other incoming enemy threats." commented Paul to Grant who groaned with resignation. "Alright sir." he said with false enthusiasm that was barely hidden. "You know it's a good thing for you that we're trusting people. A lesser man would have shot you on sight. And a lesser man would have also taken the chance to shoot you. Trust saved you this time just don't make it happen again." Paul commented to Rowan. "Now Mr. Gabriel tell me do you think this guy is a newtype? I can't sense anything from him but you're older than I and you may be better than I am. All I sense is that weird tingly feeling coming from Nena Trinity, Saturnalia, and Puru. Didn't Puru say something about being a 'cyber newtype' do you think that whoever Nena Trinity and Saturnalia are similar to Puru?" Paul asked Gabriel over private comlink as the neared the Sundown. The hanger was already open and ready to accept them.

===

"I don't get why this man would so willingly bring himself to us..." Jason muttered aloud as his diligent crew got to work on their usual duties. Williams and Calhone were as usual the most productive ones when it came to matters like this. However as Jason increasingly noticed that Miss Baker was struggling with the duties. Jason shrugged it off however...he knew things and he'd jump in when he felt like it was needed and or when he was ready. "Make sure that the enemy suit doesn't break open that container we have stored away. Got it? I don't need giant metal walls hanging around the hanger" Jason said as Calhone nodded at Jason, "Sir the mere fact that nobody going to touch the thing. By the way why haven't we opened it yet?" Calhone asked as Baker looked at Jason, "Sir the group is nearing the hanger. You should get ready to meet with the pilot soon shouldn't you?" Baker quipped as Jason looked at Baker, "And why would I do that?" Jason asked as Baker looked away suddenly, "Well sir it's just you kinda did the same to the other pilots." Baker commented stiffly as Jason grinned and shook his head, "Well I suppose you have me at a disadvantage Miss Baker. On one hand I could do so on the other hand I could let Paul do his job." Jason said as Puru quipped up, "Who's Paul sir?" Puru questioned as Williams looked at Jason quickly, "He's Lieutenant Black Star sweetheart just don't tell anyone it's a big secret." Jason said with a wink of the eye, "Of course sir I'm good at keepin' secrets. I won't tell nobody!" Puru said with a grin back at Jason. "Good, good." Jason said as he looked at the incoming suits coming in.

===
"The hanger is opening...does that mean....Yeah we got a visitor it looks like." Captain Graham Aker said as he used his binoculars to look out towards the incoming group. "Hey everyone looks like we got a party coming...I wonder what kind of party though..." Graham said as he looked at Sandrock, "Hey gundam! Think your machine's melee weapons will prove hazardous to any combat happening in this hanger? I mean we're not exactly spacious as it is. Especially with that wreck of Nena Trinity's machine and that girl Saturnalia's gundam proving to be a wide load itself." Graham japed at his companions in jest. He wasn't exactly looking for a fight but he expected one and he wondered if he could get a rise out of this Saturnalia woman as well. It could come in handy if he knew how to pick at her buttons the right way.

Gabriel gave a small grin at Paul's question "So that's why you called me up to the front lines. Na he isn't a Newtype, might be a good pilot, but not a Newtype." he told Paul while hauling the weapons forward. "As for the girl Puru and the others you are right that they are a little different. What they call a Cyber-Newtype are Artificial Newtypes, normal humans who were turned into test subjects and given their powers that way. They do give off a different vibe and I'm surprised a young one like you can sense it." Gabriel commented. "But enough about that we are on a mission after all. If you have more questions about Newtypes feel free to find me anytime." He said with a grin taking the weapons back into the ship's hanger and placing them into storage. "We going to stay on standby or are we packing up and moving out?" He asked on the normal Comns before exiting his suit.

"Don't worry," said Rowan as he climbed back into the Zeta Plus, pausing on the hatch to answer the lieutenant. "I haven't made a habit of approaching people and looking for asylum and hoping not to get shot. It's not a good way of living a long and fruitful life. And it's not like I exactly chose to end up where I did either - if I had, I would've been with you guys from the start. Like I said already, I've got no love for any of the people on that other ship I was on, and they made it pretty clear they weren't keen on me either".

