Okay, here I go again - now with FIVE fics in progress (gulp).  Anyway,
I've been sitting on my tail long enough, and I'd better try and get
another chapter of Lightsphere done.  And yes, I STILL need ideas for
future chapters.

	As always, any & all C&C NEEDED.  MSTs especially welcome.


OPERATION LIGHTSPHERE:
PHASE 3, CHAPTER 3

An Iczelion/Teknoman crossover by Andrew Dynon

OP: "In My Dream" (OP from _Brain Powerd_ - Okay, I've only seen four
episodes of it so far, but I still think it's a really cool show)

* * * * * * * *

	"Nagisa and Iczer-One went off to enjoy themselves?"  Kiiro asked,
giggling.  The ceremony had now finished and the humans had been shown to
private rooms.  

	"Hey, didn't you notice the way they looked at each other, even before
they... it shouldn't have been any big surprise." Kawai replied

	"My sweet little sister and an alien warrior queen, lovers?  I guess life
still holds surprises, after all."  Mizuki chimed in.  The females, and
Ringo, laughed while Blade looked on.

	"I'm glad you don't mind."  Another voice sounded from the direction of
the doorway, and the group collectively turned around in shock.

	"Nagisa?  You're here?"

	"Actually, I'm Iczer-One.  My... lover, as you like to put it, allowed me
to use her body." Seeing the look of shock on their faces, she anticipated
their questions.  "Our synchronization's become strong enough that we can
transfer our souls to each other's body."

	"Does it feel any different?"

	"Very different... it's strange, but having a soft, weak body is... in
some ways, I quite like it.  It's easier to be gentle, and I don't need to
feel nearly so worried about hurting people."

	"So, does this mean Nagisa's in your body?  Can you tell how she likes
it?" asked Kawai.

	"She's not used of having as much power flowing through her as she does,
but she's adjusting well."

	"I'm glad." Kawai replied.  "Anyway, Na... sorry, Iczer-One, I've been
wondering something.  Sister Gray told us the Kthulhu homeworld had been
destroyed, but she didn't say how it happened.  Do you know?"

	"It's ... not something the Kthulhu like to talk about.  But I'll explain
it to you - a short version, at least."  A tinge of strain crept into
Iczer-One's voice, noticed only by Shara.  "The planet's destruction
started soon after the Kthulhu had begun to travel through space.  In one
of the outer planets in their solar system, they discovered the ruins of an
ancient civilization, and brought back several artifacts from there.  They
were successful in reviving one ... a sentient computer which they called
'Big Gold'.

	"Big Gold's motivations seemed benevolent, then.  She explained that she
wished to help the Kthulhu attain the next stage of their evolution.  But
not long after the project began, our planet was attacked by a race of
beings called Angels.  Mecha called Evangelions were created to fight
against them, and the Kthulhu leader, Violet, worked with Big Gold to
refine the Evangelion technology, creating an android with the power of an
Evangelion but which was only the size of a human... and still possessed
the ability to synchronize with another's soul.  Their creation was me.

	"I wasn't awakened until much later, though.  Violet discovered that the
Kthulhu's evolution would be caused by an event called the Third Impact.
Big Gold..." Iczer-One paused and looked at the floor for several seconds
before continuing.  "Big Gold was already preparing the Third Impact, and
Violet was unable to stop her, but she and several others managed to use
the technology from the ruined civilization they had found to construct
this starship - the /Silver Noah/ - and carry a few thousand Kthulhu away
from the planet before the Third Impact occurred."

	"Reminds me of a story from back on Earth."  Blade interrupted.  " 'The
Lord destroyed all living beings on the Earth - human beings, animals, and
birds.  The only ones left were Noah and those who were with him in the
boat.'  - Genesis 7:23."

	"Nick, you still remember the text?" Shara asked.  "I thought you didn't
even like going to Sunday School."

	"I didn't.  I just started reading the Bible again after what happened on
the /Argos/ because it was one of the only things that hadn't changed.  I
still have trouble believing in it, though."

