Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Choices and Aces

Chapter / Capitulo: Chapter 14

Author / Autor: Anonymoose_Au

Rating / Clasificacion: AP15 (For Teenagers = Para Adolescentes)

Romance

Action / Accion

Alternate Universe / Universo Alterno

Fanfic: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 
 
*** 
 
Breetai and Exedore had sent the footage of the ancient micronian battle to Dolza and due to the fact that images could be sent instantly through space His Excellency was on the comm. screen looking as shaken as they had the first time they’d viewed it. 
 
“These micronians possess powers we have never dreamed of,” Dolza rumbled. “We are risking destruction by continuing to attack them.” 
 
Breetai and Exedore exchanged glances, wondering if their leader was about to suggest the improbable…that Zentraedi RETREAT, give into their enemy. 
 
“They do not seem to have rediscovered the ancient weapon just yet, Your Excellency,” Breetai informed him, “we sent a small sortie to attack the Battle Fortress…to test them, no evidence of it was shown.”  
 
“Hmmm,” Dolza was thoughtful, then announced. “I want you to make one more sortie on Zor’s ship, to breech it in order to capture the highest ranking micronians you can find. I want them delivered to me and the battle fortress destroyed.” 
 
Had either Breetai or Exedore been holding anything they would have dropped it, they were so stunned by the order. After all these nos of searching…after all the restraint they had exercised in not destroying the micronians right off… 
 
“De-destroyed?” Exedore spluttered. “But, Your Excellency! The Protoculture Matrix, the secrets of Zor!” 
 
“The micronians are obviously more conversant in these secrets than we are, I now believe that we would be better served by having them TELL us what they know, before disposing of them, as well as their entire planet.” 
 
Breetai felt an odd sensation in the pit of his stomach…the micronians had proved to be equal adversaries to the Zentraedi, something they had never come up against before…And now, the war was to end. 
 
But one could not refuse Commander-in-Chief Dolza, so the two of them saluted, fists pounding their chests. 
 
“I expect results, Breetai,” Dolza spoke threateningly, “do not disappoint me.” 
 
And then he broke off the communication. 
 
Breetai turned to Exedore. “How are we supposed to get troops into Zor’s ship? They’re not going to let us get that close to them and just open the bays!” 
 
Exedore though, had all ready come up with a plan. “I would not be so sure, m’lord. The micronians on the ship HAVE attacked us in a manner that leaves their ship accessible, we have just been unable to resist it.” 
 
Breetai’s brow furrowed. “Don’t talk in riddles,” he spoke threateningly. 
 
“I believe our spies heard it referred to as the 'Daedeleus Manoeuvre', where the fortress punches into another ship, it then opens a hold at the front to allow heavy-infantry mecha to fire and destroy our ship from the inside.” Exedore explained, he folded his arms. “However, if we were to place our OWN mecha at the front of a cruiser to intercept this Daedeleus before the micronian mecha can fire, we would have free entry into the battle fortress.” 
 
A grim smile spread across Breetai’s face. “Why, Exedore, I do believe you have out done yourself.” 
 
*** 
 
The past week had been an absolutely whirlwind of preparations, the fact that the Captain’s schedule had necessitated moving the date to Sunday had certainly helped, when not on the Bridge, Lisa, Claudia and the Bridge Bunnies had been working on the wedding. Figuring out whereabouts on the ship it should be held (they had decided on the observation deck of the Prometheus), what should be eaten at the reception (an assorted buffet) and what the bridal party would wear. 
 
It was this last one that had got to Lisa the most and now, standing in Claudia’s quarters, she nervously smoothed the front of her dress. 
 
Ordinarily, she would have worn her dress uniform to such functions, indeed, only the day before she had not had any formal dress suitable for a wedding. 
 
But the Bridge Bunnies had been so excited at the thought of dressing up she hadn’t been able to burst their bubble. 
 
So here she was in a long silk dress of powder blue, a red rose pinned to below the right shoulder and a bouquet of blue daisies. 
 
She had agreed to have her long hair styled and it was now in a bun with two thick tendrils left loose to frame her face, but she had put her foot down on the make up. Lisa had never worn make up in her life and she wasn’t going to today. Fortunately, Claudia had declared she looked fine as is, so the Bridge Bunnies hadn’t pressed the point. 
 
No-one had seen Claudia’s dress yet, she had wanted it to be a surprise, Lisa privately thought the real reason was so the Bridge Bunnies wouldn’t tell the whole of the SDF-1 and ruin the surprise for the guests and groom in particular. 
 
