Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Choices and Aces

Chapter / Capitulo: Chapter 26

Author / Autor: Anonymoose_Au

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

Romance

Action / Accion

Alternate Universe / Universo Alterno

Fanfic: “The female Zentraedi’s physiology is extremely interesting. In all aspects they appear to be nearly identical to human females, right down to the reproductive organs. The reasoning for this in a society that is not only made up by clones, but practices segregation is mysterious indeed. I can only assume that whoever created the Zentraedi did not have the technology available to render them completely genderless, thus necessitating segregation in the first place.” Dr. Emil Lang, 'The Robotech Journals' 
 
*** 
 
The visions she saw were strange and disjointed, time seemed to have lost all meaning and she didn’t understand what was happening and why. 
 
Her body felt heavy, pressed down, but her visions seemed to indicate she was running, scrambling... 
 
These visions, these strange visions they had only started when she had arrived on Zor’s Fortress, when she had been forced to immerse herself in the micronian culture. Before that, resting was just that, without her mind being bombarded with images she couldn’t understand. 
 
Miriya struggled toward consciousness, and somehow managed to break through, her eyes opening. 
 
And found herself somewhere she had never been before. 
 
Ever since arriving on Zor’s Fortress she had been sleeping wherever she could, Zentraedis did not need a comfortable bed or covers she certainly didn’t want to draw attention to herself. 
 
But now she was lying in one of the micronian beds, which was extremely comfortable, in fact it made her quite reluctant to move, to get up. 
 
'Another clever ploy,' she thought, trying to stir up disgust at the situation. 
 
Her head throbbed and she went to raise her arm to check for any serious damage, but found she couldn’t…there was a strange device, a tube that terminated with a thin silvery object that was actually EMBEDDED in the back of her hand. 
 
Strangely though, it was not painful, but the reason for it she could not begin to imagine and it made her very uneasy, but she did not feel game to try and pull the silver object out. 
 
Besides she felt extremely weak, just turning her head to look at her arm almost made her eyes flutter shut again. 
 
'No! I must stay alert, I must survive,' Miriya told herself, wherever she was she had a feeling that she was in the hands of the micronians, that her identity had been uncovered. 
 
The memories came back to her in quick succession…her defeat in the arcade against the blue haired micronian, her fury, the encounter with the ‘Skull Leader’ the one who had bested her all those Lon ago. The fight that neither could win and finally... 
 
“He came back,” she murmured to herself, “the blue haired one...” 
 
Remembering it brought back those strange feelings that had so overwhelmed her, why did the micronian make her feel so? 
 
She shook the thoughts away, they were not important, the important thing was to somehow, someway escape from here.  
 
But that was going to prove difficult, when she attempted to sit up right and couldn’t even manage that without a wave of dizziness overcoming her. 
 
“Uugh,” Miriya moaned, a flood of relief coming over her as her head rested back on the pillow. 
 
'This is pathetic,' she told herself, 'I am the ace warrior of the Quadronos, I cannot allow myself to be defeated like this.' 
 
With incredible effort, she managed to sit up, aided by the bed head. 
 
It took a good two minutes for her surroundings to stop spinning, but eventually they did and she was able to swing her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet touching the cool tiles of the floor. 
 
Miriya looked down at that strange silver object and tube in her hand, obviously she couldn’t leave this room if she was still hooked up to THAT. But did she dare pull it out, what if it was some sort of alarm system, or a weapon...?  
 
As it turned out she didn’t get a chance to find out what would happen because at that moment the door swung open and a micronian male stepped in. 
 
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” The micronian asked, but his tone of voice was far from threatening. 
 
Miriya was still stunned and felt a spasm of fear despite this, after all, who knew what these micronians were really planning? 
 
“You’re in no shape to be up and about,” the micronian continued walking over to the bed and laying a hand on her shoulder. 
 
On the inside, Miriya recoiled, but she was in no state to attack the male, so allowed herself to be settled back into the bed. 
 
“It’s good that you’re awake though,” the male continued going to the end of the bed and picking up a folder. “Obviously the skull fracture isn’t too serious after all.” 
 
Miriya had no idea what he was talking about, but an answer didn’t seem to be required. 
 
“I’m Dr. Hassen,” the male looked up at her over the folder. “I take care of the health of the people aboard this ship, from what I’ve heard I don’t imagine the Zentraedi have positions such as mine aboard their vessels.” 
 
