Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Choices and Aces

Chapter / Capitulo: Chapter 25

Author / Autor: Anonymoose_Au

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

Romance

Action / Accion

Alternate Universe / Universo Alterno

Fanfic: “It is clear that the activities common in the micronian culture are purely diversionary, obviously they sense an emptiness in their lives having no Imperative. Their emphasis on ‘relationships’ is a prime example, for what comes out of them but confusion?” Quoted from Exedore Formo’s War notes. 
 
*** 
 
Rick ran into Macross General Hospital with enough speed that he almost ploughed right into the Reception Desk before he managed to come to a stop. 
 
The receptionist stared up at him in surprise. 
 
“Fokker,” Rick blurted out, “Commander Fokker, he’s here isn’t he?” 
 
“Uh…just a moment,” the receptionist turned to the computer and began typing rapidly. 
 
Rick couldn’t keep still, he shifted his weight from foot to foot as he waited, it seemed to be taking an extraordinarily long time…wasn’t technology supposed to speed up things? 
 
The sliding glass doors of the Hospital entrance slid open again and in rushed Claudia. 
 
“Rick!” She ran over to him grabbing his arms. “What happened? Where’s Roy? What- what-“ Her voice shook so hard she couldn’t get anymore out. 
 
Rick managed to grab her hands, and despite his own fear he did his best to calm her. “He’s fine, I’m sure he’s fine, Claudia, he has to be-“ 
 
At that moment the receptionist looked up. “Commander Fokker is currently in surgery.” 
 
Claudia gave a small moan. 
 
“Is he going to be all right? How…what exactly happened?” 
 
The receptionist shook her head. “I have no information on that, but he’s in Operating Room Five, just down the corridor there, I think the man who called the medics is in the waiting room just off it, he probably knows more.” 
 
“Thank you,” Rick tugged on Claudia’s hand, and together they hurried in the direction the receptionist pointed. 
 
The short walk seemed to take an eternity, but finally the double doors of the waiting room to O.R Five. 
 
“Max?!” Rick blinked in disbelief when he saw his friend in there, pacing. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?” 
 
Max looked over at him, an expression on his face Rick had never seen before. 
 
“Max,” Claudia took a shaking breath, “Roy…did you find him? Is he all right?” 
 
Rick hadn’t even made the connection, he wasn’t sure why and he was surprised when Max nodded. 
 
“I came across him in the middle of a…a fight.” 
 
“What? A FIGHT?” Rick couldn’t believe his ears. “What sort of fight? Who was he fighting?” 
 
He knew that Roy had been involved in the odd run-in, but a fight that ended up in the Emergency Room? 
 
“He has a bad shoulder injury,” Max explained, but his mind seemed to be far away. “The fight must have been going on for a while before I came; because the medics said he’s lost a lot of blood…it was all over the place.” 
 
Claudia gave a fearful cry and sank into one of the chairs that lined the walls. Rick was surprised by Max’s lack of tact; usually he could be depended on to deliver the worst news in the best way possible. 
 
“But they got to him in time,” Rick urged Max to say what he desperately needed to hear. “He’ll recover?” 
 
Max still had that blank look on his face. “The doctor didn’t really say anything…” 
 
A stab of guilt hit Rick, suddenly he realised he wasn’t been particularly tactful himself. After all, the scene Max had stumbled upon must have been horrible. 
 
Walking over, he put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Hey, you OK? I…uh…I hope you didn’t miss your date-“ 
 
Max turned to him, looking almost angry. “That’s where my date was!” He suddenly burst out. 
 
“What?” 
 
“Miriya, she…she was there,” Max turned away seeming unable to meet Rick’s eyes. 
 
“What? What do you mean THERE? You mean you went for a walk and you came across the fight –“ 
 
Max suddenly shrugged off his hand and turned away. “No, I mean SHE was the one Commander Fokker was fighting.” 
 
For a few minutes, Rick was pretty sure he had to be dreaming, none of this was making sense. He even went so far as to pinch the back of his hand, but he didn’t wake up. 
 
“Roy was fighting Miriya, is that what you’re saying?” He asked, trying to figure it all out. 
 
“Yes.” 
 
“But…” Rick couldn’t even think of the question, let alone the words to ask it. “Why?” 
 
