Eternal Flame

Disclaimer: I don\'t own the G Boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier ne? :) I do however own Shane, Paul, Colin, Mickey, Benny, Toby, Fayah and any other unfamiliar characters that crop up. I also own the plot if you can call it that.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Sap, angst, OC, Lemon, Lime, abuse, violence, language.

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, OC x OC and maybe some more... check each part to be sure ;)

Archive: http://gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com
http://sweetlysour.net
http://www.adult-fanfiction.org
http://www.theforsakenwk.com/

Status: Work in progress.

Beta: DBZVelena, Yami_Tai & Ryouga... *huggles*

Author: ShenLong

Authors notes: *sigh* Well here I am again caving into pressure. I know it has taken a while to get to this and for that I apologize but I could not come up with a plot I deemed worthy enough.... until now. This is yet another sequel... this time to United Hearts. I did promise I would write the wedding for you all and I intend to do that. For those that haven\'t read United or Lost Souls I recommend that you do, otherwise this sequel will not make much sense. All of your favorite characters are back and up to as much mischief as possible.
This is set fourteen months after the end of United and all the children are older now. The Gundam Pilots are all 20yrs, Shane and Fayah are 16, Paul is 15, Colin is 14, Mickey is 12, Benny is 10 1/2 and not forgetting that little rascal Toby who is 10.
Thank you to all those who supported me through the writing of United, I hope you enjoy this just as much.

\"Eternal Flame\"

Started April 2003 - ShenLong


Chapter 31

Heero and Trowa settled into the cockpit of the small shuttle, strapping on their harnesses and then flicking the various switches on the console. \"All systems ready to go,\" Heero said into the small mouthpiece of his headset.

\"Roger that 01. De-pressurizing cargo bay 2 now.\" The hiss of machinery could be heard as the bay lost pressure and the large doors prepared to engage. \"Bay doors will open in five... four... three...\"

\"Engaging engines,\" Trowa stated as he pressed the buttons to fire up the shuttle\'s thrusters. The engines roared into life.

\"Two... one... Cargo bay doors opening.\"

The huge doors creaked and groaned as they opened wide to allow the tiny shuttle its exit into the black void of space.

\"Good luck gentlemen,\" Quatre\'s soft voice came over the headset. \"Break a leg, but not literally, Heero.\"

Even Heero had to smile at that little quip. \"Roger that control. Shuttle Alpha leaving cargo bay now.\" Heero eased the joystick backwards and the shuttle began to move, gliding easily across the short expanse to the open doors and then shooting into the darkness.

Trowa quickly checked the coordinates, making sure that the computer was functioning correctly. \"Shuttle Alpha on course for satellite; Sector 469, latitude 118 degrees, longitude 372 degrees.\"

\"Roger that shuttle Alpha. Control has radar detection of two large ships approaching from the starboard side. We assume this will be Grant.\"

\"Well I didn\'t think it was gonna be Santa Clause,\" Duo\'s voice came over the com unit.

\"Could be the Tooth Fairy,\" Trowa replied, a smirk on his face.

\"Nah, the only magical fairy out here is a pilot in a Gundam by the name of Pu...\"

\"Maxwell!!!\" Wufei roared down the com link.

Duo\'s laughter rang out.

\"I think we need to clear the airway people,\" Quatre\'s voice stated, \"Switch to secure channel UHF 890.\"

\"Switching now.\" Trowa flipped the dial to the secure communication line and glanced at Heero. It was hard trying to read what was going on with the Japanese man, his face devoid of all emotion. \"So, Heero. What do you suggest we do once we are in range of the satellite?\"

Heero set the autopilot and turned to face his partner. \"Firstly we need to get into our suits, we don\'t know if the life support systems on the satellite are still functioning. I\'ll brief you in more detail while we change.\"

Trowa nodded and unbuckled his harness, following Heero to the rear of the shuttle and the waiting space suits.