Miriya looked at him blankly, trying to take in what he was saying... ’doctor’...’health’... They were words that did not really have a translation in Zentraedi, but as far as she could figure, she was speaking to a micronian of some high standing in the non-military work that most of them engaged in and his work was to ensure the continued functioning of other micronians. 
 
The idea was completely foreign to Zentraedi, when they became injured in battle or mysteriously ill from other causes, which happened rarely, they were left to either live or die. No help was given from any quarter, but it appeared that the micronians had an entire tier of workers dedicated to keeping even the most hopeless cases going. 
 
'It’s a wonder the race has continued THIS long,' Miriya thought, more confused than disgusted at this point. 'They spend so much time wondering and worrying about the wellbeing of the others...How have they survived against us for so long...?' 
 
“Rest assured,” the male continued, “you’ll be kept here until you recover from your injury, but I can’t promise you’ll be completely undisturbed, the military has some very important questions for you.” 
 
Miriya started, she had somehow forgotten that she was still a prisoner and she had no idea how the micronians would treat her. They seemed weak, over-eager to help, but then they would come out with displays of violence that almost went beyond Zentraedi notions of the term. 
 
“Not today, of course,” the ‘doctor’ seemed eager to put her at ease, obviously he was one of the former group. “But I doubt they will want to leave it too long.” He gave her a curious look. “Do you have anything to say? Any requests?” 
 
Miriya shook her head, she certainly wanted no help, especially since she was in such a vulnerable situation, who knew what this male would want in return. 
 
“All right then,” the ‘doctor’ seemed somewhat unconvinced. “Breakfast will be served in about hour, eat what you can.” 
 
And with that he left, and Miriya was left alone again, her instincts to escape began to sound again, but for once she ignored them. 
 
She was just too tired to run. 
 
*** 
 
“Hey, Big Brother, how does it feel to have the shoe on the other foot?” 
 
Roy had been half asleep when the loud voice startled him. 
 
“Didn’t anyone ever teach you hospital etiquette?” He groaned. 
 
“Sure, from the same person who taught YOU,” Rick said with a wink coming to the side of the bed and flopping down in a chair. He held a box in his hand, which he jiggled at him. 
 
“Ooh, you’ve brought me a gift, so thoughtful!” Roy made a show of swooning over the present. 
 
“If you’re gonna be like that, forget it,” Rick made to put the gift behind his back. 
 
“Hey!” Roy started to reach out to grab it, but winced. “Owww!” 
 
Rick snickered. “Guess I’m not the only one who does dumb shit, huh?” 
 
“Give me a break, I almost bled to death,” Roy shot back. 
 
Rick’s face took on a sombre look and he shook his head. “I don’t even wanna think about, Big Brother.” In an attempt to lighten the mood he tossed the present onto the bed next to Roy. “Come on, open the gift, you’ll like it.” 
 
“Hey, you don’t have to tell me twice,” he said with a wink, picking up the gift and ripping the wrapping paper. “You even got it wrapped, I’m proud of you.” 
 
The paper off Roy’s eyes widened. “Wow...Rick...seriously; you shouldn’t have done this...” 
 
“It was nothing.” 
 
“Oh yeah, I’m sure they sell these everywhere,” Roy shook his head, “I mean...geeze, this must have set you back something big.” 
 
“You know, it’s impolite to ask how much a present costs,” Rick replied, a faint blush on his cheeks. 
 
“I was beginning to wonder why you were my best friend,” Roy gave Rick a grin, “you’ve just reminded me.” 
 
“So, that’s all I’m good for?” 
 
“Hey this is something that’s hard to top, I mean...man an original Fokker Spin, this is the first plane he ever made...” 
 
“Yeah, I know.” 
 
“Damn...” 
 
“Hmmm, well it looks like this visit was a waste of time,” a new voice remarked. 
 
Rick and Roy turned to see Claudia in the doorway, arms folded. 
 
“Please, babe, you should know nothing’s a waste when YOU'RE behind it.” 
 
Claudia laughed and hurried over to embrace him. 
 
“Watch the shou-“ Roy began, but was cut off by her lips and forgot all about it. 
 
After a few seconds there was the sound of someone clearing their throat. “Ah, guys, I’m still here...” 
 
Roy and Claudia broke apart and laughed. 
 
“Jealous?” Claudia winked at him. 
 
Rick’s look only became sourer. 
 
“EVERYONE'S jealous of you,” Roy grinned at his wife, “after all you landed me.” 
 
Claudia rolled her eyes. “Oh, happy day.” 
 
“We should be nice to Rick here,” he told her, “I mean look at this.” 
 
