Cao looked up to notice the men who were making their way to the infirmary and saw Tano among the observers through her remaining good eye. "Leiutenant, it's good to know you made it out alive."
The medic prepared his vital readings when he reminded, "Right now it sounds like the one who didn't isn't exactly up for discussion."
Cao looked down when she recognized the loss of Naina and agreed, "You're right. Some of the pilots aren't happy about her passing."

Dana wandered through the halls of pilots requesting medical attention when she cursed to herself, "Damn. Another notice to write up..." She noticed the other mobile suit pilots were next to her when she asked Mercurio, "Yuy. You said your Uncle Milliardo was her father right?"
He looked up when he answered, "... Yeah. That's him Captain."
"I'll be sure to write up the notice to him. It sounds like Milou is going to need it for his return."
"Yeah..." He turned to look at the row of pilots healing themselves when he lightly commented to himself, "At least hoping we make it out of this."

Norma observed the numbers on the battle map when she tried to figure out the next strategy and swiping her forehead of sweat. "What is the current medical condition of our pilots?"
One of the operators reported, "A good number of them were exposed to the light radiation from the beams earlier. They must have been strong enough to induce blindness. As it is we may have to swap some of our battle station crew for pilots. That's how problematic their condition is."
"If we're going to continue making this desperate of a struggle then we probably will have to go down to the last pilot remaining."
One of the strategists added, “If we must then it is our final hope in making an attempt to save the human race for further destruction.”
The other agreed, “I’m sure anyone can tell from here that if we stay here we’re finished and if we make our move we’ll probably die faster.”
Their Admiral emphasized the need for success when she answered, “Either way the latter is the best option. The people who suffered Kecker’s judgment at Lagrange Point 2 were enough to cement his reputation as an enemy of humanity. And we cannot let him free to whatever plan he wants done.”
One of the strategists picked up on this conviction when he reported, “Refueling and repairs are underway Admiral. Should be pretty soon. Hopefully before the Invictus finishes its transformation process.”

Mercurio entered the holding area for the mobile suit pilots when he found one of the only pilots who managed to survive the recent ordeal. He greeted Zachariah, “I guess you had the chance to see the line out there.”
“Hey Mercurio. Yeah there’s not a whole lot of room for the infirmary. We’re just lucky we don’t need it.”
Mercurio noticed the regret “Sounds like you’ve just lost someone.”
“Yeah, just the typical stuff about a post battle situation.”
“Are you feeling responsible for the recent casualties?”
Zachariah shook his head when he answered, "I don't even know how to feel about this."
"About Naina's passing?"
Zachariah took a breath when he heard this request before confessing, "She took out several of our guys when we were trying to get to Brussels and then she turns out to be someone you knew. Right after that there were some guys talking about getting her when her back was turned."
Mercurio looked out the window to the hangar bay when he asked, "You didn't choose to though. Was it because of what happened after we took back the capital or was it because you found she was trying to redeem herself?"
"The guys back home will tell you it was the first choice. I want to think some of us had faith in the second one but I don't even know how many people will allow that kind of forgiveness."
"After the taking of Brussels I briefly cursed myself for not having even endured a loss of this scale. I almost lost my mother but it was averted... I wonder if I could ever face Uncle Milliardo now?"
"If you ever do meet him one day, just try and remember he knowingly sent his kids into a war. The odds of coming back alive were not in anybody's favor."
"I was lucky to see Keijo and the others make it all the way to St. Johns. He probably thinks the same as I do right now."
"I can tell you from experience that Roy was my pal and Ludwika was one of a kind. Unfortunately this whole thing has been affecting all of us. You see what's happened to Suchart?"
"I guess not. But I take you it you think he has the same idea on Naina's involvement in our squad."
"Yeah at least I hope so." Zachariah craned is neck to observe the ceiling above when he asked, "Well the Sol Invictus is still out there and I think we have a mission ahead of us. Do you think you can handle a do or die situation this time?"
Mercurio corrected him, "Most of our missions have been based on a life or death situation. Unfortunately we can't afford to lose this time when there's so many more people at stake."
"I saw you give your last assurances to Naina and Donna before you left. You didn't part with Donna just for the heck of it did you?"
Mercurio was looked down with some regret answering, "No. I only wanted to let her know about me before we left."
"So you gave her the right idea right?"
"I think so. I thought she still wanted Milou at her side."
"We got lucky this time. You should go to her before we go out there again."
Mercurio picked himself up from the wall when he agreed, "I don't have much to lose at this rate. May as well."

The pilots still alive were gathered into a meeting room where Dana waited for their arrival with Gawel hearing about the recent results. “I guess this solves a moral dilemma some of us had… Next time I’m feeling suicidal let me bring that up.” Dana gave a brief nod when she promised him.
Once the Gundam pilots were gathered she gave the report, “Listen up everyone. We have to be ready for the next assault if we are sent out. The fact is the Sol Invictus is out there still and as long as we’re in its way we have the chance to stop this sort of destruction from happening. Times are tough and we’ve endured a lot of losses. But we were trained to prepare for this day. We’ve been conditioned to prepare for do or die situations. And the fact is we’re being given the roughest one in recent human history. I can’t bother making a rousing speech this time around or promise we’ll all come back alive. For right now though, let’s get our heads in the game. The fact remains we can either let Kecker win this next one and take us with him or we can stop whatever he’s trying to pull.”
Most of the pilots agreed with, “Yes sir.”
Dana nodded to their conviction when she ordered, “Be ready as soon as the repairs and refuels are done. Minimum of 45 minutes. I’ll let you know when the Admiral has the next say.”

After the meeting Mercurio found the chance to meet with Donna again. He introduced, “Donna… About last time, I apologize if I did anything you objected to. I want to end this upcoming battle with a clear conscience and I have no intention of ending anything with anyone on bad terms.”

As Naina’s remains were sealed the possessions were put in separate bags by the medics. One of them stood out when a medic recognized what may have been a necessity for a blood relative. He was grateful the information was made public at this point in the war. He met with Milou and presented a slip of paper to him, “Mr. Peacecraft. I believe you may want a look at this.” No one was able to learn what Naina's true objective was until the message was found reading, 'Milou. If you have received this message, please carry out father's wish. Destroy the Tallgeese once and for all.'