It came as no surprise to everyone involved in the aftermath that the formal events were postponed due to various circumstances including the Galactic Federation's politics, public relations and the military's involvement in some perceived war crimes. It was a mess, all things considered, but at least there was something left to bicker over.

Jason, once he reported back to his officers, was arrested, accused of committing crimes against humanity during the invasion. A court martial was about to be held, but it was cancelled by Colonel Cain of the Galactic Fleet. The stoic yet responsible commander ordered the pilot stripped of any ranks he may have earned during his stay in Doom Squad, and transferred over to Lorenzo's scrutiny. None knew why, but it was rumored that the Galactic Counsel had a hand in this affair.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo himself made the rounds, and decided to meet with various Framewerk pilots in the hospital while they were mostly in one place for his convenience. Loose ends always unravel from the fabric after the clothes are worn, he mused to himself, and initially ignored the stranger waiting for him by the entrance before he sighed and slowly turned his way to him, his eyes dull with annoyance.

Approaching the man he had been given a description of, Jason hesitated for a long moment. The man seemed about to enter the hospital, and the boy didn't wish to interrupt him if he was else busy. However, he had to report in to this man now. Having lost his rank over in Doom, not that it mattered since there was no more Doom Squad. Forcing his features to be neutral, the boy walked up to the man. Pausing a respectful distance away and giving the man a salute, holding it until Lorenzo would drop his. [color=0076a3]"Sir, I apologize for the timing, but I have been told to report to you asap. Jason Diabolus, Squad Le-... sorry. Pilot, former member of the Doom Squad. I've been reassigned to Sigma, Sir!"[/color] he said, voice as neutral as his facial features.

"Hmm, is that so...." Lorenzo mused to himself, and slowly gave him a look-over. "Cain's found a new specimen for me..." He took out his personal device, and gave it a couple of clicks. "I suppose there is something else to you than your intelligence of a single-cell organism, so I'll accept his offer. Report to Lieutenant Ritsu in PDF, and prepare your farewells. If you have any to give..." He coldly spoke, and then entered the hospital.

He first went to see Wilton, and openly chuckled at the sight of his self-made research. "Oh-ho, taken an interest in Cruxi technology, have we? What do you hope to gain by prodding at a sample of bionized carbonite, boy? It's a miracle it hasn't rotted away by now; the metabolism in the Leviathans is astounding." As he turned away and began to leave, he spoke: "You will be more use to me as a research assistant than as a pilot. Report to Dariya back in Solaire for your new duties."

Next, Lorenzo came to visit Sigma and Serah, and this time held a personal device he seemed to use to write notes to himself. He didn't even notice the fighting the two clones had or rather, he didn't see any reason to quell it. "Fascinating, simply fascinating," he said, almost to himself, as he continued writing into it, only offering a harsh glance or two at the young girls, which was enough to make them stop. "You two have gained quite a name for yourselves, and not just in eliminating Mist. The energy spike that threw my scanners into disarray was quite impressive. To think that instead of rejecting the foreign entity like it was supposed to, it instead accepted it. You could say it even caused a reaction of sorts. And since the reaction was based on the proximity of pilots, I deem it approrpiate to categorize this form of connection separately from mere Synchronization. How about...Unionization? Wouldn't that sound nice, my dear?" He then said, as if he was talking to his daughter, and for the first time there seemed to be a genuine smile on his wrinkled lips.

[color=00aeef]"C-Commander Lorenzo?!"[/color] Serah accidentally shouted in surprise, before saluting her surperior. The man didn't choose a very good moment to enter, with Serah's eyes shifting to Sigma to check on her. The teenager swallowed some of her saliva. She didn't know how to talk to Lorenzo, because of his unpredictability. Still, the commander was probably expecting an answer. Serah decided to just be honest, not thinking too hard about what she was going to say. [color=00aeef]"I... think the name is very fitting for what we experienced, sir. It felt like my heart was directly connected to Sigma's... like we'd become one, almost."[/color]

"Hmm, yes, that would happen. To think Irina and her Homunculi would have this kind of compatibility, as expected of her." He went closer to Serah and gripped her wrist, pulling her sleeve back and baring her arm. Before she realized what he was up to, the old man had pulled out a syringe and injected it into the young girl, filling the tiny tube with blood. "This will do nicely," he mused to himself, creepily smiling. He then looked at Sigma, but gave a quick turn of his head. "No need to take from you; Irina has been gracious enough to give her DNA sample. Well then, carry on, Cadets, and make sure to rest; it's soon going to be a big day for you." With that said, he left, and the two girls could hear a weak cackle disappear to the hallway.

For his last, and shortest visit, he went to see if Mai Twilight had the will to return back. As he fully expected, that was not the case; she was still strapped to the hospital table, advanced machinery keeping her alive. Lorenzo scoffed; it would be more merciful to grant her death, but as with many things human, sometimes illogical choices had to be upheld. However, he did lift an eyebrow in surprise at the visitor she had; a young man wearing headphones and sleeping. It didn' take long for the Executive Officer to recognize him; he was also fresh meat thrown to his slaughterhouse. He didn't know whether to be thankful for having a steady supply of experiments, or annoyed for having to tolerate yet another buffoon. Having already met one rookie that day, he decided to leave him as Ritsu's responsibility.