He showed the plane to Claudia, who quite obviously didn’t really get the importance and rarity of it. 
 
“Women,” Roy shook his head at Rick, getting a grin out of his Little Brother. 
 
At that moment another person appeared in the doorway. 
 
“Well, it’s good to see some cheer in this place,” Dr. Hassen declared, “usually the food is enough to depress anyone.” 
 
“Finally, someone’s honest about it,” Roy declared in relief. 
 
“You got my complaint then,” Rick asked the doctor half-seriously. 
 
Dr. Hassen headed over to the end of the bed to check the patient chart. 
 
“Well, you’re recovering well, and there shouldn’t be any long-term damage to your shoulder.” 
 
The three breathed a sigh of relief. 
 
“Your opponent will also recover completely,” Dr. Hassen added, almost off-handedly. 
 
“I suppose you can’t get everything you wish for,” Rick grunted, clenching his fists in his lap. 
 
“Did she shed anymore light on why she attacked me?” Roy asked, doing his best to keep his anger down. 
 
“She had nothing to say,” Dr. Hassen replied, “although she did appear to be trying to escape when I saw her.” 
 
Rick leapt to his feet. “Well I hope you’ve got her locked up then!” 
 
Dr. Hassen looked at him in surprise. “Of course not, she’s a patient here, not a prisoner.” 
 
“Hmpf, I can appreciate innocent until proven guilty, doctor,” Claudia spoke up. “But I think it’s rather obvious what she was trying to do.” 
 
Dr. Hassen nodded. “That may be so, but seeing as she’s an alien we can hardly hold her to the same standards. Beyond that, while she will recover she’s in no state to attempt an escape.” He assured them. 
 
“When will she be questioned?” Rick wanted to know, crossing his arms. 
 
“I’d give her at least another day or two to recover,” Dr. Hassen said returning the chart to its holder. “With any luck, Commander, you’ll be out of here by then.” 
 
“Not a moment too soon,” Roy breathed an exaggerated sigh of relief and took Claudia’s hand. “After all, you can’t bear to be without me, can you, babe?” 
 
“Oh sure...not having to put the toilet seat down, not getting kicked in bed...not having that is just pure torture to me,” Claudia drawled. 
 
Dr. Hassen smiled. “Well, keep up the good humour, sometimes I think it’s the best medicine there is.” 
 
*** 
 
Minmei was in hiding. 
 
After Kyle’s shocking announcement the day before her head had been in a spin. 
 
Not wanting to see her cousin, Minmei had retreated to Aunt Lena and Uncle Max’s house, ironically the place Kyle would least likely want to be. 
 
Her Aunt and Uncle had been happy to se her, ushering her into the restaurant and up the stairs to her old room, which was just as she had left it all those months ago. 
 
Now, she lay on her bed with a set of earphones to block out the outside world, listening to the songs of HER idols. 
 
She was thoroughly confused by the entire mess, had it really only been a week ago that Kyle had kissed her, without warning and seemingly out of nowhere? 
 
Now, he claimed that he had thought for a long time about how to propose to here and just what to say, the whole thing was crazy! 
 
Aunt Lena and Uncle Max had made no mention of the interview, a fact for which Minmei was grateful for. She REALLY didn’t feel like going over it all... 
 
It was times like this that Minmei desperately wished she was a normal teenager, sometimes she forgot she even was in her teens. 
 
Getting up suddenly, she went over to her desk, where prior to the Miss Macross Competition she had done her homework. 
 
Opening the top drawer, she took out her binder and pencil tin, both were pink with bunny rabbits on them. 
 
'Do THESE look like something a girl who’s ready to be married would own?' She asked herself, a wry smile on her lips. 
 
The answer, of course, was no, so where had Kyle got the idea that he could propose to her? 
 
Shaking her head Minmei opened the pencil tin and sitting on top of the pens, highlighters and pencils was a compass. 
 
Minmei sighed, suddenly remember that time in the wake of the SDF-1’s misfold and the first alien attack. She and Rick trapped in the bowels of the ship, facing certain death. 
 
Of course, it hadn’t seemed that way at first, there had been a lot of chatting and laughing and one of the first jokes had been about compasses. 
 
'“But I though a compass had two arms that go back and forth like this.”' She remembered saying, demonstrating with her index fingers. 
 
She gave a small laugh thinking of it now, but it ended in yet another sight and she shook her head, as if it would clear away the memories. 
 
She didn’t want to think of those times because the truth was they were truly happy memories, much happier than the events of now. 
 