“She’s…she’s the enemy, Rick,” Max spoke, his voice trembling. “She’s Zentraedi.” 
 
“Zentraedi?!” 
 
It was Claudia who spoke, Rick hadn’t realised she’d been listening, but now she had got to her feet and had come over. “A female Zentraedi on board? How did she get here? I thought the male and female Zentraedi were segregated.” 
 
Max shook his head. “I don’t know how, but she didn’t come with them, she’s been here since we left Earth,” he told her quietly. “I first saw her at Minmei’s movie premiere.” 
 
“And she…she ATTACKED Roy,” Claudia asked, looking extremely pale. “But why?” 
 
Rick nodded without realising it, he wanted to know the answer to that as much as Claudia. 
 
Max’s answer was disappointing. “I don’t know,” he shook his head and refused to meet either of their eyes. “I just don’t know.” 
 
*** 
 
The woman lay in a secured room of Macross General. The medics had loaded her into the ambulance as well, despite what Lieutenant Sterling had said on the scene. The whole thing seemed unbelievable after all, a beautiful woman like that a Zentraedi? She might be crazy, but they couldn’t believe she was an alien. 
 
But not long after she had been admitted, Dr. Lang had arrived with a group of his Robotechnology scientists and Captain Gloval in tow, evidently Sterling had called them. 
 
The woman, the alien rather, Miriya, Lieutenant Sterling had said her name was, had suffered a small fracture in her skull. It didn’t seem to be life threatening, but she would need to be kept for observation, in case brain swelling occurred. 
 
The doctor, scientists and Captain hadn’t seemed THAT interested, they had wanted to analyse the blood samples that had been taken. 
 
Dr. Hassen had accompanied them and had seen the shocking results for himself. The woman’s blood, despite the fact it had the look and consistency of human blood was alien, similar in make-up to that of the Zentraedi defectors who had been examined at the hospital just a week ago. 
 
The whole thing was amazing, there certainly hadn’t been any sign of FEMALE Zentraedi defecting and it seemed clear that she hadn’t come with the twenty-three males. 
 
Dr. Hassen had listened as Lieutenant Sterling described the bizarre scene he had come across, the woman and CAG of the Veritech Squadron’s in a knock-down drag out fight, the latter bleeding profusely from a shoulder wound. 
 
Sterling had intervened in the fight, and the woman had made as if to escape the scene but seemed extremely disorientated and had collapsed on the scene. 
 
So now, Commander Fokker was undergoing surgery and the Captain was waiting impatiently for Dr. Hassen to give him the go-ahead to interview the Zentraedi. 
 
But Hassen had told him it wouldn’t be any time soon, Miriya had been placed on a drip that would keep her sedated since that was the best way to keep brain injuries to a minimum. 
 
He took one last good look through the glass window in the door at the Zentraedi before heading down the hallway for O.R five, if all had gone well, Commander Fokker would be out of surgery now. 
 
Walking into the waiting room he was surprised to see not only Fokker’s wife, but Lieutenants Sterling and Hunter. 
 
“Oh my God!” Claudia gasped at the sight of him. “Is Roy all right? Please-“ 
 
Dr. Hassen held up his hand. “I don’t know, but give me a moment and I’ll find out for you.” 
 
Three sets of eyes followed him as he entered the O.R, pulling up his face mask as he did so. 
 
Inside the typical organised chaos of the O.R was well underway, Hassen came up behind Dr. Faber, the surgeon. 
 
“How’s it going?” he asked, voice muffled through the face mask. 
 
“Just finishing up,” Faber replied, wiping his forearm across his forehead. “It was quite a job, looks like the object, a knife I’d say, was thrown rather than stabbed. It nicked the suprascapular artery, it wasn’t much, but well…it was pretty close.” 
 
Dr. Hassen looked down at Fokker, who seemed extremely pale, but he trusted Faber’s judgement. Thanking the surgeon he turned and headed back into the waiting room, pulling his mask back down as he did. 
 
They were still in the same position as when he left them. 
 
“Commander Fokker has come through the operation fine,” he reported to them, and the relief on their faces was evident. “You’ll be able to see him, Lieutenant Grant,” he spoke to Claudia, “as soon as his transferred to a bed.” 
 
