THE REBIRTH

2066

With Galactor now destroyed, and after meeting the obviously good alien being who told them that good had actually triumphed, Gatchaman dissolved into it's primary elements. Before going their separate ways and getting into their own lives, they met one last time with Dr. Nambu at his estate for a "goodbye" dinner.

Raising his glass, Ken made the first toast. "To all who've died fighting for Earth, and to Dr. Nambu, who made it possible to fight for Earth in the first place."

In agreement, the others rose and toasted. The evening went fairly well, and close to the end Joe and Ken were talking in a corner of the room away from everyone else. "So what will you do now Joe?"

"I don't know, I think I'll just go back to racing now that I've got no one left to revenge."

Ken smiled. "I'm pretty sure you'll find someone to piss you off sooner or later."

"Thanks for keeping the faith Ken."

"Just don't go falling in love again Joe, we all don't want to go to war again with another organization."

"Ha ha, you prick."

Ryu walked by. "Okay you two knock it off." Laughing it off, they joined the others in the room.

Jun walked over to Ken, remembering how much she had always felt about him, but due to their positions, could never act on. "Hey are you ready to pay attention to me now, or are the rumors true?"

Ken, taken off balance by this new unforseen attack, turned on her. " What rumors?"

"You know, the one about you being gay?"

" Who said that? I'll kill'em!"

"I don't know Ken, you'll just have to prove it to me."

Ken, not being so stupid as to not see an opening when one shows itself, grabbed her and kissed her smack on the lips. By the amount of applause and laughter going on, everyone was obviously glad to finally see it. Joe hit Ken on the back. "I 'm glad to know I can stop having those nightmares about you trying to seduce me now." At the comment Ken turned and punched him right in the side of the head, and everyone laughed.

As Jun, Jinpei and Ken left together, Jun and Ken thought about what just happened, and Jinpei wondered where he was going to fit in. Looking at Ken Jun said, " You know, we have an extra room over the Snack J when your not on your airfield."

Ken smiled and put his arm around her, "Sounds good to me."

"Hey don't forget about me you two." They both look behind them at the kid.

"How could we ever?"

Joe and Ryu talked to Dr. Nambu. "Dr. I'm glad that you were able to figure out everything the way you did."

"Ryu, I had a lot of help and most of it not from around here."

"What do you mean?"

"Well Joe, how on earth did you ever think we came up with the ability to transform your normal clothes and vehicles into something you could use to destroy Galactor?"

"Alien technology?"

"Yes Joe, we were contacted by another race just before Galactor started any serious build up."

"Wow!"

"Yes Ryu, well put. You see, the Galactor were threatening more than just earth and the planets more advanced than ours had found a way to defeat them. They are the ones to thank not just me."

"So, Dr. the Galactor may still be out there?"

"No Joe, the planet that was destroyed before you destroyed them was their home planet."

" Oh, I see, the aliens killed them at home while we killed them here!"

" Yes Ryu, that's unusually perceptive of you."

"Thanks." Ryu frowned and looked pissed. "Well, fine guys, I'm going back to my marina and enjoy life with no more smart asses around." Joe and the Dr. just shook their heads and grinned, seeing the big man smile at them as he left.

" Well Dr. I'll be going back to racing now. Please hesitate to call." Dr. Nambu laughed and said goodbye.

The Dr. stood on his porch, leaning against one of his thirty foot pillars that held up his roof. It was an early November night but the air was warm for the time of year. Watching as they left, Dr Nambu thought to himself, "Ha, an Indian Summer. How perfect for the end of a long, cold, war."

************

2071

"Sir, we'll be entering Earth's solar system in one hour."

"Fine Mr. Jerod. Inform Lord Nitocrys."

"Yes Admiral Mephisto."

"Good, we're right on time. Lord Nitocrys will be pleased."

As admirals go, Mephisto was a good one. He had been Lord Nitocrys' right hand man for several hundred Earth years, and he knew him very well. Mephisto had always said that there was no other he would serve, and he was right. Nitocrys would kill him if he ever left.

The first lieutenant, Mr Jerod, was scared as hell when he entered the hallway to his Lord's quarters. He had only ever met the Lord once, and it was something he'd never forget. Then, it had been at a review, and there were thousands present in a well lit room. This would be different, private and in his Lordship's own quarters.

Lord Nitocrys was an impressive being, standing about seven foot tall, lean, and always wearing what could only be described as a 1930's or 40's style Nazi "SS" uniform, without the swastikas. He also wore a black cape with a red liner, which made him even more impressive to look at. The one feature that stood out in one's mind though was his bright red eyes, that seem to glow from under the shadow of his officer's hat. His face, if you can get passed the eyes, would be considered handsome, light tan in complexion, and his hair was long and black.

The lieutenant waited by his Lordship's door as the guards on either side opened it and announced his presence. He then heard the familiar smooth and deep voice that said, "Enter."

"The ship is entering the Earth's solar system sir...er, my Lord!"

Nitocrys looked up from the large desk he was sitting behind and watched as the lieutenant went completely white under his stare. "Why don't they ever get used to it? I suppose it's because it's so dark in here. But I really hate the light." He then said aloud, "Excellent lieutenant. You may leave."

Mr Jarod almost fell over himself trying to leave fast enough for his own sake. Shaking his head, Nitocrys said to himself, "They never change." He then went back to his paperwork on the black ebony desk.