~ * ~

Duo powered up his Gundam, the controls under his fingers feeling very familiar. He listened as Puff also sprang to life. Pushing the com link open he addressed Wufei. \"Reckon we head out and give these babies a test run Wuffers.\"

\"The name is Wufei, Maxwell. I suggest you start using it otherwise you may find yourself being the target for my testing of the dragon arm fire.\"

\"Ohhh... testy.\" Duo grinned. \"Control, Reaper and Puff requesting clearance ta head out.\"

\"Reaper, this is control. Cargo bay will de-pressurize in ten seconds. Please engage cloaking device before bay doors open.\"

\"Will do, Howie. Guess we get ta see just what these babies are capable of.\"

Wufei opted to stay silent. Instead he flipped the switch, thrusters roaring into life, the large mecha vibrating with the sheer power waiting to be unleashed, \"Engaging cloaking device.\"

Quatre and Howard sat side by side on the bridge, several other sweepers around them. On the large screen they could see the cargo bay where the Gundams waited patiently for the doors to open and release them into the vacuum of space. As the bay de-pressurized in preparation for their departure, so Wufei engaged the cloaking device and Puff faded from vision. Reaper followed a second later.

\"Doors opening.\" Quatre pushed the button and the huge doors began to slide open, the only indication they had that the two suits were leaving the Zodiac was the com link.

\"To infinity and beyond!\"

\"Shut up Maxwell!\"

\"Awww... where\'s yer sense of humor \'Fei?\"

\"Same place as your brain.\"

Quatre sighed. It was going to be long wait.

~ * ~

\"Sir! Radar detects a small shuttle heading for the satellite.\"

Grant swiveled around in his chair. \"Visual?\"

\"None yet, sir. Maybe in a few minutes.\"

\"It has to be him.\" Grant leaned back and rubbed a hand thoughtfully over his chin, his fingers traced the scar and his eyes narrowed. He would have that son of a bitch! \"Put it on screen as soon as we have the visual,\" he barked to the lieutenant.

\"Yes sir!\"

Grant turned to face the man sitting in the chair to his right. \"Davis, I want you to accompany me to the rendezvous.\"

Davis nodded.

\"Make sure you are armed. This is a Gundam pilot we are dealing with here. I don\'t care how long it\'s been since he piloted a Gundam, the way they were trained he\'s not likely to have forgotten much.\"

\"I\'m always prepared.\" Davis lifted his jacket slightly so Grant could see the dull glint of the barrel below his armpit.

\"Good. Be careful though. I\'m not too sure of the state of the insides of this satellite.\"

\"I understand.\"

Grant turned his attention back to the navigator. \"Visual yet?\"

\"In about one more minute, sir.\"

\"Good. Anything else in the area?\"

The navigator studied the sweep of the small beam as it passed around the dial; only two blips showed up. \"No sir. Only the satellite and the incoming shuttle.\"

Grant sat back, a satisfied smirk on his twisted features.

\"We have visual now, sir.\"

All eyes focused on the large screen as it cleared. A small shuttle, nothing more than a speck at this point, appeared there. It was obviously headed for the satellite.

\"Welcome to my parlor...\"

~ * ~

Trowa and Heero had donned their suits and were once again strapped into their seats. \"Estimated time to arrival at satellite?\" Heero asked.

Trowa checked the systems. \"Ten minutes.\"

\"Good. Control, this is shuttle Alpha.\"

\"This is control, go ahead Alpha.\"

\"All proceeding according to plan. Satellite in view. ETA ten minutes.\"

\"Roger that Alpha. Proceed to the docking station as discussed. Check life support systems before disembarking.\"

\"Will do control.\"

\"The two ships approaching from the starboard side have slowed slightly and should arrive in the vicinity approximately ten minutes behind you. Will advise once they are within range of satellite.\"

\"Roger that control. Beginning approach to docking station. Will contact again once docking complete. Alpha out.\" Heero turned to face Trowa. \"Can you see anything on the radar at all?\"

Trowa scrutinized the small circular dial. \"Only the two ships that are approaching.\"

\"Good. That means the cloaking devices on Reaper and Puff are working.\"

Trowa stared out of the small window, nothing but the blackness of space greeted him. He knew that Wufei and Duo were out there somewhere but the device that had made Deathscythe Hell so hard to detect was working perfectly on the new Gundams. Trowa gave a small smile, returned his attention to the fast approaching satellite and began the diagnostics run to bring them in for docking.

~ * ~

\"The Shuttle craft is approaching the satellite in preparation for docking sir.\"

Grant leaned forwards, his eyes burning a hole in the screen as he watched intently. \"Good. Lieutenant, ready my shuttle. I will leave in five minutes.\"

\"Yes sir!\"

\"Davis, come with me. It\'s time to meet our enemy.\" Grant turned back to the crew. \"Harris, you are in command of the bridge while I am absent. Keep in constant communications with me.\"

\"Yes sir.\" Harris moved to take residence by the main control console.

