Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Choices and Aces

Chapter / Capitulo: Chapter Thirteen

Author / Autor: Anonymoose_Au

Rating / Clasificacion: AP (All People = Todo espectador)

Romance

Action / Accion

Alternate Universe / Universo Alterno: on

Fanfic: “Love makes the world go round” Mid-20th century song title 
 
“Love Stinks” Late 20th century song title 
 
 
Azonia had been in a foul mood ever since Breetai’s return, but Yiata could not really blame her, having been present to see Commander Breetai so coolly brush of Azonia’s command and her attempts to make a report. 
 
Since then, Lord Breetai had not deigned to contact the Commander of the Female Zentraedi, but Khyron had been more than glad to. 
 
An alert sounded, indicating an incoming transmission. 
 
“From Lord Khyron, m’lady,” Yiata informed her, “shall we ignore it?” 
 
Azonia ran a hand through her dark blue hair in any annoyed gesture. “No, let us see what the cretin has to say.” 
 
Yiata sighed, but patched the transmission through. 
 
“Well, well, well, Lady Azonia, worn out from lons worth of combat,” he drawled. 
 
“About the same amount of combat as you have had, Lord Khyron,” Azonia returned, icily. 
 
“Commander-in-Chief Dolza was not pleased to hear of your failures,” Khyron prodded, ruthlessly, “why I’ve heard that your command may be withdrawn and handed to another…more worthy candidate.” 
 
Yiata was unable to suppress a small thrill of hope, if that were true, perhaps His Excellency would choose…her. 
 
“It doesn’t surprise me that you would engage in mindless speculation, my Lord,” Azonia began, a cold smile curving her lips, “the first part is something of a talent of yours after all.” 
 
Khyron’s eyes narrowed dangerously and for a moment it looked as though Azonia had bested him. 
 
But Khyron was not one willing to take defeat, so with a laugh he went on the offensive. “You of course have no talent for speculation of any kind; otherwise you would have seen your failure coming.” 
 
Azonia jumped to her feet. “Now, you listen to me!” She yelled. “Speculation or not, my rank still supersedes yours! Continue to taunt me and you will find yourself on trial for treason, don’t think I wouldn’t do it!” 
 
Khyron though, seeing how he had angered her had had enough; an almost innocent smile had spread across his face. “Why, I don’t know what you mean, my Lady Azonia, I am merely passing on information to a comrade of a higher rank. Do you mistrust me so?” 
 
Azonia did not answer, at least not to his face, with a strangled grunt she signalled for the transmission to be cut. Once it was, she spoke. “I would not trust you for all the ships in the Armanda.” 
 
*** 
 
Minmei wasn’t sure if the day could be called a success or not. 
 
On the one hand, the Premiere had been a sell-out, but on the other an alien battle group had attacked three fourths of the way through it! 
 
Of course, the movie was now showing for the second time and just as many had come for that! Even some of those from the original audience, who had of course, been invited back to the Entertainment Centre to see the rest of the film after they had been allowed to leave the shelters. 
 
Minmei was still a little shaky, though, she and Kyle had somehow got lost trying to find a shelter. They had been caught up in the transformation and for the second time in her life, Minmei had found herself dangling hundreds of feet in the air! 
 
As she had hung there, Kyle grasping her arm and pulling her to safety, Minmei had remembered that first time and in the confusion thought it was Rick saving her. She had seen is face and almost called out to him, but then she had come back to the present. 
 
Minmei wondered why in that moment between life and death she had seen Rick’s face. She cared for him very much, that was true, but were her feelings really so – 
 
Minmei shook the thought away, reminding herself that she was angry at Rick. Not only had he neglected to return her phone call of the night before, he hadn’t even picked up the ticket to her movie that she had managed to finagle for him! 
 
'Hmpf!' She tossed her hair and snuggled under the covers on the bed. 
 
There was a knock on the door. 
 
Minmei winced and called out in a weak voice “Who is it?” preparing to play sick if it were Vance. 
 
“It’s Kyle, are you OK, Minmei? You sound ill.” 
 
Minmei’s eyes brightened. “Kyle? Come in!” Covers still wrapped around her she jumped off the bed and hurried over to the door just as it opened. 
 
“I’m fine,” she told her cousin, “I was just screening visitors.” 
 
“And I passed the test?” Kyle grinned. 
 
Minmei laughed. “Always.” 
 
Kyle looked at her in concern. “You are OK, aren’t you?” 
 
Minmei waved a hand. “I’m fine, really, thank you so much for saving me.” 
 
Kyle put an arm around her shoulders. “Any time.” 
 