Two hours later Admiral Mephisto, a rather decent looking man with long grey hair and goatee, watched as Jupiter passed by. His uniform was similar to that of his Lordship's, but was grey instead of black. The science officer stared at him impatiently, and the admiral turned to him. "What is it man? Spit it out, damn you!"

"Sorry sir. My analysis of Earth shows a booming human population with no destroyed cities anywhere!"

"What? Damnit! That stupid machine we sent out all those years ago was supposed to have destroyed them and made the Earth "our" planet!"

"I guess it failed sir."

"No shit lieutenant. Go tell his Lordship. He's not going to be happy." He watched the science officer's face went pale as he stood there. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"Yes sir!" Mephisto watched as the scared man left the bridge, knowing he probably should have gone himself, but he wanted to take it out on somebody, and so would Lord Nitocrys.

Far off in the distance there was a man's scream, and then it was cut off by "something". Lord Nitrocrys' voice came over the bridge's intercom, very calmly, as if he had nothing at all to do. "I'll be on the bridge shortly."

Looking at the big monitor, Mephisto smiled slightly and clasped his hands behind his back, watching as Mars passed slowly by.

Lord Nitocys arrived on the bridge about five minutes after his announcement. The admiral noticed that his Lordship was wearing his sword. " I wonder if he used that thing to kill my science officer?"

The sword in question was about five feet in length and had a beautiful black and silver inlayed scabbard. The silver hilt was dominated by a large ruby in the center of the cross guards. The admiral remembered seeing it drawn only once in all the years he'd known him, and it was not easy to forget. The sword's double edged blade was highly polished and there was a red transparent flame that flowed up it. The fact that he had only seen the sword once is a testimonial to the many other ways the dark one could defend himself.

"Admiral, we need to talk."

" Yes my lord"

"Clear the bridge ."

" Listen, we have known each other a long time now and I am sure you know what this news of Earth means to us."

"Yes my lord, it means that we are the last of the Galactor race in the universe."

"Do not assume too much Mephisto some of our kind may have survived. However, it is a wise idea not to rely on that."

"My lord, if the Earthlings possess power enough to destroy Sosai X then they may be more advanced than previously expected."

"True admiral, so we must approach Earth carefully. First, destroy all the satellites and space stations in our path. I know what your thinking, but bare in mind our ship is two miles long and what ever we do will be observed. The best way to prevent this is to disable any tracking ability that they may possess. Engage the holographic shield so that no one can make a visual sighting then we will land in the Pacific Ocean near the Marianus Trench. The water is 23,000 feet deep there and few Earth vessels can go that deep. Missiles even implode at that depth. Then maintain the shield while we're on the bottom, just in case some oceanographic research vessels feel like passing over head. We can not afford to be "discovered" just yet."

"Yes my Lord, I'll begin at once. The first of the space stations will be in range in two hours."" Good, leave nothing behind. The devastation alone will tell Earth something is going on without adding witnesses in to the equation."

The admiral was very relieved that his lordship had figured out a way into Earth so quickly. "The trouble is that we only have 80,000 officers and men. Not much to conquer an entire world. Especially now that we need the Earth as our own, we can't risk it's destruction. I still don't understand how Earthlings could be so stupid as to destroy their own environment. Oh well, we'll take it from them an teach them loss really is." He looked to his weapons officer. "Prepare to fire on the first space station."

"Yes sir."

************

Dr. Nambu was concentrating on fixing a very serious problem that just developed and it looked as though no one but him could fix it. As usual no one else cared enough to give it any real thought. "Damn it all. I can't seem to get these damn glasses back together. The fucking hinges are bent. That's what wrong with them. I should've known this would be a bad day."

He looked up to make sure no one heard him, not sure if he had spoken his thoughts out loud.

"Dr. Nambu!"

He jumped about ten feet and accidently threw his glasses on the floor, shattering them to pieces. It was Director Anderson on the intercom, which was set louder than normal so that he wouldn't miss anything. He didn't.

Director Anderson was now on the video monitor looking at him in a weird way. "Dr. Nambu, you've changed I think. I know your not wearing your glasses. Finally decided to join us in the 21^st century and get contacts eh? Good. Well I've got some interesting news."

Dr. Nambu looked completely defeated. " What is it now."

"Well we've just received a note saying something large has just entered the solar system. We're not sure what it is so we're waiting for a conformation from one of our space stations to let us know exactly what we're dealing with up there." He paused a minute before continuing. "By the way, I liked you better with the glasses myself. You should go back to wearing them. Director Anderson, out."

"I really can't win today can I?" Dr. Nambu proceeded to bang his head repeatedly on his desk before calling Ken. "Ken, long time no hear. I need you to assemble the team and come to the I.S.O. building. It may be nothing but something large just entered the solar system and we may need you guys again."

"Alright Dr., but Joe's going to be pissed. He's racing today."

"Just get them all down here. I don't care what the hell he's............."

"Dr.? Jun I think the good Dr. is angry."

"I can't imagine why Ken. If I always had to talk to you over that stupid wrist watch I be angry also."

"Hey! What did I do? Joe."

Joe answered reluctantly,"Oh no. What?"

"Are you racing today?"

"Yes, you know I am."

"Good. Report to the I.S.O. building now."

Joe commenced to beat on the steering wheel, " Damn it, Son of a bitch, you cock sucker , mother fu........"