Speaking of the Bridge Bunnies, they entered at that moment, in their element, their dresses matched Lisa’s, but each a different in colour, Vanessa’s dress was a pastel yellow, Kim’s a light purple and Sammie’s baby pink, they all had roses pinned to their dresses too and they each had their own bouquets of daisies. 
 
They giggled together in excitement, examining each other’s bouquets, Vanessa’s being yellow, Kim’s a purple variety, and Sammie’s a bright pink almost red type. 
 
“Isn’t my hair divine?” Sammie struck a diva pose, tossing back her head, her long red hair in an updo. 
 
“They finally made it look good,” Kim snickered, “they really can perform miracles.” 
 
“Hey!” 
 
“Come on you two,” Vanessa patted her own hair, “let’s not fight, it’s Claudia’s big day after all, we better not ruin it.” 
 
“Of course we won’t!” Sammie and Kim cried in unison. 
 
Then they noticed Lisa in the room. 
 
“Oh wow!’ Sammie breathed. 
 
“You look GREAT,” Vanessa nodded. 
 
“We said you would,” Kim remarked, “and you didn’t believe us, but you do.” 
 
Lisa fidgeted self-consciously, but tried to take the compliment graciously. “Thank you, girls.” 
 
They seemed to sense her discomfort though and changed the subject. 
 
“Where’s Claudia anyway?” Sammie asked. 
 
“I hope she hasn’t got cold feet,” Kim replied. 
 
“Oh, don’t even JOKE about it!” Sammie cried, seriously. 
 
“Now, do you think after all these years I’d ruin it,” a voice came from the door way. 
 
The four women turned. 
 
Sammie, Kim and Vanessa were completely silent as their friend came into the room in her wedding dress. 
 
“Why, I’ve finally found a way to keep them quiet!” Claudia laughed, “Maybe I should wear this all the time,” she winked at Lisa. 
 
“Claudia, you look wonderful,” Lisa told her best friend, almost teary eyed. 
 
It was true, Claudia had chosen a simple strapless white gown, it had no embellishments or beading, but the smile on Claudia’s face was radiant enough on its own. 
 
The Bridge Bunnies all broke into a chorus of sighs and almost cried, but held back so as not to ruin their mascara. 
 
“Oh, I can’t wait to get married,” Sammie sighed. 
 
“Me neither,” Kim didn’t even attempt to make fun of her friend this time. 
 
“That dress is perfect,” Vanessa added. 
 
“Why thank you, girls,” Claudia came over and hugged them each in turn. “Come on, I need your help with my veil.” 
 
They all followed her to her bedroom. 
 
“Roy’s a closet traditionalist, I swear,” she told them as she pulled on a pair of a white elbow length gloves. “So, I’ve got all those bride-y things. Something old,” she indicated a green velvet ribbon around her throat, “I wore this on our first ‘date’ I’ll tell you the story some day,” she rolled her eyes. “Something new, the earrings you gave me last night,” she smiled, and winked, “although the boys at Soar almost made me forget them!” 
 
The Bridge Bunnies giggled gleefully. 
 
“Thanks for OUR earrings,” Kim said, referring to the matching pearl earrings the three of them wore. 
 
Claudia grinned. “Something blue,” she picked up her bouquet, where one blue rose was nestled among red ones. 
 
“But I need something borrowed,” she frowned. 
 
Lisa was struck by an inspiration. “Wait a second,” she told her best friend and rushed out of Claudia’s quarters down the hall to her own, slowed some what by her heels, but still making good time. 
 
“I got this for my 18th birthday,” she breathed when she had returned, holding out her hand, a ruby in an oval setting lay on her palm. Karl had given it to her to remind her of him…it was the same colour as Mars… 
 
She didn’t say this, but Claudia seemed to sense how important it was and her eyes glistened with tears. “It’s beautiful, Lisa…thank you so much.” 
 
Unfastening the green ribbon, she slid the ruby on and put the ribbon back around her throat. 
 
Lisa was not game to try and help with putting on Claudia’s veil, but the Bridge Bunnies seemed to know what they were doing and soon the veil was in place, held by clips accented with red roses. 
 
“Oh! This is so romantic!” Sammie clasped her hands together and almost swooning. “I can hardly stand it! Are you nervous, Claudia? I am!” 
 
“Well…maybe just a bit,” Claudia gave her a grin, “but don’t lose your heads, now.” 
 
“Oh, we won’t, especially not Sammie,” Kim nudged her friend, “after all the work the stylist did on her hair!” 
 