They went over to the couch and sat down. 
 
“Did you have dinner?” Kyle asked. 
 
“Just some of your mother’s soup,” Minmei replied, “she brought it by, didn’t you see her?” 
 
“Uh no, I must have been tied up with Vance,” Kyle shook his head. 
 
“Oh, that’s too bad, I have some left over if you want,” she made to stand up, but Kyle put his hand on her arm. 
 
“No, I’m fine.” 
 
Minmei shrugged and settled back down on the couch cushions. 
 
Nothing was said Kyle seemed content just to look at her, which made Minmei slightly uncomfortable. 
 
“Did Vance say anything about my concert?” She asked, more to break the silence than anything else. 
 
“Oh…um…I didn’t think to ask,” Kyle shook his head as if coming out of a dream. “It’s not for a while yet.” 
 
Minmei nodded. “I was just wondering, I want it to be perfect for my fans.” 
 
Kyle grinned and pretended to sock her on the chin. “You know it will be.” 
 
Minmei giggled. “As long as I have you behind me, I be it will be!” 
 
*** 
 
“So with the help of the Bridge Bunnies, I ran everything by Gloval,” Claudia told Roy that night as they sat on the couch in his quarters, “and well, the wedding’s set for whenever we want it.” 
 
Roy burst out laughing. “The rumours are true, telling Sammie, Vanessa and Kim anything and you might as well tell the world.” 
 
Claudia punched him lightly on the arm. “If it’s anyone’s fault it’s yours, you’re the one who flirted with Sammie,” she crossed her arms and made a show of looking angry. “Or did you think I wouldn’t notice?” 
 
Roy held up his hands. “Come on, babe, you know that’s just how I operate,” he said in a theatrically debonair tone. 
 
“Yeah, I’d like to get someone to operate on you,” Claudia threatened, mockingly, then burst into laughter when Roy tickled her ribs. 
 
“Quit it!” She managed finally, detangling herself from his arms. 
 
“You know, I think Lisa’s starting to rub off on you, you’re no fun these days.” 
 
“Hey!” Claudia objected. “For your information while you and I were on duty she was living it up at Miss Minmei’s premiere.” 
 
“At least until the transformation…what was that all about? The cruiser didn’t even aim at us!” 
 
“Well, Sammie was a little nervous and she jumped the gun. You can’t stop the transformation once it starts,” Claudia shrugged, “and you’ve got to give it at least half an hour before you can reverse it.” 
 
Roy took her in his arms again and pulled her close. “You know, I can’t resist it when you talk shop,” he growled, planting a fiery kiss on her lips. 
 
Claudia put up a token show of resistance before melting into the embrace. 
 
They were far away from everything on the ship and the war when suddenly the front door slid open. 
 
“Big Brother! You’ll never guess whaa-?!” 
 
Roy and Claudia jumped apart, turning to the door to see Rick who was gaping at them. 
 
“Tryin’ to catch flies, Little Brother?” Roy raised his eyebrows.  
 
Rick shook his head and snapped his mouth shut. 
 
Claudia had not spent much time in Rick’s company, seeing as any lengthy time off-duty was time to be spent with Roy, but she liked him, despite how much he annoyed Lisa. 
 
“Hello Rick,” she greeted him with a wave. 
 
“Uh, ma’am!” He saluted. 
 
Roy and Claudia burst into gales of laughter and Rick turned red. 
 
“Looks like the military life is rubbing off on you more than you though, Little Brother,” Roy remarked when he finally caught his breath. “My dear love here prefers to go by Claudia.” 
 
“Uh, right,” Rick nodded, “hey, Claudia.” 
 
“So,” she tried to put him at ease, “what will we never guess?” 
 
The plan backfired, if anything Rick looked even more embarrassed. 
 
“I suppose this is boys talk,” Claudia declared, getting to her feet, “I’ll leave you two alone.” 
 
But Rick was backing away toward the door. “Well, don’t let me interrupt you or anything…” 
 
Roy got to his feet too. “Nah, don’t sweat it, Rick,” he told him, then took Claudia’s hand. “After all, Claudia and I will have a lot time for each other next Saturday after the Wedding, right, dear?” 
 
Claudia turned to him, expecting him to laugh, he was smiling at her, but his eyes were absolutely serious. 
 
She felt a wide smile creep across her own face. “Sounds just fine to me, Flyboy.” 
 
*** 
 
“This Saturday?” Rick asked, once Claudia had left, after Roy had given her a kiss that had Rick flushing red all over again. “Isn’t that awfully short notice?” 
 
