2010-12-13 - Is This My Home?

THE VASCILIA COUNTY NOW

Red dust billows across the Martian surface; now and again it spikes suddenly upwards when it meets the coating of colony domes protected from the build-up of such particulate debris. Mars is a planet of rebellion and has been from the first moment that human settlers chose to tame its wilds and construct homes across its oxidized surface and become its first revolutionaries.

This is where BAHRAM overthrew the yoke of Earth oppression to lead its colony to forge its own destiny from fire, bloodshed and the psychotic gleam of Metatron.

This is where the pirate crew of the Aurora terrorizes those foolhardy enough to set sail in the northern seas without express permission--or with booty worth stealing.

This is where cybernetic monsters vast enough to blot out the sun rose up against - and perhaps even subsumed - their creators to strike a terrifying blow for freedom and the supremacy of mechanized life over humanity.

And this will be where one of the planet's favourite sons seeks to rebel against the erosion of his new masters' tyrannical galactic jihad against free-will and the human spirit.

With so few functional drones remaining in the Seventh Fleet, there's no coursing wave of gravitic spikes to herald the Ze Balmary Empire's approach because Baraq Sheraga (ne Banjo Haran) only needs one; of course, that one is massive enough, /violent/ enough to cut through sensor arrays throughout Vascilia with a magnitude of force roughly equivalent to a nuclear explosion. Within the colony dome, it sounds for all the world like a tornado has suddenly descended against the structure for all the havoc the waves of distorted gravity wreck across its surface.

"People of the Vascilia County," the Balmarian officer transmits as beams of sunlight shine down on the colony's dome. "Soldiers of the anti-Earth organization BAHRAM: you have thirty seconds to transmit an unconditional surrender and remit any and all Orbital Frame and other Metatron-derived technologies, as well as any stores of Metatron here and on Jupter to the Ze Balmary Empire."

Baraq's hands tighten around the Uriyah's controls as the enormous, gold-cloaked machine continues its gradual slide from Neviim to Mars. Since Judecca's destruction, some of his comrades have been... /off/, operating at diminished capacity at best; Baraq, however, feels better than he has in weeks. This, he chalks up to recent councilling from Asfanit to help him purge the dreams of otherness that had for so long plagued him.

"You have have heard that the Seventh Fleet's forces were diminished recently, and it's true, but make no mistake--"

The violent gravity, the erratic bursts of sunlight, they all settle when AGX-16 'Titan' appears at the heart of the unnatural disturbances, directly above the Vascilia County. Its red and blue eyes gaze balefully upon the colony, aglow with the promise of destruction; golden lightning arcs within the dome of its cranium, and the golden cloak wrapped around most of its body gives off a subtle solar radiance.

"--there won't be a free soul among you by the end of the day, if you fight this."

Earlier

Remille Fortner was actually inside of a secret base, hidden off from the surface of Mars and only a few knew of its location. The Facility hidden off except by those who knew of its location, and was the home of the Frighteners, a large mercenary army force on Mars who worked under contract with earth corps, but more correctly had great ties to Zio Matrix and LLC. Though what side they favored, only the man in charge knew--

Leos Klein.

The raven black haired pilot may also knew, being his Special Operations Agent and signed in contract to the Divine Crusaders, but she would never say, nor would she ever give out the exact location of the base unless by Leos' commands.

However while she was there, letting her Armored Core; Nightingale; get fabricated with some new parts provided by Zio Matrix, which was nearly done expect for the computer test is when the alarms went off as a voice announced over the radio, 'Balmarian activity spotted on Mars near BAHRAM facility.'

Those saphire eyes past those glasses looked at the radio transmission, as she was getting ready to dismiss it before she got a private transmission in over her ear piece. She closed her eyes for a moment as she rested her hand over the ear piece.

There was a moment of silence from the female pilot, before she motioned to the techs as her eyes snapped open, "Ready my Armored Core for departure."

"But ma'am."

"Direct Order from the Top."

"Y-Yes Ma'am!"

Later Near Attack Zone..

The Black Stealth Mars Armored Core Dropship flies down low, staying under radar. There was no emblems blazed on it, but it was moving into the ground zero of the attack. The back end right under the thrusters slowly opened as a dark blue, almost black martian Core stood there holding onto a line with the sniper rifle in the other hand.

Remille Fortner within, gently pushed up her glasses, "Dropping to ground zero."

"Good Luck, ma'am."

"Luck is for the weak." Then the nightingale let go before dropping off the ship and just as the core's feet touched the red dusty surface the over-drive boosters flared to blue fiery life; Sending the Armored Core sailing across the ground and kicking up dust right behind it.

It has been a long time since Erika Keese last stepped foot on martial soil. Not since thje Balmarian Invasion first began in fact. She's been just too busy fighting to visit her home and her family. Still, it's almost Christmas, and Erika feels compelled to spend time with her family during the holidays while she has the opportunity. Who knows when she'll ever get the chance again. Within one of the many rebel bases belonging to the Oldsmobile Army (otherwise known as Mars Zeon to some), Erika has sat down with her mother and father for an early Christmas dinner, which just happens to be a freshly cooked Wild Martian Turkey (because everything is better ON MARS!). Erika eyes practically light up with childish delight as the turkey is served, with knife and fork already in hand. the plate is set out before her-- And then a Mars Zeon soldier comes running in, "We just got word that the Balmarians are attacking the Vascilia Country!" "... I should go," Erika says quietly as she pushes her chair back and sets her utensils down. There is a dejected sound in her voice, "I can't ignore this..." "We understand honey," her father replies, "Just... stay safe." "I will," Erika says, then smiles half-heartedly, "Save some leftovers for me, alright?" Minutes later, the custom painted blue and purple Valsion Kai skims across the martian landscape towards the colony dome, it's Divine Blade held firmly in it's grasp.

"Mars."

"Bringer of War."

"Wasteland of the Solar System."

"And one of the most valuable planets in Known Space."

"Because it is here where metatron is found."

"The metatron."

"Without it there is no research in the universe, there is no advancement."

"Mars."

"Bringer of War."

"Home of the metatron, one of the great treasures of the universe."

"And he who controls it.. controls our destiny."

Captain Bright slowly turns his head to Beecha who sits on his right, who has been happily monologuing during the arrival into Mars. "..Shut up," he squints his eyes.

"Heeheeheeh.." Beecha leans back in the chair and grins, tapping his fingers together with dramatic glee.

Bright just shakes his head. "Set condition one throughout the ship! Radio our arrival to Mars Defense Forces and begin descent!"

The seasoned crew of the Argama let out a succession of compliances and perform their duties to the level. Throughout the ship, crewmen begin running to their action stations amid blaring warning klaxons.

The AEUG Flagship tilts into into the pull of the Martian atmosphere and rapidly pushes into the planet. The ship looks far chunkier than usual as numerous expansion containers have been connected to either side, their contents bearing some unusual marking of Federation origin. Beneath the Argama, the widest of the expansion containers has been welded tight. It is fit for only the blockiest of things -- the Giant Shield itself, Giganscudo!

"Breaking through to atmosphere!" Torres calls out as the Argama begins to level off, its heat-resistant ballute retracting back into its hold.

Radar goes wild, beeping with acknowledgement of a rogue presence. "Contact!!" Caesar yelps, "It's the Titan, and we're fast approaching!"

"Alright, let's hope this works.." Bright confirmatorily nods. He reaches for the side, pulling out a flat envelope marked 'CONFIDENTIAL' in every which way possible. Grasping hold of the tag with his thumb and forefinger, he rips it clean off and reaches for the paper inside. Unfolding the missive in his hand, Bright glances at it -- and a glance at the 'GGG' letterhead makes him take in a breath. "Here goes nothing.."

The command phone pulls from the hook. In over half a dozen different cockpits, Bright's picture appears in the lefthand corner of the viewscreen along with a shrill cry of incoming transmission.

Bright>: "This is the Captain speaking! If you are receiving this then you have been designated as 'ALPHA TEAM.' In accordance with Executive Order Six-Five-Delta-Delta-Niner-Omega-Foxtrot, you are hereby placed under my command for the duration of this mission. We have detected the enemy and are en route to intercept. ALPHA TEAM, launch! Operation: Titus is -GO-!"

 Erika Keese transmits, "Tch, an attack on Mars... the Balmarians /must/ be getting desperate."

 Ascian Luddite transmits, "And stupid..."

 Ascian Luddite transmits, "A single unit? To take down BAHRAM?"

 Erika Keese transmits, "Erika Keese, Valsion Kai on route."

 Sovi Reincam transmits, "This is First Lieutenant Sovi Reincam: I am arriving on scene with support forces-- evacuation crews, give priority to civilians and noncombatants."

Soldato J-002 does not approve of this course of action. Not only are the Balmarians attacking this solar system's beautiful red planet, which has echoes of his own lost and once-proud world (and is also his girlfriend's home planet), but they are doing so with a man that J had to grudgingly admit he actually respected; twisted and evil, impressive strength transformed into a mockery of its own shell. This is something not unlike when J himself had been warped into the vile and evil Pizza; and, as much as J didn't like Banjo (well, okay, he would never *admit* that he respected the man), he could equally not stand to see a man like Banjo Haran transformed into...that. So, thanks to the intel from one Bright Noa, superhuman space captain of legend (whom J had had to ask about the other day), J knows where Banjo is.

And he will not stop until Banjo Haran is safe again, or at the very least, no longer threatens Mars.

J-Ark emerges from an ES Window at Bright Noa's command. Its prow sweeps forward, a great white-and-red bird of prey ready to dig into the heart of its colossal foe and rip it out like the core of a particularly troublesome Primeval. On the bridge, Soldato J-002's scarf flows behind him as he looks on at the scene of chaos and devestation; it mirrors too close what he had once failed to stop on the other Red Planet so many years ago.

Was this, perhaps, a second chance for the warrior, to make up for his failures and save an alien world?

And, perhaps, make a pink-haired martian girl smile.

J closes his eyes. "Tomoro. Prepare generating armor for maximum output." If they could not overcome this enemy, how could they possibly hope to defeat the Primevals who would follow? Determination lines the face of the Ultimate Weapon; he is ready to fight.

More than that...perhaps for the first time in a very long time, he is ready to protect.

"FUUUUUUSION!" The alien super-soldier screams, crossing his arms across his chest and leaping backwards into the roiling red Phoenix emblem above the command bridge, "J-BIIIIIIRD! PLUG! OUT!"

The massive bridge section of the Disaster of Abel slides out of its holdings; it splits into three parts, two massive arms and one great head rising into the sky.

"MEGAAAAAAA! FUUUUUUUUUION!"

The arms swirl, guided by crimson lightning, about the form of the colossal white ark; they link into position, becoming immense fingers, each finger a tremendous cannon of its own. The mammoth bridge links down as the Mega Fusion completes, its visor sliding upwards to reveal its mouth. As its arms spread wide to challenge the Titan, the Disaster of Abel declares its name to the world proudly! For it is

"KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING! J-DERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

"COME ON! BALMARIAN! WE WON'T LET YOU TAKE ANOTHER STEP ACROSS THIS PLANET!"

EARLIER: At the main N.U.T. Facility.

Nereidum Universal Technologies Headquarters and secondary facilities enter a state of lockdown. They offer up no answer to the transmissions from the the invaders, and what pilots they have - test and otherwise - are deployed to defend their facilities. Hangars open briefly enough to allow their passage out, and a number of orbital frames establish a perimeter. No machines go beyond this however, and after a short while most facilities are sealed.

At least, no -large- number of machines depart to intercept. A small number of them do ... at least two, but one of them disappears quickly.

Hathor reappears and disappears again in fits and starts, as if it has engaged a faulty stealth system.

When the alarms go off due to the massive energy displacement, Ascian is still somewhat sleepy. He was given a temporary place to sleep by Napth Pleminger at the N.U.T. main facility. And now, that sleep was disturbed. The young man had offered to defend the place if it came under attack, and with the Radar clearly showing alien invaders, it was time to act on his words. So, helped by a medic, he is rushed back to the Amenthes, just to see people loading Duat back into the unit. "We only did some basic reconfiguration. But there wasn't much time I am afraid." One of the technicians comments whilst one of his mates helps the framerunner into his unit. His legs were still not entirely recovered.

"As long as she will start, and Duat can assist me." Ascian replies and lets his eyes quickly run their gaze across the controls. Everything looked just the way he left it. "Reload complete. Prepare for undocking procedures!" The technicians run across the platform, away from the unit, whilst the framerunner lays his hands onto the half-orb controls. A red light flows throughout the unit - as bioluminescent lines - showing that it is coming to life. And in front of him, he sees four big letters appear. DUAT. "Good to have you back." The young man speaks to the A.I. "Good to be back sir. Ready for combat operations."

The Divine Crusader tips his head up towards the front of the cockpit and lets Amenthes' wings fold outwards just as the shoulder-clamps disengage. The unit doesn't move - instead, it levitates neatly. That's exactly when his eye catches a sudden 'shimmer' or 'change' in surroundings, as where Hathor had been seconds ago - now was nothing. He grins, then continues to comment to himself; "Amazing.". Not waiting any longer, he initiates the verniers of Amenthes and bursts straight out of the hangar, leaving people getting blown over by the sudden pressure change.

NOW

Eventually it arrives at the site of AGX-16's appearance, appearing suddenly in mid-air level with the other machine, but not exactly within "grabbing" distance. No transmission comes however, and the white Orbital Frame simply hovers there silently. If one did not know better, they might get the notion that the frame is staring the Titan down.

Within the cockpit, Napth Pleminger smiles at the figure sitting next to him, her arms draped about his shoulders. The blips of other units in the area ... or approaching... barely register to him at all.

Bioluminscent streaks of energy race up across the cocoon-like limbs that surround Hathor. It sits, and waits for an opportune moment to charge.

 Napth Pleminger transmits, "Pleminger here. On-site in Hathor."

It doesn't take long for Ascian's unit to get closer to the combat theater, using his unit's thrusters at maximum. "Man, I missed this." A smile has grown on the young man's face whilst a set of vid windows start popping up: assisted by radar, they allow him to get a quick grasp of what is going on. And when he notices just /what/ unit had appeared on scene, he doesn't hesitate. "Duat! Maximize output of the burst shot for a long ranged attack - so it doesn't dissipate before hitting the target." He commands, and then curls his fingers more firmly around his unit's controls.

Amenthes, in response, puts its two hands together over its head and arches back a bit, as if it was going to throw something incredibly heavy. Red sparks jump from its fingertips into the air above, even whilst it is still flying at high speeds towards the combat area... forming a large red ball of energy. "Throw!" Ascian controls the unit to send forth the ball at high speed!

 Ascian Luddite transmits, "Ascian Luddite, en route - be careful of the big red ball of energy. It explodes on impact!"

Yesterday

It's a stormy day in Japan. The clouds are thick and broil over with claps of thunder and sheets of rain. Dramatic lightning momentarily casts equally dreamatic shadow over man with the scarred face as he looks up from his newspaper at the 'Brooklyn Style Sushi' being prepared in the nearby kitchen by a woman a little too dark to be Japanese. His eyes squint in a strange mixture of anticipation for the home-cooked meal, and horror at how his culture has been shattered so by this foreign culinary invasion.

Across, sits a pilot with unnecessarily spiky hair- it's all natural- in a fluffy white bath robe. His face is obscured by yet another flash of lightning.

"Pleasant weather today," he would say, an attempt to break the ice. A moment passes, his eyes shift away, before the other man suddenly rolls his newspaper up and speaks, "Tetsuya, you're going to Mars."

Another awkward moment.

"Why?"

MARS SURFACE, THE ARGAMA

Tetsuya Tsurugi leans back in the Brain Condor, his arms crossed pointedly across his torso. He waits in line at the catapult- they somehow managed to fit both he and Great Mazinger into the white ark- but they rest on the catapult horizontally.

This does indeed mean he is leaning back against the pull of gravity. It's a Mazinger Thing.

Finally, the moment comes. The Brain Condor comes alive with activity as Great Mazinger falls into the catapult with a sudden clatter of Super Alloy against Argama. Tetsuya's arms open and grasp at the controls built into the jet. "Tetsuya Tsurugi. Great Mazinger--"

He feels pull as the Catapult pushes him out the runway of the White Ark- the wings of the Scramble Dash explode out from either side, two banners of victory that seem to disappear into the red, Martian soil! "DISPENSING JUSTIIIIIIIIIICE!"

Bright never withdrew that order. And there is still more than enough justice to dispense!

TWENTY MINUTES EARLIER MESS HALL ARGAMA

Boss sets down a cheap five credit vegetable platter. "Share and share alike, I say! I brought this for everyone to share! And I absolutely promise that I will share and not eat the entire ham."

TEN MINUTES LATER MESS HALL ARGAMA

Boss stands on top of a table, wearing a paper napkin hat on his head, brandishing a half eaten ham like it were some sort of pineapple glazed sword. "BACK YOU DEMONS, BACK! I SAW IT FIRST! YOU BUNCH OF ANIMALS!"