“What about me?” Lieutenant Hunter demanded, surprising Hassen until he remembered that he and Fokker were unofficial ‘brothers’. Hospital bureaucracy though, did not really recognise that sort of relationship…Dr Hassen on the other hand. 
 
“You’ll have to keep quiet about it,” he said to Hunter, “but you can also visit.” 
 
Both Claudia’s and Hunter’s shoulders drooped in relief and Hassen directed them to go to the third floor recovery ward, and the two clutching each other hurried away. 
 
Hassen turned to Sterling, who seemed to be in a state of shock. 
 
“You OK?” He asked, coming over. 
 
Sterling nodded. 
 
“’Cause you’re looking a little pale,” Hassen continued, “maybe you should sit down, you saw a Hell of a scene today.” 
 
He expected Sterling to protest, as pilots were wont to do, but this time he went over to the nearest chair and fell into it. 
 
Hassen came over and sat beside him. 
 
“It’s the girl,” Sterling suddenly said, staring at his hands. 
 
“The girl? You mean, the Zentraedi?” Hassen raised his eyebrows. 
 
“Miriya,” Sterling muttered. 
 
Hassen was surprised at the tone, it wasn’t angry or accusatory. “Do you know her?” 
 
Sterling shrugged. 
 
“Lang’s intel seemed to indicate she’s been on board for a while,” Hassen continued. “So, did you?” 
 
Sterling shook his head. “I wanted to though,” he said in a low voice “and crazy as it is I still do.” 
 
*** 
 
Donald stared at the letter. 
 
'So, this is how it is…' he thought, staring at the cold words, the way the pen had bitten into the page. He set the letter face down on a far corner of the desk, not wanting to look at it. It confirmed everything he had come to fear about himself, that he was a complete failure as a father, even when he tried. 
 
Putting his face in his hands, he tried to think. 
 
'Is she right? Is GLOVAL right?' Donald asked himself. 'If a war-like race can make peaceful overtures, surely OUR race can…after all hasn’t humanity always prided itself on finding NON-VIOLENT solutions?' 
 
The questions whirled in his mind, but he had no answer for them. He knew who WOULD have though… 
 
“Andrea, what am I supposed to do?” He muttered to himself. “What would YOU do?” 
 
At that moment there was knock on his door. 
 
Even though he knew it was unlikely, he allowed himself to hope. 
 
“Come in.” 
 
His heart sank as the door opened and Colonel Edwards marched in rendering a hurried salute. “Admiral.” 
 
“Colonel, what is it?” 
 
“I’m wondering exactly when Commander Hayes will be debriefed…after all she HAS come from a ship that is no longer following UEC commands.” 
 
Donald blinked in disbelief, not understanding at first what Edwards was getting at. 
 
“Debriefed,” he repeated. 
 
Edwards spoke in a calm tone. “You never know what sort of thing Gloval could be planning, that man’s been a loose cannon for who knows HOW long.” 
 
Donald shook his head. “Captain Gloval is not the sort of man who would ever make a decision that was not in the best interest of his crew,” the words slipped out. 
 
Edwards raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t think you and Gloval were on particularly good terms, Admiral.” 
 
Donald put his fingers to his temples massaging them, he could feel a throbbing headache coming on, and Edwards certainly wasn’t helping. 
 
“Look, Colonel, Li- Commander Hayes only arrived on Base this morning, after almost been killed by an alien attack, I hardly think an intensive debriefing is appropriate.” 
 
He looked up, and noticed that for a spilt second Edwards lip curled in disgusted, but the look was gone so quickly… 
 
“Of course, sir,” Edwards saluted again, “I just thought I’d remind you in the midst of all the…TURMOIL that certain military protocols still need to proceed.” 
 
Donald suppressed an urge to just tell the man to get lost, instead he simply said. “Thank you for the reminder, Colonel.” Then he got to his feet a clear sign for the other man to leave. 
 
That Edwards did, but Donald’s suspicions and uncertainty about the man had just increased a hundredfold. 
 
*** 
 
“What are we waiting for?” Khyron was pacing the command bubble again. “They’re just sitting there, defenceless! Why are we letting them continue, mocking us?” 
 