“Well, we’re not inviting the whole ship,” Roy shrugged, “and now the Captain’s on board with officiating the whole thing, well…we’re men of action aren’t we, Rick?” 
 
“Uh, I guess.” 
 
“Now, tell me what you came here for, aside from my sparkling company,” Roy gave him a wink. 
 
Rick looked confused as if he’d forgotten the reason himself, then he shook his head. “Oh right! Well today, when the transformation happened I ended up trapped-“ 
 
“You really should get yourself a Sat-Nav, Little Brother.” 
 
“Ha, ha. But that’s not all; I got trapped with Commander Hayes!” 
 
“Lisa?” 
 
“Do you know of any other Commander Hayes?” 
 
“OK, OK, don’t get snippy, it wasn’t that bad, I hope…” he narrowed his eyes slightly. “What did you say to her?” 
 
“Me?! I didn’t say anything…well…uh…that is…” 
 
Roy folded his arms. 
 
“OK, maybe I was a little insensitive, but she got just as many shots at me,” Rick protested. 
 
“Ah, so you want me to somehow get you out of been court-martialled, hmmm?” 
 
“No, that’s the thing, after a while we got to talking and well…she’s not so bad,” Rick shrugged, “she even brought me a cola after it was all over.” 
 
“Oooh, racy.” 
 
“It’s not like that!” Rick frowned at him. “The thing is…I kinda said it without meaning to…” 
 
“Said what?” Roy prodded. 
 
“Well, that I might like to take her out to dinner,” Rick blurted. 
 
Roy raised his eyebrows so high they almost disappeared beneath his hair. “You what?” 
 
“Am I crazy? Is she going to kill me for it? It’s just…I expected her to be so different and-“ 
 
Roy held up his hand. “Woah, woah, steady on, Rick, I can’t answer if you don’t stop talking.” 
 
Rick snapped his mouth shut. 
 
“Hmmm,” Roy rubbed his chin, “so you asked the old sourpuss out…” 
 
Rick winced. “That was said a long time ago, Roy!” 
 
“It’s nice to see you’ve moved on,” he nodded, then shrugged. “Well, I don’t see what the big deal is, if she was upset she would have said so.” 
 
“Maybe she didn’t hear me, or she thought I was joking? Maybe I should just never mention it again?” 
 
“What, you don’t want to go out with her?” Roy was getting confused; sometimes it was impossible to figure out what his Little Brother was thinking. 
 
“I never said anything about dating her,” Rick objected as if Roy had just suggested he stick his head out an airlock. “It was just a friendly dinner invitation, that’s all! But Lisa doesn’t really do friendly, does she?” 
 
“There you go again, bagging her out when you hardly know her.” Roy shook his head. 
 
“Well, I’d have to know her better than you; we spent about a week on that Zentraedi battle cruiser together.” 
 
Roy rolled his eyes. “Because I’m sure that Lisa acts exactly the same way at home as when she’s a P.O.W, come on, Rick.” 
 
“Look, it’s just that…I don’t want to date Lisa, I mean life’s complicated enough with Minmei…” Rick shook her head. 
 
“Didn’t we agree the other night that Minmei was a lost cause?” 
 
“Maybe while her movie’s so big, but I don’t want to give up on her entirely! And certainly not for Lisa.” 
 
Roy thought Rick was really short-changing the ship’s First Officer, but he decided not to press the point. 
 
“Well, if you’ve made up your mind, what are you coming to me for?” 
 
Rick shrugged. “I just thought…well you had a lot of girls in your life, have any of them been actual friends?” 
 
“Oh, hey, thanks for making me sound like a complete user.” 
 
“You said it, not me.” 
 
“Of course some of them were friends, geeze, and of course after you, Claudia’s the best friend I’ve got.” 
 
“I meant more like girls you were only ever friends with, that you never…uh…kissed or anything like that.” 
 
“I’m not a hooker, you know,” Roy gave Rick a stern look; “there’s plenty of women out there I haven’t dated, who as you put it, were just friends.” 
 
“Right and that’s what I want with Lisa,” Rick affirmed, “but does Claudia understand you’re just friends these girls? Or does she get all jealous?” 
 
“Please, Claudia is an adult.” 
 
“What’s that supposed to mean?” 
 
“Just that she knows the difference between friends and lovers don’t get so jumpy Little Bro.” 
 
“I’m not jumping,” Rick defended himself, rather poorly seeing as how his fingers were tapping rapidly against the wall. 
 
“Look, Rick, if you want my advice, just get on with it,” Roy looked Rick right in the eye. “Sure, Minmei may come around, but don’t waste away waiting for her, OK?” 
 
