Before light even peeked over the horizon in the east, Byte was already up and ready to leave the house. Even though he insisted that I stay here with Yua and Reiji while they were asleep, there was no way that I was going to let him go face up to the Salvagers from his home planet alone.

“I wish you weren't so persistent, this isn't your burden to carry you know” Byte said as he let out a sigh.

“The burden may be yours but i'm not going to let you carry it alone” I promised as I let my hand fall on Byte’s head to give him a headpat. I felt myself draw a little closer to him, and before I knew it, I was embracing him. Part of me wanted to fully believe that no matter what was in store for us today, that ultimately we would succeed. But at the same time Shadow’s words from yesterday still rung out in my head.

“You know well they will bring you back, one way or another. I just wanted to give you the chance to come peacefully, you know the others won't give you that opportunity.”

What did he mean? At what lengths would they go to insure that he would be brought back to Homeworld. I shook my head to be rid of the intrusive thoughts, forgetting that I was style hugging Byte.

“Are you okay?” he asked me, his voice hinting at a slight bit of concern.

“I’m fine!” I ensured. At this point, he was ready to leave and so was I with him, when Yua hopped up out of her blanket bed that she made on the floor that was right beside Reiji.

“I hope you don't think you are leaving without us!” Yua said as she leaned over and started to wake up Reiji. I started to gather up the breath to tell them we were going alone, but Byte put his arm out in front of me and smiled. It's as if he knew what I was going to do before I even did it. Amazed yet aggravated, I pouted for a few seconds as our two friends got up and ready. Without much further delay, we headed out into the open as the sun started to peak over the hilltops.

As we jogged along through the woods, a small crashing sound could be heard from deeper in, away from the direction we were headed. Turning on his heel, Byte broke into a full on sprint toward the direction the sound came from. It took everything that the three of us had to keep up with him, but he didn't appear to be out of breath or stressing himself at all. The only thing that was stained on his face was a look of sheer determination.

As we arrived, I was taken aback by what was to be seen. A small craft, enough to only fit one man, indented in the dirt, similar to the one that Byte showed up in. But this one had a jet black finish and was more robust, it appeared to be a more advanced model. The top of the ship then powered up and off, like an electronic lid, as a robot wearing similar armor to the set that Byte was wearing when he arrived, stepped out. Taking off his pressurized helmet with a hiss, he revealed his face, that was thin and narrow. He also had long black wavy hair that almost reached his shoulders. Holding his helmet underneath one of his arms, he looked over at us.

“Hello Byte, my Prince. I'm quite certain you already know of me but allow me to formally introduce myself. I am B5-72 ‘Dasher’ and you already know why I'm here” Dasher said with a smile plastered on his face, it was as if everything he was doing was for show.

“I'm not coming back with you Dasher” Byte announced as he stepped forward.

“I was hoping you would say that, after all, I'm not some ‘lover of peace’ like Shadow is. Besides, if you planned on coming back without a contest, you would have done so yesterday, am I wrong? ” Dasher said with a smirk as he clicked his helmet back into place. He then looked Byte over carefully. “You plan on fighting me without your armor? You fool?” Dasher yelled as he stretched his legs.

“I don't need it, it'll only slow me down!” Byte shouted as he broke into a full sprint, right toward Dasher. But before any of us could process it, Dasher was right behind Byte.

“You're still too slow anyway” Dasher remarked as he landed a kick to Byte’s backside, knocking him down into the dirt rolling.

“M-my god how did he get there so fast?” Reiji said, trembling.

“Come on Byte lets go, get up!” Yua yelled down to the battlefield. Meanwhile all I could do was watch. Afraid.

“My ability is SpeeD, dear Prince. I can use up a portion of my stamina to power up my speed over a portion of time. In battle, you can win as long as your opponent is too slow to hit you! Can't you see that it's useless to fight back against what you can't catch? GIVE UP I'VE GOT YOU BEAT!” Dasher yelled. But before Dasher could speak another word, he received an uppercut, knocking him into the air. Adjusting himself as he fell, Dasher landed on his feet, but was in shock from what just happened. “WHAT THE HELL” he yelled. Byte was standing before him, his legs dyed a fiery red, as if they were steel that was being prepared to be smithed.

“This is my ability, OverDrive. I assume they didn't inform you of it, by sacrificing part of my life force, I can power up any part of my body, for a short period of time. So I decided to make myself faster. Even faster than you, Dasher” Byte explained as he slowly approached Dasher.

“You fool! YOU THINK I CAN’T MOVE FASTER?” Dasher retorted as he sped full speed at Byte, only to be knocked down once again. Awash with fear, Dasher attempted to speed back to the safety of his ship, only to be blocked by Byte. He then attempted to speed away again, and again, and again, all fruitless attempts. “Please, please just let me go, i'll do anything” Dasher groveled at Byte’s feet.

“Don't come back” Byte said as he launched Dasher toward his ship with a kick.

“You fool, you should've just finished me off, I'll fulfill your request, I won't be back. But another from the B5 unit will be here before sundown” Dasher said as he closed up his ship and took off from beyond our sight.