Davis stood up and followed his boss from the bridge, walking along a couple of corridors and then down to the cargo hold. The weight of his shoulder holster giving him confidence as they approached the craft that would take them to meet their enemy.

They paused at the entrance, then Grant stepped inside and walked quickly to the silver shuttle that awaited their presence. The two climbed aboard and settled into their seats. A few minutes later the shuttle had exited the main ship and was zipping across the short space to the abandoned satellite and Grant\'s revenge.

~ * ~

Duo was in seventh heaven. The Gundam was responding to his commands with ease. He tried out several maneuvers and was pleased to find that the mecha responded much quicker than Deathscythe had done. Howard had certainly outdone himself this time. Wufei was similarly impressed. Puff was not only quicker but the improvements allowed him much better aeronautic skills, something he was pleased to note. There was also much more power to the suit as Howard had stated.

\"How\'s the dragon farin\' with the trial run?\" Duo\'s grinning face came onto Wufei\'s vid link.

\"This suit is superior to my previous one if that\'s what you are asking, Maxwell.\"

\"Yeah. Reaper sure has some nifty improvements ta \'Scythe. Remind me ta thank Howie properly when we get back ta the Zodiac.\"

Wufei frowned. \"Check your radar, Maxwell. I think we should head towards the satellite, it looks like things are about to get underway over there.\"

\"Right, \'Fei.\" Duo\'s eyes scanned over the instrument panel, noting the five blips that appeared there. He switched to visual as his fingers flew over the controls, sending Reaper in the direction of the satellite. He could clearly see the satellite and the shuttle Alpha in the process of docking. To his left there was another shuttle making its way towards the satellite and just beyond that two larger ships. \"I say we check out the two big bastards, those dolls hafta be in one of \'em.\"

\"I agree. Change course and scout the perimeter of the rear ship, I\'ll scout the front one. Once you have checked it out confirm with me and we will meet up.\"

\"That could be a tad tricky seein as how I aint seein yer,\" Duo chuckled.

\"Idiot! I\'ll send you a coordinate to meet with me.\"

More laughter. \"Right Jac Jackie,\" Duo chuckled and then switched the connection off and headed for the rear of the two ships.

Wufei shook his head and grit his teeth. One day... one day he would get the better of that braided demon.

~ * ~

There was a dull metallic thud as the Alpha connected with the satellite. The docking bays were pretty primitive by today\'s standard, giving away just how old the satellite was. Trowa unbuckled his harness and went to check that the shuttle was securely held by the magnetic seal that encompassed the shuttle\'s hatchway. It reminded him a lot of the way that \'planes used to be boarded back in the history books. Satisfied that all was secure, the seal holding perfectly well and that the shuttle wouldn\'t go drifting off into space while they were otherwise occupied, Trowa returned to the cockpit. \"All appears to be holding.\"

Heero grunted and finished his power down of the shuttle, leaving the engines on standby. You never knew if you needed to leave in a hurry. \"Control this is shuttle Alpha. We have docked and are about to commence check of life support systems on satellite. Will switch to suit radio com link.\"

\"Roger that Alpha. Will continue to monitor this wavelength. Suits 02 and 05 are at present on recon of the two large ships. Will have their reports soon. Good luck and don\'t do anything silly, Heero.\"

Heero sighed. \"Will leave communications channel open at all times once inside the satellite, Control\"

\"Roger that. Control will be on stand by.\"

With his harness unbuckled, Heero checked the control panel one last time and then followed Trowa to the hatch. They passed through the inner shuttle hatch into the small midway hatch and waited for the docking bay door to open and the computer systems to tell them the status of the satellite before opening the outer door of the shuttle. The computer confirmed that the life support systems appeared to be functional and pressure was equal between the craft and the satellite so Trowa pushed the release button and the door on the shuttle slid open.

Carefully they stepped out and into the abandoned space station. Their heavy gravity boots made a dull noise against the metallic floor as they walked along the corridor. Heero checked the readings on the small computer fitted to the suit. \"According to my readout the air seems to be breathable and the gravity function is working,\" he said.