Rowan started up the Mobile Suit and followed the other Gundam toward the ship, following him exactly as he closed in on the hangar. With graceful and precise motions he guided the grey-black Zeta Plus into the hangar and to a steady landing. He opened the hatch as soon as he'd set down, allowing those outside to get a look at him, and to remove the armoured barrier between them in case the thought he was up to anything shady persisted.
"Let me know where to park it," he called out to the hangar crew.

Paul cringed inwardly as he wondered if this guy really was this friendly with a lieutenant from a foreign military force? Well it could be much worse...he could be a pirate. Pirates were a certain type of scum Paul had no interest in dealing with. Dirty cockroaches whom are only fit to line prison gates and keep the guards paid. Who would mooch off some guy's hard earned money or a business's profits? Only crooks and liars. He remembered when he and....Kyleson....no that was irrelevant right now and it never was something he should think about. Of course he'd go down that line of thinking however scum and Kyleson were one in the same. "You know Mr. Gabriel I could still be a terrible person. I could betray you in a moment's notice. I think the same with all these new comers including yourself. I'm telling you this out of confidence that you are getting to comfortable being around this crew of mine. It's barely been a half a week and we'd almost shot you in the face when we met." Paul said as he landed first and pulled his beam rifle and shield onto their holding places on his suit before pulling out his beam saber for use in close quarters. "But I'll tell you on thing...If that's what Cyber Newtypes are then they sound an awful lot like Boosted Men. What horrible men and women would cooperate to make such beings a reality must enjoy being a part of the insane genius horror show. But we can't be certain about anything about these new people." Paul commented, ignoring the comment about being a young newtype like guy knew who he was really, as he turned his speakers on to respond to Rowan whom he was half listening to, "Alright well if that's the case then hopefully you'll love it here. I don't like being back stabbed Mr. Rowan. If this is some sort of elaborate plan then whatever crew you were a part of is going to burn in flames before I die." Paul said plainly and coldly as if it were he was threatening to slap a fly for landing on his wall.

"You have a strange sense of belonging buddy." Grant said as he backed off from the group and turned around. "Well Lieutenant sir I'm moving back to patrol duty. Nobody is going to get near the ship while I'm on watch I promise." Grant commented as he backed off. "Oh and new guy....don't let the Lieutenant Black Star get to you mentally. We're not all stone cold killers....he's just a special type of leader.." Grant said offhandedly at which Paul told him to shut it and he complied. Paul told Rowan to exit the machine at a specific holding area and when Rowan complied with him Paul turned back to the area he had just left not to long ago and put the Raigo's phase shift armor down turning it back from it's original color. When Rowan exited his suit he was met by a contingent of soldiers with assault rifles not aimed at him but held at ready all the same, the man at the head of the group was SIGMA Leader, "Sir you will be coming with us. I beg your pardon but these soldiers were personally requested by the captain himself. Safety first after all. Not that we trust some new guy either but we've gotten some extra crew lately so we're being a bit more lenient when it comes to taking people on a top secret military craft." SIGMA Leader said as Rowan was told to follow them. Along the way they passed by Graham, whom had left his flag, who watched the man with a serious stare as if trying to grade the guy off his first appearance.

Paul walked over to the small deck that connected the catwalks to the main part of the ship and sat down heavily in a chair, "Oh this is going to be-" Paul said as he watched SIGMA Leader do his job when suddenly his personal comlink in his ear rang and he put his hand to his ear and pressed down on the button, "Sir?" Paul asked knowing it was already Captain Jason.

