chapter = Chapter 11

author = Shark 1

dedicate = To our legendary squad leader who was killed in action on Oct 3rd 2004.

Rating = O18

Type = Adventure

fanfic = After they’ve landed in the Prometheus, Azzedy and Jennifer got off their fighters and hugged each other. “He did the right thing. They’ve fought hard. And there’s nothing more we can do except to thank them.” Max and Miriya came and patted him on the back. “I’m sorry Eddy. But it was an act of bravery for them to save us instead of theirs.” Moments later, Captain Gloval came to the flight deck. The pilots stood at attention until they were ordered to be at ease.

“I’d like to welcome both of you on board the SDF-1. It is a tragic lost of your comrades but I’m sure that they have their own reasons for doing so and I believe that it is a noble reason. I’ll be sure that you’re accommodations will be prepared as soon as possible. As for now, I’d like the two of you to report to the base where you’ll get assigned. Commander Hayes has taken care of the details and I hope to hear from you soon.” They saluted as the captain walked away from the flight deck.

They followed Lisa towards the Military quarters where they will be accommodated. Once they’ve reached the assigned quarters, Lisa asked them to freshen up before reporting in. “I think I’ll hit the shower first alright Eddy?” Azzedy nodded a yes then escorted Lisa towards the door. Just moments after Lisa left the quarters, Max came by to see them. “Hi guys. I’m sorry to bother you.” Azzedy just smirked to his friend. “No, not at all. Please come in. What can I do for you Max?” Max entered their quarters and handed him a package. “Lisa asked me to pass you these uniforms. I think it should fit you just nicely.” Azzedy thanked him. He was about to ask him to have a sit but he declined it because he had promised to see Rick after his flight. After Max had left the room, he dropped himself on the couch and sighed heavily.

He opened the package and looked at the uniforms. His pants were dark blue with white lines. His shirt was white with some dark blue lines while his turtle neck shirt to be worn inside was dark blue with silver linings along the collar. He took out Jennifer’s uniform and saw the same pattern except she gets a skirt instead of a pants. He laughed it out at the same time Jennifer came out of the shower. Jennifer raised an eyebrow when she heard her husband’s laughter. She went to see him in the living room while still wrapped in her towel.

“I can’t believe it! It’s finally happening!” He said to her in laughter while holding up the skirt. “Now don’t start with me soldier.” She said pretending to be angry. “I’m sorry. It’s just that, it’s been a long time I’ve been trying to picture you wearing like a girl.” She went over to him and slapped him lightly on the shoulders. “I may dress like one, but I still can hit like a guy.” She said while holding up her fists like a boxer. Azzedy put his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead. “I’ll take a shower now. Then we’ll continue teasing each other alright?” Jennifer nodded then he left for the bathroom.

While the new pilots were getting dressed up to have a meeting with the Captain, Max was with Rick in the medical bay. Max told him about the new pilots and Roy is yet to decide on which squadron they’ll be flying with. “So how are you feeling so far?” Rick sat up on his bed and stretched like a cat. “I can’t wait to get out of here. It’s driving me nuts. Have you seen Lisa? She was supposed to see me by now.” Max reclined on the chair while putting his hands on his head. “I guess she’s busy preparing some details for our new pilots. She’ll be around as soon as she’s done. Don’t worry. She’ll never leave you alone.”

In the conference room, the Azzedy and Jennifer were standing in the middle of the room while Captain Gloval, Lisa, Roy and the rest of the Officers were sitting in front of them. “Now that they’re officially RDF pilots, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to present you Lieutenant Azzedy Azhar and Lieutenant Jennifer Abdullah.” They saluted the officers as soon as their names were announced before it was returned by the officers. Roy stepped towards them and gave them their pins. “Congratulations. Just so you know, you’ll be flying with the Vermilion group for the time being.” After everything was set and done, the captain dismissed everyone from the conference room.

The Azhar’s went back to their quarters while Lisa and Roy went to see Rick to tell him the news. When they got there, Lisa came in and gave Rick a kiss on his forehead. They told him the news and Rick was okay with it. “As long as they behave themselves, I won’t mind.” Rick told them. “Speak for yourself hot shot.” Lisa interrupted him. Rick stuck his tongue out to her. Max just remembered he needed to prepare the flight roster for the Vermilion group as he is acting squad leader until Rick is back in the air. “By the way skipper, I’d better go and prepare the flight roster. I’ll be seeing you when I’m done for the day.” “Thanks Max. Say hi to Miriya and Dana for me.” Max saluted him before leaving the room. “Well little brother, I’ll be on the flight checking up on my rosters. I’ll be seeing you soon alright. Lisa, you comin’? Oh, I forgot, love sick Rick need you here. See ya.” Lisa was blushing furiously and Rick couldn’t hide his amusement looking at her. “Very funny Commander Fokker, Rick, we have to leave now. I’ve some reports to handle.” “Don’t worry. I understand.” They left the room at headed towards their respective destinations.

Once she reached the bridge, Lisa was admiring the beautiful sunset when Vanessa spotted incoming Zentreadi battleships and reentry pods. Lisa sounded the red alert to scramble all fighters and Destroid units. Moments later, All veritechs were launched including the Azhars. “Skull Squadron, take out the enemy battleships. Vermilion Group, assist the Destroids.” Roy took his squadron to engage the battleships head on while Max led his group to assist the Destroids.

Azzedy and Jennifer switched to battloid mode to take out the battle pods which has already invading the decks. Azzedy had his sight on one of the pods when Jennifer crossed his sight and took the shot. “Hei! That’s mine!” Jennifer pretended to look innocent and then laugh it out. “Really? I didn’t see your name on it.” “Oh girl, you’re gonna get one from me.” “Bring it on boy.” They were playing as if they were at each other’s throats. Sammy overheard their conversation and got really worried.