NOW BOSS BOROT UNDERNEATH THE ARGAMA

"Bos-" "I don't want to talk about it." Boss turns down at the radio transmission, getting serious. He makes a grim salute to the screen. Mucha slaps his foreward in an attempt to salute. Nuke pokes his eye. All three voices ring out. "Yes sir!" The Boss Borot explodes out of shipping containers of the Argama, red cape billowing out behind it. The Boss Borot is wearing a red muscle shirt and huge sunburst buckle belt around its rotund waist. Around its head is a Fishbowl with an antennae on top. It tumbles down out of the sky, using its cape as a parachute.

"Boys. Bring forth... the final Mix Tape."

Mucha and Nuke both pull out a pair of keys. Boss pulls out a third key. The two lug forward a lead box. Boss sets one key into it. Mucha and Nuke set their keys in. With a nod, they turn it in time, revealing a carefully tended 8-Track with the words 'Bonnie Taylor' embellished on it with perfectly level masking tape and a black permanent marker.

Boss picks it up with a grave expression. "It is time to do this."

On the descent, her eyes are closed.

Her mind feels a little glassy, clearer than it ever has been in her entire lifetime. In the pilot's cradle of an Arm Slave, Lieutenant Sovi Reincam finds herself inside a new machine provided to her by her mysterious benefactor. While she would rather set foot on Martian soil inside the cockpit of an Orbital Frame, the Plan 1059 Codarl-m will have to do well enough.

'Take this,' Mister Silver had told her. It would help her use all of the systems inside the Codarl to their full potential... it would be an opportunity to see how strong her will, ambition, and drive truly are. Sovi was a bit nervous about this, given her delicate physical and mental state, but... perhaps it's desperation that drives her, right now.

Landing on the ground with a sharp impact, the Arm Slave bears a distinctive red-on-black coloring, the accents bright yellow. The long ponytail that splays out of the back of it's head is a thick whiplash of black fibers, streaked with red. Carrying a 40mm machine cannon and monomolecular sword, it's one of a surprising many Arm Slaves popping up on the battlefield-- allies to BAHRAM, all.

"To think he arranged this much," Sovi murmurs under her breath.

"Lieutenant Reincam to all BAHRAM forces-- give that Aerogater an inch and I'll have your asses!"

 Ascian Luddite transmits, "Yes ma'am!"

Chibodee Crockett is far from home. He would not have left his city during this emergency under any circumstances but this one -- to stop a man he respects from being used as a weapon by monsters. Even this taxes him, preoccupying his mind with concern for whether America will be safe during his absence. But he must go forward. He must.

Chibodee met up with Bright's forces at the designated time and place. It matters little what he had done before; his usual assortment of silent prayers, signed papers, last hugs. Afterward, Crockett spent the last while inside Gundam Maxter, itself inside of its orbital drop pod. Meditation has helped to keep his mind from being utterly consumed with anxiety and worry, but the sore edge of it sticks in his soul like the socket of a broken tooth. This is a terror, an obscenity, like all warfare. If Chibodee has learned anything over his lifetime, he has learned to hate war.

There is no need to answer Bright with words. Gundam Maxter's pod launches when the order is given, plunging through the atmosphere down to the battlefield. The pod shatters apart at optimal height, Maxter rolling out through the air. It rides its verniers as it deploys its shield-lifter, spiraling down to land on it with unnatural grace.

Gundam Maxter flies toward the far larger machine, accompanied by a rag-tag assortment of comrades and others. Its head vulcans open up while it begins to close the distance against the giant. He wants Baraq to see him first.

No, that's not true at all. He wants the thing that's controlling Baraq to see him first.

No stock footage today; Final Fusion was executed back in Earth Orbit when Guy and GaoGaiGar took their place inside the Argama's launch deck, despite the King of Braves being substantially larger and bulkier than the mobile suits which it usually carries and launches.

On the other hand, if Baraq expected glorious shouts of "FINAL FUSION!!" and "GAO!! GAI!! GAR!!!" to warn him of the G-Stone-powered super robot's arrival, he's not getting them - GaoGaiGar just hurtles from the Argama's catapult, Space Boosters thundering to life and carrying it towards Baraq's machine. "They're not the ones making the mistake!" Guy snaps. "*You* are ... and your mistake is thinking that it's only Earth we're fighting tooth and nail to defend!"

And with that declaration issued, Guy brings it to Baraq and the Titan, OLD SCHOOL STYLE.

Roux Louka, in the Argama's actual conventional mobile suit hangar, breathes in and out. She's never actually been to Mars, but this is certainly a great way to meet the planet, she thinks with rhetorical archness as she latches her helmet into place. The customized normal suit makes a faint internal chime as the seat warmer gear finishes its 'toastiness' cycle.

The variant Zeta-type Gundam launches outwards, astride the Mega Rider combat supplement unit, whose rocket motors propel it helpfully forwards in the lighter Martian gravity. Roux doesn't speak up as she hears a bunch of people talk and announce themselves; it's mildly surreal. One or two of these people she can buy -- she's spoken with Amuro Ray on the radio -- but this is like twelve of them. It's like finding out you're the wingman to the Red Baron, Charles Lindbergh, Luke Skywalker and 'Maverick.' And also you're in Airwolf.

Roux gains altitude easily in the relatively attenuated martian atmosphere, the Zeta raising up a rifle with both hands and, presumably, steering her insane orange rocket bike with the Z-II's knees. She takes aim, her altitude letting her shoot with reduced risk of shooting their ad hoc Fist Force with a searing megaparticle ray.

She feels she should say something. "That's for Heero!!" she blurts, about two seconds after shooting.

 Remille Fortner transmits, "This is Remille Fortner. I am coming to assist in the fray."

Mars is...really unfriendly and awful! The number of people Allenby is on good terms with from Mars can be counted on one hand! Whatever planet-based prejudices she might be harboring are all but forgotten, though, in the face of the Balmarian threat. As it should be. This mission had been completely sanctioned by her superiors and when she learned who else was coming along, Allenby was actually kind of surprised. Everyone else assigned to the mission was pretty famous (or at least their machine was) for being extremely powerful. Where everyone has their huge container or gigantic spaceship, the Nobel Gundam is easily small enough to wait patiently in the hangar of the Argama. Allenby stands in the dead center of the cockpit, rocking back and forth on her heels with slight impatience. Idilly, she starts to wonder if Ari/Leo will make an appearance here. One of the HUDs flicks on suddenly, carrying a greeting from Captain Bright himself. Even if he can't hear her amongst the chatter he's no doubt receiving from his bridge crew, Allenby gives him a good-natured salute. The Nobel Gundam shifts suddenly, mirroring this motion. "You got it, chief." Once the containers start dropping (and presumably once the hangar doors open so she can leave), the Nobel Gundam launches, rocketing off into space, spiralling down to the surface of Mars. The Titan itself is absolutely impossible to miss, given it's size. Which is precisely why she leads with an orbital drop-kick to its head.

Banjo Haran. Once, in a time where Titans were still flying around being space assholes and people still belived in Ulube Ishikawa, there was an organisation called Section 9, with the goal of uprooting corrupting and finding proof of wrong doings in the EFA's government. It had, as a result, the complete save of the Solar System, perhaps the Galaxy, from the tentacles of the Devil Gundam. Or at least, helped in that department. Banjo Haran was the man that started this initiative. He followed. Now, he needs help, before he commits something that cannot be repair and pulled out from the tendrils of the incidious Balmarian's mind control. Tasuku Shinguji couldn't turn down the letter Bright Noa sent him. He's also quite glad to notice that many has answered the call. "Roger that!" Shinguji shouts, managing to remain chipper despite the grim situation, "Giganscudo -- LAUNCH!" The bottom of the most blocky compartment grafted to the Argama. The enormous shape of the Ultimate Shield falls off, barely activated. Then, the Tesla Drives flares to life, pushing the heavy super Robot foward. The 'Uriyah' might be imense as well, but it never does weel to receive the full brunt of the Giganscudo from orbital strike. Gravity is both the Giganscudo's worse enemy and best friend.

SOME TIME AGO

Hogarth trudges out through the snow to the mailbox. He holds his hat with one hand and pushes through the white curtain with the other, feeling for the mailbox in the blinding storm. He takes the envelopes in one gloved hand, turning his back to the wind, and making the long, arduous trek back to the front door.

Once inside, with a short trail of snow and water leading to the kitchen, Hogarth dumps the mail on the table. He glances at a note next to it--home late, leftovers in the fridge, love Mom--and then sorts through it. "Bill, bill, junk, junk, classified correspondence, junk, school, j--"

Beat.

Hogarth tears the envelope open with childlike vigor. His eyes scan across the page, and he murmurs one word with awe and wonder: "Alpha Team...!"

NOW

"Here we go! Come on, Giant!" Hogarth calls. He wraps his gloved hand on the big metal shoulder of the Iron Giant, adjusting his scarf again--this time, the one that goes with his red and brown aviator's hat, with goggles to match. He gives the Giant a thumbs-up, prepared for the harsh, Martian environs. The pod falls, and falls, and falls...

...and then it opens. A huge, grey shape runs out, bounding onto the surface of Mars. It bends over for a moment, letting the smaller shape of Hogarth Hughes off, clutching his radio and his binoculars as he ducks behind one of many clusters of rocks. "Okay, now just like we practiced," Hogarth calls. The Giant looks at him, and Hogarth just gives him and enthusiastic thumbs-up. The Giant straightens, putting it's fists at it's waist--

"UP, UP, AND AWAAAAAAAAY!" the Giant rumbles, extending one fist and rocketing out into the air above the Red Planet. The Iron Giant, Friend to All Children and True American Hero, rushes forward at the man who it called friend, to save him from his fate--that of a weapon, like he was.

And on it's chest is a red and blue metal piece, surrounded by a peculiarly shaped frame. The "S" stands out against the grey body of the Iron Giant.

There's an unknown signature coming in at high speed, one would pick up a Metatron signature would be picked up, it would be a machine infamous in this land. The Orbital frame of the traitor Ken Marinaris but she's come to fight it seems. The pink machine is coming in fast and is running an A-laws IFF.



"He has no idea what he's about to step into does he?"



"You think you can defeat the children of the war god? We developed technology that is alien to your people."

Ardjet's weapons fully come on line, as Ken does so she thinks of her father, he had died fighting for this world. She may be with the A-laws but Mars will forever be her home. She may never be weclome again here but she's not going to stand down.

"You do not understand them. You never will, they will fight to the last man and drag you down with them if that's what it takes. You can only kill a Martian you can't break them!"

The ardjet's entire cape explodes into hudreds of WISPs She's targeting the lone alien swirl around the unit for a moment.

She does send the non alien forces a quick signal she's hear to help. 

Ken raises one arm of her machine points at Mar's fallen son and gives the verbal command.

"GO WISPS!"

The remote missiles are guided by ken's will via the metatron AI of the machine, the cockpit is plusing teal light. As is the rest of the machine. The missiles home in on Baraq and will detonate on impact.

 Sovi Reincam transmits, "That's the--"

 Erika Keese transmits, "Ardjet!"

 Ascian Luddite transmits, "What the..."

There is an alien attacking Mars. A great machine, a great beast, made from one of the saviors of this and all the worlds; a man once renowned as a hero by every faction on Earth, now a slave and a shell of his former self wrapped about the Balmarians. Banjo Haran is a man who is inspirational, to say the least; he brought down the Megaborgs in his mighty, invincible man of steel Daitarn 3, he fought against the legacy of his father, he established his own company, and even when he joined Katharon, he had the willingness to do what he felt like that and the sheer courage to choose to do so.

But the fact remains that he is, right now, a Balmarian threat. And when a threat great enough wipe out all of Mars appears...well, for that, there are contingency plans.

This is one of them.

A pair of massive shells come hurtling from across the horizon; they burn like meteors as they streak past the defensive line, lightning fast, immense balls of flame hardly recognizeable as shells. The sound they make, the explosive roar as it passes those assembled heroes, is the defeaning roar of Authority, the sound of the power of the government's rule, backed by the great Corporations whose names are best known in the Trailers network as those who back the Ravens and their rivals, the Lynxes.

There is a dust storm in the distance.

"Attention, defenders of Mars and Balmarian aggressor!"

The man who speaks comes on-screen; he is some thirty years old, with a large captain's hat set across his head. A scar trails down his cheek and into his bushy beard; sharp eyes peer out from that black mess of hair, bright and intelligent and commanding. Behind him, a flurry of activity as A-LAWS bridge staff makes its way around, running papers and datapads and reports between stations.

"I am Captain Bradley Courage, of the A-LAWS and Bernard-Felix Foundation Experimental Arms Fort Spirit of Motherwill. I have been authorized and tasked with the defense of this planet, and I assure you that I have been given the tools to do so. That shot was your one warning, Balmarian invader - I'm never in the habit of taking two shots of anything but gin and brandy."

Captain Courage pulls down on his hat as the screen turns off; his eyes roam over to his first officer, Maya Deshay Courage. "ETA, Ensign Courage?"

"We can engage in five minute, de-uh, sir." Maya reports with a salute.

"Have the MT squads scramble. Prepare for tactical engagement level one; all Armored Core squads ready to scramble." Courage lets out a quiet sigh; he never thought he would see this day again, when he was pushed to Mars duty. But it was totally worth it for moments like this.

"And if it's not too much trouble, bring me some brandy?"

And now, the dust storm is starting to clear - or rather, its source is becoming known, for that thing on the horizon is too massive to be missed. It is one of the largets things ever constructed by mankind; a great white engine of defense, a mile and a quarter long. Six massive, stubby legs propel it forward at a turtle's pace, but when a turtle is a mile and a quarter long and huge enough to be visible from this far away, it doesn't matter much. Around its central area, great platforms arch out; with extremely long-distance sensors, one could just about make out the swarms of bipedal Muscle Tracers upon these immense launch pads, waiting for something to *dare* get close enough to this monstrously huge landship, whose mere *legs* dwarf the skyscrapers of Mars.

And it is still getting closer.

In the central control room, Captain Bradley Courage raises his whiskey into the air. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, we make history; we're going to kick those alien bastards in the teeth so hard whatever tooth fairy they pray to is going to be weeping."

"Nobody prays to the tooth fairy, sir," an ensign points out calmly.

"Well they'd better damn well start," Bradley replies cheerily. "Here's to making history!"

"TO MAKING HISTORY!" His bridge crew shouts.

"Let's show the whole of the universe what our Spirit can do! Bombadiers...!" Bradley stands up, pointing at the gunnery chief. "Target that big Balmarian fucker and fire at will!"

"Firing now, sir!"

Bradley Courage's lips twist upwards into a huge grin as he swirls his glass of alcohol in his hand. The immense main cannon loads one of its huge shells, a resounding click echoing outside. Inside, the screens blink, informing the gunner that it was clear for launch.

Bradley loved this part. It made the brandy shake just like his wife.

The sound is, once again, the defeaning, proud roar of Capitalism and Authority as another fireball larger than a Mobile Suit is fired from the cannon at speeds that are quite frankly obscene enough to be called 'super robot'.

Bradley raises his brandy into the air.

"I hope that hurt, you alien sunuvabitch."

SPIRIT OF MOTHERWILL HAS ARRIVED

 Erika Keese transmits, "Is that a walking /fortress/?"

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Where do they hide all of these things!?"

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Remille Fortner transmits, "That is the Motherwill."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "I don't even care about that. Why do the A-LAWS posses a god-damn Orbital Frame?"

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Remille Fortner transmits, "I do not have an answer for that, I'm afraid."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Suriel Misaki transmits, "Rather, it's pilot is."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Grrr... if there were no aliens around, and I didn't /have/ to work with them..."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Suriel Misaki transmits, "Meh, cry some more man."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Sovi Reincam transmits, "Keep focus, soldier!"

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Napth Pleminger transmits, "Perhaps she is as well. I will ask her, sometime. For now however, our priority is the Balmarian."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "You don't have to tell me that twice. When it comes to that guy... I've got beef!"

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "He'll face the wrath of Amenthes. I promise you that..."

From the AEUG Flagship was one last super robot.

The crimson mech launches, flying from the ship and soaring through the martian sky. Less gravity makes his speed even that more dangerous, as he forces himself to become accustom to the forces. Upon landing on the surface of the planet, it breaks into a full speed run.

It was the Crimson Shura God, Ialdabaoth. It's pilot, was the only man capable of piloting it, the Alien Folka Albark. He doesn't stop running, quickly clearing the terrain and leaping into the sky. Once more, he lands, spinning and aiming a powerful kick into the side of the Titan, aiming to try and place a dent into the massive super robot before unleashing an explosion of kicks and punches before leaping back.

Folka was trying to find where the lines were...where he needed to stike to bring this titan down.

There are no words, only the fistful of emotion from the lost child of the Shura race, who has come to defend his new home.

Baraq closes his eyes as fists and feet and beam weaponry course towards him from every angle; simultaneously, the paradoxical darkness within the Uriyah's chest fills with a wave of luminous red pinpricks as is personal complement of drones are tasked with targetting information.