"Paul first off may I remind you that I can hear you through your speakers? Try to act more civil with these people they don't need to be coddled but being polite is nice." Jason told him over the link. Paul was embarrassed over the admonishment but he confirmed it, "But sir if Gabriel is right about this cyber-newtype deal that means-" Paul started before Jason chuckled, "I already know about this Puru informed me herself when I asked her about her piloting skills. She said I reminded her a bit of a certain Captain Bright somehow. Right Puru?" Jason asked her and then of course came the voice of Puru confirming it over the com and Paul heard the sound of walking. "I'm on my way to the meeting room now by the way....Also might I remind you that you have that special girl of yours back home?" Jason said as Paul tightened his grip on the chair he was sitting on, "Don't bring her into this. She knows I may not be the most kind person in the world but I do what I need to do. I do what I do to keep people safe on Earth. For not a pure world, but a free one." Paul said offhandedly and aloud as Jason chuckled, "And how would Miss Lyons react once she hears you talk like you do? Threatening people...acting colder than a rock in the middle of the ocean...and senselessly pushing away strangers who are trying to be kind to you? I'm not threatening you Paul...Just offering advice take it as you will. She won't hear about this from me I promise you that. I want to see you retire from this life eventually....I never will have the opportunity to do so myself and of all the people I know you're a special case." Jason asked Paul as he suddenly felt a pit form in his chest like a void, "I'd prefer not to find out sir...I'll concede you this point and be a bit nicer. But don't expect me to keep it up around new guys that constantly come around. And I appreciate that promise sir. After all...I don't have that many people close to me anymore...and I don't need to lose another." Paul said silently as he pulled his hand away and sighed only to look up and find an unfamiliar face staring at him, Seeing this almost made the Lieutenant fall over off his chair.

"Hm some heavy weight you have there Lieutenant. Don't try to hide it I didn't hear your conversation but I did see your gestures." Graham said as he looked at Paul whom pulled away from where he was sitting and Graham rested his elbow on and leaned on the table. "Look I'm not out to give you advice you can only find your own but I'd like to make one thing clear...I'm going to be watching you fight. Because my goal is to fight gundam pilots like you and become stronger." Graham said as Paul looked at him with uncertainty, "Did you just declare me your rival Conscript Aker?" Paul asked him with disbelief as Graham shook his head, "No...yes....maybe we'll find out eventually. Whatever you're made of I want a part of. Just like Gabriel and just like Donna." Graham commented to Paul as Paul shook his head, "I don't intend to make a rivals...the last one I had...." Paul cut himself off and got up and walked off. Graham's eyes followed him then came upon Gabriel not to far away, "Hey Gundam! Great job carrying that weapon. Must've been a hard challenge for someone like you." Graham said taking a jab at Gabriel.

Gabriel laughed at Paul's remark about him being a "terrible guy" and could betray Gabriel at a moments notice. "Well, you might be, but you know as well as I do getting the jump on me is much easier said than done. Also even if you were such a bad guy, I an trusting that your Captain is an honorable man and you won't be shooting me in the back anytime soon, as long as I pull my weight that is." He said calmly. It was clear Paul had trust issues and Gabriel did wonder why, but if he was to know then he would be told someday.Then the conversation turned back to the Cyber-Newtypes. "Well as for the participants, I doubt there were many volunteers and more like orphans or child abductions. And the scientists who preform the work, some may enjoy the sick and twisted work of it, and others might look the other way because of the money. And as for the governments who sanction the research, well war gives them the need and Governments don't care the costs to make super weapons." Gabriel said remembering the testing he was put though as his own Government tried to create Newtypes of their own. they soon reached the Hanger and Gabriel went on his way. "Well, that's enough on the subject for now. If you want to speak of it more later, you will know where to find me." Gabriel said before switching back to normal comns. It didn't take Gabriel long to store the weapons and land his suit, but he was one of the last ones to make it to the meeting room. He grinned at Graham's comment. "You know, it was a tough job, I mean they had to call me up to the front lines to ensure someone was able to do it right." he said back to Graham with a grin before taking his seat.