Ken turned off his wristband and looked dejectedly at Jun,"I feel absolutely no love tody." Jun looked up from her book and said, "Aw, quit your bitchin' you big baby." Jinpei, who was in the same room at the time of the conversations, laughed and ran away, determined not to be around when Jun started in on Ken. "He may be number one at work but around here he's just number two, and I don't mean Joe."

Dr. Nambu seemed to be having a better day today as he looked out his office window in downtown Utoland City. He thought to himself, "I wonder what it is that our long range detectors picked up out there. Hopefully not another hostile invasion we're just now finishing up all the repairs from the last time. At least when Galactor was destroyed they left us a wealth of technology to study. I just hope our scientists have been able to find some new beneficial uses for it."

"Hi Dr.Nambu, We came as fast as we can." Ryu sat down on the familiar couch in the Dr.'s office.

"I'm glad You could all make it, even you Joe."

Joe, leaning against the wall , grunted. "It's been about five years and still you manage to call me in the middle of a race."

Dr. Nambu smiled and looked at all of them, then said to Joe, "I'm happy to see some things never change." Joe shook his head and gave up with a sigh.

Just as Dr. Nambu was about to tell them what was going on director Anderson's voice came over the intercom. "Dr. Nambu, I was just informed that the object that was detected earlier has just destroyed four of our satellites and two large space stations. There were no survivors. We don't know what this thing is, where it came from or where on Earth it's going. It disappeared before any of our other satellites could spot it. We know only that it was on a course for Earth and that it was atleast two miles in length and about a half mile wide and a quarter mile from top to bottom. Please send out the Science Ninja team as soon as possible."

"Yes, I have them already assembled here. They'll be leaving shortly. Nambu out."

"Well you heard him. Something that big cannot just disappear so it's up to you to find out where it went. Then analyze it and report back to me. Do not attack it as of yet. We don't know what it's capabilities are."

They all glared at Joe, who looked back innocently. "What?"

"You know perfectly well "what". Ken said suspiciously.

Joe smiled. "Okay, no instant bird missiles this time."

"You promise?"

"Only if you promise not to interrupt any more of my races."

"You know I can't do that."

Joe smiled again, "I know."

************

"Fire!" Just as the admiral finished the command all eight of the gigantic forward firing missile launchers went off at once, all but two directed at different targets. The two together were aimed at the large space station, and the others went for near by satellites.

The space station's commander had foreseen this possibility when the large object was first detected entering the solar system and had already ordered the escape pods manned and ready for launch. When the missiles were picked up on radar he simply launched all twenty of them.

There was a blinding flash of light and a violent concussion as the two missiles hit his space station. Five of the escape pods were destroyed in the blast but his, being the command pod, was faster than the others and was able to clear the area even though he launched last. Then he saw something even stranger than the attack. The huge ship coming toward him was not content to let the escape pods go. It instantly opened fire with it's many laser cannons on the helpless pods.

The commander realized that the ship not only wanted to clear it's way to Earth, but also didn't want any witnesses. After seeing men, women and children being slaughtered, he decided to try some evasive tactics of his own. Knowing he wouldn't last much longer, he tried to get a message out, but his lieutenant informed him that the transmission was being jammed. Before he could reply, the ship shuddered violently, and everything went bright red then black.

A young, nervous looking lieutenant stood before his admiral. "The holographic shield is up and all enemy have been destroyed, sir."

The admiral looked almost bored. "Very good lieutenant, prepare to enter Earth's atmosphere."

The lieutenant, realizing he had done the right thing after all, gathered up his confidence and said, " Yes sir!"

The admiral turned away as the lieutenant went back to his post and smiled to himself. "Ah, to be young again." Looking at the big monitor, he watched as Earth got larger and larger. Then, their landing spot in the Pacific Ocean came into view.

As the ship was emerging from the thermosphere the admiral casually looked around the bridge and spoke to no one in particular. "Okay, start scanning the sea for any surface or undersea vessels that might see us enter the water."

A lieutenant that continued to stare intently at his monitors answered. "No vessels of any kind within 200 miles of our l.z. sir."

Mephisto raised his eyebrows slightly. " Huh, it must be our lucky day. Engage the hydraulic drives when we touch the surface."

An officer turned toward the admiral. "Engine room acknowledges sir."

The big ship entered the ocean with a very slight shudder, a true testament to the skill of the admiral and the crew he chose to be on the bridge. Mephisto glanced up at the big monitor. " When that depth gauge says 20,000 feet, engage the retro thrusters and lower the landing gear." He knew he should probably have a captain to do these tedious ship handling procedures, but he really liked this ship and it would be his neck if something were to go amiss.

After Mephisto heard the "yes sir" to his last order, he told one of the bridge guards to find Captain Rekker and have him report to the bridge at once.

Captain Rekker was enjoying something that he rarely did, a nice glass of wine and the time to savor it, therefore, it was no surprise that he looked a little upset when he made it to the bridge. The other reason was that he had spilled some of his wine on the lower part of his uniform jacket when the annoyingly loud guard called him to the bridge. Rekker was almost certain the guard did it on purpose. Although, when Rekker glared at him the guards expression was suitably blank. Rekker's one consolation was that his uniform, though cut like his admiral's, was dark blue, as were all captain's uniforms. "I'm just glad I'm not still a commander or this uniform would be a yellowish-tan and I would look as though I'd just been shot."