Rick sighed and nodded, but Roy had the distinct feeling that it wasn’t going to be as easy as all that. 
 
*** 
 
Miriya stood in front of the shop window, completely enthralled, an array of weaponry was arrayed before her. Long swords, knives, daggers and what the micronian’s called ‘bos’ and ‘Sais'. 
 
Most shops in this ‘Macross’ as it was called left Miriya cold, if not feeling a little ill, but not this one. 
 
Imagine the damage I could inflict with these, she thought hungrily to herself. 
 
One display in particular drew her in, it was two sharp knives, a pair with pristine blades that reflected her image and with ornately designed sheaths. 
 
Finally, unable to resist Miriya entered the shop, a bell sounding as she did and immediately the micronian behind the counter turned to face her. 
 
'What a clever device!' Miriya allowed herself to admit. 
 
“Hello, may I help you?” The micronian asked. 
 
Miriya’s instincts recoiled at such a notion as accepting help, but she had to remember how the micronians worked. 
 
Putting a smile on her face she walked up to the counter. “I noticed that fine pair of knives in the window.” 
 
The micronian smiled broadly. “Ah yes! Takasama originals, finest warrior blades in Japan,” he gushed, “would you like to see them?” 
 
“Certainly,” Miriya’s smile was no longer feigned and it widened as the micronian brought the knives over and place one in her hands for her inspection. 
 
Doubtless, one thrust could drop a member of this miserable race and for a moment Miriya actually considered it…after all, it was just the two of them in the shop… 
 
But no. The ship was not that big and Miriya had seen plenty of uniform non-combatants referred to by the micronians as ‘police’ and from what she had heard she knew they would come after her if she dared try anything. 
 
There was only one micronian she could kill and after she did, she would leave Zor’s Fortress as quickly as possible. 
 
So, she handed the knife back to the micronian and enquired, pleasantly, how much they cost as she had heard countless micronians do at these shops of theirs every day. 
 
“A real steal,” he answered her, “just two hundred dollars.” 
 
Nos of combat training ensured that her surprised did not register on her face and allowed her to thank him before leaving. 
 
'Two hundred dollars!' She thought, shaking her head. 
 
If she properly understood the micronian custom of exchanging small round pieces of metal then it was going to take some sort of miracle for her to get that much. 
 
*** 
 
Max was sure he saw a flash of green hair just a few metres down the street, but he couldn’t investigate because Rick was walking with him, talking his ear off. 
 
“So, then, I end up running into Commander Hayes, it’s like Murphy’s Law or something!” 
 
Max turned to him with a sympathetic smile. “That’s rough, Boss, too bad you didn’t have your mobile, I tried to call from the line.” 
 
“I don’t know about you,” Rick shook his head, “but those damn things are a complete waste, mine doesn’t even turn on half the time.” 
 
Max grinned. “You didn’t accidentally let it go through the wash did you?” 
 
Rick seemed to be seriously considering this, but then shook his head. “No, I’ve just got a dud, no surprise there.” 
 
“Cheer up, Boss, it’s not all bad, the aliens haven’t attacked us since then and we’re both off duty.” 
 
Rick merely grunted. 
 
Max was not deterred however. “So what are you up for? How ‘bout a bout of 'Knife Fight' at 'Close Encounters'?” 
 
“Nah,” Rick shook his head, “besides I should go buy something for Roy…he’s getting married you know.” 
 
“I heard the rumours,” Max adjusted his glasses on his nose, “so it’s really true, that’s great for him.” 
 
“Yeah, but not so much for me, I have to make a speech, I suck at that sort of thing, what am I supposed to say?” 
 
“Well, I’ve never actually been to a wedding before, but from what I’ve seen on TV you’re supposed to make as many off-colour jokes about the groom’s previous dating exploits as possible.” 
 
Rick gave a snort of laughter. “Sheesh, with Roy we’ll be there for the rest of the year!” 
 
Max couldn’t resist taking a quick look around with for that green haired woman. 
 
“See some you know?” Rick asked, catching him in the act. 
 
“Nah,” Max shrugged, deciding to keep it to himself, Rick had enough on his mind as it was. 
 
“Well, anyway, you’re invited, if you’re off-duty, dress uniform.” 
 
Max whistled. “Fancy, we didn’t even have to wear that when we got back from the alien warship!” 
 
“I’m not looking forward to it, I bet I’ll look like an idiot,” Rick was perfectly morose. There wasn’t much that could be done about it, except humour him. 
 
“Well, you and the rest of us, of course.” 
 
Rick shook his head. 
 
“So when is it?” 
 
