"That is what I'm trying to figure out. Whatever it is for then it is worth crossing the multiverse for and putting everyone together. The reason must be to see what happens when you put all these people together. But for what reason? So far we've seen nothing but hostility...but is that our own fault? Or is it the fault of others? I can only assume that there are others out there and they may be getting along better than we are with the Zeon and other factions we've come across." Jason said simply as he turned back around and faced the two of them. "It's either kill or be killed. We've been fighting for our own existence. I believe what we're doing is justified. But the thing or person who brought us here may have other motives. I just want to go home either way. I have a person I need to get back to." Paul said as he clutched at his pocket and Jason looked at him and felt conflicted...it wasn't his place to say anything yet though. "Tell me Jack. Does this give me your trust? I have nothing else to offer."

Jack thought about it for a moment, looking between Paul and Captain Jason. From what he knew of their world, they had plenty of reason to dislike what he was. But at this point, keeping it a secret was getting more difficult, especially since he'd told Yzak and they'd be butting heads again soon. But what would happen if he told them? Would they throw him out, give him so far to go and disappear from sight before shooting him down? Or just put him down there? One way to find out.

Sighing, Jack nodded and looked between the pair. "You've done enough. Now I have to be open with you. But before I do, understand what I'm about to say I kept secret because of the anti-ZAFT sentiments on this ship. You see, the biggest reason I was chosen to pilot the Duel after it was recovered and repaired is because I'm a Coordinator. My parents were Naturals and all my friends were as well. Well, at least, I should say all my friends are, but I don't know if they're still alive or not. Anyways, that's my secret. The reason I'm so reserved."

Jason simply chuckled as Paul looked at him confused. "Coordinators are still prosecuted in your world?" Paul asked confused as Jason nodded at him and then turned to Jack. "There are those on this ship who still believe that your kind of people are cancer to society but I promise you I know cancer and it isn't coordinators. In our universe the government came down hard on anti-coordinator groups and the people slowly promoted the idea of equality for all despite genetics. It isn't a perfect world as there are still plenty of reasons we hate each other but that's a whole different story. Our world is separated due to nationalism and radicals. There are more reasons but I'm sure they'd just confuse you. If it matters I will keep your secret Mr. Jack as long as you promise to work with us and not against us. Unity is needed not war. As hypocritical as that sounds coming from a soldier it's what I believe. I've done what I done for the innocents on this ship and the world I hope to go back too." Jason told Jack as he tipped his hat to the young man.

Jack nods to Paul and Jason. "In my universe, ZAFT is all Coordinator and, for the largest part of the war, occupied Earth but for fairly small portions that the Earth Alliance maintained control of. Any anti Coordinator groups weren't regulated or cracked down on in that time. ZAFT had them outnumbered and out gunned, so why worry? But I will work with you. No reason not to."

"Hmm... I guess that means I shouldn't go battle crazy with Paul on the look out. I wonder what all this death and destruction will mean with our own eras." He said.
"Are you, a newtype? They're legendary pilots that can make their mobile suits move unnaturally. Like you did when you were happy we beat the enemies."

"Well yes and no I guess. It's complicated. Glemy told me I was a newtype but I was a cyber newtype or something and Judau told me I was a normal newtype. I don't really know. I just say I'm a newtype. I don't think I'm a part of any legend though I'm just me and I'm looking for a friend. Some of the crew on the Argama called us a group of misfits but that's just how things are I guess. As for what I do with my Qubeley that's a secret mister! A girl is entitled to her secrets!" Puru said teasing Mask as the door opened and they left and she headed straight to the mess hall and when she got in there she noticed no one else was in there. "Yay we have the place to ourselves! So Mr. Mask whatcha want to talk about? Wanna talk about people we know? Mobile suits? I bet you gotta lot of cool stories! Like why do they call you Mask? Is it because you're shy and don't have any friends?" Puru asked innocently as she flung herself into a nearby seat.

===

"Well I have nothing left to say to either of you. I just figured having Paul here would help you feel more comfortable. Feel free to share the information with your compatriots if you wish to as long as it's not a hostile force. Dismissed gentlemen." Jason said as Paul saluted and left the room promptly saying he needed to change his clothes and get something to drink before he had to fight in the upcoming battle. Jason left shortly after intending to make his way to the bridge.