The admiral was standing about 200 feet away from the entrance of the bridge. He was down in front, close to the big monitor, which was showing a nice view of the sea bed in front of their ship. Mephisto turned to face the captain as he heard the door open. Looking down the long walk way and up the fifteen steps to the door, the captain seemed larger than he actually was,even from two hundred feet away. Tall, handsome and usually punctual the admiral knew why he was late in getting to the bridge.

"Captain! How good of you to grace us with your presence finally. I was getting worried that something awful might have happened to you. Nice to see that nothing has, YET!"

Mephisto gave him an angry stare as Rekker almost ran across the bridge to him. The admiral noticed however, that the captain appeared outwardly calm. Only his quick walk gave any indication that he might have been nervous as he saluted Mephisto. This ability to maintain composure and bearing were two of the many reasons why he always liked and relied on Rekker. He would most certainly make an admiral someday. Eyeing him suspiciously, Mephisto leaned forward, almost in Rekker's face, and quietly asked him. "You weren't "relaxing" more than you should. Were you?"

"No sir, I'm fine and ready for duty sir."Rekker replied casually.

Mephisto then looked down the front of Rekker's uniform coat and noticed a very, very faint dark spot near the last button, which he slowly pointed to.

" You missed a spot."

Finally, the calm captain seemed a little surprised. "Er...the guard startled me sir."

"Hmmmm. I see. Anyway, your in command now. I'm going to report to His Lordship's quarters to find out what new things the old one's come up with."

They saluted each other again and the admiral walked out. Rekker watched him leave. "As small a force as we might be, as long as that old man is alive, we'll have a chance."

He then looked down his own uniform. " How the hell did he see that stain?"

"My lord we've landed, and the ship was not spotted. The shield remains up and we scanned the area. There are no vessels within 200 miles of our location."

Lord Nitocrys was sitting in his high backed black leather chair with his feet out stretched under his desk, his hands folded on his chest. " Please sit down admiral." "Admiral was it? This must be serious." Mephisto thought.

His Lordship continued. " As you know we are vastly out numbered in this world due to Sosai X's defeat. I want our best spies sent out immediately to find out why he did fail and where the least damaged bases can be found. I especially want someone to go to the main headquarters in the Himalayas to find whatever records he can about the destroyers of our once proud machine."

Mephisto's grey eyes appeared to be concentrating on his lordship's sword that was hanging on the dark wall near a large wooden chest. "My lord, whatever it was that destroyed Sosai X must, in it self, be almost as impossible to destroy. I feel we're going to be in for quite a time."

Nitocrys waved a hand as if to calm his admiral. " Before you worry yourself into a hole, let us wait to see what the spies can gather before running off back into space." He smiled, making him look very demonic.

His lord's sense of humor suddenly made Mephisto feel better, as though a large weight were taken off him. " If His Lordship doesn't see the need to worry than I certainly won't." The admiral smiled back. "Your orders will be carried out right away my lord." The meeting was over and he went back to the bridge.

************

"Hey Jun, could you go down to the galley and make us something to eat? We're starving and it's a long flight." Ken asked, as he stared out the windows until his eyes glazed over.

"Yea, could you Jun? Jinpei demanded as he sat watching his monitor.

Jun suddenly looked very pissed off, "You guys are just saying that because I'm the only girl here! That isn't fair and I don't appreciate it!"

"Look Jun, you own a damn restaurant and you're the only one here who can cook anything besides burnt toast and boiled water."Joe retorted with a smile.

Ken was trying to figure out what he did wrong now. "I really didn't mean it to sound that way Jun. I only meant that I'm used to your cooking and ......"

He was instantly cut off by Jun smacking him in the head walking off in a rage. "Yea, right, you never know what you mean!"

About five minutes later they heard pots, pans and glass smashing and clanging down in the galley.

"Boy, listen to that. She's pretty ticked off Ken, maybe you should go to her."

"Jinpei, I don't want to go anywhere near her right now. I'll only say something else stupid."

Joe, feeling antagonistic, couldn't help but add to it."That's probably more right than you know."

"Joe, damn it, don't make me come over there."

Joe just grinned. "Oh no, I'm in trouble now. The white shadow, who can't seem to keep his woman under control, is threatening me. What ever will I do?"

Ryu and Jinpei were trying really hard not to laugh but failed miserably. Ken shot them both an angry stare. "You two can shut up now!" Then he looked at Joe. "You really do know how to get under my skin, don't you?"

"Yep."

Ryu glanced around, "I wonder what she's makin'?"

Ken, Joe and Jinpei all shouted, "Shut up!"

Jun finally came back up to the bridge with a tray of sandwiches. She put them down on the console in front of Ken with such force that Ryu thought it would short out. Ken, obviously afraid, gazed meekly at her. "Thanks hon." She stood there and glared at him.

"If you want anything to drink you'll have to get it yourself. The maid just quit!"

Unintentionally, Joe could be heard in the back ground. "Whew. Wow."

"Do you want some attention to Joe? I'll be happy to oblige!" She said vehemently.

Joe immediately jumped up. "Oooh no, no. You I am afraid of." Then he sat down and didn't move a muscle.

Ryu drooled over the sandwiches, " Are these all peanut butter?"

They all stared angrily at Ryu but decided not to say anything. Then dejectedly, Ken broke the silence quietly. " I'll go get the drinks."

