{"id":2832,"date":"2025-04-21T22:18:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=2832"},"modified":"2025-04-21T22:18:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:18:59","slug":"05_force_of_arms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=2832","title":{"rendered":"05_force_of_arms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
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\n
\nRobotech\uff1a\u3000Force\u3000of\u3000Arms
\nBook\u3000Five\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Series
\nCopyright\u30001987\u3000by\u3000Jack\u3000McKinney
\n
\narranged\u3000by\u3000dayuan\u3000\uff07\u3000robotech\u3000zone\u3000\uff07
\n
\n
\n
\nPART\u3000I\uff1a\u3000SHOWDOWN
\n
\n
\nPROLOGUE
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u30001990s\uff1b\u3000a\u3000global\u3000civil\u3000war\u3000swept\u3000across\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000few\u3000wanted\u3000this\u3000war\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000avert\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000absorbed\u3000all\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000disparate\u3000wars\uff1b\u3000rebellions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000terrorist\u3000struggles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000storm\u3000vacuums\u3000up\u3000all\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000weather\u3000systems\u3000around\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000War\u3000was\u3000fought\u3000with\u3000conventional\u3000weapons\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u30001999\u3000it\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000that\u3000its\u3000escalation\u3000pointed\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000an\u3000all\u2026out\u3000nuclear\u3000exchange\u2026planetary\u3000obliteration\u3002\u3000There\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000nothing\u3000any\u3000sane\u3000person\u3000could\u3000do\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000By\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000War\u3000had\u3000a\u3000life\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000human\u3000race\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000die\u2026for\u3000everyone\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000the\u3000final\u3000phase\u3000of\u3000the\u3000War\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000exterminate\u3000all\u3000life\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fragile\u3000lunar\u3000and\u3000Martian\u3000research\u3000colonies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000various\u3000orbital\u3000constructs\u2026something\u3000like\u3000a\u3000malign\u3000miracle\u3000happened\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000damaged\u3000starship\u2026a\u3000super\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000created\u3000by\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000alien\u3000mastermind\uff1b\u3000Zor\u2026appeared\u3000in\u3000Earth’s\u3000skies\u3002\u3000It\u3000crashed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000Pacific\u3000island\u3000called\u3000Macross\u3002\u3000Its\u3000descent\u3000wreaked\u3000more\u3000havoc\u3000than\u3000any\u3000war\uff1a\u3000there\u3000was\u3000tremendous\u3000damage\u3000and\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000life\u3000and\u3000numerous\u3000natural\u3000disasters\u3002\u3000The\u3000human\u3000race\u3000was\u3000pelled\u3000to\u3000pause\u3000and\u3000take\u3000stock\u3000of\u3000itself\u3002
\n
\nZor\u3000had\u3000served\u3000the\u3000evil\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000resolved\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000them\u3000no\u3000more\u3000and\u3000had\u3000hidden\u3000his\u3000ultimate\u3000secrets\u3000concerning\u3000Protoculture\u2026the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000force\u3000in\u3000the\u3000universe\u2026in\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000The\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000needed\u3000those\u3000secrets\u3000not\u3000only\u3000to\u3000conquer\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000but\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000themselves\u3000from\u3000the\u3000vengeful\u3000attacks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000savage\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000a\u3000race\u3000of\u3000creatures\u3000sworn\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThus\uff1b\u3000the\u3000focus\u3000of\u3000an\u3000intergalactic\u3000conflict\u3000came\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000on\u3000the\u3000formerly\u3000insignificant\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000super\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000was\u3000Earth’s\u3000first\u3000inkling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000greater\u3000events\u3000taking\u3000place\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000bounds\u3000of\u3000human\u3000knowledge\u3002\u3000Earth’s\u3000leaders\u3000saw\u3000at\u3000once\u3000that\u3000the\u3000wrecked\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000could\u3000be\u3000rebuilt\u3000and\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000rallying\u3000point\u3000that\u3000would\u3000unite\u3000a\u3000divided\u3000human\u3000race\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000ten\u2026year\u3000project\u3000began\uff1b\u3000incorporating\u3000the\u3000brains\u3000and\u3000energies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000planet\u3002\u3000But\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000relaunched\u3000to\u3000guard\u3000humanity\u3000from\u3000alien\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000disaster\u3000struck\u3000again\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u2026the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters’\u3000giant\u3000race\u3000of\u3000ferocious\u3000warrior\u3000clones\u2026struck\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000devastation\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000recapture\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000desperate\u3000crew\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000attempted\u3000a\u3000spacefold\u3000jump\u3000to\u3000get\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000a\u3000miscalculation\u3000resulted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000reappearance\u3000far\u3000from\u3000its\u3000intended\u3000destination\uff1a\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000civilian\u3000population\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000Island\u3000were\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000transported\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000orbit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000Pluto\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000so\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000perilous\u3000voyage\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000began\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000battled\u3000for\u3000its\u3000life\uff1b\u3000hounded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000armada\u3000at\u3000every\u3000turn\u3002\u3000Returning\u3000after\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000year\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crew\u3000found\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000wele\u3000on\u3000the\u3000homeworld\u2026in\u3000the\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ruling\u3000powers\uff1b\u3000they\u3000constituted\u3000too\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000danger\u3000to\u3000Earth’s\u3000safety\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rulers’\u3000own\u3000authority\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000renewed\u3000Zentraedi\u3000offensive\u3000resulted\u3000in\u3000horrendous\u3000casualties\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000reinforced\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000leaders’\u3000determination\u3000to\u3000refuse\u3000haven\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u2026even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000waged\u3000the\u3000only\u3000meaningful\u3000resistance\u3000to\u3000alien\u3000invasion\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000the\u3000great\u3000star\u3000battleship\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000ride\u3000an\u3000orbit\u3000to\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000its\u3000crew\u3000and\u3000civilian\u3000refugees\u3000struggling\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000alive\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000plot\u3000new\u3000war\u3000plans\uff1b\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000have\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3002
\n
\nAlien\u3000agents\u3000were\u3000planted\u3000within\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000reduced\u3000from\u3000their\u3000fifty\u3000and\u3000sixty\u2026foot\u3000heights\u3000to\u3000human\u3000size\u3002\u3000These\u3000spies\u3000found\u3000themselves\u3000strangely\u3000affected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000experience\u3000of\u3000human\u3000life\u3000as\u3000their\u3000long\u2026dormant\u3000emotions\u3000were\u3000awakened\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000humans\u3000mingling\u3000and\u3000showing\u3000affection\u3000and\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000by\u3000the\u3000singing\u3000of\u3000Minmei\u2026the\u3000ship’s\u3000superstar\u3000and\u3000media\u3000idol\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mainstay\u3000of\u3000its\u3000morale\u3002
\n
\nUpon\u3000their\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000invasion\u3000fleet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spies’\u3000stories\u3000and\u3000souvenirs\u3000of\u3000their\u3000experiences\u3000among\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000defection\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000and\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000and\u3000disobedience\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ranks\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000remained\u3000behind\u3002
\n
\nAboard\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000human\u3000life\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000patterns\u3000of\u3000conflict\u3000and\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000fighter\u3000pilot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Defense\u3000Forces\uff1b\u3000experienced\u3000constant\u3000confusion\u3000and\u3000turmoil\u3000over\u3000his\u3000love\u3000for\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000simultaneous\u3000attraction\u3000to\u3000mander\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000First\u3000Officer\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000triangle\u3000formed\u3000the\u3000core\u3000of\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000web\u3000of\u3000loves\u3000and\u3000hates\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000human\u3000emotional\u3000blaze\u3000that\u3000the\u3000colossal\u3000Zentraedi\u3000found\u3000so\u3000bathing\u3000and\u3000debilitating\u3002
\n
\nNevertheless\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000imperative\u3000was\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000battle\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3002\u3000The\u3000aliens\u3000deployed\u3000a\u3000million\u2026plus\u3000ships\u3000in\u3000their\u3000armada\uff1b\u3000restrained\u3000from\u3000all\u2026out\u3000attack\u3000only\u3000by\u3000their\u3000need\u3000to\u3000capture\u3000the\u3000SDF1’s\u3000Protoculture\u3000secrets\u3000intact\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\uff1b\u3000mander\u3000of\u3000the\u3000invasion\u3000force\uff1b\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000his\u3000own\u3000intrigues\u3000against\u3000two\u3000of\u3000his\u3000rebellious\u3000subordinates\uff1a\u3000Azonia\uff1b\u3000the\u3000female\u3000warlord\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Khyron\u3000the\u3000Backstabber\uff1b\u3000psychotic\u3000demon\u3000of\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3000proved\u3000to\u3000be\u3000far\u3000more\u3000plex\u3000than\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u2026Zentraedi\u3000or\u3000human\u2026could\u3002\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000imagined\u3002
\n
\nDr\u3002\u3000Lazlo\u3000Zand\uff1b
\nOn\u3000Earth\u3000As\u3000It\u3000Is\u3000in\u3000Hell\uff1a
\nRecollections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000ONE
\n
\nI\u3000guess\u3000Max\u3000was\u3000the\u3000most\u3000conspicuous\u3000example\u3000of\u3000the\u3000growing\u3000war\u3000weariness\u3000and\u3000hunger\u3000for\u3000peace\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000top\u3000VT\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000revered\u3000by\u3000all\u3000the\u3000aspiring\u3000hot\u2026doggers\u3000and\u3000would\u2026be\u3000aces\u3002
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000came\u3000back\u3000from\u3000a\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000his\u3000aircraft\u3000maintenance\u3000people\u3000would\u3000always\u3000stencil\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3000for\u3000his\u3000latest\u3000kills\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000their\u3000right\u3002\u3000But\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000us\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000for\u3000too\u3000long\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000avoiding\u3000the\u3000jokes\u3000and\u3000high\u2026fives\u3000and\u3000swaggering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ready\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000barracks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000officers’\u3000club\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000still\u3000top\u3000man\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roster\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000plain\u3000that\u3000his\u3000attitude\u3000was\u3000changing\u3002
\nThe\u3000Collected\u3000Journals\u3000of\u3000Admiral\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter
\n
\n\u3003Ya\u3000ain’t\u3000so\u3000big\u3000now\uff1b\u3000are\u3000ya\uff1b\u3000ya\u3000freakin’\u3000alien\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000big\u3000bruiser\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000a\u3000scarred\u3000fist\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000roast\u3000in\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n
\nWell\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3002\u3000Karita\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000soldier\u3000some\u3000forty\u3000feet\u3000tall\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\uff1b\u3000having\u3000been\u3000reduced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000human\u3000and\u3000defecting\u3000to\u3000their\u3000side\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000medium\u2026build\uff1b\u3000slightly\u3000less\u2026than\u2026average\u2026height\u3000fellow\u3000facing\u3000three\u3000hulking\u3000brawlers\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000split\u3000his\u3000head\u3000wide\u3000open\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Macross\u3000alley\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000Karita\u3000hadn’t\u3000excelled\u3000at\u3000bat\uff1b\u3000his\u3000main\u3000duty\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tending\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000sizing\u3000chambers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000same\u3000ones\u3000in\u3000which\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000micronized\u3002\u3000The\u3000situation\u3000looked\u3000hopeless\uff1b\u3000the\u3000three\u3000ringed\u3000him\u3000in\uff1b\u3000fists\u3000cocked\uff1b\u3000light\u3000from\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000streetlamps\u3000illuminating\u3000the\u3000hatred\u3000in\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000past\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000too\u3000fast\u3002\u3000The\u3000biggest\u3000grabbed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000him\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Karita\u3000dropped\uff1b\u3000half\u2026stunned\uff1b\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000scalp\u3000bleeding\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000cursed\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000his\u3000carelessness\uff1b\u3000a\u3000slip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tongue\u3000in\u3000the\u3000restaurant\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000away\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000could\u3000have\u3000told\u3000him\u3000apart\u3000from\u3000any\u3000other\u3000occupant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000could\u3000scarcely\u3000be\u3000blamed\u3002\u3000The\u3000wonders\u3000of\u3000life\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000super\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000were\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000any\u3000Zentraedi\u3000careless\u3002\u3000The\u3000humans\u3000had\u3000rebuilt\u3000their\u3000city\uff1b\u3000they\u3000mingled\uff1b\u3000both\u3000sexes\uff1b\u3000all\u3000ages\u3002\u3000They\u3000lived\u3000lives\u3000in\u3000which\u3000emotions\u3000were\u3000given\u3000free\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000astonishing\u3000force\u3000called\u3000\u3003love\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000any\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000born\u3000into\u3000a\u3000Spartan\uff1b\u3000merciless\u3000warrior\u3000culture\u3000with\u3000strict\u3000segregation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sexes\uff1b\u3000forget\u3000himself\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000Karita\u3000had\u3000made\u3000his\u3000error\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000into\u3000the\u3000White\u3000Dragon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000when\u3000he\u3000let\u3000slip\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000adored\u3000her\u3000since\u3000he\u3000had\u3000first\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000image\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000battlecruiser\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000looks\u3000the\u3000trio\u3000gave\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000left\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000followed\u3002
\n
\nDuring\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000everybody\u3000aboard\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000at\u3000least\u3000one\u3000friend\u3000or\u3000loved\u3000one\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000losses\u2026many\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3002\u3000That\u3000didn’t\u3000stop\u3000Karita\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000defectors\u3000from\u3000hoping\u3000for\u3000a\u3000new\u3000life\u3000among\u3000their\u3000former\u3000enemies\u3002\u3000Most\u3000humans\u3000were\u3000at\u3000least\u3000tolerant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000who’d\u3000deserted\u3000from\u3000their\u3000invading\u3000armada\u3002\u3000Some\u3000humans\u3000even\u3000liked\u3000the\u3000aliens\uff1b\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000former\u3000spies\uff1b\u3000had\u3000human\u3000girlfriends\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000should\u3000have\u3000known\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000humans\u3000who\u3000wouldn’t\u3000see\u3000things\u3000that\u3000way\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000closed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000launched\u3000a\u3000kick\u3000Karita\u3000was\u3000too\u3000dazed\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000so\u3000much\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000pain\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000a\u3000tremendous\uff1b\u3000panic\u2026making\u3000numbness\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000woozily\u3000if\u3000his\u3000ribs\u3000were\u3000broken\u3002\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000it\u3000mattered\uff1b\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000his\u3000attackers\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000short\u3000of\u3000killing\u3000him\u3002\u3000They\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000unmilitary\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000given\u3000a\u3000different\u3000one\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000had\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000on\u3000their\u3000hands\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000of\u3000them\u3000drew\u3000back\u3000his\u3000heavy\u3000work\u3000boot\u3000to\u3000kick\u3000Karita\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Karita\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000blow\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000shoe\u3000leather\u3000sliding\u3000on\u3000pavement\u3000and\u3000the\u3000thud\u3000of\u3000a\u3000falling\u3000body\u3000made\u3000him\u3000reopen\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000see\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assailants\u3000down\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000face\u3000an\u3000interloper\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000Sterling \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nMax\u3000Sterling\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000the\u3000conventional\u3000image\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Veritech\u3000ace\u3002\u3000The\u3000brilliant\u3000Robotech\u3000Defense\u3000Force\u3000flier\u3000was\u3000slender\uff1b\u3000wore\u3000blue\u2026tinted\u3000aviator\u3000glasses\u2026with\u3000corrective\u3000lenses\u2026and\u3000dyed\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000blue\u3000in\u3000keeping\u3000with\u3000the\u3000current\u3000fad\u3000for\u3000wild\u3000colors\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000young\u3000RDF\u3000legend\u3000looked\u3000mild\uff1b\u3000even\u3000vulnerable\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000time\u3000of\u3000crisis\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000from\u3000obscurity\u3000to\u3000dazzle\u3000humanity\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000with\u3000his\u3000matchless\u3000bat\u3000flying\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000hadn’t\u3000changed\u3000his\u3000basic\u3000humility\u3000and\u3000self\u2026effacing\u3000good\u2026naturedness\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\u3000more\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000told\u3000the\u3000assailants\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000The\u3000bully\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000angrily\u3002\u3000Max\u3000stepped\u3000between\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\uff1b\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Karita’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000knelt\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\nMinmei’s\u3000Aunt\u3000Lena\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000ominous\u3000trio\u3000follow\u3000Karita\u3000when\u3000he\u3000left\u3000the\u3000White\u3000Dragon\uff1b\u3000it\u3000took\u3000her\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Sterling\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Max\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Sorry\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000little\u3000late\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThis\u3000bookish\u2026looking\u3000young\u3000man\u3000who\u3000held\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000kill\u3000score\u3000of\u3000any\u3000bat\u3000pilot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000offered\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003D’\u3000you\u3000think\u3000you\u3000can\u3000stand\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000attacker\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000floored\u3000was\u3000back\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000Max’s\u3000RDF\u3000uniform\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000two\u3000seconds\u3000to\u3000butt\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\uff1b\u3000kid\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Karita\u3000sitting\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000off\u3000his\u3000glasses\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000them\u3000into\u3000Karita’s\u3000limp\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000there’s\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000here\uff1b\u3000so\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000straight\uff1a\u3000In\u3000case\u3000you\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000news\uff1b\u3000this\u3000man\u3000isn’t\u3000our\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000going\u3000to\u3000let\u3000us\u3000by\u3000or\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nOf\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Karita\u3000and\u3000automatically\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000We\u3000can\u3000take\u3000him\uff01\u3000And\u3000that\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000the\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Now\u3000here\u3000was\u3000the\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000unimposing\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000assessment\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\uff1a\u3000We\u3000can\u3000take\u3000him\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000No\u3000sweat\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000knocked\u3000down\u3000came\u3000at\u3000him\u3000first\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000others\u3000fanned\u3000out\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000didn’t\u3000wait\u3002\u3000He\u3000ducked\u3000under\u3000a\u3000powerful\uff1b\u3000slow\u3000haymaker\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000with\u3000the\u3000heel\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000the\u3000first\u3000one’s\u3000nose\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000attacker\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thick\u2026bodied\u3000man\u3000in\u3000coveralls\uff1b\u3000hooked\u3000his\u3000fist\u3000around\u3000with\u3000all\u3000his\u3000might\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Max\u3000simply\u3000wasn’t\u3000there\u3002\u3000Dodging\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ghost\uff1b\u3000he\u3000landed\u3000a\u3000solid\u3000jab\u3000to\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000bloodying\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000as\u3000he\u3000staggered\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000fighting\u3000room\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Max’s\u3000usual\u3000style\u3000involved\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000movement\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3000very\u3000much\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000Karita\u3000unprotected\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000third\u3000vigilante\uff1b\u3000younger\uff1b\u3000leaner\uff1b\u3000and\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\uff1b\u3000swung\u3000doubled\u3000fists\u3000at\u3000him\u3000from\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Max\u3000avoided\u3000the\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000adding\u3000momentum\u3000with\u3000a\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000hard\u3000tug\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000man\u3000went\u3000toppling\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Max\u3000spun\u3000precisely\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000his\u3000back\u3000nearly\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000first\u3000attacker\u3000and\u3000rammed\u3000his\u3000elbow\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000man’s\u3000breath\u3000rushed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000clutched\u3000his\u3000midsection\u3002\u3000Max\u3000snapped\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000plant\u3000a\u3000sidelong\u3000kick\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gut\u3000of\u3000the\u3000one\u3000in\u3000the\u3000coveralls\u3002\u3000The\u3000incredible\u3000reflexes\u3000and\u3000speed\u3000that\u3000served\u3000him\u3000so\u3000well\u3000in\u3000dogfights\u3000were\u3000plain\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000see\u3000much\u3000less\u3000hit\u3000or\u3000avoid\u3002
\n
\nKarita\u3000had\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Stop\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000attackers\u3000were\u3000battered\u3000up\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000started\u3002\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000breathing\u3000hard\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\u3000more\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3003\u3000Karita\u3000labored\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000his\u3000side\u3002\u3000\u3003Hasn’t\u3000there\u3000been\u3000enough\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000first\u3000man\u3000wiped\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000a\u3000swelling\u3000lip\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000Max\u3002\u3000Indicating\u3000Karita\u3000with\u3000a\u3000toss\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000kind\u3000killed\u3000my\u3000son\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3000what\u3000you\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000said\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000He\u3000displayed\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000patch\u3000on\u3000his\u3000uniform\uff1b\u3000a\u3000diamond\u3000with\u3000curved\u3000sides\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fighting\u3000kite\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000think\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\uff1f\u3000But\u3000listen\u3000t’\u3000me\uff1a\u3000He’s\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000Just\u3000like\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000and\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we’re\u3000never\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000peace\u3000unless\u3000we\u3000put\u3000the\u3000damn\u3000war\u3000behind\u3000us\uff01\u3000So\u3000drop\u3000it\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000else\uff1b\u3000c’mon\uff1a\u3000Let’s\u3000finish\u3000this\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000first\u3000man\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000e\u3000at\u3000him\u3000again\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000grabbed\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3000from\u3000either\u3000side\u3002\u3000The\u3000young\u3000one\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\u2026for\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000supported\u3000Karita\u3000with\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000three\u3000stepped\u3000aside\u3000to\u3000let\u3000them\u3000pass\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tense\u3000moment\u3000as\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000and\u3000the\u3000injured\u3000alien\u3000walked\u3000between\u3000the\u3000attackers\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000weight\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000reconsidering\u3000his\u3000decision\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000better\u3000of\u3000it\u3000and\u3000held\u3000his\u3000place\uff1b\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b\u3000flyboy\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000goin’\u3000out\u3000there\u3000again\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000’em\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000ya\uff1f\u3000To\u3000kill\u3000’em\u3000if\u3000ya\u3000can\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000Karita\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000I’ll\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000killing\u3000somebody\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000like\u3000your\u3000son\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Or\u3000he’ll\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000killing\u3000me\u3002\u3000Who\u3000knows\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000put\u3000Karita\u3000into\u3000a\u3000cab\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temporary\u3000quarters\u3000where\u3000the\u3000defectors\u3000were\u3000housed\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000go\u3000along\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000late\u3000for\u3000duty\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3002
\n
\nWaiting\u3000for\u3000another\u3000cab\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000gazed\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rebuilt\u3000city\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3002\u3000Overhead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Enhanced\u3000Video\u3000Emulation\u3000system\u3000had\u3000created\u3000the\u3000illusion\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Terran\u3000night\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000blocking\u3000out\u3000the\u3000view\u3000of\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000alloy\u3000ceiling\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000since\u3000Max\u3000or\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000other\u3000inhabitants\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000real\u3000thing\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000already\u3000defying\u3000the\u3000odds\uff1b\u3000having\u3000survived\u3000so\u3000many\u3000bats\u3002\u3000The\u3000EVE\u3000illusion\u3000was\u3000nice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000he’d\u3000get\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000true\u3000sky\u3000and\u3000hills\u3000and\u3000oceans\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3000again\u3000before\u3000his\u3000number\u3000came\u3000up\u3002
\n
\n
\nElsewhere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000two\u3000women\u3000rode\u3000in\u3000an\u3000unfortable\u3000silence\u3000on\u3000an\u3000elevator\u3000descending\u3000to\u3000a\u3000hangar\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000level\u3000indicators\u3000flash\u3002
\n
\nmander\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000First\u3000Officer\uff1b\u3000wasn’t\u3000at\u3000ease\u3000with\u3000many\u3000people\u3002\u3000But\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Claudia\u3000Grant\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000now\u3000with\u3000arms\u3000folded\u3000and\u3000avoiding\u3000Lisa’s\u3000gaze\u3000as\u3000Lisa\u3000avoided\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000close\u3000friend\u2026perhaps\u3000Lisa’s\u3000only\u3000true\u3000friend\u2026for\u3000years\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000lighten\u3000the\u3000gloom\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000here\u3000I\u3000go\u3000again\u3002\u3000Off\u3000for\u3000another\u3000skirmish\u3000with\u3000the\u3000brass\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThat\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000putting\u3000the\u3000best\u3000face\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000No\u3000previous\u3000effort\u3000had\u3000convinced\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Earth\u3000Defense\u3000Council\u3000to\u3000either\u3000begin\u3000peace\u3000negotiations\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000invaders\u3000or\u3000allow\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000its\u3000civilian\u3000refugees\u3000to\u3000return\u3000home\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000volunteered\u3000to\u3000try\u3000again\uff1b\u3000to\u3000present\u3000shocking\u3000new\u3000evidence\u3000that\u3000had\u3000just\u3000emerged\u3000and\u3000exert\u3000all\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000she\u3000could\u3000on\u3000her\u3000father\uff1b\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3000to\u3000get\u3000him\u3000to\u3000see\u3000reason\u3000and\u3000then\u3000persuade\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3002
\n
\nClaudia\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000pair\uff1a\u3000Claudia\uff1b\u3000tall\u3000and\u3000exotic\u2026looking\uff1b\u3000several\u3000years\u3000older\u3000than\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000with\u3000skin\u3000the\u3000color\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000honey\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000pallid\u3000and\u3000slender\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000plain\u2026looking\u3000until\u3000one\u3000looked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000closer\u3002
\n
\nClaudia\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000running\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000through\u3000her\u3000tight\u3000brown\u3000curls\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000whether\u3000it’ll\u3000help\u3000or\u3000not\u3000to\u3000say\u3000this\uff1b\u3000but\u3000stop\u3000looking\u3000so\u3000grim\u3002\u3000Girl\uff1b\u3000you\u3000remind\u3000me\u3000of\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sinking\u3000ship\u3000when\u3000he\u3000finds\u3000out\u3000they\u3000substituted\u3000deck\u3000chairs\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lifeboats\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000change\u3000people’s\u3000minds\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000all\u3000they\u3000can\u3000do\u3000is\u3000say\u3000no\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000to\u3000it\u3000than\u3000that\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000was\u3000not\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000let\u3000his\u3000only\u3000child\u3000leave\u3000Earth\u2026to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000endless\u3000Zentraedi\u3000attacks\u2026once\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000UEDC\u3000headquarters\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000Claudia\u3000nor\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000mentioned\u3000that\u3000they\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000never\u3000see\u3000each\u3000another\u3000again\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lisa\u3000said\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000opened\u3000and\u3000the\u3000noise\u3000and\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000deck\u3000flooded\u3000in\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000women\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000world\u3000of\u3000harsh\u3000worklights\u3002\u3000bat\u3000and\u3000other\u3000craft\u3000were\u3000parked\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000crammed\u3000in\u3000tightly\u3000with\u3000wings\u3000and\u3000ailerons\u3000folded\u3000for\u3000more\u3000efficient\u3000storage\u3002
\n
\nMaintenance\u3000crews\u3000were\u3000swarming\u3000over\u3000Veritechs\u3000damaged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000recent\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000while\u3000ordnance\u3000people\u3000readied\u3000ships\u3000slated\u3000for\u3000the\u3000next\u3000round\u3000of\u3000patrols\u3000and\u3000surveillance\u3000flights\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000survival\u3000depended\u3000in\u3000large\u3000part\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000useless\u3000if\u3000not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000unflagging\uff1b\u3000often\u3000round\u2026the\u2026clock\u3000work\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000who\u3000repaired\u3000and\u3000serviced\u3000and\u3000rearmed\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000who\u3000risked\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000as\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000deck\u3000catapult\u3000crews\u3002
\n
\nWelding\u3000sparks\u3000flew\uff1b\u3000ordnance\u3000loader\u3000servos\u3000whined\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000missiles\u3000and\u3000ammunition\u3000into\u3000place\u3002\u3000Claudia\u3000had\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000be\u3000heard\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000told\u3000Rick\u3000about\u3000the\u3000trip\uff1b\u3000or\u3000have\u3000you\u3000been\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000to\u3000see\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBusy\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000both\u3000knew\u3000that\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000concluded\u3000that\u3000her\u3000love\u3000for\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000leader\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000Skull\u3000Team\uff1b\u3000was\u3000one\u2026sided\u3002\u3000By\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000on\u3000a\u3000vital\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000also\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000giving\u3000up\u3000any\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000ever\u3000changing\u3000that\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000call\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shuttle\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nClaudia\u3000exercised\u3000admirable\u3000restraint\u3000and\u3000did\u3000not\u3000blurt\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000stop\u3000being\u3000such\u3000a\u3000coward\uff01\u3000Because\u3000Lisa\u3000wasn’t\u2026she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000bat\u3000decorations\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000it\uff1b\u3000medals\u3000and\u3000fruit\u3000cocktail\u3000that\u3000any\u3000line\u3000officer\u3000would\u3000respect\u3002\u3000But\u3000where\u3000emotions\u3000were\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000petent\u3000and\u3000capable\u3000First\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000prefer\u3000hiding\u3000under\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000someplace\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000shuttle\u3000was\u3000near\u3000the\u3000aircraft\u3000elevator\u2026air\u3000lock\u3000that\u3000would\u3000lift\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000deck\u3002\u3000Lisa’s\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000the\u3000evidence\u3000she\u3000hoped\u3000would\u3000sway\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000at\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000were\u3000already\u3000aboard\u3002\u3000The\u3000crew\u3000chief\u3000was\u3000running\u3000a\u3000final\u3000prelaunch\u3000check\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000shuttle\u3000is\u3000nearly\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000launch\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000female\u3000enlisted\u2026rating\u3000tech\u3000reported\u3002\u3000\u3003Launch\u3000in\u3000ten\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003
\n
\nCaptain\u3000Henry\u3000Gloval\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000to\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000several\u3000other\u3000displays\uff1b\u3000stroking\u3000his\u3000thick\u3000mustache\u3002\u3000\u3003Any\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000activity\u3000in\u3000our\u3000area\uff1f\u3003\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000still\u3000carr \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nCaptain\u3000Henry\u3000Gloval\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000to\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000several\u3000other\u3000displays\uff1b\u3000stroking\u3000his\u3000thick\u3000mustache\u3002\u3000\u3003Any\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000activity\u3000in\u3000our\u3000area\uff1f\u3003\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000still\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000burred\u3000r’s\u3000and\u3000other\u3000giveaways\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Russian\u3000mother\u3000tongue\u3002
\n
\nVanessa\u3000answered\u3000promptly\uff1b\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000been\u3000absolutely\u3000no\u3000contact\uff1b\u3000no\u3000activity\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000stupendous\u3000Zentraedi\u3000armada\u3000still\u3000shadowed\u3000and\u3000prowled\u3000around\u3000the\u3000wandering\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000Time\u3000and\u3000again\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000had\u3000attacked\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000paratively\u3000insignificant\u3000numbers\u3002\u3000The\u3000defectors’\u3000information\u3000was\u3000only\u3000now\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000shed\u3000light\u3000on\u3000the\u3000reasons\u3000behind\u3000that\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000been\u3000nothing\u3000at\u3000all\uff1f\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000asked\u3000again\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000flicking\u3000across\u3000the\u3000readouts\u3000and\u3000displays\u3002\u3000\u3003Mm\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000this\u3000doesn’t\u3000mean\u3000they’re\u3000planning\u3000an\u3000attack\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000paced\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000erect\u3000figure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000high\u2026rolled\u3000collar\u3000of\u3000his\u3000uniform\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000hat\u3000pulled\u3000low\u3000over\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000clenched\u3000his\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000empty\u3000briar\u3000in\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000it\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLisa\u3000was\u3000his\u3000highly\u3000valued\u3000First\u3000Officer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000also\u3000much\u3000like\u3000a\u3000daughter\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000every\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000his\u3000reason\u3000and\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000duty\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000himself\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000logical\u3000one\u3000for\u3000this\u3000mission\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000first\u3000enlisted\u3000tech\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Kim\u3000Young\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000manning\u3000a\u3000position\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000Kim\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000other\u3000enlisted\u3000regulars\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000watch\uff1b\u3000Sammie\u3000and\u3000Vanessa\uff1b\u3000were\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\uff1b\u3000part\u3000of\u3000what\u3000amounted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000family\u3000with\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Claudia\u3000Grant\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Kim\uff1b\u3000does\u3000the\u3000skipper\u3000always\u3000get\u3000this\u3002\u3002ncerned\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nElfin\u2026faced\u3000Kim\uff1b\u3000a\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000wore\u3000her\u3000black\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000a\u3000short\u3000cut\uff1b\u3000showed\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000grin\u3002\u3000She\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3000he’s\u3000a\u3000rock\u3002\u3000But\u3000he’s\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000there’s\u3000Sammie\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSammie\u3000Porter\uff1b\u3000youngest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000high\u2026energy\u3000twenty\u2026year\u2026old\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000mane\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3002\u3000She\u3000usually\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000meaning\u3000of\u3000fear\u3002\u3002\u3002but\u3000she\u3000usually\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000meaning\u3000of\u3000tact\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000conscientious\u3000and\u3000bright\u3000but\u3000sometimes\u3000excitable\u3002
\n
\nLisa’s\u3000departure\u3000had\u3000meant\u3000a\u3000reshuffling\u3000of\u3000jobs\u3000on\u3000her\u3000watch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sammie\u3000had\u3000ended\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000coordinating\u3000duties\u3000Claudia\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3000would\u3000have\u3000ordinarily\u3000handled\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yellow\u3000squad\uff1b\u3000please\u3000go\u3000to\u3000preassigned\u3000coordinates\u3000before\u3000requesting\u3000puter\u3000readout\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000ordered\u3000a\u3000unit\u3000of\u3000attack\u3000mecha\u3000over\u3000the\u3000circuit\u3002\u3000The\u3000mammoth\u3000Robotech\u3000war\u3000machines\u3000were\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000defensive\u3000force\u3002\u3000Excaliburs\u3000and\u3000Spartans\u3000and\u3000Raidar\u3000Xs\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000like\u3000some\u3000hybrid\u3000of\u3000armored\u3000knight\u3000and\u3000walking\u3000battleship\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000among\u3000the\u3000units\u3000that\u3000guarded\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\u3000sortied\u3000out\u3000into\u3000space\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000bent\u3000close\u3000to\u3000check\u3000on\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002\u3000\u3003Everything\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3000No\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000I\u3000hope\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSammie\u3000whirled\u3000and\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000please\uff01\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000these\u3000transmissions\u3000before\u3000they\u3000pile\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000ordering\u3000the\u3000lumbering\u3000mecha\u3000around\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000turrets\u3000and\u3000missile\u3000batteries\u3000were\u3000alert\u3000and\u3000that\u3000all\u3000intel\u3000data\u3000and\u3000situation\u3000reports\u3000were\u3000up\u3000to\u3000date\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000straightened\uff1b\u3000clamping\u3000his\u3000pipe\u3000in\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Sorry\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000interrupt\u3002\u3003\u3000Kim\u3000and\u3000Vanessa\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000subtle\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000perceptible\u3000nods\uff1b\u3000to\u3000let\u3000him\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Sammie\u3000was\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000things\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000Sammie’s\u3000occasional\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000diplomacy\u3000as\u3000a\u3000ponent\u3000of\u3000her\u3000fierce\u3000dedication\u3000to\u3000duty\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000she\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000not\u2026to\u2026be\u2026trifled\u2026with\u3000sheep\u3000dog\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Through\u3000some\u3000joke\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gods\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000these\u3000three\u3000whom\u3000the\u3000original\u3000Zentraedi\u3000spies\u2026Bron\uff1b\u3000Konda\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rico\u2026had\u3000met\u3000and\uff1b\u3000not\u3000to\u3000put\u3000too\u3000fine\u3000a\u3000point\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000begun\u3000dating\u3000and\u3000formed\u3000attachments\u3000to\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000normally\u3000clear\u3000lines\u3000between\u3000personal\u3000life\u3000and\u3000matters\u3000of\u3000concern\u3000to\u3000the\u3000service\u3000were\u3000being\u3000quite\u3000muddied\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000seemed\u3000decent\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000already\u3000reports\u3000of\u3000ugly\u3000incidents\u3000between\u3000the\u3000defectors\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000inhabitants\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\uff1b\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u2026was\u3000apprehensive\u3000that\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000races\u3000could\u3000never\u3000coexist\u3002
\n
\nOn\u3000top\u3000of\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000shake\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000he\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000setting\u3000curfews\uff1b\u3000or\u3000providing\u3000chaperones\uff1b\u3000or\u3000doing\u3000something\u3000paternal\u3002\u3000These\u3000things\u3000troubled\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brief\u3000moments\u3000when\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000doing\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000mand\u3000wasn’t\u3000obliterated\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Shuttle\u3000escort\u3000flight\uff1b\u3000prepare\u3000for\u3000launch\uff1b\u3000five\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sammie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000bent\u3000over\u3000her\u3000console\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Gloval\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Shuttle’s\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000will\u3000be\u3000leaving\u3000in\u3000four\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000fifty\u3000seconds\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWO
\n
\nOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000idle\u3000hands\u3000are\u3000not\u3000the\u3000devil’s\u3000workshop\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\u3000a\u3000base\u3000canard\u3002
\nRather\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000is\u3000always\u3000driven\u3000to\u3000be\u3000busy\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000new\u3000machinations\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000brew\u3000boiling\uff1b\u3000that\u3000causes\u3000the\u3000most\u3000trouble\u3002\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000dispute\u3000this\u3000might\u3000do\u3000well\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000whenever\u3000Khyron\u3000grew\u3000restive\u3002
\nRawlins\uff1b\u3000Zentraedi\u3000Triumvirate\uff1a\u3000Dolza\uff1b\u3000Breetai\uff1b\u3000Khyron
\n
\nMax\u3000Sterling\uff1b\u3000flight\u3000helmet\u3000cradled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000left\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000strode\u3000through\u3000the\u3000frenetic\u3000activity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000deck\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000Sammie’s\u3000voice\u3000echo\u3000over\u3000the\u3000PA\u3002\u3000\u3003Sammie’s\u3000substituting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mander\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000his\u3000side\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000replacement\uff1b\u3000Corporal\u3000Elkins\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000transferred\u3000in\u3000from\u3000Wolf\u3000Team\u3000to\u3000help\u3000fill\u3000the\u3000gaps\u3000in\u3000Skull’s\u3000ranks\u3000after\u3000the\u3000last\u3000pitched\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000Elkins\u3000remarked\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000she\u3000stays\u3000calm\u3002\u3000Last\u3000time\u3000she\u3000had\u3000me\u3000flying\u3000figure\u3000eights\u3000around\u3000a\u3000radar\u3000mast\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000chuckled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000forgot\u3000the\u3000joke\uff1b\u3000distracted\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\u3002\u3003
\n
\nElkins\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000Max\u3000meant\u3002\u3000The\u3000techs\u3000had\u3000rolled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000prototype\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000something\u3000everybody\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000squadrons\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000about\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000the\u3000conventional\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sleek\u3000ultra\u2026fighter\uff1b\u3000but\u3000two\u3000augmentation\u3000pods\u3000were\u3000mounted\u3000above\u3000its\u3000wing\u3000pivots\u3002\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000conventional\u3000VTs\u3000were\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000miracle\u3000in\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000advanced\u3000use\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotechnology\u3000that\u3000humans\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wreckage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000when\u3000the\u3000alien\u2026built\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3000had\u3000originally\u3000crashed\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000twelve\u3000years\u3000before\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000had\u3000murderous\u3000teeth\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000its\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000its\u3000primary\u3000and\u3000secondary\u3000batteries\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000astoundingly\u3000powerful\u3000main\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000were\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000claws\u3002\u3000And\u3000this\u3000new\uff1b\u3000retrofitted\u3000model\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000a\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000generation\uff1b\u3000a\u3000major\u3000advance\u3000in\u3000firepower\u3000and\u3000performance\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Wouldn’t\u3000that\u3000be\u3000something\u3000to\u3000fly\uff1f\u3003\u3000Max\u3000murmured\u3002\u3000He\u3000hoped\u3000it\u3000checked\u3000out\u3000all\u3000right\u3000in\u3000test\u3000flights\uff1b\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000needed\u3000every\u3000edge\u3000they\u3000could\u3000get\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Whenever\u3000they’re\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000give\u3000me\u3000one\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000take\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Elkins\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Anyway\uff1b\u3000watch\u3000yourself\u3000up\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Max\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000boarding\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000made\u3000notes\u3000on\u3000everything\u3000that\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000problem\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000a\u3000thing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Claudia\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000put\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000Lisa’s\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000see\u3000you\u3000back\u3000here\u3000in\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\uff1b\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLisa\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000smile\u3002\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000say\u3000to\u3000someone\u3000dearer\u3000than\u3000a\u3000sister\uff1f\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000so\u3002\u3000You\u3000look\u3000after\u3000things\u3002\u3003\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000crew\u3000whistled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shuttle’s\u3000entry\u3000hatch\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000mobile\u3000steps\u3000moved\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tubby\u3000shuttle\u3002\u3000Claudia\u3000threw\u3000Lisa\u3000a\u3000salute\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000in\u3000so\u3000long\u3000that\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000could\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000last\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000returned\u3000it\u3000smartly\u3002\u3000The\u3000round\u3000hatch\u3000swung\u3000to\uff1b\u3000emblazoned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Defense\u3000Force\u3000insignia\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000no\u3000other\u3000passengers\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000been\u3000all\u3000but\u3000nonexistent\u3000since\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000rulers\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000decoy\uff1b\u3000luring\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000planet\u3002\u3000Other\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000canisters\u3000of\u3000classified\u3000dispatches\u3000and\u3000so\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000partment\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000found\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000partment\uff1b\u3000near\u3000a\u3000\u3000console\uff1b\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000a\u3000passing\u3000crewman\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000a\u3000secure\u3000line\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Aye\u3000aye\uff1b\u3000ma’am\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000best\u3000to\u3000make\u3000any\u3000calls\u3000now\uff1b\u3000never\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000what\u3000glitches\u3000we’ll\u3000run\u3000into\u3000outside\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000will\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000wandering\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000side\u3000street\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000when\u3000the\u3000paging\u3000voice\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Repeating\uff1a\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000call\u3002\u3003
\n
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000sure\u3000where\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000shuffling\u3000along\u3000in\u3000civvies\u3000that\u3000felt\u3000rather\u3000strange\u2026the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000he’d\u3000worn\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000a\u3000uniform\u3000or\u3000a\u3000flightsuit\u3000in\u3000weeks\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000brooding\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000sort\u3000things\u3000out\uff1b\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000his\u3000own\u3000feelings\u3000and\u3000face\u3000up\u3000to\u3000certain\u3000truths\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000went\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ubiquitous\u3000yellow\u3000\u3000phones\u3000and\u3000identified\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000ining\u3000call\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000secure\u2026line\u3000encryption\u3000signal\uff1b\u3000keying\u3000the\u3000public\u3000phone\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000While\u3000the\u3000machines\u3000went\u3000through\u3000their\u3000coding\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000eavesdrop\u3002
\n
\nPeople\u3000were\u3000just\u3000passing\u3000by\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000sparing\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pact\u3000black\u2026haired\u3000young\u3000man\u3000at\u3000the\u3000phone\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000mind\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours\u3000respite\u3000from\u3000being\u3000the\u3000Skull\u3000Team’s\u3000leader\u2026some\u3000time\u3000away\u3000from\uff1b\u3000the\u3000burden\u3000of\u3000mand\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000cocky\u3000civilian\u3000when\u3000he\u3000first\u3000came\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000two\u3000years\u3000before\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000drawn\u3000into\u3000military\u3000service\u3000only\u3000grudgingly\u3000by\u3000Roy\u3000Fokker\uff1b\u3000his\u3000unofficial\u3000Big\u3000Brother\u2026Claudia\u3000Grant’s\u3000lover\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000more\u3000dogfights\u3000than\u3000he\u3000could\u3000remember\uff1b\u3000had\u3000written\u3000so\u3000many\u3000condolence\u3000letters\u3000to\u3000the\u3000families\u3000of\u3000dead\u3000VT\u3000pilots\u3000that\u3000he\u3000forced\u3000himself\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000had\u3000stood\u3000by\u3000at\u3000the\u3000funeral\u3000of\u3000Roy\u3000Fokker\u3000and\u3000others\u3000beyond\u3000counting\u3002\u3000He\u3000only\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000shut\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000no \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000twenty\u2026one\u3000years\u3000old\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000circuit\u3000was\u3000established\u3002\u3000\u3003Rick\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000under\u3000observation\u3000as\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000aimlessly\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000and\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000His\u3000brain\u3000failed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000that\u3000emotional\u3000cyclone\u3000where\u3000his\u3000feelings\u3000for\u3000the\u3000two\u3000women\u3000swirled\u3000and\u3000defied\u3000all\u3000analysis\uff1b\u3000all\u3000decision\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000can\u3000I\u3000do\u3000for\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ouch\u3002\u3000Wrong\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000said\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000let\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000on\u3000my\u3000way\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000them\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000again\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000no\u3000civilians\u3000had\u3000any\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000hearing\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000enough\u3000unrest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000without\u3000spreading\u3000new\u3000rumors\u3000and\u3000raising\u3000expectations\u3000that\u3000would\u3000in\u3000all\u3000probability\u3000be\u3000dashed\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000emptiness\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000leaving\uff01
\n
\n\u3003Why\u3000wasn’t\u3000I\u3000told\u3000ab\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000all\u3000top\u3000secret\u3002\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000I\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000e\u3000back\u3002\u3003\u3000Lisa\u3000cupped\u3000the\u3000handset\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000it\u3000sadly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000was\u3000moved\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000aircraft\u3000elevator\u3000for\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000deck\u3002\u3000Max\u3000Sterling’s\u3000VT\u3000was\u3000next\u3000to\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003So\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000something\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000struggled\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000say\u3000it\uff01\u3000Claudia’s\u3000voice\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000holler\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000appreciate\u3000all\u3000you’ve\u3000done\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000been\u3000an\u3000honor\u3000serving\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lisa\u3000said\u3000instead\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000observations\u3000about\u3000our\u3000captivity\u3000in\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000headquarters\u3000will\u3000be\u3000an\u3000important\u3000part\u3000of\u3000my\u3000report\u3000when\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1b\u3000Lisa\uff1f\u3003\u3000Something\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000murky\u3000to\u3000him\u3000moments\u3000ago\u3000was\u3000crystal\u3000clear\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3000about\u3000reports\u3000or\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000e\u3000back\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\n
\nTell\u3000him\uff01\u3000Say\u3000it\uff01\u3000But\u3000she\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000face\u3000the\u3000rejection\u3002\u3000He\u3000loved\u3000the\u3000luminous\u3000superstar\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Minmei\u3000cared\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000Who\u3000could\u3000pete\u3000with\u3000that\uff1f
\n
\nShe\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003Please\u3000watch\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000defectors\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000our\u3000people\u3000haven’t\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000reason\u3000things\u3000out\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000are\u3000in\u3000danger\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000stubby\u3000shuttle\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000boxed\u3000up\u3000for\u3000launch\u3000by\u3000the\u3000cat\u3000crew\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hookup\u3000people\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000deflector\u3000raised\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000spacecraft\u3002\u3000Off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000Max’s\u3000VT\u3000swept\u3000its\u3000wings\u3000out\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000its\u3000vertical\u3000stabilizers\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000held\u3000the\u3000handset\u3000tenderly\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000launching\u3002\u3000Good\u2026bye\u3002\u3000And\u3000thanks\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3000Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000But\u3000the\u3000circuit\u3000was\u3000dead\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000got\u3000up\u3000to\u3000an\u3000observation\u3000deck\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000distant\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drives\u3000of\u3000the\u3000formed\u2026up\u3000flight\uff1b\u3000dwindle\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Shuttle\u3000craft\u3000and\u3000escorts\u3000proceeding\u3000according\u3000to\u3000flight\u3000plan\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000told\u3000Gloval\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000had\u3000actually\u3000said\u3000that\u3000Lisa’s\u3000flight\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000monitored\u3000so\u3000closely\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000objected\u3000to\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000either\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000were\u3000keeping\u3000close\u3000tabs\u3002
\n
\nBack\u3000at\u3000her\u3000duty\u3000station\uff1b\u3000Claudia\u3000was\u3000alert\u3000to\u3000every\u3000nuance\u3000of\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000like\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000there\u3002\u3000When\u3000Vanessa\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Captain\uff01\u3003\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clipped\uff1b\u3000alarmed\u3000tone\uff1b\u3000Claudia’s\u3000heart\u3000skipped\u3000a\u3000beat\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Elements\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000fleet\u3000are\u3000redeploying\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000on\u3000intercept\u3000course\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000situation\u3000displays\uff1b\u3000threat\u3000boards\uff1b\u3000puter\u3000projections\u3002\u3000Claudia\u3000kept\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000board\uff1b\u3000one\u3000on\u3000Gloval\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000sounded\u3000very\u3000calm\u3002\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000battle\u3000had\u3000e\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000well\u3000of\u3000tranquility\u3002\u3000\u3003Order\u3000them\u3000to\u3000take\u3000evasive\u3000action\u3000as\u3000necessary\u3000or\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000if\u3000possible\u3002\u3003
\n
\nClaudia\u3000almost\u3000blurted\u3000out\u3000a\u3000plea\u3000to\u3000send\u3000reinforcements\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000read\u3000the\u3000displays\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000anyone\u3002\u3000More\u3000Zentraedi\u3000forces\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000into\u3000place\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000off\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000Pummeled\u3000and\u3000undermanned\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000could\u3000ill\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000VT\u3000team\u3000to\u3000save\u3000one\u3000shuttle\u3000and\u3000its\u3000escorts\u3002
\n
\nNo\u3000matter\u3000who\u3000might\u3000die\u3002
\n
\n
\nAlarms\u3000and\u3000emergency\u3000Hashers\u3000brought\u3000Lisa\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dim\u3000gray\u3000despair\u3002\u3000The\u3000shuttle\u3000pilot\u3000was\u3000announcing\uff1b\u3000\u3003Enemy\u3000craft\u3000approaching\u3002\u3000All\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000general\u3000quarters\u3002\u3000Secure\u3000for\u3000general\u3000quarters\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000grinding\u3000sound\u3000as\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000padded\u3000armor\u3000shielding\u3000slid\u3000up\u3000into\u3000place\u3000around\u3000Lisa’s\u3000seat\u3002\u3000She\u3000calmly\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000briefcase\u3000into\u3000the\u3000questionable\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000cocoon\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000securing\u3000her\u3000acceleration\u3000harness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000drive\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000seat’s\u3000cushioning\u3002
\n
\n
\nMax\u3000Sterling\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000news\u3000almost\u3000amicably\u3002\u3000The\u3000heritage\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000pilot’s\u3000proud\u3000tradition\u3000remained\u3000strong\u3002\u3000Dying\u3000was\u3000sometimes\u3000unavoidable\uff1b\u3000but\u3000losing\u3000one’s\u3000cool\u3000was\u3000inexcusable\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Enemy\u3000approaching\u3000on\u3000our\u3000six\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000with\u3000less\u3000emotion\u3000than\u3000most\u3000people\u3000used\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000weather\u3002\u3000\u3003Form\u3000up\u3000in\u3000gamma\u3000deployment\u3000and\u3000stick\u3000with\u3000your\u3000wingmen\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000other\u3000VTs\u3000rogered\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000ply\u3002\u3000Max\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000give\u3000Lisa\u3000an\u3000encouraging\u3000wave\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000cocoon\u3000had\u3000already\u3000swallowed\u3000her\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000peeled\u3000off\u3000to\u3000take\u3000up\u3000his\u3000own\u3000position\u3002\u3000The\u3000aerodynamic\u3000maneuvers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000looked\u3000strange\u3000in\u3000the\u3000airlessness\u3000and\u3000zero\u3000g\u3000of\u3000space\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000pilots\u3000came\u3000from\u3000a\u3000naval\u3000aviation\u3000tradition\u3002\u3000They\u3000thought\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000way\u3000about\u3000flying\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thinking\u3000was\u3000half\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000Robotechnology\u3002\u3000The\u3000aerodynamic\u3000maneuvers\u3000wasted\u3000power\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Robotechnology\u3000had\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000that\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000hoped\u3000this\u3000was\u3000another\u3000feint\u3002\u3000Like\u3000Gloval\u3000and\u3000many\u3000others\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000there\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000two\u3000distinct\u3000factions\u2026almost\u3000a\u3000schizophrenia\u2026among\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000One\u3000side\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000waiting\u3000game\uff1b\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000capture\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000intact\u3000for\u3000reasons\u3000that\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000still\u3000couldn’t\u3000guess\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000low\u2026ranking\u3000defectors\uff1b\u3000not\u3000privy\u3000to\u3000strategic\u3000information\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000clarify\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000other\u3000element\u2026rash\uff1b\u3000unpredictable\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000irrational\u2026mounted\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000vicious\u3000attacks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000destroying\u3000it\u3000with\u3000no\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000the\u3000consequences\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000being\u3000clear\u3000that\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000mander\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000this\u3000had\u3000a\u3000name\u3000known\u3000to\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000feared\u3000by\uff1b\u3000all\u3000Zentraedi\u3002
\n
\nKhryon\u3000the\u3000Backstabber\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003mander\uff1b\u3000the\u3000target\u3000has\u3000changed\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000pod\u3000pilot\u3000said\uff1b\u3000the\u3000facebowl\u3000of\u3000his\u3000bat\u3000armor\u3000lit\u3000by\u3000his\u3000instruments\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000fighters\u3000are\u3000redeploying\u3000for\u3000intercept\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000alien\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000two\u3000dozen\u3000and\u3000more\uff1b\u3000were\u3000in\u3000attack\u3000formation\u2026huge\u3000ovoid\u3000bodies\u3000quilled\u3000with\u3000cannon\u3000muzzles\uff1b\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000long\u3000reverse\u2026articulated\u3000legs\u3000so\u3000that\u3000they\u3000resembled\u3000headless\u3000ostriches\u3002\u3000Most\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000considered\u3000\u3003armless\uff1b\u3003\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Officers’\u3000Pods\u3000mounted\u3000heavy\u3000guns\u3000that\u3000suggested\u3000gargantuan\u3000derringers\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000pod\u3000was\u3000Khyron\u3000the\u3000Backstabber\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000didn’t\u3000fit\u3000most\u3000stereotypes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brutal\u3000warlord\u3002\u3000Quite\u3000contrary\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000conventionalities\u2026their\u3000Spartan\u3000simplicity\uff1b\u3000their\u3000distaste\u3000for\u3000mannerisms\u2026Khyron\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000called\u3000a\u3000fop\u3000if\u3000such\u3000a\u3000word\u3000or\u3000concept\u3000had\u3000existed\u3000among\u3000his\u3000race\u3002
\n
\nYouthful\u2026looking\u3000and\u3000sinisterly\u3000handsome\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000screens\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pod’s\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000contemplating\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forbidden\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000again\u3000on\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000immediate\u3000execution\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000issued\u3000any\u3000orders\u3000with\u3000regard\u3000to\u3000a\u3000juicy\u3000little\u3000convoy\u3002
\n
\nFour\u3000times\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000vermin\u3000had\u3000humiliated\u3000him\u3002\u3000With\u3000each\u3000defeat\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hatred\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000geometrically\u3002\u3000It\u3000went\u3000incandescent\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000sorts\u3000of\u3000perversions\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000practiced\uff1a\u3000males\u3000mingling\u3000with\u3000females\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sexes\u3000somehow\u3000ing\u3000into\u3000contact\u3000and\u3000expressing\u3000weak\u2026willed\u3000affection\u3000for\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000They\u3000behaved\u3000seductively\uff1b\u3000something\u3000unknown\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000The\u3000Micronians\u3000paired\u3000off\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000forming\u3000lifelong\u3000bonds\uff1b\u3000driven\u3000by\u3000impulses\u3000and\u3000stimuli\u3000Khyron\u3000was\u3000only\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000perceive\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000repelled\u3000and\u3000fascinated\u3000him\uff1b\u3000it\u3000obsessed\u3000and\u3000possessed\u3000him\u3002\u3000So\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000other\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000the\u3000Micronians\u3000utterly\u3000or\u3000go\u3000pletely\u3000insane\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Nothing\u3000can\u3000save\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000gloated\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000units\uff1a\u3000Attack\u3000immediately\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000pods\u3000closed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000flames\u3000of\u3000their\u3000drives\uff1b\u3000guns\u3000angling\uff1b\u3000answering\u3000their\u3000targetting\u3000servos\u3002\u3000The\u3000VTs\u3000swept\u3000out\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000has\u3000reached\u3000coordinates\u3000Lambda\u3000thirty\u2026four\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sammie\u3000called\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003Should\u3000we\u3000send\u3000reinforcements\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000bridge\u3000crew\u3000watched\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000he\u3000would\u3000say\u3000yes\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000he\u3000himself\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000left\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000underprotected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000already\u3000tried\u3000similar\u3000diversionary\u3000maneuvers\u3000to\u3000set\u3000up\u3000a\u3000major\u3000attack\u3002
\n
\nWith\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000spaceworthy\u3000VTs\u3000critically\u3000low\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000fabrication\u3000machinery\u3000could\u3000produce\u3000replacements\uff1b\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000couldn’t\u3000risk\u3000sending\u3000out\u3000another\u3000team\u3000of\u3000fighters\u3000or\u3000risk\u3000the\u3000pilots\u3000who\u3000were\u3000so\u3000crucial\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000survival\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Not\u3000unless\u3000we\u3000absolutely\u3000have\u3000to\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000stonily\u3002\u3000The\u3000women\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000their\u3000jobs\u3000in\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000did\u3000not\u3000elaborate\u3000on\u3000the\u3000question\u3000of\u3000reinforcements\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000already\u3000decided\uff1a\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000risk\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000VTs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000one\u3000desperate\u3000gamble\u3000he\u3000could\u3000take\u3000if\u3000the\u3000shuttle’s\u3000situation\u3000got\u3000worse\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000volume\u3000of\u3000empty\u3000space\u3000designated\u3000Lambda\u3000thirty\u2026four\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000Sterling’s\u3000Veritech\u3000went\u3000through\u3000a\u3000lightning\u3000change\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000what\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eerie\u3000Robotech\u3000genius\uff1b\u3000termed\u3000\u3003mechamorphosis\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alteration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighter’s\u3000very\u3000structure\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000lever\u3000that\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000into\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000through\u3000its\u3000change\u3002\u3000The\u3000VT\u3000shifted\u3000to\u3000Battloid\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000a\u3000futuristic\u3000gladiator\u3000in\u3000bulky\uff1b\u3000ultratech\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000bristling\u3000with\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000Two\u3000pods\u3000drove\u3000in\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000cannon\u3000blazing\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000THREE
\n
\nThat\u3000undisciplined\u3000showoff\uff1f\u3000That\u3000wet\u2026nosed\u3000civilian\u3000joystick\u3000pilot\uff1f\u3000What\u3000a\u3000waste\u3000o \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000THREE
\n
\nThat\u3000undisciplined\u3000showoff\uff1f\u3000That\u3000wet\u2026nosed\u3000civilian\u3000joystick\u3000pilot\uff1f\u3000What\u3000a\u3000waste\u3000of\u3000time\u3000and\u3000effort\uff01
\nRemark\u3000attributed\u3000to\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3000upon\u3000being\u3000informed\u3000that\u3000trainee\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000had\u3000qualified\u3000as\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000pilot\u30002009\u3000A\u3002D\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000pods\u3000fired\u3000away\u3000with\u3000the\u3000primary\u3000and\u3000secondary\u3000guns\u3000that\u3000protruded\u3000from\u3000their\u3000armored\u3000plastrons\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000bolts\u3000converged\u3000on\u3000utter\u3000vacuum\u3002\u3000Max’s\u3000Battloid\u3000wasn’t\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000split\u3000second\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Battloid\u3000had\u3000its\u3000autocannon\u3000in\u3000its\u3000metal\u3000fists\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000its\u3000backpack\u3000thrusters\u3000with\u3000the\u3000agility\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gymnast\uff1b\u3000darting\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dragonfly\u3002\u3000It\u3000whirled\u3000on\u3000one\u3000pod\uff1b\u3000opening\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000chain\u2026gun\u3000was\u3000loaded\u3000with\u3000depleted\u3000transuranic\u3000rounds\uff1b\u3000big\u3000as\u3000candlepins\u3000and\u3000much\u3000heavier\u2026high\u2026powered\uff1b\u3000extremely\u3000dense\u3000projectiles\u3000that\u3000delivered\u3000terrific\u3000amounts\u3000of\u3000kinetic\u3000energy\u3002\u3000The\u3000pod’s\u3000armor\u3000flew\u3000like\u3000shredded\u3000paper\uff1b\u3000it\u3000exploded\u3000in\u3000an\u3000outlashing\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000and\u3000debris\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000was\u3000still\u3000dodging\u3000with\u3000blinding\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000his\u3000sights\u3000on\u3000the\u3000second\u3000pod\u3002\u3000He\u3000riddled\u3000it\u3000before\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000pilot\u3000could\u3000draw\u3000a\u3000bead\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000shot\u3000group\u3000of\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000egglike\u3000alien\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000pod\u3000became\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000fireball\u3002
\n
\nNo\u3000system\u3000of\u3000manual\u3000or\u3000puter\u3000controls\u3000could\u3000have\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000such\u3000astounding\u3000maneuverability\uff1b\u3000such\u3000instantaneous\u3000responses\u3000and\u3000deadly\u3000shooting\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000\u3003thinking\u3000cap\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000interface\u3000of\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000could\u3000work\u3000the\u3000seeming\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3002
\n
\nOther\u3000VTs\u3000had\u3000already\u3000paired\u3000off\u3000against\u3000the\u3000foe\u3002\u3000The\u3000mecha\u3000swirled\u3000and\u3000pounced\uff1b\u3000their\u3000missiles\u3000corkscrewed\u3000and\u3000sizzled\u3000while\u3000energy\u3000bolts\u3000and\u3000powered\u3000gatling\u3000rounds\u3000lit\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000pods\u3000had\u3000the\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000numbers\u3000by\u3000more\u3000than\u3000two\u3000to\u3000one\uff1b\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000occupy\u3000every\u3000Veritech\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000more\u3000pods\u3000to\u3000go\u3000after\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000shuttle\u3000pilot\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000evasive\u3000action\u3000and\u3000running\u3000for\u3000safety\u3000at\u3000full\u3000emergency\u3000power\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000was\u3000no\u3000match\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pods’\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000closed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000firing\u3002\u3000The\u3000shuttle’s\u3000light\u3000armaments\u3000and\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000maneuvering\u3000ability\u3000made\u3000it\u3000easy\u3000prey\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000skipper\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000evade\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000hoping\u3000he\u3000could\u3000eventually\u3000make\u3000a\u3000dash\u3000for\u3000the\u3000tantalizingly\u3000nearby\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000would\u3000never\u3000allow\u3000any\u3000of\u3000its\u3000forces\u3000to\u3000intervene\u3000or\u3000otherwise\u3000risk\u3000turning\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000wrath\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000itself\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000no\u3000help\u3000from\u3000that\u3000quarter\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000Zentraedi\u3000cannon\u3000burst\u3000stitched\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shuttle’s\u3000port\u3000wing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000line\u3000of\u3000three\uff1b\u3000ringed\u3000by\u3000molten\u3000metal\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000rock\u3000in\u3000her\u3000armored\u3000cocoon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gripped\u3000the\u3000padded\u3000armrests\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000the\u3000oute\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000would\u3000be\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000attacking\u3000pod\u3000was\u3000a\u3000modified\u3000standard\u3000type\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000augmentative\u3000particle\u2026beam\u3000cannon\u3000for\u3000added\u3000firepower\u3002\u3000It\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000e\u3000back\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000but\u3000just\u3000then\u3000Max\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000his\u3000Battloid\u3000diving\u3000headlong\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000The\u3000Battloid\u3000knocked\u3000the\u3000pod\u3000aside\u3000like\u3000a\u3000football\u3000player\uff1b\u3000driving\u3000a\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000armored\u3000shoulder\u3000into\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000Battloid\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000flipped\u3000neatly\u3000on\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\u3000and\u3000fired\u3002\u3000The\u3000rain\u3000of\u3000armor\u2026piercing\u3000slugs\u3000punched\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000driven\u3000back\u3000like\u3000some\u3000wounded\u3000living\u3000thing\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000secondary\u3000explosion\u2026very\u3000unusual\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000mecha’s\u3000power\u3000systems\u3000usually\u3000turned\u3000them\u3000into\u3000firecrackers\u3000once\u3000their\u3000armor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pierced\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000more\u3000pods\u3000came\u3000in\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000one\u3000with\u3000extra\u3000missile\u3000racks\u3000and\u3000another\u3000with\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000rabbit\u3000ears\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000signal\u2026warfare\u3000ship\u3002\u3000Max\u3000went\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000juking\u3000and\u3000evading\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000cross\u3000hairs\uff1b\u3000his\u3000Battloid\u3000firing\u3000short\u3000bursts\u3000from\u3000the\u3000autocannon\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000escort\u3000VTs\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000another\u3000damaged\u3000by\u3000the\u3000first\u3000onslaught\u3002\u3000Several\u3000more\u3000were\u3000still\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000bat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000like\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000had\u3000e\u3000through\u3000their\u3000first\u3000duel\u3000and\u3000were\u3000taking\u3000on\u3000new\u3000opponents\u3002\u3000Some\u3000help\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Max\u3000began\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000confident\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000pods\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000damaged\u3000shuttle\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000just\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Elkins\u3000yelled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000\u3003More\u3000pods\uff01\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000more\u3000pods\u3000ing\u3000at\u3000us\u2026half\u3000a\u3000dozen\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMax’s\u3000mouth\u3000became\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000line\u3000as\u3000he\u3000drove\u3000in\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000his\u3000current\u3000opponents\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000back\u3000with\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000pilot’s\u3000superstition\u3000on\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000alley\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000taboos\u3000were\u3000right\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lethal\u3000bad\u3000luck\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000not\u3000ing\u3000back\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000escorts\u3000are\u3000outnumbered\uff1b\u3003\u3000Kim\u3000called\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000without\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000her\u3000instruments\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003More\u3000pods\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000them\uff01\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003Cutting\u3000off\u3000the\u3000shuttle’s\u3000escape\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000sat\u3000slumped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000chair\u3000with\u3000his\u3000cap\u3000visor\u3000pulled\u3000down\u3000low\u3000over\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000A\u3000Veritech\u3000flight\u3000couldn’t\u3000possibly\u3000get\u3000there\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000them\u3000to\u3000spare\u3002\u3000But\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000long\u3000would\u3000it\u3000take\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000Veritech\u3000prototype\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nSammie\u3000already\u3000had\u3000the\u3000figures\u3002\u3000\u3003Approximately\u3000four\u3000minutes\u3000from\u3000launch\u3000at\u3000max\u3000boost\u3002\u3003
\n
\nClaudia\u3000bit\u3000her\u3000lower\u3000lip\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Gloval\u3002\u3000The\u3000captain’s\u3000head\u3000came\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Prepare\u3000it\u3000for\u3000launch\uff01\u3003
\n
\nClaudia\u3000relayed\u3000the\u3000order\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000up\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000prayer\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Sammie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Who’ll\u3000be\u3000flying\u3000it\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Get\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Hunter\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000deck\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000him\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000Sterling\u3000can\u3000hold\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000ship’s\u3000PA\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3000on\u3000a\u3000circuit\u3000had\u3000Rick\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000anxious\u3000and\u3000very\u3000intense\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000mandeered\u3000jeep\u3000he\u3000flagged\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Macross\u3000boulevard\u3002\u3000The\u3000enlisted\u3000driver\u3000was\u3000a\u3000capable\u3000man\u3000who\u3000liked\u3000having\u3000an\u3000excuse\u3000to\u3000break\u3000all\u3000traffic\u3000laws\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000suited\u3000up\u3000virtually\u3000on\u3000the\u3000run\uff1b\u3000and\u3000minutes\u3000later\u3000the\u3000aircraft\u3000elevator\u3000was\u3000lifting\u3000the\u3000humpbacked\u2026looking\u3000armored\u3000VT\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000deck\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lieutenant\uff1b\u3000your\u3000destination\u3000is\u3000Lambda\u3000thirty\u2026four\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sammie\u3000told\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000net\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lambda\u3000thirty\u2026four\uff1f\u3000What’re\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nOn\u3000the\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000Claudia\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Sammie\u3002\u3000\u3003Didn’t\u3000you\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000all\u3000pilots\u3000had\u3000the\u3000new\u3000map\u2026reference\u3000codes\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nSammie\u3000looked\u3000devastated\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000so\u3000swamped\u2026I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000he’d\u3000need\u3000one\u3000until\u3000he\u3000went\u3000on\u3000duty\u3000later\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAircraft\u3000status\u3000was\u3000relayed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000VT\u3000was\u3000boxed\u3000and\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000launch\u3002\u3000Sammie\u3000gritted\u3000her\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000stares\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000watch\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000the\u3000ominous\u3000quiet\u3000from\u3000Gloval\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000let\u3000her\u3000mistake\u3000spell\u3000Lisa’s\u3000death\uff01
\n
\nSammie\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000again\uff1b\u3000concentrating\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000shut\uff1b\u3000matching\u3000coordinates\u3000and\u3000codes\u3000by\u3000memory\u3002\u3000\u3003Coordinates\u3000in\u3000superseded\u3000code\u3000are\u3000at\u3000Weasel\u3000twenty\u2026one\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000launched\u3000without\u3000taking\u3000time\u3000to\u3000acknowledge\u3002\u3000The\u3000armored\u3000VT\u3000poured\u3000on\u3000speed\u3000like\u3000nothing\u3000any\u3000other\u3000human\u2026produced\u3000mecha\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000demonstrated\u3002\u3000A\u3000single\u3000man\u3000in\u3000an\u3000untested\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000flying\u3000out\u3000against\u3000terrible\u3000odds\u2026and\u3000if\u3000he\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000was\u3000humanity’s\u3000best\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000peace\u3000would\u3000die\u3000too\u3002