Jack saluted the captain and left behind Paul, heading back to the elevator for the hangar. As it went down, he sighed and rested his head against the elevator wall. With the captain knowing what he was, he felt a lot more relaxed. When it stopped, he disembarked and headed for the Duel, opening the cockpit and climbing in, but not closing it. He wanted to be able to answer if someone wanted to talk.

Mask grimaced as he heard the last question of Puru's. "If you must know, I am Mask because of this," he said pointing at the mask on his face. "Also, I think that's a great idea, talking about stories." He said inhaling with pride.
"My friend, my instructor and I managed to disarm and disable the G-Self, which is I assume the equivalent of these alternate Gundam Units." He said.
"It reminds me of the Gundam in the Museums."

"Dont'cha have any interesting stories to tell Mr. Mask I don't even known what museum is! What 'bout battles! Love! Friendship! Cool stuff like that you can't be all that boring. Not even Mr. Bright was boring and he was a no nonsense military bum." Puru said as she laid her face down on the table and yawned as she looked up at Mask with a frown but not a sad or angry one more of one indicating a child being displeased. "How about this if you're so interested in gundams that was how I met Judau. He was so nice to me even though I was an enemy. He piloted the Double Zeta Gundam and all of his friends accepted me in. Though Roux of course has to keep trying to steal him away from me to do stuff. Grrr...Roux's sucha pain sometimes." Puru said as she once again went on about the Judau kid she liked so much.

Donna agreed with the inclusion of Puru. Puru brings some joy to the tense atmosphere of the ship, making her a good choice. "Instructor W wait, I think he can help." She smiled. "He played the violin after my trainings with him were done for the day." A familiar tune was in her head, sounding sorrowful at first, but becoming uplifting at the end. He named the song "Endless Waltz", as war and peace are a neverending cycle of Humanity. Her father took note of the song as well, confirming his cynical views. The Gundam pilot felt that she lost track of time in this conversation as it seemed short, but is apparenty longer. This conversation on music was very interesting to her. "I will see if I can speak to him later." She promised.

"Alright well let's go get something to eat it's been forever since we started our talk. If no ones in the cafeteria we can get a drink then." Baker said as she opened the door to Donna's room and led her out of it. Walking down out of the barracks and down to the cafeteria they came head first into Paul Lyons as he barely acknowledged them but his face looked grim. Baker took one look at him and was clearly uncomfortable as she kept her head down and moved around him. "Donna, miss.' Paul said simply as he moved into the room he and Jason shared and Baker looked after him for a moment before sighing to herself. "The Lieutenant...seeing him look like that hurts. He works hard here I can see that since I started here. This place isn't good for him I think. He cares a lot for the people here. Especially Jason." Baker said solemnly as she moved on towards the cafeteria. "Oh well speak of the devil and she shall appear hello Puru!" Baker said smiling at the young lady as she turned and looked towards Donna and Baker and went from bored to happy in a microsecond. "HEY! Finally someone who knows how to talk about fun things!" Donna said as she got pushed herself up and looked at thw two of them. "Oh and Donna's here too. Why didn't you come out to fight with us Donna? Are you feeling well? Well me, Paul, Hiling, and Graham all went to help Grant and Jack and Mask fight a group of ZAFT guys and there was this one girl that Mask knows and Jack was all flustered. Now Graham and Hiling are off tracking those two suits we chased off and I THINK there may be a big fight coming along!" Puru said exclaiming all the events that happened up until now.

Donna was surprised to hear about the battle from Puru's mouth. Then she must have lost track of time (big time). The unimpressed expression of Paul didn't help either. She was flattered with how Puru attributed her to positive things, as she honestly didn't think of herself as one. "I... Lost track of time." She answered Puru awkwardly. "Actually Baker and I were talking about writing a song. We wondered if you can help in it too. I see you the best in adding positivity." She smiled and nodded at Baker. "I suppose we can elaborate later if there will be a battle ahead though."

"I love it if you could help us Puru. It's going to be for the crew. Maybe you could play it for some of your friends too." commented Baker to Puru who's eyes lit up and she grinned from ear to ear and clutched her fists in excitement. "Make a song!? I've never done that before but sounds fun! I'd be willing to give it a go! Thanks for asking Donna!" Puru exclaimed to Donna as she bounced around in her seat a bit looking pumped for something. "And here I thought the world was going to be boring and nothing but fighting!"

