fanfic_name = Separate Lives
chapter = Chapter 10
author = LisaV
Rating = O18
Type = Angst
fanfic = The smells that greeted them when they entered the cave from the narrow ridge were all unpleasant. There was an underlying odor of stale cooking and mildew, decay and something else they couldn’t identify.
“If this is the place,” Miriya said, “then it seems we’re too late. It looks uninhabited, and as if it has been for some time.”
“By design, I should think. If Azonia’s hiding here, she couldn’t afford to let anyone suspect,” Lisa suggested.
“I hope she is here,” Miriya continued with fierceness in her voice that Lisa hadn’t heard in a while.
“Look! Over there to the far left, do you see that slit of light too, Miriya?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.”
Taking the lead, Lisa found the narrow steps that had been cut in the rock’s foundation; probably put there by some ancient civilization that at one time had used the cave/mountain as their home.
“Watch your steps, Miriya, this path is getting narrower by the minute and there are too many loose rocks around.”
Thirty minutes later, they found themselves on top of a ledge and below them-- a busy open dock with hundreds of micronized Zentraedi as well as full height ones, all working together, outfitting pods and power suites.
Are those what I think they are?” Lisa whispered and took out her digital camera and began clicking away.
“Yes.” Miriya’s answer was firm and definite.
“How did she get so many Quadrano Power Suits? And where had she gotten the Protoculture to fuel them?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, Lisa,” Miriya replied quietly as her eyes moved to scan every inch of the landing dock beneath them. She hadn’t seen this many pods and power suits since their battle with Dolza.
Looking at the Power Suits Miriya suddenly had a longing to be in one, to feel its speed and gravity as she danced through the air like a bird-- born to soar and fly! As much as she loved her Veritech, it was not the same.
She’d trained, grew up and made a name for herself in a Quadrano Power Suite and no matter how many planes or Veritechs she’ll fly in her lifetime; she knew power suites would always hold a special place in her heart.
“Looks like Azonia is gearing up for a full scale attack, my guess would be an outer space assault. See those power packs being installed on the pods and power suites?” Miriya pointed and Lisa’s glaze followed. “They give mobility and ease of turning around in deep space.”
“I’ve seen enough,” Lisa said after twenty minutes and took one last picture of the landing dock before Miriya and her slowly made their way back up the narrow ridge of steps; then out of the cave and down the rope again.
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“I’m sending Skull and Ghost, Lisa. Their ETA is tomorrow at 0900. I want you in command of the mission. I’ve briefed Captain Hunter on the situation, he’ll lead any offensive measure you deemed necessary. Work with him, Lisa. Whatever personal differences you two have, put it aside, that’s an order, Gloval said without pausing.
Captain Hunter? Rick! He got his promotion! Oh, Rick… Lisa felt her heart leaped in happiness for him and she couldn’t help smiling for she was proud of him.
“I want her stopped. We can not afford to have her attack the satellite station. Breetai and I agreed with you, she will make a run for the sizing chamber. She needs the chamber to restore herself and half of her troops back to their original heights in order to effectively operate the pods and power suites. Even as we speak, Breetai is sending a squadron down to you too so that should give you enough manpower and resources to successfully eliminate the threat.”
Gloval continued.
“You will keep me informed of the progress. I want a briefing every day. I’m counting on you to handle this situation anyway you see fit. As for the SDF-2, everything is on schedule and Dr. Lang has proceeded with the building of the fold system. The SDF-2 is in excellent hand, Lisa.”
“I understand, Admiral,” Lisa said. “I will do my best, sir.”
“Good. I know you will. I have complete trust in you. As for Commander Mak, I don’t want you to relief him of his command yet. We need every able body we can get right now even if he’s an idiot. After the mission, we’ll deal with him. It’s the mission that must take priority. You out rank him so deal with him. However, watch your back, Lisa. You’ve made an enemy out of him. He’s not going to forgive or forget easily.”
“I’ll take care of it, Admiral, nothing is more important than stopping Azonia,” Lisa said with a firm tone and she hoped she’d come across strong and in control.
Lisa saluted and a second later, Admiral Gloval’s image disappeared from the communication screen.
With a trembling hand, Lisa slicked dislodged strands of light brown hair back into her chignon. She’d taken to wearing her hair up now, being that it was so hot and humid. She put a hand to her temple where a pulse throbbed painfully.
I hope I’m not coming down with some bug… I can’t afford to be sick now, especially not now!
She slumped down in her chair, feeling light headed and dizzy. Food… I just need some food and a couple of aspirins…
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Rick couldn’t believe it that he was sneaking around just to watch Lisa going to greet Khyron.
How pathetic can you get, Hunter? Stalking her like a love sick puppy…
Earlier when he, Max and the rest of his team had arrived, it was Miriya who had greeted them when he was hoping it would be Lisa. He’d missed her, missed seeing her and being around her.
Miriya had said something about her being busy going over protocols and standards with Commander Mak but he knew better—she was avoiding him, again.
Watching her every movement as she walked across the field, he had to admit that outwardly she looked beautiful, almost serene. But somehow he knew she was not feeling well. He could feel her tension in the way she walked and see her tiredness in the set of her jaw. Her eyes, brilliant emeralds, were haunted, shadows in the paleness of her face.
Damned her! Why is she doing this? What does Khyron have over her?