*** 
 
“Gee, Rick, who’s the one getting married?” Roy asked, watching as Rick tugged on his uniform collar, then straightened his jacket. 
 
“Sorry, sorry, I’m just not used to this thing…” 
 
“Yeah, it’s not built for comfort,” Roy admitted, finding the dress shirt a bit tight himself. “But hey just be glad you’re not the Captain, he has to wear a cape to top it all off.” 
 
“What?” Rick stared at him in disbelief. 
 
“Scout’s honour,” Roy swore. 
 
Rick shook his head. 
 
“This just seems so weird…” Rick said, “I mean…I just didn’t think you’d get married, you know…and now I’m your best man, what if I do something dumb?” 
 
“Oh, you did that well enough last night,” Roy winked at him. 
 
“Thanks for reminding me.” 
 
The night before, Rick, Max, Roy and the rest of the Skull Squadron had gone out for drinks. Rick had not consumed anything, but had somehow ended up falling flat on his face anyway. 
 
“Hey, look on the bright side; you can only have so much bad luck.” 
 
Rick did not look entirely convinced, but decided to take it in good humour, so instead of saying something snappy checked his watch. “It starts at ten right, we’ve got half an hour.” 
 
“Hell, really?” Roy checked his own watch, a present from Claudia that he forgot to wear more often than not. “We better haul.” 
 
They went by to get Max, who in his typical manner seemed just as comfortable in his dress uniform as in anything else and were soon heading to Prometheus in a military jeep. 
 
“Congratulations, Commander,” Max said as they drove, “this is a happy day for you.” 
 
“Well, in between the anxiety attacks,” Roy replied, only half-joking. 
 
Upon arrival at the Prometheus they found the rest of the Skulls and a number of the female ratings and officers, who luckily were not required to wear the dress uniform. 
 
“Some get all damn luck,” Rick muttered. 
 
Captain Gloval was there, in full dress uniform, cape and all, looking rather embarrassed. 
 
“Captain, I gotta say,” Roy greeted him, “you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.” 
 
“Thank you, Commander,” Gloval spoke gruffly, then fidgeted, “I just wish I could have my pipe on hand.” 
 
“I wouldn’t mind a smoke myself,” Roy admitted. 
 
Gloval checked his watch. “Do you think the ladies will be late?” 
 
“Well, if it were ME,” Roy began, “but then again, Lisa’s at the helm so…” 
 
“LISA?” Rick blurted from beside him. 
 
Roy turned to him. “Well, of course, who else would Claudia pick?” 
 
Rick looked as if he’d been hit over the head, obviously he was still feeling weird about the whole trapped-in-the-SDF-1-asking-Lisa-to-dinner-what-will- Minmei-think (if anything) thing. 
 
“Don’t worry about a thing, Rick,” Roy whispered to him, “you’ll probably barely recognise her today.” 
 
*** 
 
'Did Roy say there’s really only so much bad luck a person can have? I don’t think so.' Rick thought to himself as he waited in a small room off the observation deck for the bridal party to arrive. He of course hadn’t said anything to Roy, but he was acutely aware that today was Minmei’s birthday and since he was on duty later in the evening he had no chance of even calling her to wish her well. It was just his luck that he had to escort Commander Hayes up the aisle. 
 
'I can’t believe this...' 
 
He took a look at his watch it was five to; he was surprised they hadn’t arrived all ready, knowing Lisa... 
 
As if the universe heard him there was the sound of female voices from the other door to the room and it opened. 
 
Rick’s jaw dropped. 
 
At the head of the party was Lisa, but his Big Brother was right, he barely recognised her, she looked NOTHING like a First Officer, she didn’t even look like the well-dressed woman from a week ago. 
 
“Lieutenant Hunter!” She seemed just as shocked to see him. 
 
“Well, looks like Roy sent YOU to sound the waters,” Claudia said with a laugh coming up from behind Lisa. 
 
“Wow,” Rick couldn’t help saying at the sight of her. 
 
Claudia gave him a wink. “How nice of you to say.” 
 
From behind Claudia came the Bridge Bunnies, who giggled at the sight of him. 
 
“So you’re here to escort Lisa?” The one with glasses, Vanessa, Rick remembered, grinned at him. 
 
“Oh, I wish we had escorts!” the red head, Sammie, pouted. 
 
“No you don’t,” the third one, Kim laughed, “otherwise we’d be stuck with them all day!” 
 
“Don’t go too crazy, girls,” Claudia cautioned the Bridge Bunnies, “remember these boys have to face combat.” 
 
Sammie poked her tongue out in a good natured way. 
 