More people. Good, perhaps now Puru will not be as bored.
"I see you've found better company Puru." Mask began as he stood watching the interaction between Puru, Baker, and Donna. They seem to get along well, though perhaps that's because they've had more time with one another."I think I have quite a bit of data to sift through now." He said.
Songs... Just like the cheers from the girls and Manny. I hope she's okay. While I'm here I have to maintain my Mask persona, getting friendly here is not a good idea.
"I will speak with you later. I have to be ready." He said turning to leave.

"Oh uh goodbye I guess Mr. Mask see you later." Puru said waving towards Mask as she wasn't sure if her comments were the ones that made him leave. To be fair he if he would be more fun and casual she'd never say stuff like that. Being uptight isn't fun heck even the captain on this ship wasn't uptight all the time.
===
Jason sat down in the medical bay as Wilbur looked at him and took a blood sample before looking back at him. "You know as well as I do that you can't be pushing yourself this much." Wilbur said as he finished taking the sample and gave him some water from a nearby container before putting the blood sample nearby. "I know you're worried otherwise this would be easy for you. Jason, old friend, we need you here so you need to get it together. I know saying to stop worrying is futile because we do need to worry. All the same though." Wilbur said to Jason as he groaned and grumbled. "How so Wilbur? How do you expect us to get anything together let alone me with the situation being as it is. Besides I have to do something...we've already lost many good men and women. People who shouldn't be dead are. This place is wrong and with the situation being as it is I doubt we'll be getting anywhere anytime soon. We can only fight and talk and hope we keep finding supplies." Jason said bluntly as he only could with Wilbur. The doctor groaned and turned back to him as he adjusted his thick glasses. Jason wasn't saying he was sick of being a leader, or he had given up hope but he was smart enough to now when the odds were stacked like a skyscraper against him. "That Stella girl could also be a problem. She's a dog indeed. She was made to be one with those Extended enhancements attached to her brain and nervous system. At the price of her life she has gained super human abilities. I thought the project would never get by ever apparently another universe thought otherwise. It sickens me." Wilbur growled as he gripped a nearby railing tightly. "It's not our problem Stella and her condition is. We will solve it in time or we'll deal with it. At least she doesn't need the drugs." Jason muttered remembering his past experiences with the project. It was not something he relished or liked to look back on. He got up and Wilbur looked at his friend and grabbed his shoulder. "The Lieutenant is a capable boy but he can't handle things of this scale. Keep working but keep working carefully. Stress is killing you and it's only been a week or so. That's a doctor's order Captain." Wilbur said as he looked his friend in the eyes and Jason nodded before grabbing his cap and walking away. "I'll be back later." Jason said as Wilbur nodded and Jason walked out.

===

"Hey this is Hiling Care can you read me Sundown?" Hiling said bluntly as she looked over towards the military compound situated in the middle of the damn desert. There were suits patrolling but she knew they could handle them if need be. "This is Graham Aker checking in as well. We've found the enemy base these bastards went far but we've held up. I'll need to recharge when I get to base." Graham said as Hiling grumbled indignantly as the damn human dared to interrupt her. "I was about the explain that Aker! The point is we've found them and now we can eliminate them. If you desire tell the Captain that I can eliminate them all by myself. if you want." Hiling said as Williams finally answered wondering if she even wanted to get between the two pilots. "I got it...tracking position now...Jason isn't here but I'd recommend not getting engaged with the enemy as they have unknowns with them. Besides we could use captives to our advantage." Williams said as Hiling acknowledged the suggestion and didn't fire knowing she'd get to kill the fools later anyway. Who knows maybe she could find out where Ribbons is at and ditch these clowns. "Alright I'm returning to base then I need to refuel before we get to the best part." Graham said as Williams acknowledged Graham and said that was fine as she'd pinpointed the location and both could head back if desired.