But how could that be? She was living her dream… 
 
And if it was really so, what did that mean? 
 
*** 
 
Lisa had not been looking forward to these summons, in fact, she had hoped if she antagonised her father enough, she might be ordered back to the SDF-1 before it could occur. 
 
No luck there, so far in the past week she had written three short, cold letters to her father, who had not even answered ONE of them. 
 
And when the orders finally DID arrive, they were to tell her the Council itself wanted to debrief her at eleven hundred hours. 
 
So, with brief case clutched tightly in hand she made her way to the elevator, keeping her eyes straight ahead, not meeting the looks of anyone and there were a number of people in the corridors today. Lisa had made a point of not straying far from her room in the day time, so had generally walked the corridors alone. 
 
Not now though, it was actually a relief to board the empty elevator for the rid down to the chambers the Council had ordered her to report to. 
 
As she descended, Lisa thought of the SDF-1, wondering what was happening there. 
 
Considering that the SDF-1 had kept Macross Island time they were an hour behind Alaska, so the corridors of that ship were probably just as busy albeit with friendly faces. 
 
She thought of Rick and Claudia, both of whom she missed for very different reasons. 
 
The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened onto an empty corridor. Taking a deep breath, Lisa got to her feet and strode down the corridor to Chambers One, arriving at the vast double doors at ten minutes to eleven hundred. 
 
She saluted to a surveillance camera next to the door. “Commander Lisa Hayes, First Officer of the SDF-1 reporting for debriefing.” 
 
The only answer she received was the enormous doors swinging open to admit her. 
 
As she stepped through she noticed a semi-circular table spanning the room, facing a much smaller table in the centre. 
 
'Well, looks as if they’re going to deign to meet me face-to-face this time,' she thought coolly, trying to keep the edge off her fear. 
 
The doors swung shut behind her, and she heard a distinct click as they locked, almost making her jump. 
 
'Steady, Lisa, steady,' she commanded herself, taking a deep breath. 
 
When she was sure her legs wouldn’t shake she strode across the room to the table and placed her briefcase on top of it, before pulling out the chair and sitting primly and ramrod straight waiting for the debriefing, or interrogation more likely, to begin. 
 
She did not have to wait long, obviously word had gone out she had arrived and not two minutes after sitting down, the side doors of the cavernous room opened and two lines of distinguished military gentlemen entered, Lisa quickly got to her feet as they each took a seat around that huge table, Commander-in-Chief Huxley at the centre and her father, Admiral Hayes on his immediate left. 
 
Lisa did not allow her gaze to linger on her father for long, even though his was the only familiar face, instead rendering a salute she looked at each man in turn, her gaze unwavering so they did not think she was intimidated. 
 
“At ease, Commander Hayes,” Huxley began in a gravelly voice, Lisa dropped her salute. “We welcome you to the United Earth Council Headquarters once again and we were relieved to hear of your safe arrival despite an attack been launched on your shuttle.” 
 
Lisa didn’t believe that, it had taken them a good long week to get around to saying it after all, but she did not let her scepticism show, instead replying. “Thank you, sir.” 
 
“Now, Admiral Hayes has all ready presented the report on the aliens, which we found…” Huxley trailed off, seemingly at a loss, “INTERESTING to say the least.” 
 
“It is, sir,” she murmured in agreement, which got her a few raised eyebrows. 
 
“But we have called you here today for a very different reason,” Huxley continued, straightening his shoulders. “As First Officer you have had a number of strategic meetings with Captain Gloval, I assume?” 
 
“Yes, sir,” Lisa’s voice was calm, but her mind raced on ahead wondering what sort of questions she would be facing. 
 
“Commander, I now ask you to make a solemn oath, that you will speak only the truth at this debriefing, directly and with no evasion,” Huxley looked at her squarely. “If we discover you have done so, you will be charged with treason and perjury, am I clear?” 
 
Lisa clasped her hands tightly in front of her to stop them from shaking. “I swear I will only speak the truth here,” she replied, surprised that her voice came out so clear and strong. 
 
“Very well, then, now, tell us, if Gloval has any...CLEAR strategy against the aliens.” 
 
Lisa bristled slightly at his tone, which struck her as condescending. 
 
“I’m afraid I didn’t have much time to discuss strategy with Captain Gloval after the group of aliens defected to the SDF-1, I imagine after that, though, the overall strategy would have changed.” 
 
A few of the Military Heads looked at each other with sneers on their faces. 
 