	"The similarities in the story may be due to some sort of collective
subconscious."  Iczer-One said.  "To continue, though, shortly after the
/Silver Noah/ left, the Kthulhu homeworld exploded.  For what would have
been several years on that world, the ship journeyed, searching for a new
planet where the surviving Kthulhu could live in peace - a world which we
still have not found.  Eventually, Violet fell into despair, which resulted
in Big Gold taking control of her and the rest of the Kthulhu.  That was
the moment when I awakened, and was forced to fight against my people in
order to free them from Big Gold's control."

*	*	*	*	*

	"Nagisa-iczirhu," the image of a young Kthulhu with blue-green hair
appeared on a screen.  "We have completed our analysis the Rhadam's recent
troop movements."

	"Understood, Lieutenant Cyan.  I shall be interested in your findings."
Nagisa replied - well, she would be, but she would need Iczer-1's help to
understand the strategy and tactics involved - not that access to her mind
would be a problem.  She sent a message telling Iczer-3 to meet her, and
then teleported into the command room.

	"Good work, Cyan." Nagisa said as she scanned the maps, shortly before a
flash of green energy appeared as a result of Iczer-3's teleportation.
"Iczer-3, look at these maps.  Can you tell what the Rhadam are doing?"

	"Uhh... yeah!  They've stretched themselves too far and become dispersed,
and now they're pulling back to try and consolidate their positions."

	"Anything else?"

	Iczer-3 looked for a few seconds before responding.  "Their strongest
positions are the wedges on the forward flanks, then the center front.
Past the first ten or so light-years inside their territory still seems
dispersed."

	"And given their moves, and our relative positions, what do you think
they'll do next?"

	This time the young Iczer's reply was immediate.

	"They're gonna hit us on both flanks at once!"

	"I see the younger Iczer is still learning about these matters."  General
Indigo said.  "Her analysis of the Rhadam's current position is accurate,
although incomplete.  However, it is highly unlikely that their next
movement will be as she predicted."

	Nagisa turned to Indigo.  "In that case, what is your analysis?"

	"There is a large region of mostly-unclaimed space, with few habitable
planets, on our right.  I expect that the Rhadam forces will attempt to
sweep through that area and strike at our rear.  Also, the Rhadam center is
more dangerous than it appears.  It would be entirely possible for them to
quickly converge and strike us frontally."  As Indigo went into further
detail, Iczer-One and the Earth Iczelions entered.  Nagisa and Iczer-One
each closed their eyes, shifting back into their natural bodies.  After
Indigo's analysis had concluded, Iczer-One spoke.
	"I believe your prediction of the Rhadam movements is correct, Indigo -
and our position is a difficult one.  We have to reinforce our defenses
around the areas likely to be attacked, but we cannot afford to weaken our
forces in other areas too much."

	"There are still some planets holding out in the Rhadam-dominated space to
our right, aren't there?"  Asked Cyan.  "If we can manage to cut through
their line of control, their rear attack could be stopped, or at least
delayed."

	  "I was considering that, Cyan." Indigo replied.  "It will be difficult
to pull off.  At best, we would be able to maintain a thin line splitting
the Rhadam command, which would likely come under attack on both fronts.
That may be enough to delay them, though."

	"I believe Lieutenant Cyan's suggestion has merit."  Iczer-One said.  "We
shall attempt to split the Rhadam forces as she suggests.  We will also
need to reinforce the front line."  She turned toward Cyan.

	"Lieutenant Cyan, I place you in command of the attempt to break the
Rhadam line."

	"Thank you, Iczer-One." Cyan replied, nervously.  {My first field
command... I know Iczer-1 believes in me, now.  But do I believe in myself?}

	*
   
	"So, that's the situation?"  Nami asked, she and the others having had it
explained to them.  The Earth Iczelions and some Kthulhu forces were to be
split between the front line and Cyan's group, with Cyan's group reinforced
en route.  "Looks like we're going to get back into the action again.
Cyan's force is leaving first, so I'll go with that."

	"I'll go with Nami."  Kiiro said.  "I'm starting to want a workout, too."