Jun was sitting back in her chair, still glaring at Ken as he left. "Your damn right you will."

It was a quiet ride out into space as one can well imagine. Jun was still ticked at Ken and he still didn't know why she ripped his head off. Ryu was happy to be fed, and Joe and Jinpei just knew enough to stay out of it. As they approached the point where the object was last reported to be, they started to see a lot of debris. Jun broke the silence this time, scaring everyone. " I'm picking up larger debris to the south." She laughed a little when she saw everyone jump when she started talking.

Ken, finally finding his balls that Jun verbally kicked across the floor, told Ryu to steer for it. Jinpei looked up from his monitor. " I'm not reading any signs of life out there. Even the escape pods are all dead."

The seriousness of the situation snapped everyone out of their former funk and they started acting like a team again.

"I'm sorry about the little explosion I had. It's just that it's been five years since the last time we were going into possible combat and I was just blowing off steam."

Ken looked over at her and smiled. "It's ok we're all a little tense."

Joe chimed in. "There was nothing little about it." Then he laughed. Jun sat there and shook her head. "Fine . You pain in the ass." Then she laughed as well.

The Phoenix flew around the area of destruction for about an hour, then they turned toward Earth. "I just don't get it why would someone go to the trouble of killing innocent people in escape pods?" Jun wondered aloud.

Ken's reply was tense and a bit angry. "Because who ever it was didn't want any witnesses!"

Joe looked over at him. "You know who this reminds me of don't you?"

"Galactor!" Jinpei chimed in loudly.

"Yep. You guessed it." Joe shook his head and stared at the floor. " I can't believe their back after all these years."

"You don't know for certain Joe, you can't be sure." " I know Ken, but this just seems like something they'd do. I mean, what if the Galactor sent off a ship before their world was destroyed and it didn't get here until long after we finished Sosai X . It makes perfect sense to colonize a world with the inhabitants of the conquering planet."

"True, that is a good point. Jun, radio Dr.Nambu and tell him what we've found and what we think is going on. Maybe he knows more about it now, somebody might have sighted the ship before it landed."

Dr. Nambu was instantly on the view screen. " Hello Science Ninja Team, I'm afraid you might be right Joe. It would make sense to send a colonizing vessel out to Earth. Especially with the pending destruction of their own world. I can't believe we didn't anticipate something like this happening!"

"Well Dr., we were all just happy to be rid of them; that I figure we just didn't want to see the possibility."

"That's probably right Ken, however, we're still not 100% sure that it is the Galactor. Also, there have been no reports of any strange objects being sighted anywhere. However, if they were able to employ the same illusionary technology that hid their main base in the Himalayas, they could have flown right by us and we never would've seen them."

"So how are we supposed to find them then?"

"Well Ken, we'll just have to wait until they make the first move. This is no easy decision but under the circumstances we really have no choice."

Joe starts to punch the console. "I hate waiting! This isn't right! Somebody should've seen something!"

"I know how you feel. I don't like it either, but there's nothing more to be said. Return to base." Dr. Nambu switched off his monitor, took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I hope it's not the Galactor again. I wonder if we'll be able to get the world ready for them if it is."

************

Ken and Joe were out walking down the street in front of the Snack J. " Ken, we've been on alert for the past month and still no word from the I.S.O.. When do you think they'll finally tell us what's going on?"

"Probably when they find out themselves."

"Yea, right. They know more than what their telling us. They always do."

"Sometimes you just have to be patient Joe, they know what they are doing."

"I know, I wish they could do it faster though. It has been two months since the first sighting of that big vessel."

In his frustration Joe kicked a stone across the sidewalk and through the glass door of the Snack J.

"Oh shit! I suggest we run!"

Ken looked at the door and could see someone coming. "I didn't do it you know. I don't have to run."

Joe turned back, slightly annoyed. "That may be but you know she'll blame you anyway!"

The realization of that particular fact made Ken wince as he quickly followed Joe's lead. The door to the restaurant burst open smashing the rest of the cracked glass all over the sidewalk as Jun stood there holding an old wooden rolling pin. She glanced around quickly and caught sight of a very familiar boot and pant leg as it made it's way running around a corner.

"Damn it! Ken Washio I'm going to kill you!"

Jinpei ran up to her as she stood there in the smashed doorway fuming. "What happened here?"

"Our fearless leader, and I'm pretty sure his "number two" , were here."

"Wow! Why do you think they did this?"

"Oh I' m certain they didn't mean to, judging by how fast he was running away."

"What will you do? You know Ken never has any money."

"No, but Joe does and I'm willing to bet that he's the one who really did it. I'll probably find the money for the door "mysteriously" somewhere and no one will ever say anything about it."

"If Joe did it why did Ken run?"

"Because that ball less twerp, more than likely, riled up Joe to the boiling point and he knows it!"

"I'll clean up out here and you go in and cool off. Ok?"

" Fine." Jun turned and stomped back inside still mumbling about what she wished she could do to those two idiots.

Jinpei began to clean up the glass and thought, "Man Ken always seems to know how to piss off Jun. If that's love I don't want any part of it. It's too dangerous!"

Sure to her prediction, Jun found four hundred dollars all crumpled up in a drawer with a barely readable note that lamely said, "SORRY". Then she looked up in time to see both Joe and Ken timidly walk in and sit at their normal table as though nothing ever happened. Except she noticed Ken looked very guilty and Joe was playing with his straw more than usual. She smiled at Joe then her smile faded instantly when she caught Ken's eye. She just glared at him and went back to cleaning the bar.