"Well at least someone around here has a sense of humor." Graham said as he walked up to Gabriel, "You know I've seen a lot of tough looking guys in my time but you're up there pretty high too." Graham commented as he leaned over to the right and looked past Gabriel, "You know I never thought I'd be talking to the pilot of a gundam, let alone teaming up with them, where I come from gundam units are terrorist units and are powered by that thing she calls a GN Drive." Graham said as he pointed at Saturnalia with his thumb. "Seeing gundams supported by military units is pretty strange you know. But not that it matters really. My goal is simple to prove that I [i[am[/i] the flag fighter who can defeat a gundam. Maybe you'll be that gundam...Speaking of which I know your name but we've not formally introduced ourselves. Captain, now conscript technically, Graham Aker and if I say if I'm going to be a conscript on this ship I'm going to the best one on the ship." Graham said with passion as he pointed towards his flag, "My flag and I will outdo anything that gets in our way! We'll find a way back home...not that I'm particularly in any rush. I'm actually finding this whole scenario interesting if I may so say myself despite all the oddities like Puru. I never thought to see a little girl who could wipe out an entire brigade of mobile suits by herself. Nor did I ever think I'd see so many different mobile suit designs in my life time." Graham yammered on as he went on a long speech about the various suits they've met so far and will see later most likely.

When Donna asked Saturnalia if she would be fine with the instructor commanding, she replied, "A sound plan. As for staying close to the ship, I would have it no other way. Since coming here, the forces to which I owe my allegiance seem to have vanished. I have no way to contact my former allies, no idea where my prior enemies are, and no way to know who our current enemies are. That being said, I agree to follow a path of minimal aggression and choose to stick to defending."

When the scouts returned with a new suit, Saturnalia kept the Virtue's beam bazooka pointed at it in case it attacked. When Graham quipped at the size of her suit, she simply kept silent and shook her head. Among Union, Graham was a war hero, but now Nalia saw him as just a cocky ace with mobile suit envy. She also perceived him as simple-minded, with no appreciation for strategy, nor for the utility and necessity that an artillery suit like the Virtue brings. As far as she was concerned, Graham was her polar opposite: he wanted to duel other gundams, while she wanted to disengage and bombard; he wanted to get to know his enemy, while she saw them as numbers and statistics; he enjoyed the thrill of battle, while she saw no reason or purpose to fight unless she had orders from a world that seemed now so far away.

"You know," Saturnalia began, speaking to Donna, "You're fortunate you and the instructor came together. I mean, I knew of Captain Aker because he's fairly famous, but I hadn't met him until now, and well, he's kind of just a battle nut. And well, the prisoner is a notorious terrorist, so I knew of her as well, but we're not exactly friends."

Graham's comment on the use of shotels are noticed. "That is why I decided to make use of a beam machinegun Captain." Donna reminded him. "A close-combat unit should have a token ranged weapon." When the scouts and a new Mobile Suit returned there is probably going to be no need but guard must be kept.

While observing the new Mobile Suit the Gundam pilot replied to Nalia. "As far as I have seen Captain Aker, he has more interest in our Gundams than anything else." She answered back. Noting the obsession for battle, it reminded her of her father driven to vengeance after the loss of his wife.
The Instructor listened to the conversation. That moment with Nena's description as a terrorist reminded him of thirty years ago when he was considered a terrorist to the Romefeller Foundation. "How we came together is how I would say chance. My part of the Gundam project was funded by Lord Lindemann and he wanted one of his children to become the pilot as part of our agreement. I met, and chose Donna." He assessed the current situation and from his past experiences. "We are here with others so we can develop new bonds."

Donna thought about the obsession of Gundams Graham has, hopefully not to unhealthy levels. She was hoping to ask but the comms to him were down and found him outside of his Mobile Suit. She will have to ask later.

Rowan had moved the Zeta Plus into the hangar space as directed, and paused to listen as the Lieutenant spoke to him again.

"Alright well if that's the case then hopefully you'll love it here. I don't like being back stabbed Mr. Rowan. If this is some sort of elaborate plan then whatever crew you were a part of is going to burn in flames before I die."