\n
\n
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000known\u3000that\u3000the\u3000chances\u3000of\u3000help\u3000arriving\u3000from\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000were\u3000slim\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000was\u3000resigned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000help\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000let\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dwindling\u3000survivors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000escort\u3000flight\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000other\u3000VT\u3000pilots\u3000had\u3000flown\u3000well\u3000and\u3000bravely\uff1b\u3000their\u3000kill\u3000ratio\u3000was\u3000high\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000they\u3000went\u3000down\u3000to\u3000oblivion\uff1b\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000globular\u3000explosions\u3000of\u3000a\u3000space\u3000rat\u3000race\u2026a\u3000mass\u3000dogfight\u3002\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000flew\u3000like\u3000no\u3000pilot\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000grim\u3000reaper\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deadly\u3000wraith\uff1b\u3000an\u3000undefeatable\u3000mecha\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Battloid\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Battloid\u3000changed\u3000vectors\u3000and\u3000zoomed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pod’s\u3000salvo\uff1b\u3000jamming\u3000some\u3000of\u3000its\u3000missiles\u3000with\u3000ECM\u3000equipment\u3000and\u3000dodging\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000a\u3000masterful\u3000performance\u3002\u3000Max\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000gatling\u3000on\u3000it\u3000and\u3000hosed\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tracer\u2026bright\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000heavyweight\u3000rounds\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000still\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000came\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000were\u3000arriving\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000day\u3000for\u3000dying\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000get\u3000back\u3000with\u3000Elkins\uff1b\u3000to\u3000stick\u3000together\u3000and\u3000protect\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000to\u3000the\u3000last\u3002\u3000But\u3000Elkins’s\u3000ship\u3000vanished\u3000in\u3000an\u3000ugly\u3000blossom\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000shrapnel\u3002\u3000The\u3000escort\u3000had\u3000been\u3000whittled\u3000down\u3000to\u3000five\u3002\u3000Four\u3000times\u3000that\u3000number\u3000came\u3000in\u3000at\u3000them\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n
\nHanging\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000action\u3000in\u3000his\u3000Officer’s\u3000Pod\uff1b\u3000Khyron\u3000watched\u3000gleefully\u3002\u3000He\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000the\u3000amazingly\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000deadly\u3000blue\u2026trimmed\u3000Veritech\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000one\u3000who\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000so\u3000many\u3000Zentraedi\u3000to\u3000defeat\u3000and\u3000death\u2026had\u3000even\u3000humbled\u3000the\u3000vaunted\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000female\u3000ace\u3000of\u3000aces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Quadronos\u3002
\n
\nKhyron\u3000was\u3000in\u3000no\u3000hurry\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000tangle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000devil\u3000in\u3000person\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000dispose\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000by\u3000attrition\u3000and\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000wizard\u3000to\u3000bits\u3000by\u3000sheer\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000numbers\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000Khyron\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000boast\u3000to\u3000fling\u3000in\u3000Miriya’s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000others\u3000who\u3000secretly\u3000laughed\u3000at\u3000him\uff01
\n
\nMore\u3000pods\u3000converged\u3002\u3000But\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000a\u3000newer\u3000arrived\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Only\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000pod\u3000pilot\u3000reported\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Khyron\u3000dismissed\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000One\u3000more\u3000Veritech\u3000wouldn’t\u3000matter\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000opinion\u3000changed\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002\u3000The\u3000fighter\u3000accelerated\u3000to\u3000unprecedented\u3000speeds\uff1b\u3000maneuvering\u3000more\u3000nimbly\u3000than\u3000any\u3000Micronian\u3000mecha\u3000ever\u3000had\u3002\u3000Its\u3000humpbacked\u3000profile\u3000didn’t\u3000match\u3000any\u3000puter\u3000ID\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000new\u3000machine\u3000let\u3000forth\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000of\u3000fire\uff1a\u3000murderously\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000accurate\u3000missiles\u3000of\u3000some\u3000new\u3000type\uff1b\u3000autocannon\u3000rounds\u3000with\u3000even\u3000greater\u3000velocity\uff1b\u3000delivering\u3000far\u3000more\u3000kinetic\u3000energy\u3000on\u3000impact\uff1b\u3000phased\u2026array\u3000laser\u3000blasts\u3000as\u3000powerful\uff1b\u3000at\u3000close\u3000range\uff1b\u3000as\u3000any\u3000plasma\u3000bolt\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000new\u3000arrival\uff1b\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000the\u3000escort\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000was\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000among\u3000the\u3000pods\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000and\u3000vanishing\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000two\u3000Zentraedi\u3000mecha\u3000to\u3000smithereens\u3000and\u3000going\u3000on\u3000to\u3000take\u3000out\u3000another\u3000while\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000explosions\u3000were\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n traedi\u3000mecha\u3000to\u3000smithereens\u3000and\u3000going\u3000on\u3000to\u3000take\u3000out\u3000another\u3000while\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000explosions\u3000were\u3000still\u3000ballooning\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pods\u3000were\u3000like\u3000so\u3000many\u3000fat\u3000pigeons\u3000before\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rocket\u2026driven\u3000hawk\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick’s\u3000initial\u3000success\u3000was\u3000so\u3000overwhelming\uff1b\u3000so\u3000pronounced\u3000and\u3000irresistible\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000got\u3000careless\u3002
\n
\nAfter\u3000seeing\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000and\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ambushers\u3000go\u3000up\u3000in\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000the\u3000switch\u3000to\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\u3002\u3000But\u3000he’d\u3000forgotten\u3000what\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000ride\u3000he\u3000had\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000sudden\u3000retro\u3000thrust\u3000almost\u3000put\u3000his\u3000head\u3000through\u3000the\u3000instrument\u3000panel\u3000and\u3000split\u3000his\u3000thinking\u3000cap\u3000down\u3000the\u3000middle\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000barely\u3000recovered\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000the\u3000breath\u3000knocked\u3000from\u3000him\u3000by\u3000the\u3000strain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000harness\u3000across\u3000his\u3000torso\u3002\u3000Trembling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000got\u3000control\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000once\u3000more\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000pods\u3000were\u3000fat\u3000targets\u3000at\u3000his\u3000mercy\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000swooping\u3000in\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000laying\u3000out\u3000a\u3000staggering\u3000volume\u3000of\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000skeeting\u3000pods\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000clay\u3000targets\u3002
\n
\n
\nKhyron\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000go\u3000up\u3000against\u3000this\u3000bewilderingly\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000fearsomely\u3000armed\u3000intruder\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000sure\u3000his\u3000own\u3000withdrawal\u3000was\u3000well\u3000under
\nway\u3000before\u3000he\u3000ordered\u3000his\u3000troops\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000his\u3000thirst\u3000for\u3000revenge\u3000was\u3000slaked\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000if\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000worse\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000constant\u3000torment\u3000now\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000until\u3000he\u3000destroyed\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000insects\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\u3002
\n
\n
\nMax’s\u3000report\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000speakers\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000enemy\u3000has\u3000broken\u3000contact\u3000and\u3000withdrawn\u3002\u3000The\u3000shuttle\u3000has\u3000sustained\u3000minimal\u3000damage\u3000and\u3000is\u3000continuing\u3000on\u3002
\n
\n\u3003With\u3000your\u3000permission\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000with\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000escort\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000due\u3000to\u3000damage\u3000suffered\u3000during\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Hunter\u3000will\u3000escort\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nGloval\u3000granted\u3000permission\u3002\u3000To\u3000Claudia’s\u3000doubtful\u3000look\uff1b\u3000he\u3000responded\uff1b\u3000\u3003That\u3000armored\u3000Veritech\u3000has\u3000so\u3000much\u3000speed\u3000and\u3000firepower\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000equal\u3000of\u3000ten\u3000regular\u3000fighters\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000more\u3000like\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000put\u3000us\u3000on\u3000an\u3000equal\u3000footing\u3000with\u3000our\u3000foe\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000have\u3000as\u3000many\u3000as\u3000we\u3000can\uff1b\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000we\u3000can\uff01
\n
\nSammie\u3000stretched\u3000and\u3000yawned\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000exhausted\uff01\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000mander\u3000Hayes\u3000was\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n
\nClaudia\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000almost\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000permanently\u3000with\u3000that\u3000code\u3000snafu\u3000of\u3000yours\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSammie\u3000looked\u3000dismayed\uff1b\u3000young\u3000and\u3000tearful\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000upset\u3000by\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000to\u3000Lisa\u3000than\u3000by\u3000Claudia’s\u3000temper\uff1b\u3000which\u3000could\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000very\u3000serious\u3000problems\u3000for\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000angered\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000officer\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Claudia\u3000softened\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Sammie\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000things\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fire\u3002
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000okay\uff1b\u3000kiddo\uff1b\u3003\u3000Claudia\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000console\u3002\u3000\u3003Everybody\u3000learns\u3000from\u3000mistakes\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nGloval\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000that\uff1b\u3000silently\u3000gazing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000viewport\u3002\u3000Did\u3000that\u3000apply\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000too\uff1f\u3000And\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000rulers\uff1f
\n
\nCould\u3000they\u3000all\u3000be\u3000convinced\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000a\u3000catastrophic\u3000mistake\uff1f
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000protective\u3000shielding\u3000swung\u3000back\u3000to\u3000show\u3000Lisa\u3000a\u3000passenger\u3000partment\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000unaffected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000battle\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000little\u3000winded\u3000and\u3000bruised\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tossing\u3000around\u3000she\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000in\u3000the\u3000padded\uff1b\u3000armored\u3000cocoon\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000shuttle\u3000pilot\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000abreast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000limp\u3000with\u3000relief\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000so\u3000vital\u3000that\u3000she\u3000get\u3000to\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000speak\u3000for\u3000peace\u2026long\u3000ago\u3000she\u3000had\u3000resigned\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000likelihood\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000die\u3000in\u3000war\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000have\u3000died\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tragedy\u3000too\u3000vast\u3000to\u3000contemplate\u3002
\n
\n\u3003mander\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000pilot’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000inter\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000a\u3000mo\u3000call\u3000for\u3000you\u3000from\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000who’s\u3000now\u3000flying\u3000escort\u3000for\u3000us\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000patched\u3000it\u3000through\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSo\u3000Rick\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000had\u3000ridden\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rescue\u3000in\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000it\u3000was\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000had\u3000feared\u3000for\u3000his\u3000life\u3000all\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000She\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000handset\u3002
\n
\nArmored\u3000panels\u3000were\u3000sliding\u3000back\u3000from\u3000all\u3000the\u3000viewports\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000humpbacked\u3000new\u2026generation\u3000Veritech\u3002\u3000\u3003Lisa\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000say\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000Because\u3000you\u3000came\u3000to\u3000help\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000through\u3000the\u3000VT’s\u3000canopy\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000her\u3000worriedly\u3002
\n
\nI\u3000was\u3000never\u3000cut\u3000out\u3000for\u3000emotional\u3000drama\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000known\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000get\u3000away\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rehearsed\u3000exit\u3000speech\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\u3000problem\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000what’s\u3000all\u3000this\u3000about\u3000you\u3000not\u3000ing\u3000back\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000are\u3000reasons\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Even\u3000though\u3000your\u3000father’s\u3000on\u3000the\u3000UEDC\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Especially\u3000because\u3000of\u3000that\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000they\u3000aren’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000like\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000choppy\u3000sensation\u3000as\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000Earth’s\u3000atmosphere\u3002\u3000He\u3000fumbled\u3000for\u3000something\u3000appropriate\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000back\u3000in\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000safe\u3003\u3000was\u3000all\u3000he\u3000could\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Thanks\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000fine\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Um\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000call\u3000was\u3000patched\u3000through\u3000the\u3000shuttle’s\u3000\u3000system\uff1b\u3000accessible\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pilots\u2026presuming\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000busy\u3000with\u3000their\u3000atmospheric\u3000entry\u3000maneuver\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000something\u3000else\u2026sorta\u3000private\u3002\u3000Here\uff1b\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000back\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pilots’\u3000line\u3000of\u3000vision\uff1b\u3000up\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000him\u3000clearly\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000confused\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Prosigns\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000began\u3000flashing\u3000his\u3000VT’s\u3000running\u3000lights\u3000in\u3000prosigns\u2026brief\u3000dot\u2026dash\u3000binations\u3000that\u3000represented\u3000whole\u3000words\uff1b\u3000for\u3000quick\u3000manual\u3000Morse\u3000code\u3000munications\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000rusty\u3000but\u3000found\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000read\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nLIKE\u3000YOU\u3000MUCH\u3002\u3000PLAIN\u3000SOMETIMES\u3000BUT\u3000BELIEVE\u3000IN\u3000YOU\u3002\u3000MISS\u3000YOU\u3000MUCH\u3000IF\u3000YOU\u3000DON’T\u3000RETURN\u3002\u3000PLEASE\u3000RETURN\u3000SOONEST\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000could\u3000read\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000so\u3000close\u3000were\u3000VT\u3000and\u3000shuttle\u3002
\n
\nI’ll\u3000try\u3002\u3000So\u3000long\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000a\u3000salute\u2026a\u3000joke\u3000between\u3000them\uff1b\u3000given\u3000his\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000military\u3000discipline\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000first\u3000met\u3000and\u3000clashed\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000armored\u3000VT\u3000peeled\u3000off\u3000and\u3000vectored\u3000for\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000vortices\u3000of\u3000its\u3000thrusters\u3000shrinking\u3000to\u3000match\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000then\u3000disappearing\u3002\u3000The\u3000shuttle\u3000jostled\u3000more\u3000as\u3000it\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000denser\u3000atmosphere\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FOUR
\n
\nI\u3000have\u3000familiarized\u3000myself\u3000with\u3000the\u3000enemy’s\u3000culture\uff1b\u3000to\u3000better\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000my\u3000espionage\u3000mission\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000repulsive\uff1b\u3000contemptible\u3000thing\u3000it\u3000is\uff01
\nAll\u3000seems\u3000to\u3000revolve\u3000around\u3000their\u3000grueseome\uff1b\u3000sadistic\u3000method\u3000of\u3000reproduction\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000obsesses\u3000them\u3000constantly\u3002\u3000The\u3000humans\u2026Micronians\u2026even\u3000make\u3000up\u3000false\u3000legends\u3000about\u3000it\uff01\u3000They\u3000immerse\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000stories\u3000where\u3000males\u3000and\u3000females\u3000poison\u3000one\u3000another\u3000or\u3000stab\u3000themselves\u3000or\u3000simply\u3000expire\u3000from\u3000some\u3000unexplained\u3000thing\u3000called\u3000\u3003pining\u3000away\u3002\u3003\u3000Or\u3000else\u3000the\u3000imaginary\u3000couples\u3000go\u3000off\u3000together\u3000and\u3000spend\u3000all\u3000their\u3000time\u3000in\u3000revolting\uff1b\u3000pointless\u3000intimacies\u3002
\nOur\u3000enemies\u3000languish\u3000in\u3000these\u3000falsehoods\u3000the\u3000way\u3000we\u3000might\u3000enjoy\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000soak\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000a\u3000long\u3000campaign\u3002
\nWhat\u3000perversion\uff01\u3000Truly\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000species\u3000that\u3000must\u3000be\u3000exterminated\uff01
\nMiriya\u3000Parino\uff1b\u3000from\u3000her\u3000interim\u3000notes\u3000for\u3000an\u3000Intel\u3000report\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000High\u3000mand
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000striking\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000stares\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowded\u3000Macross\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000where\u3000people\u3000were\u3000usually\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hurry\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000more\u3000attractive\u3000women\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000were\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002
\n
\nBoots\u3000clicking\u3000on\u3000the\u3000swirling\u3000mosaics\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000the\u3000green\u2026dyed\u3000hair\u3000flowing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000her\u3000walk\u3000and\u3000the\u3000light\u3000air\u3000currents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000circulation\u3000blowers\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000neither\u3000right\u3000nor\u3000left\u3002\u3000People\u3000made\u3000way\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000their\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000even\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000who\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000so\u3000admiringly\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\uff1b\u3000greatest\u3000bat\u3000pilot\u3000of\u3000her\u3000race\uff1b\u3000exulted\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000finally\u3000discovered\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reasons\u3000these\u3000Micronians\u3000have\u3000developed\u3000such\u3000amazing\u3000skill\u3000in\u3000handling\u3000their\u3000mecha\uff01\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000as\u3000a\u3000spy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000step\u3000in\u3000understanding\u3000her\u3000quarry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000elating\u3002\u3000The\u3000intelligence\u3000data\u3000would\u3000also\u3000be\u3000of\u3000interest\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000High\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000another\u3000coup\u3000to\u3000her\u3000credit\u3002
\n
\nNot\u3000that\u3000Miriya\u3000needed\u3000one\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000demigoddess\u3000of\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000without\u3000equal\uff1b\u3000her\u3000kills\u3000and\u3000victories\u3000far\u3000outnumbering\u3000her\u3000nearest\u3000rival’s\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000only\u3000once\u3000in\u3000her\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000submitted\u3000to\u3000micronization\u3000and\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000to\u3000make\u3000amends\u3000for\u3000that\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000left\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000its\u3000EVE\u3000noonday\uff1b\u3000entering\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000blinking\u3000world\u3000she\u3000had\u3000only\u3000recently\u3000discovered\u3002\u3000All\u3000through\u3000the\u3000media\u2026game\u3000arcade\uff1b\u3000people\u3000stood\u3000or\u3000sat\u3000hunched\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000glowing\u3000screens\uff1b\u3000playing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000machines\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000screen\u2026lit\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000players\u3000were\u3000so\u3000intent\uff1b\u3000their\u3000movements\u3000so\u3000deft\u3000and\u3000quick\u2026what\u3000could\u3000account\u3000for\u3000it\u3000other\u3000than\u3000military\u3000indoctrination\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hunger\u3000for\u3000bat\uff1f\u3000What\u3000other\u3000motive\u3000could\u3000there\u3000be\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Micronians’\u3000relentless\u3000practice\uff1f\u3000They\u3000were\u3000so\u3000highly\u3000motivated\u3000that\u3000they\u3000even\u3000subsidized\u3000their\u3000own\u3000training\uff1b\u3000feeding\u3000money\u3000into\u3000the\u3000machines\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000young\u3000ones\u3000were\u3000the\u3000best\u3000and\u3000most\u3000diligent\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000they\u3000reach\u3000maturity\uff1b\u3000they\u3000wild\u3000be\u3000superb\u3000warriors\uff01\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000This\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000very\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000human\u3000reproduction\uff1b\u3000the\u3000parents\u2026child\u2026adult\u3000cycle\uff1b\u3000made\u3000her\u3000feel\u3000queasy\u3000and\u3000dizzy\u3002\u3000The\u3000discovery\u3000of\u3000that\u3000vileness\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000had\u3000rendered\u3000her\u3000inert\u3000and\u3000dazed\u3000when\u3000she\u3000first\u3000stumbled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000bravely\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000shaken\u3000off\u3000the\u3000horror\u3000of\u3000human\u3000reproduction\u3000and\u3000resumed\u3000her\u3000search\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000most\u3000significant\u3000machine\uff1b\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000cunning\u3000and\u3000instructive\u3002\u3000She\u3000vaulted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000little\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000inserting\u3000a\u3000coin\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slot\u3002\u3000One\u3000hand\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stick\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000to\u3000the\u3000throttle\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000screen\u3002\u3000Her\u3000feet\u3000settled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000pedals\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000finger\u3000hovered\u3000near\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000trigger\u3000as\u3000she\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000game\u3000to\u3000begin\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000her\u3000nemesis\u3000was\u3000there\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000couldn’t\u3000spy\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000that\u3000greatest\u3000of\u3000Micronian \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000her\u3000nemesis\u3000was\u3000there\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000couldn’t\u3000spy\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000that\u3000greatest\u3000of\u3000Micronian\u3000pilots\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000assumed\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000present\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000a\u3000pilot\u3000who\u3000was\u3000good\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000have\u3000defeated\u3000Miriya\u3000Parino\uff1b\u3000the\u3000indisputable\u3000champion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000would\u3000draw\u3000great\u3000attention\u3000and\u3000recognition\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000would\u3000know\u3000him\u3000when\u3000he\u3000came\u3000or\u3000when\u3000someone\u3000mentioned\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000find\u3000him\u3000eventually\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000then\u3000she\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000face\u3000in\u3000the\u3000family\u3000portrait\u3000was\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000thin\u2026but\u3000open\u3000and\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mother’s\u3000features\u3000very\u3000much\u3000like\u3000the\u3000daughter’s\u3002\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000framed\u3000photo\uff1b\u3000not\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000many\u3000minutes\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000by\u3000while\u3000he\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000and\u3000remembering\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000lieutenant\u3000mander\u3000then\u3002\u3000Next\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000photo\u3000was\u3000his\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3000a\u3000shy\u2026looking\u3000little\u3000girl\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000sun\u3000hat\u3000and\u3000sun\u3000dress\u3000with\u3000a\u3000Band\u2026Aid\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\u3002
\n
\nWhenever\u3000I\u3000look\u3000at\u3000this\u3000picture\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000Andrea\u3000were\u3000still\u3000here\u3000to\u3000see\u3000how\u3000her\u3000little\u3000girl\u3000turned\u3000out\u2026to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000an\u3000extraordinary\u3000soldier\u3000Lisa’s\u3000made\u3000of\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000tone\u3000from\u3000his\u3000desk\u3000terminal\u3000broke\u3000his\u3000contemplation\u3002\u3000\u3003Pardon\u3000me\u3000for\u3000interrupting\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000an\u3000aide\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000you\u3000left\u3000word\u3000that\u3000you\u3000be\u3000informed\u3000when\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000made\u3000final\u3000approach\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHayes\u3000shook\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000that\u3000last\uff1b\u3000terrible\u3000fear\u3000when\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000was\u3000attacked\u3000and\u3000not\u3000even\u3000he\u3000could\u3000countermand\u3000UEDC\u3000orders\u3000and\u3000send\u3000help\u3002\u3000More\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000help\u3000that\u3000Earth\u3000could\u3000send\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000of\u3000any\u3000use\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000its\u3000Veritechs\uff1b\u3000were\u3000the\u3000only\u3000effective\u3000weapons\u3000against\u3000Zentraedi\u3000pods\u3002\u3000Hayes\u3000could\u3000only\u3000wait\u3000and\u3000hope\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000shuttle\u3000survived\u3000its\u3000gauntlet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000nearly\u3000collapsed\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000photograph\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000so\u3000much\u3000to\u3000heal\u3000between\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000his\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000so\u3000much\u3000to\u3000put\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000aide’s\u3000image\u3000on\u3000his\u3000display\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000craft\u3000should\u3000be\u3000landing\u3000very\u3000shortly\u3002\u3000Shall\u3000I\u3000meet\u3000you\u3000at\u3000the\u3000elevators\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHayes\u3000pressed\u3000against\u3000his\u3000big\uff1b\u3000solid\u3000oak\u3000desk\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000fine\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000headquarters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Earth\u3000Defense\u3000Council\u3000was\u3000a\u3000vast\u3000base\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000Alaskan\u3000wilderness\u3002\u3000Very\u3000little\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000aboveground\u2026surveillance\u3000and\u3000munications\u3000equipment\uff1b\u3000aircraft\u3000control\u3000tower\u2026but\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000was\u3000guarded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000few\u3000remaining\u3000Battloids\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nYears\u3000before\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000made\u3000its\u3000miscalculated\u3000spacefold\u3000jump\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000solar\u3000system\uff1b\u3000it\u3000took\u3000with\u3000it\u3000most\u3000of\u3000its\u3000Robotech\u3000secrets\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000fabricating\u3000equipment\u3000humanity\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000vessel\u3000when\u3000it\u3000originally\u3000crash\u2026landed\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000largely\u3000conventional\u3000weapons\u3000for\u3000its\u3000defense\u3000with\u3000the\u3000exception\u3000of\u3000one\u3000gargantuan\u3000project\u3000that\u3000was\u3000already\u3000under\u3000way\uff1a\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000took\u3000up\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sprawling\uff1b\u3000miles\u2026deep\u3000base\uff1b\u3000a\u3000doomsday\u3000weapon\u3000that\u3000let\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000live\u3000the\u3000fantasy\u3000that\u3000it\u3000could\u3000defend\u3000itself\u3000against\u3000an\u3000all\u2026out\u3000Zentraedi\u3000onslaught\u3002\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000had\u3000been\u3000largely\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon’s\u3000construction\uff1b\u3000Gloval’s\u3000simple\u3000disdain\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000massive\uff1b\u3000immobile\u3000weapon\u3000system\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000major\u3000stresses\u3000that\u3000had\u3000ended\u3000their\u3000friendship\u3002
\n
\nWaiting\u3000by\u3000the\u3000landing\u3000strip\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brutally\u3000cold\u3000arctic\u3000wind\u3000whipping\u3000at\u3000his\u3000greatcoat\uff1b\u3000Hayes\u3000recalled\u3000those\u3000days\uff1b\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000bitter\u3000words\u3002\u3000His\u3000once\u2026warm\u3000bond\u3000with\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000solidified\u3000during\u3000their\u3000service\u3000together\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Global\u3000Civil\u3000War\uff1b\u3000had\u3000shattered\u3000as\u3000Hayes\u3000accused\u3000the\u3000Russian\u3000of\u3000timid\u3000thinking\u3000and\u3000Gloval\u3000sneered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000\u3003hidebound\uff1b\u3000Maginot\u2026Line\u3000mindset\u3003\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cannon’s\u3000proponents\u3002
\n
\nHayes’s\u3000thoughts\u3000were\u3000interrupted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000aide\u3002\u3000\u3003Admiral\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000just\u3000received\u3000word\u3000that\u3000the\u3000shuttle’s\u3000ETA\u3000has\u3000been\u3000moved\u3000back\u3000by\u3000twenty\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000serious\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000just\u3000ing\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000better\u3000approach\u3000window\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000like\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000drive\u3000you\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000control\u3000tower\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000warmer\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000admiral\u3000said\u3000distractedly\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000wait\u3000here\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000that\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000biting\u3000wind\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000aide\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000jeep\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000and\u3000buttoning\u3000up\u3000his\u3000collar\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000burrowing\u3000his\u3000chin\u3000down\u3000and\u3000tucking\u3000gloved\u3000hands\u3000under\u3000armpits\u3002\u3000He\u3000always\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mander\u3000as\u3000rather\u3000a\u3000fort\u2026loving\u3000man\uff1b\u3000certainly\uff1b\u3000Hayes’s\u3000living\u3000quarters\u3000and\u3000offices\u3000gave\u3000that\u3000impression\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000here\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Old\u3000Man\uff1b\u3000indifferent\u3000to\u3000an\u3000arctic\u3000blast\u3000that\u3000would\u3000send\u3000an\u3000unprotected\u3000man\u3000into\u3000hypothermia\u3000in\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base\u3000personnel\u3000knew\u3000much\u3000about\u3000this\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000her\u3000last\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000base\u3000had\u3000been\u3000rushed\u3000and\u3000very\u3000hush\u2026hush\u3002\u3000Hayes\u3000rarely\u3000mentioned\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000remote\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3000since\u3000he\u3000had\u3000received\u3000word\u3000she\u3000was\u3000ing\u3002\u3000The\u3000aide\u3000shrugged\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000swearing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000shuttle\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000it\u3000would\u3000hurry\u3000up\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000an\u3000officers’\u3000mess\u3000onboard\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000sat\u3000toying\u3000with\u3000his\u3000coffee\u3000cup\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000over\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\u3000where\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000sat\u3000immersed\u3000in\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000an\u3000almost\u3000palpable\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000gloom\u3000surrounding\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe’s\u3000been\u3000sitting\u3000there\u3000by\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000twiddling\u3000his\u3000spoon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000like\u3000his\u3000food\u3000isn’t\u3000even\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000reflected\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000decision\uff1b\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000approach\u3000his\u3000team\u3000leader\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lieutenant\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000too\u3000early\u3000to\u3000be\u3000depressed\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000jumped\u3000right\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000mander\u3000Hayes\u3000will\u3000get\u3000back\u3000here\u3000somehow\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000chin\u3000still\u3000resting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003First\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000secondly\uff1b\u3000what\u3000makes\u3000you\u3000think\u3000I’m\u3000depressed\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\uff1b\u3000far\u3000too\u3000plicated\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000to\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bright\u2026eyed\u3000boy\u3000wonder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000VTs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cheerful\uff1b\u3000unassuming\u3000ace\u3000of\u3000aces\u3002\u3000A\u3000man\u3000who\u3000never\u3000seemed\u3000unhappy\uff1b\u3000at\u3000a\u3000loss\uff1b\u3000or\u3000in\u3000doubt\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002\u3000Eager\u3000beaver\uff01\u3000Rick\u3000thought\u3000huffily\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000you\u3000need\u3000a\u3000little\u3000excitement\u2026some\u3000distraction\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000persisted\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000about\u3000a\u3000game\uff1f\u3000I\u3000know\u3000just\u3000the\u3000place\uff01\u3000Let’s\u3000go\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBefore\u3000Rick\u3000could\u3000object\u3000or\u3000even\u3000consider\u3000pulling\u3000rank\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000him\u3000by\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000him\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000tugging\u3000him\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000give\u3000in\u3000than\u3000to\u3000start\u3000a\u3000tug\u2026of\u2026war\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000officers’\u3000mess\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000went\u3000along\u3000pliantly\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000long\u3000to\u3000get\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000even\u3000paid\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cab\u3002\u3000The\u3000Close\u3000Encounters\u3000game\u3000arcade\u3000was\u3000alive\u3000with\u3000noise\u3000and\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000like\u3000some\u3000Robotech\u3000fun\u3000house\u3002
\n
\nMax’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000shining\u3002\u3000\u3003Great\u3000place\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000gonna\u3000love\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMore\u3000war\u3000games\uff1f\u3000Rick\u3000groaned\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000I’ll\u3000just\u3000head\u3000home\u2026\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000him\u3000by\u3000the\u3000elbow\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000coupla\u3000games’ll\u3000make\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000a\u3000new\u3000man\uff1b\u3000boss\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Max\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000here\u3000before\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000talking\u3000about\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000dragged\u3000Rick\u3000through\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000they\u3000moved\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000arcade\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000recognized\u3000a\u3000face\u3002\u3000Jason\uff1b\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei’s\u3000little\u3000cousin\uff1b\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000a\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000game\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000went\u3000past\u3000without\u3000saying\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000attract\u3000the\u3000child’s\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000Jason\u3000would\u3000only\u3000remind\u3000him\u3000of\u3000his\u3000feelings\u3000for\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000pound\u3000his\u3000doubts\u3000and\u3000gloom\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000passing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000did\u3000notice\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\uff1a\u3000a\u3000very\u3000intense\u3000player\u3000with\u3000green\u2026dyed\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000an\u3000expression\u3000like\u3000some\u3000beautiful\u3000lioness\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000shuttle\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000rolled\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000when\u3000Hayes\u3000reached\u3000it\uff1b\u3000running\u3002\u3000His\u3000aide\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000in\u3000astonishment\u3002
\n
\nBy\u3000the\u3000time\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000crew\u3000got\u3000the\u3000mobile\u3000stairs\u3000in\u3000position\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000waiting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000hatch\u3002\u3000The\u3000wind\u3000tugged\u3000at\u3000her\u3000long\uff1b\u3000heavy\u3000locks\u3000of\u3000brown\u2026blond\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000her\u3000too\u2026light\u3000trench\u3000coat\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000fur\u2026trimmed\u3000boots\u3000she\u3000had\u3000borrowed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000sent\u3000ice\u3000picks\u3000through\u3000her\u3000and\u3000numbed\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000instantly\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000halted\uff1b\u3000shocked\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\u3000father\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Their\u3000previous\u3000meeting\u3000and\u3000parting\u3000had\u3000been\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000cordial\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000admiral\u3000doggedly\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000line\u3000against\u3000Gloval’s\u3000mon\u3000sense\u3000and\u3000passion\u3002\u3000Coldly\u3000formal\u3000to\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000meetings\uff1b\u3000her\u3000father\u3000had\u3000later\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000reassigned\u3000to\u3000headquarters\u3000base\uff1b\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000her\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000assignment\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000torn\u3000up\u3000the\u3000conciliatory\u3000note\u3000he\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000and\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000with\u3000Gloval\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000how\u3000that\u3000tormented\u3000her\u3000father\u3002
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Lisa\uff01\u3000Thank\u3000goodness\u3000you’re\u3000here\u3000at\u3000last\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000came\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000railing\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000buffetted\u3000her\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000a\u3000dispatch\u3000case\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000finally\u3000off\u3000that\u3000cursed\u3000alien\u3000Flying\u3000Dutchman\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000smiling\uff1b\u3000tears\u3000forming\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000do\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000when\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000she\u3000came\u3000to\u3000attention\u3000and\u3000snapped\u3000him\u3000an\u3000exacting\u3000salute\u3002\u3000\u3003Admiral\uff1b\u3000mander\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3000reporting\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000special\u3000dispatch\u3000from\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000to\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Earth\u3000Defense\u3000Council\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000taken\u3000aback\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smile\u3000wiped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000her\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000be\u3000formal\u3000and\u3000distant\u3000now\uff1b\u3000her\u3000right\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000she\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000back\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000it\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000was\u3000as\u3000important\u3000to\u3000him\u3000as\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000his\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000his\u3000only\u3000family\uff1b\u3000was\u3000with\u3000him\u3000again\u3002\u3000He\u3000returned\u3000her\u3000salute\u3000crisply\uff1b\u3000straight\u2026faced\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Wele\u3000home\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nDante’s\u3000Inferno\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000more\u3000popular\u3000games\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rick\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000following\u3000old\u3000Virgil\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000nine\u3000circles\u3000to\u3000the\u3000demanding\u3000Ultimate\u3000Player\u3000level\u3002\u3000Dragonbane\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000swirling\u3000nightmare\u3000reptile\u3000attackers\u3000and \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n o\u3000the\u3000demanding\u3000Ultimate\u3000Player\u3000level\u3002\u3000Dragonbane\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000swirling\u3000nightmare\u3000reptile\u3000attackers\u3000and\u3000Nordic\u3000swordsman\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000little\u3000too\u3000much\u3000like\u3000his\u3000own\u3000duel\u3000with\u3000inner\u3000demons\u3002
\n
\nNor\u3000was\u3000he\u3000inclined\u3000toward\u3000Psycho\u3000Highway\u3000Chainsaw\u3000Bloodbath\u3002\u3000Eventually\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000convinced\u3000him\u3000to\u3000take\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000side\u2026by\u2026side\u3000Aesop’s\u3000Gauntlet\u3000machines\uff1b\u3000mostly\u3000because\u3000the\u3000easy\u3000chairs\u3000before\u3000them\u3000were\u3000thickly\u3000upholstered\u3000and\u3000fortable\u3002
\n
\nDown\u3000below\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000main\u3000level\uff1b\u3000Miriya\u3000sharpened\u3000her\u3000skills\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\uff01\u3000game\uff1a\u3000She\u3000found\u3000grim\u3000amusement\u3000in\u3000being\u3000a\u3000simulated\u3000Micronian\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000Zentraedi\u3000Battlepods\u3000to\u3000whirling\u3000fragments\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000disappointed\u3000that\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000Quadrono\u3000powered\u2026armor\u3000opponents\u3000in\u3000the\u3000game\uff1b\u3000her\u3000own\u3000unit\u3000was\u3000by\u3000far\u3000the\u3000elite\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000armada\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000also\u3000approved\u3000of\u3000the\u3000training\u3000machine\u2026as\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000it\u2026for\u3000not\u3000introducing\u3000trainees\u3000to\u3000the\u3000realities\u3000of\u3000warfare\u3000at\u3000this\u3000early\u3000phase\u3000of\u3000their\u3000instruction\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000that\u3000the\u3000gamesters\u3000would\u3000need\u3000a\u3000little\u3000hardening\u3000and\u3000proper\u3000military\u3000discipline\u3000before\u3000they\u3000could\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000horror\u3000and\u3000bloodshed\u3000of\u3000real\u3000warfare\u3002\u3000This\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000neat\u3000gaming\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000appropriate\u3000affection\u3000for\u3000bat\u3000without\u3000any\u3000confusing\u3000exposure\u3000to\u3000certain\u3000unpleasant\u3000aspects\u3000of\u3000a\u3000real\u3000warrior’s\u3000life\u3002\u3000Clever\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000sent\u3000another\u3000pod\u3000to\u3000puter\u2026modeled\u3000oblivion\uff1b\u3000pretending\u3000it\u3000was\u3000that\u3000of\u3000Khyron\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000despise\u3002\u3000The\u3000score\u3000credit\u3000flashed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000little\u3000Jason\uff1b\u3000still\u3000watching\uff1b\u3000piped\u3000up\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wow\uff01\u3000Look\u3000at\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000him\u3000as\u3000tokens\u3000stamped\u3000with\u3000a\u3000big\u3000M\u3000poured\u3000into\u3000the\u3000payoff\u3000tray\u3002\u3000The\u3000little\u3000Micronians\u3000were\u3000intriguing\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000disquieting\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000small\u3000ones\u3000were\u3000always\u3000so\u3000boisterous\u3000or\u3000emotional\u2026certainly\u3000impulsive\u3000and\u3000rather\u3000simpleminded\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000underclass\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000square\u3000with\u3000the\u3000indulgent\u3000treatment\u3000they\u3000got\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bigger\u3000Micronians\u3002\u3000She\u3000forcefully\u3000shut\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000human\u3000childbearing\uff1b\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000war\u3000and\u3000slaughter\u3000were\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000prehensible\uff1b\u3000painless\u3000things\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000such\u3000thoughts\u3000were\u3000not\u3000in\u3000keeping\u3000with\u3000her\u3000true\u3000mission\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000around\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000when\u3000she\u3000would\u3000find\u3000her\u3000quarry\u3002\u3000The\u3000memory\u3000still\u3000burned\u3000in\u3000her\uff1a\u3000of\u3000how\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000ace\u3000had\u3000outflown\u3000her\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000very\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000she\u3000in\u3000her\u3000Quadrono\u3000superarmor\u3000and\u3000he\u3000in\u3000his\u3000Battloid\uff1b\u3000faced\u3000her\u3000down\uff1b\u3000made\u3000her\u3000flee\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000face\u3000burned\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000difficulty\u3000eating\u3000or\u3000resting\u3000and\u3000would\u3000until\u3000she\u3000regained\u3000her\u3000honor\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000was\u3000big\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000big\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000her\u3000enemy\u3000could\u3000hide\u3000forever\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FIVE
\n
\nConsidering\u3000the\u3000staggering\u3000expense\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000any\u3000Robotech\u3000operation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000match\u3000that\u3000took\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000arcade\u3000that\u3000day\u3000certainly\u3000ranks\u3000as\u3000the\u3000most\u3000cost\u2026effective\u3000VT\u3000mission\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u2026and\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000most\u3000fateful\u3002
\nZachary\u3000Fox\u3000Jr\u3002\uff1b\u3000VT\uff1a\u3000the\u3000Men\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Mecha
\n
\nEvery\u3000animal\u3000in\u3000Aesop’s\u3000Bestiary\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000it\u3000in\u3000for\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Max\u3000progressed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ascending\u3000levels\u3000with\u3000ease\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000points’re\u3000piling\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000said\uff1b\u3000referring\u3000to\u3000his\u3000score\u3002\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000gritted\uff1b\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000wax\u3000the\u3000fox\u3000that\u3000was\u3000leaping\u3000for\u3000the\u3000grapes\u3002\u3000Damn\u3000thing\u3000moved\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000tri\u2026thruster\u3002
\n
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000bleeping\uff1b\u3000ringing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000flashing\u3000from\u3000Max’s\u3000machine\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flood\u3000of\u3000tokens\uff1b\u3000glittering\u3000like\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000slid\u3000into\u3000the\u3000payoff\u3000tray\u3002\u3000The\u3000tokens\u3000could\u3000be\u3000used\u3000for\u3000more\u3000games\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000or\u3000redeemed\u3000for\u3000prizes\uff1b\u3000vouchers\u3000of\u3000various\u3000kinds\uff1b\u3000or\u2026if\u3000one\u3000really\u3000pressed\u3000the\u3000issue\u2026cash\u3002
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000great\uff01\u3000I\u3000always\u3000make\u3000more\u3000than\u3000I\u3000can\u3000cart\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000you\u3000left\u3000me\u3000behind\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000Wasn’t\u3000this\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000make\u3000me\u3000feel\u3000better\uff1f
\n
\nActually\uff1b\u3000it\u3000did\u3002\u3000\u3003Max\uff1b\u3000look\u3000at\u3000that\uff01\u3003\u3000More\u3000and\u3000more\u3000tokens\u3000slid\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tray\u3000until\u3000they\u3000were\u3000spilling\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n
\nClose\u3000Encounters’s\u3000assistant\u3000manager\uff1b\u3000Frankie\u3000Zotz\uff1b\u3000a\u3000nervous\u3000young\u3000man\u3000in\u3000white\u3000pancake\u3000makeup\u3000and\u3000black\uff1b\u3000owllike\u3000hairdo\uff1b\u3000rushed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000manager’s\u3000booth\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000boss\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000gettin’\u3000wiped\u3000out\u3000at\u3000some\u3000of\u3000our\u3000most\u3000difficult\u3000machines\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBlinko\u3000Imperiale\uff1b\u3000the\u3000manager\u2026he\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goggle\u3000shades\u3000and\u3000two\u2026tone\u3000Mohawk\u3000and\u3000vaguely\u3000intimidating\u3000lab\u3000coat\u2026sat\u3000with\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000fist\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Dincha\u3000hear\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Frankie\u3000Zotz\u3000yelped\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000pilot’s\u3000upstairs\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000green\u2026haired\u3000dame’s\u3000inside\u3000turnin’\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000game\u3000every\u3000which\u3000way\u3000but\u3000profitable\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBlinko\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000move\uff1b\u3000sadly\u3000staring\u3000off\u3000at\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000boy\u3002\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000I\u3000never\u3000shoulda\u3000opened\u3000this\u3000place\u3000near\u3000where\u3000those\u3000RDF\u3000maniacs\u3000hang\u3000out\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000split\u2026screen\u3000parisons\u3000were\u3000obvious\u3000even\u3000to\u3000nontechnical\u3000personnel\u3002\u3000The\u3000DNA\u3000strands\u3000and\u3000analysis\u3000workups\u3000spoke\u3000for\u3000themselves\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000presentation\u3000flashed\u3000along\u3000as\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Interesting\u3002\u3002\u3002hmmm\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000much\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000astounding\u3002\u3000It\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000very\u3000foundations\u3000of\u3000human\u3000knowledge\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000had\u3000long\u3000been\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000wherever\u3000the\u3000basic\u3000chemical\u3000building\u3000blocks\u3000of\u3000life\u3000coexisted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000universe\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000preferentially\u3000link\u3000to\u3000form\u3000the\u3000same\u3000subunits\u3000that\u3000defined\u3000the\u3000essential\u3000biogenetic\u3000structures\u3000found\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000In\u3000other\u3000words\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ordering\u3000of\u3000the\u3000DNA\u3000code\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000quirk\u3000of\u3000nature\u3002\u3000Tentative\u3000evidence\u3000dated\u3000back\u3000to\u3000long\u3000before\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000crash\u3000landing\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000both\u3000from\u3000meteoric\u3000remains\u3000and\u3000from\u3000spark\u2026discharge\u3000experiments\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000new\u3000data\u3000pointed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000universal\u3000chemistry\u2026that\u3000the\u3000formation\u3000and\u3000linking\u3000of\u3000amino\u3000acids\u3000and\u3000nucleotides\u3000was\u3000all\u3000but\u3000inevitable\u3002\u3000The\u3000messenger\u3000RNA\u3000codonanticodon\u3000linkages\u3000that\u3000blueprinted\u3000the\u3000production\u3000of\u3000amino\u3000acids\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000operate\u3000on\u3000a\u3000coding\u3000intrinsic\u3000to\u3000the\u3000molecules\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000This\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000life\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000would\u3000be\u3000very\u3000similar\u3000and\u3000that\u3000some\u3000force\u3000dictated\u3000that\u3000it\u3000be\u3000so\u3002
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000skimmed\u3000over\u3000all\u3000that\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000little\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000He\u3000skimmed\u3000some\u3000of\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang’s\u3000hypotheses\u3000and\u3000preliminary\u3000findings\uff1b\u3000too\uff1a\u3000that\u3000somehow\u3000the\u3000very\u3000energies\u3000that\u3000drove\u3000Robotechnology\u3000were\u3000identical\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shadowy\u3000forces\u3000governing\u3000molecular\u3000behavior\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000also\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000this\u3000irritatingly\u3000mystical\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000something\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000defectors\u3000had\u3000had\u3000sufficiently\u3000high\u3000clearance\u3000to\u3000have\u3000learned\u3000much\u3000about\u3002
\n
\nLang\uff1b\u3000it\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000was\u3000monumentally\u3000frustrated\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hints\u3000and\u3000suspicions\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000verified\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000was\u3000vocal\u3000about\u3000his\u3000suspicion\u3000that\u3000this\u3000Protoculture\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000were\u3000so\u3000obsessed\u3000with\u3000was\u3000the\u3000key\u3000to\u3000it\u3000all\u2026molecular\u3000behavior\uff1b\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000the\u3000origins\u3000of\u3000life\uff1b\u3000ultimate\u3000power\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000presentation\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000even\u3000to\u3000an\u3000aging\u3000flag\u2026rank\u3000officer\u3000whose\u3000Academy\u3000biochemistry\u3000classes\u3000were\u3000far\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000see\u3000if\u3000I’m\u3000pletely\u3000clear\u3000about\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000telling\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000believe\u3000our\u3000genetic\u3000backgrounds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi’s\u3000and\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3000race\uff1b\u3000are\u3000similar\u3002\u3000And\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000that\u3000we\u3000might\u3000all\u3000be\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000species\uff1b\u3000you\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000promote\u3000peace\u3000talks\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLisa\u3000was\u3000nodding\uff1b\u3000wide\u2026eyed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000little\u3000girl\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000will\u3000all\u3000this\u3000convince\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000to\u3000open\u3000negotiations\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000brows\u3000lowering\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000briefing\u3000file\u3000before\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000coffee\u3000table\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000held\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000father\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I’ll\u3000present\u3000it\u3000to\u3000them\u3000and\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000they\u3000listen\uff1b\u3000then\u3000we’ll\u3000see\u3000what\u3000they\u3000say\u3002\u3003
\n
\nFor\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000since\u3000she\u3000left\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000smiled\u3002
\n
\n
\nMiriya\u3000bent\u3000over\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000machine\uff1b\u3000refining\u3000her\u3000game\u3002\u3000Next\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000were\u3000two\u3000plastic\u3000pans\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000playing\u3000tokens\u3002\u3000Frankie\u3000Zotz\u3000had\u3000had\u3000to\u3000refill\u3000the\u3000game’s\u3000reservoir\u3000twice\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000off\u3000all\u3000her\u3000winnings\u3002\u3000She\u3000ignored\u3000his\u3000sweaty\u3000invitations\u3000to\u3000go\u3000play\u3000some\u3000other\u3000game\u2026or\uff1b\u3000better\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000take\u3000a\u3000rain\u3000check\u3000and\u3000just\u3000go\u2026with\u3000a\u3000slit\u2026eyed\u3000amusement\u3000and\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000air\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000him\u3000from\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000too\u3000hard\u3000about\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000came\u3000downstairs\u3000with\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000own\u3000tray\u3000of\u3000tokens\u3002\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3000yammering\u3000his\u3000overcheerful\u3000encouragements\u3000about\u3000how\u3000Rick\u3000would\u3000eventually\u3000get\u3000the\u3000hang\u3000of\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000games\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000fine\u3000with\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000just\u3000about\u3000enough\u3000light\u3000banter\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000paused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff01\u3000That\u3000girl\uff01\u3000Sitting\u3000at\u3000that\u3000game\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000green\u3000hair\u3002\u3000She\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000brown\u3000body\u3000suit\u3000that\u3000showed\u3000off\u3000a\u3000lithe\u3000figure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000flamboyant\u3000yellow\u3000scarf\u3000knotted\u3000at\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003So\uff1f\u3000What\u3000about\u3000her\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Isn’t\u3000she\u3000incredible\uff1f\u3003\u3000Max\u3000said\uff1b\u3000more\u3000excitedly\u3000than\u3000Rick\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000Max\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000anything\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000been\u3000seeing\u3000her\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000she\u3000is\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000attractive\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000too\u3000full\u3000of\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3000and\u3000Minmei\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u3000at\u3000any\u3000greater\u3000length\u3002
\n
\nMax\uff1b\u3000the\u3000renowned\u3000VT\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000when\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pursuit\u3000of\u3000females\uff1b\u3000his\u3000few\u3000fumbling\u3000attempts\u3000with\u3000one\u3000or\u3000another\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000had\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000retreated\u3000pletely\u3000when\u3000Sammie\uff1b\u3000Vanessa\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Kim\u3000became\u3000involved\u3000with\u3000the\u3000three\u3000Zentraedi\u3000ex\u2026spies\uff1b\u3000Konda\uff1b\u3000Bron\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rico\u3002
\n
\nMax’s\u3000modest\uff1b\u3000self\u2026effacing\u3000shipside\u3000persona\u3000made\u3000him\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000uninteresting\u3000doormat\u3000for\u3000women\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000suave\u3000or\u3000seductively\u3000menacing\u3000enough\u3002\u3000So\u3000when\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Veritech\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000this\u3000was\u3000different\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Close\u3000Encounters\u3000arcade\u3000was\u3000his\u3000turf\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000game\u3000with\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000Max\u3000said\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000went\u3000racing\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000crowd\u3000around\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000rolled\u3000up\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000scores\u3000ever\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\u3000game\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000irritated\uff1b\u3000even\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000with\u3000all\u3000these\u3000Micronians\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000sh \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000irritated\uff1b\u3000even\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000with\u3000all\u3000these\u3000Micronians\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000she\u3000endured\u3000their\u3000gaze\uff1b\u3000proud\u3000and\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000show\u3000off\u3000her\u3000prowess\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000briefly\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000her\u3000strange\u3000sensations\u3000had\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000damned\u3000Micronian\u3000food\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000like\u3000the\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000processed\uff1b\u3000sanitized\u3000rations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000human\u3000food\u3000had\u3000strange\u3000textures\u3000and\u3000flavors\uff1b\u3000odd\u3000biological\u3000constituents\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000animal\u3000tissue\u3000and\u3000plant\u3000substances\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000suspected\u3000it\u3000was\u3000affecting\u3000her\u3000system\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000playing\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000her\u3000score\u3000higher\u3000and\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000until\u3000she\u3000went\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\uff1b\u3000beating\u3000the\u3000game\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000tokens\u3000poured\u3000into\u3000her\u3000tray\u3002\u3000Getting\u3000enough\u3000money\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000in\u3000Macross\u3000had\u3000been\u3000no\u3000problem\u3000for\u3000Miriya\u3000since\u3000she\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000arcades\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000someone\u3000pressed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1a\u3000an\u3000unremarkable\u2026looking\u3000VT\u3000pilot\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tray\u3000of\u3000token\u3000winnings\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000inclined\u3000to\u3000dismiss\u3000him\uff1b\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000men\u3000had\u3000made\u3000overtures\u3000to\u3000her\u3000since\u3000she\u3000first\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000different\u3000about\u3000this\u3000one\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000worked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000nerve\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u3003’Scuse\u3000me\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000be\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000game\u3000with\u3000me\uff1f\u3000From\u3000what\u3000I’ve\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we’d\u3000be\u3000equally\u3000matched\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000so\u3000young\u3000and\u3000eager\u3000that\u3000she\u3000almost\u3000laughed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000ignored\u3000him\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000tray\u3000of\u3000tokens\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000knew\u3000enough\u3000about\u3000the\u3000arcades\u3000to\u3000appreciate\u3000how\u3000good\u3000he\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000to\u3000have\u3000accumulated\u3000so\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000glittering\u3000pieces\u3002
\n
\nOf\u3000course\u3000it\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000realm\u3000of\u3000possibility\u3000that\u3000this\u3000slim\u3000youngster\u3000could\u3000be\u3000the\u3000premier\u3000enemy\u3000killer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000he\u3000provided\u3000some\u3000petition\uff1b\u3000it\u3000might\u3000make\u3000for\u3000useful\u3000practice\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000languidly\u3000beneath\u3000long\u3000black\u3000lashes\u3002\u3000Max\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000pounding\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000bet\u3000all\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000Miriya\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000gasped\u3000happily\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000set\u3000his\u3000tray\u3000down\u3000next\u3000to\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000then\u3000scooted\u3000around\u3000into\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000opposite\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000babbled\uff1b\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000absolutely\u3000terrific\uff01\u3000I\u3000know\u3000we’re\u3000gonna\u3000have\u3000a\u3000great\u3000game\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWatching\u3000frorn\u3000the\u3000sidelines\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000there\u3000wasn’t\u3000something\u3000else\u3000Max\u3000could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000screw\u3000up\u3000his\u3000chances\u3000of\u3000impressing\u3000her\u3002\u3000Trip\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000maybe\uff1b\u3000or\u3000throw\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000once\u3000in\u3000his\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000took\u3000on\u3000the\u3000air\u3000of\u3000confidence\u3000and\u3000aplomb\u3000that\u3000was\u3000his\u3000in\u3000matters\u3000regarding\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000about\u3000starting\u3000with\u3000level\u3000B\uff1f\u3000All\u3000right\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000somehow\u3000making\u3000it\u3000seem\u3000alluring\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000indifferent\u3002\u3000\u3003Fine\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\u3002\u3000Here\u3000we\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000deposited\u3000the\u3000tokens\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000lit\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000red\u3000for\u3000the\u3000color\u3000of\u3000her\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000selected\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000trim\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\u3000ship\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000notice\u3000that\u3000Miriya’s\u3000eyes\u3000suddenly\u3000narrowed\u3000at\u3000that\u3000choice\u3002
\n
\nLittle\u3000animated\u3000Minmei\u3000figures\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000from\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000gong\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000action\u3000began\u3002\u3000They\u3000guided\u3000their\u3000VTs\u3000through\u3000the\u3000twisting\uff1b\u3000changing\u3000puter\u2026modeled\u3000landscape\uff1b\u3000using\u3000control\u3000sticks\u3000and\u3000foot\u3000pedals\uff1b\u3000maneuvering\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000and\u3000firing\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000long\u3000for\u3000Miriya\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000her\u3000nonchalance\u3002\u3000Try\u3000as\u3000she\u3000might\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000gain\u3000the\u3000advantage\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000shake\u3000him\u3000once\u3000he’d\u3000gained\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000A\u3000frown\u3000crossed\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000then\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000flare\u3000of\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000when\u3000his\u3000fighter\u3000destroyed\u3000hers\u3002\u3000She\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000expression\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3000more\u3000closely\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000video\u3000warriors\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000them\u3000were\u3000aghast\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000master\u2026level\u3000fight\u3002\u3000Max\u3000grinned\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Whoops\uff01\u3000Looks\u3000like\u3000I\u3000won\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3000Wanna\u3000go\u3000on\u3000to\u3000level\u3000A\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000winked\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000groaned\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000along\u3000the\u3000line\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000exactly\u3000how\u3000to\u3000antagonize\u3000beautiful\u3000young\u3000women\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000regarded\u3000him\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000go\u3000on\u3000to\u3000level\u3000A\u3002\u3000That\u3000should\u3000prove\u3000quite\u3000interesting\u3002\u3003\u3000This\u3000time\u3000she\u3000would\u3000give\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000serious\u3000attention\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000fed\u3000in\u3000more\u3000tokens\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000hemisphere\u3000sprang\u3000from\u3000the\u3000game\uff1b\u3000a\u3000holoprojection\u3002\u3000The\u3000muttering\u3000of\u3000the\u3000growing\u3000crowd\u3000became\u3000louder\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000real\u3000purists\u3000silenced\u3000everybody\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000miniature\u3000Veritechs\u3000flew\u3000over\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gaming\u3000table\u3000now\uff1b\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000their\u3000autocannon\u3000in\u3000hand\u3000at\u3000high\u3000port\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Miriya\u3000gazed\u3000through\u3000Max’s\u3000bluetrimmed\uff1b\u3000ghostly\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000through\u3000his\u3000blue\u3000aviator\u3000glasses\uff1b\u3000into\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
\n
\nSomehow\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000in\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000game\u3000would\u3000only\u3000be\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000what\u3000her\u3000instincts\u3000were\u3000telling\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000little\u3000Battloid\u3000puter\u3000images\u3000looped\u3000and\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000maneuvering\u3000on\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Guardian\u3000or\u3000Veritech\u3000as\u3000their\u3000players\u3000decreed\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000outbursts\u3000and\u3000yells\u3000from\u3000the\u3000onlookers\u3000as\u3000the\u3000game\u3000moved\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fastest\uff1b\u3000most\u3000canny\u3000maneuvering\u3000anyone\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000side\u3000bets\u3000were\u3000strictly\u3000illegal\uff1b\u3000everybody\u3000was\u3000making\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nFrankie\u3000Zotz\u3000projected\u3000it\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000arcade’s\u3000main\u3000screen\u3002\u3000Veteran\u3000players\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000in\u3000awe\u3000at\u3000the\u3000amazing\u3000dogfight\u3002\u3000Tiny\u3000missiles\u3000and\u3000tracers\u3000spat\uff1b\u3000the\u3000puters\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000instructions\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000control\u3000sticks\u3002\u3000The\u3000minuscule\u3000mecha\u3000circled\u3000and\u3000attacked\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000used\u3000the\u3000same\u3000tactics\u3000she\u3000had\u3000used\u3000that\u3000day\u3000in\u3000her\u3000Quadrono\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000his\u3000responses\u3000were\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000her\u3000simulacrum\u3000Battloid\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000Quadrono\u3002\u3000Any\u3000doubts\u3000she\u3000had\u3000were\u3000swept\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000was\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000Boy\uff1b\u3000is\u3000she\u3000beautiful\uff01\u3000as\u3000he\u3000played\u3000his\u3000best\u3000at\u3000the\u3000machine\u3002\u3000Another\u3000VT\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lady’s\u3000man\uff1b\u3000might\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000Miriya\u3000on\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000But\u3000then\uff1b\u3000another\u3000VT\u3000pilot\u3000probably\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000won\u3002
\n
\nPeople\u3000were\u3000whooping\u3000and\u3000cheering\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sidelines\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000mind’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000Miriya\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000apocalyptic\u3000bat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Macross\uff1b\u3000as\u3000her\u3000own\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3000smashed\u3000through\u3000buildings\u3000and\u3000wreaked\u3000havoc\uff1b\u3000backpack\u3000thrusters\u3000blaring\u3002\u3000She\u3000also\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000one\u2026on\u2026one\u3000final\u3000confrontation\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000bolted\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000die\u3000in\u3000a\u3000point\u2026blank\u3000shootout\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000just\u3000as\u3000his\u3000autocannon\u3000rounds\u3000had\u3000defeated\u3000her\u3000that\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Max’s\u3000VT\u3000image\u3000destroyed\u3000hers\u3002\u3000The\u3000red\u3000VT\u3000fragmented\u3000and\u3000flew\u3000into\u3000modeled\uff1b\u3000spinning\u3000bits\uff1b\u3000then\u3000de\u2026rezzed\u3000to\u3000nothingness\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000blue\u3000hemisphere\u3000faded\u3000away\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000her\u3000openmouthed\u3000and\u3000blinking\u3002\u3000I\u3000lost\uff01\u3000This\u3000cannot\u3000be\uff01\u3000I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000be\u3000humiliated\u3000again\uff01
\n
\nThe\u3000victorious\u3000Battloid\u3000image’s\u3000head\u3000turret\u3000swung\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000little\u3000figure\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000suspiciously\u3000like\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000crying\u3000the\u3000word\u3000\u3003STRONG\uff01\uff01\u3003\u3000as\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000Minmei\u3000raced\u3000up\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000kissing\u3000him\u3000and\u3000kicking\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000real\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000still\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000edged\u3000back\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000be\u3000more\u3000inconspicuous\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000dark\u3000thoughts\u3000about\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000humor\u3000of\u3000video\u3000game\u3000designers\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000onlooker\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000to\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000dunno\u3000how\u3000you\u3000pulled\u3000that\u3000off\uff1b\u3000buddy\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Aw\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000tight\u3000spots\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000and\u3000near\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000in\u3000all\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000too\u3000tough\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff01\u3003\u3000Miriya\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000The\u3000insult\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000So\u3000she’d\u3000presented\u3000him\u3000with\u3000little\u3000challenge\uff1b\u3000eh\uff1f\u3000She\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000on\u3000one\u3000booted\u3000heel\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000forgot\u3000his\u3000warm\u3000victory\u3000feelings\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000after\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000not\u3000knowing\u3000how\u3000close\u3000he\u3000was\u3000to\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000in\u3000the\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000you\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000wonderful\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000know\u3000you\u3000better\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000my\u3000only\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000get\u3000your\u3000name\u3000and\u3000phone\u3000number\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000grip\u3000was\u3000very\u3000strong\u3000but\u3000not\u3000painful\uff1b\u3000his\u3000palm\u3000very\u3000warm\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Miriya\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000though\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3000were\u3000burning\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000currently\u3000have\u3000a\u3000phone\u3000number\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000tugging\u3000at\u3000his\u3000grip\u3002\u3000The\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000against\u3000hers\u3000made\u3000her\u3000feel\u3000a\u3000typical\u3000Zentraedi\u3000loathing\u3000of\u3000contact\u3000between\u3000the\u3000sexes\u3000but\u3000stirred\u3000something\u3000else\uff1b\u3000something\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000put\u3000a\u3000name\u3000to\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000met\u3000her\u3000archenemy\uff1b\u3000Miriya\u3000was\u3000confused\u3002\u3000Killing\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\uff1b\u3000she\u3000suddenly\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000cope\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mission\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000said\u3000about\u3000her\u3000brought\u3000back\u3000the\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000blurry\u3000feelings\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000food\u3000gave\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000kept\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000meet\u3000me\u3000in\u3000the\u3000park\u3000this\u3000evening\uff1f\u3000By\u3000the\u3000Peace\u3000Fountain\uff1b\u3000at\u3000nine\u3000o’clock\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nFool\uff01\u3000You’ve\u3000sealed\u3000your\u3000fate\uff01\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000slaying\u3000him\u3000made\u3000her\u3000angry\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000exultant\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000you\u3000want\uff01\u3000Just\u3000let\u3000me\u3000go\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000fingers\u3000loosened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000snatched\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3000away\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000an\u3000icy\uff1b\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000whirled\u3000and\u3000ran\uff1b\u3000fleet\u3000as\u3000a\u3000deer\uff1b\u3000driven\u3000by\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000of\u3000conflicting\u3000emotions\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000watched\u3000admiringly\uff1b\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000\u3003Isn’t\u3000she\u3000something\uff1f\u3000Whew\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLooking\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000silently\u3000wished\u3000Max\u3000better\u3000luck\u3000than\u3000he\u3000was\u3000having\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SIX
\n
\nWhen\u3000you’re\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000war\u3000and\u3000thinking\u3000mostly\u3000about\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000forget\u3000that\u3000there\u3000are\u3000other\u3000fronts\u3000on\u3000which\u3000you\u3000should\u3000at\u3000least\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000truce\u3002
\nLisa\u3000Hays\uff1b\u3000Recollections
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000corridor\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000UEDC\u3000Headquarters\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3000sat\u3000fretfully\uff1b\u3000shifting\u3000and\u3000fidgeting\u3002\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000footsteps\u3000approaching\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\u3000father\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000talked\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nTension\u3000twisted\u3000her\u3000middle\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000they\u3000make\u3000any\u3000decisions\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000never\u3000be\u3000certain\u3000about\u3000these\u3000things\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000think\u3000they’re\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000peace\u3000talks\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000an\u3000excited\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000then\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000him\u3000fondly\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000so\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000you\u3000for\u3000having\u3000the\u3000courage\u3000to\u3000take\u3000on\u3000this\u3000fight\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000tiptoe\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000his\u3000cheek\u3002
\n
\nLater\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000an\u3000upholstered\u3000bench\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lift\u3000car\uff1b\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000anything\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000Father\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000star \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nLater\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000an\u3000upholstered\u3000bench\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lift\u3000car\uff1b\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000anything\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000Father\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u3000strangely\u3000for\u3000minutes\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000how\u3000you\u3000remind\u3000me\u3000of\u3000your\u3000mother\u3002\u3000And\u3000how\u3000proud\u3000she’d\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShy\u3000blushed\uff1b\u3000very\u3000pleased\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Father\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000shocked\u3000her\u3000by\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000how\u3000your\u3000love\u3000life’s\u3000going\u3000these\u3000days\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000going\u3000out\u3000with\u3000anyone\u3000special\uff1f\u3000Anybody\u3000I\u3000should\u3000know\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000took\u3000her\u3000so\u3000off\u3000guard\u3000that\u3000she\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000admitting\uff1b\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003He’s\u3000military\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1f\u3003\u3000her\u3000father\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000is\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000rescued\u3000me\u3000from\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000ship\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000nodded\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\u3000yes\u3002\u3000Sounds\u3000like\u3000a\u3000good\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000walked\u3000and\u3000chatted\u3000as\u3000they\u3000hadn’t\u3000done\u3000in\u3000more\u3000than\u3000three\u3000years\u3002\u3000The\u3000admiral\u3000led\u3000Lisa\u3000through\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000base\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000at\u3000last\u3000to\u3000a\u3000vertical\u3000shaft\u3000nearly\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000across\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000lined\u3000with\u3000operations\u3000ports\uff1b\u3000energy\u3000systems\uff1b\u3000and\u3000power\u3000routing\u3002\u3000High\u3000above\uff1b\u3000at\u3000ground\u3000level\uff1b\u3000a\u3000faceted\u3000dome\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cyclopean\u3000lens\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Was\u3000there\u3000something\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000show\u3000me\u3000out\u3000here\uff1f\u3003\u3000After\u3000the\u3000relative\u3000confinement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base\u3000passageways\uff1b\u3000it\u3000did\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000being\u3000outside\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000father\u3000led\u3000her\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gantry\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000cavernous\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000see\u3000down\u3000for\u3000miles\uff1b\u3000see\u3000up\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000far\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000waved\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000wanted\u3000you\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000Before\u3000we\u3000enter\u3000into\u3000any\u3000peace\u3000negotiations\u3000with\u3000the\u3000aliens\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000it\u3000at\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000her\u3000ears\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000cry\u3000seemed\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000the\u3000abyss\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000cannon’s\u3000barrel\u3002
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000grim\u3000look\uff1b\u3000his\u3000strong\u3000jaw\u3000set\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000satellite\u3000reflector\u3000system\u3000isn’t\u3000in\u3000place\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000we\u3000expect\u3000to\u3000wipe\u3000out\u3000a\u3000large\u3000segment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000fleet\u3000by\u3000pulling\u3000off\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3000attack\u3000spearheaded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000volley\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3002\u3000Once\u3000they’ve\u3000seen\u3000its\u3000power\uff1b\u3000we\u3000think\u3000they’ll\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000negotiations\u3000in\u3000good\u3000faith\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000original\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000put\u3000huge\u3000orbiting\u3000mirrors\u3000in\u3000place\u3000to\u3000direct\u3000the\u3000cannon’s\u3000bolts\u3000as\u3000needed\uff1b\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000its\u3000field\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000very\u3000narrow\u3000indeed\u3002\u3000But\u3000with\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000warships\u3000so\u3000numerous\u3000and\u3000so\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000really\u3000only\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000time\u3000before\u3000part\u3000of\u3000their\u3000fleet\u3000drifted\u3000into\u3000range\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000spat\uff1b\u3000\u3003This\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000probably\u3000couldn’t\u3000wipe\u3000out\u3000a\u3000small\u3000division\u3000of\u3000Battlepods\uff1b\u3000much\u3000less\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000nine\u2026mile\u2026long\u3000mother\u3000ships\uff01\u3000Don’t\u3000you\u3000understand\uff1f\u3000We\u3000have\u3000to\u3000approach\u3000them\u3000without\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000escalate\u3000the\u3000war\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000have\u3000defected\u3000to\u3000us\u3000already\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000will\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000our\u3000peace\u3000proposals\u3000without\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000weapons\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000admiral\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000barrel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gun\u3002\u3000\u3003Lisa\uff1b\u3000how\u3000can\u3000you\u3000be\u3000so\u3000naive\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000a\u3000warlike\u3000power\u3000understands\u3000is\u3000a\u3000demonstration\u3000of\u3000greater\u3000power\uff01\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000let\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000mistake\u3000our\u3000peace\u3000overtures\u3000for\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000weakness\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000deal\u3000from\u3000strength\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000paced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000observation\u3000platform\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gantry\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000clasped\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000can\u3000you\u3000expect\u3000peaceful\u3000intentions\u3000from\u3000a\u3000race\u3000bred\u3000and\u3000trained\u3000for\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000war\uff1f\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000their\u3000genetic\u3000structure\u3000is\u3000identical\u3000to\u3000ours\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000no\u3000real\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000what\u3000factors\u3000in\u3000their\u3000background\u3000motivate\u3000them\uff1b\u3000or\u3000how\u3000strongly\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000Father\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000began\u3000hopelessly\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000forged\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Lisa\uff01\u3000If\u3000history\u3000tells\u3000us\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000that\u3000caution\u3000and\u3000strength\u3000are\u3000needed\u3000when\u3000dealing\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unpredictable\u3000foe\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000already\u3000set\u3000a\u3000date\u3000for\u3000the\u3000firing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cannon\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000see\u3000about\u3000the\u3000peace\u3000talks\u3000after\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000stood\u3000mutely\uff1b\u3000hair\u3000stirred\u3000by\u3000air\u3000currents\u3000in\u3000the\u3000yawning\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000dear\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000there’s\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000So\u3000I\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nEven\u3000with\u3000strange\u3000rumblings\u3000of\u3000unseen\u3000events\u3000on\u3000the\u3000war\u3000front\uff1b\u3000the\u3000public\u3000demanded\u3000that\u3000its\u3000hunger\u3000for\u3000other\u3000news\u3000be\u3000fed\u3002\u3000The\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000celebrities\u3000and\u3000media\u3000idols\u3000was\u3000never\u3000satisfied\u3000for\u3000long\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000press\u3000conference\u3000had\u3000been\u3000called\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lobby\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000General\u3000Hospital\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000crowded\u3000with\u3000print\u3000and\u3000broadcast\u3000journalists\uff1b\u3000shoving\u3000and\u3000elbowing\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000lights\u3000and\u3000lenses\u3000and\u3000microphones\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\u3000was\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei\uff1b\u3000the\u3000reigning\u3000queen\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000and\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002