Ken glanced at Joe. " I'm doomed."

Joe smiled. " Yep."

Admiral Mephisto sat at his large mahogany desk contemplating what the spies have been reporting over the past two months. He still found it hard to believe that Sosia X was defeated by what amounts to be five children. Of course these kids must have incredible powers, and with the aid of what one spy called "The Red Specter Squadron",

they must have been very strong indeed. His lordship took it better than Mephisto thought he would. The dark one simply raised an eyebrow and waved for the reporting lieutenant to leave. "Well like I said before, if he's not worried than neither will I be." He looked up at the clock on the wall. " It's time I go to see what his lordship's plans are."

As the admiral walked into his lord's quarters he noticed the Lord Nitocrys was standing in front of the desk with a drink in his left hand. He then directed Mephisto to sit down and have a glass of wine with him while they talk. "So tell me, do you think the Galactor are ready for what may be in store for them?"

Mephisto was caught a little off guard with this question because it was a reminder that both himself and the dark one were not Galactor. "Well, yes my lord I'm sure given the alternative, they must be ready."

"Yes, I know. They really don't have much choice in the matter. Fight or become extinct. From what the spies have gleaned from the main base I believe the this Gatchaman team won only because Sosai X and his merry band of idiots failed."

"I quite agree my lord. The Science Ninja Team may prove difficult, however, I feel that the way we've trained our Galactor will decrease the ninja teams success."

" These Galactor have shone a lot of good potential, and I feel that they will be more up to the challenge unlike those lead by that computer. How many bases were found to be in satisfactory condition admiral?"

Mephisto put down his wine glass on the big desk and looked up at his lord; who was still standing in the same spot as when he walked in. "My spies tell me that there are six undamaged bases that have been made operational. Also, there are about five partially completed mechas that could be finished without much fuss and material expence."

Nitocys finally walked around behind his desk and sat down. "I will not rely on those mechas." He almost spit the word out. "Still, they could be used as a diversionary tactic. That should lull our Gatchaman team into a false sense of security. They will think that the Galactor are up to their same old tricks again." He smiled realizing how trite he sounded.

"These Galactor were a good race to chose for universal domination. To bad their home world got destroyed. I'll bet though, that this little unintentional incentive, will make them all the better for our purposes my lord."

The dark one was still smiling. "Yes, they are a good race for this sort of thing. Though you do understand that their unquestioning of orders is what probably killed them in the first place."

The admiral now smiled. " I believe our leadership is better this time my lord."

His lordship's smile dropped instantly. "It had better be."

Then Nitocrys changed tack all at once. "You did send Captain Rekker out to a base to make it ready for an attack?"

Jolted by this sudden change of conversation, and still reeling from the last threat, he blinked and looked confused for a second. "Er...Yes my lord I did send him out ."

"Well, I am all agog. Which one........Come on man. Am I moving to fast for you?"

Mephisto regained his composure and was angry at himself for letting it go to begin with. " No my lord. I sent him to the one closest to Utoland City. I figured he could shake things up for them closed to home at first. Also it's the one base that we can afford to lose first. Incase the worst happens."

Nitocrys smiled again. "You always think of everything don't you? Rekker was a wise choice for that base, he should give them quite a surprise. That base has a mecha does it not?"

"Yes my lord, a dragon or some such thing."

"I see. Have Captain Rekker attack the city and have him pay special attention to,.....I believe they call it, the I.S.O. building. We might just as well see these Gatchamen in action right away."

"Yes my lord." With that the meeting was over and Mephisto went back to the bridge to send the message off to Rekker.

Rekker was sitting in his office enjoying the fact that he was finally alone and in command. There was no one else around that could tell him what to do and it felt good after being in that ship with all those other officers coming and going. He also was aware of the flip side of the coin as well. There was no one else around to blame if things went wrong. That thought made him take a deep breath, but that was the price of command. Suddenly a lieutenant burst into his thoughts and his office. "Sir, a message just came in from headquarters."

Pissed off at this rude intrusion he got up from his chair and yelled at the poor wretch standing before him. "You damn well better learn how to knock boy or I'll have you in irons and the skin whipped off your back! Do you understand me boy?"

Visibly shaken and very nervous, the poor lieutenant saluted and said. "Yes, sir!"

Then very calmly Rekker observed this officer in front of him. " Son, you're an officer, you should know better than to salute indoors on land, aboard ship it's ok., but not here remember."

"Sorry sir, I was just a little nervous."

"Alright this time but don't let it happen again. Now what was so important from headquarters?"

Relieved at not being in trouble anymore he relaxed a bit, but not too much. "Sir, it's from Admiral Mephisto. It says that you are to proceed with the attack on Utoland City and to pay special attention to the destruction of the I.S.O. building. This will undoubtedly bring out the team that destroyed Sosai X so beware. You are to see how they fight and try to kill them if possible."

Leaning back against his desk Rekker scratched his head. "Tell Commander Voss to ready the mecha and see me in my office."

"Yes sir!" This time he did not salute, he stood at attention and clicked his heals together like he was supposed to.

Finally commander Voss knocked at his office door. "You wanted to see me sir?"