Trowa checked his own suit\'s readout and agreed. \"Disengaging gravity boots,\" he said down his com link and flipped a switch on the control panel fitted to the suit\'s arm. He felt the release of the magnetic pull but didn\'t float off anywhere. \"Artificial gravity is functional.\"

Heero nodded and turned his own boots off. Instantly it became much easier to walk. \"The meeting point should be through those doors up ahead,\" he informed Trowa. \"Once we are at the point, if the readings for the life support systems are still the same we can open the helmet\'s visors.\"

\"Roger that.\" The two continued down the corridor and through the doors at the end. The lighting was still working, which was a bonus, even if it was a little dim. Heero guessed that the satellite was running on solar powered batteries; given the length of time it had been abandoned any other power source would have been long ago exhausted. They stepped into what appeared to have been a recreation room, somewhere for the workers who had been staed oed on the satellite to meet after working hours and socialize. The chairs were still there, as was a pool table and what looked like a bar stood against one wall, although there was nothing left in the way of liquid refreshment.

\"Suit still indicates that the air is okay to breathe so I will open my visor now,\" Heero stated and pressed the release button on the side of his helmet.

\"Control\'s computers also indicate that all appears to be well with the life support systems.\" Quatre\'s voice came down the channel.

The visor on the helmet slid back and Heero braced himself in case of any pressure adjustment. None came. Slowly he inhaled, and coughed. \"Yuk!\"

\"Heero? Everything all right?\" Quatre\'s voice sounded concerned.

\"Hai. No problem. The air is breathable but stale tasting.\"

Trowa began to release his own visor and took a careful breath. \"That is revolting,\" he said calmly. \"I wouldn\'t have said stale, I would have said foul.\"

Quatre chuckled. \"At least it\'s breathable. The other shuttle has docked and the enemy should be approaching you any minute. I suggest you prepare yourselves now.\"

\"Roger that control.\" Heero turned to face Trowa.

\"I\'ll be behind the bar.\" Trowa moved away from his partner and took up position behind the bar where he could clearly see and hear what would take place and be ready to back up his partner. He noted the doorway that led from the back of the bar to a storage area, another door leading off that out into a corridor he he remembered the blueprints correctly that corridor linked up with the one that would lead them back to the shuttle. Good. They now had two escape routes.

Heero walked over to one of the chairs and stood beside it facing the other doors; the ones he expected Grant to come through. He checked that his gun was safely tucked inside the suit and easily accessible. He could feel the weight of the knife inside his boot and wondered idly where Trowa had stashed his knives. Then his attention turned back to the doors as they began to open.

~ * ~

\"Coordinates, Wufei?\"

\"Latitude 96 degrees, longitude 350 degrees.\"

\"Roger.\"

The two invisible Gundams met up at the designated point and watched the satellite and the two large ships below them.

\"Report 02,\" came Quatre\'s voice down the com link.

\"Rear ship is definitely the carrier. Dunno how many dolls on board but I\'d guess somewhere between twenty-five and fifty. Ship has under belly, both sides and rear cargo doors fer release of the dolls. Infra red scanners picked up minimal life forms on board so I\'d say there\'s only the flight crew there. Defense system consists of two beam cannons, one at the bow and one at the stern.\"

\"Thank you 02.\"

\"Welcome, control.\"

\"05 report.\"

\"Front ship is smaller than the rear and appears to be carrying the main bulk of the group. Infra red scanners indicate approximately forty people on board. There is only an under belly cargo door so the mobile dolls will have to be in the rear carrier. Beam cannons confirmed on bow and stern, also four smaller ones, two starboard and two port.\"

\"Roger that 05. Depending on the outcome of the internal negotiations, 02 you will be on standby to take out the cannons on the rear ship and try to render the cargo doors inoperable. 05 you are to disable the cannons on the front ship, taking out the bow and stern ones first. Do not, repeat, do not take out the main ship. We suspect that Bob Martins is on board and maybe other civilians. Front ship is to be disabled and infiltrated if need be. Rear ship is also to be disabled as opposed to destroyed.\"

\"Awww, yer sure know how ta spoil a person\'s fun Quat!\"

\"This is peace time, Duo.\"

\"Yeah, I know. Don\'t get yer knickers in a twist. I won\'t destroy anythin\' I\'m not supposed ta.\"

Good. Stand by for further instructions. Control out.\"

~ * ~

The silver shuttle approached the satellite and docked without incident. Grant and Davis also donned space suits and carefully left the safety of the craft, noting as Heero and Trowa had that the life support systems were functioning adequately enough to sustain them. Removing their helmets they breathed in the stale, musty air.