\n
\nNot\u3000even\u3000nineteen\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000and\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gamine\uff1b\u3000black\u2026haired\u3000lovely\u3002\u3000Her\u3000tremendous\u3000charm\u3000and\u3000vivacity\u3000had\u3000bolstered\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000morale\u3000through\u3000its\u3000darkest\u3000moments\u3000and\u3000won\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000almost\u3000everyone\u3000on\u3000board\u3002
\n
\nNext\u3000to\u3000her\u3000sat\u3000her\u3000costar\u3000and\u3000third\u3000cousin\uff1b\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\uff1b\u3000a\u3000saturnine\uff1b\u3000sullen\u3000young\u3000man\u3000with\u3000flowing\u3000black\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000reached\u3000down\u3000past\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000blades\u3002\u3000Kyle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pacifist\u3000who\u3000was\u3000nonetheless\u3000an\u3000unbeatable\u3000martial\u2026arts\u3000expert\uff1b\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000bandage\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000pleting\u3000his\u3000convalescence\u3000after\u3000having\u3000saved\u3000Minmei\u3000from\u3000a\u3000falling\u3000spotlight\u3000during\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3002
\n
\nLynn\u2026Kyle\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000reporters\u3000and\u3000the\u3000camera\u3000and\u3000sound\u3000people\u3002\u3000He\u3000always\u3000held\u3000the\u3000public\u3000in\u3000some\u3000contempt\uff1b\u3000scorning\u3000them\u3000for\u3000their\u3000willingness\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000military\u3000prosecute\u3000the\u3000war\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Minmei\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000man\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000a\u3000mike\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000it\u3000true\u3000you’ve\u3000been\u3000helping\u3000Kyle\u3000recover\uff1b\u3000remaining\u3000right\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000bed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000week\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMinmei\u3000frowned\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Kyle\u3000glowered\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000used\u3000to\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000innuendo\u3000by\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000I’d\u3000put\u3000it\u3000quite\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000replied\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000woman\u3000persisted\u3002\u3000\u3003Rumor\u3000has\u3000it\u3000both\u3000of\u3000you\u3000are\u3000about\u3000to\u3000get\u3000married\u3002\u3000Got\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000say\u3000about\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Absolutely\u3000untrue\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000fired\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000didn’t\u3000keep\u3000another\u3000guy\u3000from\u3000asking\uff1b\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000how\u3000your\u3000ex\u2026boyfriend\u3000reacted\u3000when\u3000you\u3000told\u3000him\u3000about\u3000these\u3000marriage\u3000plans\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000blowing\u3000her\u3000stack\uff1b\u3000then\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000this\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000divert\u3000the\u3000focus\u3000of\u3000the\u3000interview\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000mean\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000silvery\uff1b\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000friend\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nSitting\u3000up\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bunk\uff1b\u3000knees\u3000clasped\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000live\u3000coverage\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000made\u3000a\u3000sour\u3000face\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000that’s\u3000all\u3000I\u3000was\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000an\u3000idiot\uff1b\u3000a\u3000plete\u3000sucker\u3002\u3000Time\u3000and\u3000again\u3000he\u3000had\u3000convinced\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000Minmei\u3000cared\u3000for\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000her\uff1b\u3000something\u3000flirtatious\u3000and\u3000impulsive\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000something\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000release\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000under\u3000her\u3000spell\u3000because\uff1b\u3000he\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000too\u3000much\u3000like\u3000rejection\u3002\u3000So\u3000every\u3000time\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000close\u3000to\u3000getting\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000up\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000his\u3000hopes\u3000all\u3000over\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nWell\uff1b\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000that\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000problem\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000trip\u3000down\u3000the\u3000aisle\u3000for\u3000the\u3000two\u3000darlings\u3000of\u3000stage\u3000and\u3000screen\u3000would\u3000at\u3000least\u3000cut\u3000Rick\u3000free\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000reporters\u3000weren’t\u3000having\u3000any\u3000of\u3000Minmei’s\u3000evasion\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000now\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000not\u3000what\u3000we\u3000heard\uff01\u3003\u3000\u3003You\u3000used\u3000to\u3000be\u3000pretty\u3000close\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Hunter\u3000never\u3000discussed\u3000marriage\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\u3000looked\u3000vexed\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000thought\u3000back\u3000once\u3000again\u3000to\u3000those\u3000long\u3000days\u3000they\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000together\uff1b\u3000stranded\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000a\u3000remote\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000when\u3000they\u3000first\u3000met\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000admitted\u3000to\u3000Rick\u3000her\u3000lifelong\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000bride\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000held\u3000a\u3000mock\u3000ceremony\uff1b\u3000marked\u3000by\u3000a\u3000very\u3000real\u3000kiss\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000be\u3000interrupted\u3000by\u3000rescuers\u3000before\u3000they\u3000could\u3000say\u3000their\u3000vows\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000any\u3000of\u3000that\u3000was\u3000passing\u3000through\u3000Minmei’s\u3000beautiful\u3000head\u3000or\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000dismissed\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000as\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000dismiss\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000fit\u3000with\u3000her\u3000desires\u3000and\u3000attitudes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000never\u3000get\u3000a\u3000clearer\u3000sign\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000time\u3000to\u3000put\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000living\u3000his\u3000life\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000other\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000micronized\u3000Zentraedi\u3000defectors\u3000were\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000a\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000utterly\u3000enthralled\u3000as\u3000they\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000ordinary\u3000work\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000came\u3000in\u3000the\u3000assortment\u3000of\u3000sizes\u3000and\u3000shapes\u3000that\u3000any\u3000random\u3000group\u3000of\u3000human\u3000males\u3000might\u3000include\u3002\u3000Except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000skin\u3000tones\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000little\u3000odd\u2026mauve\uff1b\u3000albino\u2026white\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000pale\u3000green\u2026there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000mark\u3000them\u3000as\u3000alien\u3002\u3000Since\u3000the\u3000incident\u3000with\u3000Karita\u3000and\u3000the\u3000muggers\uff1b\u3000they\u3000all\u3000took\u3000great\u3000pains\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000trouble\u3002\u3000The\u3000military’s\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000all\u3000confined\u3000to\u3000their\u3000quarters\u3000chafed\u3000but\u3000was\u3000accepted\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000authorities\u3000had\u3000provided\u3000them\u3000with\u3000quarters\u3000and\u3000rations\u3000and\u3000so\u3000forth\u3000and\u3000were\u3000spending\u3000long\u3000hours\u3000debriefing\u3000them\uff1b\u3000though\u3000as\u3000low\u2026ranking\u3000warriors\u3000there\u3000was\u3000little\u3000of\u3000strategic\u3000value\u3000the\u3000defectors\u3000could\u3000tell\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000begun\u3000a\u3000systematic\u3000orientation\u3000program\u3000to\u3000familiarize\u3000them\u3000with\u3000human\u3000life\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000military\u3000believed\u3000there\u3000was\u3000always\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000they\u3000might\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000fold\uff1b\u3000the\u3000less\u3000they\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000for\u3000now\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000they\u3000could\u3000watch\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000her\u3000voice\u2026the\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000had\u3000enticed\u3000them\u3000away\u3000from\u3000war\u3000making\u3002
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Rico\uff1b\u3000what\u3000do\u3000they\u3000mean\u3000by\u3000’marriage’\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000do\u3000they\u3000keep\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000some\u3000grumbling\uff1b\u3000as\u3000others\u3000were\u3000troubled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000enigma\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Rico\u3000considered\u3000his\u3000answer\u3002\u3000He\u3000understood\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000about\u3000human\u3000existence\u3000than\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000him\u3000for\u3000answers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000seem\u3000at\u3000a\u3000loss\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000because\u3000marriage\u3000is\u3000something\u3000important\u3002\u3000When\u3000two\u3000people\u3000get\u3000married\uff1b\u3000they\u3000go\u3000off\u3000someplace\u3000private\u3000and\u3000spend\u3000their\u3000time\u3000pressing\u3000their\u3000lips\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThis\u3000business\u3000of\u3000pressing\u3000lips\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mentioned\u3000before\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Zentra \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n r\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThis\u3000business\u3000of\u3000pressing\u3000lips\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mentioned\u3000before\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000prime\u3000matters\u3000of\u3000fascination\u3000that\u3000had\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000defections\u3002\u3000But\u3000still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000such\u3000unbridled\u3000contact\u3000between\u3000the\u3000sexes\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000erstwhile\u3000warriors\u3000into\u3000a\u3000tizzy\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000they\u3000won’t\u3000make\u3000us\u3000do\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003My\u3000lips\u3000aren’t\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000thing\uff01\u3003\u3000\u3003I\u3000dunno\uff1b\u3000something\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000it\u3000might\u3000feel\u3000good\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003Lemma\u3000at\u3000’er\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSome\u3000babbled\u3000and\u3000exclaimed\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000others\u3000started\u3000shaking\u3000visibly\u3000or\u3000gnawing\u3000their\u3000fingernails\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000tried\u3000rubbing\u3000their\u3000top\u3000and\u3000bottom\u3000lips\u3000together\u3000and\u3000concluded\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000it\u3000wrong\u3000somehow\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000one\u3000swooned\u3002
\n
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000interview\uff1b\u3000Kyle\u3000found\u3000another\u3000microphone\u3000shoved\u3000into\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1a\u3000have\u3000you\u3000proposed\u3000marriage\u3000to\u3000Minmei\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000unflappable\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000outside\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000haven’t\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000and\u3000Minmei\u3000were\u3000not\u3000close\u3000by\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000although\u3000their\u3000families\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000close\u3000bonds\u3000due\u3000to\u3000friendships\u3000and\u3000shared\u3000business\u3000investments\u3000in\u3000the\u3000White\u3000Dragon\u3000and\u3000Golden\u3000Dragon\u3000restaurants\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Minmei\u3000very\u3000much\u3000like\u3000an\u3000adoring\u3000little\u3000sister\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000that\u3000had\u3000changed\u3000over\u3000time\uff1b\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000he’d\u3000fought\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000tremendous\u3000battle\u3000inside\u3000him\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000which\u3000mere\u3000physical\u3000fights\u3000were\u3000children’s\u3000antics\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000self\u2026discipline\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000to\u3000the\u3000martial\u3000arts\u3000was\u3000a\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000his\u3000inner\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000will\u3000that\u3000barely\u3000kept\u3000him\u3000from\u3000yielding\u3000to\u3000temptation\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000spent\u3000all\u3000his\u3000young\u3000adulthood\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000fierce\u3000battle\u3000against\u3000his\u3000own\u3000impulses\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000most\u3000difficult\u3000of\u3000all\u3000were\u3000the\u3000movies\u3000they\u3000made\u3000together\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shared\u3000work\u3000and\u3000intensity\u3000of\u3000their\u3000scenes\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000the\u3000love\u3000scenes\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000so\u3000easy\u3000for\u3000acting\u3000to\u3000slide\u3000over\u3000into\u3000the\u3000real\u3000thing\u3002\u3000The\u3000impulses\u3000were\u3000very\u3000patient\u3000and\u3000unrelenting\u3002\u3000He\u3000drove\u3000them\u3000off\u3000each\u3000day\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000have\u3000them\u3000return\u3000fresher\u3000and\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000ever\u3000the\u3000next\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000no\u3000more\u3002\u3000Being\u3000with\u3000Minmei\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000others\u3000who\u3000coveted\u3000her\uff1b\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000Kyle\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000else\u3000could\u3000have\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sounds\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000weak\u3000denial\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000interviewer\u3000grinned\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000you\u3000just\u3000haven’t\u3000had\u3000the\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nKyle\u3000said\u3000in\u3000his\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000measured\u3000tones\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000about\uff1b\u3000um\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000newsman\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000him\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ferret\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Thinking\u3000about\u3000how\u3000I’d\u3000actually\u3000say\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Because\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000mind\u3000telling\u3000you\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000something\u3000I’ve\u3000considered\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000Minmei’s\u3000gasp\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000intake\u3000of\u3000breath\u3000by\u3000the\u3000reporters\u3002\u3000Flashbulbs\u3000began\u3000popping\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000began\u3000talking\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Minmei\uff1b\u3000what\u3000d’\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000say\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000set\u3000the\u3000date\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000our\u3000viewers\uff1a\u3000Would\u3000you\u3000accept\u3000if\u3000he\u3000proposes\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003Give\u3000us\u3000a\u3000shot\u3000of\u3000you\u3000two\u3000holding\u3000hands\uff01\u3003\u3000\u3003Kiss\u3000’er\uff1b\u3000Kyle\uff01\u3003\u3000\u3003Where\u3000d’\u3000you\u3000two\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000honeymoon\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000they\u3000paid\u3000the\u3000reporters\u3000no\u3000attention\u3002\u3000\u3003Kyle\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000serious\uff1f\u3003\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000looked\u3000enormous\u3002\u3000They\u3000sat\u3000there\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000furor\u3000boiled\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n
\nHis\u3000screen\u3000switched\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000lay\u3000with\u3000head\u3000pillowed\u3000on\u3000elbows\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000utterly\u3000wretched\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000believe\u3000it\u3002\u3000All\u3000this\u3000time\u3000she’s\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Kyle\u3000to\u3000propose\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000knock\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Max\u3000showed\u3000up\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000civvies\uff1a\u3000sports\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000slacks\uff1b\u3000sweater\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tie\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000cheerful\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000look\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000seem\u3000sixteen\u3000or\u3000so\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sorry\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000you\uff1b\u3000boss\u3002\u3000But\u3000I’m\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000wearing\u3000this\u3000tie\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Miriya\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000it\u3000made\u3000me\u3000look\u3000too\u3000sophisticated\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000maybe\u3000I\u3000should\u3000go\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\uff1b\u3000wear\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000chain\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAfter\u3000Rick\u3000got\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000get\u3000some\u3000fresh\u3000air\u3002\u3000He\u3000wandered\u3000up\u3000to\u3000a\u3000parklike\u3000area\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000observation\u3000decks\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000a\u3000viewport\u3000as\u3000high\u3000as\u3000a\u3000billboard\u3000and\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000two\u3002
\n
\nEarth\u3000swung\u3000by\u3000above\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000crescent\u3000of\u3000swirling\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000white\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000spot\u3000Alaska\u3002
\n
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000while\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000mischief\uff1b\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000isn’t\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000live\u3000and\u3000breathe\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Claudia\u3000standing\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\u3002\u3000Hi\uff1b\u3000how’re\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000each\u3000other\u3000a\u3000great\u3000deal\u3000lately\uff1b\u3000partly\u3000because\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000busy\u3000and\u3000partly\u3000because\u3000they\u3000both\u3000still\u3000ached\u3000with\u3000the\u3000grief\u3000of\u3000Roy\u3000Fokker’s\u3000death\uff1b\u3000and\u3000seeing\u3000each\u3000other\u3000brought\u3000it\u3000up\u3000all\u3000over\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000now\u3000she\u3000came\u3000over\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000bad\u3002\u3000But\u3000what’re\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000up\u3000here\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Couldn’t\u3000stand\u3000my\u3000quarters\u3000anymore\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Ah\u3002\u3000You\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000press\u3000conference\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Mm\u2026hm\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000sat\u3000down\uff1b\u3000crossing\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000resting\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000helping\u3000him\u3000watch\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000could\u3000get\u3000along\u3000without\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000isn’t\u3000that\u3000terrific\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000is\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000that\u3000from\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000now\u3000that\u3000Roy\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000But\u3000Claudia\u3000had\u3000an\u3000honesty\u3000that\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000not\u3000to\u3000respect\u3000and\u3000give\u3000its\u3000due\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000mad\u3000right\u3000back\u3000at\u3000you\u3000if\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000was\u3000warranted\u3002\u3000Claudia\u3000was\u3000not\u3000someone\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mad\u3000at\u3000you\u3000if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000avoid\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000bright\uff1b\u3000you\u3000should\u3000be\u3000with\u3000somebody\u3000else\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000after\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000stuck\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Why\uff1b\u3000Rick\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000why\uff01\u3000Maybe\u3000she’s\u3000just\u3000my\u3000type\u3002\u3003
\n
\nClaudia\u3000put\u3000one\u3000finger\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000him\u3000sidelong\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000I\u3000sorta\u3000picture\u3000you\u3000being\u3000with\u3000somebody\u3000more\u3000mature\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\uff1a\u3000someone\u3000more\u3000experienced\uff1f\u3000Who’s\u3000been\u3000through\u3000a\u3000big\u3000romance\u3000and\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000heart\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nOh\uff1b\u3000great\uff1b\u3000just\u3000what\u3000I\u3000need\uff01\u3000Rick\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Some\u3000other\u3000walking\u3000wounded\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000around\u3000with\uff01\u3000But\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000listening\u3000very\u3000closely\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’d\u3000be\u3000good\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000be\u3000with\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000can\u3000appreciate\u3000a\u3000relationship\u3002\u3000Those\u3000people’re\u3000around\uff1b\u3000y’\u3000know\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000they\u3000turn\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000your\u3000next\u3000door\u3000neighbor\u3002\u3000Or\u3000even\u3002\u3002\u3002your\u3000superior\u3000officer\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000rose\u3002\u3000\u3003Gotta\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Claudia\uff1b\u3000you\u3000mean\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000me\u3000mention\u3000anybody\u3000by\u3000name\uff1f\u3000I\u3000only\u3000said\u3000people\u3000like\u3000that\u3000are\u3000around\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000they’ve\u3000been\u3000known\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000by\u3000so\u3000close\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000even\u3000see\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000started\u3000off\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000back\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000stay\u3000up\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000Things\u3000will\u3000look\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000better\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000go\u3000and\u3000said\u3000very\u3000softly\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wow\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Earth\u3000again\u3002\u3000The\u3000way\u3000he\u3000had\u3000it\u3000figured\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000orbit\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000Alaska\u3000into\u3000view\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000while\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000over\u3000the\u3000message\u3000he\u3000had\u3000flashed\u3000to\u3000Lisa\u3000by\u3000prosign\u3000dots\u3000and\u3000dashes\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\u3000more\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SEVEN
\n
\nThe\u3000myths\u3000of\u3000selfless\u3000humility\u3000and\u3000humble\u3000allegiance\u3000to\u3000ideals\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000no\u3000warrior\u3000culture\uff1b\u3000not\u3000that\u3000of\u3000Japanese\u3000samurai\uff1b\u3000medieval\u3000knight\uff1b\u3000or\u3000any\u3000other\uff1b\u3000that\u3000does\u3000not\uff1b\u3000upon\u3000close\u3000scrutiny\uff1b\u3000have\u3000a\u3000ruthless\uff1b\u3000entirely\u3000practical\u3000side\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Also\u3000universal\u3000are\u3000egotism\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hypocritical\u3000willingness\u3000to\u3000dispense\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000high\u2026flown\u3000language\u3000and\u3000poetic\u3000vows\u3000when\u3000the\u3000grim\u3000business\u3000of\u3000life\u3000and\u3000death\u3000is\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002
\nHow\u3000much\u3000more\u3000so\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000among\u3000the\u3000cloned\uff1b\u3000bred\u2026for\u2026battle\u3000Zentraedi\uff1f\u3000In\u3000the\u3000case\u3000of\u3000Miriya\u3000Parino\uff1b\u3000female\u3000warlord\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Quadronos\u3000and\u3000arguably\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000fighter\u3000of\u3000her\u3000race\uff1b\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000is\u3000certain\uff1a\u3000Her\u3000soaring\u3000pride\u3000and\u3000utter\u3000self\u2026confidence\u3000had\u3000been\u3000her\u3000hallmark\u3000until\u3000she\u3000was\u3000bested\u3000both\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000by\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3002\u3000Her\u3000emotional\u3000ferment\u3000was\u3000such\u3000that\u3000the\u3000law\u3000of\u3000her\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vendetta\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000road\u3000open\u3000to\u3000her\u2026vengeance\uff1b\u3000by\u3000any\u3000means\u3000possible\u3002
\nIs\u3000it\u3000any\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000that\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000next\u3000has\u3000provided\u3000fuel\u3000for\u3000songs\uff1b\u3000arguments\uff1b\u3000dissertations\uff1b\u3000and\u3000grand\u3000opera\u3000for\u3000generations\u3000since\uff1f
\nAltaira\u3000Heimel\uff1b\u3000Butterflies\u3000in\u3000Winter\uff1a\u3000Human\u3000Relations\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War
\n
\nThe\u3000super\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000prowled\u3000cautiously\u3000through\u3000the\u3000void\uff1b\u3000vigilant\u3000against\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000resigned\u3000to\u3000battle\u3000as\u3000only\u3000a\u3000seasoned\u3000veteran\u3000can\u3000be\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000e\u3000pressing\u3000battle\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000many\u3000times\u3000before\uff1b\u3000would\u3000e\u3000again\u3002\u3000Life\u3000in\u3000between\u3000clashes\u3000was\uff1b\u3000therefore\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000lived\u3000that\u3000much\u3000more\u3000fully\u3002\u3000Death\u3000was\u3000all\u3000around\u2026the\u3000war\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000on\u3000for\u3000years\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000aboard\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000any\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000be\u3000their\u3000number\u3000that\u3000would\u3000e\u3000up\u3000the\u3000next\u3000time\u3000around\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000was\u3000a\u3000park\uff1b\u3000lovingly\u3000and\u3000carefully\u3000put\u3000together\u3000by\u3000the\u3000inhabitants\u3000almost\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000grass\u3000by\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000grass\u3002\u3000Overhead\u3000was\u3000an\u3000Earthly\u3000summertime\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000courtesy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000EVE\u3000system\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000even\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000crickets\u2026descendants\u3000of\u3000good\u2026luck\u3000pets\u3000who\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000war\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000Sterling\u3000paced\u3000fitfully\u3000under\u3000a\u3000streetlamp\u3000near\u3000the\u3000Peace\u3000Fountain\u3000that\u3000trickled\u3000and\u3000gurgled\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u3000for\u3000the\u3000seventh\u3000time\u3000in\u3000two\u3000minutes\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Jeez\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000almost\u3000nine\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000she’s\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000worried\u3000that\u3000Miriya\u3000wouldn’t\u3000show\u3000up\u2026worried\u3000even\u3000more\uff1b\u3000really\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3002\u3000Just\u3000an\u3000average\u2026looking\u3000young\u3000man\u3000straightening\u3000his\u3000necktie\u3000and\u3000hoping\u3000his\u3000only\u3000sports\u3000jacket\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000too\u3000shabby\uff1b\u3000and\u3000recalling\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000sinking\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000flowers\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ordered\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000death\u3000hunted\u3000afoot\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000pounce\u3000was\u3000near\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000know\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\u3000yet\u3000that\u3000cruel\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000watching\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000believe\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000her\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000me\u3000in\u3000the\u3000park\u2026a\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000at\u3000night\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000could\u3000get\u3000mugged\u3000or\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIn\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000street\u3000crime\u3000in\u3000Macross\u3000was\u3000all\u3000but\u3000nonexistent\u3002\u3000And\u3000punishments\u3000were\u3000such\u3000that\u3000recidivism\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000nil\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000reasoning\u3000meant\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000street\u3000crime\u3000in\u3000Macross\u3000was\u3000all\u3000but\u3000nonexistent\u3002\u3000And\u3000punishments\u3000were\u3000such\u3000that\u3000recidivism\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000nil\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000reasoning\u3000meant\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000had\u3000him\u3000mesmerized\uff1b\u3000entranced\uff1b\u3000enraptured\u3002\u3000A\u3000woman\u3000he\u3000had\u3000met\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000poised\uff1b\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000running\u3000footsteps\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Maximillian\uff1b\u3000prepare\u3000for\u3000your\u3000doom\uff01\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000literal\u3000translation\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Quadrono\u3000war\u3000cry\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000well\u3000in\u3000advance\uff1b\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000arrive\uff1b\u3000watched\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000set\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000precisely\u3000at\u3000their\u3000appointed\u3000meeting\u3000time\uff1b\u3000a\u3000quarter\u3000hour\u3000before\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000had\u3000only\u3000watched\u3000him\uff1b\u3000hating\u3000him\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3000but\u3000feeling\u3000strange\u2026feeling\u3000drawn\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000some\u3000mysterious\u3000way\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000fathom\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000she\u3000was\u3000merely\u3000studying\u3000her\u3000enemy’s\u3000movements\u3000and\u3000possible\u3000vulnerabilities\u3000and\u3000fought\u3000down\u3000the\u3000liking\u3000she\u3000had\u3000for\u3000seeing\u3000him\u3000in\u3000motion\u3002\u3000She\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000merely\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000opportune\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000though\u3000that\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000park\u3000was\u3000absolutely\u3000deserted\uff1b\u3000she\u3000let\u3000the\u3000minutes\u3000slide\u3000by\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000observed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000his\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000he\u3000moved\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000trembling\u3000in\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000no\u3000military\u3000mind\u3000\/body\u3000discipline\u3000known\u3000to\u3000her\u3000could\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000But\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000by\u3000a\u3000tremendous\u3000application\u3000of\u3000will\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hurled\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000was\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000all\u3000of\u3000that\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000joke\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000charging\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000quick\u3000grace\u3000of\u3000a\u3000panther\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gleaming\u3000knife\u3000held\u3000high\u3002\u3000Miriya’s\u3000heavy\u3000waves\u3000of\u3000green\u2026dyed\u3000hair\u3000snapped\u3000and\u3000flew\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000flag\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000brown\u3000body\u3000suit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000kneehigh\u3000boots\u3000of\u3000blue\u2026dyed\u3000leather\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000yellow\u3000scarf\u3000at\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000eyes\u3000started\u3000madly\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000Quadrono\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000this\u3000miserable\u3000human\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000made\u3000her\u3000vacillate\u2026made\u3000her\u3000feel\u3000weakness\u3000where\u3000once\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000only\u3000strength\uff01\u3000But\u3000that\u3000would\u3000end\uff1b\u3000Sterling\u3000would\u3000die\uff1b\u3000to\u3000expiate\u3000his\u3000sin\u3000of\u3000defeating\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000once\u3000more\u3000be\u3000Miriya\u3000the\u3000unconquerable\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000was\u3000fumbling\u3000through\u3000a\u3000little\u3000greeting\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000rehearsing\uff1b\u3000his\u3000habitual\u3000whimsical\u3000half\u3000smile\u3000appearing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Miriya\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000nice\u3000to\u3000see\u3000you\u3002\u3002\u3002glad\u3000you\u3000could\u3002\u3002\u3002uh\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThis\uff1b\u3000while\u3000she\u3000bore\u3000down\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000gleaming\u3002\u3000The\u3000knife\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000hybrid\u3000cross\u3000between\u3000a\u3000Japanese\u2026style\u3000tanto\u3000and\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000midlength\u3000Randall\u3000hunting\u3000models\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000circular\u3000guard\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000ground\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000and\uff1b\u3000afraid\u3000that\u3000he\u3000might\u3000elude\u3000her\uff1b\u3000hurled\u3000it\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000clawing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000meantime\u3000for\u3000her\u3000second\u3000blade\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000knives\u3000weren’t\u3000quite\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000weapons\u3000she\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000balance\u3000and\u3000heft\u3000weren’t\u3000too\u3000different\u3002\u3000Although\u3000a\u3000firearm\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000faster\uff1b\u3000her\u3000incandescent\u3000need\u3000for\u3000revenge\u3000had\u3000made\u3000Miriya\u3000choose\u3000a\u3000more\u3000traditional\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000reflexes\uff1b\u3000muscle\uff1b\u3000eye\u2026to\u2026eye\u3000confrontation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cold\u3000steel\u3000that\u3000settled\u3000her\u3000score\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hated\u3000human\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000in\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000proved\u3000that\u3000all\u3000those\u3000dogfight\u3000kills\u3000weren’t\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000fluke\u3002\u3000His\u3000psychomotor\u3000responses\u3000were\u3000the\u3000fastest\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000meds\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000measured\u2026his\u3000coordination\u3000and\u3000reflexes\u3000were\u3000unprecedented\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000was\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000when\u3000his\u3000body\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000steel\uff1b\u3000understood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ducked\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000recall\u3000the\u3000awkward\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000romantic\u3000little\u3000speech\u3000he\u3000had\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000make\u3000to\u3000her\u3000when\u3000those\u3000supreme\u3000and\u3000somehow\u3000strangely\u3000given\u3000bat\u3000reflexes\u3000cut\u3000in\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000evasion\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000a\u3000flicker\u3000of\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000flashed\u3000past\u3000him\u3000to\u3000land\u3000solidly\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000trunk\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000missed\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000ing\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nStunned\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000charge\u3000headlong\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000sheath\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000knife\u3000far\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000it\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000grass\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000crazy\uff1f\u3003\u3000Everything\u3000had\u3000suddenly\u3000slid\u3000into\u3000place\u3000within\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000already\u3000loved\u3000her\u3000so\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000Sterling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000part\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000unbeatable\uff1b\u3000was\u3000broadcasting\u3000warnings\u3000and\u3000threat\u3000updates\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000his\u3000body\u3000in\u3000motion\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000sheathed\u3000blade\u3000from\u3000the\u3000open\u3000front\u3000seam\u3000of\u3000her\u3000body\u3000suit\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000Quadrono\u3000Leader\u3000Miriya\u3000Parino\uff1a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000gulped\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000goes\u3000our\u3000first\u3000date\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000something\u3000in\u3000him\u3000had\u3000already\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000balance\u3000was\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000balls\u3000of\u3000his\u3000feet\u2026he\u3000felt\u3000nearly\u3000weightless\u2026and\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000curled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fastest\u3000fists\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002
\n
\nHowever\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000infatuated\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000held\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000check\u3000when\u3000all\u3000his\u3000impulses\u3000were\u3000to\u3000counterattack\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000thing\u3000like\u3000attempted\u3000murder\u3000couldn’t\u3000alter\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000hopelessly\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000pacing\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000concern\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000weakling\u3000human\u3000fears\u2026for\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000an\u3000imagined\u3000loved\u3000one\uff1b\u3000of\u3000all\u3000things\uff01\u2026were\u3000so\u3000contemptible\u3000and\u3000misplaced\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nSomewhere\u3000deep\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000her\u3000she\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000pure\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Max’s\u3000worry\u3000was\u3000a\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000his\u3000regard\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Who\u3000else\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000her\u3000matchless\u3000military\u3000career\uff1b\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000shown\u3000such\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000loving\u3000concern\u3000for\u3000Miriya\u3000Parino’s\u3000well\u2026being\uff1f
\n
\nNo\u3000one\u3002\u3000Not\u3000ever\u3002\u3000The\u3000very\u3000thought\u3000galvanized\u3000her\uff1b\u3000launched\u3000her\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000murder\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000sheath\u3000hissed\u3000briefly\u3000with\u3000a\u3000metallic\u3000rasp\u3000as\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000glimmered\u3000wickedly\u3000under\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000park\u3000streetlights\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000such\u3000a\u3000fool\uff01\u3000Fight\u3000for\u3000your\u3000life\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000something\u3000nauseatingly\u3000vulnerable\u3000and\u3000adoring\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000expression\u3000with\u3000which\u3000he\u3000regarded\u3000her\u3000was\u3000unworthy\u3000of\u3000any\u3000true\u3000warrior\u2026but\u3000it\u3000sapped\u3000her\u3000determination\u3000so\u3002
\n
\nYet\u3000inside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000furnace\u3000as\u3000hot\u3000and\u3000powerful\u3000as\u3000any\u3000Protoculture\u3000engine\u3000burned\u3002\u3000Kill\u3000him\uff01\u3000Kill\u3000him\u3000now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000once\uff01\u3000Before\u3002\u3002\u3002before\u3000he\u3000can\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000life\uff1f\u3000But\u3000why\u3000attack\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Max\u3000asked\u3000bewildered\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000body\u3000was\u3000already\u3000set\u2026they\u3000were\u3000both\u3000so\u3000locked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000language\u3000of\u3000hand\u2026to\u2026hand\u3000that\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000was\u3000inevitable\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000glitter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000up\u3000into\u3000their\u3000line\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fencer\u3000so\u3000that\u3000they\u3000could\u3000both\u3000consider\u3000its\u3000cold\u3000blaze\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000have\u3000my\u3000revenge\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000hand\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000trunk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000made\u3000new\u3000calculations\u3000based\u3000on\u3000his\u3000being\u3000armed\u3002\u3000Sterling’s\u3000having\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000was\u3000so\u3000much\u3000the\u3000better\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000Miriya\u3000was\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000on\u3000equal\u3000terms\uff1b\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000humble\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000humbled\u3000her\u2026before\u3002\u3002\u3002before\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000hand\u3000came\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000haft\u3000of\u3000the\u3000knife\u2026very\u3000reluctantly\uff1b\u3000very\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000very\u3000deliberately\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000this\u3000is\u3000all\u3000about\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000left\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000aside\u3000when\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000it\u3002\u3000His\u3000life\u3000was\u3000in\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000another\u3000way\u3000his\u3000life\u3000was\u3000there\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u2026the\u3000person\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000live\u3000without\u3002
\n
\nI\u3000wonder\u3000what\u3000the\u3000court\u2026martial\u3000punishment\u3000is\u3000for\u3000falling\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1f
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000d’\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000revenge\uff1f\u3000If\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000I\u3000understand\u3000why\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u2026to\u3000fight\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000barely\u3000got\u3000the\u3000word\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000why\u3000d’\u3000you\u3000want\u3000revenge\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000held\u3000the\u3000short\uff1b\u3000tanto\u2026style\u3000knife\u3000high\uff1b\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000samurai\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000burnished\u3000and\u3000keen\uff1b\u3000that\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000light\u3000back\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3002\u3002\u3002have\u3002\u3002\u3002reasons\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWith\u3000that\u3000she\u3000sprang\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000any\u3000jungle\u3000cat\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Max\u3000Sterling’s\u3000emotions\u3000and\u3000misgivings\u3000were\u3000subject\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000override\uff1b\u3000body\u3000and\u3000reflexes\u3000took\u3000over\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000edge\u3000so\u3000fine\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000hair\u3000floating\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000sliced\u3000through\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000curt\uff1b\u3000sinister\u3000sibilance\u3002\u3000Max\u3000was\u3000already\u3000aloft\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000spat\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000oath\u3000in\u3000frustration\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000him\u3000dive\u3000and\u3000flip\u3000to\u3000momentary\u3000safety\u3002\u3000He\u3000whirled\u3000on\u3000her\u3000when\u3000he\u3000might\u3000as\u3000easily\u2026and\u3000more\u3000sanely\u2026have\u3000run\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Miriya\uff1b\u3000what’d\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000do\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000wasn’t\u3000blind\u3000to\u3000his\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000when\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000advisable\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000Valkyrie\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000blade\u3000again\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000it\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000shards\u3000of\u3000light\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000defeated\u3000me\u3002\u3000And\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000who\u3000I\u3000am\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000swirled\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000around\uff1b\u3000en\u3000garde\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000contoured\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000light\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi’s\u3000greatest\u3000pilot\uff01\u3000And\u3000I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000be\u3000humiliated\u3000by\u3000a\u3000human\u3000insect\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000plunged\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000razor\u2026sharp\u3000edge\u3000slitting\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000In\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000second\u3000she\u3000executed\u3000two\u3000masterful\u3000infighting\u3000moves\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000disembowled\u3000a\u3000lesser\u3000opponent\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000simply\u3000wasn’t\u3000there\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000no\u3000countermoves\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000avoided\u3000the\u3000cuts\u3000and\u3000thrusts\u3000like\u3000a\u3000shadow\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000enraged\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000terrified\uff1b\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000mystified\u3002\u3000That\u3000he\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000weakling\u3000human\u3000emotions\u3000for\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000fought\u3000down\u3000the\u3000chaotic\u3000impulses\u3000that\u3000flared\u3000up\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000slashed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000hissed\u3000through\u3000empty\u3000space\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000know\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000fear\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\uff01\u3000He’s\u3000so\u3000fast\uff01\u3000Her\u3000fear\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000In\u3000this\u3000strangest\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000her\u3000life\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000that\u3000ultimate\u3000and\u3000most\u3000dire\u3000of\u3000terrors\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dread\u3000that\u3000was\u3000somehow\u3000bound\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000had\u3000many\u3000mental\u3000images\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000about\u3000what\u3000this\u3000utter\u3000demon\u3000of\u3000war\u3000would\u3000be\u3000like\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000first\u3000time\u3000you\u3000were\u3000lucky\uff01\u3000The\u3000second\u3000time\u3000was\u3000your\u3000final\u3000victory\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000dodging\u3000with\u3000that\u3000same\u3000uncanny\u3000speed\u3002\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000can\u3000save\u3000you\u3000now\uff01\u3003\u3000Miriya\u3000hissed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000defeat\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000hurled\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nShe\u3000hurled\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000thirsty\u3000edge\u3000ing\u3000around\u3000in\u3000an\u3000eviscerating\u3000arc\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000EIGHT
\n
\nThere\u3000are\u3000old\u3000soreheads\u3000and\u3000young\u3000soreheads\u3000in\u3000our\u3000ranks\u3000who\u3000still\u3000denounce\u3000the\u3000events\u3000that\u3000occurred\u3000near\u3000the\u3000Peace\u3000Fountain\u3000that\u3000night\u3002\u3000Chances\u3000are\uff1b\u3000they\u3000won’t\u3000get\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000this\u3000book\uff1b\u3000either\u3002
\nTo\u3000paraphrase\u3000Robert\u3000Heilbroner\uff1b\u3000\u3003These\u3000people\u3000bring\u3000lots\u3000of\u3000rigor\u3000to\u3000our\u3000cause\uff1b\u3000but\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000also\u3000mortis\u3002\u3003
\nBetty\u3000Greer\uff1b\u3000Post\u2026Feminism\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War
\n
\nMiriya\u3000was\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000quick\u3000as\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000clever\u3000knife\u3000fighter\u3002\u3000She\u3000maneuvered\u3000the\u3000next\u3000sequence\u3000of\u3000cuts\u3000so\u3000that\u3000his\u3000route\u3000of\u3000evasion\u3000would\u3000be\u3000past\u3000the\u3000tree’s\u3000great\u3000roots\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stumbled\u3000and\u3000went\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000dove\u3000at\u3000him\u3000gleefully\uff1b\u3000the\u3000white\u3000throat\u3000open\u3000for\u3000her\u3000death\u3000cut\u3002\u3000By\u3000all\u3000rights\u3000the\u3000duel\u3000was\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000it\u3000needed\u3000only\u3000the\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wrist\u3000to\u3000end\u3000Sterling’s\u3000life\u3000and\u3000expunge\u3000her\u3000shame\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000could\u3000explain\u3000her\u3000slight\u3000hesitation\uff1b\u3000she\u3000who\u3000had\u3000never\u3000hesitated\u3000before\u3000and\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000no\u3000other\u3000foe\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000could\u3000explain\u3000it\u3000except\u3000the\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000vivid\u3000image\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000would\u3000look\u3000like\u3000when\u3000she\u3000killed\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nFlat\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000the\u3000powered\u2026armor\u3000pilot\u3000he\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000to\u3000a\u3000standstill\u3000days\u3000before\uff1b\u3000first\u3000in\u3000a\u3000furious\u3000dogfight\u3000over\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000then\u3000in\u3000a\u3000toe\u2026to\u2026toe\u3000confrontation\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000itself\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000afraid\u3000for\u3000his\u3000life\u3002\u3000But\u3000all\u3000he\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\uff1b\u3000squaring\u3000off\u3000with\u3000Miriya’s\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000kept\u3000hearing\u3000Tex\u3000Ritter’s\u3000old\u3000song\u3000from\u3000High\u3000Noon\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000Not\u3000Forsake\u3000Me\uff1b\u3000O\u3000My\u3000Darlin’\uff1b\u3003\u3000echoing\u3000through\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000he\u3000just\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000hearing\u3000that\u3000haunting\u3000line
\n
\non\u3000this\uff1b\u3000our\u3000weddin’\u3000day\u2026ayy\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000sprang\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000cleaved\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002\u3000His\u3000body\u3000responded\u3000before\u3000he\u3000had\u3000time\u3000for\u3000coherent\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000he\u3000held\u3000up\u3000a\u3000flat\u3000disk\u3000of\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000point\u3000skidded\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000sparks\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000taking\u3000two\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000off\u3000but\u3000missing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000hair’s\u3000breadth\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000miss\u3000put\u3000her\u3000off\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000worked\u3000a\u3000leg\u3000trip\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000rolled\u3000to\u3000get\u3000free\u3000and\u3000try\u3000for\u3000his\u3000life\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000catapulted\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000first\u3000knife\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000still\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tree\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000after\u3000him\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000To\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000before\u3002\u3002\u3002before\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000no\u3000use\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000triumphantly\uff1b\u3000slashing\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000They\u3000maneuvered\u3000and\u3000feinted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000knife’s\u3000haft\u3000only\u3000inches\u3000beyond\u3000Max’s\u3000reach\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000no\u3000match\u3000for\u3000me\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000may\u3000be\u3000a\u3000great\u3000man\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what’s\u3000a\u3000man\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000faked\u3000her\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tree\uff1b\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000like\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000her\u3000belated\u3000cut\u3000only\u3000chipping\u3000bark\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000see\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000held\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fencing\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000hesitantly\u3002\u3000She\u3000went\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nImpossibly\uff1b\u3000they\u3000set\u3000aside\u3000any\u3000sane\u3000knife\u2026fighting\u3000style\u3000to\u3000fence\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000held\u3000sabers\u3002\u3000The\u3000knives\u3000struck\u3000scintillas\u3000of\u3000light\u3000from\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000fence\u3000in\u3000school\u3000and\u3000had\u3000sharpened\u3000his\u3000bat\u3000skills\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Defense\u3000Force\uff1b\u3000Miriya\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u2026she\u3000lived\u3000and\u3000breathed\u3000warfare\u3002
\n
\nAmazingly\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000engaged\u3000her\u3000blade\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bind\uff1b\u3000whirling\u3000it\u3000around\u3000and\u3000around\uff1b\u3000whisking\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\u3000grip\u3002\u3000It\u3000flew\u3000high\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000yards\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000point\u3000buried\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000tantalizingly\u3000close\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000too\u3000far\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000held\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000his\u3000knife\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000She\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000proudly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000I\u3000win\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000in\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000sound\u3000unsure\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000Miriya\u3000Parino\uff1b\u3000warlord\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Quadrono\uff1b\u3000had\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000would\u3000face\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000was\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000dignity\u3000in\u3000defeat\uff1b\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000her\u3000warrior\u3000code\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThis\u3000is\u3000a\u3000shame\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000endure\u3002\u3000She\u3000sank\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000scarf\u3000down\u3000and\u3000baring\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000She\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000kiss\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000it\u3000would\u3000e\u3000soon\u3000to\u3000end\u3000her\u3000suffering\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000tears\u3000welled\u3000up\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u2026not\u3000from\u3000fear\u3000or\u3000even\u3000anger\u3000but\u3000from\u3000impulses\u3000to\u3000which\u3000she\u3000could\u3000put\u3000no\u3000name\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000hesitating\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000perhaps\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000show\u3000the\u3000cruelty\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000might\u3000in\u3000his\u3000position\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000blame\u3000him\u3000and\u3000was\u3000bravely\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000endure\u3000whatever\u3000he\u3000might\u3000mete\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000perhaps\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000word\u3000from\u3000her\u3000to\u3000acknowledge\u3000her\u3000defeat\u3002
\n
\n\u3003End\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\u3000green\u3000tresses\u3000hung\u3000about\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3002\u3000Do\u3000it\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000what\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000final\u3000cold\u3000fire\u3000of\u3000the\u3000knife’s\u3000edge\u3002\u3000His\u3000fingers\u3000were\u3000under\u3000her\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000so\u3000beautiful\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000so\u3000unreal\uff1b\u3000so\u3000difficult\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000came\u3000as\u3000only\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000shock\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000let\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000fall\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000blissfully\u3000into\u3000a\u3000face\u3000that\u3000held\u3000confusion\uff1b\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000something\u3000else\u3000she\u3000was\u3000only\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000prehend\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000never\u3000felt\u3000herself\u3000e\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000she\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000zero\u2026g\uff1b\u3000flying\u3000feeling\u3000was\u3000real\u3002\u3000One\u3000final\u3000spasm\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\u3000training\u3000made\u3000itself\u3000felt\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000her\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000him\uff1b\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000him\u3000before\u3002\u3002\u3002before\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000already\u3000had\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000kissing\uff1b\u3000embracing\uff1b\u3000Miriya\u3000in\u3000Max’s\u3000arms\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000little\u3000meadow\u3000in\u3000Macross’s\u3000darkened\u3000park\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000place\u3000apart\u3000from\u3000all\u3000other\u3000worlds\u3002\u3000No\u3000word\u3000was\u3000said\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1b\u3000until\u3000Max\u3000got\u3000up\u3000his\u3000nerve\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Miriya\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000gonna\u3000sound\u3000crazy\uff1b\u3000but\u2026will\u3000you\u3000marry\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000wish\u3002\u3000Maximillian\uff1b\u3000what’s\u3000\u2018marry’\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000former\u3000Zentraedi\u3000spies\uff1b\u3000Rico\uff1b\u3000Bron\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Konda\uff1b\u3000were\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000crew\u3000lounge\u3000not\u3000far\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000their\u3000best\u3000to\u3000show\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000a\u3000good\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nSammie\uff1b\u3000Vanessa\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Kim\u3000were\u3000feeling\u3000down\u2026hearted\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000voyage\u3000would\u3000never\u3000end\uff1b\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000refuge\u3000for\u3000the\u3000starship\u3000anywhere\u3002
\n
\nNo\u3000one\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000guess\u3000how\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000could\u3000last\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000armada\u3000that\u3000hounded\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000unspoken\u3000consensus\u3000was\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000pushed\u3000its\u3000luck\u3000to\u3000the\u3000limit\u3000and\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000living\u3000on\u3000borrowed\u3000time\u3002
\n
\n\u3003D’you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Canadians\u3000will\u3000offer\u3000sanctuary\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000Konda\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000burly\u3000Bron\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000the\u3000Canadians\u3000could\u3000be\u3000persuaded\u3000to\u3000defy\u3000the\u3000united\u3000Earth\u3000Defense\u3000Council\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000land\uff1b\u3000offer\u3000her\u3000crew\u3000and\u3000refugees\u3000asylum\uff1b\u3000there\u3000might\u3000be\u3000hope\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000most\u3000strenuous\u3000test\u3000yet\u3000of\u3000the\u3000UEDC’s\u3000authority\u3000as\u3000opposed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000autonomous\u3000rights\u3000of\u3000its\u3000member\u3000states\uff1b\u3000could\u3000perhaps\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000a\u3000new\u3000civil\u3000war\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000only\u3000hope\u3002
\n
\nBron’s\u3000friend\u3000and\u3000fellow\u3000warrior\u3000chewed\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000food\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000one\u3000thing\uff1a\u3000If\u3000our\u3000request\u3000is\u3000denied\uff1b\u3000it\u3000means\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000stranded\u3000out\u3000here\u3000in\u3000space\u3000forever\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000young\u3000women\u3000exchanged\u3000agonized\u3000looks\u3002\u3000Little\u3000Sammie\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000intense\u3000and\u3000frightened\u3002\u3000\u3003Konda\uff1b\u3000please\u3000don’t\u3000say\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\n
\nKim\uff1b\u3000her\u3000coffee\u3000cup\u3000forgotten\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000looked\u3000lost\u3000and\u3000vulnerable\u3002\u3000\u3003Surely\u3002\u3002\u3002someone\u3000will\u3000help\u3000us\uff01\u3003
\n
\nKonda\u3000didn’t\u3000contradict\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000neither\u3000did\u3000he\u3000agree\u3002\u3000The\u3000six\u3000usually\u3000had\u3000fun\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000together\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000they\u3000just\u3000stared\u3000gloomily\u3000into\u3000their\u3000coffee\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000must\u3000have\u3000faith\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rico\u3000said\u2026an\u3000odd\u3000thing\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000one\u3000whose\u3000only\u3000belief\u3000had\uff1b\u3000until\u3000some\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000been\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\u3000code\u3002
\n
\nNone\u3000of\u3000them\u3000noticed\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000pass\u3000by\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000every\u3000which\u3000way\u3000for\u3000his\u3000manding\u3000officer\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff01\u3000Just\u3000the\u3000man\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000spying\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000sat\u3000alone\u3000at\u3000a\u3000table\u3000on\u3000an\u3000upper\u3000level\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000out\u3000the\u3000deck\u2026to\u2026overhead\u3000viewports\u3000that\u3000had\u3000space\u3000on\u3000three\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000exhausted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000constant\u3000flight\u3000duty\u3000and\u3000the\u3000added\u3000burdens\u3000of\u3000being\u3000a\u3000team\u3000leader\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000about\u3000his\u3000men\uff1b\u3000and\u3000about\u3000what\u3000he\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000do\u3000to\u3000set\u3000his\u3000love\u3000life\u3000straight\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3000when\u3000Max\u3000broke\u3000in\u3000on\u3000his\u3000reverie\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000invited\u3000him\u3000to\u3000sit\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000about\u3000last\u3000night\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000began\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000get\u3000married\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000spat\u3000out\u3000his\u3000coffee\u3000and\u3000choked\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000until\u3000Max\u3000patted\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000most\u3000ridiculous\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000heard\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000sputtered\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000only\u3000went\u3000on\u3000one\u3000date\uff01\u3000Man\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3000she\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000leaving\u3000town\uff1b\u3000so\u3000why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000take\u3000some\u3000time\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000looked\u3000stubborn\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000before\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000in\u3000love\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000a\u3000lecture\u3000that\u3000he\u3000never\u3000would\u3000have\u3000imagined\u3000giving\u3000before\u3000he\u3000became\u3000Skull\u3000leader\u3002\u3000But\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000get\u3000too\u3000far\u3000into\u3000why\u3000no\u3000one\u3000should\u3000rush\u3000into\u3000matrimony\u3000and\u3000how\u3000that\u3000went\u3000triple\u3000for\u3000VT\u3000fighter\u3000pilots\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000cut\u3000him\u3000off\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lieutenant\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000not\u3000the\u3000part\u3000that’s\u3000bothering\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000mopped\u3000his\u3000brow\u3000with\u3000his\u3000handkerchief\u3002\u3000\u3003Y’\u3000see\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000ah\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000how\u3000to\u3000say\u3000this\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000confessed\u3000to\u3000me\u3000that\u3000she’s\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000blankly\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000practically\u3000anyone\u3000else\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000doubted\u3000his\u3000sanity\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000Max’s\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000his\u3000latest\u3000psych\u3000evaluation\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000let\u3000this\u3000happen\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000love\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000more\u3000forcefully\u3000than\u3000he\u3000usually\u3000said\u3000anything\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000talking\u3000nonsense\uff01\u3000What\u3000could\u3000you\u3000possibly\u3000have\u3000in\u3000mon\u3000with\u3000her\uff1f\u3003\u3000This\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000three\u3000former\u3000spies\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000bunnies\u3000were\u3000keeping\u3000pany\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lounge\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000unsnarl\u3000his\u3000own\u3000stormy\u3000emotional\u3000life\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000why\u3000other\u3000people\u3000would\u3000want\u3000to\u3000plicate\u3000theirs\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000telling\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000love\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000insisted\u3002\u3000He\u3000suddenly\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000table\u3000with\u3000his\u3000fist\uff1b\u3000making\u3000cup\u3000and\u3000saucer\u3000dance\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000telling\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000love\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000insisted\u3002\u3000He\u3000suddenly\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000table\u3000with\u3000his\u3000fist\uff1b\u3000making\u3000cup\u3000and\u3000saucer\u3000dance\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000problem\u3000love\u3000won’t\u3000solve\uff01\u3003
\n
\nOh\u3000yeah\uff1f\u3000Rick\u3000thought\u3000ironically\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000that\u3000for\u3000just\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000something\u3000about\u3000his\u3000hopeless\u3000yearning\u3000for\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000could\u3000understand\u3000his\u3000plex\u3000feelings\u3000toward\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3002\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000to\u3000learn\uff01
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000one\u3000problem\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000solve\uff1b\u3000pal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000your\u3000silly\u3000idealism\u3002\u3000Love\u3000isn’t\u3000gonna\u3000make\u3000you\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000take\u3000it\u3000from\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000was\u3000furious\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000doesn’t\u3000matter\u3000what\u3000you\u3000say\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000this\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000or\u3000without\u3000your\u3000approval\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000look\uff1b\u3000so\u3000you’re\u3000attracted\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000How\u3000many\u3000times\u3000does\u3000that\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000a\u3000guy\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She’s\u3000special\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Take\u3000it\u3000easy\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000like\u3000her\u3000very\u3000much\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000calmed\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000should\u3000be\u3000interesting\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000said\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000e\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000table\u3002
\n
\nMiriya\u3000Parino\u3000of\u3000the\u3000elite\u3000Quadrono\u3000battalion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000hordes\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fashion\u3000magazine\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000met\u3000a\u3000female\u3000Zentraedi\u3000and\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000few\u3000males\u3000who\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000ugly\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000a\u3000clock\u3002
\n
\nWhat\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000expected\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gorgeous\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000a\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000graceful\u3000pink\u3000summer\u3000frock\u3000set\u3000off\u3000by\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000sash\u3000about\u3000her\u3000slim\u3000waist\u3002\u3000She\u3000wore\u3000her\u3000dark\u3000green\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000lush\u3000tail\u3000drawn\u3000forward\u3000over\u3000one\u3000white\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000just\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000told\u3000her\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sublime\uff1b\u3000starry\u2026eyed\u3000smile\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000flabbergasted\uff1b\u3000then\u3000got\u3000out\u3000haltingly\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000right\uff1b\u3000Max\u3002\u3000She\u3000is\u3000beautiful\u3002\u3000I\u2026I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000understand\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMiriya\u3000smiled\u3000serenely\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000so\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000you\u3002\u3000You\u3000look\u3000just\u3000the\u3000way\u3000Maximillian\u3000described\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000terribly\u3000happy\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Max\u3000were\u3000to\u3000marry\uff1b\u3000though\u3000this\u3000odd\uff1b\u3000strangely\u3000thrilling\u3000human\u3000custom\u3000was\u3000more\u3000a\u3000mystery\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000else\u3002\u3000She\u3000suddenly\u3000looked\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000nothing\u3000at\u3000all\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000mander\u3000and\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000was\u3000so\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000bright\u3000and\u3000wonderful\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nMax’s\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000her\u3000new\u3000clothes\u3000had\u3000plainly\u3000been\u3000a\u3000good\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000she’d\u3000drawn\u3000from\u3000people\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000Rick\u3000in\u3000particular\uff1b\u3000were\u3000not\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000one\u3000directed\u3000at\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000only\u3000hours\u3000before\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Max\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000intervening\u3000time\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000clarify\u3000what\u3000\u3003love\u3003\u3000meant\u3002\u3000She\u3000decided\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000more\u3000clarification\u2026a\u3000lifetime’s\u3000worth\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000a\u3000lucky\u3000man\uff1b\u3000Max\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000without\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000off\u3000Miriya\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000forget\u3000all\u3000that\u3000nonsense\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000was\u3000all\u3000smiles\u3000again\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003And\u3000to\u3000guarantee\u3000you\u3000two\u3000have\u3000a\u3000great\u3000wedding\u3000day\uff1b\u3000I\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000the\u3000bride\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3000cheerfully\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000irony\u3000creeping\u3000into\u3000his\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000I\u3000could\u3000count\u3000on\u3000you\uff1b\u3000boss\u3002\u3000Only\u2026\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000take\u3000Miriya’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000better\u3000hold\u3000off\u3000on\u3000that\u3000until\u3000I\u3000explain\u3000it\u3000all\u3000to\u3000the\u3000future\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Sterling\u3002\u3000The\u3000RDF\u3000forces\u3000are\u3000shorthanded\u3000as\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’d\u3000hate\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Skull\u3000Leader\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000in\u3000intensive\u3000care\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000preparations\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000began\u3000that\u3000same\u3000day\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000was\u3000strangely\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000except\u3000to\u3000give\u3000his\u3000permission\u3000and\u3000authorize\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000major\u3000bash\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000media\u3000moguls\u3000hungered\u3000and\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000for\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000knew\u3000Gloval\u3000well\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000had\u3000good\u3000reasons\u3000for\u3000a\u3000move\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000those\u3000might\u3000be\u3002
\n
\nNews\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ing\u3000nuptials\u3000had\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000abuzz\u3002\u3000It\u3000galvanized\u3000crewpeople\u3000and\u3000refugees\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000a\u3000reason\u3000at\u3000last\u3000to\u3000celebrate\u3000and\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000war\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3000Mayor\u3000Tommy\u3000Luan\u3000and\u3000the\u3000director\u3000of\u3000the\u3000in\u2026ship\u3000broadcasting\u3000system\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000others\u3000threw\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000the\u3000arrangements\u3002
\n
\nSomewhat\u3000to\u3000their\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000they\u3000found\u3000that\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000ordered\u3000that\u3000no\u3000effort\u3000be\u3000spared\u3000in\u3000making\u3000the\u3000occasion\u3000a\u3000major\u3000event\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000could\u3000have\u3000had\u3000ten\u3000thousand\u3000bridesmaids\u3000if\u3000she\u3000wanted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000people\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000pilots\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000kicked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000chocks\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000a\u3000pageant\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000a\u3000royal\u3000wedding\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000preparations\u3000went\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000marriage\u3000became\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000for\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000few\u3000people\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000sewing\uff1b\u3000cooking\uff1b\u3000decorating\uff1b\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000personnel\u3000rehearsed\u3000their\u3000drills\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000engineers\u3000rigged\u3000the\u3000most\u3000special\u3000of\u3000special\u3000effects\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000the\u3000activity\u3000didn’t\u3000go\u3000unnoticed\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000armada\uff1b\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000merciless\u3000eyes\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000peculiar\u3000goings\u2026on\u3002\u3000Fateful\uff1b\u3000dire\u3000decisions\u3000were\u3000near\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000NINE
\n
\nThese\u3000letters\u3000pile\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Vince\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000to\u3000be\u3000read\u3000by\u3000you\u3000someday\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000not\uff1b\u3000but\u3000today\u3000especially\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000set\u3000down\u3000how\u3000full\u3000my\u3000heart\u3000is\u2026more\u3000so\u3000than\u3000at\u3000any\u3000time\u3000since\u3000Roy\u3000was\u3000killed\u3002
\nI\u3000heard\u3000Gloval\u3000murmuring\u3000something\u3000astounding\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000chair\uff1a\u3000\u3003Capulets\u3000and\u3000Montagues\u3002\u3003\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000heaven\u3000knows\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000have\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000I\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000clipboard\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000studying\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000intel\u3000rundown\u3000on\u3000books\u3000Miriya\u3000had\u3000screened\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Central\u3000Data\u3000Bank\u3000while\u3000she\u3000was\u3000here\u2026when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hunting\u3000Max\u3002\u3000Shakespeare\u3000was\u3000there\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002
\nI\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000think\uff1b\u3000except\u2026damn\u3000it\uff01\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000change\u3000the\u3000ending\u3000this\u3000time\uff01
\nLt\u3002\u3000Claudia\u3000Grant\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000letter\u3000to\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000Vincent
\n
\nThe\u3000spectacular\u3000fireworks\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000the\u3000space\u3000all\u3000around\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000beginning\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000a\u3000beginning\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000area\u3000was\u3000illuminated\u3000in\u3000bright\u3000colors\uff1b\u3000civilians\u3000and\u3000RDF\u3000people\u3000alike\u3000crowded\u3000every\u3000available\u3000viewport\uff1b\u3000oohing\u3000and\u3000ahing\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000mecha\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000to\u3000execute\u3000their\u3000part\u3000in\u3000things\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000decks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000immense\u3000supercarriers\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000joined\u3000to\u3000it\u3000like\u3000stupendous\u3000metal\u3000forearms\uff1b\u3000Veritechs\u3000swarmed\u3000out\u3000to\u3000take\u3000up\u3000their\u3000places\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000broad\uff1b\u3000flat\u3000roadway\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000radiant\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000colors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spectrum\uff1b\u3000sprang\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flattop\u3000Daedalus\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000shining\u3000runway\u3002\u3000The\u3000Veritechs\u3000zoomed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000retros\u3000flaring\u3002
\n
\nExcitement\u3000hit\u3000fever\u3000pitch\u3000all\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000just\u3000the\u3000occasion\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wedding\u2026even\u3000the\u3000first\u3000wedding\u3000that\u3000anyone\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000that\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000place\u3000in\u3000outer\u3000space\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000joining\u3000of\u3000a\u3000human\u3000and\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000that\u3000spoke\u3000directly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000humans’\u3000longing\u3000for\u3000peace\u3000and\u3000a\u3000return\u3000home\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ray\u3000of\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000the\u3000terrible\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3000might\u3000yet\u3000be\u3000ended\u3000short\u3000of\u3000catastrophe\u3002
\n
\nFor\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000the\u3000happiest\u3000day\u3000of\u3000their\u3000lives\u3002\u3000They\u3000came\u3000swooping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000void\u3000in\u3000Max’s\u3000VT\u3000fighter\u3000right\u3000on\u3000schedule\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000wearing\u3000his\u3000tux\u3000and\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000piloting\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000making\u3000constant\u3000corrections\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wedding\u3000veil\uff1b\u3000the\u3000arrangement\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bridal\u3000bouquet\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000won\u3000so\u3000many\u3000decorations\u3000for\u3000bravery\u3000and\u3000courage\u3000under\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000she\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000trembling\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000VTs\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000into\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000giant\u3000ultratech\u3000knights\u3002\u3000They\u3000positioned\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000pairs\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000one\u3000another\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rainbow\u3000runway\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000They\u3000lifted\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\u3000gray\u3000autocannon\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000used\u3000on\u3000other\u3000occasions\u3000to\u3000wage\u3000savage\u3000war\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fitted\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000forth\u3000brilliant\u3000beams\u3000of\u3000light\u3000into\u3000reflective\u3000aerosols\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000misted\u3000around\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000for\u3000just\u3000that\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000They\u3000shone\u3000like\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000crossed\u3000swords\u3000over\u3000the\u3000gleaming\u3000approach\u3000path\u3002\u3000Max\u3000flew\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000under\u3000the\u3000military\u3000salute\u3000at\u3000low\u3000speed\u3000as\u3000Miriya\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000at\u3000it\u3000open\u2026mouthed\uff1b\u3000delighted\u3000beyond\u3000words\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000fighter\u3000set\u3000down\u3000on\u3000Daedalus’s\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000more\u3000mecha\u2026the\u3000attack\u3000machines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tactical\u3000corps\u3000ground\u3000units\u3002\u3000Monstrous\u3000Destroid\u3000cannon\uff1b\u3000Excaliburs\uff1b\u3000Raidar\u3000Xs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000sent\u3000harmless\u3000beams\u3000to\u3000form\u3000a\u3000canopy\u3000overhead\u3000as\u3000Max\u3000taxied\u3000for\u3000the\u3000elevator\u3000that\u3000would\u3000lower\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000deck\u3002
\n
\nCameras\u3000were\u3000already\u3000tracking\u3000the\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000and\u3000close\uff1b\u3000total\u3000coverage\u3000was\u3000planned\u3000for\u3000every\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ceremonies\u3002\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000didn’t\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000everybody\u3000to\u3000share\u3000in\u3000their\u3000total\u3000joy\u3002
\n
\n
\nBut\u3000not\u3000everyone\u3000did\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mountainous\u3000mander\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000armada\uff1b\u3000gazed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000projecbeam\u3000image\u3000from\u3000intercepted\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000signals\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000oddest\u3000Micronian\u3000custom\u3000we’ve\u3000observed\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000is\u3000it\u3000not\uff1b\u3000Exedore\uff1f\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000explain\u3000to\u3000me\u3000what\u3000Miriya\u3000Parino\u3000is\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWhat\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000was\u3000evident\uff1a\u3000She\u3000was\u3000walking\u3000slowly\u3000next\u3000to\u3000a\u3000blue\u2026haired\u3000human\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rather\u3000elaborate\u3000and\u3000inconvenient\u2026looking\u3000outfit\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000plants\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000also\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Micronian’s\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000Exedore\u3000to\u3000speculate\u3000that\u3000perhaps\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wounded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000leg\u3000or\u3000fallen\u3000ill\u3002\u3000Although\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000ill\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u2026Exedore\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000that\u3000expression\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3000could\u3000mean\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000image\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000who\u3000would\u3000have\u3000had\u3000no\u3000trouble\u3000passing\u3000for\u3000a\u3000Micronian\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000some\u3000sixty\u3000feet\u3000tall\u3002\u3000Terrible\u3000wounds\u3000received\u3000in\u3000battle\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000species\uff1b\u3000implacable\u3000enemies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000had\u3000left\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000glittering\u3000metal\u3000half\u3000cowl\u3000covering\u3000the\u3000right\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000skull\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000replaced\u3000by\u3000a\u3000shining\u3000crystal\u3002
\n
\nNext\u3000to\u3000him\u3000was\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hunched\u3000and\u3000fragile\u2026looking\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000far\u3000smaller\u3000than\u3000Exedore\u2026almost\u3000a\u3000dwarf\u3000by\u3000the\u3000standards\u3000of\u3000his\u3000race\u3002\u3000But\u3000within\u3000Exedore’s\u3000big\uff1b\u3000misshapen\u3000skull\u3000was\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000accumulated\u3000lore\u3000and\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000kind\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000Breetai\u3000relied\u3000upon\u3000heavily\u3002
\n
\nExedore’s\u3000bulging\uff1b\u3000lidless\uff1b\u3000pinpoint\u2026pupilled\u3000e \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ai\u3000relied\u3000upon\u3000heavily\u3002
\n
\nExedore’s\u3000bulging\uff1b\u3000lidless\uff1b\u3000pinpoint\u2026pupilled\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000projecbeam\u3000image\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wedding\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000Excellency\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000mistaken\uff1b\u3000she\u3000is\u3000getting\u3000\u2018married\u3002’\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000Breetai’s\u3000mand\u3000station\uff1b\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000bridge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000colossal\u3000flagship\u3002\u3000The\u3000flagship\uff1b\u3000nine\u3000solid\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000shields\uff1b\u3000and\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000state\u3000of\u3000disrepair\u3000after\u3000its\u3000furious\u3000engagements\u3000with\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000transparent\u3000bubble\u3000surrounding\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000station\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shattered\uff1b\u3000only\u3000jagged\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000it\u3000remained\u3000around\u3000the\u3000frame\u3002
\n