	Blade paused, thinking, before speaking up.  "I'll go to the front line.
Saber's somewhere around there".  As soon as he said this, Star spoke.

	"I'll go with Blade."

	"Star, no."  Blade said.  "You'll be safer here."

	"Blade, I can't just stay here not knowing what's happening to you!  I'm
going".  Blade sighed, and turned to his sister.  

	"Shara?"

	"Nick, I'm going with you, too." Shara said.

	Iczer-1 turned to her younger sister.  
	
	"Iczer-3, I want you to go to the front line, as well.  Aside from myself,
you're our most powerful fighter."

	"Okay, oneesama!  I'll do my best!

	"That makes four of us to the front line and two with Cyan.  I should go
with her."  Mizuki said.  Noting the concerned look on her sister's face,
she added, "I can take care of myself."

	"We won't let anything happen to your sister, Nagisa."  Tina added.  "I'm
going with you."

	"Well, that's four for Cyan's group.  Looks like I'm headed to the front
line."  Kawai said.  "Nagisa?" 

	"I'm not in either group.  I'm going to Ishua with Iczer-1 to bring some
of their forces here, and help beat the Rhadam on some other planets.
After that, I'll join you, okay?"

	Then, Nagisa felt a burst of pain, of anguish, in her mind.  Clutching her
head in her hands, she let out a tortured scream, oblivious to the fact
that everyone else was screaming with her.  When the mental anguish
subsided, she felt hollow, empty ... a sense of loss.

	"What... was that?" asked Kawai quietly.  Nagisa's voice was equally soft
as she answered, trying not to cry.

	"An Iczelion was just killed ... her name was Pelah, and she was a silver."

	Iczer-1 allowed Nagisa to lean against her, breaking into tears.  

	"There were many times in Kthulhu history when military officers became
oblivious to their own troops' suffering, seeing battle as merely a means
to an end.  If we become like that, we may soon be no better than the
Rhadam.  Therefore, the ship's psychic resonators have been set to
broadcast the mental trauma that occurs when we lose one of our fighters."
She paused, as if she were trying to catch her breath.  "Nobody gets used
to it ... if anything, it gets worse each time."

	 Nagisa turned to the others again, tears still rolling down her cheeks.

	"You guys ... it would be even worse if I knew it was one of you."

	"Nagisa..." Kawai approached the dark-green-haired girl, her hand
outstretched.  "I promise you we won't die.  None of us will."

	"Really?"
	"Yes, really."  Kawai raised her little finger, and Nagisa raised hers in
response.  The pair's fingers interlocked, and Kawai spoke to her in a
voice barely above a whisper.  "I promise."

	Deep down, Nagisa knew it was a promise Kawai would not be able to keep.

*	*	*	*	*
END PHASE 3, CHAPTER 3
*	*	*	*	*

Finally, another chapter done (after about five months!).  I was originally
going to make this chapter longer, but after writing that last scene I
decided it was a good stopping place.  BTW, I've lost a rather large amount
of data from my computer, and no longer have a copy of Phase 2, Chapter 1.
If anyone out there has a copy saved, could they please send one to me?

NEXT CHAPTER:  Okay, there's been a three-chapter-long break from any real
fight scenes.  I promise there'll be a few in the next one.  Nami, Kiiro,
Mizuki, Tina and Cyan leave on their mission to split the Rhadam forces,
while the rest of the group prepares to head to the front.  As I said at
the start, I still need ideas.

UPCOMING FICS:  I am preparing the next chapters of "Nagisa^2" and
"Sea-Blue of the Stars". Revised versions of "To Lose, To Gain" and
"Kingdoms" will be written once those fics are completed.  I am also doing
the groundwork for an as-yet-untitled Gundam fic. 
________________________________________________________________

Andrew Dynon

"Someone who sucks can still use that to his advantage."
- Shiro Amada - Gundam: 08th MS Platoon, OVA #2

"Stories have to be told to exist.  They exist in the telling and retelling."
- Itzhak Roeh