Timeskip - Three Hours Later - Sundown

Jason had called back all of his teams as Hiling Care and Graham returned and the group prepared to move on the enemy stronghold. The base was fairly small and simple. One middle field surrounded on all sides by sand and some rocky hills though they provided little cover. In the middle was some sort of factory sort where apparently the main group was held up at with a big central tank that was probably their center of command. Jason had told who was going with who. Mask and Jack would be together in a group while Paul, Graham, and Stella went and led the attack forces. Hiling Care would provide artillery support in the air with Nena and Puru providing back up and protection to the Sundown. Paul was getting his suit ready once more as he took a look at the helmet he wore closer. He wondered if these bastards wore the same clothes? The black ZAFT produced helmet was claimed as a prize of war during a raid. He always wanted to see the face of a ZAFT pilot who saw an OMNI Pilot in their uniform. Stella came up to him clad in her own purple and black uniform and looked at him. "Good...good luck out there lieutenant." she said shyly as Paul smiled and grabbed her by the shoulder as she flinched but Paul chuckled. "Don't worry I won't die till I complete my reason for living. And I'll make sure you get out of there alive too Stella. Now where's our adrenaline junkie?" Paul asked as he turned around to see Graham just coming in. "Black Star! Oh and Stella too? Heh let's see how you do out there girl. I'm curious to see your real power." Graham said to Stella who looked the other way coyly. "I'm not too good of a fighter." Stella said quietly as Graham assured her that he was looking for tenacity not so much as skill. "One's true worth is shown by how much they're willing to sacrifice to protect those close to them or to show the strength of their conviction. Don't think about it just do it." Graham said as Stella bit her lower lip unsure about how to respond to Graham's words.

Donna received the briefing from the crew of the Sundown. She noted the roles described, but found herself missing in it. She will have to consult them on it, placing ear protectors on as she read through the briefing again.
Instructor W came back from the maintenance of the Slaughter Daggers. "I see you're prepared for the sorty?" He asked his observation. "I will be helping Yuri as usual."
The Gundam pilot nodded. "I do not expect this to be easy like the other time." She replied. "I want to be prepared to assist when I can."
The mentor nodded. "I saw that there was no mention of you in the briefing too." He noted. "Enquiring on it will be the best option."
Donna waived away as she climbed onto the cockpit of the Sandrock. She watched the OS signalling that all systems are operational.

"Everything is fine with my Gadessa right?" commented Hiling Care to Yuri bluntly as if she was expecting the thing to be broken. As Yuri looked up at the innvoade he couldn't help but wonder what the hell was up with her attitude. She expected her suit to be fixed by a guy who didn't know the first thing about it on the first try? Granted it was Yuri but even his abilities were limited in many regards. You can't learn how to fix a new computer but you could judge it from what other computers you've worked on. "I did my best. The GN System your suit runs is different than the auto-regenerating GN Drive on Virtue. Likewise we're doing our best to run power in it but it's makeshift. We could replace it using Nena's trashed suit if we had too." Yuri commented to the Innovade as she nodded to Yuri really she couldn't blame the human for doing what he could with his limited knowledge. "Hey what about the instructor does he have any comments in regards to Gaddessa or has he been solely working on that Donna girl's suit?" Hiling asked none to thrilled with the idea of asking other people to look at the thing. The suit was in perfect working order and she knew it would be for a while unless it got busted up by another suit. But she wanted to figure out how intelligent these people were actually. Were they competent in other technologies or were they single mindedly attached to their own technology like a human who couldn't use both their hands. "Hey you there by that gundam. Sandrock correct? You're the new assistant to the crew's engineer captain what do you have to say about my mobile suit? Is there any problems with it? Yuri said it was fine but I'm just being cautious. I heard the crew referred to you as the Instructor right?"

Jack had done his best to ignore Hiling every time he'd had to deal with the woman, but he was beginning to loose his patience with her, and making demands like she was was beginning to grind on his nerves. "So, Mask, you ready to shut down a pair of enemy aces?"

"Been ready for a few hours now. Let's take them out. For Honor!" Mask said getting into his Mobile Suit.
"Captain Mask, ready for combat. Are we cleared for Launch?" He asked.
(Mmm... I'm getting too bloodthirsty for my own good. This mask helps, but I think I may have been stuck behind it for too long.) He thought to himself.
He looked into the sky in thought.
(Manny, wherever you are, please be safe.) He would then snap back to reality from the orders.