He rolled his eyes, tired of the continuing accusations against his character, when he'd done nothing but tell the truth and co-operate as asked.
"I don't know any more ways to tell you I'm not here to screw everyone over, Lieutenant. I've got no 'crew', and nowhere else to go, least of all back to a Zeon-loving ship", he spat bitterly. "But if you want to make an enemy out of me, by all means go on questioning my intentions, motives and morality. I don't happen to like being back-stabbed or double-crossed either. And from having been in the AEUG against the Titans, I've seen plenty of it too. So, yet again, No. I am not your enemy, and I'm not going to be, for all the good that telling you that seems to do".
Tired of the conversation and already having said too much in anger, he shut off the radio with a stabbing press of the control, yanking off his helmet before he climbed out and rode the cockpits' wire-lift to the hangar floor, tucking his helmet under one arm. As the other pilot waiting at floor-level spoke to him, he nodded in acknowledgement, expression softening, but still clouded slightly with annoyance and frustration.
"I understand," he replied as he made it down to the deck. "It can't be easy, if everyone else has been through the being torn away from wherever they were like I have. I'm sure we're all from god knows what places and circumstances," he answered with a sigh, some of the anger having bled away from his earlier scathing tone. "I'm not surprised there's a lot of suspicion going around with so many different groups and factions in the mix. Though, honestly, I'm getting a bit rubbed up the wrong way by having my loyalties questioned so much. I've been nothing but a loyal soldier to the Earth Federation and the AEUG for the better part of ten years; and one dedicated to the better ideals, rather than the facist route the Titans went down."
He grimaced as more armed men walked up, but were at least more polite an accomodating in their requests, as he turned to go with them.
"But I suppose since I came looking for help from an enemy ship, it makes sense; I'd be cautious in your position too. Don't worry, I'll follow your orders. But don't get my willing co-operation with protocol confused with me liking it, or being naive or simple. Being friendly and polite on my part just makes it go better for everyone involved. And I'm not in the habit of being an asshole either, as it so happens. I prefer to try and get along with my prospective allies".
He followed along with the soldiers as directed. He briefly met the eyes of a pilot giving him a curious look, giving a slight nod of acknowledgement and greeting as he passed, glancing around and trying to find something familiar in his surroundings as he followed along to the meeting room, where he took a chair as directed.
Sitting down, the pilot stripped off his gloves, and placed them inside his helmet, left upturned on the table as he waited for someone to come along and inevitably interrogate him about everything that had happened to him so far, and everything he knew and could tell them, much as he'd expect.

Gabriel grinned at Graham's next comment "Tough looking? Its the eye patch isn't it. The damned thing does make me look awful mean, but then again battle scars always have that effect. I swear that I am not that bad a guy." He said grinning. Gabriel watched the new guy walk in, the new guy looked a bit rugged but looks weren't exactly something Gabriel was going to judge people on.

"You know I think you and I are going to get along pretty well Gabriel...assuming you can keep up with me. I'm going to challenge myself out there in that field of battle and I'm going to beat everyone who stands in my way or die trying. There is no one out there who could take us on if we tried hard enough. it sucks we're assigned to different squads though. I only want the best people to be my challengers. And I only want to be the challengers of the best. The world....this place...whatever we are I'm sure that there a more people here it's only a matter of time before we run into them and if they're anything like Glemy, or worse then that means It's my job to send them all to hell. But there is one gundam pilot I'm specifically looking out for...a boy in a blue mobile suit. But I've said to much already...What's a man without secrets after all? How about you do you think there's anyone out there you're looking for the challenge? Someone worthy of your ideals? Or is it personal vengeance maybe? You never know it could be a former lover who scorned you for all I know." Graham said as he looked at the meeting room and shook his head. "I don't have a place being in there. If the new guy wants to take a look at me he knows where to find me." Graham said as he left without saying goodbye and headed down the hall way to the cafeteria.