He tried not to frown, but his frustration level with her was at its end. Since their talk at the café, they’d worked together a couple of times but she’d remained cold and determined to keep everything between them professional.
However there were moments when she would look at him like she’d missed him, and in those moments, he’d felt hope. Then just as quickly she would turn nervous and distant like nothing happened and he’d feel despair all over again.
He was suddenly tired-- tired of walking on eggshells around her; tried of being in the dark. But most of all, tired of being alone, feeling helpless and lost. His infatuation with Minmei had been bad with its ambiguities and youthful longings but this roller coaster ride with Lisa now was unbearable and he’d had enough.
You can’t hide forever, Lisa, sooner or later, I will find out why you’re choosing Khyron and when I do, I’m not letting you walk away from me again.
Not wanting to see Lisa in Khyron’s arms, Rick turned away and slowly walked back to his quarters before Khyron had even reached Lisa. Pain jabbed his heart like a knife when he remembered how it felt to hold her. Telling himself not to turn around, he forced his gaze on the building in front of him.
“Hello, Khyron,” Lisa said as he approached.
“Hello, Captain,” Khyron said and came to stand just inches in front of her.
While she stared at him not knowing how to greet him-- whether she should hug him, give him a peck on the check or shake his hand, he lifted a lean hand to her cheek.
He studied her. “You look tired.” His voice was soft, full of sincerity.
“You’ve been away too long.” His hand left her face with a slow, caressing movement. “I’ve missed our evenings together of you playing the piano for me.”
“It’s good to have you here, Khyron,” Lisa said, releasing a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and moved back a little.
As they walked side by side back across the field to her temporary headquarter, Lisa felt sadness creeping through her, filling every part of her heart and soul. She was irrevocable trapped! She was in love with Rick Hunter yet she was going to marry a man, in this case, a Zentraedi she didn’t love… all because of a promise—
She shrank at the thought. Maybe she had been too hasty in carrying this burden by herself; maybe if she’d shared her dilemma with Rick, he might have found another solution. Maybe…
Oh, stop it, Lisa! There’s no use in crying over spilled milk. Just wipe it up and move on!
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Lisa took a careful sip of the coffee, relishing the warmth and the kick of caffeine as it slid down her throat. Looking out of her window she noticed that the sky was clearing, although a scattering of gray, wisp clouds still littered the morning sky.
Good. No more storms. No more rain.
Storms gave her such an unsettled feeling, and things were already unsettled enough. Since Khyron and Rick’s arrival four days ago, they’ve done nothing but plan and hashed out offensive maneuvers from every angles and situations. While Max and Miriya were left to taking care of the resources needed to carry out the attack.
After today, she knew, Azonia would no longer be loose to prey on the defenseless and create havoc where ever and whenever she chose. Immediately she felt sooth. Her heartbeat slowed.
Yes. She could do this. She had tenacity and grit; her plan would work. All her worries, planning and checking, then double checking everything again was going to pay off. She can’t doubt herself, not this close anyway…
“Captain Hayes!”
Glancing up, Lisa saw Commander Mak standing in her door way, looking gloomy and belligerent.
“What can I do for you, Commander?” Lisa asked and took another sip of her coffee, buying some time for herself to collect her thoughts.
“I need you to look over something for me, Captain, that’s if you’re not too busy planning your offensive move against the enemy,” he said and Lisa could hear the distain in his voice. She knew he was doing it purposely to irritate her.
Professionalism, Lisa, she cautioned herself and masked her facial expressions into one of neutrality.
“One of the VT,” he continued, “has a homing device that does not belong to us. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I think its alien technology but you’re the expert on aliens…. Anyway, I didn’t want to put the base on red alert or conduct a witch hunt before you had a chance to look at it.”
“Was it there before the recon two days ago?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Show me,” Lisa said, as she got up and followed him to the hanger bay.
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“You’re the traitor,” she whispered. “But why? What do you hope to gain by—“
“You think you’re so smart!” he growled and grabbed her arm.
Fury rose as she lashed back, jamming her elbow into his side, Lisa twisted out of his hold. But before she could make a move for the door, she felt something hitting her-- hard and then she felt nothing.
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“Christ almighty!” Rick groaned. “Where could she be? It’s not like her to disappear the day before a campaign, especially this campaign!”
“What if she didn’t leave but was taken, Rick?” Max said as he bent down to survey Lisa’s desk, finding nothing out of the ordinary.
“What do you mean, Max? You know something I don’t, do you? Tell me!”
“Miriya told me that Lisa suspect a traitor among us.”
“What?! Why wouldn’t she share her troubles with me, Max? She used to, you know, once upon a time…”
Rick’s chest hurt with the knowledge that he’d meant so little to her that she hadn’t even bother to share her doubts and trouble with him, even as a friend.
“I’m in love with her, Max,” Rick said and silence reign in the room for what seemed like a long time.
Finally Max sighed and nod. “I knew that, Rick. Miriya and I both knew it. I know it this doesn’t help right now but she’s in love with you too, you know... I think she was in love with you even before she was captured by Khyron.”
Rick scowled darkly. “Then why is she with him? I just don’t get it, Max?” He said it in torment.
“I don’t have the answer, Rick and Miriya doesn’t know either. We are as puzzled as you.”
State = Continuará/To Be Continue
feedback = Sí/Yes
email = lisa_vangATmsn.com