Naina activated her communications device when she stepped outside, "Devine. Will you continue to watch over the President?"
Devine's voice responded on the other line, "Of course. I will see that he is still alive."
"I don't expect much will happen. But I have to be open to the possibility of another Coalition attack."
"It is wise you do so madame. I know you might not have a chance to part with your father, but I will be certain to give my word to him."
"I hope to return. I did not intend leaving home only to fail in my mission."
"You do remember your own personal mission though? Will it not conflict with such a desire?"
Naina paused when she remembered the one mission she had to see done. She didn't let it be heard but instead answered, "Perhaps it might. I can't permit thoughts of my death into the battlefield however. Doing so is the first chance the enemy has of victory."
"Indeed. I wish the best to you and your brother. Goodbye Naina."
"Goodbye." She turned off her device when she went to meet with the others.

A few minutes passed before the pilots were suited into spacesuits and waiting in the passenger seats of the shuttle. Mercurio saw Dana and Gawel leading the cockpit areas while the others strapped themselves in for the launch. It wouldn't be his first time making the lift. "This won't be my last one." He told himself as he buckled his belt.
He could hear Gaewl from the front confirm their status, "Command. We have prepared for our launch. Requesting clearance."
A muffled voice on the other end answered, "Clearance granted Captain. Launch is now commencing in sixty seconds."
Dana had her hand on the ignition levers when she agreed, "We're waiting for your countdown control."
Before she could see the progress to launch she heard Malcolm enter the mission control communications, "Forewarning on your part Captain. The Coalition fleet will be right above us and you will make contact with them as soon as the shuttle breaches the atmosphere. Engage on friendly terms with the Coalition leaders and see that they are willing to assist us."
"Pretty big order. I think they'll see the pointlessness in continuing this war though." Dana promised.
"It will be more than enough Captain. We only hope that your safety has been assured for this journey."
"And after. Good luck Mr. President."
Seconds passed before the mission control voice confirmed, "This is command. We have liftoff. Launching in 5...4...3...2...1... Liftoff." At those words the pilots felt the rumbling of the shuttle as it prepared to launch itself into space. For some it was the first time while for others it was another special trip. For all of them it was the beginning of the hardest challenge they would face in their lifetime.
Gawel grunted through the breaching atmosphere as the shuttle flew up, "This is it. It's time to prove myself."
Dana answered in agreement, "It's time for all of us to become something greater than soldiers."
Zachariah offered his silent prayer, "Roy, Ludwika, Trenton... This one's for you guys."
Naina looked out the side window when she promised, "We ascend into space once again. Now we'll make a difference in this war."
Mercurio was among the determined when he told himself, "We made a mistake in the last mission. Let's make this action the beginning of our redemption."

Malcolm didn't turn around when he heard the shuttles make their climb from the Earth and far into the skies. Devine was still behind him when he confirmed, "The shuttles have launched Mr. President."
Malcolm continued to look out to his destination when he agreed, "Good to know. Once we arrive in the new capital we shall await their return."
"I'm certain the others feel the same way."

|

Norma looked over the steadily growing fleet while several soldiers continued to offer suggestions to various staff members. She turned to one of the strategists asking, "Has the fleet been assembled?"
"Yes sir. The fleet is gathered and facing the direction of the Earth Sphere's coordinates."
"Sir, we have shuttles coming from below." One of the crewman observed from his computer screen.
"Call up the lead one." Norma commanded. At her request she heard a hail signal recognizing her request. "This is Admiral Miles. Identify yourself."
Dana waso n the other line when she introduced, "Greetings Admiral. This is Captain Houston with the Earth Sphere forces. I believe you were contacted by our leaders of our arrival?"
The arrival was on time and it seemed that the claims of a united assault on the Sol Invcitus would happen after all. "I see. You have the Gundams with you?" Norma asked seeking confirmation.
"Wouldn't be carrying anything else to the Invictus. We just want to make sure we're on the same side. Will the truce be going through?"
Norma finished the need for questioning when she offered, "I promise to act as a supporting lead officer Captain. We will escort you and the others to the coordinates."
"Understood Admiral. Thank you for your cooperation. We'll begin docking shortly. Over and out." Norma turned off the signal leaving input to the others on board.
The youngest strategist was the first to speak, "Sounds like we'll have a chance now."
"We may just. The additional power will do nothing to detriment our hopes of saving what lives we can." She turned to her panel commanding the lower decks, "Prepare the boarding party and see the Earth Sphere pilots accommodated properly for the journey. We'll need their full support."
As soon as she shut off the signal Norma heard one of the crewman ask, "Are we going to forgive them though sir? Just because we have a common enemy?"
"It's because of our common enemy being a Coalition President we're considering the joint attack. What they choose to do with us afterwards will be something to address later." Norma pointed out. "Our real fear should be that this criminal of theirs is a real threat. If they're telling us the truth then we did fight an 11 year war for practically no reason other than a simple demonstration of deception."
One of the strategists showed clear sings of struggling with the concept when he asked, "Do we even have a reason why their President would want to start a war? Especially one this long and devastating?"
Norma wished she had an answer for such an occasion but only managed to muster in a few seconds, "That's the biggest concern we have right now. The fact that we don't know what is making Kecker want to enact a conflict of this scale. If it were for any traditional reason he would have used the conventional and more practical ways of achieving them. With the device at his disposal however, I doubt it's anything along those lines."