Captain Rekker looked up from his paperwork at Voss. Voss was his second in command but he never really understood him or his type. He was neat and clean and he always seemed as though about to go on a military review. He was the kind who, no matter what, would never take any risks. Especially if it might mean it could harm his chance at promotion. In other words, he was a good organizer and paper pusher. The perfect guy to leave in charge of the base while the captain went out to do the real fighting. "Yes, I did send for you. Is the mecha ready for action?

"Yes sir. It's all fueled up and armed to the teeth."

Rekker just rolled his eyes at the poor attempt at humor. "Very funny. Now then, you'll be in charge until I return. So I expect this base to be in one piece when I get back. Alright?"

"Yes sir, I think I can promise you that."

"Good. Wish us luck, eh?" They smiled and the captain left his office and went aboard the dragon mecha.

"Well, this thing sure looks as though it could do some damage. I just hope it does." Rekker thought as he made his way to the bridge of the mecha.

************

Jun was sitting in her restaurant slash night club playing with her guitar. It had been two days since Joe broke and paid for her door and he and Ken were at their same table talking about something unimportant. Jinpei was doing his best to feed Ryu but it didn't look good for Jinpei. The big man could eat faster than the kid could make it. She wondered if Ryu could actually taste his food or did he simply swallow it because it was in his mouth. As she was tuning her guitar she heard some rumbling. She figured that the bass was set too high so she turned it down but the rumbling didn't go away. Jun then put the guitar down and went to the new front door and peered outside. The rumbling turned into more of a roar as she opened the door. Then the sound of explosions and screaming were soon heard by all in the Snack J. As the whole crew emptied out into the street they could see that flying above the buildings, was an enormous dragon, breathing fire and shooting lasers from it's eyes. Joe just shook his head. "Well there's something you don't see everyday. I think this confirms the idea about that the Galactor are really back. No one else would create such a thing."

Ken was looking more determined than usual. "I agree. Lets go back to the I.S.O. building and get the Phoenix before it's too late to save the city."

"Roger!" They all responded. Jun was a might ticked though, because she realized that the path the dragon was taking would put it right over her Snack J. She knew she'd have a lot more than a smashed door to fix when she got back.

As they flew out of their hanger they noticed that the dragon was going straight for the I.S.O. building. She was glad the dragon decided to do that because it meant her restaurant would still be standing when they got back. Jun also felt a little guilty for thinking like this. "Good thing Dr. Nambu is at home instead of at work or he could be in danger."

Ken turned to face her, "No, we'll stop them before they get to the I.S.O., you remember how easy these mechas can be to destroy. Most of them were run by idiots anyway."

Jinpei jumped up. "Yea! We'll smash them!"

Joe was shaking his head again. "I don't know, I wouldn't count on an easy victory here."

Ken was shocked to hear Joe speak like that. "What's a matter? You afraid Joe? Has it been too long for you?"

"Ken, I'd tell you but the way you are now it would be like talking to a wall."

"Then we'll talk later. Right now we have to destroy this big scarey mecha. Ok?"

"Fine!" Then Joe said under his breath, "Dickhead."

"Ryu! Get us in closer to that thing!"

"Roger!"

" Joe! Do you think you could do us all a favor and fire a few missiles at it for me?"

Joe was now very pissed off. "Of course, if I must."

"Good! Now fire!" They were all pretty stunned when none of the missiles did any damage to the thing.

"Well come on don't freeze up on us now Ken!" Joe shouted angrily. "This is an easy job remember?"

Ken was jolted out of his trance by Joe's loving words. " Alright! Whatever! Ryu prepare to go to fire bird mode. We'll fly right through them!"

As they were turning away to gain enough speed for this maneuver, the unthinkable happened. The Phoenix was hit by a missile from the dragon ship. It blew off their tail section and part of their left wing. "I can't hold her! She's going down!" Ryu shouted as he fought the controls.

Ken, looking around in a sort of panic said, "Ryu! Try to bring her down on a street so we can separate and try to find a weakness in this thing!"

"I 'll try but I can't promise anything!" He screamed as he continued to fight the controls.

The whole ship was now shaking severely. Everyone was pinned into their seats by the intense g-forces until they finally hit the ground. Then they were thrown violently forward against their restraints and jarred to the point of almost losing consciousness as the ship ground to a halt in the middle of a very familiar street. They all shook it off as quickly as they could and stumbled to their individual vehicles. Upon exiting Jun noticed what street it was that they landed on and her heart sank. She looked over reluctantly at where she knew her Snack J was supposed to be and saw that the whole building was cut in half by the right wing of the Phoenix. She covered her face with her right hand and thought, "Who would've guessed that the Phoenix would be the one to wreck the place."

"Sir, the Phoenix is down!" The gunnery officer said happily.

"Yes, I saw that. Keep the head over top of them and raise the tail section up and fire two of our heavy missiles at the I.S.O. building." Rekker stood staring out the windows at the smashed Phoenix.

"Sir, I'm detecting movement from underneath the wreck."

Rekker turned to the lieutenant, "Use the fire breath on them and if anyone survives that, use the lasers on them."

"Yes sir!"

With a slight shudder the captain knew the missiles were fired and with another shake he knew they hit their target.

"Sir, primary target is destroyed."

"Excellent! We're doing well on our first day aren't we?"