“Commander Hayes, the Azhars were arguing all over the tech channel.” Suddenly, Azzedy’s face came on Lisa’s monitor. “Sorry about that ma’am. We were carried away by our old habits.” Then Jennifer came on. “We’re always like this every time we’re in the air. Gotta go ma’am. Got another bogey in sight.” Before they signed off, Azzedy scolded her for taking another of his bogeys. “Hei, I saw it first.”

Kim and Vanessa giggled and whispered to each other. “Hei Kim, does that remind you of somebody?” They resumed their work when they heard Captain Gloval cleared his throat.

The Skull squadron managed to take out one of the battle cruisers and a few reentry pods. Roy’s battloid was disabling one of the battleships turrets when Khyron and Azonia fired upon him. Roy managed to avoid some of the shots but a few of it caught his cockpit area. As his battloid fell down on its back, Azonia’s officer pod stood in front of him aiming her laser towards his head. She was about to pull the trigger when Miriya’s battloid kicked her pod away. “Thanks Mir. Now get back to your position. You’re making me look like an amateur.” Miriya nodded an affirmative and returned to her position.

The number of pods has been decreased and that had worried Khyron and ordered a hasty retreat. When the enemies were cleared from their radar, Lisa ordered them to return to base. She then saw Roy’s fighter wasn’t flying decently. “Skull leader, is there anything wrong, your fighter doesn’t seems to be flying well.” “Nothing’s wrong. Any casualties so far?” “We’ve lost only one Destroid so far, thanks to our new pilots, but we’ve lost ten veritechs.” After all the fighters had returned to the Prometheus, Azzedy got out of his fighter and pushed Jennifer’s shoulder with his finger. “Just like old times huh?” He smirked at her as they all returned to their respective quarters.

Roy was on his way to his quarters after changing into his uniforms in the locker room when he collapsed in front of the doorway. Claudia was on her way to meet him and she was in shock when she saw him lying face down on the doorway. She called the paramedics and Jean when she couldn’t wake him. The Azhars were on their way to their quarters when they saw a team of paramedics rushed by them. Azzedy was surprised. “What could possibly happen?” Jennifer pulled his arm and ran after the Paramedics to see if they need help or anything. When they got there, they were surprised to see them lifting someone to the stretcher. Jennifer was shocked and put her hands in front of her mouth in disbelief. “That’s Lt. Commander Fokker!” They saw the paramedics tried everything to stabilize him. “He’s got no pulse!” Jean said. They plugged in their compact vital signs indicator to him and started to do CPR. Jean shouted. “Get the electric pulse. CPR isn’t good enough!” She tried to jump him with the electric pulse but the vital signs indicator was still giving a flat tone. “Dammit Roy, don’t you leave us just yet!” She shouted before giving another try with the electric pulse.

Jennifer went to comfort Claudia who was sitting next to Roy holding his hand. Jean saw the indicator still giving her the flat tone despite everything she had done. She was doing well holding her emotions but couldn’t when she had to tell Claudia that her man is gone. “I’m sorry Claudia. I’ve tried.” Claudia dropped to her knees and rested her head on Roy’s hand. Jean ordered the rest of the paramedics to pack things up while giving Claudia some time with her man. Azzedy told Jennifer to give Claudia sometime alone as they embraced each other.

Moments later, the Sterlings, Lisa and Ben arrived running towards them. “I guess we’re too late Max.” Ben said. Miriya held her husband’s arm while Max was holding his tears. Lisa couldn’t hold hers because she was thinking what Claudia must have been feeling right now and how was she going to tell Rick?” She then felt Max’s hand on her shoulder. “I think you should tell him right away. We’ll take care of the funeral.” Lisa gave Max a hug and thanked him before running towards the Medical Bay.

Rick was sitting on his bed eating a bowl of porridge when he saw Lisa came in resting herself against the wall trying to catch her breath. “What’s wrong? It looks like you’ve been chased by a ghost?” Lisa inhaled deeply and tears started to fall again when she remembered she had to tell him the news. She walked towards him and stood in front of him like an officer. Rick now beginning to have scary thoughts in his head but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He could even hear his own heart beat. “Ok, you’re scaring me lady.” Lisa sighed heavily before she began. Her tears rolled down as she speaks. “Lieutenant Hunter, it is my sad duty to inform you that Lt. Commander Fokker is no longer with us.” Rick dropped his bowl to the floor and it broke into pieces. “How? Did he get shot down?” Lisa looked down to the floor and told him what happened. “He was wounded internally. He collapsed in front of his doorway. Claudia found him and called.” Lisa looked up to him and saw Rick was in tears.

“Big brother, why do you have to go this way?” He was talking to himself when he felt a warm embrace around him. “I’m sorry Rick.” Rick couldn’t hold his emotions any longer and gave Lisa a tight hug. He’s never shown his emotional side to anyone before but he couldn’t care less as he cried on her shoulder. Lisa tried to comfort him but she knew she had to let him release it so that he’ll feel better later. As Max and Ben were arranging the funeral for their friend, Captain Gloval was looking out of the window of the bridge trying to think about their upcoming strategy. The skies are getting darker and it was starting to rain as if it understood the feelings of the crews and pilots of the SDF-1 as they mourn the passing of one of the ever charismatic Roy Fokker.

“I just hope they won’t be attacking us during the funeral.” Sammy looked at Kim and Vanessa and whispered to them. “Poor Claudia. I’ll bet she is all broken up because she had to see it for herself.” Kim nodded as Vanessa continued. “I feel sorry for her. It’s just not fair. They were so cute together.”

State = Continuará/To Be Continue

feedback = Sí/Yes

email = affendeykadriATyahoo.com