\nZentraedi\u3000were\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000not\u3000slaves\u3000or\u3000drudges\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000little\u3000taste\u3000for\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000smacked\u3000of\u3000mon\u3000toil\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000less\u3000talent\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000Those\u3000predjudices\u3000were\u3000approved\u3000of\u3000and\u3000reinforced\u3000by\u3000their\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000without\u3000the\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000would\u3000sooner\u3000or\u3000later\u3000find\u3000themselves\u3000without\u3000functioning\u3000tools\u3000of\u3000war\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000\u3003According\u3000to\u3000my\u3000research\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000a\u3000condition\u3000in\u3000which\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000Micronians\u3000live\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000His\u3000harsh\uff1b\u3000guttural\u3000bass\u3000voice\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000station\u3002\u3000\u3003Live\u3000together\uff1f\u3000Miriya\u3000Parino\u3000and\u3000this\u3000puny\u3000Micronian\u3000male\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Correct\uff1b\u3000m’lord\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000for\u3000what\u3000reason\uff1f\u3000The\u3000towering\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warlord\uff1b\u3000master\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cloned\u3000race\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000love\uff1b\u3000family\uff1b\u3000or\u3000sex\uff1b\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000the\u3000purpose\u3000could\u3000be\uff1b\u3000why\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000might\u3000conceivably\u3000desire\u3000such\u3000intimacy\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000he\u3000tried\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000assailed\u3000by\u3000waves\u3000of\u3000distaste\u3000and\u3000confusion\uff1b\u3000by\u3000nameless\u3000half\u2026seen\u3000visions\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000physically\u3000ill\u3002\u3000He\u3000shunted\u3000the\u3000images\u3000aside\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\u3000lowered\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000his\u3000enormous\u3000mand\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000still\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000import\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000seems\u3000she’s\u3000taking\u3000this\u3000spying\u3000mission\u3000of\u3000hers\u3000very\u3000seriously\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000more\u3000seriously\u3000than\u3000she\u3000should\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000first\u3000conclusion\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Miriya\u3000the\u3000dedicated\u3000fighter\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000undergoing\u3000the\u3000tremendous\u3000torment\u3000of\u3000such\u3000behavior\u3000to\u3000infiltrate\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000and\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000perverse\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000their\u3000obscene\u3000social\u3000practices\u3002\u3000But\u3000Breetai\u3000saw\u3000something\u3000in\u3000Miriya’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000something\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000mander\u3000doubt\u3000this\u3000analysis\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000like\u3000the\u3000three\u3000spies\uff1b\u3000Konda\uff1b\u3000Rico\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Bron\uff1b\u3000all\u3000over\u3000again\u3002\u3000Breetai\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000dread\u3002\u3000\u3003Unless\u3000my\u3000senses\u3000deceive\u3000me\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000seem\u3000she’s\u3000enjoying\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000some\u3000peculiar\u3000fashion\u3002\u3000Could\u3000it\u3000be\u3000that\u3000she\u3000too\u3000has\u3000found\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000way\u3000of\u3000life\u3000too\u3000enjoyable\u3000to\u3000resist\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003It\u3000would\u3000appear\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000cannot\u3000resist\u3000the\u3000charm\u3000of\u3000that\u3000Micronian\u3000pilot\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000kissing\u3000demonstrated\u3000when\u3000he\u3000captured\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3002\u3000He\u3000shuddered\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000the\u3000disgusting\u3000display\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000any\u3000intelligent\u3000creature\u3000could\u3000bring\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000indulge\u3000in\u3000such\u3000baseness\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000lure\u3000of\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000was\u3000undeniable\uff1b\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000soldiers\u3000had\u3000secretly\u3000conspired\u3000to\u3000undergo\u3000micronization\u3000and\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000live\u3000among\u3000their\u3000former\u3000foes\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000such\u3000mutiny\u3000ever\u3000to\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000race\u3002\u3000Part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000madness\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000young\u3000human\u3000female\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000the\u3000oddly\u3000hypnotic\u3000power\u3000called\u3000\u3003singing\u3003\u3000that\u3000she\u3000exercised\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Our\u3000forces\u3000may\u3000be\u3000in\u3000more\u3000jeopardy\u3000than\u3000we\u3000believed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000who\u3000went\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000human\u3000side\u3000were\u3000not\u3000merely\u3000mental\u3000defectives\uff1b\u3000as\u3000we\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000the\u3000first\u3000wave\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000such\u3000deserters\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000rubbed\u3000his\u3000huge\u3000jaw\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000giant\u3000black\u3000eyebrow\u3000lowering\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000appears\u3000this\u3000\u2018love’\u3000business\u3000is\u3000a\u3000very\u3000powerful\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000agree\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000an\u3000emotional\u3000factor\u3000against\u3000which\u3000we\u3000Zentraedi\u3000have\u3000no\u3000defense\u3002\u3000This\u3000\u2018love’\u3000could\u3000be\u3000used\u3000as\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000weapon\u3000against\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000laughing\uff1b\u3000joyous\u3000humans\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000radiantly\u3000happy\u3000Miriya\u3000and\u3000proud\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000Max\u3002\u3000\u3003Weapon\uff1b\u3000eh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000beware\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000intercepted\u3000coverage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000showed\u3000them\u3000flashbulbs\u3000popping\u3000and\u3000people\u3000applauding\u3000as\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000cut\u3000their\u3000cake\u3002\u3000The\u3000wedding\u3000cake\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tenfoot\u2026high\u3000model\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000in\u3000its\u3000knightlike\u3000Attack\u3000mode\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\uff1b\u3000growling\u3000in\u3000his\u3000rumbling\u3000bass\uff1b\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000proceedings\u3000angrily\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000there\u3000about\u3000the\u3000blissful\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000Miriya\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000that\u3000exerted\u3000such\u3000a\u3000fascination\uff1b\u3000such\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000pull\uff1b\u3000on\u3000him\uff1f\u3000He\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000mander’s\u3000need\u3000to\u3000study\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000refusing\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000envy\u3000for\u3000the\u3000puny\u3000foe\u3002
\n
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000reception\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000of\u3000ceremonies\u3000was\u3000calling\u3000for\u3000quiet\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ladies\u3000and\u3000gentlemen\uff1b\u3000today\u3000is\u3000a\u3000very\u3000special\u3000day\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000more\u3000than\u3000just\u3000a\u3000wedding\u3000celebration\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000bonding\u3000of\u3000two\u3000souls\u3000dedicated\u3000to\u3000the\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000our\u3000Robotech\u3000colony\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000introduce\u3000the\u3000man\u3000who’s\u3000done\u3000so\u3000much\u3000to\u3000make\u3000this\u3000a\u3000unique\u3000occasion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mander\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Henry\u3000Gloval\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000applause\u3000even\u3000though\u3000people\u3000were\u3000still\u3000passing\u3000around\u3000cake\u3000and\u3000freshening\u3000up\u3000their\u3000champagne\u3000after\u3000the\u3000several\u3000toasts\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000drunk\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000decked\u3000out\u3000in\u3000his\u3000dress\u3000uniform\uff1b\u3000laden\u3000with\u3000medals\uff1b\u3000braid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000campaign\u3000ribbons\u3000galore\u3002\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\u3000than\u3000most\u3000people\u3000there\uff1b\u3000got\u3000the\u3000impression\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000why\u3000he\u3000had\u3000spared\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000into\u3000a\u3000major\u3000occasion\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000with\uff1b\u3000I\u3000extend\u3000heartfelt\u3000congratulations\u3000to\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3002\u3000This\u3000wedding\u3000carries\u3000with\u3000it\u3000a\u3000great\u3000historical\u3000significance\u3002
\n
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000all\u3000know\uff1b\u3000Miriya\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\u3000who\u3000destroyed\u3000many\u3000of\u3000our\u3000ships\u3002\u3000She\u3000es\u3000from\u3000a\u3000culture\u3000that\u3000we\u3000have\u3000grown\u3000to\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000hate\u3002\u3003
\n
\nOh\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3000Rick\u3000thought\u3002\u3000What\u3000could\u3000Gloval\u3000be\u3000thinking\u3000of\uff1f\u3000Miriya\u3000sat\u3000rigid\u3000as\u3000a\u3000statue\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3000plate\u3002\u3000Max\u3000was\u3000white\u3002\u3000The\u3000gathered\u3000guests\u3000were\u3000listening\u3000in\u3000stunned\u3000silence\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000who\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000our\u3000present\u3000situation\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000pressed\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000alone\u3000prevent\u3000our\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Earth\u2026our\u3000homes\u3000and\u3000our\u3000beloved\u3000families\u3002\u3003\u3000One\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000balled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000they\u3000who\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000injury\uff1b\u3000destruction\uff1b\u3000and\u3000endless\u3000suffering\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000please\uff01\u3003\u3000Max\u3000burst\u3000out\uff1b\u3000just\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000Rick\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Captain\uff01\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000forged\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000thinking\uff1a\u3000\u2018Why\u3000is\u3000he\u3000choosing\u3000this\u3000time\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000us\u3000of\u3000these\u3000terrible\u3000things\uff1f’\u3000I\u3000remind\u3000you\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000ladies\u3000and\u3000gentlemen\uff1b\u3000because\u3000we\u3000must\u3000learn\u3000to\u3000forgive\u3000our\u3000enemies\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000image\u3000and\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000went\u3000out\u3000over\u3000screens\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000fortress\u2026in\u3000the\u3000barracks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lounges\uff1b\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000monitors\u3000in\u3000the\u3000public\u3000squares\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000blindly\uff1b\u3000not\u3000out\u3000of\u3000ignorance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000because\u3000we\u3000are\u3000a\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000willing\u3000nation\u3002\u3000We\u3000cannot\u3000blame\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000for\u3000their\u3000inexplicable\u3000lust\u3000for\u3000war\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000never\u3000known\u3000another\u3000way\u3000of\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000has\u3000been\u3000their\u3000only\u3000means\u3000of\u3000survival\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAll\u3000through\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000people\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000screens\u3000in\u3000amazement\u2026some\u3000with\u3000burgeoning\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000others\u3000with\u3000growing\u3000antagonism\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Nor\u3000can\u3000we\u3000condemn\u3000individuals\u3000of\u3000that\u3000society\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000insanity\u3000of\u3000their\u3000leaders\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000look\u3000to\u3000their\u3000good\u3000nature\u3002\u3000As\u3000you\u3000may\u3000know\uff1b\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000defectors\u3000are\u3000now\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000having\u3000been\u3000reduced\u3000to\u3000human\u3000size\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000made\u3000a\u3000request\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000is\u3000a\u3000genuine\u3000request\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000indicate\u3000the\u3000newlyweds\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000blood\u3000of\u3000these\u3000young\u3000people\u3000was\u3000tested\u3000before\u3000the\u3000ceremony\u3002\u3000Zentraedi\u3000blood\u3000was\u3000found\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000human\u3000blood\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThat\u3000started\u3000murmurs\u3000and\u3000whispers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reception\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000the\u3000city\u3000at\u3000large\uff1b\u3000it\u3000ignited\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000arguments\u3000and\u3000marked\u3000a\u3000turning\u3000point\u3000in\u3000human\u3000thinking\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000White\u3000Dragon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Chinese\u3000restaurant\u3000belonging\u3000to\u3000Minmei’s\u3000uncle\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000aunt\u3000Lena\uff1b\u3000Mayor\u3000Tommy\u3000Luan\u3000and\u3000some\u3000others\u3000had\u3000e\u3000over\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000ceremonies\u3000on\u3000television\u3002\u3000They\u3000heard\u3000Gloval\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000why\u3000we\u3000cannot\u3000coexist\u3000in\u3000peace\u3002\u3000Let\u3000this\u3000occasion\u3000represent\u3000a\u3000future\u3000where\u3000all\u3000people\u3000live\u3000in\u3000harmony\u3002\u3003
\n
\nCheers\u3000and\u3000applause\u3000were\u3000rising\uff1b\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000general\u3000hunger\u3000for\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000war\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000held\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000up\u3000to\u3000silence\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000let\u3000me\u3000speak\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000longer\u3002\u3003
\n
\nVoices\u3000in\u3000the\u3000background\u3000were\u3000heard\uff1b\u3000saluting\u3000Gloval\u3000for\u3000his\u3000leadership\uff1b\u3000courage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000convictions\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000restaurant\uff1b\u3000Mayor\u3000Tommy\u3000Luan\u3000nodded\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000wiped\u3000at\u3000a\u3000tear\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\u3000Gloval\u3000is\u3000truly\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000peace\u3002\u3000A\u3000great\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000who\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\uff1b\u3000others\u3000who\u3000smashed\u3000bottles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\u3000or\u3000shook\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000at\u3000Gloval’s\u3000image\u3002\u3000There\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000many\u3000losses\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000deaths\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000much\u3000suffering\u3000since\u3000the\u3000aliens’\u3000first\u3000attack\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hunger\u3000for\u3000revenge\u3000would\u3000not\u3000die\u3000easily\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3000that\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000of\u3000us\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000loved\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000will\u3000be\u3000difficult\u3000not\u3000to\u3000harbor\u3000ill\u3000feelings\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000But\u3000somehow\u3000we\u3000must\u3000overe\u3000these\u3000feelings\uff01\u3000We\u3000must\u3000stop\u3000this\u3000senseless\u3000destruction\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nFar\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bleak\u3000Alaskan\u3000tundra\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lowest\u3000levels\u3000of\u3000the\u3000United\u3000Earth\u3000Defense\u3000Council’s\u3000headquarters\u3000base\uff1b\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000pointed\u3000a\u3000remote\u3000unit\u3000at\u3000the\u3000TV\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000went\u3000dark\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000daughter\u3000and\u3000spat\uff1b\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000crazy\uff01\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3000Gloval\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000peace\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3000like\u3000this\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLisa\u3000was\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000spring\u3000to\u3000Gloval’s\u3000defense\uff1b\u3000both\u3000because\u3000he\u3000was\u3000her\u3000former\u3000manding\u3000officer\u3000and\u3000because\u3000he\u3000was\u3000inarguably\u3000right\u3002\u3000\u3003Father\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000our\u3000own\u3000destruction\uff01\u3000If\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000start\u3000talking\u3000peace\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000this\u3000planet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000our\u3000own\u3000destruction\uff01\u3000If\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000start\u3000talking\u3000peace\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000this\u3000planet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000even\u3000you\u3000would\u3000want\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000suddenly\u3000looked\u3000pained\u3002\u3000\u3003Lisa\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000you\u3000must\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000operation\u3000immediately\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000stubbed\u3000out\u3000a\u3000cigarette\u3000and\u3000avoided\u3000his\u3000daughter’s\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000\u3003Plans\u3000for\u3000use\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000are\u3000already\u3000set\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\u3000about\u3000that\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TEN
\n
\nI\u3000heard\u3000someone\u3000next\u3000to\u3000me\u3000saying\u3000something\u3000about\u3000a\u3000marriage\u3000literally\u3000made\u3000in\u3000the\u3000heavens\u3002\u3000I\u3000held\u3000my\u3000tongue\u3000and\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000no\u3000one\u3000took\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3000bait\uff1b\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000a\u3000honeymoon\u3000in\u3000hell\u3002\u3000I\u3000silently\u3000said\u3000my\u3000chants\u3000for\u3000the\u3000newlyweds\u3000and\u3000for\u3000us\u3000all\u3002
\nJan\u3000Morris\uff1b\u3000Solar\u3000Seeds\uff1b\u3000Galactic\u3000Guardians
\n
\nGloval\u3000still\u3000held\u3000his\u3000audience\u3000transfixed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Each\u3000and\u3000every\u3000citizen\u3000must\u3000develop\u3000a\u3000responsible\u3000attitude\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000efforts\u3000for\u3000peace\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000learn\u3000greater\u3000tolerance\u3000and\u3000meet\u3000this\u3000challenge\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000proposing\u3000we\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000our\u3000arms\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000that\u3000we\u3000extend\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000friendship\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000is\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000for\u3000a\u3000peaceful\u3000solution\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000must\u3000make\u3000it\u3000e\u3000to\u3000pass\u3002\u3000As\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000here\uff1b\u3000have\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000are\u3000a\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000intelligent\u3000people\u3002\u3000Let\u3000this\u3000ceremony\u3000stand\u3000as\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000our\u3000desire\u3000for\u3000peace\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000emulate\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\uff1a\u3000They\u3000are\u3000the\u3000heroes\u3000of\u3000today\u3000and\u3000our\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000tomorrow\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000took\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000he\u3000was\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Gloval\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000newlyweds\u3000retake\u3000the\u3000spotlight\u3002\u3000Then\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3000the\u3000cheers\u3000and\u3000applause\u3000were\u3000deafening\u3002\u3000Streamers\u3000and\u3000confetti\u3000showered\u3000around\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000cake\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everybody\u3000was\u3000hailing\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000and\u3000blessing\u3000their\u3000union\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000crowd\u3000hailed\u3000Gloval\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000friendship\u3000between\u3000human\u3000and\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000The\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000threw\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000onetime\u3000Zentraedi\u3000spies\u2026Vanessa\u3000to\u3000the\u3000husky\u3000Bron\uff1b\u3000little\u3000Sammie\u3000with\u3000Rico\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Kim\u3000embraced\u3000by\u3000purple\u2026haired\u3000Konda\u3002\u3000The\u3000joyous\u3000crowd\u3000called\u3000out\u3000toasts\u3000and\u3000salutes\u3000to\u3000peace\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000enough\u2026hoped\u3000that\u3000the\u3000mitment\u3000and\u3000the\u3000determination\u3000would\u3000still\u3000be\u3000there\u3000when\u3000the\u3000cheering\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000headquarters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000supreme\u3000mander\uff1b\u3000Dolza\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000like\u3000some\u3000titanic\u3000hive\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blackness\u3000of\u3000space\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000planetoid\uff1b\u3000an\u3000armored\u3000moonlet\u3000so\u3000immense\u3000that\u3000Breetai’s\u3000flagship\u3000and\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000thousands\u3000more\u3000like\u3000it\u3000could\u3000fit\u3000within\u3002\u3000Around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000was\u3000assembling\uff1b\u3000a\u3000force\u3000so\u3000incredibly\u3000vast\u3000as\u3000to\u3000dwarf\u3000even\u3000Breetai’s\u3000armada\u3002
\n
\nDolza\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Old\u3000One\uff1b\u3000largest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000race\uff1b\u3000paced\u3000within\u3000his\u3000headquarters\u3002\u3000Standing\u3000at\u3000attention\u3000before\u3000him\u3000were\u3000his\u3000assembled\u3000subordinates\u3002\u3000Dolza\u3000stopped\u3000pacing\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000can\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000permit\u3000this\u3000condition\u3000to\u3000exist\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000being\u3000a\u3000significant\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000Zentraedi\u3000power\u3002\u3000It\u3000seems\u3000that\u3000we\u3000have\u3000underestimated\u3000the\u3000powers\u3000of\u3000these\u3000Micronian\u3000vermin\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000Breetai’s\u3000trusted\u3000adviser\u3000Exedore\u3000was\u3000right\uff1a\u3000The\u3000ancient\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warnings\u3000against\u3000any\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000Micronians\u3000had\u3000been\u3000handed\u3000down\u3000for\u3000good\u3000reasons\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000reasons\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unknown\u3000until\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000race\u3000that\u3000could\u3000subvert\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000make\u3000them\u3000violate\u3000their\u3000warrior\u3000code\u2026a\u3000race\u3000that\u3000could\u3000weaken\u3000them\u3000so\u3000with\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000love\u3000and\u3000peace\uff01\u3000Dolza\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000threat\u3000infinitely\u3000more\u3000dangerous\u3000than\u3000the\u3000ravaging\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000something\u3000that\u3000could\u3000end\u3000Zentraedi\u3000greatness\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000at\u3000a\u3000single\u3000stroke\uff1b\u3000unless\u3000something\u3000was\u3000done\u3000immediately\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000too\u3000dangerous\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000exist\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000means\u3000destroying\u3000so\u3000many\u3000of\u3000Zor’s\u3000secrets\u3000and\u3000losing\u3000valuable\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000totally\u3000annihilate\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000will\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000mustered\u3000and\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000set\u3000forth\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000subordinates\u3000smote\u3000their\u3000chests\u3000with\u3000their\u3000right\u3000fasts\uff1b\u3000roaring\u3000in\u3000unison\u3002\u3000\u3003Ho\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThen\uff1b\u3000Dolza\u3000thought\u3000grimly\uff1b\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000incinerate\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000end\u3000this\u3000threat\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\u3002
\n
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000reception\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000roll\u3000of\u3000a\u3000snare\u3000drum\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000master\u3000of\u3000ceremonies\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000sat\u3000with\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000folded\u3000across\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000feel\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000beautiful\u3000than\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000he\u3000had\u3000met\u3000her\u2026a\u3000black\u2026haired\uff1b\u3000blue\u2026eyed\u3000stunner\u3000with\u3000a\u3000naturally\u3000winning\u3000stage\u3000presence\u3002\u3000She\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000lamb\u3000gown\u3000cut\u3000high\u3000on\u3000her\u3000left\u3000hip\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000took\u3000the\u3000microphone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000was\u3000eating\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000before\u3000she\u3000even\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Minmei\u3000paid\u3000lavish\u3000pliments\u3000to\u3000the\u3000newlyweds\uff1b\u3000then\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000biggest\u3000hits\uff1b\u3000\u3003To\u3000Be\u3000in\u3000Love\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000it\uff1b\u3000marooned\u3000with\u3000Minmei\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deserted\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000lost\u3000and\u3000seemingly\u3000doomed\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000her\u3000there\u3000and\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000wonderful\u3000voice\u3000took\u3000the\u3000notes\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000sheer\u3000beauty\uff1b\u3000caressing\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000under\u3000her\u3000spell\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000saw\u3000Miriya\u3000take\u3000Max’s\u3000hand\u3000shyly\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000alien\u3000ex\u2026spies\u3000were\u3000hugging\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000bunnies\u3002\u3000Konda\u3000and\u3000Bron\u3000and\u3000Rico\u3000had\u3000initially\u3000been\u3000won\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000human\u3000side\u3000by\u3000that\u3000same\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000that\u3000same\u3000face\u3002
\n
\nClaudia\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000not\u3000to\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000a\u3000good\u3000job\u3000controlling\u3000it\u3000since\u3000Roy\u3000was\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Minmei’s\u3000voice\u3000had\u3000something\u3000mystical\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000saw\u3000moisture\u3000on\u3000Claudia’s\u3000cheek\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000viewport\u3000to\u3000the\u3000emptiness\u3000of\u3000space\u3002\u3000Roy\uff1b\u3000his\u3000best\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000was\u3000gone\u2026and\u3000Ben\u3000Dixon\u3000and\u3000how\u3000many\u3000hundreds\uff1b\u3000how\u3000many\u3000thousands\u3000upon\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000others\uff1f\u3000The\u3000losses\u3000had\u3000been\u3000terrible\u3002
\n
\nDeep\u3000under\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000Alaskan\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000ceremonies\u3000back\u3000on\u3002\u3000She\u3000watched\u3000Minmei\u3000work\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000and\u3000despaired\u3000of\u3000ever\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000pete\uff1b\u3000of\u3000ever\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000win\u3000Rick’s\u3000love\u3002\u3000How\u3000can\u3000I\uff1f\u3000She’s\u3000so\u3000beautiful\uff1b\u3000her\u3000singing\u2026it’s\u3000like\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000miracle\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000broadcast\u3000was\u3000also\u3000intercepted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000armada\u3000as\u3000it\u3000swam\u3000like\u3000a\u3000school\u3000of\u3000a\u3000million\u3000bloodthirsty\u3000deep\u2026sea\u3000creatures\u3000in\u3000the\u3000depths\u3000of\u3000space\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000warships\uff1b\u3000bristling\u3000with\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000spiny\u3000with\u3000their\u3000detection\u3000and\u3000munication\u3000gear\uff1b\u3000prowled\u3000hungrily\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000station\uff1b\u3000Breetai\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000image\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000music\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000woman\u3000has\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000that\u3002\u3002\u3002can\u3000make\u3000a\u3000man\u3000feel\u3000sorrow\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000heavily\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000worriedly\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000as\u3000Minmei\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000start\u3000another\u3000song\uff1b\u3000a\u3000priority\u3000signal\u3000replaced\u3000Minmei’s\u3000image\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000Dolza’s\u3000staff\u3000officers\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003mander\u3000Breetai\uff1b\u3000forgive\u3000this\u3000interruption\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000bring\u3000you\u3000top\u2026secret\u3000orders\u3000from\u3000mander\u3000in\u3000Chief\u3000Dolza\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000shot\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000outflung\u3002\u3000\u3003Hail\uff1b\u3000Dolza\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000Minmei’s\u3000siren\u3000song\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000a\u3000full\u2026scale\u3000assault\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000informed\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000are\u3000to\u3000be\u3000no\u3000survivors\u3000whatsoever\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000what\u3000the\u3000cost\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000disappeared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Minmei\u3000was\u3000singing\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Excellency\uff1f\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000asked\u3000softly\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000sadly\u3000at\u3000Minmei’s\u3000image\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000grieves\u3000me\u3000that\u3000the\u3000time\u3000has\u3000finally\u3000e\u3002\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000look\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000this\u3000task\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Exedore\u3002\u3000That\u3000may\u3000sound\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000true\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000haunting\u3000beauty\u3000of\u3000Minmei’s\u3000voice\u3000put\u3000that\u3000same\u3000heavy\u3000sorrow\u3000in\u3000him\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000until\u3000he\u3000willed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000out\u3000and\u3000shut\u3000it\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nLoyal\uff1b\u3000insightful\u3000Exedore\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000his\u3000lord\u3000with\u3000concern\u3002\u3000Half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000times\u3000he\u3000almost\u3000spoke\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000apprehension\u3000that\u3000those\u3000words\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000Breetai\uff1b\u3000put\u3000into\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\u3000the\u3000small\uff1b\u3000slight\u3000giant\u3000held\u3000his\u3000peace\u3002
\n
\n
\nBut\u3000Breetai\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000the\u3000only\u3000receiving\u3000equipment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fleet\u3002\u3000Everywhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000teeming\u3000warships\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\uff1a\u3000Clusters\u3000of\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000hulking\u3000warriors\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000and\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000Minmei\u2026and\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000Gloval\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000sounding\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alert\u3000signals\uff1b\u3000the\u3000call\u3000to\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000to\u3000glorious\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warfare\uff1b\u3000had\u3000touched\u3000off\u3000more\u3000dissent\u3000than\u3000they\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000experienced\u3000before\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3003\u3000growled\u3000a\u3000much\u2026decorated\u3000pod\u3000mander\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000something\u3000tiny\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000palm\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000as\u3000though\u3000examining\u3000his\u3000own\u3000heart\u3000line\u3002\u3000Another\u3000PC\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000near\uff1b\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000first\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000fist\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000did\u3000it\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000damage\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000Minmei\u3000doll\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000there\u3002\u3000Bron\u3000had\u3000given\u3000it\u3000to\u3000him\u3000before\u3000he\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000defected\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000shelter\u3000and\u3000an\u3000uncertain\u3000future\u3000among\u3000the\u3000humans\u3002\u3000The\u3000PC\u3000had\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doll\u3000sing\u3000until\u3000the\u3000batteries\u3000were\u3000all\u3000but\u3000exhausted\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000explain\u3000its\u3000appeal\u3002\u3002\u3002or\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000Minmei’s\u3000music\u3000over\u3000him\u3002\u3002\u3002or\u3000why\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unwilling\u3000to\u3000go\u3000out\u3000and\u3000destroy\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000when\u3000his\u3000former\u3000rades\u3000in\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000aboard\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000harsh\u3000Zentraedi\u3000language\u3000had\u3000few\u3000or\u3000no\u3000words\u3000for\u3000these\u3000concepts\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000change\u3000the\u3000PC’s\u3000feelings\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000around\u3000them\uff1b\u3000colossal\u3000warriors\u3000raced\u3000to\u3000don\u3000bat\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000seize\u3000weapons\u3000from\u3000the\u3000racks\uff1b\u3000grab\u3000gear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000get\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000the\u3000great\u3000assault\u3002\u3000The\u3000decks\u3000thrummed\u3000under\u3000their\u3000massive\u3000iron\u2026shod\u3000feet\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000second\u3000PC\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000palm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000held\u3000another\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000souvenir\u3000Minmei\u3000dolls\u3002\u3000He\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000fist\u3000again\u3002\u3000Opposing\u3000the\u3000war\u3000felt\u3000much\u3000different\uff1b\u3000sparked\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000flame\u3000of\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000when\u3000each\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000man\u3000facing\u3000him\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000as\u3000though\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fighting\u3000against\u3000my\u3000own\u3000people\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000second\u3000PC\u3000said\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000put\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000into\u3000the\u3000limited\u3000Zentraedi\u3000battle\u3000tongue\u3002
\n
\nNCOs\u3000and\u3000officers\u3000were\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000various\u3000scurrying\u3000units\u3000to\u3000move\u3000it\uff1b\u3000move\u3000it\uff1b\u3000move\u3000it\u3002\u3000Go\uff01\u3000Go\uff01\u3000The\u3000deckplates\u3000thunde \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nNCOs\u3000and\u3000officers\u3000were\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000various\u3000scurrying\u3000units\u3000to\u3000move\u3000it\uff1b\u3000move\u3000it\uff1b\u3000move\u3000it\u3002\u3000Go\uff01\u3000Go\uff01\u3000The\u3000deckplates\u3000thundered\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000one\u3000body\u2026armored\u3000NCO\uff1b\u3000having\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000exchange\uff1b\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000his\u3000disrupter\u3000rifle\u3000gripped\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003D’\u3000you\u3000realize\u3000what\u3000the\u3000penalty\u3000is\u3000for\u3000disobeying\u3000orders\u3000in\u3000bat\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nOthers\u3000had\u3000been\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000pod\u3000manders\uff1b\u3000half\u3000swayed\u3000by\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000Gloval’s\u3000words\u3000and\u3000Minmei’s\u3000song\u3002\u3000But\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000dreadful\u3000punishment\u3000the\u3000NCO\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3002\u3000Death\u3000would\u3000be\u3000preferable\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bystanders\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000right\uff01\u3000We\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000fight\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000move\uff01\u3003\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000scrambling\u3000to\u3000prepare\u3000and\u3000race\u3000to\u3000their\u3000battle\u3000stations\u3002\u3000Everyone\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000first\u3000PC\u3002\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000others\u3000go\u3000as\u3000he\u3000reclined\u3000back\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bunk\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000brooding\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000forth\u3000and\u3000spent\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000Minmei\u3000doll\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000vast\u3000armada\u3000began\u3000shifting\u3000formation\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000and\u3000realigning\u3000for\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002
\n
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000reception\uff1b\u3000alert\u3000sirens\u3000began\u3000sounding\u3000at\u3000just\u3000about\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000Gloval\u3000took\u3000the\u3000call\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mobile\u3000\u3000handset\u3000and\u3000got\u3000the\u3000crowd’s\u3000attention\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000banshee\u3000song\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sirens\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000announced\uff1b\u3000\u3003Ladies\u3000and\u3000gentlemen\uff01\u3000It\u3000grieves\u3000me\u3000to\u3000say\u3000this\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000are\u3000now\u3000on\u3000red\u3000alert\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000over\u3000the\u3000confusion\u3000and\u3000outcries\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000military\u3000personnel\u3000report\u3000to\u3000battle\u3000stations\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Civilians\u3000proceed\u3000to\u3000emergency\u3000duties\u3000or\u3000to\u3000designated\u3000shelters\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000is\u3000about\u3000to\u3000e\u3000under\u3000full\u2026scale\u3000attack\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000swallowed\u3000once\uff1b\u3000with\u3000effort\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000had\u3000thrown\u3000its\u3000massed\u3000strength\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000little\u3000question\u3000as\u3000to\u3000what\u3000the\u3000final\u3000oute\u3000would\u3000be\u3002
\n
\n\u3003God\u3000be\u3000with\u3000you\u3000all\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000move\u3000quickly\uff01\u3003
\n
\nOnly\u3000a\u3000few\u3000actually\u3000lost\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000and\u3000bolted\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000aboard\u3000had\u3000been\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000of\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000most\u3000moved\u3000swiftly\u3000but\u3000with\u3000a\u3000deliberate\u3000calm\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000finished\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000eating\u3000and\u3000swapped\u3000hugs\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000spies\u3000before\u3000dashing\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000Striding\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000exchanged\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000glance\u3000with\u3000Minmei\u3000but\u3000had\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000do\u3000that\u3000more\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000VT\u3000duty\u3000officer\u3000halted\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000flow\u3000of\u3000people\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000party’s\u3000table\u3000as\u3000Max\u3000came\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Max\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000excused\u3000from\u3000duty\u3002\u3000Captain’s\u3000orders\uff01\u3000You\u3000sit\u3000this\u3000one\u3000out\uff01\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000slowly\u3000tugged\u3000his\u3000bow\u3000tie\uff1b\u3000opening\u3000his\u3000collar\u3002\u3000He\u3000sighed\u3000deeply\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000Miriya’s\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000let\u3000them\u3000down\u3000when\u3000they\u3000need\u3000me\u3000the\u3000most\uff1b\u3000love\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000off\u3000her\u3000wedding\u3000veil\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\uff1b\u3000Max\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000go\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMiriya\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000seen\u3000your\u3000Veritechs\uff1b\u3000even\u3000flew\u3000yours\u3000for\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1f\u3000I\u3000can\u3000handle\u3000one\u3000was\u3000well\u3000as\u3000any\u3000of\u3000your\u3000pilots\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000promised\u3000in\u3000our\u3000vows\u3000that\u3000I\u3000would\u3000stay\u3000by\u3000your\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3002\u3000From\u3000now\u3000on\uff1b\u3000we\u3000fight\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000fight\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3002\u3000The\u3000RDF\u3000needed\u3000every\u3000hand\u3000it\u3000could\u3000get\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Miriya’s\u3000battle\u3000skill\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000critical\u3000plus\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000managed\u3000an\u3000even\u3000more\u3000loving\u3000look\u3000than\u3000they\u3000had\u3000exchanged\u3000during\u3000their\u3000vows\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000choice\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000though\u3000we\u3000may\u3000die\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Maximillian\uff01\u3000I\u3000would\u3000accept\u3000no\u3000other\u3000death\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Me\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000kissed\u3000her\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000then\u3000they\u3000raced\u3000off\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000goes\u3000the\u3000honeymoon\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000as\u3000they\u3000ran\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000you\u3000understand\u3000true\u3000Zentraedi\u3000determination\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000smiled\u3002
\n
\nAlone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ballroom\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000of\u3000ceremonies\u3000had\u3000no\u3000more\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000seek\u3000shelter\u3000or\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000war\u3000over\u3000the\u3000screens\u3002\u3000The\u3000wedding\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000best\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000two\u3000years\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000was\u3000suited\u3000to\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000did\u3000best\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000he\u3000sank\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000head\u3000lowered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000forearm\u3000he\u3000rested\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shambles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000party’s\u3000abandoned\u3000table\u3002\u3000The\u3000fortress\u3000model\uff1b\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya’s\u3000wedding\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000sobbed\u3000what\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000dreadnoughts\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000in\u3000their\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000thousands\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000save\u3000us\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000ELEVEN
\n
\nDolza\uff1b\u3000my\u3000old\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000old\u3000watchdog\uff1b\u3000the\u3000naive\u3000straightforwardness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000could\u3000be\u3000your\u3000downfall\u3000some\u3000day\u3002
\nAll\u3000things\u3000are\u3000so\u3000simple\u3000to\u3000you\uff1a\u3000The\u3000eye\u3000sees\u3000the\u3000target\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000aim\u3000the\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000pulls\u3000the\u3000trigger\uff1b\u3000an\u3000energy\u3000bolt\u3000slays\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000You\u3000therefore\u3000conclude\u3000that\u3000if\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000sees\u3000clearly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000is\u3000steady\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000functions\u3000properly\uff1b\u3000all\u3000will\u3000be\u3000well\u3002
\nYou\u3000never\u3000see\u3000the\u3000subtlety\u3000of\u3000the\u3000myriad\u3000little\u3000events\u3000in\u3000that\u3000train\u3000of\u3000action\u3002\u3000What\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brain\u3000that\u3000directs\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000the\u3000aim\uff1f\u3000What\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nerves\u3000that\u3000steady\u3000the\u3000hand\uff1f\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000very\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000shoot\uff1f\u3000What\u3000of\u3000the\u3000motives\u3000that\u3000make\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000obey\u3000their\u3000military\u3000Imperative\uff1f
\nAh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000call\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3000sophistry\uff01\u3000But\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1a\u3000There\u3000are\u3000vulnerabilities\u3000to\u3000which\u3000you\u3000are\u3000blind\u3002
\nRemark\u3000made\u3000by\u3000Zor\u3000to\u3000Dolza\u3000shortly\u3000before\u3000Zor’s\u3000death\u2026known\u3000only\u3000to\u3000Dolza\uff1b\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Breetai
\n
\nAgain\u3000the\u3000bays\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000the\u3000elevators\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000fighters\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000decks\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Daedalus\u3000and\u3000Prometheus\u3000catapult\u3000crews\u3000labored\u3000frantically\u3000to\u3000launch\u3000the\u3000all\u2026important\u3000fighters\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000flatdecks\uff1b\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000bow\u3000cats\u3000were\u3000in\u3000constant\u3000operation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000crews’\u3000lives\u3000were\u3000in\u3000constant\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000very\u3000easy\u3000for\u3000something\u3000as\u3000small\u3000and\u3000frail\u3000as\u3000a\u3000human\u3000being\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000death\u3000during\u3000launch\u3000ops\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000in\u3000the\u3000airlessness\u3000of\u3000space\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Veritechs\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000decks\uff1b\u3000deploying\u3000ailerons\u3000and\u3000wings\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000folded\u3000or\u3000swept\u3000back\u3000to\u3000save\u3000space\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000decks\u3002\u3000Their\u3000engines\u3000screamed\u3000like\u3000demons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000hurtled\u3000into\u3000space\u3000in\u3000a\u3000meticulously\u3000timed\u3000ballet\uff1b\u3000avoiding\u3000collisions\u3000with\u3000one\u3000another\u3000and\u3000forming\u3000up\u3000for\u3000bat\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sureness\u3000of\u3000long\u3000experience\u3002
\n
\n
\nGloval\u3000watched\u3000from\u3000a\u3000tall\u3000viewport\u3000as\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000went\u3000out\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000to\u3000do\u3000battle\u3000against\u3000the\u3000aliens’\u3000total\u3000attack\u3002
\n
\n\u3003May\u3000every\u3000one\u3000of\u3000you\u3000make\u3000it\u3000home\u3000safely\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000murmured\uff1b\u3000the\u3000old\u3000briar\u3000pipe\u3000gripped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000much\u3000to\u3000hope\u3000for\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000was\u3000running\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000wing\u3000now\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000there\u3000were\u3000those\u3000who\u3000outranked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000with\u3000more\u3000expertise\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Remain\u3000in\u3000Fighter\u3000mode\u3000until\u3000I\u3000give\u3000the\u3000word\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000now\u3000approaching\u3000intercept\u3000zone\u3002\u3003
\n
\nFlying\u3000at\u3000his\u3000wing\u3000was\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Miriya\u3000in\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000behind\u3000wearing\u3000an\u3000RDF\u3000flight\u3000suit\u3000and\u3000\u3003thinking\u3000cap\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000pods\u3000were\u3000ing\u3000in\u3000droves\u3000to\u3000soften\u3000up\u3000the\u3000target\u3000and\u3000eliminate\u3000and\u3000suppress\u3000as\u3000much\u3000counterfire\u3000as\u3000they\u3000could\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000heavyweights\u3000came\u3000in\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002
\n
\nRick’s\u3000autocannon\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000buzz\u3000saw\u3000multiplied\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000times\uff1b\u3000high\u2026density\u3000slugs\u3000went\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000stream\u3000fit\u3000by\u3000tracers\u3000to\u3000pierce\u3000an\u3000oval\u3000armored\u3000body\u3000through\u3000and\u3000through\u3002\u3000The\u3000enemy\u3000disappeared\u3000in\u3000an\u3000expanding\u3000sphere\u3000of\u3000red\u2026hot\u3000gas\u3000and\u3000flying\u3000shrapnel\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Veritechs\u3000peeled\u3000off\uff1b\u3000wingmen\u3000trying\u3000their\u3000best\u3000to\u3000stick\u3000together\uff1b\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000swirling\uff1b\u3000pouncing\u3000dogfights\u3000against\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000The\u3000pods\u3000advanced\u3000in\u3000an\u3000unstoppable\u3000cloud\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000desperate\u3000VTs\u3000twisted\u3000and\u3000swooped\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000agonized\u3000over\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000ongoing\u3000repairs\u3000and\u3000retrofitting\u3000made\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000main\u3000gun\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000primary\u3000and\u3000secondary\u3000batteries\u3000opened\u3000up\uff1b\u3000turrets\u3000swinging\uff1b\u3000barrels\u3000traversing\uff1b\u3000hammering\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000pod\u3000was\u3000hit\u3000dead\u3000center\u3000by\u3000an\u3000armor\u2026piercing\u3000discarding\u2026sabot\u3000round\u3000and\u3000blew\u3000to\u3000incandescent\u3000bits\u3002\u3000Another\u3000was\u3000riddled\u3000by\u3000kinetic\u2026energy\u3000rounds\u3000from\u3000an\u3000electromagnetic\u3000rail\u2026gun\uff1b\u3000projectiles\u3000accelerated\u3000to\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000g’s\uff1b\u3000hitting\u3000at\u3000such\u3000high\u3000speed\u3000that\u3000explosives\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000redundant\u3002\u3000A\u3000VT\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\u3000spun\u3000and\u3000tumbled\uff1b\u3000chopped\u3000to\u3000fragments\u3000by\u3000the\u3000energy\u3000blasts\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pod’s\u3000plastron\u3000cannon\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000pods\u3000came\u3000at\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000in\u3000vast\u3000waves\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000them\u3000back\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000was\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000globular\u3000explosions\u3000of\u3000space\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000them\u3000every\u3000second\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000had\u3000a\u3000pod\u3000square\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gunsight\u3000reticle\uff1b\u3000thumb\u3000on\u3000his\u3000stick’s\u3000trigger\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Miriya\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3000Wait\uff01\u3000Don’t\u3000shoot\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Huh\uff1f\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000right\u3000in\u3000my\u3000sights\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000took\u3000over\uff1b\u3000maneuvering\u3000until\u3000the\u3000puter\u2026aided\u3000sights\u3000were\u3000centered\u3000on\u3000a\u3000structure\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000articulation\u3000apparatus\u3000that\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000pod’s\u3000legs\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000on\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000pilots’\u3000menu\u3000of\u3000sure\u2026kill\u3000shots\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Miriya\u3000told\u3000her\u3000husband\uff1b\u3000\u3003Now\uff01\u3003\u3000Max\u3000zoomed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000a\u3000close\u3000pass\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000a\u3000short\u3000burst\u3000fly\u3002\u3000The\u3000target\u3000structure\u3000disappeared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000flame\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Zentraedi\u3000wobbled\u3000and\u3000careened\u3000out\u3000of\u3000control\uff1b\u3000its\u3000main\u3000thrusters\u3000sputtering\u3000and\u3000coughing\u3000every\u3000which\u3000way\uff1b\u3000guns\u3000going\u3000silent\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Trailing\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000it\u3000drifted\u3000away\uff1b\u3000limping\u3000toward\u3000safety\u3000with\u3000feeble\u3000gusts\u3000from\u3000its\u3000attitude\u3000thrusters\u3002
\n
\nVT\u3000pilots\u3000were\u3000taught\u3000to\u3000go\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sure\u2026kill\u3000shots\u3000at\u3000areas\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000mecha\u3000most\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000expose\u3000themselves\u3000to\u3000fire\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000taught\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000Shao\u2026lin\u3000pressure\u3000point\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we\u3000could’ve\u3000lost\u3000him\u3000while\u3000we\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000for\u3000that\u3000shot\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000craning\u3000around\u3000to\u3000look\u3000over\u3000his\u3000seat\u3000at\u3000his\u3000bride\u3000of\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000anybody \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we\u3000could’ve\u3000lost\u3000him\u3000while\u3000we\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000for\u3000that\u3000shot\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000craning\u3000around\u3000to\u3000look\u3000over\u3000his\u3000seat\u3000at\u3000his\u3000bride\u3000of\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000anybody\u3000else\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hurt\u3000in\u3000this\u3000war\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000jeopardize\u3000our\u3000own\u3000lives\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000the\u3000ships\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003Remember\u3000what\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000said\uff1f\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000to\u3000do\u3000more\u3000than\u3000just\u3000talk\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000act\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000I’ve\u3000given\u3000you\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000boy\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000right\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000give\u3000this\u3000a\u3000try\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Maximillian\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000took\u3000out\u3000two\u3000more\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000really\u3000worked\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000in\u3000heaven’s\u3000name\u3000is\u3000going\u3000on\u3000in\u3000that\u3000plane\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000yelled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000saw\u3000Max’s\u3000face\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000display\u3000screens\u3002\u3000\u3003Boss\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3000those\u3000last\u3000few\u3000weren’t\u3000kills\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000bull\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Max\u3002\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000could\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000dove\u3000at\u3000a\u3000pod\uff1b\u3000his\u3000forward\u3000lasers\u3000vaporizing\u3000the\u3000vulnerable\u3000ponent\u3000that\u3000Miriya\u3000had\u3000revealed\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000stop\u3000this\u3000war\u3000without\u3000bloodshed\uff01\u3003
\n
\nCaptain\u3000Gloval\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000time\u3000has\u3000e\u3000for\u3000peace\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000muttered\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000popping\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000pods\u3000without\u3000killing\u3000anyone\u3000within\u3000was\u3000made\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000share\u3000because\u3000the\u3000small\uff1b\u3000vulnerable\u3000ponent\u3000was\u3000located\u3000behind\u3000and\u3000slightly\u3000below\u3000the\u3000leg\u3000juncture\u3002\u3000This\u3000made\u3000it\u3000easy\u3000and\u3000even\u3000fun\u3000for\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000fighter\u3000jocks\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000each\u3000other\u3000where\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3000and\u3000to\u3000vie\u3000with\u3000each\u3000other\u3000at\u3000making\u3000perfect\u3000shots\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000structures\u3000were\u3000also\u3000located\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000difficult\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pods\u3000to\u3000defend\u3002\u3000The\u3000VTs\u3000had\u3000never\u3000concentrated\u3000on\u3000that\u3000place\u3000before\u3000because\u3000most\u3000of\u3000that\u3000area\u3000was\u3000heavily\u3000armored\u3000and\u3000the\u3000target\u3000in\u3000question\u3000was\u3000so\u3000small\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000once\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000after\uff1b\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000pilots\u3000began\u3000enthusiastic\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000crazed\u3000disabling\u3000runs\u3002\u3000Pods\u3000got\u3000their\u3000fundaments\u3000blown\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000them\u3000by\u3000VTs\u3000on\u3000long\u3000passes\uff1b\u3000predatory\u3000banks\uff1b\u3000high\u3000deflection\u3000shots\u3002\u3000One\u3000guy\u3000on\u3000Ghost\u3000Team\u3000got\u3000three\u3000in\u3000one\u3000pass\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000pods\u3000had\u3000closed\u3000in\u3000tightly\u3000around\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000as\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000battlewagons\u3000came\u3000up\u3000behind\u3002\u3000The\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000shook\u3000to\u3000a\u3000ferocious\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000concentrated\u3000fire\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000our\u3000number\u3000two\u3000thruster’s\u3000been\u3000damaged\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000gritted\u3000his\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000worse\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Zentraedi\u3000officer\u3000dashed\u3000angrily\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ready\u2026room\u3000hatchway\uff1b\u3000furious\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000crew\u3000there\u3000had\u3000not\u3000even\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000donned\u3000their\u3000armor\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lord\u3000Breetai\u3000mands\u3000that\u3000you\u3000prepare\u3000to\u3000attack\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000roared\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000crewmember\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000by\u3000a\u3000viewport\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000starlit\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000Minmei\u3000doll\u3000in\u3000his\u3000palm\uff1b\u3000small\u3000as\u3000a\u3000pea\u3000in\u3000his\u3000giant\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000beautiful\u3000yet\u3000so\u3000small\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000his\u3000rumbling\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000the\u3000others\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000her\u3000songs\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000filled\u3000him\u3000with\u3000longings\u3000no\u3000Zentraedi\u3000career\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000answer\u3002\u3000He\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000enormous\u3000fingers\u3000gently\u3000around\u3000the\u3000doll\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000officer\u3000bawled\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000all\u3000in\u3000direct\u3000violation\u3000of\u3000Lord\u3000Dolza’s\u3000orders\uff01\u3000Report\u3000to\u3000battle\u3000stations\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000you\u3000all\u3000court\u2026martialed\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000Zentraedi\u3000beguiled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000songs\u3000and\u3000peace\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000humans\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000still\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pent\u2026up\u3000fury\u3000of\u3000their\u3000race\u3002\u3000One\u3000whirled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000officer\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000up\u3000an\u3000assault\u3000rifle\uff1b\u3000clacking\u3000off\u3000its\u3000safety\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000say\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nOthers\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000weapons\u3000clacking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000a\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000rifle\u3000muzzles\u3000and\u3000then\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000insane\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000\u3003Think\u3000of\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000doing\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000doesn’t\u3000matter\u3000what\u3000you\u3000say\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000told\u3000him\u3000icily\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000aren’t\u3000fighting\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000friends\u3000on\u3000that\u3000ship\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000vows\u3000we’ve\u3000sworn\u3000with\u3000those\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000sacred\u3000warrior\u3000oaths\u3002\u3000We\u3000won’t\u3000attack\u3000them\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000where\u3000we\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000leave\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000rifle\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000bracketing\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000in\u3000his\u3000sights\uff1b\u3000finger\u3000tightening\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3000The\u3000officer\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000yowl\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000from\u3000the\u3000partment\u3000hatchway\uff1b\u3000boots\u3000echoing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000warriors\u3000stood\u3000listening\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000their\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000him\u3000run\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000trog\u3000with\u3000his\u3000tail\u3000between\u3000his\u3000ears\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000said\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3002
\n
\n
\nBreetai\u3000spun\u3000on\u3000Exedore\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000mutiny\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Your\u3000Excellency\uff1b\u3000a\u3000large\u3000number\u3000of\u3000our\u3000best\u3000pilots\u3000will\u3000not\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000mother\u3000craft\u3002\u3000They\u3000refuse\u3000to\u3000acknowledge\u3000that\u3000the\u3000order\u3000was\u3000given\uff01\u3000Mutiny\u3000in\u3000time\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000is\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000has\u3000never\u3000happened\u3000before\u3000in\u3000Zentraedi\u3000history\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAlthough\uff1b\u3000he\u3000added\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000those\u3000warnings\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000must\u3000have\u3000had\u3000a\u3000basis\u3002\u3000If\u3000they’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000we\u3000face\u3000disaster\uff01
\n
\n\u3003But\u2026with\u3000all\u3000respect\u2026they\u3000have\u3000some\u3000justification\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000went\u3000on\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\u3000glowered\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000no\u3000rationale\u3000for\u3000mutiny\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000know\u3000there\u3000are\u3000Zentraedi\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000they\u3000know\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000To\u3000attack\u3000their\u3000own\u3000is\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000violation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000laws\u3000that\u3000bind\u3000us\u3000together\u3000as\u3000rades\u3000in\u3000arms\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Enough\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000then\u3000there\u3000is\u3000this\u3000baffling\u3000new\u3000tactic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000disabling\u3000our\u3000pods\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000destroying\u3000them\uff1b\u3000sparing\u3000our\u3000warriors\u3000when\u3000they\u3000could\u3000more\u3000easily\u3000have\u3000killed\u3000them\u3002\u3000Some\u3000pod\u3000manders\u3000in\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000force\u3000are\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000their\u3000fellows\u3000if\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000isn’t\u3000broken\u3000off\u2026\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003Exedore\u2026\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000hurried\u3000his\u3000shorter\u3000strides\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000transmissions\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wedding\u2026\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000pivoted\u3000instantly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000said\u3000enough\uff01\u3003\u3000His\u3000boulderlike\u3000fist\u3000hung\u3000near\u3000Exedore’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000clenched\u3000so\u3000tight\u3000that\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000knuckles\u3000and\u3000tendons\u3000creaked\u3000loudly\uff1b\u3000trembling\u3000with\u3000Breetai’s\u3000anger\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3002
\n
\nAfter\u3000several\u3000long\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000Breetai\u3000retracted\u3000the\u3000fist\u3000almost\u3000unwillingly\u3000but\u3000regained\u3000control\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000started\u3000walling\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000overhead\u3000lights\u3000gleaming\u3000off\u3000his\u3000polished\u3000skullplate\u3000and\u3000crystal\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000Exedore\u3000followed\u3000meekly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Stop\u3000your\u3000blathering\uff1b\u3003\u3000Breetai\u3000rumbled\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002\u3000Issue\u3000the\u3000order\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3000immediately\uff01\u3000Recall\u3000all\u3000Zentraedi\u3000mecha\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000halted\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000agape\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000is\u3000in\u3000direct\u3000disobedience\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000High\u3000mand\u2026of\u3000Dolza’s\u3000own\u3000orders\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000stormed\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000nor\u3000answering\u3002
\n
\n
\nOn\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000quite\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000miracle\uff1b\u3003\u3000was\u3000all\u3000Sammie\u3000could\u3000say\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000very\u3000lucky\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000said\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000chair\u3002\u3000Could\u3000it\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wedding\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000it\u3000work\uff1f
\n
\nClaudia\u3000began\u3000calling\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\u3000home\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000newlyweds\u3000had\u3000received\u3000generous\u3000offers\u3000of\u3000living\u3000quarters\u3000in\u3000crowded\u3000Macross\u3000City\uff1b\u3000even\u3000from\u3000some\u3000who\u3000could\u3000ill\u3000afford\u3000the\u3000space\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000question\u3000of\u3000staying\u3000so\u3000far\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000bays\u3000while\u3000the\u3000current\u3000emergency\u3000remained\u3002
\n
\nShip’s\u3000engineers\u3000had\u3000hurriedly\u3000taken\u3000out\u3000the\u3000partition\u3000between\u3000two\u3000adjoining\u3000partments\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000Sterlings\u3000a\u3000small\u3000connubial\u3000bower\uff1a\u3000a\u3000living\u3000room\u2026kitchenette\u3000and\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000bedroom\u3002\u3000There\u3000hadn’t\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000been\u3000time\u3000to\u3000soundproof\u3000it\uff1b\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000the\u3000next\u3000work\u3000shift\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000his\u3000bunk\uff1b\u3000head\u3000pillowed\u3000on\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000muffled\u3000turmoil\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchenette\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bulkhead\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Max\uff1b\u3000why\u3000is\u3000it\u3000on\u3000fire\uff1f\u3003\u3000came\u3000Miriya’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000another\u3000weird\u3000human\u3000recipe\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Uh\uff1b\u3000honey\uff1b\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000put\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000yelped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000gush\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000fire\u3000extinguisher\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000didn’t\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000main\u3000fire\u2026fighting\u3000systems\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000and\u3000concluded\u3000that\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Strange\uff1b\u3000strange\u3000day\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000sighed\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000caught\u3000snatches\u3000of\u3000their\u3000conversation\u3000without\u3000meaning\u3000to\u3002\u3000What\u3000had\u3000she\u3000done\uff1f\u3000Just\u3000used\u3000a\u3000dash\u3000of\u3000that\u3000liquid\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cooking\u3000oil\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000said\u3000it\u3000shouldn’t\u3000be\u3000used\u3000in\u3000the\u3000coffeepot\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000would\u3000be\u3000perfectly\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000all\u3000the\u3000cooking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000Miriya\u3000insisted\u3000that\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000do\u3000her\u3000share\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000what\u3000rades\u3000in\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000lifelong\u3000mates\u3000did\uff1b\u3000she\u3000insisted\u3002
\n
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000both\u3000giggling\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bedroom\u3000closed\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000slugged\u3000his\u3000pillow\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000title\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000then\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000head\u3000against\u3000the\u3000mattress\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000pillow\u3000over\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nI\u3000hope\u3000they’ll\u3000be\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000he\u3000forced\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000think\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000and\u3000of\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000of\u3000Claudia\uff1b\u3000grieving\u3000for\u3000Roy\u3000Fokker\u2026so\u3000brave\uff1b\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000Rick\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000her\u3000place\u3002
\n
\nRoy\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000something\u3000once\uff1b\u3000something\u3000the\u3000original\u3000Skull\u3000Leader\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000during\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000his\u3000tempestuous\u3000love\u3000affair\u3000with\u3000Claudia\u3000Grant\u3002
\n
\nBefore\u3000you\u3000can\u3000love\u3000someone\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000like\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000thought\u3000came\u3000into\u3000Rick’s\u3000mind\u3000unbidden\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000long\uff1b\u3000light\u3000brown\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000a\u3000slender\u3000form\u2026a\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000disciplined\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mitment\u3000to\u3000a\u3000set\u3000of\u3000beliefs\u3000that\u3000Rick\u3000found\u3000mare\u3000worthy\u3000every\u3000day\u3002\u3000And\u2026there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000remembrance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000kiss\u3000before\u3000alien\u3000captors\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kiss\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000much\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000and\u3000had\u3000haunted\u3000him\u3000since\u3002
\n
\nI\u3000like\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000I\u3000even\u2026
\n
\nHe\u3000tossed\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bunk\uff1b\u3000head\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pillow\u3000now\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000out\u3000at\u3000space\u3000through\u3000his\u3000cabin’s\u3000viewports\u3002\u3000Next\u3000door\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000silence\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000he\u3000was\u3000blinking\u3000tiredly\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sort\u3000out\u3000just\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000he\u3000felt\u3002
\n
\nI’m\u3000so\u3000beat\u3002\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000just\u2026
\n
\nHe\u3000fell\u3000asleep\u3000with\u3000Lisa’s\u3000face\u3000before\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWELVE
\n
\nKhyron\u3000was\u3000always\u3000different\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ways\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Micronians\u3000held\u3000some\u3000dark\u3000fascination\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000however\u3000much\u3000he\u3000fought\u3000it\u3002
\nBut\u3000the\u3000Micronians\u3000are\u3000mad\uff01\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000any\u3000wonder\u3000this\u3000drove\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000brink\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000a \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n But\u3000the\u3000Micronians\u3000are\u3000mad\uff01\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000any\u3000wonder\u3000this\u3000drove\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000brink\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000as\u3000he\u3000perceived\u3000it\u3000his\u3000only\u3000relief\u3000was\u3000to\u3000liquidate\u3000them\u3000all\uff1f
\nGrel
\n
\n\u3003Alien\u3000vessel\uff1b\u3000battleship\u3000class\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000said\u3000tightly\u3000from\u3000her\u3000monitoring\u3000station\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000time\u3000Gloval\u3000was\u3000ready\u3002\u3000\u3003Prepare\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000main\u3000cannon\uff01\u3000Lock\u3000all\u3000tracking\u3000systems\u3000to\u3000target\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000respite\u3000that\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000last\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000engineers\u3000had\u3000pleted\u3000retrofitting\u3000and\u3000new\u3000installation\u3002\u3000At\u3000long\u3000last\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000had\u3000been\u3000brought\u3000into\u3000Attack\u3000mode\u3000without\u3000major\u3000damage\u3000to\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3000and\u3000acpanying\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000life\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ship\u3000could\u3000use\u3000its\u3000fearsome\u3000main\u3000gun\u3000in\u3000this\u3000configuration\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000like\u3000a\u3000monumental\u3000armored\u3000gladiator\u3000in\u3000space\u3000with\u3000the\u3000two\u3000tremendous\u3000supercarriers\u3000held\u3000out\u3000like\u3000menacing\u3000forearms\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000systems\u3000go\uff1b\u3000booms\u3000now\u3000moving\u3000into\u3000position\uff1b\u3003\u3000Claudia\u3000said\u3000in\u3000clipped\u3000tones\u3002\u3000The\u3000booms\u3000had\u3000stood\u3000like\u3000hours\u3000above\u3000the\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000brute\u3000servomotors\u3000swung\u3000them\u3000down\u3000so\u3000that\u3000they\u3000pointed\u3000out\u3000straight\u3000from\u3000both\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000bulky\u3000shoulder\u3000structures\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Main\u3000gun\u3000standing\u3000by\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000on\u3000your\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000message\u3000was\u3000patched\u3000in\u3000from\u3000engineering\u3002\u3000Claudia\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000but\u3000wish\u3000Lisa\u3000were\u3000back\u3000\uff08on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000The\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000techs\u3000were\u3000good\u3000and\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000best\u3000they\u3000could\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nobody\u3000except\u3000perhaps\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\u3000knew\u3000as\u3000much\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000as\u3000Lisa\u3002
\n
\nSammie\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000preparations\uff1b\u3000wide\u2026eyed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000bet\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000trick\u3000or\u3000something\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000declared\u3000in\u3000her\u3000young\uff1b\u3000breathless\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000Trojan\u3000horse\uff01\u3003
\n
\nKim\u3000spared\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000from\u3000her\u3000own\u3000problems\u3000to\u3000gaze\u3000at\u3000Sammie\u3000dubiously\u3002\u3000\u3003Trojan\u3000horse\uff1f\u3000They\u3000know\u3000we’d\u3000never\u3000fall\u3000for\u3000that\uff01\u3000Where\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000would\u3000you\u3000get\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000like\u3000that\u3000from\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Trojan\u3000War\uff01\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000it\u3000always\u3000happens\u3000in\u3000the\u3000movies\u3002\u3003
\n
\nFor\u3000two\u3000years\u3000now\uff1b\u3000they’ve\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000wipe\u3000us\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000still\u3000thinks\u3000about\u3000movies\uff01\u3000Kim\u3000groaned\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000job\uff1b\u3000resolving\u3000to\u3000slug\u3000Sammie\u3000later\u3002
\n
\nSammie\u3000said\u3000with\u3000high\u3000acrimony\uff1b\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000better\u3000theory\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000hear\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nVanessa\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000the\u3000squabble\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000message\u3000ing\u3000in\u3000in\u3000cleartext\u3000from\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000ship\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000came\u3000halfway\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000chair\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000let\u3000himself\u3000hope\u3000too\u3000much\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000asking\u3000permission\u3000to\u3000approach\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000Shall\u3000I\u3000put\u3000it\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000monitor\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000grunted\u3000approval\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Vanessa\u3000plied\u3002\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000Sammie’s\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000fantasy\u3000didn’t\u3000sound\u3000so\u3000zany\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000say\u3000again\uff1a\u3000We\u3000are\u3000sending\u3000an\u3000unarmed\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000dock\u3000with\u3000your\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000We\u3000request\u3000a\u3000cessation\u3000of\u3000hostilities\u3002\u3000Please\u3000hold\u3000your\u3000fire\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000enemy\u3000flagship\u3000drew\u3000near\u3000at\u3000dead\u2026slow\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000straight\u3000into\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gun\u3002\u3000The\u3000battleship\u3000might\u3000be\u3000nine\u3000solid\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000supertech\u3000mayhem\uff1b\u3000but\u3000surely\u3000by\u3000now\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000as\u3000defenseless\u3000as\u3000a\u3000helium\u3000blimp\u3000before\u3000the\u3000holocaust\u3000blast\u3000those\u3000massive\u3000booms\u3000could\u3000generate\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Let\u3000them\u3000e\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000told\u3000Claudia\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000stand\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fire\u3002\u3003
\n
\nClaudia\u3000flipped\u3000up\u3000the\u3000red\u3000safety\u3000cover\u3000with\u3000her\u3000thumb\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gun\u3002\u3000Sweating\uff1b\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000battlewagon\u3000close\u3000in\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000Gloval\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000order\u3000but\u3000forcing\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000be\u3000calm\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000unaware\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000there\uff1b\u3000captain\u3000and\u3000enlisted\u3000ratings\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000Claudia\u2026whom\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000as\u3000a\u3000tower\u3000of\u3000strength\u2026was\u3000trigger\u3000man\u3000that\u3000day\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000let\u3000the\u3000flagship\u3000e\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000e\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000Sammie’s\u3000Trojan\u3000horse\u3000remark\u3000was\u3000much\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000about\u3000this\u3000Breetai\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000Lisa\u3000and\u3000Rick\u3000had\u3000described\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000Zentraedi\u3000spies\u3000and\u3000the\u3000deserters\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000after\u3000them\u3000had\u3000contributed\u3000more\uff1b\u3000as\u3000had\u3000Miriya\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000wondered\u3000and\u3000hoped\u3000the\u3000vagaries\u3000of\u3000war\u3000would\u3000let\u3000him\u3000meet\u3000Breetai\u3000face\u3000to\u3000face\uff1b\u3000he\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000mander\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000flagship\u3000slowed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sitting\u3000duck\u3000of\u3000a\u3000target\uff1b\u3000reassuring\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000abruptly\u3000there\u3000were\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000streamers\u3000of\u3000light\u3000swirling\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000at\u3000high\u3000speed\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000displays\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000these\u3000performance\u3000profiles\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nVanessa\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Picking\u3000up\u3000large\u3000strike\u3000force\u3000of\u3000tri\u2026thruster\u3000pursuit\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000rapidly\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000tri\u2026thrusters\u3000were\u3000right\u3000in\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000Claudia’s\u3000forefinger\u3000hovered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002
\n
\nWhat\u3000are\u3000they\u3000up\u3000to\u3000now\uff1f\u3000Gloval\u3000thought\u3000with\u3000dismay\u3002\u3000Peace\u3000had\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000tantalizingly\u3000close\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000could\u3000this\u3000be\u3000except\u3000betrayal\uff1f
\n
\nThe\u3000tri’s\u3000were\u3000out\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flagship\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000their\u3000drives\u3000leaving\u3000bright\u3000swirling\u3000ribbons\u3000of\u3000light\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000mand\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000on\u3000Gloval’s\u3000lips\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000batteries\u3000in\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000flagship’s\u3000forward\u3000section\u3000opened\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tri\u2026thrusters\u3000were\u3000blown\u3000into\u3000fragments\uff1b\u3000dozens\u3000disappearing\u3000per\u3000second\u3000in\u3000ballooning\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000total\u3000annihilation\u3002\u3000The\u3000bluewhite\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000from\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000dreadnought\uff1b\u3000thread\u2026fine\u3000against\u3000its\u3000enormous\u3000bulk\uff1b\u3000redirected\u3000immediately\u3000upon\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000a\u3000target\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3002\u3000In\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000sortie\u3000fell\u3000apart\u3000and\u3000space\u3000was\u3000full\u3000of\u3000briefly\u3000flaming\u3000junk\u3002
\n
\n
\nGloval\u3000swallowed\u3002\u3000\u3003Secure\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000but\u3000stand\u3000by\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nClaudia\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000breathing\u3000a\u3000prayer\uff1b\u3000thumbing\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000cover\u3000over\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000her\u3000thumb\u3000rested\u3000on\u3000it\u3000still\u3002
\n
\n
\nBreetai\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000station\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000clasped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000small\u3000of\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000Khyron\u3000the\u3000Backstabber\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000long\u3000to\u3000appear\u3000by\u3000projecbeam\u3000image\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Breetai\uff1b\u3000have\u3000you\u3000gone\u3000mad\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000studied\u3000him\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000ships\u3000were\u3000interfering\u3000with\u3000a\u3000diplomatic\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000well\u3000know\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000I\u3000disposed\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Henceforth\u3000you\u3000will\u3000address\u3000me\u3000by\u3000my\u3000proper\u3000rank\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKhyron\u3000fought\u3000a\u3000fierce\u3000internal\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000then\u3000managed\uff1b\u3000\u3003mander\uff1b\u3000what\u3000happens\u3000now\uff1f\u3000I\u3000refuse\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000the\u3000Micronians\uff01\u3000We\u3000all\u3000know\u3000Dolza’s\u3000orders\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000Khyron\uff01\u3000And\u3000I\u3000will\u3000hear\u3000no\u3000further\u3000word\u3000from\u3000you\u3000on\u3000the\u3000subject\u3002\u3000Just\u3000consider\u3000yourself\u3000lucky\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000choose\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000your\u3000troops\u3000this\u3000day\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Ridiculous\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000swung\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000chair\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000the\u3000munications\u3000circuit\uff1b\u3000muttering\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hardly\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLike\u3000some\u3000immense\u3000killer\u3000whale\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flagship\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000weapon\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000just\u3000sitting\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000they’re\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000move\u3002\u3003\u3000Claudia’s\u3000thumbnail\u3000stood\u3000under\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trigger’s\u3000cover\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000peace\uff1b\u3000why\u3000would\u3000they\u3000destroy\u3000their\u3000own\u3000fighters\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000would\u3000they\u3000not\u3000overwhelm\u3000us\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000could\uff1f
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000send\u3000an\u3000emissary\u3002\u3000Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000decided\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000be\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Veritechs\u3000flew\u3000forth\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000other\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000cat’s\u2026eye\u3000intel\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000detector\u2026loaded\u3000and\u3000studying\u3000everything\u3000about\u3000the\u3000emissary\u3000pod\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000pod\u3000was\u3000standard\u3000except\u3000that\u3000it\u3000mounted\u3000only\u3000auxiliary\u3000mo\u3000gear\uff1a\u3000no\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000The\u3000cat’s\u2026eyes\u3000and\u3000other\u3000emissions\u2026intelligence\u3000detectors\u3000said\u3000that\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000Trojan\u3000horse\u3000of\u3000Sammie’s\u3000nightmares\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000Hunter\u3000quieted\u3000his\u3000Skull\u3000Team\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000them\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000weird\u3000and\u3000getting\u3000weirder\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000but\u3000reminding\u3000them\u3000the\u3000team\u3000hadn’t\u3000suffered\u3000any\u3000casualties\u3000in\u3000a\u3000while\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000strangest\u3000of\u3000all\u3000convoys\u3000came\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000in\u3000an\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000bay\uff1b\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000now\u3000in\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\u3000with\u3000their\u3000chain\u2026guns\u3000leveled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000pod\u3002