“This Saturday.” 
 
“Yikes!” 
 
“Roy doesn’t wait around,” Rick shrugged. 
 
“Well, it’s probably a good idea these days,” Max replied, slightly envious. Not that he had a girl, but the thought of marriage and a family was very appealing to him. 
 
Rick smiled. “Hey, maybe you should make the speech,” he suggested, only half joking. 
 
“Well, I can’t do that, but I can help you with yours.”  
 
“I can use all the help I can get!” 
 
*** 
 
The fact that they had not seen the movie in its entirety had only wetted the appetites of those who Rico, Konda and Bron had spoken to of micronian life. 
 
In the lon that had passed since then they had spent as much time as possible in that small meeting room, listening to the Minmei doll and hearing more stories about micronian life. Like the foods they had, the free time and all the activities that were allowed. Singing, watching non-combat footage, being with females! 
 
This last one was particularly enticing to the renegade Zentraedi, they had of course been indoctrinated to fear and loathe their female counterparts, almost to the point where they would kill each other if given the chance. 
 
But the prettiness of Minmei and the descriptions of micronian females had changed these feelings to something else. 
 
The word of Minmei had spread throughout Breetai’s ship and quite a few more Zentraedi had come to the meeting room to hear more, to the point where the room was almost bursting. 
 
“I wish we could all be spies!” A Zentraedi announced when the Minmei doll finished its song. “Then we could see this all for ourselves.” 
 
“Hmmm,” Rico murmured looking at Konda and Bron. 
 
The three spies knew it was improbable that another spy mission would be ordered. 
 
'But perhaps,' Konda thought, 'there’s another way…' 
 
Rico seemed to read his thoughts. “Listen,” he said to the assembled Zentraedi, “the command has no interest in investigating the micronian life any further.” 
 
There were groans and sighs. 
 
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t become micronians ourselves!” Rico held up a hand for quiet. “We can micronise ourselves any time we wish.” 
 
“But how we would we get to the micronian’s ship,” Mardul pointed out, “we would have to be delivered by someone, and I don’t want to be left behind!” 
 
This was greeted with a chorus of agreement from the other Zentraedi in the room. 
 
'Hmmm, didn’t think of that.' Rico admitted to himself. 
 
“OK, you’re right,” he said aloud, “but we’ll come up with something, I promise you.” 
 
The Zentraedis were impressed. 
 
“And we’ll all get to come along?” 
 
“And meet Minmei.” 
 
“Of course we will, don’t worry about that,” Rico said with conviction. 
 
*** 
 
On Khyron’s battle cruiser things were quite different, although some murmurs of the three spies stories had spread through there too there were very diluted and had nowhere near as much impact. 
 
Khyron, of course had heard nothing of it, he had been too busy trying to figure out another way of attacking Zor’s ship…and of course, antagonising Azonia. 
 
He was highly annoyed that the previous lon’s sortie against the micronians had firstly taken place without him and secondly had been so pathetically played out. The cat and mouse games Breetai was now playing were unbecoming of Zentraedi warriors. 
 
Apparently it had had something to do with footage picked up from the battle fortress. 
 
“Hmpf, why bother with these tactics? Why not destroy the micronians and be done with it?” 
 
He hadn’t actually been asking the question expecting an answer, but got one anyway. 
 
“We are to recover Zor’s Protoculture Matrix, m’lord,” Grel said from behind him. 
 
“Was I speaking to you?” Khyron snapped over his shoulder at his aide. 
 
Grel shrunk back. 
 
“What do we care of this Protoculture Matrix? We are powerful enough with out and its time the micronians saw that.” His eyes turned towards the micronian planet. “Hmm, I wonder…” 
 
“We can’t attack the planet, m’lord,” Grel spoke, his voice tight with anxiety. “His Excellency was quite specific on that point.” 
 
“Shut up!” Khyron put his fist to his mouth and chewed on his knuckles. Grel was right of course, but Khyron was annoyed none the less, and was even more so when he saw his aide had not left. “Do you have something to report?” 
 
“Well, m’lord, I’ve heard some unsettling news coming from Breetai’s ship,” Grel began, catching Khyron’s attention, he turned to face him. “Apparently the three spies have returned and are spreading all sorts of stories about the micronians…and not ones of warning.” 
 
Khyron’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?” 
 
“It seems…that the three spies may have enjoyed their time on Zor’s ship!” 
 
“Ridiculous!” Khyron spat. “You’ve obviously heard wrongly, Grel.” He swung back around. “Don’t bother me with this nonsense again; I have more important things to think about!”

Continue / Continua: Yes / Si