Lisa hadn’t joined in any of the frivolity, instead she asked Rick. “What time is it, please?” 
 
“It’s ten now,” he muttered back. 
 
“They say the bride should be late, but I’m too excited!” Claudia announced, “Let’s get this show on the road! Or should I say runway.” 
 
Lisa cracked a small smile then went to the door way to signal they were ready, then she came over to Rick. “Well, I guess we have to do this together,” she spoke lightly and held out her arm. “It shouldn’t be any worse than facing the aliens.” 
 
Rick found himself smiling, but when he took Lisa’s arm in his he found himself sweating. 
 
'It’s only Commander Hayes,' he told himself, 'and we’re not on duty...I’m fine...' 
 
With that in mind, he stood up straight as the doors to the observation deck and the music began. 
 
Fortunately, it was a short walk down the aisle, but Rick was acutely aware of Lisa with every step, as well as the eyes of the assembled guests. He felt like a circus sideshow. 
 
Roy seemed unreasonably amused at the sight of Rick and Lisa coming down the aisle, and Rick had to suppress an urge to make a certain finger gesture at his Big Brother. 
 
Reaching the end of the aisle, Rick released Lisa’s arm and went to stand next to Roy. 
 
“You’ll pay for this,” he whispered. 
 
*** 
 
Khyron felt vindicated, Lord Breetai was on screen, explaining the new orders from Dolza and entrusting HIM with the task of invading the battle fortress. 
 
“I’m giving you one lon to complete this mission,” Breetai told him, “do not rush this, Khyron, I will brook no failures.” 
 
Khyron bristled at this, but did not show it. “Certainly, my Lord Breetai.” 
 
Breetai gave a sharp nod, before cutting the communication. 
 
Khyron turned to Grel. “We’ve been given our orders, Grel, permission to destroy the micronians, at last!” 
 
“Uh…don’t forget we have to have to capture some of them, m’ lord,” he ventured, nervously. 
 
“Yes, yes,” Khyron snarled over his shoulder, “we will simply grab the first ones we see.” 
 
“Uh…” Grel was about object, but Khyron gave him a look that was positively murderous. 
 
“I want the two divisions on this,” Khyron began, “mine, of course, and the 1st Division.” 
 
“From Breetai’s ship, sir?” 
 
“Of course, since we’ve been given free-reign we may as well take advantage of it. Certainly, it will be a tough battle and should we not have the best behind us.” Khyron’s eyes glittered with mirth. 
 
Grel saw immediately at what his Commander was getting at, he surely hoped that the Breetai’s 1st Division would take heavy losses during the mission. He wished he could persuade Khyron to change his mind, but he knew well enough that such a thing was impossible. 
 
“I will make the request then, m’lord.” 
 
“Good, very good,” Khyron nodded, he then made announcement to the techs on the deck below. “I want all the information on Zor’s ship, sonar images, intel from the spies reports, I want to know that battle fortress inside and out.” 
 
The techs saluted and began rushing around immediately to fulfil his orders. 
 
Khyron went to his command chair and sat down; he couldn’t wait until the techs finished their research so they could patch him through to Azonia’s ship… 
 
'Wait until that vile woman hears about THIS,' he exulted. 
 
*** 
 
Captain Gloval had never actually officiated over a wedding before and had spent most of the previous evening reading over the order of service and making sure he actually had the authority to do so. He hadn’t actually been able to figure out the latter, but considering they UEC had washed their hands of the SDF-1 he decided it didn’t really matter. 
 
But his hands were still sweating as the Bridge Bunnies reached the end of the aisle coming to stand beside Lisa. Underneath his nervousness he was as proud as any father of how wonderful the girls from the Bridge looked. 
 
Then a hush fell over the crowd as everyone stood for the bride’s entrance. 
 
Claudia’s appearance was greeted by a sigh from those assembled; she really did make a beautiful bride, her dress seeming somehow whiter in the starlight that reflected from the observation window. Claudia smiled radiantly, as she came up the aisle to take her place beside Commander Fokker, who gave her a broad grin. 
 
Captain Gloval cleared his throat and for a fearful moment drew a complete blank on what he was meant to say. 
 
But then it all flooded back and he welcomed those assembled to this special day, a long time coming. 
 
“I am sure that when history looks back on our exploits here, they will wonder to themselves if we truly had any happy times,” Gloval spoke, looking at each person in the crowd, every one of whom had fought in defence of the SDF-1 and those aboard. “But they will certainly see the happiness in this day.” 
 
The service was a short, but traditional one with vows of promising to love “in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for as long as we both shall live.” 
 