\n
\nThings\u3000moved\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000while\u3000PA\u3000voices\u3000went\u3000on\u3000about\u3000the\u3000normal\u3000checklist\u3000procedures\u3000and\u3000the\u3000extraordinary\u3000precautions\u3000surrounding\u3000the\u3000emissary’s\u3000arrival\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000take\u3000any\u3000chances\u3000on\u3000a\u3000double\u2026cross\u3000or\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000vengeful\u3000human’s\u3000violent\u3000act\u3000robbing\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000of\u3000this\u3000chance\u3000for\u3000peace\u3002\u3000Security\u3000was\u2026in\u3000some\u3000ways\u3000literally\u2026airtight\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000enemy\u3000mecha\u3000knelt\uff1b\u3000its\u3000prow\u3000touching\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rear\u2026articulated\u3000legs\u3000folded\u3000back\u3002\u3000A\u3000rear\u3000hatch\u3000swung\u3000open\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Brobdingnagian\u3000enemy\u3000trooper\u3000stomped\u3000forth\u3000to\u3000glare\u3000around\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Aren’t\u3000you\u3000forgetting\u3000something\uff1f\u3003\u3000called\u3000a\u3000reedy\uff1b\u3000highly\u3000miffed\u3000voice\u3000from\u3000within\u3000the\u3000pod\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000mountainous\u3000trooper\u3000was\u3000immediately\u3000contrite\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000afraid\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000please\u3000forgive\u3000me\uff1b\u3000your\u3000Eminence\uff01\u3000My\u3000humblest\u3000apologies\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000trooper\u3000reached\u3000carefully\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pod\u3000and\u3000came\u3000out\u3000with\u3000a\u3000small\u3000figure\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000set\u3000down\u3000with\u3000exaggerated\uff1b\u3000painstaking\u3000care\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000explained\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000him\u3000if\u3000he\u3000allowed\u3000his\u3000micronized\u3000passenger\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000any\u3000harm\u3002
\n
\nExedore\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000sackcloth\u3000robe\u3000that\u3000was\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000to\u3000give\u3000their\u3000micronized\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000stepped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000armored\u3000palm\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000toes\u3000clenched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000arches\u3000arched\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000higher\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000deck\u3002\u3000\u3003Hmph\uff01\u3000How\u3000do\u3000these\u3000Micronians\u3000survive\u3000with\u3000such\u3000frail\u3000little\u3000bodies\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000regard\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000flight\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000made\u3000little\u3000impression\u3000because\u3000its\u3000size\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000imposing\u3000for\u3000human\u3000or\u3000Zentraedi\u3002
\n
\nExedore’s\u3000pilot\u3000was\u3000another\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000eye\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chain\u2026gun\u2026wielding\u3000Battloid\u3002\u3000\u3003Rather\u3000an\u3000imposing\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000we\uff1b\u3000hah\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3002
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000one\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000size\u3000didn’t\u3000count\u3000for\u3000everything\u2026counted\u3000for\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000in\u3000some\u3000cases\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ten\u2026HUT\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000PA\u3000said\u3000as\u3000a\u3000line\u3000of\u3000military\u3000vehicles\u3000came\u3000screeching\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000Battloids\u3000snapped\u3000to\u3000presentarms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000to\u3000Exedore’s\u3000great\u3000pride\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000pilot\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000perfect\u3000attention\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000abruptly\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000there\u3000were\u3000Micronian\u3000personnel\uff1b\u3000ground\u3000crew\u3000and\u3000whatnot\uff1b\u3000scattered\u3000around\u3000the\u3000partment\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n round\u3000the\u3000partment\u3000as\u3000they\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000came\u3000to\u3000attention\u3002
\n
\nMen\u3000leapt\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cars\u3000to\u3000form\u3000ranks\u3000smartly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000uniform\u3000not\u3000so\u3000different\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi’s\u3000own\u3000came\u3000toward\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000extended\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Colonel\u3000Maistroff\uff1b\u3000Robotech\u3000Defense\u3000Forces\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000I\u3000bring\u3000you\u3000greetings\u3000from\u3000the\u3000super\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000mander\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Gloval\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000sighed\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Maistroff\u3000was\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000he\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000micronization\u3000process\u3000that\u3000dictated\u3000that\uff1b\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000something\u3000about\u3000destiny\u3002
\n
\nAnyway\uff1b\u3000Maistroff’s\u3000open\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000out\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000blinked\u3000at\u3000it\u3000in\u3000bewilderment\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000how\u3000we\u3000greet\u3000friends\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000human\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nAh\uff1b\u3000yes\uff01\u3000The\u3000barbarian\u3000custom\u3000of\u3000showing\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000weapon\uff01\u3000Exedore\u3000put\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000mauve\u3000hand\u3000into\u3000the\u3000other’s\u3000pale\u3000pink\u3000one\uff1b\u3000trading\u3000the\u3000grip\u3000of\u3000friendship\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000Minister\u3000of\u3000Affairs\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMaistroff\uff1b\u3000a\u3000former\u3000martinet\u3000and\u3000xenophobe\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000salted\u3000and\u3000wisened\u3000up\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000in\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000him\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000sounds\u3000rather\u3000important\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000shrugged\u3000blithely\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000really\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Maistroff\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000smiling\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000colonel\u3000indicated\u3000his\u3000staff\u3000car\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000get\u3000you\u3000some\u3000more\u3000fortable\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000then\u3000take\u3000you\u3000to\u3000the\u3000captain\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000eaten\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000sorted\u3000that\u3000out\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000transmissions\u3000and\u3000dreading\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000ceremonies\u3000stalling\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000peace\u3000talks\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAs\u3000they\u3000walked\uff1b\u3000ground\u2026shaking\u3000impacts\u3000began\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000jostling\u3000them\u3000as\u3000they\u3000moved\u3002\u3000They\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000pilot\u3000had\u3000naturally\u3000fallen\u3000in\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000his\u3000lord\u3002\u3000The\u3000Battloids\u3000hadn’t\u3000quite\u3000brought\u3000their\u3000chain\u2026gun\u3000muzzles\u3000back\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000was\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000problem\u3000and\u3000also\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000humans’\u3000apprehension\u3002
\n
\nMaistroff\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000posure\u3002\u3000\u3003Excuse\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Minister\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000but\u2026could\u3000you\u3000ask\u3000him\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000here\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000deck\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff01\u3003\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000a\u3000genius\u3000of\u3000Exedore’s\u3000caliber\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000those\u3000little\u3000hatches\u3000wouldn’t\u3000allow\u3000for\u3000much\u3000fullsize\u3000Zentraedi\u3000wandering\u3002\u3000Clever\uff01
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000look\u3000up\u3000at\u3000his\u3000pilot\u3002\u3000\u3003Stay\u3000here\u3000and\u3000guard\u3000the\u3000pod\u3002\u3003\u3000It\u3000did\u3000irritate\u3000him\u3000how\u3000much\u3000higher\u3000and\u3000less\u3000forceful\u3000the\u3000transformation\u3000had\u3000made\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000pilot\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000brace\uff1b\u3000biting\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMaistroff\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000jerked\u3000a\u3000thumb\u3000at\u3000two\u3000aides\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000men\u3000find\u3000him\u3000something\u3000to\u3000eat\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000saluted\u3000as\u3000one\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\uff01\u3003\u3000under\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000precise\u3000as\u3000he\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000Maistroff\u3000cordially\u3000aided\u3000Exedore\u3000in\u3000boarding\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000car\uff1b\u3000just\u3000about\u3000as\u3000unlikely\u3000a\u3000sight\u3000as\u3000anything\u3000yet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000Motorcycle\u3000outriders\u3000led\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000motorcade\u3000moved\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000staff\u3000officers\u3000relaxed\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000then\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000\u3003Something\u3000to\u3000eat\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000first\u3000one\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000got\u3000to\u3000be\u3000kidding\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Maistroff\u3000never\u3000kids\uff1b\u3003\u3000his\u3000panion\u3000answered\u3002\u3000They\u3000both\u3000had\u3000rigs\u3000in\u3000their\u3000jeeps\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000second\u3000staff\u3000officer\u3000reached\u3000over\u3000now\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000handset\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000his\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000call\u3000ration\u3000distribution\u3000and\u3000break\u3000the\u3000bad\u3000news\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000mission\u3002\u3000\u3003Hello\uff1b\u3000transportation\u3000control\uff1f\u3000Listen\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000need\u3000a\u3000coupla\u3000flatbeds\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000thoroughfares\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3000were\u3000as\u3000confusing\u3000to\u3000Exedore\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spies\u3002\u3000So\u3000much\u3000undisiplined\uff1b\u3000disorganized\u3000activity\uff01\u3000So\u3000much\u3000aimless\u3000milling\u3000about\uff01\u3000There\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000no\u3000point\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000it\u2026all\u3000this\u3000gaping\u3000through\u3000display\u3000windows\u3000and\u3000strolling\u3000haphazardly\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000some\u3000deceptive\u3000show\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mounted\u3000for\u3000his\u3000visit\u3002
\n
\nAnd\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000he\u3000averted\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000males\u3000and\u3000females\u3000wandering\u3000the\u3000city\u3000holding\u3000hands\u3000or\u3000with\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000waists\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000tiny\u2026model\u3000Micronians\uff1b\u3000the\u3000noisy\uff1b\u3000poorly\u3000regimented\u3000smallscales\u3000that\u3000the\u3000human\u3000called\u3000\u3003children\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000could\u3000make\u3000neither\u3000head\u3000nor\u3000tail\u3002\u3000Just\u3000seeing\u3000them\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000shuddery\u3000feeling\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000good\u3000state\u3000of\u3000repair\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000after\u3000two\u3000years\u3000of\u3000running\u3000battles\u3000with\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000race\u3002\u3000There\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000no\u3000hiding\u3000the\u3000damage\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000no\u3000fixing\u3000it\u3002\u3000Intelligence\u3000reports\u3000had\u3000already\u3000indicated\u3000what\u3000Exedore\u3000saw\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1a\u3000The\u3000Micronians\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000rebuild\u2026perhaps\u3000how\u3000to\u3000create\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000awesome\u3000advantage\uff1b\u3000a\u3000critical\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war’s\u3000equation\u3002
\n
\nVery\u3000few\u3000Micronians\u3000were\u3000in\u3000uniform\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000under\u3000close\u3000supervision\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Why\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000our\u3000shopping\u3000district\uff1b\u3003\u3000Maistroff\u3000explained\u3000when\u3000Exedore\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000yes\uff01\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000this\u3000is\u3000where\u3000you\u3000use\u3000something\u3000called\u3000money\u3000to\u3000requisition\u3000goods\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMaistroff\u3000scratched\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000\u3003Um\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000not\u3000too\u3000far\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Minister\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000cruised\u3000along\u3000a\u3000broad\u3000boulevard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Exedore\u3000suddenly\u3000broke\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000sweat\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000shudder\u3002\u3000Maistroff\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000straight\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000life\u3000support\u3000was\u3000inpatible\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000clenched\uff1b\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000at\u3000a\u3000billboard\u3002\u3000The\u3000billboard\u3000advertised\u3000the\u3000Velvet\u3000Suntan\u3000Clinics\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000photo\u3000of\u3000the\u3000languorous\u3000Miss\u3000Velvet\uff1b\u3000a\u3000voluptuous\uff1b\u3000browned\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000clad\uff1b\u3000supremely\u3000athletic\u3000looking\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000whose\u3000poster\u3000popularity\u3000in\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3000was\u3000second\u3000only\u3000to\u3000Minmei’s\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ee\uff1b\u3000er\uff1b\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000th\u2026that\u3000picture\u3000on\u3000the\u3000building\u3000over\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000got\u3000out\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000having\u3000a\u3000malaria\u3000attack\u3002\u3000\u3003Would\u3000you\u3000mind\u3000explaining\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000forced\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000car\u3002
\n
\nMaistroff\u3000reached\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cap\u3000and\u3000tilted\u3000the\u3000visor\u3000down\u3000over\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000good\u3000form\u3000with\u3000the\u3000minister\uff1b\u3000coughing\u3000into\u3000his\u3000other\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000actually\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000little\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000explain\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000crossed\u3000his\u3000skinny\u3000arms\u3000on\u3000his\u3000narrow\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3000wisely\u3002\u3000\u3003Aha\uff01\u3000A\u3000military\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\uff01\u3000Very\u3000clever\uff01\u3000Indeed\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMaistroff\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000want\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000what\u3000damage\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000done\u3000to\u3000interspecies\u3000relations\u2026didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000plicate\u3000things\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000tilted\u3000his\u3000visor\u3000farther\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003Right\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000it\u3002\u3000Classified\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000motorcade\u3000raced\u3000for\u3000the\u3000conference\u3000room\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000THIRTEEN
\n
\nRUSSO\uff1a\u3000What\u3000are\u3000they\u3000doing\u3000up\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Alexei\uff1f\u3000Don’t\u3000those\u3000RDF\u3000pantywaists\u3000of\u3000yours\u3000even\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1f
\nZUKAV\uff1a\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000what\u3000we\u3000should\u3000worry\u3000about\uff1b\u3000Senator\uff1b\u3000is\u3000that\u3000they\u3000and\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000are\u3000teaching\u3000each\u3000other\u3000how\u3000not\u3000to\u3002
\nExchange\u3000believed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000place\u3000between\u3000Senator\u3000Russo\u3000and\u3000Marshal\u3000Zukav\u3000of\u3000the\u3000UEDC
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000flagship\u3000faced\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000unmoving\u3000across\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000gap\u3000of\u3000space\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000eyeball\u3000to\u3000eyeball\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000left\u3000instructions\u3000with\u3000Claudia\u3000that\u3000she\u3000open\u3000fire\u3000with\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gun\u3000if\u3000there\u3000was\u3000any\u3000hostile\u3000action\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000later\u3000he\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000a\u3000judicial\u3000bench\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000biggest\u3000hearing\u3000chamber\u3000with\u3000Colonel\u3000Maistroff\u3000on\u3000his\u3000right\uff1b\u3000an\u3000intelligence\u3000major\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000zing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Exedore\u3002\u3000Except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000functionaries\uff1b\u3000the\u3000place\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000misshapen\u3000little\u3000fellow\u3000fell\u3000far\u3000short\u3000of\u3000Gloval’s\u3000mental\u3000image\u3000of\u3000a\u3000ravaging\u3000alien\u3000warmonger\uff1b\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000If\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000rather\u3002\u3002\u3002prissy\u3002
\n
\n\u3003At\u3000last\u3000we\u3000meet\u3000face\u3000to\u3000face\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000not\u2026uncordial\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000witness\u3000stand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000allowed\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000attractive\u3000young\u3000female\u3000ensign\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000tray\u3000and\u3000put\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000orange\u3000juice\u3000where\u3000Exedore\u3000could\u3000reach\u3000it\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000watched\u3000Exedore’s\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000closely\uff1b\u3000but\u3000apparently\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000his\u3000responses\u3000under\u3000control\u3000as\u3000he\u3000merely\u3000nodded\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000gratitude\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000cautious\u3000sip\u3002\u3000The\u3000flavor\u3000was\u3000delightful\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000beverage\u3000had\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000savor\uff1b\u3000something\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000define\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000something\u3000dizzying\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000electric\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Mmm\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000very\u3000refreshing\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000checked\u3000with\u3000Gloval\u3000by\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000barest\u3000nod\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Exedore\u3000in\u3000turn\u3000caught\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000orange\u3000juice\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000From\u3000our\u3000own\u3000hydroponics\u3000orchards\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000didn’t\u3000quite\u3000understand\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000tremor\u3000from\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000you\u3000grow\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000confused\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000grow\u3000the\u3000fruit\u3000the\u3000juice\u3000es\u3000from\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000just\u3000so\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000what\u3000I\u3000meant\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000downed\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000orange\u3000juice\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000his\u3000amazement\u3002
\n
\nThese\u3000creatures\u3000consumed\u3000food\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000alive\uff01\u3000Who\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000they\u3000consumed\u3000things\u3000that\u3000still\u3000were\u3000alive\uff01\u3000He\u3000shuddered\u3000and\u3000reminded\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000juice\u3000of\u3000a\u3000plant\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000self\u2026control\u3000was\u3000tested\u3000thoroughly\u3002
\n
\nHere\u3000was\u3000something\u3000those\u3000three\u3000imbecile\u3000spies\u3000hadn’t\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3000or\u3000had\u3000perhaps\u3000omitted\u3000from\u3000their\u3000reports\u3000on\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3000or\u3000had\u3000even\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000realize\u3002\u3000Zentraedi\u3000food\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000was\u3000synthesized\u3000from\u3000its\u3000chemical\u3000constituents\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000decree\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3002\u3000To\u3000eat\u3000living\u3000or\u3000once\u2026living\u3000food\u3000was\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000the\u3000consumption\u3000of\u3000rudimentary\u3000energies\u3000somewhat\u3000related\u3000to\u3000Protoculture\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000finished\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000so\u3000as\u3000to\u3000give\u3000no\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u2026fearing\u3002\u3000It\u3000crossed\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000perhaps\u3000these\u3000men\u3000were\u3000testing\u3000him\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000reveal\u3000nothing\u3002
\n
\n\u3003That\u3000was\u3000very\u3000refreshing\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000enthused\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ensign\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Here\uff1b\u3000have\u3000another\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000full\u3000one\u3000from\u3000her\u3000tray\u3002
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000insist\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000lightly\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000was\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000mustache\u3002\u3000To\u3000Maistro \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n m\u3000her\u3000tray\u3002
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000insist\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000lightly\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000was\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000mustache\u3002\u3000To\u3000Maistroff\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000missing\u3000some\u3000people\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000we\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Some\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000colonel\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000they\u3000should\u3000be\u3000arriving\u3000any\u3000minute\u3000now\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000this\u3000may\u3000be\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000indicating\u3000the\u3000door\u3000signal\u3002\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000both\u3000in\u3000RDF\u3000uniform\u3002\u3000Max\u3000snapped\u3000off\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000salute\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\u3002\u3000Reporting\u3000as\u3000ordered\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drink\u3000put\u3000aside\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff01\u3000Hello\uff1b\u3000Quadrono\u3000Leader\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000gasped\u3000as\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000saluted\u3000by\u3000reflex\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u3000you\u3000were\u3000the\u3000emissary\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000shrugged\u3000to\u3000say\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unimportant\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000found\u3000your\u3000pairing\u3000ritual\u2026marriage\uff1f\u2026quite\u3002\u3002\u3002provocative\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000probably\u3000wondering\u3000why\u3000we\u3000did\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000you’re\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000wondering\u3000what\u30001\u3000am\u3000doing\u3000here\u3002\u3000And\u3000this\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000male\u3000half\u3000of\u3000your\u3000pair\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000Miriya\u3000looked\u3000young\u3000and\u3000a\u3000little\u3000forlorn\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000before\u3000the\u3000great\u3000genius\u3000of\u3000her\u3000race\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Eldest\uff1b\u3000the\u3000repository\u3000of\u3000all\u3000Zentraedi\u3000lore\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000right\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Gee\uff1b\u3000y’\u3000don’t\u3000sound\u3000too\u3000thrilled\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000murmured\u3002\u3000He\u3000almost\u3000gave\u3000in\u3000to\u3000his\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000take\u3000her\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000kiss\u3000her\uff1b\u3000top\u3000brass\u3000or\u3000no\uff1b\u3000and\u3000remind\u3000her\u3000emphatically\u3000of\u3000what\u3000their\u3000pairing\u3000really\u3000meant\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000just\u3000then\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000reported\u3000as\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000saluting\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000spied\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000a\u3000snit\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000look\u3000so\u3000good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000confided\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000Rick\u3000and\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000yelling\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000clucked\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000micronization\u3000process\u3000must\u3000have\u3000affected\u3000my\u3000memory\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hostages\u3000from\u3000Dolza’s\u3000flagship\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Does\u3000somebody\u3000want\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000on\u3000here\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000asked\u3000slowly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000time\u3000the\u3000circumstances\u3000are\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000different\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000rattled\u3000on\u3000excitedly\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1a\u3000How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000escape\uff1f\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000some\u3000hidden\u3000Micronian\u3000power\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWhat\u3000had\u3000really\u3000happened\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Max\u3000had\u3000e\u3000aboard\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Battloid\u3000disguised\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000uniform\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rick\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000should\u3000let\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000cat\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bag\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000Gloval\u3000or\u3000the\u3000others\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000any\u3000help\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000improvised\uff1b\u3000\u3003Uh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000you\u3000could\u3000say\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000frail\u3000little\u3000emissary\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000fingering\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3002\u3000\u3003Hm\uff1b\u3000another\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000military\u3000secrets\u3002\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000so\u3000confusing\u3000and\u3000illogical\uff1b\u3000even\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Who\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000eons\u3000of\u3000eating\u3000live\u3000food\u3000had\u3000done\u3000to\u3000these\u3000creatures\uff1f
\n
\nThe\u3000door\u3000signaled\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gloval\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Here\u3000are\u3000the\u3000others\u3000now\u3002\u3003\u3000Rico\uff1b\u3000Bron\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Konda\u3000filed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hearing\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000They\u3000caught\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000him\u3000and\u3000cringed\u3000as\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000a\u3000death’s\u2026head\u3000smile\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000Minister\u3000Exedore\uff01\u3003\u3000they\u3000all\u3000yelped\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000mice\u3000facing\u3000a\u3000hungry\u3000lynx\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000did\u3000not\u3000expect\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000instigators\u3000of\u3000our\u3000mass\u3000defection\u3000show\u3000up\u3000here\u3000today\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000remarked\u3002
\n
\nTrembling\uff1b\u3000Rico\u3000drew\u3000himself\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000Excellency\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000our\u3000fault\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000right\uff01\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000something\u3000that\u3000we\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\uff01\u3003\u3000Konda\u3000put\u3000in\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000stout\u3000Bron\u3000maintained\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000had\u3000no\u3000control\uff1b\u3000sir\uff01\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000brushed\u3000that\u3000aside\u3000with\u3000a\u3000prim\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000may\u3000relax\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000harming\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000breath\u3000they\u3000let\u3000out\u3000was\u3000audible\u3000as\u3000they\u3000wilted\u3000with\u3000relief\u3002\u3000When\u3000everyone\u3000was\u3000seated\uff1b\u3000Colonel\u3000Maistroff\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Captain\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000puter\u3000will\u3000record\u3000the\u3000proceedings\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000squared\u3000his\u3000cap\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000good\uff1b\u3000let\u3000us\u3000begin\u3002\u3003\u3000To\u3000Exedore\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Minister\uff1b\u3000we\u3000are\u3000unclear\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000purpose\u3000of\u3000your\u3000mission\u3000here\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000told\u3000us\u3000very\u3000little\u3000so\u3000far\u3002\u3000Won’t\u3000you\u3000please\u3000enlighten\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore’s\u3000eyes\u3000swept\u3000across\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000curiosity\u3000is\u3000understandable\uff1b\u3000but\u2026not\u3000everyone\u3000is\u3000present\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Maistroff\u3000growled\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000would\u3000like\u3000to\u3000know\u3000more\u3000about\u3000two\u3000of\u3000your\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000gentlemen\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000possesses\u3000powers\u3000and\u3000fighting\u3000skills\u3000that\u3000are\u3000truly\u3000extraordinary\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000female\u3000who\u3000is\u3000the\u3000core\u3000of\u3000your\u3000psychological\u3000assault\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Incredible\uff1b\u3003\u3000mumbled\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Exedore\u3002
\n
\nColonel\u3000Maistroff\u3000had\u3000read\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000defector\u3000debriefing\u3000reports\u3002\u3000In\u3000an\u3000aside\u3000to\u3000Gloval\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000he\u3000means\u3000that\u3000movie\uff1b\u3000Little\u3000White\u3000Dragon\u3002\u3000They\u3000must’ve\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000think\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle’s\u3000movie\u3000stunts\u3000were\u3000for\u3000real\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLittle\u3000White\u3000Dragon\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000feature\u3000film\u3000produced\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000It\u3000featured\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000in\u3000some\u3000spectacular\u3000stunts\u3000and\u3000fights\uff1b\u3000downing\u3000ferocious\u3000giants\u3000with\u3000his\u3000fighting\u3000arts\u3000and\u3000using\u3000a\u3000death\u3000beam\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000shoot\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000an\u3000enchanted\u3000medallion\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000is\u3000clearly\u3000a\u3000misunderstanding\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000told\u3000Maistroff\u3002\u3000To\u3000Exedore\u3000he\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000would\u3000be\u3000at\u3000the\u3000core\u3000of\u3000a\u3000psychological\u3000assault\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000helpful\u3000if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000be\u3000more\u3000specific\u3000about\u3000this\u3000female\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000blinked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000bulging\uff1b\u3000pinpoint\u2026pupiled\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000appears\u3000to\u3000be\u3000performing\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000ritual\u3002\u3000A\u3000strange\u3000little\u3000chant\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBron\u3000leaned\u3000over\u3000to\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000ex\u2026spies\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000he\u3000means\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\uff01\u3003\u3000Konda\u3000whispered\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sure\u3000he\u3000could\uff01\u3003\u3000snarled\u3000Rico\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\u3000impatiently\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000next\u3000to\u3000the\u3000witness\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000coquettish\u3000pose\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sing\uff1a
\n
\nStage\u3000fright\uff1b\u3000go\u3000’way\uff1b
\nThis\u3000is\u3000my\u3000big\u3000day\uff01
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000groaned\uff1b\u3000not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000say\u3000anything\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000seeing\u3000what\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seeing\uff1b\u3000Colonel\u3000Maistroff\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000report\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000surgeon\u3000and\u3000get\u3000him\u3000grounded\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mental\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000three\u3000spies\u3000burst\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003He\u3000is\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000Minmei\uff01\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000went\u3000on\u3000singing\u3000\u3003Stage\u3000Fright\u3003\u3000with\u3000a\u3000terrible\uff1b\u3000cracking\u3000falsetto\u3000that\u3000was\u3000seriously\u3000off\u3000key\u3002\u3000He\u3000struck\u3000poses\u3000and\u3000postures\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000auditioning\u3000for\u3000Yum\u2026Yum\u3000in\u3000an\u3000amateur\u3000production\u3000of\u3000The\u3000Mikado\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000head\u3000down\u3000into\u3000his\u3000high\uff1b\u3000rolled\u3000jacket\u3000collar\u3000like\u3000a\u3000turtle\uff1b\u3000making\u3000a\u3000low\u3000sound\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000must\u3000think\u3000Minmei’s\u3000singing\u3000is\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\uff1b\u3003\u3000Maistroff\u3000observed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Have\u3000the\u3000girl\u3000brought\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000her\u3000cousin\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000the\u3000most\u3000direct\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000diplomatic\u3000method\u3000would\u3000be\u3000for\u3000asking\u3000the\u3000emissary\u3000to\u3000please\u3000stop\u3000singing\u3002
\n
\n
\nAs\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000Minmei\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000Exedore\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000her\uff01\u3000Yes\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000stood\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000like\u3000a\u3000startled\u3000deer\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Kyle\u3000slouched\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000sulking\u3000and\u3000hostile\uff1b\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000getting\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000being\u3000pushed\u3000around\u3000by\u3000the\u3000military\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Minmei\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tired\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u3003would\u3000someone\u3000mind\u3000explaining\u3000why\u3000it\u3000was\u3000so\u3000important\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000e\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000as\u3000beautiful\u3000as\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000delicate\u3000and\u3000haunting\u3000as\u3000a\u3000princess\u3000from\u3000a\u3000fairy\u3000tale\uff1b\u3000try\u3000as\u3000he\u3000would\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000couldn’t\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000longing\u3000from\u3000welling\u3000up\u3000in\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nKyle\u3000stepped\u3000before\u3000her\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000her\u3000from\u3000harm\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000all\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000expect\u3000any\u3000answers\u3000from\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000only\u3000care\u3000about\u3000their\u3000fascist\u3000war\u3000schemes\uff1b\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3000about\u3000people\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Enough\u3000of\u3000this\u3000nonsense\uff01\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000thundered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000truculent\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000intimidated\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000thought\u3000how\u3000like\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Breetai\u3000this\u3000Micronian\u3000mander\u3000was\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000answer\u3000our\u3000questions\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000proceedings\u3000are\u3000strictly\u3000classified\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000you\u3000mention\u3000them\u3000to\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000personally\u3000see\u3000that\u3000you\u3000rue\u3000this\u3000day\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000give\u3000us\u3000your\u3000total\u3000cooperation\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000both\u3000understand\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003\u3000Minmei\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000When\u3000Kyle\u3000stood\u3000unspeaking\uff1b\u3000unresponsive\uff1b\u3000she\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000need\u3000our\u3000cooperation\u3002\u3000Hostility\u3000won’t\u3000do\u3000us\u3000any\u3000good\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000see\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000he\u3000let\u3000his\u3000irritation\u3000show\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Minister\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000would\u3000kindly\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000what\u3000your\u3000mission\u3000here\u3000is\u3000all\u3000about\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000began\u3000stoking\u3000up\u3000a\u3000favorite\u3000meerschaum\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000in\u3000its\u3000proper\u3000sequence\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\u3000earnestly\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1a\u3000My\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000being\u3000here\u3000is\u3000of\u3000crucial\u3000importance\u3000for\u3000you\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000puffed\u3000out\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000cloud\u3000that\u3000his\u3000officers\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3002\u3000Reading\u3000this\u3000alien’s\u3000mind\u3000is\u3000impossible\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reflected\u3002\u3000The\u3000song\u3000and\u3000dance\u3000had\u3000convinced\u3000him\u3000of\u3000that\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000and\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000out\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000UEDC’s\u3000subterranean\u3000plex\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000long\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000techs\u3000who\u3000were\u3000manning\u3000monitor\u3000screens\u3002\u3000All\u3000attention\u3000was\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000the\u3000impression\uff1b\u3000in\u3000subtle\u3000ways\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000world\u3000rulers\u3000were\u3000chewing\u3000their\u3000nails\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000wishing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000back\u3000onboard\u3000to\u3000help\u3000in\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\uff1b\u3000it\u3000hurt\u3000too\u3000much\u3002\u3000The\u3000emergency\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shortage\u3000of\u3000good\u3000officers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dangers\u3000of\u3000space\u3000travel\u3000during\u3000the\u3000current\u3000hostilities\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000had\u3000access\u3000to\u3000classified\u3000UEDC\u3000information\uff1b\u3000her\u3000value\u3000as\u3000an\u3000intelligence\u3000source\u2026her\u3000father\u3000had\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000justifications\u3000for\u3000keeping\u3000her\u3000right\u3000where\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000little\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000about\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000own\u3000master\u3000console\u3002\u3000The\u3000more\u3000she\u3000learned\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000convinced\u3000she\u3000was\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000serve\u3000little\u3000purpose\u3000except\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000angrier\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000started\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000her\u3000father\u3000had\u3000e\u3000in\u3000to\u3000bend\u3000down\u3000near\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000technical\u3000officers\u3000and\u3000enlisted\u3000ratings\u3000kept\u3000diligently\u3000at\u3000their\u3000work\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unwise\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000letting\u3000one’s\u3000attention\u3000stray\u3000when\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000was\u3000around\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000her\u3000father\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000popular\u3000officer\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000found\u3000it\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000make\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000her\u3000father\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000popular\u3000officer\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000found\u3000it\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000make\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000admiral’s\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000effectively\u3000frozen\u3000out\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000removed\u3000her\u3000headset\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000like\u3000your\u3000new\u3000job\uff1f\u3000Everything\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Fine\uff1b\u3000fine\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000lied\uff1b\u3000and\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000fleet\u3000have\u3000reached\u3000a\u3000cease\u2026fire\u3000agreement\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000what\u3000I\u3000hear\uff1b\u3003\u3000her\u3000father\u3000said\u3000nonmittally\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sound\u3000as\u3000upbeat\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000if\u3000things\u3000keep\u3000going\u3000this\u3000way\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000turned\u3000away\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000discouragement\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000all\u3000so\u3000blind\u3000down\u3000here\u3000in\u3000their\u3000little\u3000rabbit\u3000warren\uff01\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000trust\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000what\u3000we\u3000can\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000would\u3000do\u3000no\u3000good\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000again\u3000that\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000main\u3000gun\u3000was\u3000easily\u3000a\u3000match\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000from\u3000waging\u3000their\u3000war\u3002\u3000The\u3000UEDC\u3000planners\uff1b\u3000engineers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rulers\u3000had\u3000too\u3000much\u3000at\u3000stake\u3000and\u3000only\u3000scoffed\u3000when\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000point\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000saw\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000yield\u3000the\u3000point\uff1b\u3000she\u3000simply\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000arguing\u3000it\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000work\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000If\u3000anything\u3000es\u3000up\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000central\u3000core\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lisa\u3000said\u3000wearily\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FOURTEEN
\n
\nI\u3000was\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000Lang\u3000in\u3000those\u3000days\u3000to\u3000be\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000confidential\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000Protoculture\u3000source\u3000to\u3000which\u3000Exedore\u3000was\u3000referring\u3002\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000but\u3000known\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000those\u3000great\uff1b\u3000sealed\u3000reflex\u3000furnaces\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000formulated\u3000an\u3000immortal\u3000update\u3000to\u3000Einstein’s\u3000remark\uff1a\u3000Protoculture\u3000doesn’t\u3000play\u3000dice\u3000with\u3000the\u3000universe\uff1b\u3000but\u3000It\u3000certainly\u3000knows\u3000how\u3000to\u3000palm\u3000an\u3000ace\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crucial\u3000moment\uff01
\nDr\u3002\u3000Lazlo\u3000Zand\uff1b\u3000On\u3000Earth\u3000As\u3000It\u3000Is\u3000in\u3000Hell\uff1a\u3000Recollections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War
\n
\n\u3003Officer\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\uff1b\u3000what\u3000is\u3000your\u3000military\u3000rank\uff1f\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vaulted\u3000hearing\u3000chamber\u3002
\n
\nKyle\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000surly\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000civilian\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000made\u3000a\u3000brief\uff1b\u3000mocking\u3000chuckle\u3002\u3000\u3003With\u3000your\u3000superpowers\uff1f\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKyle\u3000bared\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3000at\u3000the\u3000alien\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000talking\u3000about\uff01\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000looked\u3000around\uff1b\u3000confused\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000satisfied\u3000that\u3000these\u3000Micronians\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000their\u3000best\u3000to\uff1b\u3000to\u3000\u3003level\u3000with\u3003\u3000him\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Colonel\u3000Maistroff\u3000had\u3000put\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000way\u3000over\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000intervened\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Minister\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000This\u3000man\u3000possesses\u3000no\u3000superpowers\u3002\u3000For\u3000that\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000us\u3000in\u3000this\u3000room\u3000possess\u3000the\u3000powers\u3000you’re\u3000referring\u3000to\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000gamble\u3002\u3000The\u3000bluff\u3000of\u3000human\u3000superpowers\u3000hadn’t\u3000made\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000go\u3000away\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000sustained\u3000for\u3000very\u3000long\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000murky\u3000about\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000war\uff1b\u3000something\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000suspect\u3000that\u3000a\u3000basic\u3000breakdown\u3000in\u3000munication\u3000was\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000thing\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000time\u3000for\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u2026we\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000on\u3000our\u3000monitors\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000protested\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000movie\uff1b\u3000merely\u3000a\u3000form\u3000of\u3000entertainment\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000scratching\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000think\u3000how\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000better\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000true\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3002\u3002\u3002simply\u3000for\u3000enjoyment\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000table\u3000that\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000enjoyment\u3000he\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000lore\u3000and\u3000history\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000but\u3000those\u3000were\u3000factual\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000what\u3000about\u3000your\u3000energy\u3000barrier\u3000and\u3000destruction\u3000waves\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003These\u3000are\u3000merely\u3000defensive\u3000and\u3000offensive\u3000weapons\u3000based\u3000on\u3000technology\u3000discovered\u3000in\u3000this\u3000ship\u3000when\u3000it\u3000originally\u3000crashed\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you’ve\u3000forgotten\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\uff01\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\u3000slyly\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000great\u3000genius\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters’\u3000race\uff1b\u3000Zor\uff1b\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000and\u3000its\u3000last\u3000great\u3000manufacturing\u3000source\u3000in\u3000this\u3000vessel\u3000before\u3000he\u3000dispatched\u3000it\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000Gloval\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aliens’\u3000cards\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000talks\u3000were\u3000worth\u3000it\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000questions\u3000of\u3000who\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000were\uff1b\u3000who\u3000Zor\u3000was\u3000and\u3000why\u3000he\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000set\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000intriguing\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3002\u3000The\u3000life\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3000race\u3000might\u3000be\u3000measurable\u3000in\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000even\u3000minutes\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000fne\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLang\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000his\u3000time\uff1b\u3000an\u3000intellect\u3000worthy\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000with\u3000Newton\u3000and\u3000Einstein\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000a\u3000man\u3000frustrated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000many\u3000mysteries\u3000of\u3000Robotechnology\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000monitoring\u3000the\u3000exchanges\u3000in\u3000a\u3000waiting\u3000room\u3000and\u3000was\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000Exedore\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000Kyle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000there\u3000who\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000Lang\u3000before\u3000got\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shock\u3000and\u3000understood\u3000why\u3000he\u3000shunned\u3000the\u3000limelight\u3002\u3000Normal\u2026looking\u3000in\u3000every\u3000other\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000man\u3000had\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000all\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000liquid\u3000iris\u2026no\u3000pupil\u3000or\u3000white\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000day\u3000well\uff1b\u3000hours\u3000after\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000crash\u3000in\u30001999\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\uff1b\u3000Lang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000others\u3000had\u3000first\u3000boarded\u3000the\u3000smoking\u3000wreck\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000an\u3000astounding\u3000technology\uff1b\u3000fearsome\u3000mecha\u3000guardians\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bewildering\u3000time\u3000paradoxes\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000had\u3000also\u3000discovered\u3000a\u3000recorded\u3000warning\u3000that\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000fathom\u3002\u3000And\u3000Lang\uff1b\u3000yielding\u3000to\u3000an\u3000unquenchable\u3000thirst\u3000for\u3000more\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000more\u3000interface\uff1b\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000subjected\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000direct\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u3000that\u3000animated\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000when\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000himself\u3000became\u3000different\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000hearing\u3000celestial\u3000music\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000genius\u3000that\u3000had\u3000allowed\u3000the\u3000rebuilding\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000construction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Defense\u3000Force\u3002
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000Lang\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000heard\u3000Protoculture\u3000mentioned\u3000many\u3000times\uff1b\u3000Emissary\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000now\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore’s\u3000brows\u3000shot\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000you\u3000still\u3000insist\u3000that\u3000you\u3000Micronians\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1f\u3000Protoculture\u3000is\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000energy\u3000source\u3000in\u3000the\u3000universe\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLang’s\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000bored\u3000into\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000find\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000that\u3000nature\u3000in\u3000this\u3000vessel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000searching\u3000since\u3000your\u3000fleet\u3000first\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000solar\u3000system\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000has\u3000happened\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000e\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3000please\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000rose\u3000but\u3000told\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000all\u3000kindly\u3000remain\u3000here\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000jeep\u3000was\u3000waiting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000through\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000passages\u3000and\u3000byways\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3000took\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000Very\u3000shortly\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000engineering\u3000section\uff1b\u3000just\u3000forward\u3000of\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000reflex\u3000engines\u3000that\u3000were\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000power\u3000plant\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000in\u3000a\u3000large\u3000partment\u3000that\u3000had\u3000once\u3000held\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000spacefold\u3000apparatus\u3002\u3000Now\u3000there\u3000was\u3000some\u3000leftover\u3000machinery\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pin\u2026point\u3000barrier\u3000system\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000main\u3000defensive\u3000weapon\u3000on\u3000its\u3000precarious\u3000trip\u3000across\u3000the\u3000solar\u3000system\u3002\u3000As\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000for\u3000years\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000also\u3000the\u3000lights\u3002
\n
\n\u3003When\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000first\u3000attacked\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000we\u3000made\u3000our\u3000spacefold\u3000jump\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000safety\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lang\u3000was\u3000explaining\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000had\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000experiment\uff1b\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000test\u3002\u3000A\u3000jump\u3000that\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000take\u3000us\u3000beyond\u3000our\u3000moon’s\u3000orbit\u3000took\u3000us\u3000instead\u3000to\u3000the\u3000orbit\u3000of\u3000Pluto\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000remember\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\uff1b\u3000scratching\u3000his\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000giant\uff1b\u3000almost\u2026empty\u3000partment\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000made\u3000the\u3000jump\u3000too\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000planetary\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000we\u3000were\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000you\u3000were\u3000suicidal\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000gave\u3000us\u3000no\u3000choice\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000appalling\u3000devastation\u3000and\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000life\u3000that\u3000day\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000put\u3000it\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wake\u3000of\u3000the\u3000jump\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lang\u3000went\u3000on\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000spacefold\u3000apparatus\u3000just\u3002\u3002\u3002disappeared\u3002\u3000Utterly\uff01\u3000Simply\u3000faded\u3000from\u3000view\u3000and\u3000was\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000in\u3000its\u3000place\u3000were\u3000those\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLang\u3000meant\u3000the\u3000lights\uff1a\u3000darting\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000sparks\uff1b\u3000fireflies\u3000and\u3000tiny\u3000ets\u3000that\u3000swarmed\u3000and\u3000drifted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000space\u3000where\u3000the\u3000spacefold\u3000apparatus\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000I\u3000borrow\u3000some\u3000of\u3000those\u3000instruments\u3000you’ve\u3000brought\uff1b\u3000Doctor\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000took\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3000time\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000his\u3000suspicions\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1a\u3000definite\u3000residual\u3000Protoculture\u3000signature\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Matrix\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000detect\u3000no\u3000other\u3000great\u3000manufacturing\u3000mass\uff1b\u3000only\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000animating\u3000charges\u3000of\u3000your\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000the\u3000reflex\u3000furnaces\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000detector\u3000numbly\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000Zor\uff1b\u3000gone\uff01\u3000This\u3000long\u3000war\u3000fought\u3000for\u3000nothing\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLang\u3000patted\u3000Exedore’s\u3000shoulder\u3000miseratingly\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000someday\u3000we\u3000will\u3000find\u3000it\u3000again\uff1b\u3000who\u3000can\u3000say\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000was\u3000shocked\u3000to\u3000see\u3000how\u3000quickly\u3000the\u3000two\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000easy\u3000in\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000pany\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hearing\u3000room\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000still\u3000have\u3000a\u3000great\u3000deal\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000about\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nDeep\u3000within\u3000the\u3000sealed\u3000fastness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mighty\u3000reflex\u3000engines\uff1b\u3000something\u3000stirred\u3000and\u3000then\u3000was\u3000quiet\u3000again\u3002\u3000It\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000detected\u3000by\u3000Lang’s\u3000relatively\u3000primitive\u3000instruments\uff1b\u3000was\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000hiding\u3000itself\u3000even\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi’s\u3000scanners\u3000at\u3000this\u3000range\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000Zor\u3000had\u3000provided\uff1b\u3000the\u3000last\u3000Protoculture\u3000Matrix\u3000was\u3000safe\uff1b\u3000biding\u3000its\u3000time\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000until\u3000his\u3000great\u3000Vision\u3000should\u3000e\u3000to\u3000pass\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000does\u3000appear\u3000we’ve\u3000made\u3000a\u3000great\u3000mistake\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000confessed\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000back\u3000in\u3000their\u3000places\u3002\u3000\u3003But\uff01\u3000You\u3000cannot\u3000possibly\u3000deny\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000female’s\u3000singing\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000dream\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000responded\u3000simply\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000a\u3000doubtful\u3000look\u3000from\u3000Colonel\u3000Maistroff\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Bron\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000won’t\u3000deny\u3000it\u3000because\u3000it’s\u3000true\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Minmei’s\u3000song\u3000has\u3000incredible\u3000power\uff01\u3003\u3000Rico\u3000added\uff1b\u3000jumping\u3000up\u3000too\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\uff1b\u3000for\u3000her\u3000part\uff1b\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000shy\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000some\u3000secret\u3000wisdom\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000have\u3000encountered\u3000something\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000told\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000very\u3000long\u3000time\u3000ago\u3000we\u3000were\u3000exposed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000c \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000have\u3000encountered\u3000something\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000told\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000very\u3000long\u3000time\u3000ago\u3000we\u3000were\u3000exposed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000culture\u3000like\u3000yours\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000nearly\u3000destroyed\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000was\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000ask\u3002
\n
\nExedore’s\u3000protruding\uff1b\u3000pinpoint\u3000eyes\u3000roamed\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000is\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000life\u3002\u3000Our\u3000entire\u3000history\u3000is\u3000made\u3000up\u3000of\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000battle\u3000after\u3000glorious\u3000battle\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000exposure\u3000to\u3000an\u3000emotionally\u3000open\u3000society\u3000like\u3000yours\u3000made\u3000our\u3000soldiers\u3000refuse\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000tolerated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000infection\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000cleansed\u3002\u3000Loyal\u3000soldiers\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000themselves\u3000came\u3000in\u3000to\u3000exterminate\u3000all\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000exposed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000contagion\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000spies\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000were\u3000pale\u3000and\u3000silent\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000went\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003Dolza\uff1b\u3000our\u3000supreme\u3000mander\uff1b\u3000will\u3000do\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000his\u3000power\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000making\u3000the\u3000mistake\u3000our\u3000ancestors\u3000did\u3002\u3000When\u3000and\u3000if\u3000he\u3000reads\u3000my\u3000report\uff1b\u3000he\u3000will\u3000certainly\u3000launch\u3000an\u3000all\u2026out\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000in\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000Matrix\u3000is\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval’s\u3000eyes\u3000shifted\u3000to\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000same\u3000one\u3000mentioned\u3000in\u3000your\u3000report\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000licked\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003\u3000Almost\u3000five\u3000million\u3000warships\uff01
\n
\nExedore\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000see\uff1b\u3000these\u3000new\u3000developments\u2026the\u3000defections\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Minmei\u3000cult\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mating\u3000of\u3000our\u3000greatest\u3000warrior\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000pilots\u2026change\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000picture\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000their\u3000riveted\u3000attention\u3002\u3000\u3003For\uff1b\u3000you\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003unless\u3000some\u3000solution\u3000can\u3000be\u3000found\uff1b\u3000we\u2026Breetai’s\u3000forces\u2026are\u3000in\u3000as\u3000great\u3000a\u3000danger\u3000from\u3000Dolza\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000as\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nBreetai\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000station\u3000overlooking\u3000his\u3000flagship’s\u3000bridge\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000projecbeam\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000two\u2026dimensional\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Azonia\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000had\u3000replaced\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000war\u3000against\u3000the\u3000humans\uff1b\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000to\u3000a\u3000successful\u3000conclusion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000been\u3000replaced\u3000in\u3000turn\u3000by\u3000Breetai\u3002
\n
\n\u3003mander\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000began\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000long\u3000do\u3000you\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000this\u3000situation\u3000to\u3000continue\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mediumsize\uff1b\u3000intense\u3000Zentraedi\u3000female\u3000with\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000high\u3000aspirations\u3002\u3000Her\u3000short\uff1b\u3000frizzy\u3000hairstyle\u3000puffed\u3000within\u3000the\u3000confinement\u3000of\u3000her\u3000high\uff1b\u3000rolled\u3000collar\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000folded\u3000on\u3000his\u3000great\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000answered\u3000in\u3000his\u3000rumbling\uff1b\u3000echoing\u3000bass\uff1b\u3000\u3003Any\u3000continuation\u3000of\u3000hostilities\u3000would\u3000be\u3000unwise\u3000in\u3000light\u3000of\u3000recent\u3000events\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000sneered\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000expect\u3000a\u3000different\u3000solution\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000arrives\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000leapt\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Grand\u3000Fleet\uff1f\u3000What\u3000have\u3000you\u3000done\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000smug\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000reported\u3000my\u3000findings\u3000to\u3000the\u3000supreme\u3000mander\u3002\u3000And\u3000his\u3000Excellency\u3000Dolza\u3000has\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000set\u3000the\u3000fleet\u3000into\u3000motion\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000Dolza\u3000has\u3000decided\u3000the\u3000Micronians\u3000are\u3000a\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000has\u3000he\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000has\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000triumphantly\u3002
\n
\nBreetai’s\u3000anger\u3000welled\u3000up\u3000like\u3000a\u3000volcano\uff1b\u3000but\u3000suddenly\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000laughing\u3000like\u3000a\u3000grim\u3000god\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000all\u3000worlds\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000Azonia\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000him\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000thrown\u3000back\uff1b\u3000roaring\uff1b\u3000light\u3000flashing\u3000off\u3000his\u3000metallic\u3000skullpiece\u3000and\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000sinking\u3000sensation\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pit\u3000of\u3000her\u3000stomach\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000imbecile\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000when\u3000he\u3000could\u3000talk\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000history\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\uff1f\u3000No\uff1b\u3000no\u3000self\u2026respecting\u3000Zentraedi\u3000cares\uff01\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000know\u3000this\uff1b\u3000my\u3000scheming\u3000friend\uff1a\u3000We’re\u3000doomed\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000humans\uff01\u3000We\u3000have\u3000been\u3000infected\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\u2026all\u2026are\u3000now\u3000considered\u3000plague\u3000carriers\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000asked\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000handset\u3000tightly\u3000in\u3000trembling\u3000fist\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000munications\u3000patch\u3000had\u3000been\u3000set\u3000up\u3000hastily\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000chance\u3000for\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000to\u3000encrypt\u3000their\u3000exchange\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000know\u3000that\u3000human\u3000techs\u3000had\u3000monitored\u3000whatever\u3000Breetai\u3000had\u3000said\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000bent\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000hear\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000what\u3000this\u3000means\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000understand\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000returned\u3000the\u3000handset\u3000to\u3000its\u3000cradle\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Gloval\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000prepare\u3000yourselves\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000this\u3000star\u3000system\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000help\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval’s\u3000face\u3000hardened\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000defenseless\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000squared\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000\u3003Out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\uff01\u3000We\u3000are\u3000sworn\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000our\u3000planet\u3002\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000was\u3000nodding\u3000wearily\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000understand\u3002\u3000We\u3000Zentraedi\u3000would\u3000not\u3000act\u3000any\u3000differently\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000more\uff1b\u3000without\u3000your\u3000help\uff1b\u3000escape\u3000for\u3000us\u3000would\u3000be\u3000all\u3000but\u3000hopeless\u3002\u3000The\u3000Protoculture\u3000Matrix\u3000was\u3000our\u3000great\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000success\uff1b\u3000the\u3000armada’s\u3000supplies\u3000are\u3000all\u3000but\u3000exhausted\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000seems\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000fighting\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000enemy\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMaistroff\u3000exploded\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000say\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000Lord\u3000Breetai\u3000has\u3000just\u3000informed\u3000me\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000is\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000this\u3000star\u3000system\u3002\u3000That\u3000means\u3000four\u3000million\u3000eight\u3000hundred\u3000thousand\u3000ships\u3000with\u3000the\u3000destructive\u3000force\u3000of\u3000a\u3000supernova\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000said\u3000matter\u2026of\u2026factly\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000fight\u3000it\u3000shall\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000crazy\uff01\u3003\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000you\u3000can\u3000beat\u3000a\u3000fleet\u3000like\u3000that\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000finished\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMax\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000Miriya’s\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000his\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000her\u3000gently\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000so\u3000afraid\u3000that\u3000this\u3000might\u3000be\u3000the\u3000end\u3000for\u3000us\u3002\u3000Just\u3000when\u3000we’ve\u3000found\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000squeezed\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000care\uff1b\u3000my\u3000love\uff1b\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000I’m\u3000at\u3000your\u3000side\u3000in\u3000battle\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000U\u2026shaped\u3000table\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000across\u3000at\u3000them\u3000with\u3000envy\u3002\u3000\u3003Together\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000had\u3000been\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000various\u3000reactions\u3000carefully\u3000and\u3000was\u3000satisfied\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000mighty\u3000Breetai\u3000that\u3000among\u3000the\u3000military\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000worthy\u3000allies\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000over\u3000yet\uff01\u3000There\u3000might\u3000still\u3000be\u3000a\u3000way\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Explain\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000bade\u3000him\uff1b\u3000stone\u2026faced\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000this\u3000vessel\u3000has\u3000proved\u3000itself\u3000unbeatable\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000need\u3000more\u3000information\u3000before\u3000I\u3000can\u3000be\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000we\u3000can\u3000win\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FIFTEEN
\n
\nI\u3000have\u3000therefore\u3000concluded\u3000that\u3000Breetai\u3000and\u3000his\u3000subordinates\u3000and\u3000all\u3000those\u3000under\u3000their\u3000mand\u3000now\u3000entertain\u3000such\u3000primitive\u3000behavioral\u3000quirks\u3000and\u3000abstruse\u3000thought\u3000processes\u3000as\u3000to\u3000set\u3000them\u3000pletely\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000species\u3000and\u3000make\u3000them\u3000a\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000us\u3000all\u3002
\nEvery\u3000available\u3000unit\u3000will\u3000therefore\u3000be\u3000mustered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000action\u3000dictated\u3000by\u3000our\u3000ancient\u3000lore\u3002
\nFrom\u3000Dolza’s\u3000personal\u3000log
\n
\n\u3003Repeating\u3000this\u3000announcement\uff1b\u3000all\u3000military\u3000personnel\u3000are\u3000to\u3000report\u3000for\u3000duty\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000All\u3000leaves\u3000are\u3000canceled\u3002\u3000All\u3000reservists\u3000are\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000their\u3000units\u3000for\u3000immediate\u3000mobilization\u3002\u3000Civilians\u3000are\u3000directed\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000by\u3000for\u3000further\u3000directives\uff1b\u3000we\u3000will\u3000be\u3000making\u3000announcements\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000further\u3000information\u3000is\u3000available\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLisa\u3000wheeled\u3000her\u3000jeep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000headquarters\u3000cavernous\u3000parking\u3000lot\u3000on\u3000two\u3000wheels\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000off\u3000the\u3000radio\u3002\u3000She\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000anything\u3000on\u3000the\u3000military\u3000freqs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000civvie\u3000bands\u3000just\u3000kept\u3000repeating\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000dashed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000HQ\uff1b\u3000flashing\u3000her\u3000security\u3000badge\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000room\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000classified\u3000announcements\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sensors\u3000are\u3000still\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000extremely\u3000high\u3000energy\u3000levels\u3000from\u3000lunar\u3000and\u3000near\u2026Earth\u3000regions\u3002\u3000This\u3000activity\u3000is\u3000characteristic\u3000of\u3000enemy\u3000spacefold\u3000operations\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000they\u3000are\u3000of\u3000a\u3000magnitude\u3000never\u3000before\u3000encountered\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000spotted\u3000her\u3000father\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000mind’s\u3000eye\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000last\u3000seen\u3000it\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000part\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000in\u3000and\u3000around\u3000the\u3000moonlet\u2026size\u3000hive\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Dolza’s\u3000headquarters\u3000base\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000doesn’t\u3000look\u3000good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000to\u3000a\u3000G3\u3000staff\u3000modore\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Admiral\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000father\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000traded\u3000salutes\u3000with\u3000the\u3000staffer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000came\u3000over\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000her\u3000to\u3000a\u3000conference\u3000room\u3002\u3000He\u3000sounded\u3000brusque\u3000as\u3000the\u3000door\u3000slid\u3000shut\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1f\u3000What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Father\uff1b\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000didn’t\u3000reprimand\u3000her\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lapse\u3000in\u3000formality\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000once\u3000would\u3000have\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sympathy\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000will\u3000be\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000mitting\u3000it\u3000to\u3000drawing\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000fire\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000our\u3000forces\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000can’t\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000sound\u3000sorry\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000other\u3000choice\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000accepted\u3000that\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000around\u3000headquarters\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000now\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000her\u3000father\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000a\u3000leader\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000an\u3000apologist\uff1b\u3000an\u3000errand\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000real\u3000rulers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000planet\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000gathered\u3000her\u3000self\u2026control\u3002\u3000\u3003Father\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000favor\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000send\u3000me\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000pletely\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\uff01\u3003
\n
\nNow\u3000it\u3000was\u3000her\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000flare\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000place\u3000is\u3000with\u3000my\u3000crew\uff1b\u3000my\u3000captain\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000around\u3000to\u3000indicate\u3000the\u3000scurrying\u3000futility\u3000of\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000base\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000here\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000people\u3000I\u3000fought\u3000beside\u3000need\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000knew\u3000then\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000lost\u3000her\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000place\u3000through\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000he\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000have\u3000been\u3000so\u3000deluded\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sham\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000were\u3000frightened\u3000men\u3000who\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000world\u3000down\u3000around\u3000them\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000wrong\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000shook\u3000it\u3000off\uff1b\u3000his\u3000oath\u3000to\u3000his\u3000duty\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fore\u3000again\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000real\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000but\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000allow\u3000you\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000your\u3000life\u3000away\u3000up\u3000there\u3002\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3002\u3002you’re\u3000my\u3000daughter\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000an\u3000officer\u3000in\u3000the\u3000RDF\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000said\u3000it\u3000very\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000reassign\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000angrily\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Father\u3000or\u3000no\uff1b\u3000I\u3000promise\u3000you\u3000this\uff1a\u3000If\u3000you\u3000try\u3000to\u3000leave\uff1b\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000angrily\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Father\u3000or\u3000no\uff1b\u3000I\u3000promise\u3000you\u3000this\uff1a\u3000If\u3000you\u3000try\u3000to\u3000leave\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000you\u3000thrown\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brig\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000only\u3000partly\u3000successful\u3000at\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000steady\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000despaired\u3000of\u3000ever\u3000winning\u3000the\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000family\u3002
\n
\n
\nBreetai\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000projecbeam\u3000image\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Azonia\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000didn’t\u3000mince\u3000words\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000no\u3000less\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000are\u3000no\u3000options\uff1b\u3000great\u3000Breetai\u3002\u3000Dolza\u3000will\u3000try\u3000to\u3000exterminate\u3000us\u3000now\u3000that\u3000we\u3000have\u3000been\u3000exposed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Micronians\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000face\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000be\u3000an\u3000honor\u3000to\u3000go\u3000into\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lord\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSome\u3000part\u3000of\u3000him\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000she\u3000meant\u3002\u3000Wasn’t\u3000this\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000any\u3000Zentraedi\u3000dreamed\u3000of\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hopeless\u3000fight\u3000against\u3000overwhelming\u3000odds\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clash\u3000of\u3000dreadnoughts\u3000as\u3000numerous\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stars\uff1f\u3000Wasn’t\u3000this\u3000the\u3000apocalypse\u3000to\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000looked\u3000for\u3000their\u3000version\u3000of\u3000immortality\uff1f
\n
\n\u3003mendable\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000you\u3000win\u3000every\u3000fight\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000at\u3000the\u3000high\u3000pliment\u3000he\u3000had\u3000paid\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000too\uff1b\u3000Breetai\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000face\u3000dissolved\u3000as\u3000the\u3000projecbeam\u3000image\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000another\u3002\u3000\u3003Khyron\uff1f\u3000Your\u3000intentions\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nKhyron\uff1b\u3000languid\u3000and\u3000condescending\uff1b\u3000smoothed\u3000his\u3000beautiful\u3000blue\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000my\u3000answer\u3002\u3000The\u3000odds\u3000are\u3000too\u3000great\u3002\u3000Why\u3000fight\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000win\uff1b\u3000Breetai\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Why\u3000be\u3000Zentraedi\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Khyron\uff1f\u3000But\u3000this\u3000is\u3000as\u3000I\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000you\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000so\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000light\u3000at\u3000this\u3000eleventh\u3000hour\u3002\u3000Khyron\u3000had\u3000substituted\u3000the\u3000ruthlessness\u3000and\u3000savagery\u3000that\u3000were\u3000all\u3000he\u3000had\u3000for\u3000courage\u3002\u3000The\u3000difference\u3000came\u3000forth\u3000only\u3000in\u3000moments\u3000like\u3000these\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000plain\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000Khyron’s\u3000facade\u3000broke\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000screamed\u3000at\u3000Breetai\uff1b\u3000froth\u3000leaping\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000be\u3000destroyed\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000projecbeam\u3000image\u3000vanished\u3002
\n
\n
\nOn\u3000his\u3000own\u3000flagship\uff1b\u3000Khyron\u3000sat\u3000slouched\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000chair\u3000like\u3000a\u3000wounded\u3000toad\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000his\u3000subordinate\uff1b\u3000Grel\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000coordinates\uff1f\u3003\u3000Grel\u3000asked\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000In\u3000such\u3000a\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000Khyron\u3000was\u3000easily\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000lashing\u3000out\u3000and\u3000killing\u3000any\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Anyplace\u3000else\u3000in\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000but\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Khyron\u3000brooded\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000off\u3000angrily\u3000at\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000response\u3000from\u3000Grel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Khyron\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Didn’t\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nGrel\u3000calculated\u3000his\u3000next\u3000words\u3000carefully\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000run\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKhyron\u3000barked\u3000a\u3000galling\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000think\u3000not\uff1f\u3000Watch\uff1b\u3000then\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000signaled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000engines\u3000of\u3000his\u3000flagship\u3000came\u3000up\u3000to\u3000power\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000those\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Botoru\u3000ships\u3000under\u3000his\u3000mand\u3002
\n
\nGrel\u3000licked\u3000his\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000best\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Khyron\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000speaking\u3000figuratively\u3002\u3000Khyron\u3000cherished\u3000the\u3000practice\u3000of\u3000beheading\u3000the\u3000messenger\u3000who\u3000bore\u3000bad\u3000tidings\u3002
\n
\n
\nBreetai\u3000paid\u3000little\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000maneuvers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Botorus\u3002\u3000He\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000fabric\u3000of\u3000space\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000first\u3000perturbations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cosmic\u3000String\u3000heralded\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3002
\n
\nOnce\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Dolza’s\u3000most\u3000valued\u3000subordinate\u2026had\u3000saved\u3000Dolza’s\u3000life\u3000from\u3000the\u3000very\u3000Invid\u3000attack\u3000that\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000Zor\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000contemplated\u3000the\u3000stirrings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000in\u3000advance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000reflected\u3000on\u3000the\u3000incredible\u3000way\u3000things\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Micronian\u3000star\u3000system\u3002
\n
\nHear\u3000my\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000Lord\u3000Dolza\uff01\u3000To\u3000go\u3000down\u3000in\u3000battle\u3000is\u3000all\u3000we\u3000seek\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lowest\u3002\u3000Mark\u3000me\u3000well\uff1b\u3000for\u3000this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000final\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000Breetai\uff01
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000hearing\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000people\u3000were\u3000exhausted\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000marathon\u3000went\u3000on\u3002\u3000puters\u3000and\u3000analysts\u3000were\u3000hooked\u3000in\uff1b\u3000G\u2026staff\u3000members\u3000and\u3000evaluation\u3000teams\u3000were\u3000ready\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Dolza\u3000will\u3000assume\u3000you’re\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000still\u3000animated\u3000and\u3000prim\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000tiring\u3000activity\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000will\u3000divide\u3000his\u3000fleet\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000from\u3000every\u3000side\uff1b\u3000sealing\u3000off\u3000any\u3000avenue\u3000of\u3000escape\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000maneuvering\u3000will\u3000give\u3000you\u3000your\u3000only\u3000chance\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Enough\u3000background\uff1b\u3000kindly\u3000be\u3000specific\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000snapped\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000a\u3000luminous\u3000tactical\u3000projection\u3000he\u3000had\u3000constructed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000help\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000puters\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Their\u3000flagships\u3000will\u3000be\u3000here\uff1b\u3000here\uff1b\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Dolza’s\u3000mobile\u3000base\u3000will\u3000appear\u3000here\uff1b\u3000these\u3000are\u3000my\u3000best\u3000projections\u3002
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000can\u3000destroy\u3000these\u3000vessels\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000throw\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000into\u3000chaos\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Simple\u3000military\u3000strategy\uff1b\u3003\u3000someone\u3000muttered\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000simple\u3000military\u3000strategy\u2026of\u3000all\u2026out\uff1b\u3000straightforward\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000overwhelming\u3000numbers\u2026is\u3000what\u3000has\u3000allowed\u3000our\u3000tactics\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000the\u3000same\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000countered\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000have\u3000never\u3000lost\u3000a\u3000war\u3002\u3003
\n
\nColonel\u3000Maistroff\u3000rubbed\u3000his\u3000face\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000washing\u3002\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000in\u3000short\uff1b\u3000we\u3000crush\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snake\uff01\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tactical\u3000display\uff1b\u3000pacing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000Gloval\u3000sat\u3002
\n