"For Heero...?" he wonders of Roux Louka as a cruel, narrow smile crosses his lips. "I left him al--oh. Hah." He very briskly thinks back to the haphazard reports of the recent engagement where Heero Yuy's Wing Zero was crippled by a Balmarian strike force. "Hah! He isn't /brain damaged/ or something, now, is he? He was already /close/ as it was."

The Uriyah's Gravity Territory casts planes of invisible force violently away from its body with each new assault upon the Titan's form; WISP micro-missiles, vulcan cannon rounds, compressed Minovsky particles and a red ball that is surely just a taste of the Amenthes' full fury crash through the barrier first, and just as it has during each of his previous engagements - whether in the Uriyah or his customized Ezekiel - the Gravity Territory shreds energy forms, scatters missiles and depletes bullets of their motive force, sending them cascading across every inch of the Uriyah's body like a gentle rainfall rather than the focused torrents their masters may have intended. Even this, though, is sufficient to rip holes through the Uriyah's cloak, exposing lightly scarred armour beneath.

Next come the pilots brave enough to engage the Titan in close ranged combat, and while the distortions of the G-Territory may make precise maneuvering /difficult/ - just ask Allenby, whose Nobel Gundam is sent careening away as quickly as it approached - Guy Shishioh and Folka Albark's punches and kicks leave shallow dents in the Uriyah's fortified flank--though its pilot is seemingly unwilling to let them leave /easily/, as invisible hands aim to grapple both machines and hold them fast within the Titan's gravity well.

And then the biggest of the defenders' weapons - shells from the Motherwill and Giganscudo's fat ass - come.

The former of these, while challenging, proves surmountable and as the shells meet the Gravity Territory and summarily lose enough momentum to resemble flies trapped in amber, Baraq coolly transmits, "Wow, Captain Bradley Courage of the A-LAWS and Bernard-Felix Foundation Experimental Arms Fort Spirit of Motherwill." The Uriyah's snap from beneath its cloak to be cast sharply to either side of its body; the Motherwill's shells briefly stop... and then sharply reorient themselves to race towards the Gods of Destruction and the Shura.

"This is going to look /terrible/ on your service record."

Right about then is when Giganscudo collides with the Uriyah's shoulder, buckling it deeply; with so much of the Gravity Territory's energies focused on trying to suspend GaoGaiGar and Ialdabaoth, the best it can do is slow the Ultimate Shield down a little before the inevitable occurs.

Grimacing and struggling to maintain his seat instead of flying out through the windshield or something, Baraq slams a fist on his console; those tasked Drones - Bugs and Spiders and Birds - scream from their hangar. There aren't enough to dominate the area in full, but harrassing a number of the defenders is within their power, so wing-mounted Optical Rifles, Ring Lasers and photonic spider webs soon fill the Martian skies as they seek to tie up as many of the defenders as possible.

"You're--wrong, by the way," he lowly transmits as he rights himself. "I /suspect/ that killing, then breaking you /all/ will come one right after the other, by the end of the day."

Aboard Argama,

"Alpha Team at one-hundred percent deployment!" Caesar calls out from the tactical console. "BAHRAM forces are converging on the enemy target. We've also reading a new Al-LAWS mobile unit on the field it's ..."

"Spirit of the Motherwill," Bright softly mentions as his eyes are drawn on the titanic weapon's read-outs. "They've got the equivilent of an city as a mobilized battlefortress. My god, what other surprises are up Scirocco's sleeve?" He shakes his head, "Their Captain isn't going to be very effective if he treats this like some kind of game." He leans back in his seat, observing the battle-data streaming into the C.I.C. "Torres, bring us into support range of Alpha Team! Have gun-crews ready for suppressive fire! Prep missile batteries!"

The Argama blasts after its descending troops, manuevering through the Martian atmosphere effortlessly. The barrel of its main cannon glints in the sunlight as if it were parting the skies. Optical and ring laserfire screech past the bulk of the ship, the danger inherent in taking on Titan is palpable.

"Uh-oh.." Ron Keith gulps, "Uhh.. Captain. We have a problem. It appears Hogarth is no longer on board and is flying with the Giant, instead!"

"He-- what!?" Bright's eyes go wide. "Damn it! He's too young to be in the middle of a battlefield like this! Nng.." He reaches for the phone and angrily barks his orders,

Bright>: "Hogarth, get back to the ship at once! I can't allow you to be -this- close to the battlefield! Roux, keep an eye on him! Chibodee and Tetsuya, you'll have to keep the enemy from detecting Hogarth! Switch to high-yield offensive, maximum punishment!"

<Radio> Tightbeam to Bright Noa: Ascian transmits, "Heya Bright. Long time no see. Seems you brought some friends."

"Hey, Ensign dumbass!" Bradley calls, pointing at the gunnery chief, "Are your eyes on backwards? That shot went so wide I think it almost hit the other side of the planet! Shape up - it costs us twelve thousand dollars to fire those shells for twelve seconds, you moron!"

"Sorry, sir!" Ensign Martins (the ensign in question) replies, giving a haphazard salute at his Captain and adjusting the targeting.

"What's that, Mr. Alien?" Bradley observes, quietly resigning himself to remember this alien sonovabitch's name, "I can't hear you over how-awwww, well, horseshit."

Bradley points at Martins. "Fire defensive shells! I don't want a single weapon penetrating this line! I swear to God, Martins, if you let that alien make a fool of us in front of Mr. Klein and the Foundation, I'm docking your pay till you're *three* times my age! You hear me?! THREE TIMES MY AGE!

"yes sir!" Martins replies, swinging the massive main cannons around. A volley of shells explodes outwards, arching across the landscape; they manage to destroy a number of incoming weaponry, but the lasers manage to rip through the shells like butter, slicing into the immense Motherwill's armor. Deck fires begin; a number of soldiers die, screaming in fire.

Captain Courage slaps the Ensign upside the head. "You /moron/! I told you not to let anything through!"

"How the hell am I supposed to stop *laser fire*?" Martins manages, rubbing the back of his head. "Sir!" He adds hurriedly at the look in Bradley's eyes.

"Feh...I guess we can't. But I tell you what we can do!" Bradley adjusts his hat, "Ensign Courage, direct the Armored Cores into attack position. Let's go fuck up some aliens."

"Yes, sir!" Maya replies with a salute and a smile, turning away from her husband and back to the control systems. "Armored Core division Motherwill Defense Force One, Lion Squadron, scramble! Offensive Pattern Foxtrot Niner Niner!"

On the decks of the massive ship, Armored Core Normals begin to line up. These are not Ravens; they are elite soldiers of Bernard and Felix, Normal pilots who have proven themselves worthy of stationing on the Arms Fort. They launch one by one, a huge squad forming into a v-shape like geese in migration; they cut a swath through the enemy fire, missiles sweeping out to clear their way.

"Fox One, going in!" Maya reports as the Armored Cores move in on the Titan, levellig their guns. Courage lifts his brandy to his lips.

"When ants start to swarm," Courage observes calmly, "Even a lion can be dropped by their sting."

Roux's radio says:

'Attention, Martian Defenders! This is A-LAWS Captain Bradley Courage of Bernard And Felix Foundation Arms Fort Spirit of Motherwill. We'll be backing you up tonight, so sit tight, relax, and watch out for inclement weather. We've got some reports of *artillery rain* coming in tonight; keep your eyes on the skies.'

Roux stares at her radio for a full second.

Then the alien speaks up. Roux says hotly, "You son of a bitch!" Then she's being told to keep an eye on the child - her face flushes slightly, but the Mega Rider fishtails in the air, even as a Bug or six sweeps up to try and kill her.

Head vulcans chatter out as the Z-II dives downwards, closer to the Iron Giant. Realizing a moment later, that perhaps this would be giving things away, she does a sky-bootlegger turn, moving /laterally/ towards the Iron Giant and trying not to think about it -- even as she raises up the Mega Beam Rifle again. "You're not going to hurt anyone else if I have anything to say about it!" she cries out.

Inwardly, even as she cranes her head around to try and spot the small child in her rear view panoramic view, she wonders whether these guys have some kind of secret Federal class in battle elocution. Will the government stop at nothing??

It's not hard to miss the Eriyuh even at this distance. The massive Balmarian super robot stands tall, looming over it's environment... it kinda scares Erika in a way... but she doesn't cower and become panicked at the thought of the giant.

That was the old Erika. The new Erika will just /kick it's ass/! Drones swarnm in towards her as she approaches, but she single grabs her blade in both hands. Shots go off all around her as her machine jukes and weaves between them, with the ocassional glancing shot dispersing across the Valsion Kai's beam coat. then her blade sweeps up, cleaving a pair of drones in two. "Buddy, you don't know the first thing about Mars if you think you can conquer us. Every one of us would spill our blood for our Red Planet! Now let's see what color /YOU/ bleed! CROSS SMASHER!" A entwined beam of white, red, and purple leans out of the Valsion's arm, snaking it's way towards the Eriyuh and slamming into it's side. As the glow fades though, the large sword snaps up once more as Erika hurtles towards the golden giant, then launches up into the air and comes down from above, it's blade swinging down, "REEEEEEAAAAAAAGH!"

The G-Territory makes things hard for Folka. Gravity slows the unit down, infact, it even stops him after the momentum of his attack went through. Folka himself grunted, forced back by the kinetic dampening field as shots from the Motherwill was directed towards the Crimson Shura God.

Folka, seeing his danger exploded with blue energy, breaking free of the gravity well trying to hold him there as he flipped back, sending a foot into the shells aimed for him and rediecting it away from him and his allies for that brief moment. Landing, sliding back again, he narrows his eyes at the Titan.

"They certainly didn't spare any resources here." he quips to himself, before leaping to Guy Shishioh's aid. "I believe we have the same tactics in mind, shall we cover each other's back?" he comments to the other Super robot pilot before he ducks, flies forward, and attempts to drive a single flaming foot into the G-Teritory, attempting to rip through it and into the armored frame of the Titan. Folka would then spin, creating a large cressent of cutting energy, trying to blast his way through the field and get Guy a clean shot in on the monster.

Gravity is a harsh mistress. It gets worse when somebody can manipulate gravity into going from 'harsh mistress' to 'yandere force of nature which wants you deader than airdropped roadkill' - but it's still going to take more than THAT to stop GaoGaiGar; Guy weathers the onslaught and the abusive gravity, fighting the conflicting vectors until GaoGaiGar's flight is under Guy's control again ...

And with a wordlessly hot-blooded roar, he goes back to beating on the mammoth Balmarian machine, seeking a weak point. ANY weak point.

"HEY JERKFACE!"

The big red cape trails out behind the Boss Borot as it stampedes through the lines of super robots towards the Titan. Boss has his foot on the gas all the way down to the floor. The red tank top billows as the Boss Borot pumps its arms for dear life.

"You can't break me. You can't break these people! And by god, I don't think they can break you! No Super Robot Hero can be broken so easily!" The Boss Borot rolls its fist forward, its face squinting in a terrified 'OH GOD DON'T HURT ME' expression as the fist batters through drones, keeping them just out range of the Boss Borot as it works to close on the Uriyah. Mucha and Nuke are terrified by the sight outside the cockpit. But Boss just sits closer against his wheel as 'Holding Out For A Hero' pumps through the sphere head cockpit. "BEHOLD THE TRUE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!"

The Boss Borot leaps forward into the air, having to flail a few times to get in RANGE of the Uriyah's head and lash both arms out to grapple the huge head like some sort of rapist rare bird.

"BEST! FRIEND! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGIES!"

It isn't a surprise to Napth that there are so many people rising to the occasion today. Mars has always been a breeding ground for conflict, so it goes without saying that its people are exceptionally /unlikely/ to lay down to threats of enslavement or annihilation. He is no exception to this, though the very thought of working with some of these filthy... /Earthers/ grates on him. Still... for the moment, there is a more immediate threat to take his anger out on.

Amidst the chaos of the blitz against Baraq's machine, Hathor engages its thrusters and darts through the chaos, circling around the Balmarian machine and approaching amidst a lull in the blitz against it. The strange Gravity Territory makes the approach more difficult than Napth would have expected, but it is not beyond his machine's capabilities - or so he hopes. If it turns out to be, he'll just have to fall back on his ranged weaponry.

All in all, not a problem. Hathor weaves through the onslaught of drones and irregular gravity, leaving a silhouette behind it as it darts in and swings both of the cocoon-like limbs surrounding it at in a cross-pattern, the edges transforming briefly to form a blade far sharper than simple metal ought to be able to afford. Finally, Napth chooses to speak freely - his voice cracked, and more than a little unhinged.

"You are just the dregs of a defeated enemy," He growls, Hathor drifting backwards and preparing to renew its assault momentarily as he does so. "Such a foe could never break the Martian people. Such a foe could NEVER compare to the power of METATRON!"

Hearing Chibodee's urge to stay safe over the radio brings a small smile to the former Gundam Fighter's face. If there was anyone who didn't want to see her wind up another brainwashed pawn of a space horror...it would be him. "Don't worry." she replies to him quietly, intent on not losing the freedom he helped her realize, "I will be." To the outside observer, to suddenly engage such a monsterous robot in close quarters. On the bright side, that allegedly meant it would be impossible to miss, right? Except /not/, because there's some crazy cheating gravity feild that just sort of ignobly deflects the Nobel Gundam and sends it flying in the opposite direction. With a snarl, the Gundam rights itself and easily manuvers through the oncoming swarm of drones. In her approach, though, she actually starts kicking or swinging the drones BACK at the Titan. At first it's only the ones that try to get in her way or attack her, but with her speed, she quickly runs out of viable candidates and instead resorts to chasing down her own 'ammo' to launch back at the unBalmarian. One poor Megalliot is seized by the tail and swung around as a weapon, the Nobel Gundam refusing to relinquish its grip on its catch and instead brandishing it as a flail.

The assault of the Balmarian Super Robot forces even King J-Der's generating armor field into submission; even powered by hot blood and courage, it is still no match for the raw numbers besieging the Disaster of Abel. Its arms cross over itself as the whole ship-robot shakes around, pushed backwards by the assault. J roars out a challenge as King J-Der swats some of the drones right out of the sky; it dares Baraq to fight harder. It is a roar of willpower unshakeable by any terror in the universe, for it has already watched terror.

What King J-Der stands before is not the backdrop of Mars; it does not struggle against the great Titan's offensive forces. No, in the mind of King J-Der's pilot, he fights against Machine Kings swarming its armor; the machine against him is the Arm Primeval, and behid him, the city he did not manage to save. He fights a battle he has already lost.

"I won't...LET YOU! I WON'T LET YOU, BANJO HARAN! I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO DESTROY THIS BEAUTIFUL RED PLANET!" J shouts, "ANTI-MESON CANNONS! FIRE!"

King J-Der brings its hand around, red energy crackling on the cannons lining its arms; the massive Disaster releases beams of red light, slicing through the sky towards the Titan with extreme destructive force behind it.

All hell erupts around Gundam Maxter. The Neo-American Gundam, the champion of the powerless and downtrodden, the shining beacon of hope that Chibodee would have lead his people into a new golden age, all but vanishes in the thundering report of unfathomably massive cannon blasts. The tracers of his head vulcans are completely lost in the absurd forces being brought to bear. Debris clouds wash over the battlefield as the cataclysmic melee rocks the planet Mars, Crockett having to navigate purely by instruments to get through it all.

Gundam Maxter does not slow down.

Proximity warnings begin to whine in the background of Gundam Maxter's cockpit. Chibodee Crockett stares straight ahead, watching mobile suits go flying around him. A few of the blasts clip against Maxter's heavy armor, lighting up small red flashes across his shoulders and upper torso. He does not flinch, but his grimace very slightly deepens.

Bright barks orders. Chibodee hears them, but his plans do not change. Hogarth can take care of himself; the goal is still to take Baraq down. Hearing that his little brother is on the field does grant him a small measure of encouragement...

Baraq unleashes a horde of drones to try to wash the approaching fighters away. Gundam Maxter speeds up as the drones launch, using its verniers to push itself past its maximum normal speed. He lifts his right arm, crooking it as the Crest flares on Gundam Maxter's fist. His eyes tighten.

Gundam Maxter erupts with golden light for an instant, the debris plume around him being shredded away like a hand slicing through a dirty film over a pool. Drones that enter the wedge being created immediately in front of Gundam Maxter are split like cordwood or clobbered away, being sent sprawling down to the Martian soil a great distance away.

Gundam Maxter does not slow down. Lowering its arm, the glow fades as it braces against the thundering wind. Perhaps only the atmosphere is acting as a limit on Gundam Maxter's horrific speed. It matters little. Chibodee Crockett is almost there.

A warning about the gravity well around the Titan flashes on Gundam Maxter's combat screen. Irrelevant. The churning forces of the gravity well start tearing at the lifting board; Gundam Maxter leaps off of it, sending the board back into full reverse. He does not need it for a while.