\"Fuck! That\'s revolting,\" stated Davis.

\"I didn\'t expect it to be all that pure, after all, this satellite has been abandoned for around five years,\" Grant replied as his nose and lungs adjusted to the rank air.

\"Smells and tastes like a fertilizer factory,\" muttered Davis.

\"I wouldn\'t know,\" replied Grant dryly. \"Now if you could please keep yourself focused on the task at hand and follow me.\" Grant set off along the corridor, heading for the recreation room and his meeting with the Gundam pilot who was responsible for his failures as an OZ officer.

Two corridors and three doors later they stood outside the doors that would allow them entry to the recreation room and the pilot. Grant turned to Davis. \"Keep your gun handy but do not shoot unless I tell you to. I want this pilot alive. I have other plans for him; plans that include making him suffer the way I have suffered all these years. You will not deny me my revenge by shooting him dead; understood?\"

Davis nodded. \"Understood. I won\'t shoot unless you say so,\" he replied, then added under his breath \"Unless the bastard threatens my life.\"

Grant pushed the release button on the doors and they slowly opened, struggling a bit at first after years of neglect. Grant had his own hand firmly wrapped around the butt of his gun encased in his pocket as he stood to the side of the doors. He was still a soldier in one way and wasn\'t about to step straight into a room with the enemy, especially an ex terrorist. Carefully he peered around the edge of the door and into the room. He saw the pilot standing beside a chair, his body language telling Grant that he could easily move to cover if the need arose. \"Put your hands in the air where I can see them,\" Grant said.

\"How do I know you won\'t shoot me if I do?\"

Good point. \"I give you my word I will not shoot you. I do not want you dead, rather alive I think.\"

\"You put your gun away and I will raise my hands.\"

\"Deal.\" Grant slipped his hand from his pocket, showing the ex pilot his hands were free and noting that the other man reciprocated the action. Grant stepped around the side of the door and into the room where he got his first good look at the Gundam pilot that was responsible for the humiliation and embarrassment that his life had become. He was quite stunne wha what he saw.

He\'d expected a man in his late twenties to early thirties given the length of time that had passed since the wars, not the obviously young man that stood before him. Grant guessed the ex pilot must be around nineteen or twenty which would have meant he\'d have been only fourteen or fifteen when he destroyed Grant\'s base and ultimately his life. That didn\'t go down too well. Grant growled softly to himself. How the fuck could a mere kid have caused so much havoc and destruction? Furthermore, for a kid of that age to have brought Grant\'s military career to its knees was a humiliation Grant didn\'t think he could ever swallow.

\"I advise you to give up this notion of yours to destroy the Sanc kingdom and ultimately the united peace. You are already up on serious charges for the destruction of the colony L3X 437 and the subsequent murder of several of the UES delegates and civilians, not to mention in violation of the peace treaty under code 327 sub section 89 that prohibits the production of weapons of war.\" Heero\'s voice was cold and clipped as he spoke.

Grant laughed. \"I don\'t think you are in the position to negotiate anything here.\"

\"I am the ex Gundam pilot known as 01. I am also Preventer Agent Light and as such you are under arrest pending the charges mentioned before. I suggest you surrender now and come along peacefully. There has been enough blood spilled already. I have no desire to add to the carnage.\"

Davis slipped his hand inside his pocket and flipped the safety off his gun. He could feel the anger beginning to mount in his boss and wanted to be prepared for the fight he knew was bound to come.

\"I think it is you that has this all wrong, Agent Light. I have no intentions of surrendering to you or anyone for that matter. I have a score to settle with you and believe me, no kid is going to intimidate me.\" Grant\'s eyes flashed and narrowed as his anger rose. \"Now I suggest you stop this game you\'re playing anme ame along with me, there is a certain matter of pay back I wish to discuss with you.\"

\"For the last time, Grant. I hereby place you under arrest. Anything you can and do say may be used against you in a court of law. Please do not add resisting arrest to the list of charges already pending.\" Heero\'s tone was menacing.