\n\u3003With\u3000their\u3000attack\u3000forces\u3000in\u3000disarray\uff1b\u3000our\u3000only\u3000chance\u3000for\u3000survival\u3000is\u3000to\u3000utilize\u3000the\u3000bined\u3000forces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000our\u3000battlefleet\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000already\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crude\u3000Robotech\u3000cannon\u3000in\u3000your\u3000planet’s\u3000northern\u3000hemisphere\u3000but\u3000consider\u3000it\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000element\u3000at\u3000best\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000came\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000we’re\u3000now\u3000fighting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000same\u3000side\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000clasped\u3000hands\u3000with\u3000the\u3000gnomish\u3000little\u3000man\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000am\u3000I\u3002\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000it\u3000all\u3000unbelievingly\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000without\u3000your\u3000singing\uff1b\u3000this\u3000alliance\u3000between\u3000our\u3000peoples\u3000would\u3000not\u3000have\u3000been\u3000possible\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKyle\u3000had\u3000assumed\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000chin\u3000sunk\u3000on\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000lip\u3000curled\u3002\u3000But\u3000Minmei\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000dream\u3000state\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\uff1b\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Really\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000nodded\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u3003While\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000profess\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000Micronians\uff1b\u3000I\u3000now\u3000realize\u3000the\u3000importance\u3000of\u3000your\u3000singing\u3002\u3000It\u3000touches\u3000emotional\u3000resources\u3000to\u3000which\u3000we\u3000Zentraedi\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000access\u3000before\u2026a\u3000courage\u3000that\u3000is\u3000beyond\u3000mere\u3000courage\u3000in\u3000battle\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000blush\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000could\u3000have\u3000surprised\u3000them\u3000more\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Kyle\u3000was\u3000shocked\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Will\u3002\u3002\u3002will\u3000you\u3000sing\u3000for\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000got\u3000out\uff1b\u3000face\u3000coloring\u3000furiously\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000that\u3000we\u3000may\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000victory\uff1f\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000in\u3000that\u3000room\u3000where\u3000the\u3000plans\u3000were\u3000ing\u3000together\u3000that\u3000would\u3000spell\u3000the\u3000death\u3000or\u3000life\u3000of\u3000worlds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000survival\u3000or\u3000slaughter\u3000of\u3000billions\u3002\u3000She\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000sang\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000clear\u3000as\u3000polished\u3000diamond\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000sang\u3000\u3003To\u3000Be\u3000in\u3000Love\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000first\u3000positions\uff1b\u3000still\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000favorites\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000song\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000it\u3000of\u3000armies\u3000or\u3000battles\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000about\u3000a\u3000closeness\u3000between\u3000two\u3000lovers\u3002
\n
\nExedore\u3000and\u3000the\u3000three\u3000former\u3000spies\u3000were\u3000mesmerized\u3002\u3000Kyle\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000indifferent\u3002\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000watched\u3000and\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000immersed\u3002\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000soared\u3000to\u3000rebound\u3000from\u3000the\u3000domed\u3000ceiling\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000was\u3000transfixed\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000at\u3000first\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000her\u3000any\u3000less\u3000desirable\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000then\u3000a\u3000new\u3000sound\u3000came\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sound\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000even\u3000through\u3000the\u3000intervening\u3000decks\u3000and\u3000bulkheads\u3002
\n
\nOn\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000decks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000elevators\u3000were\u3000at\u3000work\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000Veritechs\u3000for\u3000cat\u3000launch\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000final\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000finder\u3000beams\u3000had\u3000done\u3000their\u3000work\u3002\u3000Now\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000brutal\u3000application\u3000of\u3000force\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000warp\u3000and\u3000woof\u3000of\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000were\u3000ripped\u3000apart\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000refined\u3000their\u3000targeting\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000cosmic\u3000bow\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000incandescent\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000a\u3000green\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000appear\u2026until\u3000it\u3000became\u3000clear\u3000that\u3000every\u3000last\u3000mote\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3000was\u3000a\u3000warship\u3002
\n
\nAnother\u3000cloud\u3000appeared\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000and\u3000another\u3002\u3000Then\u3000two\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000then\u3000three\u3002\u3000And\u3000soon\u3000the\u3000stars\u3000were\u3000blotted\u3000out\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000handfuls\u3000of\u3000sand\u3000had\u3000suddenly\u3000bee\u3000ugly\u3000battlecraft\u3002\u3000More\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\uff1b\u3000in\u3000dense\uff1b\u3000well\u2026ordered\u3000formations\uff1b\u3000thicker\u3000than\u3000any\u3000hive\u3000swarm\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000are\u3000too\u3000many\u3000for\u3000sensors\u3000to\u3000count\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sweating\uff1b\u3000blinking\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000glasses\u3002\u3000\u3003Too\u3000many\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000told\u3000his\u3000daughter\u3000gruffly\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000this\u3000later\u2026\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000PA\u3000interrupted\u3002\u3000\u3003Sensors\u3000register\u3000immeasurable\u3000defold\u3000activity\u3002\u3000Estimated\u3000enemy\u3000strength\u3000one\u3000million\uff1b\u3000three\u3000hundred\u2026correction\uff1b\u3000two\u3000million\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000thousand\u2026stand\u3000by\uff01\u3000Stand\u3000by\uff01\u3000More\u3000enemy\u3000units\u3000arriving\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSome\u3000other\uff1b\u3000less\u3000hysterical\u3000voice\u3000cut\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Battle\u3000stations\u3002\u3000Repeat\uff1b\u3000battle\u3000stations\u3002\u3003\u3000Alarms\u3000and\u3000sirens\u3000sounded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000nobody\u3000had\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000drill\u3000this\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000swallowed\uff1b\u3000going\u3000pale\u3002
\n
\n
\nEarth\u3000was\u3000engulfed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000net\u3000of\u3000enemy\u3000warships\u3002\u3000They\u3000blotted\u3000out\u3000the\u3000sun’s\u3000light\uff1b\u3000appearing\u3000in\u3000their\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000thousands\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000up\u3000position\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000confrontation\u3002
\n
\n
\nClaudia’s\u3000face\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hearing\u3000chamber\u3000on\u3000a\u3000display\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000movie\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003Captain\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000monitor\u3000three\u3000shows\u3000enemy\u3000positions\u3000over\u3000the\u3000western\u3000hemisphere\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000view\u3000came\u3000up\u3002\u3000Still\u3000the\u3000sinister\u3000warcraft\u3000poured\u3000into\u3000Earth\u3000orbit\u3000from\u3000nothingness\u3002\u3000The\u3000drifting\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000them\u3000stretched\uff1b\u3000established\u3000intervals\uff1b\u3000deployed\u3000for\u3000total\u3000coverage\u3002\u3000Great\u3000blotches\u3000of\u3000green\uff1b\u3000whole\u3000clustered\u3000space\u3000navies\uff1b\u3000were\u3000painted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000picture\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000this\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000was\u3000falling\uff1b\u3000in\u3000time\u2026lapse\u3000photography\uff1b\u3000under\u3000a\u3000leprous\u3000infection\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000bat\u3000green\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\u3000could\u3000only\u3000stare\uff1b\u3000her\u3000song\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000took\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000granted\u3000the\u3000time\u3000they\u3000had\u3000had\u3000together\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000Kyle\u3000was\u3000aghast\u3002\u3000If\u3000there\u3000was\u3000one\u3000there\u3000who\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mood\u3000for\u3000the\u3000scene\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3002\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000spread\u3000and\u3000grow\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000left\u3000to\u3000lose\u3002\u3000Okay\uff1a\u3000A\u3000figh \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n to\u3000lose\u3002\u3000Okay\uff1a\u3000A\u3000fight\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3002
\n
\n
\nBreetai\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000displays\u3000that\u3000were\u3000still\u3000functioning\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000watched\u3000in\u3000awe\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3002\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000single\u3000bat\u3000fold\u3000jump\u3000operation\u3000in\u3000history\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000came\u3000off\u3000meticulously\u3002\u3000Dolza\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000everything\u3000right\u3000so\u3000far\u3002
\n
\nBreetai’s\u3000clifflike\u3000jaw\u3000set\u3002\u3000Opening\u3000moves\u3000and\u3000endgame\u3000were\u3000two\u3000different\u3000things\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000night\u3000sky\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\u3000was\u3000lighter\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000reflections\u3000of\u3000sunlight\u3000from\u3000the\u3000light\u3000underbellies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warships\u3000taking\u3000up\u3000orbit\u3002\u3000The\u3000stars\u3000were\u3000obscured\uff1b\u3000hundreds\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nWatching\u3000the\u3000screens\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000father\u3000moan\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000by\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000that\u3000he\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000far\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000reports\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aliens’\u3000strength\u3000were\u3000accurate\u3000and\u3000that\u3000five\u3000million\u3000ships\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000envisioned\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SIXTEEN
\n
\nAnd\u3000so\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mandala\u3000spun\uff1b\u3000Two\u3000halves\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000They\u3000both\u3000were\u3000one
\nMingtao\uff1b\u3000Protoculture\uff1a\u3000Journey\u3000Beyond\u3000Mecha
\n
\nAmong\u3000all\u3000the\u3000announcements\u3000of\u3000the\u3000loading\u3000of\u3000Decamissiles\uff1b\u3000the\u3000manning\u3000of\u3000gun\u3000turrets\uff1b\u3000the\u3000frantic\u3000coordinating\u3000of\u3000target\u2026acquisition\u3000and\u3000threat\u2026priority\u3000puters\uff1b\u3000there\u3000came\u3000word\u3000that\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000was\u3000to\u3000report\u3000to\u3000its\u3000fighters\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Max\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000and\u3000then\u3000up\u3000at\u3000his\u3000wife\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000really\u3000at\u3000a\u3000loss\u3002\u3000Some\u3000traditionalism\u3000said\u3000that\u3000he\u3000should\u3000shield\u3000her\u3000from\u3000harm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Miriya\u3000was\u3000a\u3000better\u3000flier\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000aboard\u3000except\u3000relax\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000anywhere\u3002
\n
\nMore\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000behind\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Maxmillian\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000him\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000in\u3000an\u3000amazingly\u3000short\u3000time\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000both\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000smile\u3000exactly\u3000the\u3000same\u3000slow\u3000smile\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000at\u3000exactly\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000suppress\u3000his\u3000envy\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000put\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000around\u3000his\u3000wife’s\u3000slim\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000Rick\u3000a\u3000wave\u3002\u3000\u3003See\u3000you\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000boss\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Count\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000waved\u3000at\u3000them\u3000with\u3000phony\u3000cheer\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000them\u3000go\u3000off\u3000to\u3000suit\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nOthers\u3000were\u3000finding\u3000their\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hearing\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000Gloval\u3000and\u3000Exedore\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000heavy\u2026hitters\u3000were\u3000already\u3000gone\u3002\u3000The\u3000recording\u3000techs\u3000were\u3000wrapping\u3000things\u3000up\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000double\u3000in\u3000brass\u3000on\u3000bat\u3000assignments\u3002
\n
\nOnly\u3000Kyle\u3000and\u3000Minmei\u3000were\u3000left\uff1b\u3000uncertain\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000place\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000them\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3000out\u3000there\u3000where\u3000the\u3000void\u3000met\u3000Earth’s\u3000atmosphere\u3002\u3000Millions\u3000of\u3000ships\u3000were\u3000forming\u3000up\u3000for\u3000a\u3000greater\u3000battle\u3000than\u3000even\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nWhich\u3000meant\u3000the\u3000future\u3000looked\u3000very\u3000dim\u3000for\u3000one\u3000little\u3000VT\u3000leader\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000late\u3000into\u3000the\u3000business\u3000of\u3000war\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000decided\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000and\u3000sprinted\u3000off\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Minmei\u3000stood\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000leading\u3000to\u3000the\u3000table\u3000podium\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000below\u3002\u3000\u3003Minmei\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000oddly\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Rick\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000read\u3000her\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000understand\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000startling\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Kyle\u3000was\u3000at\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000angry\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nNot\u3000that\u3000Kyle\u3000mattered\u3000anymore\uff1b\u3000very\u3000little\u3000did\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000fumbled\u3000for\u3000words\uff1b\u3000not\u3000ing\u3000up\u3000with\u3000any\u3000that\u3000would\u3000express\u3000what\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000managing\u3000to\u3000get\u3000started\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000he\u3000got\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000good\u3000at\u3000this\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000did\uff1b\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000long\u3000days\u3000and\u3000nights\u3000they\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000stranded\u3000together\uff1b\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000from\u3000more\u3000recent\u3000times\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000all\u3000but\u3000inarticulate\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000I\u3000might\u3000not\u3000see\u3000you\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000went\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u2026that\u3000I\u3000love\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000hands\u3000flew\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000like\u3000frightened\u3000birds\u3002\u3000She\u3000mouthed\u3000words\u3000that\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sound\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Had\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000bitter\u2026sweetly\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000care\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000left\u3000to\u3000suit\u3000up\uff1b\u3000already\u3000late\u3000in\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000launch\u3000schedule\u3000of\u3000the\u3000apocalypse\uff1b\u3000heels\u3000clicking\u3000emptily\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000frozen\u3000by\u3000his\u3000words\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000move\u3000again\u3000only\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hatch\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Minmei\u3000hurried\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nKyle\u3000was\u3000next\u3000to\u3000her\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000her\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000her\u3000up\u3000short\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000try\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000him\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000doings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warmakers\u3000were\u3000their\u3000own\u3000concern\uff1b\u3000Kyle\u3000had\u3000loved\u3000Minmei\u3000too\u3000long\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000her\u3000to\u3000them\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000struggled\u3000hopelessly\u3000to\u3000free\u3000her\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000the\u3000black\u3000hair\u3000whipping\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000go\uff01\u3000I’\u3000have\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\uff01\u3000Kyle\uff1b\u3000let\u3000me\u3000go\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000hate\u3000you\u3000forever\uff01\u3003
\n
\nFingers\u3000that\u3000could\u3000have\u3000tightened\u3000like\u3000a\u3000vise\u3000released\u3000instead\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000force\u3000her\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000there\u3000but\u3000not\u3000a\u3000single\u3000one\u3000to\u3000take\u3000away\u3000her\u3000feelings\u3000for\u3000Hunter\u3000or\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000without\u3000making\u3000her\u3000hate\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000strong\u3000as\u3000steel\uff1b\u3000went\u3000limp\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000her\u3000go\u3002\u3000Minmei\u3000wrenched\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000free\u3000and\u3000raced\u3000off\u3000after\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000Kyle\u3000stood\u3000alone\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000hearing\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000directives\uff1b\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000announcements\uff1b\u3000the\u3000preparations\u3000for\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\nBattle\uff1b\u3000death\uff1b\u3000oblivion\u2026those\u3000were\u3000so\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000face\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000the\u3000military\u3000war\u3000lovers\u3000understand\uff1f\u3000Living\u3000without\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000meant\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000life\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000overe\uff1b\u3000the\u3000abyss\u3000no\u3000courage\u3000could\u3000see\u3000you\u3000across\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000hangars\u3000and\u3000bays\u3000and\u3000ready\u3000rooms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bat\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000thoughts\u3000of\u3000love\u3000and\u3000grief\u3000had\u3000been\u3000left\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Now\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000kill\u3000or\u3000be\u3000killed\u3002\u3000Men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000emptied\u3000their\u3000minds\u3000of\u3000everything\u3000else\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000no\u3000outsider\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000understand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Arm\u3000all\u3000reflex\u3000warheads\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000PA\u3000from\u3000Kim\u3000Young\u3002\u3000The\u3000missiles\u2026Hammerheads\uff1b\u3000Decas\uff1b\u3000Piledrivers\u3000and\u3000Stilettos\u2026became\u3000alive\u3000in\u3000their\u3000pods\u3000and\u3000racks\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000attack\u3000mecha\u3000stood\u3000to\u3000readiness\uff1a\u3000lumbering\u3000giants\u3000heavy\u3000with\u3000laser\u2026array\u3000and\u3000x\u2026ray\u3000laser\u3000cannon\uff1b\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000chain\u2026guns\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rapid\u2026fire\u3000tubes\u3000loaded\u3000with\u3000discarding\u2026sabot\u3000armor\u2026piercing\u3000rounds\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Destroids\u3000stumped\u3000out\u3000first\uff1a\u3000waddling\u3000two\u2026legged\u3000gun\u3000turrets\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000houses\uff1b\u3000running\u3000their\u3000clustered\u3000barrels\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000in\u3000test\u3000traverses\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000bunch\u3000up\u3000shoulder\u3000by\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000concentrate\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Forming\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000were\u3000the\u3000Gladiators\uff1b\u3000Excaliburs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Spartans\u3000and\u3000Raidars\uff1b\u3000all\u3000making\u3000the\u3000reinforced\u3000decks\u3000resound\u3000to\u3000their\u3000tread\uff1b\u3000weighted\u3000with\u3000every\u3000weapon\u3000Robotechnology\u3000could\u3000give\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000March\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Soldiers\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000gun\u3000turret\u3000and\u3000casemate\u3000barrels\u3000swung\u3000and\u3000readied\uff1b\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000sweating\u3000as\u3000they\u3000settled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gunners’\u3000and\u3000gunners’\u3000mates’\u3000saddles\u3002\u3000Targeting\u3000reticles\u3000were\u3000checked\u3000for\u3000accuracy\uff1b\u3000triggers\u3000were\u3000dryfired\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000stupendous\u3000warrior\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000itself\u3000stood\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000covers\u3000lifted\u3000from\u3000its\u3000many\u3000weapon\u3000ports\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000suppercarriers\u3000that\u3000were\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000Daedalus\u3000and\u3000Prometheus\uff1b\u3000set\u3000for\u3000battle\u3000and\u3000for\u3000the\u3000harrowing\uff1b\u3000fiercely\u3000dangerous\u3000business\u3000of\u3000bat\u3000launches\u3000and\u3000retrievals\u3002
\n
\nOn\u3000the\u3000hangar\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000warmed\u3000up\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000few\u3000teams\u3000flying\u3000the\u3000new\u3000armored\u3000Veritechs\u3002\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000running\u3000things\u3000until\u3000Rick\u3000could\u3000get\u3000there\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000smile\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000blew\u3000him\u3000a\u3000kiss\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000often\u3000did\u3000when\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000was\u3000looking\u3002\u3000Kissing\u3000was\u3000still\u3000an\u3000amazing\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000lovemaking\u3000left\u3000her\u3000at\u3000a\u3000plete\u3000loss\u3000for\u3000words\u3002\u3000But\u3000then\uff1b\u3000it\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3000to\u3000Max\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000a\u3000final\u3000check\u3000of\u3000her\u3000VT\u3002\u3000bat\u3000was\u3000something\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000intimately\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Max\u3000got\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000Skull\u3000saddled\u3000up\uff1b\u3000resisting\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000be\u3000bitter\u3000and\u3000preoccupied\u3000with\u3000regret\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000so\u3000little\u3000time\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nThose\u3000were\u3000the\u3000distractions\u3000that\u3000got\u3000fighter\u3000pilots\u3000killed\u3002
\n
\n
\nOn\u3000the\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000Gloval\u3000arrived\u3000with\u3000Exedore\u3000at\u3000his\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000one\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000say\u3000it\u3000should\u3000be\u3000otherwise\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000reports\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000fighting\u3000status\u3000came\u3000to\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000and\u3000from\u3000Claudia\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000led\u3000Exedore\u3000to\u3000the\u3000great\u3000bubble\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000viewport\uff1b\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000Who\u3000would\u3000have\u3000dreamed\u3000we’d\u3000be\u3000fighting\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\uff1f
\n
\nBut\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000always\u3000Gloval\u2026and\u3000sometimes\u3000only\u3000Gloval\u2026who\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3000this\u3000day\u3000from\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000defections\u3002
\n
\n
\nOver\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000Alaskan\u3000headquarters\uff1b\u3000fighters\u3000looking\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000like\u3000VTs\u3000but\u3000lacking\u3000their\u3000superlative\u3000Robotechnology\u3000screamed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000on\u3000alert\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000brave\u3000show\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000knew\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hollow\uff1b\u3000Earth’s\u3000only\u3000real\u3000hope\u3000lay\u3000with\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3002
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000and\u3000several\u3000other\u3000senior\u3000officers\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000a\u3000balcony\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000situation\u3000room\u3002\u3000They\u3000heard\u3000echoing\u3000updates\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon’s\u3000firing\u3000status\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000fleet\u3000that\u3000was\u3000still\u3000pouring\u3000out\u3000of\u3000spacefold\uff1b\u3000the\u3000posite\u3000picture\u3000that\u3000made\u3000it\u3000unlikely\u3000that\u3000a\u3000single\u3000member\u3000of\u3000species\u3000Homo\u3000sapiens\u3000would\u3000live\u3000through\u3000the\u3000day\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000projections\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000error\uff1b\u3003\u3000an\u3000intel\u2026analysis\u3000officer\u3000confessed\uff1b\u3000zombielike\u3002\u3000\u3003Against\u3000a\u3000force\u3000that\u3000big\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000win\u3002\u3000We\u3000couldn’t\u3000do\u3000it\u3000even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000satellites\u3000were\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000way\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHayes\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000hiding\u3000his\u3000dismay\u3002\u3000He\u3000called\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000munication\u3000officer\uff1b\u3000\u3003Lieutenant\uff01\u3000Have\u3000we\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000establish\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000aliens\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHayes\u3000burned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000why\u3000his\u3000superiors\u3000were\u3000suddenly\u3000so\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000He\u3000avoided\u3000any\u3000contemplation\u3000of\u3000how\u3000Earth’s\u3000rulers\u3000sounded\u3000now\u3000that\u3000reality\u3000had\u3000at\u3000last\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000upon\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000brave\u3000words\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bold\u3000posturing\u3000had\u3000been\u3000blown\u3000away\u3000like\u3000smoke\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000UEDC\u3000was\u3000eager\uff1b\u3000cringingly\u3000eager\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000any\u3000deal\u3000it\u3000could\uff1b\u3000starting\u3000with\u3000an\u3000offer\u3000to\u3000make\u3000itself\u3000an\u3000overseer\u3000government\u3000under\u3000alien\u3000rule\u3002
\n
\nExcept\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000weren’t\u3000making\u3000deals\u3000today\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Armageddon\u3000was\u3000apparently\u3000the\u3000only\u3000item\u3000on\u3000the\u3000agenda\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000trying\uff1b\u3000Admiral\uff1b\u3000but\u3000so\u3000far\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000no\u2026go\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000\u3000officer\u3000calle \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nExcept\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000weren’t\u3000making\u3000deals\u3000today\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Armageddon\u3000was\u3000apparently\u3000the\u3000only\u3000item\u3000on\u3000the\u3000agenda\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000trying\uff1b\u3000Admiral\uff1b\u3000but\u3000so\u3000far\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000no\u2026go\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000\u3000officer\u3000called\u3000up\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHayes\u3000himself\u3000felt\u3000betrayed\u3000and\u3000a\u3000fool\u3002\u3000His\u3000daughter\u3000and\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000been\u3000correct\u3000all\u3000along\uff1b\u3000right\u3000down\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000The\u3000prestige\u3000and\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000his\u3000rank\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000away\u3000to\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\uff1b\u3000very\u3000simply\uff1b\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000an\u3000otherwise\u3000honorable\u3000career\u3000by\u3000being\u3000the\u3000instrument\u3000of\u3000craven\u3000and\u3000greedy\u3000men\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000there’s\u3000nothing\u3000left\u3000to\u3000do\u3000but\u3000fight\uff1b\u3003\u3000Hayes\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nUnder\u3000other\u3000circumstances\u3000it\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000lines\u3000flag\u2026rank\u3000officers\u3000could\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000have\u3000show\u3000up\u3000in\u3000history\u3000books\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Hayes\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000been\u3000duped\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3000by\u3000the\u3000politicians\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unlikely\u3000that\u3000there\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000any\u3000more\u3000history\u3000books\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000offered\u3000no\u3000alternative\u2026it\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000wipe\u3000the\u3000human\u3000race\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000futile\u3000squadrons\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3000fighters\u3000went\u3000out\u3000to\u3000do\u3000their\u3000jobs\u3000as\u3000best\u3000they\u3000could\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3000screens\u3000and\u3000instruments\u3000and\u3000fought\u3000off\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000weep\u3000for\u3000the\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000who\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000their\u3000jobs\u3000in\u3000all\u3000good\u3000faith\u3000and\u3000were\u3000kept\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000omnipresent\u3000UEDC\u3000propaganda\u3000and\u3000disinformation\uff1b\u3000from\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000doomed\u3002
\n
\nDuring\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000lag\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000regard\u3000a\u3000close\u3000pickup\u3000shot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000Claudia\uff1b\u3000of\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000and\u3000of\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000She\u3000found\uff1b\u3000as\u3000her\u3000father\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000that\u3000there\u3000were\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000really\u3000important\u3000questions\u3000in\u3000life\u3000and\u3000that\u3000bat\u3000would\u3000make\u3000anybody\u3000ask\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nWhy\u3000are\u3000we\u3000here\uff1f\u3000Where\u3000do\u3000we\u3000e\u3000from\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happens\u3000to\u3000us\u3000when\u3000we\u3000die\uff1f\u3000And\u3000when\u3000I\u3000do\uff1b\u3000will\u3000I\u3000be\u3000with\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000or\u3000will\u3000I\u3000be\u3000alone\u3000forever\uff1f
\n
\nAn\u3000update\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cannon’s\u3000targeting\u3000status\u3000came\u3000in\u3000just\u3000then\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000to\u3000let\u3000those\u3000thoughts\u3000go\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000Hunter\u3000sealed\u3000up\u3000his\u3000flightsuit\u3000and\u3000made\u3000sure\u3000his\u3000gloves\u3000were\u3000firmly\u3000connected\u3000to\u3000his\u3000instrumented\u3000cuff\u3000rings\u3002\u3000They\u3000fit\u3000smoothly\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000him\u3000maximum\u3000dexterity\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000hatch\u3000to\u3000his\u3000quarters\u3000signaled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000another\u3000messenger\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mission\u3000update\uff1b\u3000all\u3000\u3000channels\u3000being\u3000overloaded\u3002\u3000Until\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3000slid\u3000back\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Rick\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000pivoted\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hatch\uff1b\u3000outlined\u3000against\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passageway\u3000lights\u3002\u3000She\u3000came\u3000a\u3000step\u3000into\u3000his\u3000quarters\u3000demurely\u3000but\u3000looking\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000hatch\u3000rolled\u3000shut\u3000behind\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000there\u3000in\u3000every\u3000size\u3000and\u3000shape\uff1b\u3000those\u3000wargreen\u3000vessels\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3002\u3000Never\u3000in\u3000their\u3000entire\u3000history\u3000had\u3000they\u3000been\u3000assembled\u3000for\u3000bat\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000formation\u3002
\n
\nFrom\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000station\uff1b\u3000Dolza\uff1b\u3000supreme\u3000mander\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000race\uff1b\u3000considered\u3000his\u3000target\uff1b\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nSpace\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000his\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000there\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000a\u3000marshaling\u3000like\u3000this\u3000in\u3000the\u3000infamous\u3000annals\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000yet\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000misgivings\u3002\u3000Dolza\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000lore\u3000of\u3000his\u3000race\u3000from\u3000Exedore’s\u3000endless\u3000teachings\u3002\u3000Against\u3000the\u3000forces\u3000that\u3000those\u3000records\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000itself\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000enough\u3002
\n
\nPerhaps\u3000nothing\u3000would\u3002
\n
\nInside\u3000the\u3000boulderlike\u3000base\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Dolza’s\u3000headquarters\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000miles\u3000through\u3000its\u3000long\u3000axis\uff1b\u3000the\u3000supreme\u3000mander\u3000received\u3000word\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fleet\u3000was\u3000at\u3000last\u3000all\u3000present\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000and\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000the\u3000oldest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000race\u3002\u3000Dolza’s\u3000shaven\u3000skull\u3000and\u3000heavy\u3000brow\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000granite\u3000sculpture\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000first\u3000attack\u3000shall\u3000be\u3000the\u3000Micronians’\u3000mother\u3000planet\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000all\u3000ships\u3000stand\u3000prepared\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAll\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fleet\uff1b\u3000final\u3000preparations\u3000for\u3000battle\u3000were\u3000carried\u3000out\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000colossal\u3000bombardment\u3000vessels\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bows\u3000opened\u3000like\u3000giant\u3000crocodile\u3000jaws\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000guns\u3002
\n
\nTargeting\u3000puters\u3000accepted\u3000their\u3000assignments\u3000from\u3000Dolza’s\u3000base\uff1b\u3000ranging\u3000their\u3000sights\u3000across\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000fixing\u3000their\u3000aim\u3002\u3000The\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet’s\u3000engines\u3000howled\u3000like\u3000demons\uff1b\u3000supercharging\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000helpless\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000apologize\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000about\u3000Kyle\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000really\u3000your\u3000fault\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000let\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000my\u3000feelings\u3000were\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000tried\u3000harder\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\uff1b\u3000I\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000frightening\u3000her\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000control\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000flying\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000How\u3000do\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000her\uff1f
\n
\nHe\u3000went\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3000but\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000reflection\u3000in\u3000the\u3000visor\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000silently\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000superstar\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000tiredly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000worked\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Too\u3000much\u3000has\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000viewport\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000strange\u3000to\u3000think\u3000how\u3000small\u3000our\u3000world\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000distractedly\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000how\u3000much\u3000time\u3000we\u3000wasted\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000flinched\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000hit\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000being\u3000cruel\u3000on\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3000hurting\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000love\u3000stop\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000him\u3000honest\u3000again\uff1b\u3000would\u3000clear\u3000the\u3000air\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000at\u3000that\u3000exact\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000lit\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000attack\u3000had\u3000begun\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SEVENTEEN
\n
\nOnce\u3000I\u3000wrote\u3000here\u2026a\u3000younger\u3000Minmei\u3000did\u2026that\u3000I\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000my\u3000own\u3000person\uff1b\u3000that\u3000I\u3000had\u3000my\u3000own\u3000shadows\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002
\nBut\uff1b\u3000oh\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u3000how\u3000terrible\u3000that\u3000darkness\u3000would\u3000be\u3002
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000diary\u3000of\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei
\n
\nMillions\u3000of\u3000blindingly\u3000bright\u3000beams\u3000of\u3000pure\u3000energy\u3000rained\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000blue\u2026white\u3000world\u3002
\n
\nFirst\u3000to\u3000go\u3000were\u3000the\u3000orbital\u3000defenses\uff1b\u3000the\u3000surveillance\u3000satellites\u3000and\u3000the\u3000\u3003armors\u3003\u2026the\u3000big\u3000conventional\u2026technology\u3000space\u3000cruisers\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000obliterated\u3000instantly\uff1b\u3000vanishing\u3000in\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000expanding\u3000gas\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000incredible\u3000volley\u3000pierced\u3000the\u3000atmosphere\uff1b\u3000boiling\u3000away\u3000clouds\u3000and\u3000moisture\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000through\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Buildings\u3000and\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000people\u3000were\u3000vaporized\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000flammable\u3000exploded\u3002\u3000The\u3000hellish\u3000rays\u3000set\u3000off\u3000tremendous\u3000detonations\u3000and\u3000superheated\u3000the\u3000air\u3000like\u3000thermonuclear\u3000weapons\u3002
\n
\nEverywhere\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000Soldiers\u3000and\u3000civilians\uff1b\u3000adults\u3000and\u3000children\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000unborn\u3000as\u3000well\u2026the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000favored\u3000none\u3000and\u3000spared\u3000none\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000humdrum\u3000day\u3000marked\u3000only\u3000by\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000alert\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000wasn’t\u3000explaining\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000population\u3000of\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000was\u3000put\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002
\n
\nFor\u3000most\uff1b\u3000there\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000time\u3000to\u3000scream\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000hideous\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000light\u3000and\u3000heat\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000description\u3000engulfed\u3000them\uff1b\u3000making\u3000their\u3000bodies\u3000as\u3000transparent\u3000as\u3000x\u2026ray\u3000images\uff1b\u3000then\u3000consuming\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nCities\u3000toppled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000blowtorch\u3000winds\u3000scoured\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Seas\u3000were\u3000given\u3000no\u3000mercy\uff1b\u3000either\uff1b\u3000Dolza\u3000had\u3000decreed\u3000a\u3000carpet\u2026volley\u3000pattern\u3000to\u3000get\u3000ships\u3000and\u3000aquafarming\u3000and\u3000aquamining\u3000installations\u3000and\u3000the\u3000like\u3002\u3000Untold\u3000cubic\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000water\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000steam\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000beams\u3000came\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fusion\u2026hot\u3000monsoon\u3000all\u3000across\u3000the\u3000defenseless\u3000world\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000UEDC\u3000headquarters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000rumbled\u3000but\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000earth\u3000and\u3000rock\u3000saved\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000from\u3000immediate\u3000death\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000gaped\u3000at\u3000an\u3000illuminated\u3000situation\u3000map\u3002\u3000The\u3000strikes\u3000were\u3000so\u3000numerous\u3000that\u3000the\u3000display\u3000puters\u3000couldn’t\u3000discriminate\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000The\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000glowed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000doing\u3000this\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000can’t\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Annihilation\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nGloval\u3000stood\u3000helplessly\uff1b\u3000shoulders\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000viewport\u3002\u3000Exedore\u3000stood\u3000mute\u3000at\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000The\u3000alien\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000he\u3000must\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000have\u3000fallen\u3000victim\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contagious\u3000human\u3000emotions\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000them\u3000very\u3000strongly\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1a\u3000rage\u3000that\u3000this\u3000should\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000a\u3000soul\u2026wrenching\u3000sorrow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000utter\uff1b\u3000utter\u3000shame\u3002
\n
\nReading\u3000her\u3000instruments\uff1b\u3000a\u3000female\u3000enlisted\u2026rating\u3000tech\u3000said\u3000in\u3000monotone\uff1b\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000gone\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000all\u3000gone\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000his\u3000headquarters\u3000base\uff1b\u3000the\u3000immense\u3000Dolza\u3000looked\u3000upon\u3000his\u3000handiwork\u3000and\u3000found\u3000it\u3000good\u3002\u3000His\u3000guttural\u3000laugh\u3000echoed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000eerily\u3000resonant\u3000tones\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Micronian\u3000interlude\u3000would\u3000be\u3000expunged\u3000from\u3000history\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000decided\u3002\u3000And\u3000any\u3000similar\u3000race\u3000encountered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000would\u3000be\u3000subject\u3000to\u3000instant\u3000and\u3000total\u3000termination\u3002
\n
\nThen\uff1b\u3000events\u3000could\u3000be\u3000put\u3000back\u3000on\u3000their\u3000proper\u3000track\u3002
\n
\nDolza\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000even\u3000he\uff1b\u3000the\u3000supreme\u3000mander\uff1b\u3000hadn’t\u3000had\u3000a\u3000true\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000power\u3000until\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000opened\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000irresistible\u3000might\u3000of\u3000it\uff01\u3000It\u3000filled\u3000him\u3000with\u3000new\u3000aspirations\uff1b\u3000new\u3000resolve\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000were\u3000finished\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rebellious\u3000Breetai\u3000and\u3000his\u3000followers\u3000destroyed\u3000pletely\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000time\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3002
\n
\nFor\u3000too\u3000long\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Masters\u3000had\u3000treated\u3000their\u3000warrior\u3000servants\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000contempt\u3000one\u3000showed\u3000a\u3000slave\u3002\u3000For\u3000too\u3000long\uff1b\u3000that\u3000had\u3000seared\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000pride\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000light\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Masters\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000a\u3000colossal\u3000lie\u3000all\u3000along\u2026they\u3000had\u3000deceived\u3000them\u3000about\u3000the\u3000giants’\u3000very\u3000origins\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Protoculture\u3000secrets\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000Zor’s\u3000ship\u3000had\u3000been\u3000an\u3000important\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Dolza’s\u3000master\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000overthrow\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000take\u3000their\u3000rightful\u3000place\u3000at\u3000the\u3000pinnacle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000universe\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000accursed\u3000Zor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000that\u3000and\u3000had\u3000dispatched\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000from\u3000Masters\u3000and\u3000Zentraedi\u3000alike\u3002\u3000The\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000ultimately\u3000worked\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\u3000it\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000this\u3000day\u3002\u3000As\u3000Dolza\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000nearly\u3000five\u3000million\u3000warships\uff1b\u3000all\u3000raining\u3000down\u3000destruction\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000Zor’s\u3000secrets\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000was\u3000the\u3000might\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000hordes\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000laug \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n di\u3000hordes\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000laughed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bass\u3000rumble\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000bulkheads\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Today\u3000humanity\u3000died\u3002\u3000Tomorrow\u3000the\u3000war\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000would\u3000begin\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000Hunter\u3000clutched\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000viewport\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000the\u3000night\u3000side\u3000of\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000partly\u3000obscured\u3000by\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000fleet\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000myriad\u3000of\u3000red\u2026hot\u3000specks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000that\u3000first\u3000terrible\u3000salvo\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000whole\u3000planet\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000numbly\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\u3000came\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000like\u3000a\u3000robot\uff1b\u3000in\u3000deep\u3000shock\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000they\u3000all\u3002\u3002\u3002are\u3000they\u3000all\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000Rick\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000night\u3000turn\u3000red\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000tore\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sight\u3002\u3000\u3003Mother\u3002\u3000Father\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lisa\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000very\u3000softly\u3002\u3000His\u3000cheeks\u3000were\u3000suddenly\u3000slick\u3000with\u3000tears\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000started\u3000to\u3000sing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lullably\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000crooning\u3000a\u3000little\u3000love\u3000song\u3000to\u3000life\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000that\u3000was\u3000dying\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000last\u3000long\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000her\u3000head\u3000was\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000this\u3000is\u3000how\u3000we\u3000end\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000sobbed\u3002\u3000\u3003First\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000then\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sound\u3000more\u3000convincing\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000blind\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000overwhelming\u3000might\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000its\u3000guns\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000its\u3000Zentraedi\u3000allies\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000still\u3000have\u3000our\u3000lives\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000roughly\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000all\u3000so\u3000unfair\uff1b\u3000so\u3000hopeless\u3002\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000felt\u3000so\u3000angry\u3000and\u3000powerless\u3000since\u3000that\u3000day\u3000in\u3000Dolza’s\u3000base\u3000when\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3000and\u3000Ben\u3000were\u3000helpless\u3000prisoners\u2026
\n
\nTHAT’S\u3000IT\uff01\uff01\uff01
\n
\nHe\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000again\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000new\u3000conviction\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000over\u3000yet\uff01\u3000Listen\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000go\u3000now\u3000and\u3000sing\u3000for\u3000everyone\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000wiped\u3000tears\u3000from\u3000her\u3000lashes\u3002\u3000\u3003Sing\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000an\u3000idea\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000smoke\u3000clouds\u3000were\u3000already\u3000rising\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000to\u3000envelop\u3000it\u3000and\u3000bring\u3000on\u3000a\u3000winter\u3000that\u3000even\u3000the\u3000puters\u3000couldn’t\u3000analyze\u3000reliably\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000base’s\u3000main\u3000control\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000report\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000been\u3000no\u3000word\u3000from\u3000any\u3000other\u3000Council\u3000member\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000Marshal\u3000Zukav\u3000is\u3000still\u3000unconscious\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000doctors\u3000think\u3000they’ll\u3000probably\u3000have\u3000to\u3000operate\u3002\u3000What\u3000are\u3000your\u3000orders\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nIn\u3000this\u3000election\u3000year\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000UEDC\u3000members\u3000had\u3000been\u3000caught\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3000by\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000out\u3000mending\u3000fences\u3000and\u3000fixing\u3000political\u3000support\u3002\u3000Of\u3000them\u3000all\uff1b\u3000only\u3000Hayes\u3000and\u3000Zukav\u3000had\u3000been\u3000present\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000when\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000came\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Zukav\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000a\u3000coronary\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000were\u3000in\u3000Hayes’s\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000to\u3000a\u3000planet\u3000that\u3000was\u3000more\u3000cinder\u3000than\u3000soil\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Damage\u3000estimate\u3000to\u3000all\u3000sectors\u3000exceeds\u3000any\u3000known\u3000scale\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000quietly\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000indications\u3000that\u3000a\u3000few\u3000scattered\u3000groups\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000first\u3000attack\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000first\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000was\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000preparing\u3000a\u3000second\u3000and\u3000a\u3000third\u2026as\u3000many\u3000volleys\u3000as\u3000it\u3000took\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000Earth\u3000into\u3000a\u3000molten\u3000ball\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000so\u3000the\u3000world\u3000would\u3000end\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Did\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000attack\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000aide\u3000was\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000still\u3000function\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHayes\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000good\u3002\u3000Then\u3000we’ll\u3000begin\u3000the\u3000countdown\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000aide\u3000hurried\u3000off\u3000to\u3000relay\u3000the\u3000order\u3002\u3000In\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000base\u3000thrummed\u3000with\u3000power\u3002
\n
\n
\nGloval\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000his\u3000onetime\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000Breetai\u3000stared\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000historic\u3000moment\u3000if\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000hurry\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mustached\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000disheveled\u2026looking\u3000little\u3000creature\u3000who\u3000had\u3000outfought\u3000and\u3000outthought\u3000the\u3000best\u3000warriors\u3000in\u3000the\u3000galaxy\uff1b\u3000Gloval\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000a\u3000frighteningly\u3000massive\u3000fellow\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chest\u3000as\u3000thick\u3000as\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000oak\u3000and\u3000a\u3000metal\u3000and\u3000crystal\u3000cowl\u3000covering\u3000half\u3000his\u3000skull\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000spoke\u3000with\u3000virtually\u3000no\u3000preamble\uff1b\u3000they\u3000felt\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000each\u3000other\u3000well\u3002
\n
\n\u3003mander\u3000Breetai\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000please\u3000broadcast\u3000a\u3000simultaneous\u3000transmission\u3000of\u3000Minmei’s\u3000song\u3000on\u3000all\u3000of\u3000your\u3000military\u3000frequencies\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBreetai’s\u3000single\u3000eye\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000Gloval\u3000intently\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000objection\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000is\u3000your\u3000plan\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000picture\u3000to\u3000explain\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000in\u3000Dolza’s\u3000fleet\u3000have\u3000had\u3000no\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000Micronian\u3000culture\uff1b\u3000m’lord\uff01\u3000When\u3000exposed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000song\uff1b\u3000they\u3000will\u3000be\u3000thrown\u3000into\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000will\u3000also\u3000boost\u3000the\u3000Micronians’\u3000morale\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000rubbed\u3000his\u3000massive\u3000jaw\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000fascination\u3000at\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000mauve\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dense\u3000black\u3000hairs\u3000on\u3000its\u3000back\u3000thick\u3000as\u3000wires\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000could\u3000provide\u3000us\u3000with\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000we\u3000need\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000them\u3000off\u3000guard\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bit\u2026breathless\u3000with\u3000this\u3000alien’s\u3000audacity\u3002\u3000He\u3000himself\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000more\u3000along\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000a\u3000selective\u3000strike\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u2026the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000is\u3000not\u3000a\u3000force\u3000we\u3000can\u3000attack\u3000head\u2026on\uff1b\u3000mander\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBreetai\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000surprisingly\u3000winning\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000as\u3000it\u3000did\u3000from\u3000a\u3000cloned\u3000XT\u3000soldier\u3000whose\u3000head\u3000was\u3000half\u3000hidden\u3000by\u3000a\u3000metal\u3000and\u3000crystal\u3000sheath\u3002\u3000Breetai\u3000plainly\u3000savored\u3000every\u3000word\u3002\u3000\u3003Precisely\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Gloval\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000never\u3000expect\u3000us\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3000attack\u3000against\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000main\u3000bridge\u3000hatchway\u3000slid\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000slender\u3000figure\u3000stepped\u3000in\u3002\u3000Minmei\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000nervously\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mysterious\u3000landscape\u3000of\u3000dials\uff1b\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000screens\uff1b\u3000and\u3000controls\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000went\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Exedore\u3000trotting\u3000alongside\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Hunter\u3000has\u3000told\u3000me\u3000his\u3000plan\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3000for\u3000our\u3000counterattack\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMinmei\u3000glanced\u3000nervously\u3000at\u3000the\u3000munications\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000then\u3000quickly\u3000averted\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000metalskulled\u3000alien\u3000who\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000frank\u3000interest\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000sing\u3000a\u3000song\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000won’t\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff1f\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000said\u3000anxiously\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000forced\u3000a\u3000smile\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000go\u3000on\u3000with\u3000life\u3000when\u3000the\u3000world\u3000had\u3000just\u3000died\uff1f\u3000Simple\uff1a\u3000You\u3000used\u3000your\u3000acting\u3000instincts\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000introspection\u3000and\u3000sorrow\u3000damped\u3000well\u3000down\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Anything\u3000to\u3000help\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000nodded\u3000in\u3000approval\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000exchanged\u3000two\u3000words\u3000with\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wedding\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000his\u3000old\u2026world\u3000formality\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000lovable\u3000stuffiness\uff1b\u3000that\u3000put\u3000her\u3000at\u3000ease\u3000somehow\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000one\u3000special\u3000request\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000put\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Could\u3000you\u3000do\u3000that\uff1b\u3000er\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000that\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000you\u3000do\u3000in\u3000all\u3000your\u3000movies\uff1f\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000is\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000as\u3000a\u3000kiss\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000surprised\u3000her\u3000much\u3000more\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000done\u3000his\u3000Minmei\u3000imitation\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u2026I\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000could\u3002\u3000But\u3000why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000need\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nExedore\u3000dropped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pedantic\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000effete\u3000tones\u3000he\u3000used\u3000when\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000point\u3000across\u3000to\u3000stubborn\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000would\u3000act\u3000as\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000psychological\u3000shock\u3000to\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000attack\u3000forces\uff1b\u3000rendering\u3000them\u3000less\u3000able\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000laughing\u3000hysterically\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000some\u3000critics\u3000who\u3000would\u3000have\u3000agreed\u3000with\u3000Exedore’s\u3000evaluation\u3000of\u3000her\u3000acting\u3000ability\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000viewport\uff1b\u3000Earth\u3000smoldered\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000will\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000clouds\u3000were\u3000already\u3000thick\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3000sky\u3000over\u3000Alaska\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000from\u3000below\u3000by\u3000an\u3000infernal\u3000glow\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000base\u3000throbbed\u3000around\u3000her\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000monumental\u3000cannon\u3000shot\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000screens\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000to\u3000die\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000cannon’s\u3000base\uff1b\u3000a\u3000small\u3000city\u3000of\u3000Robotechnology\uff1b\u3000subatomic\u3000fires\u3000whirled\uff1b\u3000energy\u3000crackled\u3000and\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000get\u3000free\u3002
\n
\nAdmiral\u3000Hayes\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000reports\u3000in\u3000stony\u3000silence\u3002\u3000This\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000be\u3000the\u3000last\uff1b\u3000possibly\u3000the\u3000only\u3000human\u3000shot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000last\u3000day\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3000race\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somebody\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000very\u3000sorry\u3000they\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000e\u3000seeking\u3000battle\u3002\u3000To\u3000go\u3000down\u3000fighting\u3000was\u3000much\u3000better\u3000than\u3000simply\u3000dying\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000cannon’s\u3000huge\u3000lens\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000with\u3000targeting\u3000beams\uff1b\u3000made\u3000the\u3000undersides\u3000of\u3000the\u3000black\u3000clouds\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000world\u3000red\u3002
\n
\n
\nDolza\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000suddenly\u3000at\u3000an\u3000emergency\u3000munication\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000Excellency\uff01\u3000We’ve\u3000detected\u3000a\u3000high\u2026energy\u3000reaction\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000third\u3000planet\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000before\u3000Dolza\u3000could\u3000ask\u3000for\u3000more\u3000data\u3000or\u3000give\u3000a\u3000single\u3000order\uff1b\u3000hell\u3000spewed\u3000forth\u3002
\n
\n
\nIt\u3000had\u3000been\u3000apparent\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3000that\u3000an\u3000energy\u3000gun\u3000buried\u3000vertically\u3000in\u3000a\u3000planetary\u3000surface\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000very\u3000limited\u3000field\u3000of\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000planned\u3000system\u3000of\u3000satellite\u3000reflectors\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000solved\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000interim\u3000measures\u3000had\u3000been\u3000put\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000They\u3000showed\u3000their\u3000worth\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000beam\u3000as\u3000hot\u3000as\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000a\u3000star\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000devastated\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000Widened\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lens\uff1b\u3000it\u3000lanced\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3002\u3000A\u3000hundred\u3000thousand\u3000ships\u3000disappeared\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000burned\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000like\u3000insects\u3000in\u3000a\u3000flamethrower’s\u3000blast\u3002
\n
\nBrute\u3000servos\u3000tilted\u3000the\u3000lens\uff1b\u3000angling\u3000the\u3000beam\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sure\u3000whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000a\u3000shot\u3000like\u3000that\u3000would\u3000violate\u3000all\u3000the\u3000mathematics\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000and\u3000blow\u3000the\u3000installation\u3000to\u3000kingdom\u3000e\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000that\u3000somehow\u3000everything\u3000held\u3002
\n
\nLike\u3000a\u3000flashlight\u3000of\u3000plete\u3000and\u3000all\u2026enpassing\u3000destruction\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon’s\u3000volley\u3000swiveled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000blockading\u3000fleet\u3002
\n
\nShips\u3000were\u3000simply\u3000there\u3000and\u3000then\u3000not\u3002\u3000Left\u3000behind\u3000were\u3000only\u3000ponent\u3000particles\u3000and\u3000the\u3000furious\u3000forces\u3000of\u3000destruction\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000single\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000the\u3000human\u3000race\u3000destroyed\u3000more\u3000warcraft\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000any\u3000war\u3000in\u3000their\u3000entire\u3000history\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000enemy\u3000ships\u3000are\u3000just\u3000disappearing\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nGloval\u3000and\u3000Exedore\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000angling\u3000and\u3000swinging\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3002\u3000\u3003Alaska\u3000Base\u3000survived\uff01\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000exulted\u3002\u3000The\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000let\u3000out\u3000whoops\u3000and\u3000laughter\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lisa\uff1b\u3003\u3000Claudia\u3000whispered\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000EIGHTEEN
\n
\nWell\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000when\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000ol’\u3000Vance\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000out\u3000of\u3000being\u3000Minmei’s\u3000manager\u3000and\u3000into\u3000a\u3000new\u3000setup\u3002\u3000I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000hey\uff1a\u3000what\u3000does\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000percent\u3000of\u3000Armageddon\u3000amount\u3000to\u3000in\u3000real\u3000money\uff1f \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nWell\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000when\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000ol’\u3000Vance\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000out\u3000of\u3000being\u3000Minmei’s\u3000manager\u3000and\u3000into\u3000a\u3000new\u3000setup\u3002\u3000I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000hey\uff1a\u3000what\u3000does\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000percent\u3000of\u3000Armageddon\u3000amount\u3000to\u3000in\u3000real\u3000money\uff1f
\nVance\u3000Hasslewood\uff1b\u3000Those\u3000Were\u3000the\u3000Days
\n
\nMinmei’s\u3000backup\u3000band\u3000and\u3000roadies\u3000\uff08if\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000name\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000they\u3000played\u3000only\u3000one\u3000town\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000clocked\u3000more\u3000miles\u3000than\u3000any\u3000other\u3000act\u3000in\u3000history\uff09\u3000were\u3000used\u3000to\u3000taking\u3000their\u3000time\u3000setting\u3000up\uff1b\u3000running\u3000sound\u3000checks\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000mentally\u3000prepared\u3000for\u3000a\u3000concert\u3000or\u3000recording\u3000session\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000that\u3000today\uff1b\u3000though\u3002
\n
\nRDF\u3000techs\u3000and\u3000other\u3000personnel\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000setup\u3000together\u3000in\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000a\u3000briefing\u3000officer\u3000making\u3000it\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000the\u3000musicians\u3000just\u3000how\u3000important\u3000this\u3000concert\u3000would\u3000be\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000one\u3000to\u3000object\uff1b\u3000a\u3000keyboard\u3000man\u3000who\u3000wasn’t\u3000happy\u3000with\u3000the\u3000way\u3000his\u3000stacks\u3000had\u3000been\u3000arranged\uff1b\u3000was\u3000menaced\u3000into\u3000silence\u3000not\u3000by\u3000the\u3000military\u3000people\u3000but\u3000by\u3000the\u3000other\u3000band\u3000members\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000day\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000her\u3000dressing\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000off\u3000the\u3000greater\u3000issues\u3000and\u3000simply\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000her\u3000performance\u3002\u3000Humming\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leaned\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000brightly\u3000lit\u3000makeup\u3000mirror\uff1b\u3000examining\u3000one\u3000eyelash\u3000critically\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000horrifying\u3000events\u3000taking\u3000place\u3000all\u3000around\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000them\u3000except\u3000clear\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000sing\u3000her\u3000very\u3000best\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000timid\u3000knock\u3000at\u3000her\u3000door\uff1b\u3000and\u3000three\u3000visitors\u3000entered\u3002\u3000\u3003Hi\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000rough\u3000but\u3000friendly\u3000voice\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\u3000smiled\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mirror\u3000at\u3000the\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000Bron\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000Zentraedi\u3000spies\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000you’re\u3000under\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rico\u3000began\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Going\u3000into\u3000battle\u3000can\u3000be\u3000very\uff1b\u3000um\uff1b\u3000taxing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Konda\u3000added\u3000helpfully\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000just\u3000wanted\u3000you\u3000to\u3000know\u3000we’re\u3000with\u3000you\u3000100\u3000percent\u3000and\u3000we\u3000know\u3000you\u3000can\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bron\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000blushing\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000two\u3000nodded\u3000energetically\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000them\u3000and\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000to\u3000them\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000times\uff1b\u3000even\u3000including\u3000the\u3000official\u3000hearings\u3000and\u3000meetings\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000kinship\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bond\u3000of\u3000empathy\u3002\u3000Song\u3000had\u3000made\u3000them\u3000leave\u3000behind\u3000everything\u3000they\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000made\u3000them\u3000risk\u3000the\u3000unknown\u3000and\u3000mit\u3000themselves\u3000to\u3000a\u3000new\u3000life\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000that\u3000life\u3000held\u3000dangers\u3000and\u3000frightening\u3000enigmas\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000very\u3000much\u3000like\u3000Minmei\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000put\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000out\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000palm\u3000to\u3000palm\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Konda\u2026Bron\uff1b\u3000Rico\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000very\u3000kind\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKonda\u3000cupped\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000around\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000stacked\u3000theirs\u3000gently\u3000on\u3000top\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000three\u3000are\u3000such\u3000wonderful\u3000men\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Minmei\uff1b\u3003\u3000came\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000manager’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Two\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000kissed\u3000each\u3000of\u3000them\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000in\u3000a\u3000swirl\u3000of\u3000long\uff1b\u3000raven\u3000hair\u3002
\n
\n
\nInstead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000seats\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Star\u3000Bowl\u3000amphitheater\u3000or\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000wall\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000a\u3000recording\u3000studio’s\u3000engineering\u3000booth\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000her\u3000band\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000a\u3000great\uff1b\u3000concave\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000viewport\u3002\u3000The\u3000enemy\u3000warfleet\u3000was\u3000deployed\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000Below\u3000were\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress’s\u3000upper\u3000works\uff1b\u3000and\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000curve\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blasted\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nbat\u3000craft\u3000were\u3000swarming\u3000from\u3000the\u3000super\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warships\u3000of\u3000Breetai’s\u3000armada\u3000were\u3000forming\u3000up\u3000around\u3000and\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000battlewagons\u3000and\u3000flagships\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000for\u3000a\u3000do\u2026or\u2026die\u3000first\u3000impact\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000cameras\u3000and\u3000pickups\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000Minmei\u3000as\u3000she\u3000found\u3000her\u3000mark\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000wear\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000full\u3000skirt\u3000and\u3000blouse\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000golden\u3000ribbon\u3000bowed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Wh\u3002\u3002\u3002what’s\u3000your\u3000opener\u3000gonna\u3000be\uff1f\u3003\u3000laughed\u3000her\u3000manager\uff1b\u3000Vance\u3000Hasslewood\uff1b\u3000nervously\uff1b\u3000mopping\u3000his\u3000brow\u3000with\u3000his\u3000handkerchief\u3002
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000’bout\u3000\u2018My\u3000Boyfriend’s\u3000a\u3000Pilot’\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000bass\u3000man\u3000joked\u3000weakly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000do\u3000the\u3000new\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000rehearsed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000pleted\u3000it\u3000only\u3000two\u3000days\u3000before\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000objections\u3000from\u3000just\u3000about\u3000everyone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000held\u3000up\u3000her\u3000mike\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000into\u3000it\u3000firmly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000time\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNow\u3000or\u3000never\u3002
\n
\n
\nTactical\u3000corps\u3000and\u3000civil\u3000defense\u3000mecha\u3000had\u3000been\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000decks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3000and\u3000the\u3000suppercarriers\u3002\u3000With\u3000their\u3000massed\u3000weapons\u3000added\u3000to\u3000the\u3000turrets\u3000and\u3000tubes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000short\u2026range\u3000defensive\u3000firepower\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000tripled\u3002
\n
\nOut\u3000where\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000were\u3000forming\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cats\u3000slung\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000of\u3000them\u3000into\u3000space\uff1b\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000fliers\u3000listened\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000net\u3000as\u3000Gloval’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000up\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Attention\uff1b\u3000all\u3000fighter\u3000pilots\u3002\u3000Once\u3000we\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000zone\u3000of\u3000engagement\uff1b\u3000there\u3000will\u3000be\u3000plete\u3000radio\u3000silence\u3000under\u3000all\u3000circumstances\u3002\u3000Miss\u3000Minmei’s\u3000song\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000that\uff1b\u3000will\u3000be\u3000broadcast\u3000on\u3000all\u3000frequencies\u3002\u3000As\u3000you\u3000have\u3000been\u3000briefed\uff1b\u3000we\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000will\u3000distract\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000and\u3000give\u3000us\u3000the\u3000advantage\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000must\u3000make\u3000maximum\u3000use\u3000of\u3000this\u3000element\u3000of\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Good\u3000luck\u3000to\u3000you\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000heard\u3000Gloval\u3000out\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3000visor\u3002\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000was\u3000flying\u3000the\u3000few\u3000armored\u3000VTs\u3000the\u3000fabrication\u3000and\u3000tech\u3000people\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000operational\u3002\u3000That\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000Max\uff1b\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000would\u3000be\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000spearhead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Not\u3000something\u3000to\u3000dwell\u3000on\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000his\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000Minmei\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000he\u3000led\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000out\u3002
\n
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000camera\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000mike\u3000on\u3000cue\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000spotlight\u3000shone\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000control\u3000room\uff1b\u3000her\u3000image\u3000was\u3000on\u3000all\u3000the\u3000screens\u3000from\u3000many\u3000angles\u3002
\n
\nLife\u3000is\u3000only\u3000what\u3000we\u3000choose\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\uff1b
\nLet\u3000us\u3000take\u3000it\uff1b
\nLet\u3000us\u3000be\u3000free
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000hit\u3000his\u3000ship’s\u3000boosters\u3002\u3000The\u3000blue\u3000vortices\u3000of\u3000its\u3000drives\u3000burned\u3000and\u3000shrieked\u3002\u3000The\u3000armored\u3000VTs\u3000left\u3000trails\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000leaping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3000Conventional\u3000VT\u3000teams\u3000came\u3000after\u3002
\n
\nBreetai’s\u3000tri\u2026thrusters\uff1b\u3000pods\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000mecha\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000follow\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000wisely\u3000agreed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000mingle\u3000their\u3000forces\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000human\u3000pilots\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000difficult\u3000time\u3000reading\u3000alien\u3000unit\u3000markings\u3000and\u3000telling\u3000friend\u3000from\u3000foe\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000hastily\u3000added\u3000RDF\u3000insignia\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tri’s\u3000and\u3000pods\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000spotted\u3000in\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000station\u3000of\u3000his\u3000flagship\uff1b\u3000Breetai\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000arms\u3000folded\u3000across\u3000his\u3000broad\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000a\u3000characteristic\u3000pose\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000at\u3000a\u3000projecbeam\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000had\u3000admitted\u3000so\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000hers\u3000was\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000wring\u3000emotion\u3000from\u3000any\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000course\u3000to\u3000this\u3000moment\u3000had\u3000been\u3000set\u3000when\u3000he\u3000first\u3000heard\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000tech\u3000relayed\u3000word\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000lord\uff1b\u3000this\u3000transmission\u3000is\u3000being\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000by\u3000Dolza’s\u3000ships\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000and\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\nWe\u3000can\u3000find\u3000the\u3000glory\u3000we\u3000all\u3000dream\u3000of\uff1b
\nand\u3000with\u3000our\u3000love\uff1b
\nWe\u3000can\u3000win\uff01
\n
\n
\nHis\u3000flagship\u3000trembled\u3000as\u3000its\u3000engines\u3000came\u3000up\u3000to\u3000full\u3000power\u3002\u3000The\u3000front\u3000ranks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armada\u3000moved\u3000forward\u3000at\u3000half\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000velocity\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Attack\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000was\u3000accelerating\u3000along\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000its\u3000back\u3000thrusters\u3000blazing\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fantastic\u3000armored\u3000marionette\u3000of\u3000war\u3002
\n
\nStill\u3000engulfing\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000below\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000orbit\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000paralyzed\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000human\u2026Zentraedi\u3000alliance\u3000swooped\u3000down\u3000at\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003What’s\u3000that\u3000on\u3000our\u3000monitors\uff1f\u3003\u3000growled\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Dolza’s\u3000munications\u3000officers\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000harsh\u3000and\u3000guttural\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000subordinate\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000tear\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000song\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Such\u3000distraction\u3000when\u3000a\u3000superior\u3000was\u3000asking\u3000questions\u3000would\u3000have\u3000drawn\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000terrible\u3000punishment\u3000at\u3000any\u3000other\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000both\u3000hypnotized\u3000by\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000we\u3000must\u3000fight\u3000or\u3000face\u3000defeat\uff1b
\nWe\u3000must\u3000stand\u3000tall\u3000and\u3000not\u3000retreat\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000subordinate\u3000shook\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000little\u3000and\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we’re\u3000receiving\u3000it\u3000on\u3000all\u3000frequencies\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000they\u3000both\u3000watched\u3000in\u3000fascination\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000flashing\u3000of\u3000indicators\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beeps\u3000of\u3000tones\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000within\u3000firing\u3000range\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000said\u3000tightly\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000counterattack\u3000detected\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000working\uff01\u3003\u3000Exedore\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000at\u3000Gloval’s\u3000side\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000said\u3000calmly\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000open\u3000fire\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000that\u3000first\u3000gargantuan\u3000volley\uff1b\u3000the\u3000attacking\u3000force’s\u3000main\u3000problem\u3000was\u3000not\u3000to\u3000hit\u3000its\u3000own\u3000fightercraft\u3000or\u3000have\u3000its\u3000cannon\u3000salvos\u3000destroy\u3000its\u3000own\u3000missiles\u3000in\u3000flight\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000were\u3000used\u3000to\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fire\u3000control\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carefully\u3000integrated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000systems\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000an\u3000impact\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000damaging\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon’s\uff1b\u3000millions\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000gaping\u3000at\u3000Minmei’s\u3000performance\uff1b\u3000died\u3000in\u3000moments\u3002
\n
\nAlarms\u3000were\u3000going\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000few\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000officers\u3000who\u3000could\u3000force\u3000their\u3000attention\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000screens\u3000could\u3000get\u3000no\u3000response\u3000from\u3000their\u3000troops\u3000short\u3000of\u3000physically\u3000attacking\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000crews\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000the\u3000alarms\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3000paused\u3000in\u3000her\u3000song\uff1b\u3000the\u3000band\u3000vamped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000background\u3002\u3000A\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000figure\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000spotlight\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nLynn\u2026Kyle\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000burning\u3000intensity\uff1b\u3000his\u3000long\uff1b\u3000straight\u3000black\u3000hair\u3000swirling\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Minmei\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Kyle\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000recited\u3000her\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000e\u3000to\u3000say\u3000good\u2026bye\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMinmei\u3000wasn’t\u3000exactly\u3000sure\u3000where\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000so\u3000hurried\uff1b\u3000so\u3000improvised\u3002\u3000Weren’t\u3000they\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000movies\u3000the\u3000two\u3000had\u3000done\u3000together\uff1f\u3000But\u3000Kyle\u3000was\u3000putting\u3000more\u3000into\u3000them\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000managed\u3000on\u3000screen\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000run\u3000off\u3000after\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000going\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1f
\n
\nNo\u3000matter\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000her\u3000into\u3000his\u3000arms\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000face\u3000up\u3000to\u3000his\u3002\u3000The\u3000camera\u3000cut\u3000from\u3000a\u3000two\u2026shot\u3000of\u3000their\u3000bodies\u3000pressed\u3000against\u3000each\u3000other\u3000to\u3000a\u3000close\u2026up\u3000of\u3000along\uff1b\u3000passionate\u3000kiss\uff1b\u3000Kyle\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000acting\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\uff1b\u3000alien\u3000warriors\u3000groaned\u3000and\u3000made\u3000nauseated\u3000sounds\u3002
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000can\u3000they\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003Most\u3000disgusting\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000ever\u2026\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000it\u3000that\u3000kep \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003How\u3000can\u3000they\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003Most\u3000disgusting\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000ever\u2026\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000it\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000them\u3000from\u3000looking\u3000away\uff1b\u3000an\u3000appalled\u3000captivation\u3002\u3000It\u3000should\u3000be\u3000added\u3000that\u3000among\u3000the\u3000female\u3000units\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Quadronos\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000more\u3000absorption\u3000and\u3000less\u3000repulsion\u3000than\u3000among\u3000the\u3000males\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000all\u3000through\u3000the\u3000orbiting\u3000fleet\uff1b\u3000moans\u3000and\u3000growls\u3000and\u3000other\u3000reactions\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kiss\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000shrieks\u3000of\u3000dismay\u3000and\u3000pain\u3000as\u3000the\u3000alliance’s\u3000volley\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000holing\u3000them\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000them\u3000to\u3000nothingness\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000kiss\u3000on\u3000a\u3000display\u3000screen\u3000and\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000not\u3000unkindly\uff1b\u3000Farewell\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\nThen\uff1b\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000’em\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000snarled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002
\n
\nSomeone\u3000must\u3000have\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000the\u3000Minmei\u3000transmission\u3000from\u3000at\u3000least\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet’s\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000effective\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000more\u3000than\u3000plenty\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Skull\u3000Team’s\u3000armored\u3000VTs\u3000bore\u3000in\u3000at\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000releasing\u3000barrages\u3000of\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3000pod\u3000and\u3000tri\u2026thruster\u3000defensive\u3000screens\u3002\u3000Quadrono\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3000came\u3000at\u3000the\u3000VTs\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000less\u3000effective\u3000now\u3000that\u3000Miriya\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000led\u3000them\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000avoided\u3000engaging\u3000those\u3002
\n
\nVTs\u3000shifted\u3000configuration\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000needs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Battloid\u3000and\u3000Guardian\u3000and\u3000Veritech\u3000modes\u3000were\u3000intermingled\u3002\u3000Pods\u3000and\u3000tri\u2026thrusters\u3000mixed\u3000it\u3000up\u3000with\u3000them\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Space\u3000was\u3000one\u3000big\u3000killing\u3000ground\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000armored\u3000VTs\u3000were\u3000faster\u3000and\u3000more\u3000maneuverable\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000in\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000being\u3000more\u3000heavily\u3000armed\u3002\u3000They\u3000pierced\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000formations\uff1b\u3000ripping\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000force\u3000to\u3000exploit\u3002
\n
\nSkull\u3000Team\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000unhittable\u3000and\u3000unavoidable\u3002\u3000Many\uff1b\u3000many\u3000Zentraedi\u3000saw\u3000their\u3000Jolly\u3000Roger\u3000insignia\u2026the\u3000skull\u3000and\u3000crossbones\u2026and\u3000died\u3000instants\u3000later\u3002\u3000The\u3000heavy\u3000autocannon\u3000buzz\u2026sawed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000missiles\u3000streamed\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000boiling\u3000trails\u3002\u3000But\u3000for\u3000every\u3000enemy\u3000downed\uff1b\u3000three\u3000more\u3000dove\u3000in\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000seal\u3000the\u3000gap\u3002
\n
\nIt’s\u3000love’s\u3000battle\u3000we\u3000must\u3000win\u3002
\nWe\u3000will\u3000win\u3002
\nWe\u3000can\u3000win\uff01