Grel had his doubts that the micronians were spending their time mocking the Zentraedi, but he certainly wasn’t going to say so to his Commander. Fortunately it looked as if some much needed distraction was coming. 
 
“M’lord, a transmission is coming in from Lord Breetai.” 
 
“Eh?” Khyron stopped mid-step and looked over his shoulder. “Very well then, let’s see what it’s all about.” 
 
The comm. screen appeared on the surface of the command bubble. 
 
“Khyron,” Breetai began coolly. 
 
“Lord Breetai,” Khyron’s tone was on the edge of been mocking. “To what can owe the honour of this transmission?” 
 
Lord Breetai gave a growl. “Do not push me. Khyron, I am no mood for it.” 
 
“My apologies, sir,” Khyron’s tone negated his words, “no doubt you’re worn out from…QUESTIONING the traitors.” 
 
Lord Breetai’s one eye narrowed, but he apparently decided it was more trouble than it was worth to get into a sparring contest. “The would-be defectors have revealed to us some…interesting information…primarily regarding Minmei, did you by chance see this micronian female during your assault on Zor’s Fortress?” 
 
Khyron sneered. “Certainly not, I was too busy following ORDERS.” 
 
Lord Breetai gave a curt nod, then asked. “Has there been any talk of the micronian way of life and of Minmei in particular aboard YOUR vessel?” 
 
Khyron reeled back, stunned at the question. “Traitors on MY ship, are you-“ He cut himself off just in time to prevent committing treason, but it was definitely a close call. “We heard the talk from your ship, of course,” he continued after a moment, shooting a look over his shoulder at Grel. 
 
“So, you certainly had no warning that YOUR soldiers would attempt to defect as well?” Lord Breetai pressed. 
 
Grel saw his Commander tense visibly, but it was one of those rare times that Khyron managed to keep calm. 
 
“Certainly not, if I had had ANY concern, I certainly would have dealt with it BEFORE the attack.” 
 
Lord Breetai grunted and gave a nod. 
 
“Is there any particular reason you’re asking all these questions, Lord Breetai?” Khyron asked, tightly. 
 
“There is, but it is hardly of YOUR concern, Khyron,” Breetai growled. “Your cooperation with my questions is noted however.” 
 
And with that he broke the connection. 
 
Khyron bit out a curse, and whirled to face Grel. “What is this foolishness? Interrogating traitors instead of executing them, asking pointless questions. Does Dolza know about this ridiculousness?” 
 
Grel was silent, he certainly had no insight as to what the Supreme Commander would know or not know. 
 
Khyron turned away and folded his arms. “Hmmm…perhaps we should make a report of our own, hmmm?” 
 
“M’lord?” 
 
“Well, we have not been ordered to maintain silence have we?” Khyron looked back over his shoulder. 
 
“Well, no, m’lord,” Grel gave a small gulp, certainly no one could ever accuse Khyron of a lack of courage…or perhaps it would be fool hardness. “But…” 
 
“Very well then, let us begin to compile a report…one I am SURE the His Excellency will find...INTERESTING to say the least.” A sly grin spread over his face as he spoke. 
 
*** 
 
He was running late, Pop was going to kill him…the aerobatic routine had all ready begun, and he had two minutes to get his plane in the air or the crowd was going to be disappointed and would probably demand a refund. 
 
He couldn’t find his boots, he had no idea why they weren’t on his feet, but this was hardly the time to wonder about that. 
 
“Roy, come on,” he heard Rick’s voice, it seemed to come from a long way away. 
 
“Rick, hey, Little Brother, have you seen my boots, I can’t fly without them.” Roy called, looking about trying to spot Rick. 
 
“Come on, Roy, wake up!” Rick’s voice came again. 
 
“I AM awake,” Roy protested, “seriously, where the Hell are my boots! Have you hid them again, you rat?” 
 
“Roy,” another voice called, “Roy, please wake up, please.” 
 
Suddenly there was a bright light shining in his eyes, he recognised that voice… 
 
He tried to lift an arm to shield his eyes from the bright light, but he couldn’t move it. 
 
“Roy,” he felt a hand take one of his.  
 
'Claudia!' Roy remembered, he wasn’t at the Flying Circus…where was he? All he could remember was…something about a coconut? 
 