As the team tried to separate from the Phoenix they were surrounded by flames. The fire was so hot that the sign posts and street lamps melted into a puddle. All of their vehicles suffered some heat damage but for the most part they were fine. Except Jun. She was sitting on her motorcycle and there isn't much protection from fire there. She was burned badly as she was thrown from her bike by the force of the fire. When she finally landed, she hit a curb breaking her left leg and left arm. Her leg wound was the worst type of fracture, the bone was protruding from the burned skin. She tried to stop the bleeding with what was left of her cape, but she only had one working arm and she quickly passed out from the pain. Ken had seen what happened to Jun from his vantage point in the rear of the Phoenix. However, before he could get his plane to a safe spot to tell Jinpei to pick her up in his hover craft, he was shot down by a very powerful laser. It disintegrated his right wing and part of the fuselage completely, and he crashed into a near by building. On impact he dislocated his right shoulder and broke a few ribs, but he was able to crawl out before the plane burst into flames.

While Jinpei was making his escape from the wreck of the Phoenix he too noticed what the fire did to his big sister. In his little hover craft he tried to go to her rescue. He actually dodged one laser blast that left a huge crater under his plane. Unfortunately he wasn't as lucky as he thought. The next one had his name on it. It hit him in the mid section of his vehicle sending him flying through the big round windshield and landing not ten feet from Jun where he lost consciousness. Other than being knocked out he was unharmed.

Joe and Ryu noticed that no one else was responding to their calls. "Ryu, I'd better go back and see what happened to the rest of us."

"Roger that. I don't think we could do much damage to that thing at this point anyway."

"Oh no. Ryu, I can see where Ken wrecked his plane. I'll go and get him you look for Jun and Jinpei, and stay closed to the buildings so the mecha will have a tougher time seeing you."

"Ok Joe, be careful."

Ryu was not prepared for what he saw. Jun looked as though she'd been burnt in an oven, the only bit of color on her was the stark white and red of her protruding leg bone. Jinpei was laying near by seemingly unhurt. That's when he felt a hit and a pain so hot that it knocked him off his feet. When he looked behind him there was nothing left of the rear of the Phoenix.. He then got out and picked up what was left of Jun and kicked Jinpei awake. They then ran into the nearest building for shelter. Ryu looked at Jun and couldn't believe she was still alive. Her face was ok except for the bottom of her chin it was a little red. The impact must have hit directly below her because her legs were burnt black. He wrapped what was left of her cape around the wound and stopped the bleeding. Jinpei saw her wound and threw up. "Ryu, she smells like burnt ham! I'll never eat ham again!"

Meanwhile, Joe was having trouble of his own. Satisfied that the others were knocked out for now, the dragon concentrated on Joe. He was going in and out of different buildings and houses along the street causing destruction of his own in order to stay out of the sight of that laser. He was just between structures when the laser finally caught up with him. It hit his car right in the hood, sending flames and shrapnel into the driving compartment. It also sent him flying into a nearby parked car's windshield. "Oh shit! This is no place to be!"

The laser hit the car he was laying on and more hot metal fragments and fire flew through the air with him. The force of the blast broke a number of ribs, and a very hot piece of steel was sticking out of his chest. It was so hot it was still burning and his blood was smoking off of it. He tried to pull it out but it burned his hand as he grabbed it. Before he passed out he knew he had to get it out or it would burn right through him. He tried again. This time it moved a bit but the pain was so intense he passed out. Just before he went out, he heard jets flying overhead and someone running and calling his name.

Ken got to Joe just as he fainted, catching him before he fell. He noticed the steaming, one foot long, metal -fragment that was piercing Joe's chest and tried to pull it out. At first he burned his hand on it, then he held his breath and tried again. This time it came out. After that, with his dislocated shoulder and broken ribs, he still managed to bring his friend into a close by shelter.

"Sir, we've picked up several fighter jets on radar coming this way." " Good. Then let's be about it then. Destroy what's left and retreat back to base. I think we've taught these fools a lesson today."

Watching the news from his study, Dr. Nambu jumped up when he saw the I.S.O. building get totally

flattened by two very large missiles. He knew that this was a tape of what had already happened earlier but he still couldn't believe it. Now, Jun was in the burn center undergoing painful treatment, Joe was in the hospital with a severe chest wound and broken ribs, and Ken was also there with wounds of his own, including broken ribs. Ryu and Jinpei were all that's left, and Jinpei got freaked out every time the cafeteria had ham on the menu. It really didn't look all that good for the team. " We have no choice but to wait until they heal. In the mean time Red Specter will have their hands full if the Galactor attack again. This new Galactor concern me. They don't seem to be as stupid as before. They never left the scene of destruction until all of their objectives appeared to have been met, even with Red Specter on the way."

Unknown to Dr. Nambu, director Anderson was standing in the doorway listening to him talk to himself. "Don't worry too much, doctor, they will heal quickly."

" I know director but we've never had this many injuries at once and it was Galactor's first attack. I hope we're more prepared for the next one." Nambu walks over to a large window and looks out.

The director moves closer to the doctor and puts his hand on his shoulder. "I've got some good news. Remember now that it is 2071 and our technology has been up graded with all the leftover Galactor hardware, including medical technology. So don't worry about them not healing fast enough, even Jun is going to be up and around soon enough. She is apparently able to have the synthetic skin graph procedure, her body is not rejecting it. However, as far as the rest of them go, we all know what kind of abuse both Joe and Ken can take. So all is not lost doctor, they'll be up and around before you know it."

************

The End.........For Now.