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000range\u3000was\u3000close\u3000now\u3002\u3000Around\u3000the\u3000bowl\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Minmei\u3000performed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000mecha\u3000opened\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000Destroid\u3000cannon\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000put\u3000out\u3000staggering\u3000volumes\u3000of\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Every\u3000battery\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000mounted\u2026except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000main\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000energy\u3000demands\u3000might\u3000have\u3000damaged\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u2026was\u3000working\u3000overtime\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet’s\u3000losses\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000were\u3000awful\uff1b\u3000but\u3000its\u3000numbers\u3000still\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000a\u3000vast\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000ships\u3000were\u3000returning\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000armada\u3000dreadnoughts\u3000forged\u3000on\uff1b\u3000blazing\u3000away\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\u3002\u3000Enemy\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3000to\u3000the\u3000alliance\u3000capital\u3000vessels\u3000now\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000best\u3000efforts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000and\u3000the\u3000armada’s\u3000pods\uff1b\u3000tri\u2026thrusters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000by\u3000inches\uff1b\u3000the\u3000allied\u3000force\u3000drew\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000Dolza’s\u3000headquarters\u3002
\n
\n
\nMax\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000were\u3000like\u3000avenging\u3000angels\uff1b\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000mortal\u3000power\u3000to\u3000resist\u3000or\u3000stop\u3002\u3000Faced\u3000with\u3000the\u3000redtrimmed\u3000armored\u3000VT\u3000or\u3000the\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000all\u3000any\u3000enemy\u3000pilot\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000resign\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000death\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000had\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mo\u3000and\u3000guidance\u3000equipment\u3000tuned\u3000for\u3000signals\u3000of\u3000life\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000from\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\u3002\u3000If\u3000there\u3000was\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000life\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000light\u3000cruiser\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000break\u3000past\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000for\u3000a\u3000go\u3000at\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000in\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000go\u3000a\u3000torrent\u3000of\u3000mixed\u3000ordnance\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000for\u3000the\u3000vital\u3000spots\u3000the\u3000defectors\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000about\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000cruiser\u3000fired\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rick\u3000decided\u3000this\u3000was\u3000one\u3000head\u2026on\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000survive\u3002\u3000But\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3000the\u3000cruiser\u3000expanded\uff1b\u3000armor\u3000flying\u3000off\u3000it\u3000like\u3000rind\u3000off\u3000a\u3000bursting\u3000melon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000the\u3000vessel\u3000and\u3000its\u3000crew\u3000were\u3000scattered\u3000atoms\u3000and\u3000little\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000violent\u3000was\u3000the\u3000explosion\u3000that\u3000Rick\u3000was\u3000distracted\uff1b\u3000avoiding\u3000being\u3000damaged\u3000by\u3000it\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000a\u3000trio\u3000of\u3000Battlepods\u3000had\u3000loosed\u3000multiple\u3000spreads\u3000of\u3000missiles\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000absolutely\u3000no\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000dodging\u3000them\u3000all\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000eluded\u3000some\uff1b\u3000jammed\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others’\u3000guidance\u3000systems\uff1b\u3000shot\u3000a\u3000few\u3000right\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u2026and\u3000the\u3000special\u3000VT’s\u3000armor\u3000protected\u3000him\u3000from\u3000several\u3000hits\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000that\u3000left\u3000still\u3000more\u3000to\u3000go\u3000for\u3000his\u3000vitals\u3002\u3000In\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000he\u3000crouched\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000nevertheless\u3000took\u3000several\uff1b\u3000right\u3000in\u3000the\u3000breadbasket\u3002\u3000VT\u3000armor\u3000was\u3000good\u3000but\u3000not\u3000that\u3000good\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000damaged\u3000Battloid\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000wake\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000spun\u3000and\u3000tumbled\u3000for\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000flopping\u3000lifelessly\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000NINETEEN
\n
\nWhen\u3000you’re\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upper\u2026right\u2026hand\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000that\u3000envelope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000\u3003CANCEL\u3003\u3000stamp\u3000es\u3000your\u3000way\uff1b\u3000you\u3000do\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000thinking\u3002
\nThe\u3000Collected\u3000Journals\u3000of\u3000Admiral\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter
\n
\nThe\u3000crescent\u3000moon\u3000filing\u3000low\u3000on\u3000the\u3000horizon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000landscape\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3000made\u3000the\u3000two\u3000bodies\u3000like\u3000twins\u3000now\u3002
\n
\npared\u3000to\u3000the\u3000barrage\u3000that\u3000had\u3000laid\u3000waste\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stray\u3000beams\u3000and\u3000rounds\u3000from\u3000the\u3000colossal\u3000battle\u3000above\u3000were\u3000barely\u3000distant\u3000sniper\u3000shots\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000rattle\u3000an\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\u3000that\u3000was\u3000already\u3000mortally\u3000wounded\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000shattered\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000what\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000was\u3000already\u3000ringed\u3000with\u3000bizarre\u3000energy\u3000phenomena\u3002\u3000Crackling\u3000discharges\uff1b\u3000wandering\u3000spheres\u3000of\u3000ball\u3000lightning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fireflylike\u3000radiation\u3000nexuses\u3000had\u3000sprung\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tremendous\u3000forces\u3000loosed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000and\u3000their\u3000interaction\u3000with\u3000both\u3000local\u3000fields\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fury\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy’s\u3000rain\u3000of\u3000death\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Earth\u3000Defense\u3000Sector\u3000four\u2026alpha\uff1b\u3000e\u3000in\u3000please\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lisa\u3000called\u3000into\u3000her\u3000headset\u3000mike\u3000as\u3000the\u3000room\u3000tossed\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000base\u3000heaved\u3000again\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000down\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000debris\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000The\u3000tremors\u3000were\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000stray\u3000shots\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000and\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rebellion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000very\u3000planet\u3000against\u3000the\u3000obscene\u3000things\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000done\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000came\u3000as\u3000well\u3000from\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000installation\u3000was\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000what\u3000Lisa\u3000could\u3000read\u3000from\u3000her\u3000instruments\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000a\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000quiet\u3000death\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000found\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000alive\u3000in\u3000the\u3000base\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000see\u3000about\u3000a\u3000glitch\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shielded\u3000mo\u3000relay\u3000substation\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cosmic\u3000fireworks\u3000went\u3000off\u3002\u3000Being\u3000the\u3000last\u3000survivor\u3000in\u3000an\u3000underground\u3000charnel\u3000house\u3000might\u3000be\u3000somebody\u3000else’s\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stroke\u3000of\u3000fortune\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000Lisa’s\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000fought\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000her\u3000nerve\u3000from\u3000breaking\u3000as\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000another\u3000call\u3002\u3000She\u3000kept\u3000herself\u3000narrowly\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000job\u3000at\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000shut\u3000out\u3000the\u3000ghastly\u3000things\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000and\u3000smelled\u3000and\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000in\u3000making\u3000her\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000post\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000place\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000only\u3000by\u3000dim\u3000red\u3000emergency\u3000lights\u3002\u3000The\u3000weak\u3000flow\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fallback\u3000power\u3000system\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000console\u3000functioning\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000power\u3000in\u3000the\u3000base\uff1b\u3000power\u3000gathering\u3000itself\u3000for\u3000a\u3000split\u2026second\u3000rampage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000tap\u3000any\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000no\u3000use\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000all\u3000gone\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000numbly\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000long\u3000she\u3000would\u3000last\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000living\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000only\u3000human\u3000being\u3000alive\u3002
\n
\nNot\u3000long\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hoped\u3002
\n
\nAbruptly\uff1b\u3000multicolored\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000static\u3000zagged\u3000across\u3000her\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000father’s\u3000face\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000broken\u3000by\u3000interference\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000reappear\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Lisa\uff1f\u3000I’m\u3000reading\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000transmission\u3000is\u3000very\u3000weak\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000long\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000God\u3000you’re\u3000alive\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000station\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000figures\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gloom\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000by\u3000occasional\u3000flashes\u3000of\u3000static\u3000or\u3000electrical\u3000shorts\u3002\u3000So\u3000others\u3000had\u3000been\u3000spared\u3000by\u3000the\u3000concussion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000explosions\u3000and\u3000air\u3000contamination\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fires\u3000and\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000radiation\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000was\u3000severely\u3000damaged\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000it\u3000will\u3000fire\u3000again\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000try\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000Father\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000smiled\u3000weakly\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000seems\u3000you\u3000were\u3000right\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000forces\u3000are\u3000much\u3000too\u3000powerful\u3000for\u3000our\u3000weapons\u3000to\u3000handle\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnother\u3000shock\u3000wave\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000base\u3002\u3000Admiral\u3000Hayes\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Lisa\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000now\uff01\u3003
\n
\nGet\u3000out\uff1f\u3000What\u3000was\u3000he\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3000The\u3000surface\u3000was\u3000a\u3000radioactive\u3000execution\u3000chamber\u3000carpeted\u3000with\u3000molten\u3000glass\u3000for\u3000miles\u3000all\u3000around\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000so\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000way\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000to\u3000die\u3000with\u3000him\u3000because\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000better\u3000place\u3000than\u3000the\u3000one\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000die\u3000this\u3000day\u3002
\n
\nBefore\u3000she\u3000could\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000eruption\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000base\u3000equipment\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000screen\u3000broke\u3000up\u3000into\u3000rainbow\u3000distortion\uff1b\u3000then\u3000went\u3000dark\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000threw\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000the\u3000console\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sank\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000wracked\u3000by\u3000sobs\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wailing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base’s\u3000power\u3000plant\u3000built\u3000and\u3000built\u3000for\u3000a\u3000final\uff1b\u3000terrible\u3000outpouring\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Father\u3002\u3002\u3002Father\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000draws\u3000on\uff1b\u3000we\u3000feel\u3000stronger\uff1b
\nHow\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000must\u3000we\u3000go\u3000now\uff1f
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000daze\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000missiles’\u3000pounding\u3002\u3000He\u3000blinked\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000whirling\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000His\u3000flying\u3000sense\u3000told\u3000him\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000spinning\u3000and\u3000sprawling\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000its\u3000thrusters\u3000only\u3000marginally\u3000effective\u3000in\u3000slowing\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000big\uff1b\u3000loose\u2026limbed\u3000fireball\u3000meteor\u3002
\n
\nWhere\u3000am\u3000I\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happened\uff1f\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rush\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000gained\u3000a\u3000little\u3000control\u3000over\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000his\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000its\u3000impulses\u3000from\u3000the\u3000receptors\u3000in\u3000his\u3000helmet\uff1b\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n
\nGotta\u3000go\u3000to\u3000F\u3000mode\uff01\u3000The\u3000bucking\u3000and\u3000spinning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dive\u3000made\u3000it\u3000difficult\u3000reaching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000one\u3000close\u3000control\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000hadn’t\u3000made\u3000minimal\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000control\u3000the\u3000crash\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000likely\u3000never\u3000have\u3000woken\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000hardest\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000done\u3000in\u3000his\u3000life\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000got\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000the\u3000F\u3000lever\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000it\u3002\u3000Damage\u3000co \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ontrol\u3000systems\u3000in\u3000his\u3000Robotech\u3000ship\u3000made\u3000decisions\u3000and\u3000blew\u3000off\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000pods\u3000with\u3000which\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000retrofitted\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000ponents\u3000were\u3000jettisoned\u3000too\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Battloid\u3000folded\uff1b\u3000elongated\u3000here\uff1b\u3000shortened\u3000there\u2026mechamorphosed\u3002\u3000And\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sleek\uff1b\u3000conventional\u3000VT\u3000rode\u3000the\u3000thickening\u3000air\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nSeems\u3000to\u3000be\u3000handling\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000hit\u3000as\u3000bad\u3000as\u3000I\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ship\u3000had\u3000automatically\u3000assumed\u3000a\u3000belly\u2026flop\u3000attitude\u3000for\u3000atmospheric\u3000reentry\u3002\u3000The\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000its\u3000descent\u3000reddened\u3000its\u3000ablative\u3000shielding\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000torching\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nOops\uff01\u3000Better\u3000activate\u3000heat\u3000shields\uff01\u3000In\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000a\u3000protective\u3000blister\u3000of\u3000heat\u2026reflective\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000Skulls’\u3000Jolly\u3000Roger\u3000insignia\uff1b\u3000slid\u3000into\u3000place\u3000over\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3002\u3000Other\u3000vulnerable\u3000ponents\u3000were\u3000similarly\u3000protected\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000heat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000began\u3000dropping\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rick\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000assess\u3000his\u3000situation\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3000That\u3000covered\u3000just\u3000about\u3000all\u3000the\u3000important\u3000stuff\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000most\u3000pilots\u3000were\u3000concerned\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\u3000was\u3000still\u3000singing\u3002\u3000He\u3000recalled\u3000those\u3000last\u3000words\u3000he\u3000had\u3000exchanged\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000his\u3000quarters\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sirens\u3000shrilled\u3000for\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000hot\u3000scramble\u3002
\n
\nYou\u3000can\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000Just\u3000remember\uff1a\u3000Today\u3000you\u3000sing\u3000for\u3000everyone\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000\u2026I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000really\u3000singing\u3000for\u3000you\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000then\u3000she\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000a\u3000kiss\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000to\u3000his\u3000toes\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kiss\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000feel\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000fly\u3002
\n
\nI\u3000love\u3000you\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000l\u3000love\u3000you\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000it\u3000was\u3000really\u3000good\u2026bye\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000had\u3000both\u3000known\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000the\u3000recollection\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000stroll\u3000down\u3000memory\u3000lane\u3000that\u3000got\u3000pilots\u3000killed\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000atmosphere\u3000now\uff1b\u3000his\u3000VT\u3000trimmed\uff1b\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000respond\u3000well\u3002\u3000He\u3000slowed\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000the\u3000wings\u3000out\u3000to\u3000minimal\u3000sweep\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000back\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000shields\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000look\u3000around\u3002\u3000Night\u3000lay\u3000over\u3000the\u3000wasteland\uff1b\u3000and\u3000clouds\u3000closed\u3000in\u3000above\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000why\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000was\u3000descending\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\uff1b\u3000why\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000homing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000something\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000mo\u3000system\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000signal\u3000and\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000given\u3000it\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000task\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000swept\u3000in\u3000lower\u3000over\u3000the\u3000ravaged\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000stronger\u3000signal\u3002\u3000The\u3000utter\u3000horror\u3000of\u3000what\u3000had\u3000been\u3000done\u3000to\u3000his\u3000planet\u3000made\u3000him\u3000lock\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000the\u3000job\u3000at\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000that\u3000alone\u3002\u3000His\u3000mo\u3000equipment\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000emanations\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000on\u3000the\u3000designated\u3000frequency\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000banked\uff1b\u3000climbed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000smoky\u3000night\u3002\u3000A\u3000minute\u3000of\u3000maneuvering\u3000went\u3000by\uff1b\u3000then\u3000two\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000if\u3000by\u3000magic\u3000he\u3000was\u3000rewarded\u3000with\u3000a\u3000signal\u3000that\u3000came\u3000in\u3000five\u3000by\u3000five\u2026perfectly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000say\u3000again\uff1a\u3000This\u3000is\u3000mander\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\u3002\u3000Anyone\u3000receiving\u3000this\u3000transmission\uff1b\u3000please\u3000respond\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000note\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000in\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000before\u3002\u3000Something\u3000in\u3000it\u3000brought\u3000home\u3000to\u3000him\u3000forcefully\u3000how\u3000important\u3000she\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nFarewell\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000so\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000reply\uff1b\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000he\u3000was\u3000there\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000opening\u3000his\u3000transmitter\u3000and\u3000ignored\u3000all\u3000proper\u3000procedure\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lisa\uff01\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rick\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000said\u3000it\u3000low\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000wildly\uff1b\u3000\u3003Rick\uff1b\u3000is\u3000it\u3000really\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff01\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000suddenly\u3000sounded\u3000downcast\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I’m\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lisa\uff1b\u3000give\u3000me\u3000your\u3000coordinates\u3002\u3000Send\u3000me\u3000a\u3000homing\u3000signal\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000waited\u3000a\u3000beat\u3000before\u3000answering\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000far\u3000too\u3000dangerous\u3000here\u3002\u3000But\u3000thanks\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Damn\u3000your\u3000eyes\uff01\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000fix\u3000on\u3000your\u3000signal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000ing\uff01\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\u3000help\u3000me\u3000or\u3000not\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000no\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000yes\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Besides\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000jauntily\uff1b\u3000\u3003what’s\u3000a\u3000little\u3000danger\u3000to\u3000us\uff1f\u3000I’ll\u3000get\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000there\u3000in\u3000no\u3000time\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000had\u3000his\u3000long\u3000white\u3000flying\u3000scarf\u3000so\u3000he\u3000could\u3000fling\u3000it\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000rakishly\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000homing\u3000signal\u3002\u3000\u3003Rick\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000so\u3000glad\u3000it’s\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000intimate\u3000as\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000serenade\u3002\u3000\u3003Be\u3000careful\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nSoon\u3000after\uff1b\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000dove\u3000straight\u3000down\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000the\u3000onetime\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3002\u3000It\u3000went\u3000from\u3000Fighter\u3000to\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000battered\u3000by\u3000rising\u3000heat\u3000waves\u3000and\u3000running\u3000a\u3000gauntlet\u3000of\u3000radiation\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000broiled\u3000an\u3000unprotected\u3000human\u3000being\u3000instantly\u3002
\n
\nWe\u3000shall\u3000live\u3000the\u3000day\u3000we\u3000dream\u3000of\u3000winning
\nAnd\u3000beginning\u3000a\u3000new\u3000life
\nWe\u3000will\u3000win\uff01
\nWe\u3000must\u3000win\uff01
\n
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000sung\u3000it\u3000through\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000longer\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000played\u3000with\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000very\u3000many\u3000minutes\u3000since\u3000Minmei\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000her\u3000song\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000Khyron\u3000the\u3000Backstabber\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000and\u3000war\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000turned\u3000upon\u3000such\u3000minutes\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000his\u3000flagship\uff1b\u3000well\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000but\u3000within\u3000striking\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000Lack\u3000of\u3000sufficient\u3000Protoculture\u3000to\u3000make\u3000his\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000the\u3000solar\u3000system\u3000had\u3000forced\u3000him\u3000to\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000new\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000seemed\u3000more\u3000promising\u3000every\u3000moment\u3002
\n
\nGrel\uff1b\u3000his\u3000second\u3000in\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000watched\u3000Khyron\u3000worriedly\u3002\u3000Khyron\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000no\u3000aversion\u3000to\u3000the\u3000singing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000kissing\u3002\u3000His\u3000handsome\u3000face\u3000shone\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000alight\u3000with\u3000the\u3000gleam\u3000Grel\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000there\u3000when\u3000Khyron\u3000used\u3000the\u3000forbidden\u3000leaves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000your\u3000plan\u3000now\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lord\uff1f\u3003\u3000Grel\u3000ventured\u3002
\n
\nKhyron\u3000was\u3000still\u3000watching\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000\u3003Mm\u3002\u3000Pretty\u3000little\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGrel\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000bursting\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nKhyron\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000me\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000Breetai’s\u3000flagship\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3000up\u3000dreamily\u3000at\u3000Minmei’s\u3000projecbeam\u3000image\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nGrel\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000say\u3000and\uff1b\u3000moreover\uff1b\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000saying\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Backstabber\u3000had\u3000cut\u3000short\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000otherwise\u3000promising\u3000careers\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000blurting\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000\u3003But\u3000my\u3000lord\uff01\u3000Breetai\u3000is\u3000one\u3000of\u3000us\uff01\u3000You\u3000cannot\u3000do\u3000th\u2026\u3003
\n
\nKhyron\u3000whirled\u3000on\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000murderous\u3000rage\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000dare\u3000you\uff1f\u3000You\u3000will\u3000follow\u3000my\u3000orders\u3000or\u3000else\uff01\u3003
\n
\nGrel\u3000turned\u3000very\u3000pale\u3000and\u3000hurried\u3000to\u3000obey\u3002\u3000Khyron\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000enjoyment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000song\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000his\u3000enjoyment\u3000was\u3000sinister\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000physical\uff1b\u3000languorous\u3000pleasure\u3000as\u3000he\u3000concluded\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000at\u3000last\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000understanding\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pure\u3000true\u3000definition\u3000of\u3000conquest\uff1b\u3000something\u3000more\u3000pleasure\u2026giving\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000right\uff1b\u3000than\u3000all\u3000the\u3000victories\uff1b\u3000booty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000worlds\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000taken\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000Khyron’s\u3000flagship\u3000was\u3000underway\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000flotilla\u3000of\u3000those\u3000still\u3000loyal\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n
\nPeople\u3000in\u3000the\u3000control\u3000booth\u3000and\u3000even\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000band\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000inquiry\u3000up\u3000the\u3000line\uff1a\u3000Shouldn’t\u3000Minmei\u3000go\u3000to\u3000another\u3000song\uff1f
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000important\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000his\u3000career\uff1b\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000time\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000order\u3000personally\uff1a\u3000no\uff01\u3000This\u3000song\uff1b\u3000this\u3000song\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\uff01
\n
\nNow\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Minmei’s\u3000voice\u3000ringing\u3000through\u3000it\u3000everywhere\u3000that\u3000battle\u3000damage\u3000hadn’t\u3000silenced\u3000the\u3000PA\u3000system\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000waded\u3000deeper\u3000and\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000massed\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3002\u3000Out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000decks\u3000and\u3000outerworks\uff1b\u3000enemy\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000vicious\u3000toll\u3000of\u3000the\u3000exposed\u3000attack\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000crews\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3000machines\u3000still\u3000kept\u3000up\u3000intense\u3000fire\u3002
\n
\n
\nBreetai’s\u3000armada\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000badly\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000hadn’t\u3000slowed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Keep\u3000all\u3000power\u3000levels\u3000at\u3000maximum\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000bellowed\u3000as\u3000systemry\u3000and\u3000power\u3000conduits\u3000blew\u3000all\u3000about\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000flagship\u3000and\u3000its\u3000escort\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000pressed\u3000on\uff1b\u3000their\u3000volume\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armada\u3000striking\u3000after\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wedge\uff1b\u3000probing\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000disorganized\u3000foe\u3002
\n
\nMany\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000fightercraft\u3000and\u3000mecha\u3000on\u3000both\u3000sides\u3000had\u3000been\u3000snuffed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000by\u3000the\u3000overwhelming\u3000volleys\u3000being\u3000traded\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000had\u3000quit\u3000the\u3000battle’s\u3000fairway\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hell\u3000or\u3000glory\uff01\u3003\u3000cried\u3000Azonia\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000fist\u3000aloft\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000in\u3000to\u3000shore\u3000up\u3000the\u3000alliance’s\u3000badly\u3000crumpling\u3000left\u3000flank\u3002\u3000Her\u3000forces\u3000threw\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000the\u3000engagement\u3000with\u3000fanatic\u3000zeal\u3002
\n
\nDolza’s\u3000faithful\u3000leapt\u3000at\u3000them\u3000with\u3000an\u3000equal\u3000thirst\u3000for\u3000death\u3000and\u3000triumph\u3002
\n
\n
\nInside\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000hit\u3000pierced\u3000the\u3000hold\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3000lay\u3002\u3000Atmosphere\u3000roared\u3000out\u3000at\u3000once\u3000like\u3000a\u3000great\u3000river\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000missiles\u3000penetrated\u3000the\u3000hold\u3000to\u3000score\u3000direct\u3000hits\u3000on\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Armored\u3000curtains\u3000and\u3000sealing\u3000sections\u3000swung\u3000into\u3000place\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000there\u3000was\u3000grievous\u3000damage\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Rebuilt\u3000a\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000times\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000fast\u3000being\u3000rubble\u3000again\u3002\u3000Loss\u3000of\u3000life\u3000was\u3000relatively\u3000low\u3000because\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000inhabitants\u3000were\u3000on\u3000emergency\u3000duty\u3000elsewhere\u3000and\u3000practically\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000were\u3000in\u3000shelters\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000before\u3000the\u3000last\u3000curtain\u3000rolled\u3000into\u3000place\u3000to\u3000seal\u3000the\u3000partment\u3000and\u3000allow\u3000it\u3000to\u3000be\u3000repressurized\uff1b\u3000a\u3000last\u3000heavy\u3000enemy\u3000missile\u3000somehow\u3000sizzled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gap\u3002\u3000By\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000it\u3000found\u3000a\u3000shelter\u3000in\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000hit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000carnage\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000that\u3000belonged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sane\u3000universe\u3002
\n
\nRepair\u3000and\u3000rescue\u3000crews\u3000and\u3000medical\u3000teams\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000back\u3000to\u3000give\u3000them\u3000time\u3000to\u3000do\u3000their\u3000work\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000bit\u3000his\u3000lower\u3000lip\u3000but\u3000refused\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000all\u3000that\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000humanity\u3000was\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000Dolza\u3000wasn’t\u3000smashed\u3000now\uff1b\u3000in\u3000this\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000would\u3000survive\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000request\u3000was\u3000denied\u3002\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000raged\u3000on\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000first\u3000agonizing\u3000time\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000something\u3000of\u3000a\u3000villain\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY
\n
\nAside\u3000from\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000very\u3000few\u3000of\u3000our\u3000senior\u3000military\u3000people\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000truth\uff1a\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000do\u3000not\u3000truly\u3000understand\u3000Robotechnology\u3002\u3000They\u3000use\u3000it\u3000without\u3000prehending\u3000how\u3000it\u3000works\uff1b\u3000as\u3000many\u3000humans\u3000use\u3000television\uff1b\u3000laser\u3000devices\uff1b\u3000or\u3000aircraft\u3000without\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000makes\u3000those\u3000technologies\u3000function\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000were\u3000given\u3000their\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000equipment\u3000by\u3000the\u3000enigmatic\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3002\u3000Their\u3000control\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000is\u3000due\uff1b\u3000in\u3000part\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000giants’\u3000own\u3000ignorance\u3002
\nThis\u3000means\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Zentra \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ontrol\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000is\u3000due\uff1b\u3000in\u3000part\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000giants’\u3000own\u3000ignorance\u3002
\nThis\u3000means\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000are\u3000vulnerable\u3000in\u3000ways\u3000of\u3000which\u3000they\u3000are\u3000unaware\u3002
\nDr\u3002\u3000Emil\u3000Lang\uff1b\u3000Technical\u3000Recordings\u3000and\u3000Notes
\n
\nMore\u3000disturbances\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000underground\u3000corridors\u3000of\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\u3000as\u3000a\u3000terrier\u3000might\u3000shake\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000in\u3000its\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000The\u3000titanic\u3000supports\u3000plained\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ceilings\u3000showered\u3000rock\u3000dust\u3002
\n
\nThrough\u3000it\u3000flew\u3000the\u3000Skull\u3000Guardian\uff1b\u3000maneuvering\u3000in\u3000very\u3000confining\u3000space\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000exploding\u3000power\u3000ducts\u3000and\u3000ruptured\u3000energy\u3000mains\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000an\u3000abrupt\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\u3000hard\u3000so\u3000as\u3000not\u3000to\u3000collide\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000shield\u3000door\u3000that\u3000dead\u2026ended\u3000the\u3000cyclopean\u3000corridor\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000to\u3000be\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000He\u3000lowered\u3000a\u3000phased\u2026array\u3000laser\u3000turret\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000with\u3000his\u3000gunsight\u3000reticle\u3002\u3000The\u3000fearsome\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quad\u2026mount\u3000sent\u3000armor\u3000flowing\u3000in\u3000rivulets\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3002\u3000He\u3000cut\u3000back\u3000his\u3000ambitions\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000for\u3000a\u3000man\u2026size\u3000opening\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000a\u3000VT\u2026size\u3000one\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000a\u3000circular\u3000plug\u3000of\u3000armor\u3000two\u3000feet\u3000thick\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shield\u3000door\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000makeshift\u3000hatch\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000gave\u3000mands\u3000with\u3000his\u3000controls\u3000and\u3000with\u3000mental\u3000images\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Guardian\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000its\u3000nose\u3000touching\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000floor\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000disembark\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000at\u3000the\u3000smoking\uff1b\u3000red\u2026hot\u3000opening\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Rick\uff01\u3003\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000him\u3000patiently\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000short\uff1b\u3000small\u3000connecting\u3000passageway\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000sinking\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000with\u3000relief\u3000and\u2026something\u3000else\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000he\u3000tossed\u3000his\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000unruly\u3000black\u3000hair\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000flickered\u3000his\u3000eyebrows\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000the\u3000lady\u3000who\u3000called\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cab\uff1f\u3000I’m\u3000your\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000laughed\u3000fondly\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000about\u3000time\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000laughing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000up\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000whirling\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000another\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Guardian’s\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000seated\u3000across\u3000his\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000his\u3000flying\u3002\u3000Strange\u3000energy\u3000phenomena\u3000coruscated\u3000and\u3000spat\u3000all\u3000around\uff1b\u3000a\u3000poltergeist\u3000zoo\u3000of\u3000deadly\u3000short\u2026term\u3000exotica\u3002\u3000Purple\u3000lightning\u3000grasped\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000green\u3000rays\u3000ricocheted\u3000from\u3000surface\u3000to\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Walls\u3000blew\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000shredded\u3000armor\u3000plate\u3000whirling\u3000like\u3000leaf\u3000fragments\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000reactor’s\u3000overloading\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000din\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000somehow\u3000ran\u3000the\u3000dimly\u3000lit\u3000obstacle\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Lisa’s\u3000head\u3000buried\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000in\u3000case\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000shattered\u3002\u3000After\u3000several\u3000centuries’\u3000time\u3000juking\u3000and\u3000sideslipping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000maze\u3000of\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Guardian\u3000was\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000vertical\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000what\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Earth’s\u3000greatest\u3000weapon\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000before\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000last\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000defensive\u3000ships\u3000was\u3000riven\u3000apart\u3000by\u3000the\u3000irresistible\u3000wedge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000allied\u3000force\u3002\u3000Before\u3000them\u3000hung\u3000Dolza’s\u3000headquarters\u3000like\u3000some\u3000lumpy\uff1b\u3000dangling\u3000overripe\u3000fruit\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Dolza\u3000didn’t\u3000run\uff1b\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000true\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Dolza\u3000embodied\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\u3000code\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000Breetai\u3000had\u3000known\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000moonlet\u2026size\u3000headquarters\u3000came\u3000straight\u3000at\u3000its\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000such\u3000escort\u3000vessels\u3000as\u3000it\u3000could\u3000gather\u3000around\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Objective\u3000now\u3000approaching\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000reported\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000units\u3000in\u3000position\uff1b\u3003\u3000Kim\u3000sang\u3000out\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Target\u3000within\u3000range\u3002\u3000Stand\u3000by\uff1b\u3000all\u3000batteries\uff1b\u3003\u3000Sammie\u3000said\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mike\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000escort\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000break\u3000contact\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000objective\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3003\u3000Claudia\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000She\u3000paused\u3000for\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000headquarters\u3002\u3000Its\u3000shape\u3000and\u3000lines\u3000and\u3000apparent\u3000texture\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3000in\u3000space\uff1b\u3000falling\u3000straight\u3000at\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000Ready\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000who\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000humanity’s\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000its\u3000path\uff1b\u3000as\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000way\u3002
\n
\nClaudia’s\u3000face\u3000hardened\u3000along\u3000grim\uff1b\u3000angry\u3000lines\u3002\u3000Not\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000her\u3000slain\u3000lover\uff1b\u3000Roy\u3000Fokker\uff1b\u3000and\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000others\u3000who\u3000had\u3000died\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pointless\u3000war\u3002\u3000But\u3000not\u3000this\u3000time\uff01
\n
\nExedore\uff1b\u3000still\u3000at\u3000Gloval’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000said\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000run\u3000a\u3000high\u3000current\u3000through\u3000Gloval\u3002\u3000\u3003Open\u3000fire\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000barked\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000fired\u3000again\uff1b\u3000in\u3000every\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000her\u3000carefully\u3000hoarded\u3000power\u3000being\u3000used\u3000at\u3000a\u3000fearsome\u3000rate\u3000now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000was\u3000late\u3000in\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000even\u3000though\u3000only\u3000minutes\u3000had\u3000elapsed\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000armada\u3000ships\u3000of\u3000Breetai\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000to\u3000all\u3000sides\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000or\u3000lend\u3000support\u3000as\u3000they\u3000could\u3002\u3000The\u3000final\u3000mission\u3000was\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress’s\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000other\u3000vessel\u3000in\u3000existence\u3000could\u3000perform\u3000it\u3000or\u3000acpany\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000giant\u3000warrior\u3000shape’s\u3000thrusters\u3000blared\uff1b\u3000adjusting\u3000attitude\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000came\u3000at\u3000Dolza’s\u3000stronghold\u3000headfirst\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Brace\u3000for\u3000ramming\uff01\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000bellowed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000orders\u3000went\u3000forth\u3002\u3000The\u3000engines\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000great\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000death\u3000dive\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000great\u3000booms\u3000that\u3000reared\u3000above\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000head\u3000like\u3000wings\u3000were\u3000now\u3000aligned\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000space\u3000mountain\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Dolza’s\u3000headquarters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nerve\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3002\u3000The\u3000booms\u3000were\u3000separate\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000reinforced\u3000structures\u3000that\u3000were\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000exception\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mammoth\u3000engines\uff1b\u3000the\u3000strongest\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000And\u3000around\u3000their\u3000tips\u3000glowed\u3000the\u3000green\u2026white\u3000fields\u3000of\u3000a\u3000limited\u3000barrier\u3000defense\uff1b\u3000making\u3000them\u3000all\u3000but\u3000indestructible\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000plunged\u3000at\u3000its\u3000objective\uff1b\u3000Dolza’s\u3000technical\u3000operations\u3000people\uff1b\u3000prepared\u3000for\u3000an\u3000exchange\u3000of\u3000close\u3000broadsides\uff1b\u3000realized\u3000only\u3000in\u3000a\u3000last\uff1b\u3000horrified\u3000moment\u3000what\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress’s\u3000intention\u3000was\u3002\u3000By\u3000then\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000being\u3000rammed\u3000hadn’t\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000no\u3000other\u3000vessel\u3000could\u3000have\u3000done\u3000it\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Breetai’s\u3000flagship\u3000could\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000Dolza’s\u3000base\u3000little\u3000more\u3000damage\u3000that\u3000way\u3000than\u3000a\u3000child\u3000could\u3000inflict\u3000by\u3000crashing\u3000a\u3000kiddie\u3000car\u3000into\u3000Gibraltar\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000this\u3000was\u3000Zor’s\u3000final\u3000creation\uff1b\u3000a\u3000machine\u3000that\u3000incorporated\u3000most\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000about\u3000Protoculture\u3000and\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000Robotechnology\u3002\u3000The\u3000booms\u3000went\u3000through\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000armor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000headquarters\u3000moonlet\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000soft\u3000cheese\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000was\u3000like\u3000some\u3000enormous\u3000stake\u3000being\u3000driven\u3000into\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\u3002
\n
\nOnce\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000was\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000outermost\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000headquarters’\u3000armor\u3000plating\uff1b\u3000Dolza’s\u3000stupendous\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000vulnerable\u3002\u3000Bulkheads\u3000were\u3000smashed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000like\u3000aluminum\u3000foil\uff1b\u3000structural\u3000members\u3000snapped\u3000like\u3000toothpicks\u3002\u3000The\u3000directed\u3000barrier\u3000shields\u3000glowed\u3000brighter\u3000but\u3000held\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000ocean\u3000of\u3000air\u3000began\u3000leaking\u3000from\u3000the\u3000headquarters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000started\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Power\u3000junctions\u3000and\u3000energy\u3000routing\uff1b\u3000severed\u3000or\u3000crushed\uff1b\u3000sent\u3000serpents\u3000of\u3000writhing\u3000electrical\u3000and\u3000Protoculture\u3000lightning\u3000into\u3000the\u3000thinning\u3000air\u3000and\u3000serpentining\u3000along\u3000the\u3000bulkheads\u3000and\u3000decks\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000brought\u3000its\u3000mighty\u3000forearms\uff1b\u3000the\u3000supercarriers\u3000Daedalus\u3000and\u3000Prometheus\uff1b\u3000into\u3000play\u3002\u3000Their\u3000bows\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reinforced\u3000and\u3000mantled\u3000with\u3000directed\u3000barrier\u3000shields\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000punching\u3000his\u3000way\u3000through\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000drove\u3000on\uff1b\u3000destroying\u3000all\u3000that\u3000was\u3000in\u3000its\u3000path\uff1b\u3000its\u3000thrusters\u3000making\u3000it\u3000an\u3000irresistible\u3000force\u3002
\n
\nZentraedi\u3000were\u3000whirled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000like\u3000dust\u3000motes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tremendous\u3000atmospheric\u3000currents\u3000being\u3000sucked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000had\u3000made\u3002\u3000They\u3000died\u3000in\u3000explosions\u3000and\u3000were\u3000torn\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000ground\u3000up\uff1b\u3000squashed\u3000to\u3000jelly\uff1b\u3000or\u3000impaled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000flying\uff1b\u3000whirling\u3000wreckage\u3002
\n
\nThrough\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3000sang\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000song\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000any\u3000surprise\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000felt\u2026now\u3000that\u3000if\u3000she\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000it\u3000might\u3000bring\u3000about\u3000some\u3000disastrous\u3000halt\u3000in\u3000the\u3000desperate\u3000attack\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000her\u3000song\u3000was\u3000what\u3000was\u3000making\u3000it\u3000all\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000form\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000stop\u3000in\u3000midspell\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000was\u3000opening\u3000up\u3000with\u3000conventional\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000X\u2026ray\u3000lasers\u3000and\u3000missile\u3000tubes\uff1b\u3000cannon\u3000and\u3000pulsed\u3000beams\u3000hammered\u3000away\u3000at\u3000everything\u3000before\u3000and\u3000around\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000ship’s\u3000path\u3000was\u3000often\u3000obscured\u3000by\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000brew\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000and\u3000explosion\u3000all\u3000around\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000transfixed\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000viewport\u3000and\u3000sang\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000end\u3002\u3000Because\u3000that\u3000was\u3000how\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000from\u3000where\u3000she\u3000stood\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000suddenly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000drawing\u3000aside\u3000of\u3000a\u3000curtain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000broke\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000vast\uff1b\u3000open\u3000place\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000with\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000edged\u3000by\u3000jagged\uff1b\u3000bent\u2026out\u3000superalloy\u3000plate\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000gaped\u3000as\u3000it\u3000drifted\u3000across\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000space\u3000within\u3000the\u3000headquarters\u3000mountain\u3002
\n
\n
\nGloval\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000timing\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000split\u3000second\u3000and\u3000perfect\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000leisure\u3000for\u3000preparation\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000few\u3000enemy\u3000vessels\u3000still\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000gargantuan\u3000base\uff1b\u3000something\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hoping\u3000against\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000at\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3000or\u3000open\u3000fire\u3000for\u3000seconds\u3000more\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000a\u3000half\u3000minute\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000battle\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000an\u3000eternity\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Prepare\u3000to\u3000execute\u3000final\u3000barrage\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000snapped\u3000as\u3000his\u3000bridge\u3000crew\u3000bent\u3000to\u3000their\u3000work\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000full\u3000power\u3000to\u3000barrier\u3000shield\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMissile\u3000ports\u3000opened\u3000to\u3000let\u3000loose\u3000the\u3000last\u3000volley\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000was\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000firing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000do\u2026or\u2026die\u3000knockout\u3000punch\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000for\u3000this\u3000moment\u3002\u3000The\u3000fortress’s\u3000heaviest\u3000projectiles\u2026Deca\u3000missiles\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000old\u2026fashioned\u3000ICBMs\uff1b\u3000Piledrivers\u3000as\u3000big\u3000as\u3000sub\u2026launched\u3000nukes\u2026were\u3000readied\u3000for\u3000firing\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000bows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flatdecks\u3000opened\u3000like\u3000sharks’\u3000mouths\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000racks\u3000of\u3000smaller\u3000Hammerhead\u3000and\u3000Bighorn\u3000missiles\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Target\u3000acquisition\u3000on\u3000their\u3000main\u3000reflex\u3000furnace\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000ordered\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Claudia\u3000was\u3000way\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Target\u3000locked\u3000in\uff1b\u3000all\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000post\uff1b\u3000the\u3000looming\u3000Dolza\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Wh \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nBut\u3000Claudia\u3000was\u3000way\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Target\u3000locked\u3000in\uff1b\u3000all\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000post\uff1b\u3000the\u3000looming\u3000Dolza\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000they\u3000doing\uff1f\u3000They’ll\u3000destroy\u3000us\u3000all\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIf\u3000the\u3000reflex\u3000furnace\u3000went\uff1b\u3000the\u3000resulting\u3000explosion\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000destroy\u3000the\u3000base\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quite\u3000possibly\u3000all\u3000ships\u3000in\u3000both\u3000fleets\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000daunting\u3000the\u3000Micronians\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000isn’t\u3000war\uff01\u3000Dolza\u3000screamed\u3000within\u3000himself\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000madness\uff01
\n
\nSo\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000creatures\u3000were\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000die\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000disgrace\u3000of\u3000defeat\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000are\u3000more\u3000like\u3000us\u3000than\u3000I\u3000thought\uff01\u3000Dolza\u3000realized\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000some\u3000source\u3000of\u3000strength\u3000we\u3000must\u3000learn\u3002\u3000What\u3000allies\u3000they\u3000would\u3000snake\u3000in\u3000a\u3000war\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff01
\n
\n\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000bellowed\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Fire\uff01\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000roared\u3000on\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000bridge\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000missiles\u3000gushed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smaller\uff1b\u3000faster\u3000ones\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000lead\u3000and\u3000leaving\u3000corkscrewing\u3000white\u3000trails\u3002\u3000The\u3000heavier\u3000ones\u3000took\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000longer\u3000to\u3000get\u3000up\u3000to\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000quickly\u3000overtook\u3000and\u3000passed\u3000their\u3000little\u3000siblings\u3002\u3000All\u3000angled\u3000in\uff1b\u3000on\u3000assorted\u3000vectors\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000base’s\u3000reflex\u3000furnaces\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000dismissed\u3000them\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000given\u3000the\u3000order\u3000to\u3000let\u3000them\u3000fly\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000spare\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000power\u3000to\u3000barrier\u3000shields\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000but\u3000again\u3000his\u3000bridge\u3000crew\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000stock\u3000still\u3002\u3000Every\u3000erg\u3000of\u3000power\u3000in\u3000it\u3000was\u3000channeled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shields\uff1b\u3000producing\u3000first\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000scintillating\u3000lights\u3000around\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000then\u3000a\u3000green\u2026white\u3000sphere\u3000like\u3000some\u3000exotic\u3000Christmas\u3000ornament\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Barrier\u3000shield\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000maximum\uff1b\u3003\u3000Kim\u3000said\u3000calmly\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000later\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000first\u3000missiles\u3000began\u3000to\u3000detonate\u3000on\u3000target\uff1b\u3000\u3003Barrier\u3000at\u3000max\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000enemy\u3000ships\u3000in\u3000the\u3000base\u3000were\u3000opening\u3000fire\u3000now\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000shots\u3000glanced\u3000harmlessly\u3000off\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000system\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000barely\u3000paid\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000confirmation\u3000of\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000little\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000shield\u3000created\u3000by\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\u3000could\u3000hold\u3000out\u3000against\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000bombardment\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000The\u3000real\u3000test\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000up\u3002
\n
\n
\nDolza\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000awesome\u3000barrage\u3000hit\u3000home\u3000on\u3000the\u3000reflex\u3000furnace\u3000area\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000interior\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000with\u3000the\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000its\u3000shielding\uff1b\u3000even\u3000with\u3000the\u3000defenses\u3000of\u3000desperate\uff1b\u3000brave\u3000Zentraedi\u3000captains\u3000who\u3000purposely\u3000threw\u3000their\u3000ships\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000all\u2026out\u3000salvo\uff1b\u3000enough\u3000missiles\u3000got\u3000through\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000base\u3000would\u3000be\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000Many\u3000times\u3000enough\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000reflex\u3000furnaces\u3000churned\uff1b\u3000then\u3000spewed\u3000forth\u3000utter\u3000destruction\u3002\u3000Dolza\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mand\u3000post\uff1b\u3000had\u3000time\u3000only\u3000for\u3000one\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\nYears\u3000and\u3000years\u3000before\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000Zor\u3000die\u3002\u3000Zor\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000of\u3000some\u3000overriding\u3000Vision\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000megagenius\u3000send\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000here\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nHad\u3000Zor\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000too\uff1f\u3000And\u3000things\u3000beyond\u3000it\uff1f
\n
\nThen\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000light\u3000seared\u3000him\u3002\u3000Dolza\u3000howled\u3000a\u3000fierce\u3000Zentraedi\u3000war\u3000cry\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000rent\u3000to\u3000particles\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000interior\u3000bulkhead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base\u3000began\u3000to\u3000bulge\u3000with\u3000secondary\u3000explosions\uff1b\u3000nodes\u3000of\u3000superhard\u3000armor\u3000being\u3000pushed\u3000out\u3000like\u3000putty\u3000by\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blasts\u3000running\u3000through\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000rift\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reflex\u3000furnaces\u3000that\u3000had\u3000destroyed\u3000Dolza’s\u3000mand\u3000post\u3000was\u3000expanding\uff1b\u3000gushing\u3000forth\u3000blinding\u2026white\u3000obliteration\u3002
\n
\nShips\u3000only\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3000for\u3000the\u3000run\u3000to\u3000safety\u3000were\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000wiped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000like\u3000so\u3000many\u3000soap\u3000bubbles\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blast\u3000furnace\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000base\u3000swelled\u3000like\u3000an\u3000overfilled\u3000football\uff1b\u3000then\u3000split\u3000apart\u3000along\u3000irregular\u3000seams\u3000that\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000there\u3000moments\u3000before\u3002\u3000Ruinous\u3000light\u3000spilled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000lit\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000over\u3000Earth\u3000like\u3000a\u3000star\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u2026ONE
\n
\nFrancis\u3000Bacon\u3000said\u3000that\u3000\u3003In\u3000peace\u3000the\u3000sons\u3000bury\u3000their\u3000fathers\u3000and\u3000in\u3000war\u3000the\u3000fathers\u3000bury\u3000their\u3000sons\u3002\u3003\u3000My\u3000father\u3000warned\u3000me\u3000when\u3000I\u3000joined\u3000up\u3000that\u3000this\u3000didn’t\u3000always\u3000apply\u3000to\u3000our\u3000family\uff1b\u3000because\u3000we\u3000were\u3000all\u3000military\u3002\u3000He\u3000might\u3000have\u3000had\u3000some\u3000premonition\u3000that\u3000I\u3000would\u3000outlive\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000foresee\u3000was\u3000that\u3000his\u3000daughter\u3000would\u3000hear\u3000taps\u3000played\u3000for\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000world\u3002
\nLisa\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3000Recollections
\n
\nThe\u3000thick\u3000clouds\u3000had\u3000darkened\u3000the\u3000Alaskan\u3000night\u3000to\u3000pitch\u2026blackness\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000fighter’s\u3000night\u2026sight\u3000capabilities\u3000gave\u3000Rick\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000view\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002\u3000The\u3000lurching\u3000Guardian\u3000barely\u3000cleared\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon’s\u3000shaft\u3000without\u3000snagging\u3000a\u3000wingtip\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000might\u3000be\u3000begging\u3000for\u3000a\u3000crash\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000going\uff1b\u3000nursing\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000along\u3000until\u3000he\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000blighted\uff1b\u3000red\u2026hot\u3000area\u3000around\u3000what\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000radius\u3000when\u3000Alaska\u3000Base\u3000went\u3000up\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pyromaniac’s\u3000fantasy\u3000of\u3000Judgment\u3000Day\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000flew\u3000in\u3000Fighter\u3000mode\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000charred\u3000Earth\u3000for\u3000safe\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000his\u3000radiation\u3000detectors\u3000and\u3000terrain\u3000sensors\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000swooped\u3000in\u3000over\u3000what\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000major\u3000UEDC\u3000base\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000maps\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000dry\u3000lake\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000its\u3000water\u3000vaporized\u3000by\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000hit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000what\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000major\u3000city\u3002\u3000The\u3000plane\u3000started\u3000bucking\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Guardian\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000showed\u3000no\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000radioactivity\u3000or\u3000fallout\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000set\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000before\u3000sunrise\u3000on\u3000a\u3000smoky\uff1b\u3000darkened\u3000world\u3000that\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000would\u3000never\u3000see\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000to\u3000an\u3000erratic\uff1b\u3000slewing\u3000landing\u3002\u3000The\u3000canopy\u3000servos\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000fried\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000last\u3000blowups\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000yanked\u3000the\u3000rescue\u3000handgrip\u3000and\u3000blew\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mutilated\u3000landscape\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000pockmarked\u3000as\u3000the\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000with\u3000deep\u3000cracks\u3000and\u3000crevasses\u3002\u3000Smoke\u3000was\u3000rolling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000from\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000impact\u3000points\u3000and\u3000from\u3000fires\u3000that\u3000stretched\u3000along\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000was\u3000hot\uff1b\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000soot\u3000and\u3000dust\u3002\u3000There\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000volcanic\u3000activity\u3000along\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000mountains\u3000to\u3000the\u3000west\u3002\u3000A\u3000scorching\u3000wind\u3000was\u3000rising\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000most\u3000frightening\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000water\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000anywhere\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000open\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000they\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000rolled\u3000in\uff1b\u3000blotting\u3000out\u3000the\u3000stars\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000it\u3000probably\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3000very\u3000much\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000windblown\u3000strands\u3000of\u3000long\u3000brown\u3000hair\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000getting\u3000me\u3000out\u3000of\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000could\u3000bear\u3000dying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000in\u3000whatever\u3000form\u3000that\u3000death\u3000might\u3000take\u3002\u3000But\u3000to\u3000endure\u3000her\u3000last\u3000moments\u3000among\u3000the\u3000charred\u3000and\u3000smoking\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base’s\u3000dead\u2026that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000more\u3000than\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000borne\u3002\u3000She\u3000extended\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000took\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grin\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000c’mon\u3002\u3000It\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000disobey\u3000your\u3000orders\u3000again\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3003\u3000They\u3000shook\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000let\u3000herself\u3000laugh\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000always\u3000be\u3000grateful\u3002\u3000I\u3000admire\u3000you\u3000a\u3000great\u3000deal\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThat\u3000wasn’t\u3000what\u3000she\u3000really\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000start\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000much\u3000further\u3000along\u3000than\u3000Rick\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000in\u3000saying\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000It\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000a\u3000world\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mass\u3000grave\uff1b\u3000very\u3000likely\u3000smoldering\u3000ash\u3000from\u3000pole\u3000to\u3000pole\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000place\u3000to\u3000profess\u3000love\u3000for\u3000somebody\u3002
\n
\nOr\u3000maybe\u3000not\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000suddenly\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000best\u3000epitaph\u3000anybody\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000behind\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000already\u3000yielded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000lesson\u3000that\u3000life\u3000wasn’t\u3000worth\u3000much\u3000without\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000almost\u3000said\u3000four\u3000or\u3000five\u3000different\u3000things\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000managed\uff1b\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3002\u3002\u3002it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pleasure\u3002\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000ray\u3000of\u3000light\u3000made\u3000them\u3000turn\u3002\u3000The\u3000rising\u3000sun\u3000had\u3000found\u3000a\u3000slit\u3000between\u3000clouds\uff1b\u3000to\u3000send\u3000long\uff1b\u3000slanting\u3000rays\u3000on\u3000the\u3000two\u3000people\u3000and\u3000their\u3000grounded\u3000machine\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stupendous\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000the\u3000fighting’s\u3000stopped\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000so\u3000peaceful\uff1b\u3000so\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000war\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000the\u3000oute\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000yeah\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wonder\u3000if\u3000there’s\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000around\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000we’re\u3000the\u3000last\uff1f\u3000The\u3000only\u3000ones\u3000left\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000for\u3000long\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000that\u3000bad\uff1b\u3000would\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000us\u3000will\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rick\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000open\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\u3000more\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000static\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mo\u3000equipment\u3000as\u3000the\u3000automatic\u3000search\u3000gear\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000on\u3000a\u3000signal\u3000it\u3000had\u3000located\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000voice\u3000singing\u3000a\u3000lilting\uff1b\u3000haunting\u3000hymn\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nWe\u3000shall\u3000live\u3000the\u3000day\u3000we\u3000dream\u3000of\u3000winning\uff1b
\nAnd\u3000beginning\u3000a\u3000new\u3000life\uff01
\n
\n
\n\u3003Minmei\uff01\u3003\u3000Lisa\u3000cried\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000change\u3000her\u3000feelings\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000singer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000right\u3000now\u3000that\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000as\u3000wele\u3000as\u2026well\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000wele\u3000as\u3000the\u3000pany\u3000Lisa\u3000was\u3000keeping\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Up\u3000there\uff01\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3002\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000descending\u3000on\u3000blue\u3000thruster\u3000flames\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000yards\u3000long\uff1b\u3000trailing\u3000sparkling\u3000particles\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000weird\u3000energy\u3000anomalies\u3000from\u3000the\u3000interaction\u3000of\u3000barrier\u3000shield\u3000and\u3000reflex\u3000furnace\u3000obliteration\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000held\u3000Lisa\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000settled\u3000in\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000flattops\u3000held\u3000level\uff1b\u3000elbows\u3000against\u3000its\u3000own\u3000midsection\u3000like\u3000Jimmy\u3000Cagney\u3000doing\u3000his\u3000patented\u3000move\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000it\u3000needs\u3000to\u3000do\u3000is\u3000throw\u3000a\u3000hitch\u3000in\u3000its\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000sing\u3000\u3003Yankee\u3000Doodle\u3000Dandy\u3003\uff01\u3000Rick\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000enormous\u3000blasts\u3000of\u3000its\u3000engines\u3000kicked\u3000up\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000was\u3000landing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rising\u3000sun\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000its\u3000back\u3002\u3000They\u3000watched\u3000it\u3000sink\u3000down\uff1b\u3000silhouetted\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wavering\u3000fireball\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000land\u3000was\u3000waist\u3000high\u3000all\u3000around\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nSunrise\u3000was\u3000throwing\u3000brighter\u3000light\u3000across\u3000the\u3000flattened\u3000terrain\u3002 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nSunrise\u3000was\u3000throwing\u3000brighter\u3000light\u3000across\u3000the\u3000flattened\u3000terrain\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000a\u3000sight\u3000for\u3000sore\u3000eyes\u3002\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000flicking\u3000switches\u3000on\u3000his\u3000instrument\u3000panel\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000laughed\u3000outright\uff1b\u3000surprising\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000right\u3000to\u3000be\u3000happy\u3000again\u3000so\u3000soon\u3000after\u3000so\u3000much\u3000carnage\uff1f\u3000But\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000feeling\u3000joy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000laughed\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000yes\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000thing’s\u3000still\u3000got\u3000a\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000left\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000decided\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000instruments\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Okay\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000settled\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000put\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000throttle\uff1b\u3000she\u3000covered\u3000it\u3000gently\u3000with\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000averting\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000but\u3000leaving\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000there\u3002\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000throttle\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Lisa’s\u3000heart\u3000soared\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000beneath\u3000hers\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Guardian\u3000jetted\u3000across\u3000the\u3000devastated\u3000landscape\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sunrise\uff1b\u3000straight\u3000for\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000the\u3000long\u3000shadow\u3000it\u3000threw\u3002\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000Rick’s\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000laid\u3000her\u3000head\u3000on\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000a\u3000new\u3000future\u3000loom\u3000up\u3000before\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n
\nPART\u3000II\uff1a\u3000RECONSTRUCTION\u3000BLUES
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u3000TWO
\n
\nWhy\u3000were\u3000the\u3000higher\u2026ups\u3000so\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000we\u3000rebuilt\u3000right\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000quickly\uff1f\u3000Human\u3000feet\u3000can\u3000wear\u3000down\u3000a\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000human\u3000hands\u3000can\u3000grind\u3000down\u3000iron\uff1b\u3000human\u3000perseverance\u3000can\u3000overe\u3000any\u3000adversity\u3002
\nMayor\u3000Tommy\u3000Luan\uff1b\u3000The\u3000High\u3000Ofce
\n
\nUpon\u3000its\u3000initial\u3000arrival\uff1b\u3000Gloval\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000as\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000malign\u3000miracle\uff1b\u3000since\u3000it\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000humanity\u3000from\u3000destroying\u3000itself\u3000utterly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Global\u3000Civil\u3000War\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000another\u3000miraculous\u3000purpose\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000serve\uff1b\u3000to\u3000divert\u3000war\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000fight\u3000off\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ultimately\u3000break\u3000the\u3000invaders’\u3000power\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000third\u3000role\u3000in\u3000this\u3000sequence\u3000of\u3000events\u3000that\u3000even\u3000Gloval\u3000hadn’t\u3000guessed\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000unwittingly\u3000worked\u3000in\u3000opposition\u3000to\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000was\u3000an\u3000ark\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000after\u3000the\u3000bombardments\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scorched\u2026Earth\u3000attack\u3000that\u3000had\u3000very\u3000nearly\u3000e\u3000to\u3000a\u3000no\u2026Earth\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boiling\u3000away\u3000of\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000planet’s\u3000water\u2026temporarily\u3000at\u3000least\u2026into\u3000the\u3000atmosphere\uff1b\u3000pockets\u3000of\u3000humanity\u3000had\u3000survived\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000chance\u3000would\u3000they\u3000have\u3000to\u3000resume\u3000an\u3000advanced\u3000culture\u3000and\u3000technological\u3000base\uff1f
\n
\nVery\u3000simply\uff1b\u3000none\u3002
\n
\nTake\u3000mining\u3000as\u3000an\u3000example\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000useful\u3000minerals\u3000that\u3000could\u3000be\u3000mined\u3000by\u3000primitive\u3000means\u3000were\u3000long\u3000since\u3000exhausted\u3002\u3000The\u3000huddled\u3000groups\u3000of\u3000war\u2026shocked\u3000people\u3000who\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000holocaust\u3000were\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000even\u3000steam\u2026age\u3000mining\u3000efforts\uff1b\u3000much\u3000less\u3000the\u3000sophisticated\u3000operations\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000less\u3000accessible\u3000deposits\u3000still\u3000remaining\u3000in\u3000the\u3000planet\u3002\u3000An\u3000unbelievably\u3000plex\u3000and\u3000interdependent\u3000world\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000passed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000means\u3000to\u3000rebuild\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nTerran\u3000technology\u3000had\u3000used\u3000up\u3000its\u3000one\u3000bolt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000such\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000starting\u3000over\u3000from\u3000scratch\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000resources\u3000that\u3000had\u3000let\u3000Homo\u3000sapiens\u3000start\u3000from\u3000scratch\u3000had\u3000been\u3000consumed\u3000long\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000human\u3000race\u3000was\u3000on\u3000its\u3000way\u3000to\u3000being\u3000a\u3000permanent\uff1b\u3000dead\u2026end\u3000race\u3000of\u3000hunter\u2026gatherers\u3000with\u3000no\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000ever\u3000being\u3000more\u3000again\u3002\u3000History\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000close\u3000the\u3000books\u3000on\u3000a\u3000vaguely\u3000interesting\u3000little\u3000upstart\u3000species\uff1b\u3000events\u3000and\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000facts\u3000of\u3000life\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000against\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nExcept\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3000inside\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000had\u3000been\u3000few\u3000hard\u3000words\u3000or\u3000unyielding\u3000attitudes\u3000once\u3000the\u3000great\u3000starship\u3000set\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dry\u3000lakebed\u3002\u3000Who\u3000do\u3000you\u3000get\u3000mad\u3000at\u3000when\u3000the\u3000world\u3000lies\u3000dying\uff1f
\n
\nIn\u3000their\u3000years\u3000of\u3000wandering\u3000and\u3000persevering\uff1b\u3000the\u3000residents\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3000had\u3000put\u3000most\u3000delusions\u3000and\u3000wishful\u3000thinking\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000them\u3000quickly\u3000that\u3000against\u3000any\u3000expectation\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000lucky\u3000ones\u3002\u3000The\u3000castoffs\u3000and\u3000pariahs\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000of\u3000a\u3000new\u3000ark\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000City\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000disembarked\uff1b\u3000person\u3000by\u3000person\uff1b\u3000piece\u3000by\u3000piece\uff1b\u3000around\u3000the\u3000lakebed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rebuilding\u3000began\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000intellectuals\u3000and\u3000experts\u3000argued\u3000about\u3000the\u3000best\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000reestablish\u3000ecological\u3000balances\u3000and\u3000manage\u3000moisture\u3000reclamation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000people\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000rebuilt\u3000their\u3000homes\u3000and\u3000businesses\u3000and\u3000lives\u3000as\u3000best\u3000they\u3000could\uff1b\u3000trusting\u3000that\u3000such\u3000things\u3000were\u3000more\u3000important\u3000than\u3000all\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000projections\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ship’s\u3000engines\u3000provided\u3000power\u3002\u3000Its\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000military\u3000people\u3000enforced\u3000law\u3000and\u3000order\u3000in\u3000an\u3000ever\u2026growing\u3000domain\u3000of\u3000security\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000fabricators\u3000and\u3000other\u3000technical\u3000equipment\u3000quickly\u3000provided\u3000a\u3000new\u3000industrial\u3000base\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000population\u3000of\u3000Macross\u3000constituted\u3000an\u3000urban\u3000economic\u3000hub\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000time\u3000after\u3000that\u3000last\u3000Armageddon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000name\u3000might\u3000better\u3000have\u3000been\u3000that\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000constituent\u3000flattops\uff1b\u3000Prometheus\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000humanity’s\u3000main\u3000source\u3000of\u3000medical\u3000care\uff1b\u3000technical\u3000resources\uff1b\u3000and\u3000most\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000accumulated\u3000knowledge\u3000and\u3000wisdom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000species\u3000Homo\u3000sapiens\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000nuclear\u3000winter\u3000scenario\u3000was\u3000much\u3000less\u3000severe\u3000than\u3000the\u3000puters\u3000had\u3000guessed\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000partly\u3000because\u3000the\u3000predictions\u3000had\u3000been\u3000based\u3000on\u3000faulty\u3000models\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000also\u3000because\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000and\u3000civilian\u3000corps\u3000worked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000clock\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000so\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000they\u3000had\u3000allies\u3002\u3000The\u3000explosion\u3000of\u3000Dolza’s\u3000base\u3000had\u3000disabled\u3000or\u3000taken\u3000with\u3000it\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000Grand\u3000Fleet\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000considerable\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Breetai’s\u3000armada\u3000had\u3000survived\u3002\u3000Many\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000take\u3000up\u3000a\u3000life\u3000there\u3000either\u3000in\u3000Micronian\u3000size\u3000or\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000original\u3000bodies\u3002
\n
\nBoth\u3000races\u3000hoped\u3000for\u3000a\u3000new\u3000golden\u3000age\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000lasting\u3000silver\u3000one\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000world\u3000seared\u3000and\u3000barren\uff1b\u3000pockmarked\u3000with\u3000craters\u3000and\u3002\u3000split\u3000with\u3000fissures\u3000made\u3000by\u3000war\u3002\u3000Everywhere\u3000were\u3000the\u3000rusting\u3000mecha\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000great\u3000battle\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disabled\u3000Zentraedi\u3000ships\u3000had\uff1b\u3000for\u3000unknown\u3000reasons\uff1b\u3000oriented\u3000on\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000center\u3000of\u3000gravity\u2026Earth\u2026and\u3000driven\u3000toward\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000result\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000planet’s\u3000surface\u3000was\u3000an\u3000eerie\u3000Robotech\u3000Boot\u3000Hill\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000crumpled\u3000alien\u3000warships\u3000that\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000themselves\u3000partway\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000like\u3000spikes\u3002\u3000The\u3000reminders\u3000of\u3000that\u3000last\u3000day\u3000were\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000too\u3000many\u3000to\u3000ever\u3000dismantle\u3000or\u3000bury\u3002\u3000Only\u3000time\u3000and\u3000the\u3000elements\u3000would\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000grave\u3000markers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000would\u3000not\u3000do\u3000so\u3000in\u3000the\u3000life\u3000span\u3000of\u3000anyone\u3000then\u3000living\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000those\u3000who\u3000were\u3000left\u3000alive\u3000went\u3000on\u3000a\u3000new\u3000crusade\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000heal\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000and\u3000put\u3000things\u3000right\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000years\u3000passed\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000Hunter’s\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000plained\u3000at\u3000the\u3000strain\u3000he\u3000put\u3000on\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tight\u3000bank\u3002\u3000He\u3000gritted\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3000but\u3000held\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000old\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000battered\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000had\u3000never\u3000failed\u3000him\u3000yet\u3002\u3000With\u3000replacement\u3000parts\u3000and\u3000maintenance\u3000time\u3000in\u3000such\u3000woefully\u3000short\u3000supply\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Skull\u3000Leader’s\u3000craft\u3000wasn’t\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000during\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000trusted\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Guardian\u3000jetted\u3000in\u3000low\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rust\u2026red\uff1b\u3000pitted\u3000countryside\u3000and\u3000foot\u2026thrustered\u3000to\u3000a\u3000deft\u3000landing\u3002\u3000It\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000nose\u3000nearly\u3000touching\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000he\u3000jumped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000eagerly\uff1b\u3000hardly\u3000able\u3000to\u3000credit\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000it\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000impossible\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000ran\u3000across\u3000the\u3000gritty\uff1b\u3000fallow\u3000soil\uff1b\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3002\u3000All\u3000around\u3000were\u3000gigantic\uff1b\u3000jagged\u3000shreds\u3000and\u3000peels\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000armorplate\uff1b\u3000twisted\u3000and\u3000mangled\uff1b\u3000slowly\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000rust\u3000and\u3000dust\u3002\u3000Off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000was\u3000an\u3000overturned\u3000Guardian\u3000wreck\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000put\u3000through\u3000a\u3000meat\u3000grinder\u3002\u3000Its\u3000rusting\u3000legs\u3000stuck\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000hawk’s\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000moaning\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000and\u3000was\u3000astounded\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000springing\u3000from\u3000a\u3000moist\u3000plot\u3000of\u3000earth\u3000somehow\u3000enriched\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000sustain\u3000it\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000field\u3000of\u3000dandelions\u3002\u3000The\u3000irregularly\u3000shaped\uff1b\u3000few\u2026square\u2026yards\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000sheltered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000by\u3000the\u3000wreckage\u3000and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000by\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000had\u3000good\u3000exposure\u3000to\u3000sunlight\u3002
\n
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000find\u3000words\u3002\u3000\u3003Absolutely\u3000incredible\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000murmured\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000insufficient\u3002\u3000Here\uff1b\u3000near\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000Zentraedi\u3000wreck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soil\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fortified\u3000with\u3000something\u3000that\u3000would\u3000support\u3000life\u3002\u3000He\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000that\u3000something\u3000had\u3000been\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000suddenly\u3000made\u3000him\u3000feel\u3000very\u3000mortal\u3000and\u3000humble\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Real\u3000flowers\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000knelt\uff1b\u3000handling\u3000them\u3000as\u3000gently\u3000as\u3000a\u3000lover\uff1b\u3000inhaling\u3002
\n
\nCertainly\u3000there\u3000were\u3000flowers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000greenhouses\u3000and\u3000protected\u3000fields\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reclamation\u3000projects\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\uff01\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000wonderful\u3000as\u3000flight\u2026no\uff1b\u3000more\u3000wonderful\uff01\u3000Life\u3000itself\uff01
\n
\nHe\u3000couldn’t\u3000recall\u3000how\u3000many\u3000times\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000raced\u3000across\u3000a\u3000field\u3000of\u3000these\u3000unglamorous\u3000flowers\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000only\u3000to\u3000fly\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000things\u3000had\u3000e\u3000full\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000he\u3000flew\u3000the\u3000most\u3000advanced\u3000aircraft\u3000ever\u3000known\u3000with\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000trained\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000and\u3000hoping\u3000for\u3000just\u3000such\u3000a\u3000sight\u3000as\u3002\u3002\u3002dandelions\u3002
\n
\nI\u3000hope\u3000this\u3000means\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000is\u3000forgiving\u3000us\uff1b\u3000he\u3000meditated\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000and\u3000precious\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000at\u3000least\u3000one\u3000positive\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000however\u3000small\uff1b\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000itself\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000other\u3000omens\u3000that\u3000were\u3000not\u3000so\u3000good\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000was\u3000privy\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000high\u2026level\u3000information\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000his\u3000experiences\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000and\u3000his\u3000value\u3000as\u3000an\u3000intelligence\u3000source\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000things\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\uff1b\u3000and\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000disturbing\u3000names\uff1a\u3000Protoculture\u3002\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3002\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\n