After Zim had visited the others in the hospital he had requested a time to meet with Lorenzo to discuss Ariin's behavior, amongst other things. He was told that Lorenzo was too busy at the moment, but set up a time for the next day. So on returning for the next day, Zim dressed in his formal uniform for the meeting, as appropriate for such a meeting within the military system. Once he was permited access to Lorenzo's office Zim saluted and stood at attention until he was told other wise.

"Sir, I assume you are aware of Cadet Ariin Sorus's condition?" Zim asked.

If permitted, "Sir, if I may be so bold as to say, I do not know nearly enough about the psychology of Framewerk pilots to be able to make a true decision for myself on what it is that we are dealing with. When I spoke with him previously he spoke as if he were Paladin and that Ariin as we knew him was lost somewhere within the memory banks and networks of Paladins targeting system. I don't really think such a thing is possible, but I am no expert. 'Paladin' suggested that perhaps the person who had created Paladins system, his Architect might be able to assist in drawing out the 'real Ariin'. Without further ideas as to what we can do to get Ariin back to combat ready, and back to himself, I humbly request their assistance in this situation. However, personally, I think this is a byproduct of the stress of real combat, having said that though, doing what he asks might just help him get back to normal."

"Hmm, yes, that's a rare phenomenon, but defiunitely possible if the design for the Framewerk is shoddy. Apparently the fool who created the lumbering brute thought the excessive mass of the machine required a modified interface in order to work properly. Well, as far as I am concerned, I see no problems with his change in attitude..." Lorenzo left his words hanging in the air, and smirked. "After all, Cadet Sorus can now focus on his task as a soldier, unhindered by such emotions as fear and foolhardiness. True, he has lost much of what he has learned, but his Synchronization levels are still optimal. Maybe I should consider his designs more..."

Zim stood quietly for a moment studying Lorenzo's face and debating with himself as to what he should say next. He decided to go with his gut reaction, if permited. "Sir, may I speak freely?"

If permitted, "Sir, you've got to be kidding... If mindless killing machines was all you wanted, artificial intelligence could certainly be used to pilot Werks autonomously, or squads like the one that Cadet Twillight was in would have been more successful. Of course, I say this without knowing anything. I'll admit to my ignorance, but certainly you need people in those seats with emotions and decision making processes in order to actually be able to unlock the full potential of these machines, like what the Pilot of the Skoll used on us in our initial training assesment. Could 'Paladin' as he is now, accomplish such a feat? I certainly don't know, but I have my doubts about any of that. What I do know, is that I would just as soon die before submitting my self to such a procedure, sir."

"Do you think I would joke about lobotomizing soldiers, Cadet Hero?" Lorenzo's voice uncharasteristically picked up, and his gaze was so intense it could set paper on fire. "If that was a viable option we would have done so ever since the xenos began their invasion. The loss of free will causes the nervous system to turn passive and discrete, like a digital signal; it doesn't have the adaptability of an analog brain, capable of shifting from one situation to the next, and Synchronization levels drop to a dead state. You've seen the results of what happens when one has been treated through similar procedures; there was nothing salvageable left of pilot Twilight's Framewerk." Lorenzo coughed a bit, and then turned away. "Consider yourself fortunate, Cadet Hero; you are getting out with just a warning. But the next time you question me, I'll restart my human-based research again...and I'll know who will be my first specimen..." As he said those ominous words, the professor left, his shuffling steps the only visible sound, before they disappeared as well.

With the recovery process fully underway, the big day came; in the colony of Troas, the site of a great battle, both native and foreign soldiers stood in countless blocks as the representatives of the Galactic Council and some military leaders gave their speeches on global broadcast to the denizens of Leviticus IX, mourning the multitudes of lives, both civilian and in service, that have been lost. Yet, the populace was told that their deaths were for a noble cause, as it was with everyone's efforts and sacrifices that the Cruxi invasion was repelled. A moment of silence was held, and the people held candles, glowsticks, and other sources of light; in the faint light of dawn they seemed to shine like countless stars.

Then, Colonel Cain opened with a speech of humanity rising as one against the menace across the galaxy, and that through determination and willpower they will see an end to the war. During this, the Solaire branch was at the forefront, specifically the pilots who fought in Troas minus Jason; the public regarded that group as heroes, for they destroyed MIST and saved millions of lives. The Joppa team, including Jason, on the other hand, was deep in the center of the mass, seemingly hidden from the public's eyes if Ritsu's comment when organizing the pilots was any indication: "The people may start to attack you, so you must keep a low profile."

Cain gave out commendations, medals and even promotions to several soldiers; Ritsu in particular was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain for her efforts in organizing the counter-attack against the Cruxi after their trump cards were discarded. Katya Romanovna was promoted to Corporal, and pilots Gene, Sigma and Rooney were granted Steel Heart Medals, the highest honor available to a non-officer member of the military. The masses flocked to the three as the ceremonies came to a close, each one wanting even just a glimpse of the "saviors", believing a touch was enough to give them good fortune. As history is written by the winners, so are losers also cast to obscurity, to be forgotten despite their sacrifices.