Gundam Maxter blazes across the battlefield, erupting again into a dazzling bloom of golden light. It feels like the warmth of the sun as the Maxter, going at full tilt, attempts to slam directly into the right knee of the enormous robot with its entire weight behind it.

The Giganscudo impacts with the Uriyah, using it's entire bulk to squash whatever it can for a moment before taking off with all the nimbless of a whale given wings. As that is hardly the fastest way to get out of a location, the numberous Option and lasers peppers the Giganscudo, riddling it with black laser marks. As per it's name sake, it supports the damage effortlessly, getting some distance as it floats away. The Gravity well makes it a little difficult, as this is a large mass. "You REALLY don't remember anything, don't you, Banjo!?" Shinguji shouts out, the end of the Giganscudo's Shields extending out, sparking out with a burst of electricity. Shinguji remains calm inside the cockpit. He doubt they'll get through him that easy with words before beating the Titan around for a while. That's why they are all here for, this crack team of heroes and ass kickers, united to save a planet. "COME OOOOOOOOOOOOON!" Tasuku shouts, charging through the gravity well warnings, seeking to add a pair of electrocutions to the onslaught, his tesla drives struggling to push through. For once, GRAVITY is used against it!?

"Arm slaves? What are they doing here?" Ascian mutters to himself, not expecting an answer - but leaving the radio open. "Guess they are allies - judging by appearances and all that. But..." His radar had detected the Argama, and he stares up at the massive ship. A specific device inside his pocket was almost itching to be used. But no. They were defending BAHRAM central, against 'that man'. He wasn't going to risk making a stupid mistake right now.

"WARNING. Detected a large number of Super Robots. Also, incoming high-velocity Metatron signature!" Using its connection to the Divine Crusader's comprehensive database, quick data facts pop up for each that arrive. "Wait." His gaze is caught by Ardjet. "Why..." Why does a unit that is obviously an Orbital Frame posses an A-LAWS IFF signal!? A volley of radio chatter follows from this sudden realization, whilst he is busy getting into a closer range and checking out the data he can capture on the incoming Super Robots. "It's like a whole circus here. My god." He suddenly felt somewhat small... compared to all of those things. But luckily, he was not the smallest unit present. Silly Gundams, arm slaves and other such 'inferior' model mobile suits.

His attention then is quickly gathered back to the front as a single flying drone makes its way over towards him. It fires a beam of energy, which the framerunner manages to evade with fair ease. Not taking any extra time, he shifts one of the Amenthes' arms into the shape of a blade, spins around and flips over its horizontal axis, cleanly cutting through the flying unit. "Get out of my way!" The Ender shouts at the little piece of machinery even as it explodes behind him and his journey continues ahead. He wastes no time to shift that arm back into the form of a normal arm and begins twisting space at its will. "Burst mode, multiple shots." Ascian announces to Duat.

"Each will disrupt his field further - giving the ones that are launched after to have a better chance at making proper full contact." He explain to Duat, so that it can figure out the maximum effectiveness of such an attack and begins its barrage of red orbs of energy - kept within an area of compressed space - causing an incredibly high density energy, protected by a shell that would not give up easily.

The Nightingale skates across the desert, before it leaps off the edge of a cliff and seems to then fly in the air. Remille spots the Motherwill in the distance and for once an almost smile peeks across her lips. She then flips a switch and send a private radio channel to the massive fort arms, "Good to see you here, Spirit of Motherwill. Hunt well."

The Frightener then lands down on the ground just as the time the lasers blasts across. She then quickly types over instructions before she hisses softly.

The midnight Armored Core takes several impact marks, sending it ofcoarse a few times; Though it quickly corrects and takes aim. The energy sniper rifle charges up, opening fire before the Armored Core kicks off to the side heading into the air. With a steady aim, she goes to take another shot for the alien unit.

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "An armslave riding a Mummyhead... this is almost more surreal than those Super Robots."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Sovi Reincam transmits, "I do what I can."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "I cannot help but admire such out-of-the-box thinking."

Drones blaze through the Martian skies. Sovi's eyes widen-- to be utterly truthful, this is her first engagement with the Balmarians first-hand, her duties and commitments elsewhere keeping her from actually being /on/ the front lines-- but it seems that even with the rumors of their machines starting to explode worldwide, of talk that something major happened days ago, /this/ machine hasn't been inhibited in the least.

Sovi's mind has an alarming amount of focus today-- the Arm Slave is quick and agile all on it's own, but now it's almost like a simple dance-- twisting one way, moving another way. She feels the pull of gravity even in the reduced level that Mars possesses, leading her momentum to carry her further and further. The result is the Codarl darting across the battlefield as though it were an Orbital Frame on a much smaller scale, at the hands of a seasoned Runner.

Twisting the Codarl around before her legs curl up, the red, black, and yellow Arm Slave springs off into the sky... and toward a passing Mummyhead. Though as simple as a Raptor wrapped in an exterior armor, the unmanned drone manages to carry the Codarl while it half-kneels on the machine's armor, hefting the machine cannon and levelling it on the Uriyah.

"You should have stuck with Earth. The people of Mars do not so easily roll over!"

The 40mm machine cannon blazes physical rounds, solid-slug bullets that scream through the air with the intent to rip into the Balmarian machine-- if not create a bit of a distraction for her allies, be they Martian, Federation, or Katharon!

Hogarth takes a moment to appreciate the Spirit of Motherwill in his own, excitable way. When the artillery starts coming down, the Giant pauses in his ascent, deciding that leaving Hogarth anywhere near the ground when things are exploding is probably one of the worst ideas. Hogarth is fine with that; he'd rather be closer to the action, anyway. He's got a better view of where to hit it.

The Iron Giant resumes it's flight. Hogarth stands on something just behind the Giant's shoulder, squinting behind his goggles. He's in the atmosphere, he's got that suit they made him wear under his appropriately heroic gear, and he's got the Giant. What could go wrong? The Giant narrows it's eyes and extends both arms, flying right for the swarm. It doubletakes at the Zeta II coming up at it, and Hogarth does too, letting go with one hand to--wave?

Hogarth gives Roux a brief thumbs-up, and then points at his ears apologetically. He taps the Giant and points upward, saying something or other, gesturing at Mazinger, and then Giganscudo and the Maxter--

The Iron Giant accelerates. Hogarth hunkers down, getting ready. Chibodee's watching, he thinks; he can't just go hide in someone's mobile suit, or on the Argama! He's got to be out there, and he's got to get back in one piece! The Giant rolls to the side and past a barrage of laser fire, hammering it's fist through one of the bugs on the way to Baraq. It comes back around, kicking a bird-drone out that started to tail it, and grabbing two more a second later, crushing them together.

The Giant comes after Baraq, swinging it's feet up to slow it down right in front of the titanic machine, and then just flat-out punching it in whatever it can reach. Hogarth cheers it on. That'll show 'im!

Ken Marinaris comes under attack a whole lot of attacks from Baraq, the Ardjet is fast, a lesser machine might have been reduced to a fine paste. Even then the Ardjet doesn't get away unharmed. The Frame is hit and noticably but the machine's actively repairing it self for the moment.

"Wrong? You really think you can win? heh, you have no idea do you?" She doesn't go into more detail. If they really understood what Project: Aumaan was? The Balmarians would have hit mars before Earth. They had not, and she had no plans to give away just the nature of the weapon.

She comes around again moving quickly in and out, just trying to make her self a hard target, she's even already leaving asfter images as she goes, and there are lasers, oh so many lasers being fired, as new WISP appear out of ken's vector traps forming a new cape...

A broad blue beam sweeps from the Uriyah's right eye to consume the incoming Armored Cores; one by one, each pilot proves capable of not only evading potential death by Balmarian energy weapon, but of squeezing off a few shots in recompense. While most of these don't even make it past the Gravity Territory, one does manage to sink through a hole in the cloak, into a gap in the Uriyah's armour and explode, casting a small chunk of sanguine metal from the Titan's body.

At about the same time, Divinity and the Divine Blade seek to invade the G-Territory, and where Folka finds his crescent energy waves crashing harmlessly against invisible shores mere feet from the Ialdaboath, Zoldark's legacy successfully buries its blade into the Uriyah's side; the G-Territory struggles to push the Valsion /away/, but it'll be some time before there's any chance of that bearing fruit, as large as the DC machine is. With the Divine Blade buried in its flank and the Gravity Territory somewhat occupied with repelling it, Hathor and GaoGaiGar's close quarters aggressions have an easier time finding their mark, though ultimately the Uriyah's armour proves sufficient to turn blade and fist aside without much more than the loss of a few external layers.

"I'm not some kind of /Breeder/ spawn, Sample," he transmits to Roux, exasperated even as her beam rifle round cuts clean across the Titan's cloak to not only tear a long line through it, but melt through several layers of armour across its torso and the Ardjet's lasers follow the same route and send explosions coursing along its body. "I get it--you're angry. You're feeling /brave/, now that our numbers have been diminished; you think we're on the ropes, as you would say, but we--"

The name that Asfanit took pains to scrub from his subconscious cuts through Baraq's radio and anger overtakes his features. Light streams through the many holes in the Uriyah's cloak as the crystals studding its frame begin to glow; one hand reaches around to its front to gather the cloak in one hand and cast it aside, allowing it to not only intercept the Anti-Meson array, but enfold Giganscudo to foil its shocking offense. "You have--" he begins to transmit before being interrupted by impacts against the Uriyah's knee and the center of its mass.

Gundam Maxter hits him first, and while the Uriyah is able to answer with a sharp knee thrown into the mobile fighter, between its struggles with Valsion and the unceasing stream of attacks, the Titan is forced to descend to Martian soil. As it falls, burst after burst of crimson energy splashes against the blue crystal that occupies most of its chest, interspersed with countless machine gun rounds that ultimately leave cracks spider-webbing through its surface.

And then, just when its feet touch the ground, the Iron Giant buries a fist in its /other/ knee, cracking some of its crystals and splashing the machine with rays of harmless sunlight. Streams of green energy arc from the Uriyah's left eye to harrass its attackers as Baraq struggles to compensate for the disruptions in its energy emission capabilities caused by all the crystal-cracking attacks and the tremors rolling across his psyche in the presence of that awful, false name.

The Uriyah stretches its right arm forward; armour peels from the crook of its elbow and smoke issues forth when the movement aggravates some of its battle damage.

"You have the wrong man," Baraq Sheraga coldly transmits.

The golden cross scarred into the Uriyah's chest glows for a terrible moment before casting its killing radiance into the Gravity Territory; in the next moment, it spreads impossibly throughout the field, becoming bands of golden lightning that arc towards the Iron Giant, Gundam Maxter and Hathor to melt and pulverize their bodies with abandon. Curiously, none of it is quite angled in a way that would threaten Hogarth, probably because the censors would raise a huge stink and make it even harder for the Super Robot Taisen MUSH: Day of the Balmarians OVA to secure sweet, sweet American distribution rights.

"And you've got the wrong impression of the man in front of you if you think these threats and all this--raging against the inevitable will hold me off. /Everything/ your sun casts its light on is ours; all the psychic weaponry, deluded bravery and childish rebellion in the universe won't /change/ that."

Nearly all of the glowing crystalline emitters studding the Uriyah's body seemingly reach their peak then as each and everyone casts furious beams of solar destruction across the battlefield. Some of the Armored Cores and Arm Slaves are certainly at risk, but King J-Der is its actual target; meanwhile, the functional, if not necessarily fully /intact/ drones that Nobel Gundam saw fit to cast against the Uriyah's Gravity Territory all sweep through the air to converge on Neo Sweden's Gundam Fighter, each eager to bury her beneath metal horns and rifle bursts and illogically shaped energy weaponry.

As for the rest of the remaining drones?

They'll hunt for the Photon Power Labs' machines, as between Boss Borot's failed attempt at grappling the Titan's enormous head and Great Mazinger's more successful artificial windstorm, both sort of merit the attention. They're brisk strafing runs, all in all; the drones need to be preserved, because if he runs out now, it's unlikely that he'll be able to get /more/ for quite some time.

The beam of lights sweep across the field, and even J, who is completely used to things like light exploding off of everything and piercing into his unit (it was the kind of thing the Zondar did *all the damn time*), has to stop in awe and shock at this one. The screaming warnings of terror from Tomoro go almost unnoticed; J's arms feel sluggish, heavy, as they rise across his chest, J-Jewel generators maximizing.

The ruby Generating Armor pours outwards like a shield of virtue, but the light of Baraq Sheraga rips open holes in the machine like it's nothing. For an instant, King J-Der is engulfed in light; J's entire world is pain. He cannot see; he cannot feel; he cannot touch, nor can he perceive. Even immune as he is to fire, his whole world burns.

But nothing lasts forever. The light dies; King J-Der still stands, though holes have ripped through its arms, through its shoulders, through its chest and legs. The Generating Armor struggles to cover what it can as the courage of its pilot, who stood and faced this attack, is siphoned off and into the ruby force field to replenish it. The Disaster of Abel has not fallen yet.

"Banjo...Haran..." J replies again, quietly, "You claim you're not the man I fought atop the volcano when King J-Der first emerged. But how can you say that, now, after that attack?"

King J-Der's arms uncross, sluggishly, self-repair systems even now triggering simply to keep it functional after that hit. A single, massive finger points out at the Titan, accusatory and angered. "How dare you claim that you are not Banjo Haran..."

"WHEN YOU WIELD THE LIGHT OF THE SUN ITSELF?!"

"AND IF I MUST SHOVE THAT LIGHT INTO YOUR EYES TO MAKE YOU SEE, THEN I WILL DO JUST THAT! HERE I COME!"

King J-Der rises from the ground, martian dust scattering around it as its ruby engines pour power into the ground. It rises, impossibly, and starts moving towards the Titan. All ten fingers point outwards at the Hero of the Sun's evil machine, ruby energy crackling inside them. "BY THE J-JEWEL'S SHINING LIGHT, I'LL MAKE YOU ACCEPT THE SUN ONCE AGAIN!"

"TEN LINKED MASER CANNONS! FIRE!"

The energy lances out once more, ten solid beams jutting across a red planet's red sky towards a machine that wields the fire of God himself.

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Damn that thing's armor is nasty..."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "If only Amenthes had access to... 'that'."

Roux pops open the port-side passenger ingress airlock for Hogarth to get into as she steers near the Iron Giant. The Z-II (which is probably pretty much a Zeta Gundam to people without nerd glasses on) looks at Hogarth...

"Ugh!" Roux declares. "He didn't even bring a radio with him!? Then how is he--"

She is interrupted with some surprise as the Balmarian uses a term of somewhat remarkable provenance. However, she is also distracted by the fact that Hogarth and his Iron Giant are diving in! Argh!!

The Mega Rider swoops down, its Gundammy passenger raising up the beam rifle to - she can't, no - the dawning agony in her mind from the immense confusion of the battlefield directly in front of her makes her squeeze her eyes shut for a moment.

"Ugh!!" Roux declares. The Mega Rider pulls up, not wanting to slam into Baraq's machine. Instead, the Z-II resorts to the terrible secret weapon of the spacenoid people:

HEAD VULCANS!!

Folka's attack hit against the force of the gravity barrier of the Balmarian unit. The force of the canceled attack is enough to send even the powerful Ialdabaoth back, causing it to slide once more. Folka, back up once more calmly watches the Super Robot...trying to find a weakness...something to break through the gravity well that was a barrier.

"Nothing belongs to you, this planet is free, it's people's destines are their own...they have already proven this to your captors but they have not yet admitted defeat." Folka calmly states. "You know, deep in your heart of hearts that there will be no victory here." Folka then proceeds to FLIP THE FUCK OUT!

"AND NOW COMES THE DECISIVE BLOW!" He comes in again, his fists exploding with impossible speed before he flips, his feet taking over where his fists stopped. This is before a single powerful blow is sent towards the Super robot, aiming to cave the G Territory in.

"Machine Fist technique: KISHIN KEN!"

"Boss! This never works!" "Shut up! It will work! This always works in the movies!" "This isn't the movies! You can't convey music through text!"

Boss steadily cranks up the Bonnie Taylor Mixtape, flinging itself away from the Uriyah's head. The Boss Borot stands up amidst the Mars landscape, standing tall with the steady music building up, floating out towards the drones.

"Turnaround, every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you're never coming around."

Then the lasers come down on the Boss Borot, ripping it to shreds. "WE SAID IT WOULDN'T WORK!" The Boss Borot's face stretches into a D: face and it starts flailing away from the drones, lasers ripping through metal, parting the pink material like it were BUTTER.

The Borot takes cover behind a convenient piece of scenery. Boss huffs. "Okay. Maybe the music thing won't work." The Boss Borot peeks slowly out from behind the scene appropriate piece of scenery, peering out from its Spaceman Helmet. "Friendly noogies don't work! How do they not work, it's like the ultimate friendship sign. And if Bonnie Taylor doesn't work..."