When Gloval announced Roy and Claudia husband and wife and the two shared a romantic kiss, Roy theatrically tilting Claudia back over his arm, the crowd burst into applause and cheers. The Bridge Bunnies started to cry and hugged each other tightly. Lisa meanwhile was sniffling back her own tears and Gloval felt close to shedding a few himself. 
 
At that point the members of the Skull Squadron got to their feet to form the ceremonial Honour Guard, four pilots on either side, raised their swords. 
 
“Ahem…” Gloval cleared his throat. “May I present Commander and Lieutenant Roy Fokker.” 
 
To cheers and applause, Roy and Claudia headed underneath the Arch of Swords, at least to the end where the two facing pilots there had crossed their swords to block the new couple’s way. 
 
“Well, if you insist,” Roy grinned, planting another kiss on his bride. The two pilots raised their swords to let them through, Lt. Malcom, who was standing on the bride’s side playfully sword swatted her rear end. 
 
“I’d welcome you to the military, ma’am, but your already here,” he laughed. 
 
“You’re pushing it, soldier,” Claudia shot back warningly, but then laughed and she and Roy continued on their way. 
 
Then Lisa and Fokker’s friend, Rick Hunter following with the Bridge Bunnies in tow. 
 
Captain Gloval surreptitiously wiped his brow, relieved the whole thing was over, happy though it certainly had been. 
 
'I just hope I won’t be officiating over another wedding any time soon.' 
 
*** 
 
Lisa was embarrassed to be almost crying in front of Rick, particularly after the event of a week ago, but she couldn’t really help it. It had been such a beautiful service, framed as it had been with the observation window with the sight of the moon and earth beyond in it. 
 
It was exactly how she had always imagined her own wedding to Karl, when she had been left behind on earth to attend the RDF Academy. While the rest of the women in her class had been out on the town, giggling about the men in the class, Lisa had stayed in her room looking out in the night sky at the red star that was Mars. 
 
She sighed and wiped a tear away as the bridal party re-entered the other room, the doors closing behind them. 
 
“Claudia!” Vanessa, Sammie and Kim cried, racing over to hug her almost knocking Roy over. 
 
“Congratulations!” 
 
“That was so wonderful!” 
 
“Thank you for having us be your bridesmaids!” 
 
Claudia laughed and thanked them, before turning to Rick who was still standing beside Lisa. “And thank you, Rick, for supporting Roy today, God knows no-one else would.” 
 
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” Roy chuckled. 
 
“It was my pleasure,” Rick said. 
 
“And Lisa, you’ve washed up just great,” Roy said with a wink coming over to hug her. 
 
Lisa blushed. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?” She asked archly. 
 
“Take it as you will.” 
 
Lisa shook her head and turned in time to see Captain Gloval enter the room as well. 
 
“Ooh, Captain!” The Bridge Bunnies chorused. “You were just great!” 
 
“You’ll have to officiate MY wedding, Captain!” Sammie clapped her hands. 
 
“You mean ALL your weddings,” Kim giggled and winked. 
 
The Captain gave a small smile. “I’ll have to think about it,” he said, diplomatically. 
 
“You could do it professionally,” Claudia grinned, coming over to hug Gloval. “It was great.” 
 
“And in under an hour too,” Roy remarked. 
 
“Roy,” Claudia nudged him with an elbow, the Captain laughed good naturedly however. 
 
“I guess we should head back out there and face the firing squad,” Roy drawled. 
 
With Roy and Claudia at the front the group went to the observation deck where the guests were now congregating near the door to congratulate the happy couple. 
 
Lisa hung back hoping not to be noticed too much, but the three techs who operated the pin-point barrier, who had miraculously survived the omnidirectional barrier room overload, rushed right to her. 
 
“Commander Hayes! We couldn’t believe it was you!” 
 
“Blue is SO your colour!” 
 
“And look at your hair…” 
 
“Hmm,” Lisa murmured, not exactly sure how to respond. “You all look very nice.” 
 
The three techs giggled and then went to the Bridge Bunnies exchanging shrieks and hugs. 
 
Max Sterling appeared in front of her, with his typically shy look. 
 
“Good morning, Commander Hayes,” he greeted her. 
 
“Lieutenant Sterling,” she nodded to him. 
 
“This wedding must have the blessing of a higher power,” Max commented, thoughtfully. “The aliens have shown no sign of attacking.” 
 
Lisa smiled. “Thank Heavens for small miracles.” 
 
Max gave her another nod, wished her a good day then moved on to speak to Rick and Lisa was left alone again.

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