“Yes, we heard about the defection,” Huxley grumbled, “and subsequent granting of asylum. I imagine you could GUESS Captain Gloval new strategy, couldn’t you, Commander?” 
 
Lisa liked the undercurrent of that question even less, but she was an officer through and through and had made an oath. 
 
“I believe the new strategy is to sue for peace, sir, I thought that plan had all ready been brought to your attention by Admiral Hayes.” 
 
There was a chorus of mutterings and sounds of disbelief at her statement. 
 
“Order, order, please,” Huxley commanded in annoyance, once the group settled he threw a look at Lisa’s father. “Yes, Commander, Admiral Hayes DID alert us to such a fact. But one cannot simply have a plan to sue for peace and nothing else, what OTHER strategy has Gloval planned,” he pressed. 
 
Lisa shook her head. “I have no idea of that, sir, but…” she took the plunge, “he would certainly not approve of the use of the Grand Cannon.” 
 
This time shouts erupted from the Council and Lisa saw her father’s face go white. 
 
“Order! Order, now!” Huxley roared, giving the table a loud strike with his fist. 
 
Once the noise level had died down, he turned to Lisa. “I hardly think you’re in the position to make such a claim, Commander, and I suggest you watch what you say.” 
 
Lisa clenched her jaw and gave a small barely perceptible nod. 
 
“I imagine then, from your comments that Gloval HAS no strategy, am I correct?” 
 
“I would certainly not imagine that, sir, only that he didn’t tell me of any,” she responded, working hard to keep her tone even. “I was busy compiling the report.” 
 
“Very well then,” Huxley nodded, the looked about at his fellow Councillors. “If any of you have any questions of Commander Hayes you are free to ask them now.” 
 
No sooner had he finished his sentence than General Herbert got to his feet. 
 
“You seem to be of the belief that Captain Gloval would not approve of our plan to use the Grand Cannon, the premier defence system on Earth. Now, why would that be?” He glared at her. 
 
“The aliens, the Zentraedi have weaponry and numbers beyond our worst nightmares,” Lisa turned to look at the General squarely. “There are million trailing the SDF-1 as we speak and that’s only a fraction of their total fleet. No matter how big and powerful the Grand Cannon is designed to be, it would make only the smallest dent in their overall force.” 
 
It was clear from the grumbles that followed the Councillors did not believe her, or perhaps couldn’t BRING themselves to believe her. 
 
“If you expect peace to be struck with these...creatures...without a proper show of force, you’ve obviously neglected your study of history, Commander,” her father’s eastern hemisphere counterpart sneered, looking down his nose at her. 
 
“I am sure the Zentraedi will not be conversant in our history either, sir,” the words slipped out as much to her surprise as to anyone else’s. 
 
“Commander Hayes,” Huxley warned, frowning, “I suggest you watch your tone when speaking to superiors.” 
 
Lisa only nodded mutely, a small part of her ashamed to have spoken that way to an Admiral, but a larger part was thrilled to have spoken her mind. 
 
'This must be how Rick and Fokker and all those pilots feel whenever they mouth-off,' she realised. 
 
“If I may speak, sirs,” an unexpected voice spoke up then and Lisa turned in the direction of it, shocked to see Colonel T.R Edwards at the end of the left side of the table, it seemed he was the note taker of the debriefing-interrogation session. 
 
Lisa did not know much personally about Edwards, a fact she was glad for, from what Claudia had told her (both from her own dealings with the man and Roy’s) he was not to be trusted. It was certain knowledge (though there was no backing evidence) that Edwards had gone through the Global Civil War as a mercenary, selling his deadly skill to the highest bidder with no thought to the morals or lack thereof of the buyer. 
 
As she met the man’s cold dark eyes, Lisa KNEW she was not going to like what he said. 
 
“Certainly, Colonel,” Huxley gave a brisk nod, “the Council appreciates any input.” 
 
'Unless it conflicts with your aims, of course,' Lisa thought, cynically. 
 
“Admiral Takasuno is quite correct, attempting to sue for peace without firepower to back it up is a risky strategy, UNLESS there is a plan to exchange something,” Edwards began, his eyes glinting coldly. 
 
Lisa furrowed her eyebrows, trying to see where he could be going with this. 
 
“Is it possible, Commander, that Gloval, angered by the UEC’s unavoidable order to the SDF-1 to depart the Earth, would be willing to…” he voice trailed off, and for the briefest moment Lisa was sure the was a mocking smile on his face, “trade OUR lives for HIS?”

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