"B-Boss... you could do IT." "What? What no! NO!" "It's not gay, it's affectionate." "THAT IS ANOTHER WORD FOR GAY! I am the toughest thug in all the high schools, I can't do this!" "Boss... you have to. You HAVE to! The fate of the world rests on it."

Boss turns his head down. "You are right. I have to do it." He slowly draws up his breath and pushes the Boss Borot out of cover.

"BANJO! HARAN!" The wind picks up, blowing out the cape. "I..." Boss holds onto a can of beer for strength. "Love you as much as one man can love another man! Embrace me!" Boss opens it up, taking a long pull with a suffering gasp.

With that, the Boss Borot flings itself at the Uriyah. For a hug.

Aboard Argama,

"Boss Borot, GaoGaiGar and J-Ark are taking heavy damage!" reports Caesar. "BAHRAM forces aren't fairing well, either!"

Bright grunts. "We're not doing nearly enough to match him. Alpha Team isn't staying focused! They're treating it like some kind of day at the faire.. but the lives of millions aren't worth being treated so casually! Target the Titan with the main cannon and fire a concentrated burst!"

The cannon mounted between the twin runways of the Argama charges to life. Bright pink energy whirls into its barrel, condensing into high-output capacitors. With a thunderous report, an energy beam lances across the battlefield. Meanwhile, the Captain starts yelling.

Bright>: "This isn't a game. You all need to realize that you are the only hope for this planet's continued existence. Search your feelings -- you must realize your potential as heroes of this galaxy! You must find your resolve in the trust you have for one another and the hope for a better tomorrow! The salvation of humanity rests within you!"

Also, something something something space something something true potential something something Newtype.

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Napth Pleminger hisses in pain before speaking. "Oh? You think that you can do better with your secret weapon? Well, then..."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Of course I can. Nothing can stop the power of Metatron when /that/ is in play..."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> James Heller transmits, "Man I only have worked with Metatron a little for BAHRAM and I know this. The aliens got no damn clue what you folks can do with it."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Napth Pleminger transmits, "Do I seem like the sort to kid around in a situation like this?"

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "No sir! I did not mean to offend."

Hathor falters in the air as it is struck by the Titan's counter-attack. It recovers quickly, its black-and-white fuselage becoming a blurr of motion as it accelerates to one side to slip into a space that isn't completely saturated by some kind of lasers, missiles, or giant close-combat weapons. This space admittedly only scarcely exists in this general location, and it takes exceptional skill to find and maneuver into it! Napth is given momentary pause as his sensors capture an image of...

An arm slave riding a Mummy Head? Napth blinks at this ridiculous sight, but doesn't get the opportunity to pay much attention to it. There have been worse ideas in the history of combat operations on Mars, and a giant bucket full of them are BAHRAM's direct responsibility. Not an insignificant number of them were his, back when he was a LEV pilot. Oh, well.

Sometimes terrible ideas have good results. He certainly has no room to talk.

The white orbital frame weaves this way and that - but gets caught up in the green energy arc before it can zoom out of the way. In retaliation, a series of gleaming energy arms manifest around its appendages before releasing themselves in great beams of energy that pepper the Uriyah explosively -- a sort of burst attack, but one hell of a big one.

"Angry? ANGRY?!" For a moment, Napth Pleminger roars with mad laughter. He never clarifies himself, though.

Hathor vanishes from sight, a spatial distortion occurring in its wake. It reappears above the Balmarian machine - quite some distance away. For the briefest of moments Hathor appears to be inert... and then, in an instant, it lights the battlefield up. Innumerable lasers in great quantity fill the battlefield like rain -- many of them target the Uriya directly. The others chase after enemy drones, hoping to relieve any BAHRAM support of some of their burden.

To see an armslave riding on a Mummyhead brings a smile to Ascian's face, followed by him shaking his head. "This is crazy." But probably not as crazy as a unit trying to give Baraq's titan a /noogie/ - though failing. He's finally in a nearly melee range, passing the unit by and just barely scraping his unit past the Gravity Teritory. His Orbital Frame trembles for a short moment under this stress, then suddenly speeds up as it is pushed back out. It swings its body around, and the eyes that normally are only feintly aglow light up brightly, beneath that black falcon-beak shaped visor. With Baraq concentrating on others though, he manages to get a few quick shots in when he suddenly gets a transmission in. He'd been talking to Napth on the command channel a small while ago.

"Sir. We're getting a signal with BAHRAM command identification. It's heavily encrypted." Duat speaks, the robotic female voice making this reality seem that much more alien than the words being said themselves. BAHRAM command? He didn't realize that Napth was that high of rank.

His eye then suddenly lands on the figure of a giant building-tall metalic rod with black shining lines creating a cross upwards - indicated by a vid-window. "What is...?" The transmission had been decrypted and was revealing a location as promised.

"That is a Program Station sir. High-density metal containing the ability to hand large quantities of data to an Orbital Frame within mere seconds." The young man's eye raises at this concept. The location marked was not too far away - near the edge of a ravine of sorts. "Well. Orders are orders." The framerunner utters, firming his grip around Amenthes' controls and forcing her wings to open and the red Metatron crystals to portrude outwards. A red glow quickly takes footing in that very same place and propels the Orbital Frame into the direction of the new 'marker' at high velocities. "Let's do this quickly, Amenthes - Duat!" - "Very well sir. Assisting in flight and velocity regulations." At the hollows of what would be Amenthes' knees, two armor plates suddenly shift away to let out a set of the Metatron crystals that were already propelling the frame as it was - and the shoulders suddenly light up. Within seconds, the Amenthes is a streak of light going high-velocity jet speeds towards the target.

At this break-neck speed, it doesn't take look for the Amenthes to arrive at the tall metalic block that had erected through use of a lift-system from a hidden earth-covered gate. The sudden stop has some of the intertia push on Ascian's body - who is used to all of the G-forces getting canceled out for him. "There it is..." Ascian mutters, staring at the giant pillar in front of him. "What do you think it is?" Only one way to find out! Amenthes' right arm moves forwards and turns its talon-ridden hand flat towards the object... which suddenly opens up and brightly begins to glow! Fierce red energy erupts from the ground and tranvels through the black lines drawn throughout the program block - then jumps through midair straight into the extended 'hand'. Within seconds, Amenthes too is enveloped in this very glow! It slightly curls its body inwards for a moment, then entirely stretches out and seems to create a monster-like roar as the incredibly amount of data and energy gets fed through the unit.

And with the way Amenthes had been built, its framerunner suffers the fate of more Metatron poisoning as the energy in lesser amounts also flows through his very veins and body. A few small 'burnmarks' appear on his skin whilst Duat tries to compensate for the sudden influx in energy to protect the Divine Crusader. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAA~AAAH!" But it continues for flow for what seems like ages to Ascian - pain and the energy-laden red flow causing him to arch over backwards in his seat. He cannot help but scream out in agony - feeling like every nerve in his body is on fire. A rapidly moving bar appears before him indicating the 'download'.

<Orbital Frame Hathor detected.>

"What?! Wait?!"

<It is Hathor. Napth Pleminger has deployed in person.>

Naphts words are right The Balmarians couldn't compare to what they could do. Her machine is moving and now constatly leaving after images now and she's not even fully warmedup. She does hear his voice though, is something wrong? Then she picks up Sovi, she's riding on a Mummyhead isn't she? That was a heck of a trick.

<I'm picking up several Raptors which have been damaged I think I can size control of them>

"Do it, get them back in the fight!"

Several of the damaged machines optics shift blue, and start moving again forming up on Ken's Ardjet and she keeps going after the huge enemy unit. Then an idea hits her, a trick Garlion pilots loved, it takes second for her to refom her drones about the Ardjet to make this work. Also to offer some protection. There's a shurge as energy field of some sort holds the remotes together.

"SONIC BRREAAAAAAAAAAKKKKERRRRRRR!"

She's flying at Baraq at full power, she's heading right at the alien machine, she's going to ram it full force with the Arjdet, the Raptors follow up opening fire as they do so, Ken's clearly wanting to take the alien down hard and fast.

But what's up with the man who made Ardjet? His machine is moving like, no it can't be footage she saw a long time ago. Of that... machine. Is this even possible? She can worry later, if they stop this alien.

This time, Great Mazinger isn't so lucky. It fires one of its mighty fists into the vastly diminished megillot swarm, but the damage it causes isn't enough to stem the tide. Black gashes appear in Great Mazinger's armor where the Megillot beam weapons rake at its body- but this, too, is insufficient in stopping something the last of the Mazingers. Great's body pushes into the horde, its fist returning to its arm with a solid 'clank' as its wings suddenly sprout from its back! The super robot charges into the swarm of Balmarian fighters, sweeping this way and that to carve as many of the Megillots in half as he possibly can- before turning, and descending toward his real target.

"Banjo Haran," Tetsuya roars as the wind and the dust scattered by the super robot's tremendous breath churns and spirals skyward, transforming into a vast array of storm clouds that loom ominously overhead. It's enough to absorb even some of the light unleashed by the Uriyah's solar radiance, and as it does, the clouds build and spread, an arc of lightning flashing across their surface.

An keen observer would note that each bolt is precisely timed with the flash of Great Mazinger's golden eyes "You may have forgotten who you are, but you still wield the power of our father sun! Its radiance is shamed by your sorry state- its face even now turns away in sorrow at your false light!"

Lightning streaks downward all about the flying fortress as it approaches, wings outstretched, to cleave through Megillot after Megillot in a great streak of destruction. Its arms reach outwards, lightning colliding with its shoulders and /pushing it forward/ in colossal bursts of golden thruster fire. "GREAT MAZINGER," Tetsuya roars, "SCRAAAMBLE DAAAAAAAAAAASH!"

"Energy reaction from the Titan! It's going to-...oh my God, no! LION SQUAD!" Maya screams into the commsystems as the immnse Titan starts to glow its golden light, and the Spirit of Motherwill's sensors detect exactly what is going on (or at least grasp a small idea of the full power that is about to be deployed), "GET OUT OF THERE, NOW!" Maya grabs the controlls, relaying information as fast as she can; projected targetting vectors, escape angles, anything, anything she can find to help the Lion Squad. She's desperate, because she's seen this event once before...

Meanwhile, Albert Langstrom, alias Lion One of the Bernard And Felix Foundation's elite Lion Squad, twists his BFF Armored Core out of the way of one of the drones. That G-Territory was kind of tough for his team to penetrate. Maybe they'd just have to let the super robots handle this for now and clean up the drones around the Titan. Albert slices through another drone with his laser blade; he's actualy kind of riding high on excitement. Was this how it was for folks on Earth? Saving the day-

"LION SQUAD!" Maya's voice crackles over the radio, "GET OUT OF THERE, NOW!"

Albert grabs the controls and jerks his Armored Core to the side as the huge beams of light sweep across the field; his last thought, as the power of the sun penetrates his armor and his world goes white, is that it was at least a damn good run.

Maya puts her hands over her mouth in shock and horror. Lion Squad, completely decimated by the Titan's energy beams...and they weren't even the target...! Tears are already rolling down her face. Such destruction...can anyone be allowed to have that kind of power?

"L...Lion squad's been...been decimated, sir. Ordering a recall." Maya's voice is quiet as she looks back at Captain Courage. As she'd expected, his hat's pulled low over his eyes, his brandy set aside, arms folded behind his back. It was just like the event that had cost him his first wife.

Bradley Courage's voice is low and quiet, but no less commanding for it. Immediately, the atmosphere on the bridge shifts; the quiet anger of the god of Motherwill is rising. Good men have just died, and Bradley Courage is not a man who can treat the death of his soldiers with disrespect. He'd be drinking in a minute; but for now, he has a moment of silence, or what passes for it on the battlefield of men.

"Fire missiles. I want that machine destroyed. Have Lion Squad recall to the Motherwill; it's too dangerous to send armored cores while that thing is active," Bradley commands, "Do what Captain Noa says. Target the main cannon."

Ensign Martins nods, wiping his own tears away, a look of determination and anger crossing his face. Baraq Sheraga had just cost him men he'd drunk with, eaten with, played games with. He was going to pay, Martins decides as he guides the joystick to lockon. He was going to pay so much.

The missile launchers on the 'arms' of the Spirit of Motherwill open, one by one; vertical-launch missiles streak outwards, leaving smoke trails in their wake as they pour towards the vile Titan's main gun. The sky is filled with them; they blot out the sun over a good portion of the battlefield, a ten-gun salute for the good men and women who gave their lives for Mars today.

And a whole lot of punishment for Baraq Sheraga.

Giganscudo fails to pierce through the gravity well to strike the Titan. That's just as well. It's a terrifing machine, sure, but it's strength lies elsewhere, more specificaly in the protection of things that /are not/ 200 feet tall monstruosities. Tasuku snarls out a cry as his mech is blown back, trailing away, taking a moment to stabilizes itself thanks to it's Tesla Drivers on it's back. Regaining control, Shinguji wpushes foward his controls to go again on the offensive. Then, near-by, he notices the Nobel Gundam on the verge of being assault by a determined, if not whole, drone. If that thing connects (and by the looks of it, it very well might), this could cause a lot of pain for the Gundam Fighter. Plus... he owes her. A lot. "Allenby! Look out!" The Ultimate Shield veers quickly toward, plowing apart a drone that gets in the way, standing in front of the incoming onslaught like the massive, flying wall than it is, keeping the Nobel in it's shadow. It impacts against the Gigan's chest, caving it in, causing some minor damage to the systems and hull, but otherwise is unharmed. Shinguji appears in the cockpit of the Noble, grinning, throwing her an high-five. "Hey, you're alright in there? Though you could have used a hand, there! Come on, Allenby! Let's blow this thing up!" The Giganscudo lifts it's massive arms, pointing them down at the Titan. Steam hisses out of it's articulation, snapping out with a loud mechanical crank, firing off it's shielded, electrified fists down foward at the Titan.

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Hehehe...."

<Radio: B - DC Tactical> Ascian Luddite begins a soft manic laughter, mixed with pain.

Take the knees, drop the giant, Chibodee thinks. The bone-breaking impact against the side of the Titan makes Chibodee see stars, but Crockett's preternatural skill allows him to turn most of the massive counter-blow away from his machine. The entire front of Gundam Maxter is scarred and frayed, the paint job completely wrecked, but the machine is still in nearly prime fighting form.

Gundam Maxter slams against the ground at the same time as the Uriyah, but rolls back up to its feet with the practiced poise of a kung fu master. It's always weird when the Maxter is one of the more agile units on the field, but the ridiculously huge robot is at a disadvantage against Crockett's superhuman footwork. The war machine sees that some big fuck-off ray is coming, but by now he's stared down enough of these to know them by their barrel-grooves.

Golden lightning blasts across Gundam Maxter, striking against the machine again and again. The bolts dance over the hardened gundanium of the mobile suit, likely frying key systems and flash-broiling Crockett within his cockpit. Any other mobile suit -- any /ten/ mobile suits -- would be completely obliterated by that kind of nightmarish show of force.

Gundam Maxter remains standing after the barrage ends. Little puffs of smoke rise off of its bare shoulders. There is no reason it should not be on fire right now. And yet, it stands.

Chibodee Crockett, in a dark cockpit full of smoke, reaches over to the old-style analog knob set over his head, puts it between his thumb and forefinger, and turns it clockwise until his local broadband transmitter, TEMPEST hardened for just this kind of occasion, clicks 'on'.

"You talk too much."

Gundam Maxter bursts off the ground, having left two giant pools of glass beneath its feet from the lightning grounding out into the Martian surface. It charges back over the battlefield, gaining altitude. It leaps up onto the Uriyah, running impossibly up its side -- the power of Schwarz Bruder running through his veins!!

"You say that we don't have a chance?!" Chibodee calls out. "Then let me tell you how we do math in the Five Boroughs!"

Gundam Maxter hurls itself up off the Uriyah, momentum now working the correct way. It sails toward the Uriyah's cockpit, riding its verniers as it intends to smash just beneath the headpiece of the ultra-giant robot, intending to knock it off in one solid piece!

"WITH COURAGE!" Crockett yells, "*ZERO* PERCENT BECOMES ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!"

Remille Fortner watches as the other Armored Cores get crushed. Her eyes narrow in that moment and inhales deeply, "May you find your resting places.." She whispers softly for those who were lost. Cold hearted she may seem, but cruel she is not.

The midnight blue Armored Core quickly races around the alien mecha. The pilot within was trying to study the machine, trying to determine where the weak points were. However with not understanding much on this race, outside they like to take captives and force them as slaves; well that wasn't much to work with, now was it?

Remille quickly typed over some commands over the touch-pad keyboard with its soft yellow glow, before she takes contoll of her machine. "..You talk to much.." She says to Baraq very calmly. "..Then again that seems to be the illogic of your kind. All talk, but no action, unless you take another race, however," She then narrows her eyes, the light reflecting in them, making them almost seem to glow white. "I see that as an escape goat to inferiority."

The Nightingale quickly slides back down on the ground before a small plasma cannon rises up on its shoulder. In the barrel the light moves side to side, before a blast of plasma beam strings out to try and impact its target.