Grant threw back his head and laughed. \"I don\'t believe this,\" he said. \"You stand here in front of me and have the gall to say I\'m under arrest. I do believe you are deluding yourself. In case it has slipped your mind, there are two of us opposing you, not to mention I have a ship outside with forty dolls in it that can and will attack whatever and whomever I decide. So I suggest you give up this silly little game, boy, and hand yourself over to me now before I lose my temper and unleash my full firepower upon the hapless citizens of Sanc.\" Those last words were spat with venom at Heero.

Heero never flinched, his steely gaze fixed Grant and the words were like ice. \"I should have killed you the day I took out your base.\"

Davis pulled his gun from within his pocket and fired, but Heero was quicker. He saw the movement and immediately his soldier training kicked in. He dropped and rolled to the side of the chair using it as a shield; at the same time he pulled his own gun and flipped the safety off. Trowa had also reacted, raising himself slightly he was able to get a clear shot off at Davis. Unfortunately the kick back of Davis\' gun caused Trowa\'s bullet to land shy of its target, connecting with Davis\' wrist and not his upper arm as Trowa had originally intended.

Davis cried out in pain and dropped to the floor, crawling behind one of the chairs himself where Grant had fled to immediately Davis had pulled his gun. \"You fucking idiot! I told you to wait until I said to shoot!\"

\"That mongrel would have shot you if I hadn\'t intervened.\" Davis growled back.

\"Well it doesn\'t matter now. He obviously has back up. We need to get ou her here and back to the shuttle. Wn gen get the dolls to blow this piece of shit up with them on it.\" Grant snarled.

\"This is Preventer Agent Air. Surrender your weapons and come out with your hands up. You are both under arrest.\"

\"Like fucking hell I !\" !\" Davis shouted in return and then having switched his gun to his other hand he fired off a volley of shots at the bar.

Trowa ducked and waited, he could see Heero behind the chair, his gun drawn, waiting for his chance. Trowa nodded to his partner and Heero nodded back, confirming he was okay.

\"Make a run for it. You head back to the shuttle while I fire a few rounds at them. I\'ll follow you in a moment.\" Davis turned to his boss.

Grant nodded and turned slightly, the exit clear in view. \"Three, two one.... go!\" Grant ran for the door as Davis lunged up and began to fire. Heero and Trowa returned the fire.

\"He\'s making a run for it,\" Trowa called out.

\"No shit!\" Heero replied. \"Cover me.\" With that Heero rolled from the side of the chair and crouched ready to run.

Trowa began to fire off at Davis, distracting the man for a second. Davis spotted the blur of Heero as he rolled out and crouched low, began to run towards the exit that Grant had taken. \"No you fucking don\'t,\" he snapped and swung the barrel around. Two shots were fired; Heero felt the searing burn against his thigh but didn\'t stop. Davis fell forward in a crumpled heap, a neat hole visible in the back of his head; unfortunately the facial side had been rather decimated with the bullet\'s exit.

Heero ran along the corridor in the direction Grant had fled but was tote. te. As he rounded the last corner so he saw the hatch shut, indicating Grant had climbed inside the shuttle. He pulled up and spun around, running as fast as he could back to Trowa. He met up with his partner who was checking over the body of Davis. Quickly he grabbed Trowa by the arm and yanked him along.

\"Leave him, we have to get out of here now!\"

Trowa dropped the corpse back to the floor and sprinted after Heero, the com link crackling into life.

\"03, this is control. What\'s happening?\"

Trowa did his best to answer as he ran for his life. \"Grant escaped, one non friendly killed, two agents okay at this stage. We are leaving the satellite now. Grant intends to blow it up. Get clear.\"

\"Roger that. Hurry, Trowa.\" Quatre\'s voice sounded concerned.

\"Don\'t worry, I have no intention of loitering,\" he huffed back and then concentrated on getting to the shuttle.

The crew on board the Zodiac watched as the small silver shuttle sped away from the satellite and back towards the mother ship. The Alpha remained docked.

\"Oh Allah. Please hurry and get out of there Trowa, you too Heero,\" Quatre whispered to himself.

Beside him Howard stood, grasping the control panel edge, his knuckles turning white. He saw the silver shuttle almost at the mother ship and the Alpha still to release from the dock hold. \"They\'re not going to make it...\"

~ * ~

tbc......