How was he going to tell her the truth? How was he going to tell her that her anger was focused on the wrong man? How was he going to tell her who really caused her beloved sister's death. Glancing at the clock on his datapad, Anton knew that he was going to tell Nell everything now or risk losing a crew member right before the final battle.

She was sitting on top of a lookout stand, surrounded by the engulfing foliage of Tropolain. Her face was staring off into the distance, lost in memories. The way her short, purple hair blew like the trees reminded him of that day a year ago when he committed another murder.

“Nell,” he called out to her.

“Don't even try to get me back on that ship,” she called down. “It might be illogical, but I refuse to serve with Tsuku.”

“Illogical?” he yelled back. “Hiding in a tree is even more illogical!”

“And?” He could tell he was already hitting nerves, a bad sign. “Why can't I be illogical like everyone else?”

“Because...” This was the moment. Could he tell her the truth?

In the moment he had been lost in thought, she had jumped down and was staring at him. “Director Tsuku sent my sister, a radar operator, on a suicide mission. He sent her into a freaking power plant with explosives, by herself, so that he wouldn't have to risk the lives of his buddies who were trying to run back to base!”

“That's-”

“He pushed the switch while she was still inside! While she was still inside!” Tears were starting to form in the normally bitterly sarcastic woman's eyes. “I don't want that man anywhere near me.”

“Nell,” he started to play with his mustache absent-mindly. “Komi wasn't the one who killed your sister.”

“He admitted to it,” she spat. “He told my mother how he was sorry that he sent Lisa to her death. How sorry he was,” she said, a mix between a snide remark and her regular sarcasm.

Anton grasped her shoulder, knowing that know was the one and only moment he had. “Stop it! I don't care what Komi thought he did, he wasn't the one.”

“How would you know?”

“Because I was there. I... I did it.”

Nell's face turned white and she pulled herself out of his grasp. “What?”

“It was a year ago. We were on the run from Empress Tahiri's forces...”

Anton toyed with his assault rifle. “Komi, I can't let you go on this mission.”

The middle aged officer shook his head. “No, Anton, you are not going to. We can't afford to lose you or Bulsar. I'm the only one who is expendable here.”

“You can't do that to Sora! Damn it, man, she loves you!”

“That's why I have to make sure she gets back alive!”

“Excuse me,” a voice from the door to the command center said. “I would like to volunteer.”

Both officers turned around to see the young, purple haired officer from the 'Lion's Fury' standing in the door way. Anton couldn't remember her name very well, but she had proven to him already to be a very competent woman. A valuable addition to his staff, should they survive.

“Lisa Ock, isn't it?” Komi asked. She nodded and he continued, “I'm sorry, but the only person going on this mission is myself.”

She saluted. “Sir, I understand the odds of survival and wish to partake.”

“I said no.”

There was a moment of silence. “Well, can I at least shake your hand, sir, before you go?”

Komi looked suspicious, but nodded. The woman stepped forward and took the officer's outstreched hand. Just like that, he fell to the ground. Anton could see faint signs of breathing, but he went for his rifle anyway.

“What the hell are you doing?” he yelled.

She opened her palm to reveal a small needle. “Saving him.”

“Lieutenant Ock, knocking out your superior officer is gross subordination! I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop you.”

Lisa just sighed and tossed back her hair. “Anton, you are a sharp man. A brilliant tactician. Almost as smart as me.”

“So?”

“Who is needed more to keep these survivors alive? You, him, or myself?”

Anton could feel his blood run cold. “Now-”

“Who?”

That cold S.O.B... He lowered his rifle. “You understand that you will have to plant a bomb inside a heavily armed facility?”

“Yes.”

“And if you are wounded or incapacitated in the field, there is nobody to save you?”

“Yes.”

“That the odds of surviving are almost zero?”

“That's better than zero.”

“If I have to, I will detonate.”

“Then I'll go out with a bang.”

“If you truly wish to do this mission, then I will not stop you,” he whispered. He motioned to a canvas bag that was sitting on the table. “I've got the detonator. Get the bag as far as you can and then get the hell out.”

He couldn't watch her as she picked up his package and headed for the door. As she headed for the fate that should have been his.

“Mr. Rogers?”

Looking up, she was giving him a smile, full of life and energy. “Yes, Lieutenant?”

“See ya when I get back.”

“The last I heard from her was screaming. I flipped the switch and Komi never knew. He must have thought that because-”

Anton was thrown from his feet as Nell punched him in the face. “You bastard!” The color was back in her face, crimson red, but the tears were still falling. “Why?”

“I did what-”

“Don't give me that!” she screamed. “You were willing to sacrifice yourself for the mutt who tried to kill you, but not my sister, who served with you faithfully?”

“I'm sorry.”

“Sorry! Sorry? You killed her so you could protect your own worthless life!”

Her face, contorted with so much sadness and rage, clawed at him. So similar to the woman who had given him the life he had now. The love he had now. The sadness he had now.

“Nell, nothing I say will change it, but I truly am sorry. I did care for your sister, just as I care for you.”

But tears and another punch were her reply. “When this mission is over, I never want to see you or Tsuku again. If I do,” her eyes burned straight into his with the rage of the sun overhead, “I'll kill you.”

As she walked off, Anton wondered just how many people his actions had harmed. How many people he killed every time he had to take the best path in this stupid war. Raising his head to see the burning sun overhead, Anton vowed to end it. To finally find a way to end this stupid war before he put anymore friends in graves, in their hearts or in the ground.