"And you've done /such/ a fine job in squashing that rbeellious spirit, haven't you?" Erika mocks as the Valsion Kai leaps back, twirling it's huge blade around effortlessly, "Losing so many officers and three quarters of your drone forces. Making only minor gains while sacrificing so much for it... and you haven't even conquered a /single/ world, where as the human race has spread out across the entire solar system, from here to Nemesis." "It doesn't matter how you slice it Aerogater, you're still losing. Your boasts have no more weight to them." With a final twirl of her blade, she sheaths it, then raises both arms. Energy starts to collect at the barrels upon those arms, swirling and concentrating until the Valsion Kai is bathed in it's glow. "You're flying too close to the sun on wax wings, Icarus. DUAL CROSS SMASHEEEEEERRRRRS!" With that yell, she unleashes her fury as two spiraling beams writh through the air towards the Uriyah.

"...deluded bravery?" Allenby hisses, her anger finally tipped at the brainwashed Banjo's ranting. It wasn't just that they were mocking everything that they stood for, it was that this disgusting psychic force had twisted the Man from Mars so much that he'd become a grim mockery of his former self. For such an indomitable spirit to be turned to this was both repulsive and terrifying. If the Balmarians took anyone else here, anyone at all, what would they get warped into? The battered drone is discarded with a flourish and she quickly disengaged from close combat range and /definitely/ out of grabbing range. About to silence her own radio, she catches the start of Captain Bright's address to the group he's gathered today. He's right. He's totally right. No holding back tonight, no more dicking around! The Nobel ceases movement for a second so it can align its forearms horizontally above and below the circular indentation on the Gundam's chest bow. The heat fin hair clicks and starts to fold upwards and underneath itself, shortening its length by half. "ETERNAL MODE-" Right in the middle of the much-needed transformation sequence for the Gundam, all the drones swarm her. ALL OF THEM. She's seconds from being overwhelmed as her Gundam shifts modes, that is, until the Giganscudo promptly gets in the way, holding back the onslaught like anything named the Ultimate Shield should. The Gundam finishes, systems normally used to activate the hoop system rerouted to the set of beam scarf ports on the mobile suit's back. "Yeah!" Allenby gives him a thumbs-up before the Nobel shoots upwards and over the Giganscudo, zipping after the Titan. The twin tails of the beam scarves corkscrew behind her, soon to be joined by another pair of red glows. These are from the heat tessen. Fearlessly, she closes in on melee range, far faster than before, and unleashes a flurry of sweeping strikes.

"Who said anything about the 'inevitable,' *Banjo Haran*?" snaps Guy as GaoGaiGar continues assailing the Titan. "You know - deep down inside, the part of you that still *is* Banjo - that no matter how powerful the Balmarians' machines are, they're never going to win! But as long as you keep calling yourself a Balmarian, as long as their brainwashing holds out ... WE'LL KEEP FIGHTING BACK! No matter which of our friends are turned into enemies, we'll keep fighting to take our friends back, including you!!"

GaoGaiGar backs off slightly - but only to wind up, it would seem, its left forearm beginning to glow faintly before it aims what looks like a palm strike at the Titan's back. "PLASMA HOOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!" Yellow lightning snakes out from the emitters which normally generate the Protect Shade (or Wall), trying to actually *lift* the Titan and throw it .... but even if the Titan is too massive for the Plasma Hold to move, that doesn't stop it from trying to sizzle some systems - preferably movement-related ones.

Riding a Mummyhead is a bit of a risky premise; the IFF tags and AI systems in the unmanned drone make it a little easier to use it as a balance pad-- but a mobile weapon platform, no. This is one of those moments she wishes she had Ignis on-hand to work the dummy robot's systems for her, but... the AI, like the Orbital Frame itself...

Sovi allows the Arm Slave to crouch again, stowing the machine cannon over one shoulder on a hardpoint. 'The Codarl doesn't have a flight unit,' she reminds herself. 'So going into melee is a dangerous proposal. I could try jumping it due to the gravity, but--'

Sovi. Melee weaponry. It doesn't work that well.

Instead, her eyes catch those drones on their strafing runs and attacking others at will. Instead of breaking out that monomolecular sword, she tries to do what was told of her-- of the painfully vague instructions she was given earlier. Her eyes close as she tries to clear her mind, almost enter a meditative state she's had to practice so many times with her background, and--

The Lambda Driver triggers.

Drugs, focus, and drive come together in a magical cocktail that defies all common logic and physics, like the bending beams of an Orbital Frame's homing laser. Hands extended as though to be the focus for her first-time attempt at controlling a psychic weapon, the air ripples-- and one of those beams from the Uriyah's drones is bounced straight back at the machine!

The Iron Giant gets... crystal things and lasers. Okay; they can deal with that.

The Giant roars as the searing light strikes it. The golden lightning arcs across the surface of the alien war machine, scorching and burning it as it passes. Hogarth holds on for dear life, squinting against the glare. One of the 'bolts' passes him by, changing course at the last second and shooting off in another direction.

Hogarth Hughes is most definitely the luckiest kid in America--or maybe, just maybe, the Solar System.

The Giant falls back for a moment, but shakes it's head, visibly shaking off what might've also been a headshot. Hogarth turns to look around for the Z-II--his goggles default to nerd goggles--and then lifting his wrist to his face. He appears to be speaking into his OFFICIAL SECTION 9 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATOR WATCH, made for just such an occasion. "Aim for the weak points, Roux! We have to have made some by now!"

The Giant does the same. It slams it's fists into the knee twice more, and then flies upward, looking for something, anything that might be as fragile. It circles the huge machine, kicking and punching whenever it finds a target of opportunity. Hogarth helps by helpfully pointing them out by actually pointing over it's shoulder at things that, according to his Super Hero Lore, are weak spots.

"'The Light of Zehirut'," Baraq corrects as lance after ruby lance of Maser fire eerily bends around the Uriyah's body to explode harmlessly('harmlessly') amidst the Martian landscape. Exactly one remains anything close to 'on target' and even /it/ blazes across one of the Uriyah's hips instead of scoring a solid, direct hit. "The Light of /God/. Come at me all you want--your weaponized psychic /crap/ won't work on me anymore."

He's pretty good at /sounding/ sure of this, even if doubts thought vanquished are beginning to gnaw at the corners of his thoughts again.

Vulcan rounds and space martial arts apparently will, though, to varying degrees; both see similar results of peeling back and denting armour across its torso, and when a veritable typhoon of lasers from the Hathor and Argama are split by the Gravity Territory into a /shower/ of photons and Minovsky Particles that leaves the Titan scorched from head to toe, its predicament is only worsened.

Nobel Gundam pretty much totals the crystals in the Uriyah's right knee. Great Mazinger and the Codarl carve horrific chunks from the Uriyah's arms. GaoGaiGar and Giganscudo successfully channels enough energy through its systems that bits of crystal pop off of its frame all over due to suddenly being pushed well past their manufacturer-designated limits, though /throwing/ the behemoth is beyond even the King of Braves.

"/I/ talk too much?" Baraq growls. "/Really/? It's been 'Banjo Haran' this and 'you'll never win' that and 'we're so rebellious' the other since we've begun--talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, all because months of desperation have got you grasping at straws and clinging to false hope." The Uriyah's head turns, ever so slightly, towards the Nightingale. "You want 'action', Sample...?"

A blue beam as tall as a mobile suit explodes from the Uriyah's right eye, seeking to vaporize the Nightingale and--everything beneath it; the Uriyah meanwhile cocks its right fist back to, with one blow, repel Boss Borot's attempts at taking him on a man date and stop the Ardjet cold; the latter actually digs a very deep trench in between its knuckles. Artificial sunlight gushes from the wound like blood for a moment before being staunched.

And then the Uriyah folds its arms over its body as Baraq attempts to demonstrate the full breadth of its G-Territory's usefulness by ramping its output up to its very limit. As soon as it does, missiles from the Motherwill rocket from the air around it to return to their home far faster than they were launched to begin with, Nightingale's plasma rounds just begin bouncing erratically within the Gravity Territory rather than actually going anywhere useful, Gundam Maxter finds itself suspended mere feet from the Uriyah's chin, and the crimson Cross Smasher beams slow to a complete stop on either side of the Titan before casting themselves out again to shower across Mars; as they breach the borders of the Gravity Territory, their colour shifts from red to gold. The Iron Giant is robbed of its momentum as it makes a pass before the Uriyah's eyes.

The pilots who have brought themselves into the Uriyah's gravity well are then faced with the task of escaping its grip as it presses in on their machines' frames from all sides, hungry to compress each and every one until they're little more than indistinguishable scrap, or at least give them something to do that isn't hitting him for a few seconds. Meanwhile, Baraq splashes a handful of water on his face to try and keep himself properly engaged in the fight rather than letting himself slide too far into his own thoughts. Getting distracted by Samples' lies is what earned him counseling from Asfanit in the first place.

It might /look/ bad if he ended up there again.

What is that sound, off in the horizon? A plume of red dust is kicked up, steadily closing on the battlefield. As the camera zooms in, the audience at home sees...the manliest thing Mars has ever seen.

Fatman Big is inexplicably on Mars, racing towards the battlefield in a Hovergy. He is wearing tinted goggles and is slathered in muscle oil. His manly muscles are locked in an eternal struggle with his manly h-shaped suspenders. They might just win.

"HWWWWAAAAOOOORRRRGGGG!" Fatman bellows, summoned by the call of battle. He has heard it in the very depths of his soul. A Man's Soul. Fatman is not sure why he is here. He never knows why. He only knows that he is needed. His manly muscles are needed. Come, behold his manliness.

Getting unreasonably close to whatever the hell is going on in this scene, Fatman stands on the seat of his Hovergy. He hears the call of his comrades in arms, whoever they may be. He locks eyes with Folka. He knows this man. The others he does not. He does not care. He is here as an example. He shall inspire you by flexing blindly on! "HRRRRNNNNNGGGGHHH!" Fatman grunts, flexing with all his might as he passes through the battlefield. It is awe inspiring and his suspenders have finally lost the battle with his manly, manly muscles.

And then, he is gone. Gone, as suddenly as he came. He is mysterious as the wind. Who was that man? That man...of fat?

Roux goggles further at the radio. Are these people chronic underprofessionals, she thinks, or do they all just have fat government contracts?? The answer, of course - is both. She is also informed that opening one's heart to the love of the universe is the key to infinite Zero Point energy for one's Gundam.

"Well," Roux says to herself with the radio keyed off, "that explains a few things right there!!" It's completely ridiculous -- or maybe not; Roux has heard a few exciting rumors coming out of Anaheim lately that may just validate this particular piece of theology.

She is then given battle instructions by a boy who ain't even had his puberty time yet. She does a quick double breath cycle, because after all, you can't expect perfect situations in any workplace environment. Like right now, with the gravity. Fortunately, the Mega Rider's immense delta-V capacity allows the Z-II to skirt the immense gravity well, slingshotting past it -- and away from Iron Giant! oh no! Can Hogarth survive without Roux nagging him?!

Roux herself exhales with force, having felt that tide of gravity on her body in a distinct and disturbingly powerful way. The Mega Rider turns around, slowly tumbling, as Roux looks down and sees something beautiful on her board.

MEGA RIDER CANNON CHARGED

As the Z-II and its ride pivot around, coming to a relative halt in midair, Roux says in a low voice, "You keep saying sample sample sample... well..." Her eyes widen. "Sample this! Mega Rider Cannon -- FIRE!" She expects a big laser.

What happens is a starkly inconcievable blast, the king-like ray of crimson shrieking outwards like a veritable sheet of lightning from the forward nose of the Mega Rider, sending howling winds that threaten to break the Martian atmosphere's sound barrier out from its immediate lane of attack. Fortunately, Roux's persistent efforts to keep it upwards prevent it from intersecting others. Roux starts screaming as it fires, as much from astonishment at the sheer power of the cannon as anything else.

That blinding light casts out across the sky towards the Valsion Kai, but the shimmering blue sphere of the beam coat envelops it as the light strikes, casting it aside much in the same manner that Baraq's own G-Territory deflected it's own shots. "Desperation? From my standpoint, it's you Balmarians who are starting to get desperate. You used to come with massive armadas and dozens of specialized machines... now, you can barely afford to send /one/. You're grasping at straws." That heavy blade is drawn forth from it's sheathe once more and spung around as Erika takes it firmly in her grasp, "Just give up. All the power in the world won't save you now." The Valsion Kai surges forth as it's Tesla Drive blasts out power, speeding across the distances between them in a heartby. Her blade slashes out, almost too fast to see before she stands calmly behind the Uriyah, calmly shouldering her blade before rocketting away.

There are, on the Spirit of Motherwill, at least twenty five thousand men and women; they have lives, families, loved ones, and friends. They are men and women who put their lives on the line, as one, for the cause known as Duty; for that mysterious thing called Home. To them, the Spirit of Motherwill is a home; it is a living, breathing organism that they live in, laugh in, and love in. It is more than a weapon; it is their Spirit.

And they are the ones who die, now, as the missiles fired by the Motherwill itself are repelled by the G-Territory; as they are slammed into the armor of the massive machine, as they tear through impenetrable metals and explode inside decks. Fires break out all across the machine once again; a hundred men and women burn to death in the missile salvo. They die for Duty.

Ensign Martins slams his hand on the screen. It wasn't fair! This...this wasn't fair! That machine could do anything - it was like fighting a god! "How...how are we supposed to fight that thing, Captain? It keeps giving us back everything we throw at it! It keeps...it keeps killing...and killing...and we're supposed to be defenders! How can we defend against...against something like /that/?!"

Captain Courage is silent; his hat is pulled low over his face. Ensign Martins stands up, pushing his chair away. He advances on the Captain, anger writ large across his face.

"ANSWER ME, CAPTAIN!" Martins shouts. Still, Bradley remains silent. Martins' hand starts shaking, balling up into a fist. How dare he...how dare he... "HOW DARE YOU REMAIN SILENT AFTER ASKING US TO THROW OUR LIVES AWAY FOR YOU!"

Crack.

Martins' punch impacts Bradley's hand; the older man's eyes peek out from under his hat, as sharp and brown as ever. There's understanding there; and Martins is, almost immediately, humbled by the look on his captain's face. This is not the face of a man who doesn't understand what he's asked them to do.

"Ensign," Bradley says quietly, "Sit down, right the hell now. Get that big alien motherfucker up on screen. And ready the Big Iron."

Martins stares for a moment, then slowly closes his eyes and nods. "I...yes sir...I understand, sir." He slides back into his chair, as Bradley's fist tightens behind his back.

"Kid hits too damned hard," Bradely mutters quietly under his breath.

The Spirit of Motherwill's immense cannons turn once again; the three cannons, each nearly a quarter of a mile long, swing down to target the Titan. The Gunnery crews load the ammunition, that massive, meteorite ammunition, into each barrel as quickly as possible; they run about, hurrying as fast as they can to make the transition as smooth as possible. The low thrum of power build-up is audible inside the machine; it is defeaning *inside* the rooms. It is vengeance; it is the vengeance of the spirits of the dead of the Motherwill, ready to strike down their foe with extreme prejudice.

Captain Courage raises his hand into the air. He waits; he waits for the right moment, when the G-Territory is down, when he's given the word, when he's told the situation...

"Firing arcs transmitted, sir!" Maya reports with a salute. Bradley's lips twist upwards in a smile as his hand comes crashing down.

"Let's see how you like this, you murdering sunuvabitch."

Folka looks up, the attack brighter than the light of the sun...

Only slightly warned of this, Folka had attempted to work on a counter. Unfortinately, having never experienced the attack, this became impossible. However, as the light came, his hands came up, attempting to catch the wave with his hands, dark blue aura flares up to try and counter the light, but the pure force of the sun overpowers, causing the Shura god to fly across the martian surface and roll like a rag doll. For a moment, Folka was stunned, only the voices of his allies...no comrads force him back to his feet. He wasn't done yet... he was NOT DONE YET.

For weeks, Folka had been containing his inner rage...the pure fury at having his student taken from him. Friends lost to this menance, and the resurfacing of an age old enemy in his new home. Folka's Crimson Shura gold /explodes/ with the dark blue energy, wrapping around him like a tidal wave of power.

"I WILL SHOW YOU THE POWER OF A SHURA GOD!" Folka lets the fury out...

Then suddenly, nothing...no Shura god, no Folka...nothing. Until the Shura god was standing right before the Titan. Through the G-territory, as his hands exploded with pure force. Punches raining down impossibly fast, attempting to break through anything the stands in his way as he reals back...

"THIS IS FOR THE POWER OF HUMANITY! KOUHA!" He booms, as his hand punches forward, aiming to try and launch the machine upwards.

"THIS IS FOR MACUA! KISHIN!" His hand cover comes down focusing the power of the supremacy dragon through it. The giant energy dragon flies from his fist, aiming to grow larger and larger...aiming to be so large as to swallow the titan whole.