===

Paul sat in his room as he looked at the third bed in the middle of the room that used to belong to someone else. That man was no longer with them.. Paul growled at himself as he tossed his helmet on his bed as he sat down heavily in his own. "Damn it I need to stop thinking about this...what was the philosophical thing Lacus told me? 'That you shouldn't look to the past to make a new start'? I guess I really should start listening to my wife more often...After all what's the point of putting saying I do if I don't actually listen to the words that come out of her mouth afterward." Paul questioned himself as it rounded on him that Jason had a point. She'd be ashamed of how he treated his guest and so would his father, "Oh Paul I tasked you with this and that and- blah whatever it's not like it matters. After all you're the reason my life turned out this way." Paul said as he laid down, still in his flight suit, on his bed to think about all of this. "I'll go see Wilbur later maybe he's got something for me to take. I'm too stressed out...and when I get stressed out it brings out that darker part of me that makes me more frustrated and stressed. Just breath Lyons." Paul said sighing and shaking his head with his hands in his face.
===

Soon after Gabriel entered the room came the familiar face of the ever neutral face of Captain Jason Hiyan. Despite whatever scary look he pulled off when he was serious he could, when he wanted to at the very least, look like a regular person. Not that there was anything not secret about Jason. The man was accompanied by Beta Leader as both men sat down. "Since Lieutenant Paul has declined to come to this meeting stating that he is a bit...frustrated about something at the moment the right hand of the ship will be the captain of Beta Squadron." commented Jason as he sat down at the head of the table and looked down at the new guy with a neutral face on. "So then I suppose I should introduce myself. I am the Ranking Officer and Captain of the Sundown, Jason Hiyan. I am a Veteran of the Military Group OMNI Enforcer. I am the Head of the Forces here and I give the orders to everyone in this room and this ship. I already know your name Mr. Rowan but it seems that you have me at a loss. What exactly is your business here? I don't know much about 'Zeon' that you have claimed to be 'running' from, outside of what Elpeo 'Puru' Ple has told me and I must inform you that is very little. And if I am not boring you your machine's design clearly indicates that you are not of OMNI, or at least that's what Chief Engineer Yuri has told me, as there is no indication or code on your machine that would identify you as one of us as was told to me by my communications office Katherine. However we have ran into different Earth Alignment Factions such as the one Miss Donna, and Miss Saturnalia both claim to be from. Heck before you came we had a person who claimed she was from Mars. So I am clearly open to anything at this point. Tell me what you will and we will figure something out. You have my full attention and my trust." Jason said casually as he was often to do. He came across as a friend asking about another's day more than a military leader interrogating a possible spy.

"Aaaand done."

With a swift punch to the head, the Exia brought down another Geara Doga, which raised its arm in a gesture of defeat. Sighing, she leaned back in her cockpit, moving the Exia to offer a hand to raise the Doga back on it's feet. How long had it been since she was suddenly transported here? She had already forgotten, but Tieria's frantic tone of voice as he pushed her out of the way still remained fresh in her mind. She had gritted her teeth then, and flew Exia away from there, leaving him to fend off the advancing army. And then, darkness overwhelmed her. At first she had thought she had imagined the whole flying away from Tieria thing, and had simply passed out from the force of his push. But now....

"Oi, Exia woman, nice fighting there." Her cockpit shook as one of the Geara's thumped a hand on Exia's shoulder. "Hmm, we could stand to learn a thing or two from you."

Of course they could. Reve Niens was an ace pilot AND an Innovator. There was no way these people could even match up to her. Not unless they were extremely skilled, like that one Flag pilot who keeps on interfering with her once. Or that one middle eastern person who had some very strange and unpredictable move. As it was right now, these soldiers didn't even make her blood boil when fighting them.

Wordlessly, she followed them back towards the ship, listening idly as the soldiers chatted over the commlinks. She didn't really feel as if she could join in so she started fretting over her long golden hair.

***

The hangar was as busy as always as the technicians fretted over things only they could understand. She could plainly hear one of them saying the Gearas out for training would have to wait until much later to get off the paint from the training bullets they were using.

A few technicians came over as soon as she docked Gundam Exia as best she could in this strange ship, and after a few words, the came back with their tools as she stayed in the cockpits for the diagnostics.