He realised then that his eyes weren’t open…his eyelids felt so heavy, but after a struggle he managed to open them. 
 
“Roy!” At first all he could see was a shadow, but Rick came into focus. “Big Brother! Thank God you’re all right.” 
 
“Oh Roy,” he heard Claudia say in a tearful voice and then he felt her lips kissing his forehead. 
 
For a minute he wondered why the lights were so bright in his quarters, he could barely keep his eyes opened they shined so brightly. But then…this wasn’t his bed, he realised that after a few seconds. 
 
“What…” Roy was surprised by how dry his mouth felt, licking his lips didn’t do anything. “What happened…where I am?” 
 
“In the hospital,” Rick told him, “don’t you remember what happened?” 
 
Roy tried to think, but he felt too groggy to really put much effort into it. Nonetheless he did try and jog his memory. 'There was a coconut...Claudia’s favourite…' 
 
“It’s all right, Roy,” he heard Claudia say and with effort managed to look over at her. “Don’t wear yourself out.” 
 
Roy gave her a weak smile. “Well, I guess it finally happened then,” he said, almost to himself. 
 
He noticed that Rick and Claudia looked at each other. 
 
“Uh, WHAT happened?” Rick asked. 
 
Roy was confused by THEIR confusion. “I got shot down, I mean, why else would I be here?” 
 
“No, it was nothing like that,” Claudia told him. 
 
“What did I do then?” Roy rolled his eyes. “Oh, don’t tell me it was something utterly humiliating, like falling down stairs or something?” 
 
“You were attacked,” Rick blurted. 
 
With effort Roy turned to look at his Little Brother. “Attacked? By who?” 
 
“You really don’t remember?” Rick asked again. 
 
Roy’s head ached with the effort, but slowly flashes of memory came back…a woman, a knife, blood… 
 
“That woman, she said she was…she was a Zentraedi,” he looked up at Rick, waiting for him to shake his head and say that was all a crazy dream. 
 
“A Zentraedi,” Roy repeated, looking over at Claudia. “A female one, why the Hell is she here?” 
 
Rick shook his head. “No-one knows…but she almost killed you,” his eyes narrowed. “Crazy bitch.” 
 
Roy had to agree with that assessment, but before he could reply, the door opened and a doctor came in. 
 
“Dr. Hassen,” Roy greeted him as soon as he came into his line of sight, he was relieved to see the guy, after all Hassen had been the ship’s surgeon years and years ago, in the Global War. He was the one who had reported so many deaths to Roy, for him to write the condolence letters. Hassen had always broken the news as carefully as he could, which Roy certainly appreciated. 
 
“Well, there’s nothing wrong with your memory at least,” the doctor smiled. “So what exactly went on in that fight?” 
 
Roy shook his head. “Honestly, I have no idea why she singled ME out, it’s not like there’s a shortage of soldiers in this ship.” 
 
“Doubtless it has something to do with your position of Skull Leader, if I was asked to guess,” Dr. Hassen responded. 
 
The statement triggered something in Roy’s hazy memories. “You may have beat me in mecha, but not hand to hand,” he muttered aloud. 
 
“What?” Claudia asked. 
 
“That’s what she said to me,” Roy told her, “it didn’t make sense at the time…” 
 
“So where’s the alien now?” Rick suddenly demanded, his eyes still flashing with anger. “I wouldn’t mind having a few words with her.” 
 
“She’s currently in a secure ward,” Dr. Hassen replied. 
 
” WHAT?!” Rick gaped at the doctor as if he was completely insane. “You mean she’s HERE? You treated her?” 
 
“Of course we did, we had no idea she was a Zentraedi when she came in, that aside she had some serious injuries of her own.” Dr. Hassen’s voice was calm. 
 
“Well, good,” Rick grunted. 
 
Most of Roy agreed with Rick, after all, the woman had almost murdered him. But a small part of him had to wonder what the Zentraedi’s story was, when had the two met in combat… 
 
Then it hit him, that battle all those months ago, the one in which Kramer had died and he had almost met his maker as well. 
 
Roy would have shaken his head in disbelief if had the strength to, but instead had to content himself with thinking. 'Damn, those aliens are completely nuts…'

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