"AND THIS IS THE END OF YOUR OPPRESSION! KEN!" With that the giant maw of the dragon comes down, aiming to swallow it's prey. This causes a chain reaction, and the dragon simply becomes a giant beam of light, aiming to obliterate anything unfortinate to be caught in it.

Suddenly. Everything becomes to make sense as Boss sees Fatman Big. Everything locks into place. He... is trying to do this too girly. He is trying to do some sort of /little kid/ friendship. This isn't a little kid show! This is a young adult show! There are breasts, punches, poop jokes and references to drugs!

In those muscles, Boss sees the light of eternity.

"I get it now! I know how I have to bring you back, Banjo!" The Boss Borot thrusts its own tiny fist against the huge fist, battering itself aside before it gets into the sweep of the blow. "I can't use /hugs/ or /good time chats/." Boss crushes the beer can. "We are men! Men who punch aliens in the balls! You are a man who punches aliens in the balls!" Mucha and Nuke work on the tiny cheap zen rock garden at the end of the console with tiny tiny rakes. "You turned your back on punching in the balls, so I have to bring you back to the light!"

The Boss Borot stands back, lifting its fist. "BY PUNCHING YOU IN THE BALLS!" The Boss Borot flexes both arms lowering itself into a sprinter's stance. Then it bursts forward, cape billowing out behind it. >:| face going all the way. "BY OUR MANLY FISTS COMBINED!" The Boss Borot starts windmilling its arm to give the Uriyah the punch of a lifetime. "BROFIST SUPER DELUXE SUPREME BACON CHEESEBURGER BASEBALL KICKING EACH OTHER IN THE GROIN SMELLING THE DIRTY GYM BAG-"

~insert awesome ansi here~

"BOROTO! PAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWNCH!"

________ ...0%...10%...20%...30%...40%...50%...60%...70%...80%...90%...100% /       \      ``````|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DOWNLOAD | ``````||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||   IS    | ``````|||||||||||||| COMPLETE | ````````\________/

Lights suddenly turn off. The entire cockpit goes dark for a moment. The systems... rebooting. A mechanical whine soon follows to indicate that life is returning to the A.I. - a firm flow of Metatron energy searing through the cockpit like a shock-pedal being applied to a heart follows, leaving behind the little amount of light that normally is present within the cockpit - along with a somewhat ominous red haze. The recovering Ascian gets to stare at a single indicator in front of him, bringing down a series of code-related lines of text, not taking note of the haze - or the slight burns in his skin:

Temporary Program Permissions Altered: <Vector Cannon>, ENABLED! Altered Program Parameters for: <Mark Two Mode>

"The... Vector Cannon." A slight smirk appears on Ascian's face... then turns into a manic one. "They did it! They finally activated it!" He had once been allowed to run a test of the Vector Cannon Mark Two whilst in the Amenthes. In a way, he'd become a bit powerhungry on that day - seeing the destructive force. Of course, his sister had immediately hit him with a newspaper for letting it get to his head. But he could not help it. This was a weapon that could waste entire cities in minutes. It could sink a heavily armored battleship in seconds. And certainy... it WOULD sink /that/ alien's unit. "Muhaahaaaahahahahaaa!" Yep, he /snapped/. The young man cackles madly for a good few seconds before bending over forwards to let his hair fall in front of his left eye. He was feeling kinda cool.

"Pleminger! I WILL SHOW IT TO THEM! I WILL SHOW THEM... The might of my father's final project. I will show them, the Wrath of Amenthes! I WILL SHOW THEM THE POWER OF METATRON", Ascian's eyes shone slightly, in madness... as well as the quite present light of energy that'd been left by the Metatron reaction earlier.

"Sooo... let's do this. Duat!" - "Yes sir?" - "Start preparing those life-rings - because we are shifting into Vector Cannon mode - Mark Two!" The power of compressed space. He was capable of pulling such power in very minute bits with the use of both rifle-arms if he worked hard - and it was a huge energy drain that. But this was going to be different. This was going to be huge! "~ Preparing to shift into Vector Cannon mode. Please stand by."

Energy flows from the back of the Amenthes around its waist level, just above the cockpit - spreading out into the form of a twosome of long red-metalic railgun-guidance molds. At the same time - the foursome of feathers that hang from the hawk-beak visor toting Orbital Frame each burst into pieces and disappear. If the scientists had been right - if that was a sign of excess Metatron energy... then what was happening sure was using quite a lot. The Orbital Frame sudden begins to arch backwards much like Ascian had when he'd been in pain. However - its hands lie at the torso at the same level as the two horizontal metalic beams. The rib-like armor plating moves out of the way suddenly as a hole begins to form and a sizable but short-barreled cannon forms right there - its exoskeleton shifting. The bit-composed wings of the Amenthes push out another good chunk of Metatron, as if the thing was going to take off at interstellar speeds.

"Shift to Vector Cannon Mode - Mark Two."

The unit finally folds over as the cannon forms - spreading its arms and linking their fronts against the back of the railgunmolds and pushes the energy-created beams into position around the cannon. Its shoulders, where the Metatron crystals were still showing from the last burst of speed, suddenly let energy slip in order to create thick black lines in a half-moon shape towards the newly created 'backsides' of the forming Vector Cannon sidings. Red streams of energy begin to flow through, much like the circuit design veins on the actual frame.

"Energy Lines Connected."

The energy that was being released by the bitwings on its back finally takes shape in the form of a set of huge hawk-like wings that spread straight back, away from Amenthes. Each red-metalic wing carrying a transparent crystal end. A massive wave of energy is beginning to form within the unit.

"Gravity and Kinetic Energy Cancelers - engaged."

The cannon chamber is beginning to show a strange anomaly of flickering space as the unit begins to gather the energy to compress it on an extremely large scale.

"TO ALL UNITS! PLEASE GET OUT OF THE DIRECT LINE BETWEEN AMENTHES AND THE ALIEN UNIT!" Ascian suddenly calls out over the speakers, letting his words be loud enough for all to hear, even Baraq.

"Inner Chamber Pressure Rising Normally."

A eightsome of circular plates suddenly appear right around the half-way point of the railgun beams and begin to circle around it, slowly speeding up and forming a red electric link like lightning constantly seeking earth - spreading this all throughout the long metalic beam towards the cannon as well as its end.

"Life Ring has started revolving."

That grin on Ascian's face is becoming wide once more, as he can feel the rush of energy through the unit. The framerunner had at least that much of a link with the unit. A large meter in front of him showed how far his unit was with the charging. And it was coming along rather nicely. "Soon... soon they'll feel it Duat! Soon!" - "The Wrath of Amenthes, Sir?" The subservient toned A.I.'s voice requests. "That's right Duat!" His A.I. had changed a little with that reconfiguration. Or rather, Amenthes had been slowly overtaking its responses. "Then you will be happy to know sir..."

"READY TO FIRE!"

The targetting reticle was fixed perfectly on the center of Baraq's unit with the help of Duat. "That's where his cockpit is... isn't it? Heeeheee..." The man snickers madly. "Let's kill him. I don't care if all these idiots know him. Let's kill him. Kill him... for making light of you, Amenthes. Making light of BAHRAM. Kill him... yes..." Lock-ON! His cockpit is suddenly once more filled with that red light - a drastic wave being sent throughout the entire unit as he gives the command.

//FIRE//

The electic waves between the railgun beams flare and the energy of the compressed space is lengthened within mere seconds - racing for his target and filling the direct and rather WIDE line between them with compressed air. But it doesn't stop there. Due to this being the Mark Two, it allows the man to do something that the previous could not! He hits the verniers and races TOWARDS the gigantic titan whilst the beam is bursting from its home - pushing it forwards! He doesn't fear getting closer.

"C-Captain!" Caesar sputters. "...There's a man! On the battlefield! And he- he's grunting!"

Captain Bright blinks, "What the hell..." He shakes his head, "Whatever. Great Mazinger's Photonic Reactor is fully charged. Alright everyone, this is what we've been waiting for! Go to maximum power! You are all cleared to initiate Eternal Justice -- execute with extreme prejudice!"

The Argama's bridge crew glances around curiously before turning to the Captain.

"Uh, sir?" Torres asks, "What's 'Eternal Justice'?"

Bright rolls his shoulder in a shrug. "That's what they told me to say in this letter," he waves the GGG-stamped letter in the air. "It's supposed to be what motivates them. Never you mind. Fire mega particle cannon!"

"Oh, uh.." Caesar coughs as he punches in a few commands. "Firing!" COMBAT: Bright Noa has attacked Baraq Sheraga. Mega Particle Cannons added to their queue.

As the energy from its attack rains down across the battlefield, Hathor darts from its position in the air and in so doing manages to avoid the repeated attempt at blasting it with more /eye beams/. Within the cockpit, a twisted smile has spread across Napth Pleminger's face. To one side of him, a woman with pale blonde hair smiles serenely and offers him silent encouragement, stretching her hand out to indicate something outside. In reaction to this, the Orbital Frame turns and looks towards Amenthes.

Hathor accelerates rapidly in the direction of the other orbital frame, vanishing abruptly mid-transit as it is assaulted again by Uriyah - returning fire on it with a volley of burst attacks somewhat -offhandedly- before it floats near Amenthes.

Both of the cocoon-like limbs twist about until they no longer constitute proper limbs at all, but rather something more akin to a REAL cocoon. The tips of the appendages twist into a spiral above the frame's head.

A tremendous surge of energy races through Napth's body and into the orbital frame. A delusion of encouragement urges him on, and his fingers close tightly around the controls. Bioluminscent lines race through the cocoon as well, collecting rapidly at the spiral tips and collecting into a rapidly expanding sphere of energy. It resembles a regular burst attack at first, but its growth accelerates even more quickly than that.

In no time at all, the burst attack doesn't look like a burst attack at all. It resembles a sun in miniature, volatile energy erupting from it in small arcs before being re-absorbed into the main mass of the attack. Still it grows however, arcs of energy dancing across the entirety of Hathor as it does so.

This expansion continues until the moment that Ascian's Vector Cannon is prepared to fire... and in that moment, Hathor ceases charging as well and releases a colossal, sustained beam of energy that rips across the battlefield in a spectacular display of force alongside it - easily big enough to engulf the body of an Orbital Frame with a direct hit.

<Vector Canon detected.>

"Your kidding me!"

<I am not.>

"Prepare to follow that obrital frame up, recall all WISPs and prepare the primary weapon system."

<Charging>

"I want all non essenital power in...."

There's another attack comming. She tries to get out of the way, but isn't fast enough the Fist hits. It just clipped her and part of the frame is missing.

<Charging>

WISPs are summoned from strorage, they start to form up about the Ardjet.

"To BAHRAM orbital frames, I'm backing you up."

It was strange wasn't it but the Ardjet's own reactor is pumping all of it's power into the laser as the other frames Vector Canon is starting to charge and prepare to fire. It seems like an eternity. Her own part to play in this was ready, the Ardjet's power signature would start to be hitting quite insane levels. Ken doesn't even notice the strange teal lines that pluse across the cockpit are also now appearing on her body. Something imporant went off line to charge the canon. Napth's own assault begins a moment later. There's a glow on one side of the cacooned frame, and then a massive energy weapon fires, it's not as powerful as the Vector Canon, but it's no laughing matter.

"GET OFF OF OUR PLANET! WE WILL NOT BREAK! EVEN IF WE FALL MORE WILL RISE AND TAKE OUR PLACES!"

The beam joins the other assaults upon the Balmarian machine.

He's dragged in, as much as a Super Robot can possibly be /dragged in/ when it's flying right into the Solar titan. Gravity crushes at Great Mazinger's armor, caving the smooth plates of super alloy in like a hammer smashing into steel, but it still does not slow. It rushes forth, swords drawn and at the ready. One of the many beams of light pouring out of the titan slams into Great Mazinger's torso. The spot of impact glows momentarily, shining with the light of a being who last walked this stretch of space millenia ago.

The beam collides and, miraculously, bounces off into the distance, crashing into a crimson sand-dune, going far and wide of the assault's intended target. Great Mazinger continues to fall, blades outstretched, pointing down and inward like the fangs of a cobra. Lightning pours out of dwindling clouds, into the super robot's back. Gravity, the heavens and Great Mazinger's own thrust /slam/ it into the Uriyah's crystalline form, the blades dig into crystal, anchoring the super robot in place.

Its torso is aglow. The crimson v-plate shines with a brilliance that could eclipse even the sun itself. It is the glow of a thunderbolt that is unleashed, pouring from Great Mazinger's chest like the wrath of an angry god- and indeed, it may be /just/ that.

"Photon Reactor, OVERDRIIIIVE!" Light pours out of its eyes, fire erupts from its chest. Lightning courses through its swords and divine might empowers its limbs! "COME ON- BREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST!!"

Great's eyes flash, the flame is unleashed! The power that can be said to allow a man to become the equal of God or the Devil! Red pours out and light meets light as the world is set ablaze and the Uriyah is made to "BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRN!"

It... worked. It's a bit different than using the systems on board an Orbital Frame, and it isn't nearly as physical as moving the Nana-Two Way around, but-- it worked, by god. Sovi's a bit surprised, but she doesn't let the success go to her head. The ex-Frame Runner has bigger problems on her hands, like the prospect of being drawn into a gravity well and crushed!

The hands of the Codarl grip the edge of the Mummyhead's shielding and the legs bend, letting the Arm Slave's weight tip the whole unmanned machine backwards-- and giving her something to slide onto, when it goes belly-up, literally. The legs shift in a matter of moments to get the bold red Arm Slave into a crouch, and then...

It jumps.

Propelled high into the air, the leaping ability of an Arm Slave is nothing short of incredible. Combined with Mars' gravity, it becomes even more of a feat... and something that Sovi did not think about in the process of her leap, soaring through the air, high enough to even trail off /over/ the Uriyah.

"Shit--"

The Codarl's hands thrust forward again, palms presented and hands fanned out in Sovi's own vaguely unique way of focusing the power of the Lambda Driver. 'Focus,' she keeps telling herself. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in, breathe--

"OUT!!"

A jarring telekinetic shockwave erupts from the Codarl, stronger than Sovi Reincam had planned for-- and focused, /directed/ to strike the Balmarian from on high!

The Gravity Well makes it difficult to remain steady -- not to mention, keeping an atmosphereic pressure and integrity to the frame of the Giganscudo. Fortunately, the Ultimate Shield is king in keeping itself together, even during metaphysical onslaughts, entire fleets, falling colonies, ICBM and little girl wielding phenomenal cosmic power in it's general direction. Gravity is nothing, if only a friend to be riding along with to flatten smaller people. "Tcch! We keep repeating it because it's /true/! You wont succeed here and we WILL get you out of their grubby hands!" Shinguji shouts out, the Giganscudo struggling the mightiest it can against it's gravity. The Tesla Drives strains under the power, Shinguji gripping his controls until his knuckles becomes white. "AND WE'LL PROVE IT TO YOU! RAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Then, he lets go everything, the enormous mecha slamming foward like a bullet, hitting the Titan. The impact was such, that it threw the ancient Mech into a burst of energy, kicking it straight out of the influence of the Gravity Well. A little surprised, Shinguji don't waste time and flips a few switchs. "I can fire some big ass beams, too! Just you watch! Giganscudo! FULL POWER TO CHEST CANNONS!" The Gigan spreads it's arms as an enormous rectangular, vaguely ziggurat-shaped cannon unfolds from it's chest, gathering in a drab dark blue energy at it mouth, points of light focusing from each corners of the Giganscudo, before unleashing a beam easily as large as it is down at the Titan.

Her irritation lessens no little when Allenby feels crystal give under her strike. At least this time she actual /saw/ some damage being dealt and frankly, in spite of the return pain she gets it's pretty worth it. Any further anger beyond a threshhold set by the emotive energy-converting engine within the Nobel simply drains away, used to power the since-added systems of the Gundam. It's more than enough to make the twin beam scarf weapons burn even brighter. Almost as bright as the enormous salvos that open up, first from that orbital frame, then from the Captain's battleship itself. Allenby knows very well to get out of the way. Get out of the way and /prepare/ for what's coming. She's heard Chibodee's call to arms. She sees him marking the spot. She knows it's not /quite/ time yet, so... From her vantage point there was only one thing left to do. The center yellow "stone" set within the Nobel Gundam's chest-bow suddenly glows bright yellow, tiny sparkles of energy crackling around its smooth surface. "STAR! BREAKER! BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!" The Nobel Gundam promptly unloads with a comically disproportionate blast of energy dead center at the Titan. Maybe somewhere, Noriko is proud. Maybe.

"Is that.../it/?!" J sneers as the missiles explode across the Generating Armor; dents appear, but it's nothing major, nothing nearly as major as the 'Light of Zehirut' had caused. "Is that all you've been reduced to, Banjo Haran? Leeching off the light of some false god and reflecting the attacks of others?"

King J-Der lumbers out of the smoke, still soaring forward. "IS THAT ALL THAT THE MAN WHO ONCE BATTLED ME ATOP THE VOLCANO CAN SAY? IS THAT ALL THAT THE MAN WHO FOUGHT BACK THE DISASTER OF ABEL, FRESH FROM ITS CRADLE, BEFORE I MADE A MISTAKE THAT NEARLY COST HUNDREDS OF INNOCENT LIVES?!"

"Do you remember it, Banjo Haran?!" J roars, streaming towards him; burning red light blazes out from the legs, pouring across the ground and sweeping aside the Martian Earth in its wake. "The volcano's fire rolling across the ground! You tried to convince me to stop - but I wouldn't hear it! I was still reeling from my experiences as Pizza - still unwilling to listen, still too proud and arrogant!"

"BUT YOU!" J continues as the ES Missiles begin to stream from his machine, "BUT YOU! YOU WOULDN'T LET ME! YOU FORCED ME TO LISTEN - YOU MADE ME UNDERSTAND, WITH THE FISTS AND THE OWER OF THE SUN! AND TO SEE YOU REDUCED TO THIS, AS YOU ARE NOW - IT'S DISGUSTING, BANJO HARAN!"

"You fought to protect mankind! Even when we met in China, and I unleashed the full power of the sun, I thought only of vengeance - of proving you wrong, of showing you that *I* was the strongest, not you! I thought only of foolish, unimportant things - of killing the Cyborg, of being the best in the universe!" The ES Windows open, suddenly surrounding Baraq's machine. "But you...you helped me see the light. You opened my eyes, with the light of the sun, and showed me what a foolish monster I was! I may still have no love for the human race...I may have no love for what they do to their home...to their beautiful, boundless blue skies..."

King J-Der's legs spread out, its arms crossing over its chest. Fire burns in its heart and in its hands; missiles start to launch into the massive spatial distortions, to rip right through the G-Territory as they had done once before. Ruby energy pours out of every cannon King J-Der has; for a moment, it is a colossal red star, a light that blinds and deafens all at once. It is a nightmare in steel; the Nightmare of Abel, the Ultimate Weapon against the Zondar Primevals now turned upon this person that J considers worthy.

"EEEEESSSSSSS STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORM!"

The beams, the missiles, they pour through the spatial distortion. And then, J lets out a final, accusatory scream.

"BUT I WILL NOT SEE SOMEONE WHO HELPED CONVINCE ME THAT THERE WAS MORE TO THIS WORLD THAN DESTROYING THE ZONDAR BECOME LIKE PIZZA! /I WILL FREE YOU, BANJO HARAN!/"

"THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LAST WARRIOR OF RED PLANET! YOU WILL BE FREED!"

There is an ancient saying in the Earth Sphere, to the effect across all its myriad linguistic and dialectical variations that 'War is Hell'.

And now that Hell has come to Mars, embodied in the form of giant robots - many which would be termed 'super robots,' others built with more conventional technology but no less impressive for their power and their pilots' determination.

The Martian pilots join forces and unleash Metatron-powered devastation against Baraq's titanic war machine; the Arms Fort, the Valsion Kai, Boss Borot and so many others deliver their own attacks as well - and GaoGaiGar rises up into the Martian sky as Goldymarg launches from the Argama, a bright orange-and-gold streak heading on an intercept course for GaoGaiGar.

"SYSTEM CHAAAAAAAAAAANGE!!!" Goldymarg thunders, initiating his transformation into two components, familiar to most of those who've fought alongside GaoGaiGar before.

Guy just lets out a hotblooded roar without words as GaoGaiGar continues its ascent, detaching the super mechanoid's right forearm and letting it reattach to its pylon on StealthGao II, then raising the elbow stump towards one part of Goldymarg. "HAMMER *CONNECT*!!!"

The elbow joint links and locks into the back of the Marg Hand, and the fist tenses, flexes, and unfolds, opening up to grasp the descending shaft of the ...

"GOLDION!! HAMMMEEEEEEERRRRRR!!!!!"

And bathed in brilliant golden light from the hypercharging GS-Rides, GaoGaiGar descends towards the 'Titan,' aiming to bring the Gravity-Shockwave Generating Tool right down on top of the Balmarian machine's head.

The Iron Giant gets pulled back, back into the gravity well. It whips around the head of the Uriyah, spinning wildly as it corkscrews closer and closer to the Balmarian war machine. The Iron Giant realizes what's happening and puts on the speed, turning sideways and ramming it's left shoulder against it. It drags a furrow across the Uriyah, shooting sparks every which way as it scrapes it's shoulder and arm all the way down the enemy's torso.

It doesn't stop. It rebounds off the thing's waist and crashes head-first into it's elbow, not quite breaking free as it's pulled back in. It lands on it's head, flattening against the side of it. The crushing forces start to bend the Giant inward even as Hogarth struggles to hold on--and then it's feet ignite again, and the Giant gives one last push in the form of a mighty two-handed SLAM, catapulting it free as the massive barrage comes in. It goes skipping across the Martian desert.

The Iron Giant finally stops moving. Hogarth's head pokes up, "Giant? Are you--are you okay?" The Iron Giant doesn't respond. It's arms are bent at weird angles; the joints are flattened and twisted in ways they should not be able to move. Hogarth stands next to the Iron Giant's head, looking worried. He turns, looking up at the massive thing, and lifting his radio, speaking without shouting like everyone else.

"Banjo? We need you to stop, Banjo. You're hurting a lot of people, and this isn't--" His voice wavers. "--this isn't what the good guys /do/. You know that. Just--stop, and come home, Banjo. Just stop."

Hogarth stands among the red sands, looking up at the towering titan, unmoving even as the battle rages. The Iron Giant lies in a twisted heap behind him, silent.

But something moves...

Remille Fortner hears the warning and quickly thrusters her Armored Core out of the way of the path of the massive cannon. It was almost to late, the bright flash, the white, it was blinding for that moment. Then the alien machine responded, only making the problem worse. The Nightingale was washed into the blast. Heck she wasn't even sure if the plasma cannon made the hit or not, but she is guessing it did by the beep from the computer on impact of its target.

She could feel the heat from within her Armored Core. The Warning lights going off as the core was trying to over-heat. It slammed back down on the ground with its feet, sliding back. The body of the machine sparking as its systems were trying to cool off. The paint almost destroyed, some of the metal work looking as if it had almost been to close to the sun.

Those saphire blue eyes closed, closed and trying to refocus to see again, and all she could think about...

The young adult female ran up to throw her fist toward the much larger man. Her fist impact his arm and she gritted her teeth, as the sound of metal collided with flesh. She gritted her teeth in pain, she was a teenager, maybe only seventeen. "..damnit.."

The man looked at her, stared at her, "Remille, if you let pain or any other form of distraction over take you in combat. You will be killed. Learn to ignore that pain, that distraction and always push forward. Now again, this time, don't show me the pain, show me your resolve."

Remille then opened her eyes, she removed her glasses, placing them on the top of her head. "No more.."

The Nightingale sparking still as its systems continue to try and compensate once again starts to move. It walks foreward, before going into a run, and then blasts forward with thrusters on full.

Remille then contacts the Spirit of Motherwill once more, listening to a moment before she stares right back at the massive alien machine. "Time to end this.." The Frightner charges in closer and closer, perhaps dangerous close now. The energy blade activating before she makes quick sweeping motions with it sending three energy waves out for the alien machine.

"The 'Wrath of Amenthes'," Baraq mockingly transmits in reply to Ascian's widely cast warning. "Right. Whatever." The Uriyah gives the charging Amenthes its back and turns to deal with the threats Baraq is actually willing to acknowledge, like Valsion Kai; a shimmering, weirdly triangular golden blade conjured from the crystal on the back of its hand is tightly gripped, and after a few deft parries the Titan drives its blade towards the Valsion's shoulder before pulling away.

Similarly, as Maxter, Nobel, the Codarl, Giganscudo, Great Mazinger, and Boss Borot each strike at the Uriyah, AGX-16 is born by counterfeit solar energies to answer them /all/ with sword strokes; Gundam Maxter traces the scar in its chest and is elsewhere before the sword can fall upon him, shattering the crystals in its chest; Boss Borot's curiously aimed pugilism scores similar results around the Uriyah's pelvis, but the sword blade descends fiercely through a part of the junk robot's body before being swung broadly to retaliate against the Codarl, Nobel Gundam, and Giganscudo as each blast more of its crystalline armour away with their impressive array of energy weaponry--or, well, the Giganscudo and Nobel Gundam's impressive array of energy weaponry. Codarl just flat out /cheats/ and shears crystals from its body with raw telekinetic force like some kind of alien fascist or something; Great Mazinger puts the perilously heated cap on it all with its Breast Burn, annihilating the few drones remaining in the Uriyah's hanger and scorching its insides to boot.

And then--things get /bad/ for Baraq.

The King of Braves is the first falling domino in a deadly chain; it and its Gravity Generating Tool are suspended at the edge of the Gravity Territory for a second, two, three... and then they penetrate it. In this contest of artificial gravity against artificial gravity, the Goldion Hammer ultimately wins out over the beleagured G-Territory and is buried in the Uriyah's face. Mere moments afterwards, Roux Louka, Mobile Suit Bosozoku invites him to sample the Mega Rider's cannon and the compressed Minovsky Particles blow half of its right arm clean off.

Right afterwards, its /left/ arm is transformed into a crumpled, ruined mess in an instant when the dragon of the Shura courses all the way along the limb before finally detonating around its shoulder; gnarled and twisted and leaking sunlight at a rapid pace, the limb rather resembles a tube of toothpaste that's just given its last. Amongst all of this, Baraq - who has, in the span of a few seconds, gone from 'kind of bruised but more or less oaky' to 'a cut up mess with a black eye' due to the violence rocking his cockpit - notes the very conspicuous /absence/ of Amenthes' promised wrath, and so the Uriyah turns to face it once more; metal whines and in some places falls away all across its frame.

"This--is this /it/?" he gasps across the radio as he narrows his eyes on the approaching Orbital Frame. Before he can speak further, he's surprised by a rush of blood welling up in his mouth; after spitting it out and peering incredulously at the spot on the floor for a moment, he roars, "/I'm still here/, Samples! Your self-styled gods, your 'shields', your bravery, your visionaries, your /ingenuity/--it's all /dust/ at the feet of the Ze Bal--"

Space Compression happens.

The Uriyah, AKA AGX-16 'Titan' is well over a hundred meters tall and weighs in at about eight hundred tons.

The combined fury of BAHRAM as conducted by Amenthes' Vector Cannon generates a wave of violently modulated energy that easily matches the behemoth in height and breadth. Its Gravity Territory - struggling ever since the Goldion Hammer to reassert itself - is disabled once and for all, resulting in a storm of bizarre physics and invisible forces all around the Titan; no field great enough to protect something so enormous could /possibly/ be destroyed without /some/ kind of side-effect, after all.

Energies the colour of blood obscure the Uriyah as its frame and pilot are punished for what seems to be an eternity; the /only/ respite, the /only/ thing that prevents it from being completely, utterly consumed is the vague corona of gold near the top of the crimson explosion, generated by Baraq's desperate attempts at providing something, /anything/ to keep the Vector Cannon from annihilating him completely.

It is into this sea of death that the Argama's main gun, the Motherwill's gunnery salvo, Nightingale's plasma arcs and King J-Der's ES-assisted bombardment disappear; it all melts together into one great gumbo of destruction, each new bomb or beam or energized arc setting off explosions that bloom just beyond the sanguine field.

Hogarth Hughes and Soldato J's radio transmissions also find their way through the chaos; the cyborg warrior's rage and the simple, heartfelt words of the youngest, purest of Mars' defenders intertwine, and as different as they are, the two combined slide past the ruined mess of the Uriyah to pierce Baraq himself. Something within him that the Balmarians did an incredible job of suppressing for months stirs; with the great bales of straw already heaped upon his conditioning today, those last pleas are just the thing to crack it.

I borrow the power of the sun

"Do you love..." Baraq raggedly transmits as the suppressed images of a past life crash through his psyche.

I Borrow the Power of the Sun.

The Uriyah has one remaining head camera; it swivels towards the Ardjet to stare at it through a veil of crimson as the need to finally /escape/ the terrors of the last months and memories of reconnaisance data regarding Soldato J and the Ardjet's pilot clash.

I BORROW THE POWER OF THE SUN!

"Do you love /her/?" he inquires, quiet--conflicted; so much of him is sure that he's in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, but there's still a small, undeniable /something/ that demands he fight 'till the last. That he not fall the way so many of his fellows have been in recent days.

Sunlight explodes from the Uriyah's forehead as the Vector Cannon finally, mercifully begins to subside; the Titan's arms are just /gone/. It's bleeding light from every place - save its brow - once studded with crystals, and the lower half of its face is just a crater now. Everywhere else, there's very little in the way of armour, exposing the skeletal frame beneath; solar energy erratically jumps from point to point across the damaged metal as it travels upwards towards the Uriyah's brow.

"I BORROW THE POWER OF THE SUN!"

As solar fire - and actual fire, thanks to the extreme damage inflicted to its propulsion systems - gush from AGX-16's back, an enormous sphere of sunlight wobbles through the skies; it and the Titan are /both/ locked onto the Ardjet. /Both/ want nothing more than to collide with the Orbital Frame and vaporize it through the judicious application of intense heat followed by crushing force from its more or less still functional left leg. It's right. It's /natural/, it's--it's--

--it's what Banjo Haran's done hundreds of times in the course of his life, many of those times right here on Mars.

In the moments before impact - well /after/ the point of no return, the point where, thanks to the shabby state of the Uriyah's systems, pulling /out/ of this act of mindless aggression has become impossible - Banjo Haran awakens after months of sleep.

"What--" is the only word he can quietly muster before--

"No...NO!" J roars at the top of his lungs, a denial echoing across the battlefield from the mouth of the Disaster of Abel. "ENGINES TO FULL POWER, TOMORO! ALL J-JEWEL ENERGY, DIVERT, NOW! NOOOOOW!"

Tomoro does not protest. J knows it is hopeless; J knows he cannot arrive in time. King J-Der is slow, massively, massively slow; it cannot hope to intercept an attack from the Titan Baraq rides. J's world flashes before his eyes once more - the red planet's burning, Abel dying in his arms, her last wish.

'J. Destroy the Primevals. Avenge our world.'

And, for the first time in his entire life - in the entirety of his memory, in the entirety of the existence of the Red Planet - Soldato J-002 is forced to make a choice. What does he do? Before him, the woman he cares about, the alien pink-haired girl from Mars; in his heart, in programming that cannot be denied, his mission from the person who built him, created him; the orders that cannot be defied. This is a choice beyond any other.

It is no choice at all. For in the realm of Spiral Knights, even a nascent one not yet anywhere near realized, there are no impossibilities. And even an absolute may be challenged by those who march ever on and on..

Underneath his helmet, his eyes burn red. King J-Der's match; Tomoro is united with him in this decision. And Soldato J-002 throws out his hand, and roars out one decree.

"ES MINE! DEPLOY!"

The mine is launched at speeds far exceeding J-Ark's own; there is no time to set a destination, there is no chance to choose where the portal will open. Ordinarily, he would send it hurtling into space, or to the far side of the planet. Soldato J closes his eyes as the Mine rips a hole in space and time between Ken and the assault of Banjo Haran, Baraq Sheraga, the Titan of Balmar. The hole in space/time gives way to the Escape Space; and the Escape Space leads back to its default target...

J-Ark.

King J-Der.

J's mind rolls back to Pizza; when Pizza had sacrificed everything to save Allenby Beardsley from her fate as the Zondar Devil Gundam 2. When Pizza had bravely thrown himself in the way of her, to hold her still; when his arms had burned, his legs had been vaporized, and pain had become his world. And J cannot help but wonder - is this moment, now, this choice he was about to make - is this the same for him as it was for Pizza?

Is this where he defies his destiny?

Or is this the moment he dies? The Light of Zehirut is the most intense thing he has ever experienced. As Uriyha emerges from the ES Window and collides with King J-Der, as its burning light rips through the Generating Armor, as it covers his armor and it burns the white alien metal Black and the impact shakes him to the absolute core J cannot help but remember the shining light of the J-Jewel. He cannot help but remember Pizza's last words.

'The sky is really great. The sky...when you die, you're above the clouds...'

"Cyborg..." J murmurs, "I guess I won't get to kill you after all...sorry..."

"Ken..."

"Did I make you smile...?"

King J-Der is engulfed in light. J's scream - the scream of the last of a race filled with pride, a race that once stood so tall - rips across the radio and the battlefield of mars itself. And there is a colossal explosion.

And when it is over, the Disaster of Abel stands. But it stands still; hunched forward, its arms dangling uselessly before it. Its armor is seared black. And no light burns in its eyes.

And inside the massive machine, Soldato J-002's eyes go dark. Banjo Haran is a warning.

There are some things in the universe, one cannot defeat alone. And if J survives, he will have learned it.

On the holographic screens, as the lights shut off, a single message blinks.

J-JEWEL ENERGY 0%