\nThree\u3000VTs\u3000swooped\u3000in\u3000low\u3000over\u3000the\u3000desolate\u3000land\uff1b\u3000forming\u3000up\u3000again\u3000after\u3000pleting\u3000their\u3000aerial\u3000recons\u3000of\u3000assigned\u3000sectors\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000newer\u3000ships\u3000than\u3000Rick’s\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000somehow\u3000less\u3000sleek\u3000and\u3000finished\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000those\u3000who\u3000said\u3000the\u3000true\u3000high\u2026water\u3000mark\u3000of\u3000Robotech\u3000workmanship\u3000had\u3000passed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003mander\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000e\u3000in\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rick’s\u3000new\u3000second\u3000in\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Ransom\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000Skull\u3000Four\u3000calling\u3000Skull\u3000Six\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNo\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000after\u3000five\u3000minutes’\u3000trying\u3002\u3000Ransom\u3000thought\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003Bobby\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nSergeant\u3000Bobby\u3000Bell\uff1b\u3000youngest\u3000of\u3000the \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nNo\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000after\u3000five\u3000minutes’\u3000trying\u3002\u3000Ransom\u3000thought\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003Bobby\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nSergeant\u3000Bobby\u3000Bell\uff1b\u3000youngest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000remanned\u3000Skull\u3000Team\uff1b\u3000appeared\u3000on\u3000Ransom’s\u3000display\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003Yo\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000raise\u3000the\u3000boss\uff1b\u3000kid\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBobby’s\u3000round\u3000face\u3000looked\u3000pained\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000d’\u3000you\u3000think\uff1f\u3000Renegades\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThat\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000big\u3000reasons\u3000for\u3000the\u3000patrols\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000many\u3000Zentraedi\u3000who\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000forth\u3000among\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000to\u3000try\u3000a\u3000more\u3000peaceful\u3000way\u3000of\u3000life\u3000and\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000open\u3000up\u3000the\u3000more\u3000feeling\u3000and\u3000passionate\u3000side\u3000of\u3000their\u3000nature\uff1b\u3000some\u3000had\u3000found\u3000that\u3000it\u3000simply\u3000wouldn’t\u3000work\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000renegades\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000slipping\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wastelands\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000year\u3000before\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000world\u3000of\u3000salvage\u3000for\u3000them\u3000out\u3000there\uff1a\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000rations\uff1b\u3000and\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000they\u3000might\u3000need\uff1b\u3000provided\u3000they\u3000could\u3000find\u3000the\u3000right\u3000wreck\u3002\u3000More\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000to\u3000act\u3000as\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warriors\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000their\u3000own\u3000brutal\uff1b\u3000merciless\u3000code\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000his\u3000last\u3000transmission\u3000came\u3000from\u3000his\u3000search\u3000quadrant\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bobby\u3000said\u3000worriedly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ransom\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000got\u3000a\u3000DF\u3000fix\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000go\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000VTs\u3000formed\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000engines\u3000made\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000tremble\u3002\u3000They\u3000shot\u3000away\u3000to\u3000the\u3000northwest\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000stood\u3000like\u3000a\u3000knight\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bath\u3000up\u3000to\u3000his\u3000waist\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000supercarriers\u3000floated\u3000at\u3000anchor\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000corroding\u3000derelict\u3000added\u3000buoyancy\u3002
\n
\nRefilling\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000major\u3000priority\uff1b\u3000since\u3000not\u3000even\u3000the\u3000fortress’s\u3000colossal\u3000strength\u3000could\u3000support\u3000itself\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000giant\u3000warships\u3000for\u3000long\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000that\u3000RDF\u3000fliers\u3000were\u3000seeding\u3000clouds\u3000and\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang’s\u3000mysterious\u3000machines\u3000were\u3000working\u3000day\u3000and\u3000night\u3000to\u3000head\u3000off\u3000the\u3000nuclear\u3000winter\uff1b\u3000bat\u3000engineers\u3000and\u3000anybody\u3000else\u3000who\u3000could\u3000be\u3000found\u3000to\u3000lend\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000worked\u3000feverishly\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000drainage\u3000would\u3000be\u3000ready\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000just\u3000over\u3000forty\u2026eight\u3000hours\u3000after\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rains\u3000had\u3000begun\u3002\u3000They\u3000gave\u3000back\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moisture\u3000boiled\u3000away\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Lang’s\u3000calculations\uff1b\u3000supported\u3000by\u3000subsequent\u3000data\uff1b\u3000showed\u3000that\u3000much\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Short\u3000of\u3000importing\u3000many\u3000cubic\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000water\u3000across\u3000space\u3000from\u3000some\u3000as\u3000yet\u3000unknown\u3000source\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000would\u3000never\u3000again\u3000be\u3000the\u3000three\u2026quarters\u2026ocean\u3000world\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000when\u3000she\u3000brought\u3000forth\u3000life\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rains\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000generations\u2026long\u3000job\u3000of\u3000replanting\u3000and\u3000refoliating\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000began\u3002
\n
\nAround\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Macross\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stubborn\u3000refugees\u3000rebuilding\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000yet\u3000again\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000new\u3000population\u3000center\u3000on\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000concrete\u3000was\u3000uncracked\u3000and\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3000tall\u3000and\u3000straight\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000fresh\u3000paint\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000trees\u3000transplanted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000starship\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000lawns\u3000and\u3000flower\u3000beds\u3000seeded\u3000from\u3000plants\u3000that\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000billions\u3000of\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000odyssey\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000city\u3000where\u3000energy\u3000and\u3000resources\u3000were\u3000used\u3000with\u3000utmost\u3000efficiency\uff1b\u3000a\u3000town\u3000of\u3000solar\u3000heaters\u3000and\u3000photovoltaic\u3000panels\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000recycling\u3000system\u3000tied\u3000to\u3000every\u3000phase\u3000of\u3000life\u3002\u3000The\u3000Macross\u3000residents\u3000and\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000personnel\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000the\u3000tough\u3000lessons\u3000of\u3000ecological\u3000necessity\u3000during\u3000years\u3000in\u3000space\uff1b\u3000and\u3000nothing\u3000at\u3000all\u3000was\u3000wasted\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000world\u3000it\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000from\u3000now\u3000on\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000neat\uff1b\u3000quiet\u3000suburb\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000served\u3000by\u3000an\u3000overhead\u3000rapid\u2026transit\u3000system\u3000sat\u3000a\u3000modest\u3000little\u3000prefab\u3000cottage\uff1b\u3000its\u3000solar\u3000panels\uff1b\u3000guided\u3000by\u3000microprocessors\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000slowly\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000senior\u3000flight\u3000officer\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000rated\u3000off\u3000base\u3000housing\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000was\u3000single\uff1b\u3000and\u3000liked\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000military\u3000when\u3000he\u3000could\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000his\u3000home\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000modular\u3000luggage\u3002\u3000As\u3000Skull\u3000Leader\uff1b\u3000he\u3000seldom\u3000got\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000Lisa\u3000Hayes\u3000took\u3000it\u3000upon\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000tidy\u3000up\u3000the\u3000place\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000away\u3002\u3000Her\u3000own\u3000rather\u3000more\u3000spacious\u3000quarters\u3000were\u3000nearby\u3002
\n
\nNeither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000the\u3000bond\u3000between\u3000them\u3000meant\u3000or\u3000where\u3000their\u3000panionship\u3000was\u3000going\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000key\u3000to\u3000his\u3000place\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000to\u3000hers\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000she\u3000hummed\u3000happily\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000she\u3000put\u3000away\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000just\u2026washed\u3000dishes\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000I\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000bill\u3000him\u3000for\u3000maid\u3000services\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000wryly\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000better\uff1b\u3000she\u3000enjoyed\u3000being\u3000in\u3000his\u3000place\uff1b\u3000touching\u3000the\u3000things\u3000he\u3000touched\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000reminders\u3000of\u3000him\u3000all\u3000around\u3002\u3000She\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000the\u3000extended\u3000patrol\u3000up\u3000north\u3000didn’t\u3000last\u3000too\u3000much\u3000longer\u2026that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000home\u3000soon\u3000so\u3000that\u3000they\u3000could\u3000be\u3000together\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u3000streaming\u3000through\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000window\u3002\u3000Polarizing\u3000glass\u3000was\u3000all\u3000well\u3000and\u3000good\uff1b\u3000but\u3000curtains\u3000were\u3000what\u3000that\u3000window\u3000needed\u3002
\n
\nWill\u3000you\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Curtains\uff01\u3000Miss\u3000Suzy\u3000Homemaker\uff01\u3000She\u3000smirked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000apron\u3000she\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000doubly\u3000funny\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000due\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000soon\u3000for\u3000more\u3000meetings\u3000and\u3000briefings\u3000on\u3000the\u3000final\u3000construction\u3000details\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20262\uff1b\u3000the\u3000new\u3000successor\u3000to\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000fortress\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000she\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000berth\u3000on\u3000that\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000First\u3000Officer\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000and\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stars\u3002\u3000Ol’\u3000Suzy\u3000Homemaker\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000snorted\u3000a\u3000laugh\u3000as\u3000she\u3000moved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bedroom\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000Why\u3000does\u3000this\u3000place\u3000always\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bear’s\u3000been\u3000wintering\u3000here\uff1f
\n
\nShe\u3000raised\u3000all\u3000the\u3000blinds\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000all\u3000the\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000around\u3000the\u3000room\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000fondly\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000smoothed\u3000the\u3000sheets\u3000to\u3000make\u3000up\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000lingered\u3000upon\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000pillows\u3000tenderly\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000his\u3000head\u3000on\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000own\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000wrist\u3000chrono\u3000toned\uff1b\u3000reminding\u3000her\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000go\u3000soon\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000straightened\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000something\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000his\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000next\u3000to\u3000his\u3000spare\u3000flight\u3000helmet\uff1a\u3000a\u3000photo\u3000album\u3000bound\u3000in\u3000creamy\u3000imitation\u3000leather\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000it\u3000unwillingly\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000she\u3000shouldn’t\u3000do\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000do\u3000but\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000album\u3000was\u3000well\u3000worn\uff1b\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000been\u3000leafed\u3000through\u3000many\u3000times\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000page\u3000made\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000sink\uff1b\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000snapshot\u3000of\u3000Minmei\u3000seated\u3000on\u3000a\u3000park\u3000swing\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Macross\u3000within\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000standing\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000picture\u3000was\u3000a\u3000close\u2026up\u3000taken\u3000of\u3000Minmei\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000start\u3000of\u3000her\u3000career\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wide\u2026eyed\u3000gamine\u3000with\u3000flowing\u3000black\u3000locks\u3000framing\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000sighed\u3000again\u3002\u3000What\u3000does\u3000he\u3000see\u3000in\u3000her\uff1f\u3000What’s\u3000she\u3000got\u3000except\u3000great\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000singing\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000won\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000and\u3000superstardom\uff1f
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000Minmei\u3000on\u3000every\u3000page\uff1b\u3000glamour\u3000poses\u3000and\u3000home\u3000snapshots\uff1b\u3000portfolio\u3000glossies\u3000and\u3000PR\u3000photos\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000got\u3000angrier\u3000and\u3000angrier\u3000as\u3000she\u3000thumbed\u3000through\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nWhy\u3000do\u3000I\u3000have\u3000the\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000strangle\u3000this\u3000girl\uff1f
\n
\nAlong\u3000with\u3000the\u3000anger\u3000came\u3000a\u3000pain\u3000so\u3000sharp\u3000and\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000it\u3000took\u3000her\u3000off\u3000guard\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000assumed\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Rick\u3000were\u3000solidifying\u3000something\uff1b\u3000strengthening\u3000the\u3000ties\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000his\u3000keeping\u3000this\u3000album\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000it\u3000out\u3000when\u3000Lisa\u3000wasn’t\u3000there\u3000and\u3000fantasizing\u3000over\u3000it\u2026that\u3000was\u3000too\u3000much\u3000to\u3000bear\u3002
\n
\nHaving\u3000his\u3000panionship\u3000and\u3000friendship\u3000without\u3000his\u3000declared\u3000love\u3000was\u3000something\u3000she\u3000had\u3000accepted\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000always\u3000with\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000hope\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000photo\u3000album\u3000made\u3000her\u3000feel\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taken\u3000for\u3000granted\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000emotional\u3000consolation\u3000prize\u3002\u3000Her\u3000self\u2026respect\u3000simply\u3000wouldn’t\u3000allow\u3000that\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000slammed\u3000the\u3000album\u3000shut\uff1b\u3000tore\u3000off\u3000the\u3000apron\uff1b\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000for\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000door\u3000rolled\u3000shut\u3000to\u3000lock\uff1b\u3000she\u3000tossed\u3000Rick’s\u3000spare\u3000house\u3000key\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000living\u2026room\u3000rug\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000it\u3000behind\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u2026THREE
\n
\nWe\u3000won\uff1f\u3000When\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000some\u3000military\u3000moron\u3000say\u3000that\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000spit\u3000on\u3000him\uff01\u3000Point\u3000out\u3000the\u3000graveyard\u3000that\u3000is\u3000Earth\uff01\u3000When\u3000he\u3000tells\u3000you\u3000how\u3000the\u3000military’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000all\u3000that\u3000well\u3000again\u3000too\uff1b\u3000hold\u3000up\u3000the\u3000ash\u3000that\u3000used\u3000to\u3000be\u3000your\u3000home\u3002
\nThey\u3000won\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’d\u3000just\u3000love\u3000to\u3000win\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000every\u3000time\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000who\u3000lose\u3002
\nFrom\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle’s\u3000tract\uff1b\u3000Mark\u3000of\u3000Cain
\n
\nRick\u3000Hunter\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000grounded\u3000Guardian\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000white\u3000spores\u3000take\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000like\u3000miniature\u3000parasols\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wrestled\u3000with\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000truth\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Earth\u3000was\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000end\u3000for\u3000a\u3000pilot\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000problem\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rebellious\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000various\u3000fractious\u3000human\u3000munities\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000flying\u3000circuses\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000put\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000growing\u3000boredom\u3000of\u3000peacetime\u3000life\u3000if\u3000bigger\u3000things\u3000weren’t\u3000brewing\u3000out\u3000beyond\u3000Earth’s\u3000atmosphere\u3002
\n
\nBreetai\u3000and\u3000Exedore\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000at\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gloval\uff1b\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Zand\u3002\u3000Only\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000so\u3000secret\u3000that\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000squadron\u3000mander\u3000couldn’t\u3000find\u3000out\u3000a\u3000thing\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Lisa\u3000professed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000know\u3000anything\u3002\u3000But\u3000scuttlebutt\u3000and\u3000the\u3000few\u3000hints\u3000Rick\u3000could\u3000get\u3000from\u3000his\u3000intel\u3000debriefings\u3000made\u3000him\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20262\u3000was\u3000slated\u3000for\u3000a\u3000big\uff1b\u3000big\u3000mission\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20262\uff1b\u3000and\u3000such\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warships\u3000as\u3000Breetai\u3000could\u3000get\u3000fully\u3000functional\u3000again\uff1b\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000the\u3000war\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3002\u3000Humans\u3000and\u3000Zentraedi\u3000would\u3000go\u3000out\u3000and\u3000end\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000forever\u3000or\u3000die\u3000trying\u3002
\n
\nHow\u3000could\u3000he\u3000not\u3000go\uff1f\u3000Only\u3002\u3002\u3002that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000voyage\u3000and\u3000a\u3000military\u3000operation\u3000that\u3000might\u3000make\u3000their\u3000previous\u3000campaign\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000weekend\u3000vacation\u3000by\u3000parison\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000mean\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000see\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000Minmei\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nNot\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000seen\u3000much\u3000of\u3000Minmei\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000two\u3000years\uff1b\u3000but\u3000signing\u3000on\u3000for\u3000a\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000far\u2026off\u3000star\u3000systems\u3000would\u3000strip\u3000away\u3000any\u3000hope\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000what\u3000else\u3000was\u3000there\u3000for\u3000him\u3000except\u3000flying\uff1f\u3000He\u3000wished\u3000and\u3000prayed\u3000that\u3000there\u3000could\u3000be\u3000Minmei\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Minmei\u3000was\u3000so\u3000bound\u3000up\u3000in\u3000her\u3000glittering\u3000career\u3000that\u3000he\u3000rarely\u3000saw\u3000or\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20262\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000with\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000being\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000that\u3000was\u3000where\u3000he\u3000belonged\u3002
\n
\nOf\u3000cour \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n d\u3000that\u3000that\u3000was\u3000where\u3000he\u3000belonged\u3002
\n
\nOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000odds\u3000against\u3000surviving\u3000would\u3000be\u3000very\u3000high\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bat\u3000pilot’s\u3000lot\u3002\u3000And\u3000what\u3000better\u3000cause\u3000was\u3000there\u3000to\u3000serve\uff1b\u3000and\u3000die\u3000for\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000that\uff1f\u3000He\u3000had\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000vivid\u3000recollection\u3000of\u3000something\u3000Roy\u3000Fokker\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000American\u3000president\u3000once\u3000said\u3000that\u3000the\u3000price\u3000of\u3000liberty\u3000is\u3000eternal\u3000vigilance\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000on\u3000a\u3000\u3003day\u3003\u3000in\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000out\u3000someplace\u3000by\u3000Pluto’s\u3000orbit\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Rick\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000There’s\u3000no\u3000more\u3000flying\u3000for\u3000fun\uff1b\u3000Roy\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000stern\u3000and\u3000grave\u3002\u3000From\u3000now\u3000on\u3000you\u3000fly\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sake\u3000of\u3000your\u3000home\u3000and\u3000loved\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000home\u3000and\u3000loved\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000muttered\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000flicked\u3000a\u3000switch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000descended\u3000on\u3000whining\u3000servos\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000time\u3000to\u3000go\u3000flying\uff1b\u3000then\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000eased\u3000the\u3000throttle\u3000forward\u3002\u3000The\u3000Guardian’s\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\u3000blew\u3000soil\u3000away\u3000and\u3000lifted\u3000it\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000was\u3000careful\u3000to\u3000skirt\u3000the\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000dandelions\u3000as\u3000he\u3000rose\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000backwash\u3000sent\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000spores\u3000wafting\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000some\u3000other\u3000kind\u3000plot\u3000of\u3000ground\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000tucked\u3000a\u3000single\u3000dandelion\u3000blossom\u3000into\u3000a\u3000seam\u3000of\u3000his\u3000instrument\u3000panel\uff1b\u3000mechamorphosed\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000Fighter\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000ballistic\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3000He\u3000set\u3000the\u3000mo\u3000rig\u3000to\u3000search\u3000for\u3000local\u3000traffic\uff1b\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000recon\u3000mission\u3002\u3000The\u3000equipment\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000band\u3000and\u3000stopped\u3000at\u3000a\u3000transmission\u3000that\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000female\u3000human\u3000voice\u3002
\n
\n\u2026here\u3000by\u3000my\u3000side\uff1b
\nHere\u3000by\u3000my\u3000side\u3002
\n
\n
\nHe\u3000jolted\u3000against\u3000his\u3000safety\u3000harness\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000stronger\u3000signal\u3002\u3000\u3003Minmei\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000applause\u3000in\u3000the\u3000background\u3002\u3000Another\u3000voice\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000well\u3000came\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei\uff1b\u3000broadcasting\u3000live\u3000and\u3000direct\u3000from\u3000Granite\u3000City\uff01\u3000This\u3000area\u3000is\u3000slowly\u3000rebuilding\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bined\u3000efforts\u3000of\u3000many\u3000wonderful\u3000people\u3000who\u3000are\u3000ceaselessly\u3000devoting\u3000their\u3000time\u3000and\u3000labor\u3000to\u3000a\u3000project\u3000that\u3000many\u3000considered\u3000hopeless\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLynn\u2026Kyle\u3002\u3000He\u3000sounded\u3000more\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pitchman\u3000than\u3000a\u3000costar\u3000now\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000still\u3000had\u3000that\u3000same\u3000hostility\u3000in\u3000his\u3000tone\u3002
\n
\nGranite\uff01\u3000Rick\u3000realized\u3002\u3000Not\u3000far\u3000away\uff01\u3000He\u3000was\u3000already\u3000checking\u3000his\u3000nav\u3000puters\u3002
\n
\n\u3003People\u3000Helping\u3000People\u3000is\u3000the\u3000theme\u3000of\u3000our\u3000tour\uff1b\u3003\u3000Kyle\u3000went\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000consider\u3000the\u3000project\u3000hopeless\u3000at\u3000all\uff01\u3000How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000people\u3000feel\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nClapclapclapclap\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000audience\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yays\u3002\u3000Those\u3000shill\u3000questions\u3000always\u3000worked\u3002\u3000Rick’s\u3000expression\u3000hardened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000stick\u3000over\u3000for\u3000a\u3000bank\u3002
\n
\n
\nGranite\u3000City\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000flagship\u3000rammed\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Jovian\u3000bolt\u3000into\u3000the\u3000red\u3000dirt\u3002\u3000The\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3000were\u3000still\u3000haphazard\u3000rubble\u3000from\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000few\u3000square\u3000blocks\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000had\u3000been\u3000made\u3000livable\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000weakened\u3000foundations\u3000and\u3000angled\u3000slabs\u3000of\u3000paving\u3000and\u3000fractured\u3000concrete\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000were\u3000clear\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000most\u3000recent\u3000stop\u3000in\u3000what\u3000was\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000triumphant\u3000Minmei\u3000People\u3000Helping\u3000People\u3000tour\u3000had\u3000attracted\u3000something\u3000under\u3000three\u3000hundred\u3000people\u3000in\u3000Granite\uff1b\u3000plus\u3000several\u3000Zentraedi\u3000who\u3000loomed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000even\u3000when\u3000sitting\u3000and\u3000squatting\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000crowd\u3000was\u3000posed\u3000of\u3000sad\u2026eyed\u3000people\u3000doing\u3000their\u3000best\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000they\u3000had\u3000a\u3000future\u3002\u3000Most\u3000were\u3000ragged\uff1b\u3000all\u3000were\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000deficiency\u3000diseases\u3000and\u3000other\u3000medical\u3000problems\u3000among\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000at\u3000the\u3000urging\u3000of\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000and\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000loose\u2026knit\u3000network\u3000of\u3000antigovernmentalists\uff1b\u3000Granite\u3000persisted\u3000in\u3000refusing\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000its\u3000status\u3000as\u3000an\u3000independent\u3000city\u2026state\u3000or\u3000allow\u3000military\u3000relief\u3000teams\u3000in\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Zentraedi\u3000were\u3000in\u3000better\u3000shape\u3000than\u3000the\u3000humans\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rations\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spiked\u3000ship\u3000could\u3000sustain\u3000them\uff1b\u3000though\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\u3000those\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000no\u3000nutritive\u3000value\u3000for\u3000Homo\u3000sapiens\u3002\u3000There\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000cordiality\u3000and\u3000hopefulness\u3000among\u3000the\u3000people\u3000of\u3000Granite\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000there\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000despair\u3000in\u3000this\u3000dissident\u3000model\u3000program\u3002\u3000Thus\uff1b\u3000this\u3000morale\u3000appearance\u3000by\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff01\u3000Let’s\u3000hear\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000working\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000at\u3000center\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000making\u3000beckoning\u3000motions\u3000with\u3000his\u3000free\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000crowd\u3000clapped\u3000again\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000tiredly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000Granite\u3000doesn’t\u3000need\u3000any\u3000outside\u3000interference\uff1b\u3000either\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000yelled\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000fewer\u3000than\u3000four\u3000hours\u3000there\u3000in\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000life\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000good\u3000people\u3000here\u3000will\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000themselves\u3000and\u3000make\u3000Granite\u3000the\u3000great\u3000metropolis\u3000she\u3000once\u3000was\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000applause\u3000was\u3000even\u3000weaker\u3000this\u3000time\u3000around\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000more\u3000theatrically\u3000knowledgeable\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000rows\u3000could\u3000detect\u3000beads\u3000of\u3000flop\u2026sweat\u3000on\u3000Kyle’s\u3000brow\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000let’s\u3000forget\uff1b\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3000what\u3000the\u3000military\u3000warmongers\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000us\u3000to\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000scowling\uff1b\u3000then\u3000catching\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000flashing\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000we\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000song\u3000stylings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000marvelous\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inparable\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRecorded\u3000music\u3000came\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Minmei\u3000hit\u3000her\u3000mark\u3000right\u3000on\u3000cue\uff1b\u3000mike\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000She\u3000sang\u3000her\u3000latest\u3000hit\u3002
\n
\nI’ve\u3000made\u3000the\u3000right\u3000move\u3000at\u3000the\u3000right\u3000time\uff01
\nWe’re\u3000on\u3000our\u3000way\u3000to\u3000something\u3000new\uff01
\nJust\u3000point\u3000the\u3000way\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000follow\uff01
\nLove\u3000feels\u3000so\u3000beautiful\u3000with\u3000you\uff01
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000song\uff1b\u3000entranced\uff1b\u3000until\u3000a\u3000transmission\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000Minmei’s\u3000singing\u3002\u3000\u3003mander\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000e\u3000in\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000Ransom\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000switched\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000skipper\uff1f\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000you\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000might’ve\u3000run\u3000into\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000let\u3000a\u3000little\u3000impatience\u3000slip\u3000into\u3000his\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000anything\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRansom\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000display\u3000screen\u3000next\u3000to\u3000the\u3000yellow\u3000dandelion\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000precisely\u3002\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000specific\uff1b\u3000boss\u3002\u3000Just\u3000wish\u3000you’d\u3000take\u3000your\u3000rover\u3000radio\u3000with\u3000you\u3000when\u3000you\u3000leave\u3000your\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000look\u3000around\u3002\u3000I\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000y’\u3000know\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000bit\u3000back\u3000the\u3000rebuke\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000putting\u3000together\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000he\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000chewed\u3000out\u3000a\u3000subordinate\u3000for\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000sounded\u3000contrite\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000real\u3002\u3000\u3003Sorry\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000came\u3000across\u3000something\u3000miraculous\u3000today\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRansom\u3000stared\u3002\u3000\u3003Trouble\u3000with\u3000renegade\u3000Zentraedi\uff1f\u3000Boss\uff1b\u3000what\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000took\u3000the\u3000dandelion\u3000from\u3000its\u3000place\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000optical\u3000pickup\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000what\u3000I\u3000found\u3002\u3000An\u3000entire\u3000field\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRansom\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000flower\u3002\u3000\u3003Wait\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002\u3000Your\u3000zone\u3000wasn’t\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000natural\u3000recovery\u3000planning\u3000zone\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000was\u3000ecstatic\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000right\uff01\u3000But\u3000lemme\u3000tell\u3000ya\uff1b\u3000there\u3000are\u3000flowers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000northwest\u3000quadrant\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000usually\u3000morbid\u3000Ransom\u3000cracked\u3000a\u3000very\u3000slight\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000we\u3000should\u3000have\u3000known\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000would\u3000be\u3000starting\u3000her\u3000own\u3000recovery\u3000program\u3002\u3000Great\u3000news\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1b\u3000skipper\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Roger\u3000that\u3002\u3000Look\uff1b\u3000continue\u3000your\u3000patrol\u3000according\u3000to\u3000mission\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000Ted\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000copy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000aren’t\u3000you\u3000ing\u3000with\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Not\u3000right\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000dropping\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Granite\u3000City\u3002\u3000If\u3000anything\u3000serious\u3000es\u3000up\uff1b\u3000give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000yell\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRansom\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000hedged\u3002\u3000\u3003And\uff1b\u3000uh\uff1b\u3000boss\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000sweat\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff01\u3000When\u3000I\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000take\u3000my\u3000rover\uff01\u3000Out\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000did\u3000a\u3000barrel\u3000roll\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000of\u3000it\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000throttle\u3000wide\u3000for\u3000Granite\u3000City\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000she\u3000wonders\uff1b
\nIt’s\u3000you\u3000who’s\u3000on\u3000my\u3000mind\u3002
\nIt’s\u3000you\u3000I\u3000cannot
\nLeave\u3000behind\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000followed\u3000Minmei’s\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000might\u3000have\u3000trod\u3000a\u3000yellow\u3000brick\u3000road\u3002\u3000From\u3000overhead\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000battlewagon\u3000dominated\u3000the\u3000landscape\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000closer\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000showed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rusting\u3000metal\u3000peak\u3000was\u3000a\u3000monument\u3000to\u3000defeat\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000teeming\u3000victors\u3000were\u3000still\u3000in\u3000turmoil\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000left\u3000his\u3000VT\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000town\u3000under\u3000the\u3000care\u3000of\u3000the\u3000local\u3000militia\u3000CO\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000well\u3000disposed\u3000toward\u3000RDF\u3000fliers\u3000even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000populace\u3000wasn’t\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000got\u3000to\u3000the\u3000concert\u3000and\u3000missed\uff1b\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fraction\u3000of\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000flattened\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000leviathan\u3000who\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000shifting\u3000his\u3000weight\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000so\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000whisper\u3000in\u3000his\u3000resounding\u3000bass\u3002\u3000Everybody\u3000around\u3000them\u3000went\u3000Shhhh\uff01\u3000Rick\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000big\u3000fellow\u3000a\u3000nod\u3000to\u3000let\u3000him\u3000know\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000offense\u3000taken\u3002
\n
\nIt’s\u3000me\u3000who’s\u3000lost\uff1b
\nThe\u3000me\u3000who\u3000lost\u3000your\u3000heart
\nThe\u3000you\u3000who\u3000tore\u3000my\u3000heart
\nApart\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nShe’s\u3000e\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000same\u3000girl\u3000I\u3000spent\u3000those\u3000awful\uff1b\u3000wonderful\u3000two\u3000weeks\u3000with\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000belly\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000My\u3000Minmei\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000song\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000applauded\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000applauded\u3000loudest\u3000of\u3000all\u3002
\n
\n
\nNear\u3000a\u3000sidewalk\u3000cafe\u3000in\u3000Monument\u3000City\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000shadow\u3000ing\u3000her\u3000way\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sundial\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000stared\u3000dully\u3000at\u3000people\u3000passing\u3000by\u3000and\u3000ignored\u3000her\u3000cooling\u3000demitasse\u3002\u3000The\u3000meetings\u3000had\u3000been\u3000delayed\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000some\u3000unexpected\u3000free\u3000time\u3002\u3000Idle\u3000hours\u3000were\u3000more\u3000a\u3000curse\u3000than\u3000a\u3000blessing\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000she\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000two\u3000down\u2026at\u2026the\u2026heels\u3000boulevardiers\u3000ogled\u3000a\u3000very\u3000pert\u3000young\u3000blonde\u3000whose\u3000hemline\u3000came\u3000nearly\u3000to\u3000her\u3000waist\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000did\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000slobber\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000man\uff1b\u3000the\u3000women\u3000were\u3000dealt\u3000all\u3000the\u3000aces\u3000in\u3000this\u3000life\u3002\u3000They\u3000can\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000they\u3000want\uff1b\u3003\u3000opined\u3000one\uff1b\u3000a\u3000beefy\u3000kid\u3000who\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000growing\u3000up\u3000to\u3000be\u3000normal\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000can\u3000have\u3000anybody\u3000they\u3000wanna\u3000have\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLisa\u3000considered\u3000that\uff1b\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000resting\u3000on\u3000her\u3000interlaced\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000all\u3000you\u3000know\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000my\u3000fat\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000murmured\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000two\u3000would\u2026be\u3000rakes\u3000go\u3000on\u3000their\u3000way\u3002\u3000\u3003Here’s\u3000one\u3000woman\u3000who’d\u3000trade\u3000every\u3000other\u3000ace\uff1b\u3000knave\uff1b\u3000and\u3000king\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000for\u3000one\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000breath\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000across\u3000Monument\u3000City’s\u3000main\u3000thoroughfare\u3002\u3000Max\u3000Sterling\u3000strolled\u3000along\u3000there\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000care\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000carriage\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000held\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Max\u3000hurried\u3000around\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000to\u3000scoop\u3000up\u3000his\u3000daughter\u3000and\u3000pat\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000burping\u3000her\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000serenely\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000Lisa\u3000almost\u3000begrudged\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000very\u3000most\u3000secret\u3000eyes\u2026only\u3000reports\u3000boiled\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000f \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n th\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000Lisa\u3000almost\u3000begrudged\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000very\u3000most\u3000secret\u3000eyes\u2026only\u3000reports\u3000boiled\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000nobody\u3000could\u3000quite\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000how\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000had\u3000had\u3000Dana\uff1b\u3000their\u3000baby\u3000girl\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000proved\u3000by\u3000exhaustive\u3000tests\uff1b\u3000the\u3000child\u3000was\u3000indisputably\u3000theirs\u3002
\n
\nNo\u3000Zentraedi\u3000male\u2026female\u3000reproduction\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000recorded\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000much\u3000more\u3000extraordinary\u3002\u3000The\u3000likelier\u3000explanations\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000Miriya’s\u3000consumption\u3000of\u3000human\u2026style\u3000food\u3000as\u3000opposed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000antiseptic\u3000rations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000and\u3000her\u3000exposure\u3000to\u3000emotions\u3000that\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000subtle\u3000biochemical\u3000changes\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000word\u3000\u3003Protoculture\u3003\u3000cropped\u3000up\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reports\uff1b\u3000only\u3000nobody\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000quite\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000nobody\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000charmed\uff1b\u3000secretive\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000Lang\uff1b\u3000Exedore\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000others\u3002
\n
\nLike\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000women\u3000and\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000few\u3000men\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000sometimes\u3000thought\u3000all\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000crock\u3002\u3000Miriya\u3000and\u3000Max\u3000were\u3000in\u3000love\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\uff1a\u3000little\u3000Dana\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Max\u3000wore\u3000Rick’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000wore\u3000Lisa’s\u3002\u3000The\u3000SDF\u20262\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000space\u3000trials\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000First\u3000Officer\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000family\u3002\u3000The\u3000starship\u3000had\u3000been\u3000built\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000voyage\uff1b\u3000for\u3000children\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3002
\n
\nMax\u3000and\u3000Miriya\u3000and\u3000their\u3000baby\u3000resumed\u3000their\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lisa\u3000watched\u3000them\u3000go\u3002\u3000They\u3000look\u3000so\u3000happy\u3002\u3000If\u3000only\u3000I\u3000could\u3000make\u3000Rick\u3000understand\uff01
\n
\nJust\u3000then\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000two\u3000RDF\u3000boot\u3000trainees\u3000wandered\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000caf\uff1fwith\u3000a\u3000street\u2026blaster\u3000stereo\u3002\u3000The\u3000well\u2026remembered\u3000voice\u3000boomed\uff1b
\n
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000thrill\u3000that\u3000I\u3000feel
\nIs\u3000really\u3000unreal\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Hew\uff01\u3000That\u3000little\u3000mama\u3000sure\u3000can\u3000sing\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000first\u3000one\u3000said\uff1b\u3000whistling\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000give\u3000a\u3000month’s\u3000pay\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000other\u3000blew\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000out\u3000sarcastically\u3000as\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000a\u3000few\u3000tables\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003Sure\uff1b\u3000buddy\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000takes\u3000you\u3000away\u3000and\u3000signs\u3000over\u3000the\u3000deed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000diamond\u3000mine\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000first\u3000one\u3000made\u3000a\u3000very\u3000sour\u3000face\u3000and\u3000signaled\u3000the\u3000waitress\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000eardrum\u3000agitator\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3000sang\uff1b
\n
\nI\u3000can’t\u3000believe\u3000I’ve\u3000e\u3000this\u3000far\u3002
\nThis\u3000is\u3000my\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000star\uff01
\n
\n
\nThere\u3000doesn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000any\u3000way\u3000I\u3000can\u3000avoid\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Minmei\uff01
\n
\nLisa\u3000collected\u3000her\u3000purse\u3000and\u3000left\u3000her\u3000money\u3000on\u3000the\u3000salver\uff1b\u3000then\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000off\u3000down\u3000the\u3000boulevard\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000so\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000regrets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000preoccupations\u3000that\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u2026had\u3000never\u3000realized\u2026how\u3000many\u3000admiring\u3000glances\u3000she\u3000drew\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000willowy\uff1b\u3000athletic\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000brown\u3000hair\u3000billowing\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000plexion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000look\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Her\u3000insignia\u3000and\u3000decorations\u3000were\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000any\u3000vet\uff1b\u3000male\u3000or\u3000female\uff1b\u3000take\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000there\u3000were\u3000an\u3000artistic\u3000petition\u3000for\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000WINNER\uff1b\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000photo\u3000of\u3000Lisa\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000would\u3000have\u3000won\u3000it\u3002\u3000Women\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000her\u3000sure\u3000stride\u3000and\u3000air\u3000of\u3000confidence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000various\u3000resolutions\u3000to\u3000be\u3000more\u3000like\u3000this\u3000self\u2026confident\u3000superwoman\uff1b\u3000whoever\u3000she\u3000was\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000way\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000to\u3000Lisa\u3002\u3000She\u3000allowed\u3000herself\u3000a\u3000rueful\u3000half\u3000smile\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000when\u3000the\u3000aces\u3000were\u3000dealt\u3000out\uff1b\u3000it\u3000just\u3000wasn’t\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cards\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000one\u3000I\u3000want\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000near\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000a\u3000joke\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000smile\u3000cheerlessly\u3002\u3000She\u3000quickened\u3000her\u3000pace\uff1b\u3000off\u3000to\u3000report\u3000to\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20262\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u2026FOUR
\n
\nI’ve\u3000seen\u3000people\u3000like\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000before\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hates\u3000war\uff1b\u3000who\u3000among\u3000us\u3000does\u3000not\uff1f
\nBut\u3000he\u3000has\u3000the\u3000attitude\uff1b\u3000set\u3000in\u3000concrete\uff1b\u3000that\u3000virtue\u3000is\u3000measured\u3000by\u3000one’s\u3000disaffection\u3000from\u3000the\u3000power\u3000structure\u3000under\u3000which\u3000one\u3000lives\u3002\u3000Such\u3000a\u3000person\u3000builds\u3000a\u3000fortress\u3000of\u3000self\u2026serving\u3000piety\uff1b\u3000resisting\u3000authority\u3000of\u3000any\u3000kind\u3000at\u3000every\u3000turn\u3000whether\u3000for\u3000good\u3000or\u3000ill\u3002
\nThe\u3000RDF\u3000will\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000death\u3000the\u3000freedoms\u3000that\u3000make\u3000this\u3000possible\u3002
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000log\u3000of\u3000Captain\u3000Henry\u3000Gloval
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000a\u3000crummy\u3000hole\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLynn\u2026Kyle\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000wide\u3000to\u3000take\u3000in\u3000Granite\u3000City\uff1b\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wastelands\u3000all\u3000around\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nMinmei\u3000sat\u3000despondently\u3000on\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000rotting\u3000Zentraedi\u3000alloy\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pink\u3000jacket\u3000draped\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000against\u3000the\u3000evening\u3000chill\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000him\u3000take\u3000another\u3000slug\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000brandy\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000his\u3000constant\u3000panion\u3000these\u3000days\u3002
\n
\nThings\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000steadily\u3000downhill\u3000since\u3000Vance\u3000Hasslewood\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000booking\u3000agent\u3000and\u3000aspiring\u3000theater\u3000maven\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Minmei’s\u3000cousin\uff1b\u3000costar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lover\u3000to\u3000take\u3000over\u3000the\u3000duties\u3000of\u3000manager\u3002\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle’s\u3000interests\u3000went\u3000far\u3000beyond\u3000show\u3000business\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000his\u3000own\u3000fame\u3000and\u3000popularity\u3000were\u3000only\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000reflection\u3000of\u3000hers\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000he\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Lousiest\u3000booking\u3000so\u3000far\uff01\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000another\u3000several\u3000ounces\uff1b\u3000making\u3000her\u3000wince\u3002
\n
\nKyle\u3000wiped\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000staining\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000cuff\u3000of\u3000his\u3000suit\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000burg\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000disgusting\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000red\u2026eyed\u3000and\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000said\u3000what\u3000was\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000held\u3000it\u3000back\u3000long\u3000enough\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000drink\u3000so\u3000much\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000change\u3000the\u3000subject\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000slurred\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000get\u3000any\u3000money\uff01\u3000This\u3000is\u3000our\u3000whole\u3000paycheck\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000toed\u3000over\u3000a\u3000wilted\u3000cardboard\u3000box\uff1b\u3000out\u3000spilled\u3000some\u3000canned\u3000goods\uff1b\u3000bath\u3000soap\u3000and\u3000so\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000a\u3000few\u3000vegetables\u2026the\u3000same\u3000dole\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000in\u3000Granite\u3000City\u3000was\u3000living\u3000on\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000Granite\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Earth\u3000government’s\u3000authority\uff1b\u3000the\u3000government\u3000gave\u3000what\u3000help\u3000it\u3000could\uff1b\u3000without\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000kept\u3000functioning\u3002
\n
\n\u3003A\u3000stinkin’\u3000handout\u3000from\u3000our\u3000military\u3000overlords\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000what\u3000else\u3000do\u3000we\u3000need\u3000for\u3000survival\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Two\u3000years\u3000with\u3000Kyle\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000older\uff1b\u3000much\u3000older\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000given\u3000any\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000taking\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000cash\u3000for\u3000a\u3000change\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000snarled\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000jacket\u3000clutched\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000haven’t\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIf\u3000it\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000another\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000she\u3000decided\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000few\u3000things\u3000off\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000benefit\u3000concert\u3000for\u3000those\u3000poor\u3000people\u3000who’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000work\u3000in\u3000Granite\uff1b\u3000not\u3000some\u3000big\u2026deal\u3000career\u3000move\u3000for\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000both\u3000knew\u3000it\u3002\u3000All\u3000at\u3000once\u3000his\u3000ranting\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000empty\u3000talk\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000contrite\u3002\u3000\u3003Aw\uff1b\u3000c’mon\uff1b\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000whine\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000it\u3000only\u3000made\u3000her\u3000detest\u3000him\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000knelt\u3000and\u3000began\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000things\u3000he\u3000had\u3000spilled\uff1b\u3000brushing\u3000dirt\u3000from\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000getting\u3000paid\u3000like\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000is\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000things\u3000that\u3000keep\u3000us\u3000alive\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we\u3000should\u3000show\u3000a\u3000little\u3000appreciation\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThat\u3000made\u3000him\u3000cough\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mouthful\u3000of\u3000brandy\u3000he\u3000was\u3000chugging\u3002\u3000He\u3000almost\u3000finished\u3000the\u3000bottle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mood\u3000swung\u3000end\u3000for\u3000end\uff1b\u3000as\u3000quick\u3000as\u3000his\u3000martial\u2026arts\u3000moves\u3000used\u3000to\u3000be\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Appreciation\uff1f\u3000I\u3000should\u3000appreciate\u3000the\u3000great\u3000military\u3000mentality\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000us\u3000to\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000embrace\u3000the\u3000blighted\u3000world\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000straightened\u3000and\u3000met\u3000his\u3000stare\u3002\u3000\u3003Earth\u3000was\u3000attacked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000fought\u3000back\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000anybody\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000military\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000alive\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3000And\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000would\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSo\uff1b\u3000we\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000core\u3000of\u3000the\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000blearily\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000moment\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000planet\u3000dying\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000great\u3000fleets\u3000slaying\u3000one\u3000another\u3000while\u3000he\u3000kissed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000was\u3000two\u3000years\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\u3000it\u3000played\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000in\u3000memory\uff1b\u3000as\u3000fresh\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000that\u3000afternoon\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000secret\u3000that\u3000glowed\u3000in\u3000him\u3000like\u3000a\u3000reflex\u3000furnace\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Kyle\u3000would\u3000never\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000to\u3000her\u3000or\u3000even\u3000put\u3000into\u3000words\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000exulted\u3000in\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000even\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000repulsed\u3000by\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000loved\u3000it\uff01\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taken\u3000by\u3000the\u3000drama\u3000pletely\uff1b\u3000swept\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000battle\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000aside\u3000every\u3000conviction\u3000he\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000and\u3000gloried\u3000in\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000with\u3000all\u3000his\u3000soul\u3000for\u3000human\u3000victory\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000father\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000both\u3000family\u3000restaurants\u3000had\u3000catered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000military\u3000trade\u3002\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000scorned\u3000all\u3000of\u3000that\uff1b\u3000scorned\u3000military\u3000and\u3000government\u3000and\u3000authority\u3000in\u3000every\u3000form\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\u3000when\u3000it\u3000had\u3000e\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000question\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000his\u3000planet\u3000and\u3000people\u3000die\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000out\u3000there\u3000rooting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000home\u3000team\uff1b\u3000as\u3000red\u3000of\u3000fang\u3000and\u3000claw\uff1b\u3000as\u3000contemptible\uff1b\u3000as\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000never\u3000lost\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000since\u3000his\u3000father\u3000had\u3000pummeled\u3000and\u3000shamed\u3000him\u3000into\u3000learning\u3000the\u3000martial\u3000arts\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000very\u3000genius\u3000of\u3000unarmed\u3000bat\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000contest\u3000with\u3000himself\u3000was\u3000one\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000fated\u3000to\u3000lose\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000hated\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000make\u3000Minmei\u3000hate\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000that\u3000the\u3000military\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000and\u3000Macross\u3000as\u3000a\u3000power\u3000base\u3000and\u3000Breetai\u3000and\u3000his\u3000Zentraedi\u3000as\u3000allies\uff1b\u3000was\u3000destined\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000force\u3000that\u3000reunited\u3000the\u3000planet\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000he\u3000resisted\u3000it\u3000every\u3000inch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000going\u3000deeper\u3000and\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000despair\u3000as\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000egalitarian\u3000movement\u3000he\u3000had\u3000envisioned\u3000dwindled\u3000away\u3000to\u3000a\u3000few\u3000pitiful\u3000holdouts\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000if\u3000this\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000argument\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000building\u3000between\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000Kyle\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\uff1b\u3000let\u3000it\u3000be\u3000so\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000face\u3000to\u3000an\u3000ugly\u3000mask\u3000with\u3000an\u3000elaborate\u3000sneer\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000breaking\u3000my\u3000heart\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brandy\u3002
\n
\nYou’re\u3000breaking\u3000my\u3000heart\u3002
\n
\n
\nTwenty\u3000yards\u3000away\uff1b\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000cornice\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000squatted\u3000with\u3000his\u3000back\u3000against\u3000cold\u3000stone\u3000and\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000Kyle\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000sat\u3000still\u3000as\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000or\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000dead\u3000mecha\u3000that\u3000now\u3000littered\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Must\u3000you\u3000keep\u3000drinking\uff1f\u3003\u3000Minmei\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000getting\u3000out\u3000of\u3000hand\uff01\u3003
\n
\nKyle\u3000upended\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000last\u3000few\u3000droplets\u3000fal \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Must\u3000you\u3000keep\u3000drinking\uff1f\u3003\u3000Minmei\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000getting\u3000out\u3000of\u3000hand\uff01\u3003
\n
\nKyle\u3000upended\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000last\u3000few\u3000droplets\u3000fall\u3000on\u3000soil\u3000that\u3000hadn’t\u3000tasted\u3000moisture\u3000in\u3000two\u3000years\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000tossed\u3000it\u3000high\uff1b\u3000launched\u3000himself\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000a\u3000reverse\u3000spin\u3000kick\uff1b\u3000a\u3000ki\u2026yi\u3000yell\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000deep\u3000within\u3000him\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000twice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000popped\u3000the\u3000little\u3000brandy\u3000bottle\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000like\u3000a\u3000trap\u3000shooter\u3002
\n
\nPieces\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000glass\u3000landed\u3000at\u3000Minmei’s\u3000feet\u3002\u3000She\u3000watched\u3000Kyle\u3000steadily\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000that\u3000make\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000any\u3000better\u3000about\u3000yourself\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHow\u3000can\u3000she\u3000wound\u3000me\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000with\u3000just\u3000a\u3000word\u3000or\u3000two\uff1f\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000mood\u3000swung\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000endless\u3000affection\u3000in\u3000him\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sum\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000really\u3000acplished\uff1b\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle\u3000saw\u3000now\uff1b\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000Minmei\u3000to\u3000love\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Minmei’s\u3000mood\u3000was\u3000riding\u3000a\u3000different\u3000swing\u3002\u3000\u3003Whatever\u3000you\u3000think\u3000of\u3000the\u3000RDF\uff1b\u3000there\u3000are\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000fine\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000levelly\u3002\u3000\u3003Much\u3000better\u3000people\u3000than\u3000you\u3000are\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000reconciliation\u3000and\u3000a\u3000new\u3000start\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Kyle\u3000ran\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000across\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000again\u3002\u3000Al\uff01\u3000right\uff1b\u3000we\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000have\u3000it\u3000all\u3000out\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’s\u3000that\u3000crack\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMinmei\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000shaking\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000means\u3000they’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000rebuild\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000while\u3000all\u3000you\u3000can\u3000do\u3000is\u3000drink\u3000and\u3000feel\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000yourself\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000so\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000done\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000job\u3000of\u3000takin’\u3000care\u3000of\u3000your\u3000career\uff1b\u3000little\u3000Miss\u3000Superstar\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000been\u3000loud\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000quiet\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000split\u3000up\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Kyle\u3002\u3000So\u3000you\u3000can\u3000look\u3000after\u3000your\u3000own\u3000career\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gathered\u3000her\u3000pink\u3000jacket\u3000around\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hurt\u3000until\u3000her\u3000endurance\u3000was\u3000all\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000she\u3000only\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000hurt\u3000in\u3000retaliation\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u3000I\u3000owed\u3000it\u3000all\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Kyle\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000out\u3000in\u3000fending\u2026off\u3000gestures\u3002\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3000wait\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u2026didn’t\u3000mean\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000split\u3000up\u3000our\u3000partnership\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003Partnership\u3003\u3000was\u3000a\u3000weak\u3000word\u3000for\u3000what\u3000they’d\u3000had\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000the\u3000vocabulary\u3000of\u3000love\u3000was\u3000steamrollered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000vocabulary\u3000of\u3000argument\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000something\u3000slipping\u3000away\u3000even\u3000as\u3000he\u3000made\u3000the\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000words\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000not\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000what\u3000I\u3000meant\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000pass\u3000of\u3000Lynn\u2026Kyle’s\u3000emotions\u3000swung\u3000a\u3000last\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000resolved\u3000into\u3000a\u3000straight\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000line\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000go\uff01\u3000Who\u3000needs\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000kicked\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000carton\u3000high\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n
\n
\nRick\u3000Hunter\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000to\u3000feel\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Kyle\u3000had\u3000alienated\u3000Minmei\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000enjoyable\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000harrowing\u3000to\u3000see\u3000at\u3000close\u3000range\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000then\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000question\u3000of\u3000going\u3000out\u3000and\u3000intervening\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000had\u3000no\u3000illusions\u3000about\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000cobra\u2026fast\u3000martial\u2026arts\u3000expert\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000along\u3000the\u3000survival\u3000pistol\u3000from\u3000his\u3000VT’s\u3000ejection\u3000pack\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000the\u3000rover\u3000radio\u3000buzzed\u3000in\u3000its\u3000thigh\u3000pouch\u3002\u3000\u3003mander\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000e\u3000in\u3000please\uff01\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Vanessa’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rusting\uff1b\u3000soggy\u2026footed\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000volume\u3000down\u3000low\u3000when\u3000he\u3000came\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wastelands\uff1b\u3000following\u3000leads\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000held\u3000the\u3000rover\u3000up\u3000to\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002\u3000Minmei\u3000and\u3000Kyle\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000thing\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000thumbed\u3000the\u3000transmit\u3000switch\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000directed\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000your\u3000flight\u3000to\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3002\u3000A\u3000residential\u3000district\u3000is\u3000under\u3000attack\u3000by\u3000several\u3000Zentraedi\u3000malcontents\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Malcontents\u3002\u3003\u3000That\u3000was\u3000what\u3000the\u3000new\u3000world\u3000government\u3000was\u3000calling\u3000them\u3000so\u3000far\u3002\u3000But\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000sworn\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warrior\u3000oath\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000their\u3000back\u3000on\u3000human\u3000society\u3000were\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000than\u3000malcontents\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000only\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wasteland\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000going\uff1b\u3000find\u3000the\u3000right\u3000wrecked\u3000ship\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000were\u3000lucky\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000find\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000rations\uff1b\u3000water\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shelter\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000poised\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pain\u3000so\u3000precise\u3000that\u3000it\u3000defied\u3000any\u3000random\u3000theory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000universe\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000in\u3000impelled\u3000him\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000with\u3000all\u3000possible\u3000speed\u3002
\n
\nEverything\u3000else\u3000told\u3000him\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000there\uff1b\u3000because\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000could\u3000win\u3000Minmei\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000thumbed\u3000the\u3000rover’s\u3000transmit\u3000button\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000weapons\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Three\u3000battlesuits\u3000and\u3000four\u3000pods\uff1b\u3000a\u3000total\u3000of\u3000seven\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000back\u3002\u3000That\u3000wasn’t\u3000exactly\u3000several\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000Rick\u3000saw\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000things\u3000probably\u3000looked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000different\u3000from\u3000a\u3000worldwide\u3000coordinating\u3000nerve\u3000center\u3000like\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002
\n
\nThese\u3000were\u3000Zentraedi\u3000who\u3000had\u3000defected\u3000to\u3000the\u3000human\u3000side\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000onetime\u3000allies\u3002\u3000He\u3000held\u3000the\u3000rover’s\u3000voice\u3000pickup\u3000close\u3000and\u3000said\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’ll\u3000be\u3000taken\u3000care\u3000of\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000the\u3000status\u3000on\u3000Skull\u3000flight\uff1f\u3000Over\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000are\u3000curtailing\u3000their\u3000current\u3000sweep\u3000and\u3000will\u3000rendezvous\u3000with\u3000you\u3000in\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3002\u3000Out\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000shut\u3000off\u3000the\u3000rover\u3000before\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000static\u3000could\u3000betray\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000raced\u3000off\u3000toward\u3000his\u3000ship\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000liberation\u3000to\u3000have\u3000some\u3000crisis\u3000so\u3000pressing\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000forget\u3000about\u3000Minmei\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3000He\u3000left\u3000the\u3000two\u3000Lynns\u3000to\u3000their\u3000own\u3000devices\uff1b\u3000and\u3000somehow\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000wishing\u3000them\u3000the\u3000worst\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000his\u3000VT\u3000took\u3000off\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000distant\u3000figure\u3000of\u3000Kyle\u3000go\u3000down\u3000on\u3000both\u3000knees\u3000before\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000cradling\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000her\u3000breast\u3002\u3000Rick\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000throttle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000VT\u3000left\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000blue\u3000fire\u3000across\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n
\n
\nLisa\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000through\u3000her\u3000window\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rotting\u3000hulk\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000thriving\uff1b\u3000growing\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000its\u3000presence\u3000put\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hmmph\uff01\u3000What\u3000a\u3000view\uff01\u3003\u3000As\u3000a\u3000morale\u3000builder\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000blouse\u3000with\u3000a\u3000high\uff1b\u3000upturned\u3000collar\u3002\u3000Every\u3000once\u3000in\u3000a\u3000while\u3000she\u3000permitted\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000full\u2026length\u3000mirror\u3000there\u3000in\u3000her\u3000quarters\u3000and\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000not\u3000bad\uff01
\n
\nThe\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000wasn’t\u3000bad\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000either\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3000The\u3000more\u3000so\u3000because\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20262\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lowered\u3000into\u3000place\uff1b\u3000back\u3000to\u3000back\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000in\u3000another\u3000day\u3000or\u3000so\u3002\u3000Lang\u3000and\u3000his\u3000disciples\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000out\u3000some\u3000way\u3000to\u3000move\u3000the\u3000sealed\u3000enigmatic\u3000engines\u3000from\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000Lisa\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000briefings\uff1b\u3000could\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000mathematics\u3000Lang\u3000scrawled\u3000all\u3000over\u3000every\u3000flat\u3000surface\u3000that\u3000came\u3000to\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000still\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000new\u3000assignment\u3000was\u3000an\u3000unknown\u3000quantity\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000set\u3000birred\u3000for\u3000her\u3000attention\u3002\u3000She\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000handset\u3002\u3000In\u3000seconds\u3000she\u3000had\u3000word\u3000of\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000raid\u3000from\u3000Vanessa\u3000and\u3000was\u3000hurrying\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n
\n
\nSunset\u3000had\u3000e\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000freezing\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000ransacked\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000swath\u3000of\u3000destruction\u3000from\u3000the\u3000diminished\u3000Lake\u3000Oswego\u3000to\u3000the\u3000once\u3000great\u3000Columbia\u3000River\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000pods\u3000fired\u3000and\u3000devastated\u3000without\u3000mercy\u3002\u3000Local\u3000militia\u3000and\u3000police\u3000were\u3000victims\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000civilians\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000their\u3000rampage\uff1b\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000malcontents\u3000slew\u3000over\u3000four\u3000hundred\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000of\u3000assorted\u3000constabularies\uff1b\u3000police\u3000departments\uff1b\u3000and\u3000guard\u3000units\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000set\u3000buildings\u3000afire\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000brush\u3000of\u3000their\u3000plastron\u3000cannon\uff1b\u3000they\u3000trod\u3000houses\u3000and\u3000people\u3000flat\u3000underneath\u3000their\u3000pods’\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000hooflike\u3000feet\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000they\u3000loomed\uff1b\u3000three\u3000abreast\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000as\u3000black\u3000smoke\u3000roiled\u3000around\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000screams\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000echoed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rain\u2026washed\u3000streets\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000ran\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gutters\u3002
\n
\nDown\u3000from\u3000the\u3000night\u3000swooped\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000of\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000under\u3000Ransom’s\u3000mand\u3002\u3000Robotechnology\u3000made\u3000them\u3000all\u2026weather\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000as\u3000dangerous\u3000in\u3000blackness\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000light\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Nobody\u3000fires\u3000unless\u3000they\u3000have\u3000a\u3000confirmed\u3000target\uff1b\u3000there’re\u3000civilians\u3000down\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ransom\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000then\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000like\u3000a\u3000skillet\u3000of\u3000molten\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000smoke\u3000funneling\u3000up\u3000from\u3000it\u3000to\u3000form\u3000thickening\u3000layers\u3000that\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000red\u3000light\u3002
\n
\nBobby\u3000Bell\u3000began\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000God\uff01\u3000This\u3000is\u3000horrible\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Shut\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Sergeant\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ransom\u3000cut\u3000him\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000VTs\u3000form\u3000up\u3000on\u3000me\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000get\u3000down\u3000there\u3000and\u3000stop\u3000this\u3000thing\u3002\u3000And\u3000watch\u3000your\u3000fare\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nJeanette\u3000LeClair\u3000and\u3000her\u3000best\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000Sonya\u3000Poulson\uff1b\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rain\u2026slick\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000frigid\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000crying\u3000for\u3000the\u3000loved\u3000ones\u3000who\u3000had\u3000died\uff1b\u3000pulses\u3000hammering\u3000because\u3000death\u3000was\u3000at\u3000their\u3000heels\u3002\u3000Jeanette’s\u3000birthday\u3000a\u3000month\u3000before\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000eight\u3000years\u3000old\uff1b\u3000Sonya’s\uff1b\u3000four\u3000days\u3000later\uff1b\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000them\u3000even\u3002
\n
\nBehind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000Battlepod\u3000stumped\u3000around\u3000the\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000kicking\u3000a\u3000traffic\u3000light\u3000through\u3000a\u3000brick\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000snapping\u3000power\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000its\u3000guns\u3000on\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nJeanette\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sonya\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000running\u3000but\u3000found\u3000that\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3002\u3000She\u3000dashed\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3000up\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000fell\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000sprawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rain\u2026washed\u3000cobblestone\u3000street\u3000as\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000round\u3000metal\u3000hoof\u3000came\u3000down\u3000at\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000wept\uff1b\u3000held\u3000each\u3000other\u3000close\uff1b\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000to\u3000die\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000pod\u3000paused\u3000in\u3000the\u3000act\u3000of\u3000trampling\u3000yet\u3000more\u3000victims\u3002\u3000The\u3000armored\uff1b\u3000lightbulb\u2026shaped\u3000torso\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000something\u3002\u3000Jeanette\u3000and\u3000Sonya\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000know\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000receiving\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000message\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000fellows\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Warning\uff01\u3000Warning\uff01\u3000Enemy\u3000fightercraft\u3000approaching\uff01\u3000Form\u3000up\u3000to\u3000take\u3000defensive\u3000action\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000little\u3000girls\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ridges\u3000and\u3000features\u3000of\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000hoof\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000was\u3000pulling\u3000away\u3002\u3000In\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pod\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000grasshoppered\u3000off\u3000for\u3000some\u3000destination\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000even\u3000guess\u3000at\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000its\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\u3002
\n
\nMoments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000thunder\u3000came\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000as\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000VTs\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000full\u3000throttle\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000girls\u3000helped\u3000each\u3000other\u3000up\u3002\u3000Buildings\u3000shook\u3000and\u3000windows\u3000broke\u3000t \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nMoments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000thunder\u3000came\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000as\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000VTs\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000full\u3000throttle\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000girls\u3000helped\u3000each\u3000other\u3000up\u3002\u3000Buildings\u3000shook\u3000and\u3000windows\u3000broke\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sonic\u3000boom\u3000as\u3000the\u3000RDF\u3000fighters\u3000swept\u3000in\u3000vengefully\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000girls’\u3000voices\u3000were\u3000very\u3000small\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000all\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000cheered\u3000nonetheless\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000pods\u3000chose\u3000straightforward\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000charging\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000group\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000the\u3000primary\u3000and\u3000secondary\u3000cannon\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000their\u3000armored\u3000chest\u3000plastrons\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000suited\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000just\u3000fine\uff1b\u3000they\u3000flew\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000intense\u3000ground\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000like\u3000eagles\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000their\u3000chain\u2026guns\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000hit\u3000’em\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ransom\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sure\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we’ve\u3000gotta\u3000lead\u3000’em\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\uff01\u3003\u3000Bobby\u3000Bell\u3000yelled\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000right\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000formation\u3000split\u3000even\u3000while\u3000it\u3000exchanged\u3000fire\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rampaging\u3000pods\u3002\u3000The\u3000Guardians\u3000turned\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pods\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000with\u3000every\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000rocketed\u3000and\u3000kangaroo\u2026hopped\u3000after\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u2026FIVE
\n
\nFor\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000peaceful\u3000life\u3000and\u3000a\u3000disengagement\u3000from\u3000their\u3000warlike\u3000culture\u3000was\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000a\u3000profound\u3000struggle\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000sublimating\u3000battle\u3000into\uff1b\u3000which\u3000they\u3000could\u3000hurl\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000time\u3000they\u3000were\u3000content\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000content\u3000with\u3000any\u3000other\u3000conflict\u3002
\nIs\u3000it\u3000any\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000that\u3000with\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000won\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000prey\u3000to\u3000a\u3000frustrated\u3000restlessness\uff1f\u3000The\u3000fight\u3000for\u3000peace\u3000can\u3000be\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000one\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000history\u3000and\u3000legend\u3000tell\u3000us\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warrior\u2026born\u3000should\u3000beware\u3000the\u3000disaster\u3000of\u3000total\u3000victory\u3002
\nAnd\u3000so\u3000should\u3000those\u3000about\u3000him\u3002
\nZeitgeist\uff1b\u3000Alien\u3000Psychology
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000foothills\u3000at\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000New\u3000Portland\uff1b\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000stopped\u3000running\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000clashed\u3000in\u3000earnest\u3002
\n
\nAlmost\u3000by\u3000instinct\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pods\u3000came\u3000abreast\u3000to\u3000set\u3000up\u3000a\u3000firing\u3000line\u3002\u3000The\u3000Guardians\u3000dove\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bluewhite\u3000lances\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000beams\u3000jousted\u3000against\u3000streams\u3000of\u3000high\u2026density\u3000slugs\u3000lit\u3000by\u3000tracers\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000concentrated\u3000salvo\u3000of\u3000alien\u3000cannon\u3000fire\u3000took\u3000off\u3000the\u3000left\u3000arm\u3000of\u3000Ransom’s\u3000Guardian\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000dudes\u3000really\u3000wanna\u3000fight\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000grimly\u3002\u3000He\u3000looped\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000manage\u3000the\u3000damage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000unleashed\u3000a\u3000spread\u3000of\u3000Stilettos\u3000at\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nNo\u3000more\u3000tromping\u3000on\u3000little\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000bozos\uff01\u3000Let’s\u3000see\u3000you\u3000pick\u3000on\u3000somebody\u3000your\u3000own\u3000size\uff01
\n
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000could\u3000be\u3000defined\u3000as\u3000dereliction\u3000of\u3000duty\uff1b\u3000mander\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lisa’s\u3000voice\u3000said\u3000in\u3000Rick’s\u3000ear\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’re\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Where\u3000were\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000icily\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Uh\uff1b\u3000on\u3000recon\u3002\u3003\u3000Guilt\u3000made\u3000him\u3000snappish\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000within\u3000mission\u3000guidelines\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000any\u3000objections\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBack\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000center\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000latest\u3000satnet\u3000locater\u3000profiles\u3000of\u3000military\u3000aircraft\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000grounded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3002\u3000Granite\u3000City\u3002\u3000No\u3000surprise\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000object\u3000when\u3000you\u3000jeopardize\u3000the\u3000lives\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000under\u3000your\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Hunter\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000accumulated\u3000experiences\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000just\u3000made\u3000him\u3000lose\u3000control\u3000as\u3000no\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000petent\u3000bat\u3000flier\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000your\u3000goddamn\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000Lisa\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Your\u3000men\u3000are\u3000in\u3000bat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000leading\u3000them\uff1b\u3000you\u3000unutterable\u3000moron\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mike\uff1b\u3000then\u3000snapped\u3000it\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nWell\uff1b\u3000there\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000had\u3000a\u3000grand\u3000argument\u3000over\u3000a\u3000mand\u3000mo\u3000net\u3000about\u3000everything\u3000except\u3000what\u3000was\u3000really\u3000driving\u3000them\u3000apart\u3002\u3000What\u3000satisfaction\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000stalked\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mo\u3000console\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000that\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003Take\u3000cover\uff1b\u3000take\u3000cover\uff1b\u3003\u3000chanted\u3000Vanessa\u3000in\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wonder\u3000what\u3000mander\u3000Hunter\u3000did\u3000to\u3000cause\u3000the\u3000blowup\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3003\u3000Sammie\u3000blinked\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000it\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000he’ll\u3000be\u3000on\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000diet\u3000of\u3000cold\u3000shoulder\u3000when\u3000he\u3000gets\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vanessa\u3000replied\u3002
\n
\nKim\u3000took\u3000off\u3000her\u3000headset\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000dunno\uff1b\u3000d’you\u3000think\u3000she\u3000really\u3000loves\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003D’you\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000say\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000latest\u3000gossip\uff1f\u3003\u3000Sammie\u3000almost\u3000squirmed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eagerness\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000say\u3000she\u3000cleans\u3000his\u3000quarters\u3002\u3000Yeah\uff1b\u3000yeah\uff1b\u3000cleans\uff01\u3000While\u3000he’s\u3000away\u3000on\u3000patrol\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000doesn’t\u3000even\u3000take\u3000her\u3000out\u3000or\u3000anything\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Terrible\u3000Trio\u3000thought\u3000poisonous\u3000thoughts\u3000about\u3000the\u3000male\u3000gender\u3002
\n
\nKim\u3000fanned\u3000herself\u3000gently\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000Lisa\u3000would\u3000get\u3000herself\u3000roped\u3000into\u3000something\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000too\u3000smart\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSammie\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000wait\uff1b\u3000that\u3000isn’t\u3000all\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Ixnay\uff1b\u3003\u3000Kim\u3000murmured\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000a\u3000sidelong\u3000glance\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000being\u3000watched\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Uh\u2026oh\u3002\u3003\u3000Sammie\u3000hastened\u3000to\u3000put\u3000her\u3000earphones\u3000back\u3000on\u3002
\n
\nLisa\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000them\u3000resignedly\u3002\u3000Go\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000blame\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000it\u3000is\u3000funny\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000pod’s\u3000cannon\u3000hosed\u3000concentrated\u3000fire\u3000into\u3000the\u3000storm\u2026wracked\u3000night\u3000sky\u3002\u3000The\u3000Guardian\u3000sideslipped\u3000and\u3000counterfired\u3000with\u3000its\u3000autocannon\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Won’t\u3000these\u3000characters\u3000ever\u3000give\u3000up\uff1f\u3003\u3000Bobby\u3000Bell\u3000gritted\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000fear\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Zentraedi\u3000who\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000their\u3000warrior\u3000code\uff1b\u3000their\u3000death\u2026before\u2026defeat\u3000belief\u3000system\uff1b\u3000were\u3000enemies\u3000to\u3000be\u3000reckoned\u3000with\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000then\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000face\u3000on\u3000an\u3000instrument\u3000panel\u3000display\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000you\u3000guys\u3000doin’\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000asked\u3000with\u3000elaborate\u3000casualness\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000heritage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000flying\u3000into\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000red\u2026hot\u3000firefight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000awake\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Boss\uff1b\u3000look\u3000sharp\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bobby\u3000shot\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000boys\u3000are\u3000murder\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick’s\u3000VT\u3000dove\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000configuration\u3000like\u3000a\u3000rocket\u2026powered\u3000falcon\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000okay\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000take\u3000over\u3000now\u3002\u3000Ransom\uff1b\u3000Bobby\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\u3000drop\u3000back\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000went\u3000in\u3000at\u3000them\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000in\u3000at\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000pods\u2026thousands\u2026since\u3000the\u3000day\u3000he\u3000first\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000cockpit\u3002\u3000He\u3000wove\u3000through\u3000their\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000rebounded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sprang\u3000high\u3000overhead\u3000on\u3000Robotech\u3000legs\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000energy\u3000blasts\u3000skewed\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Last\u3000chance\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000transmitted\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000tac\u3000frequency\u3002\u3000\u3003Cease\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000your\u3000arms\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIf\u3000they\u3000had\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000the\u3000malcontents\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\u3002\u3000But\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000like\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000they\u3000fired\u3000that\u3000much\u3000more\u3000furiously\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000if\u3000their\u3000positions\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reversed\u3002\u3000The\u3000human\u3000race\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000and\u3000struggling\u3000in\u3000its\u3000own\u3000ashes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000how\u3000much\u3000more\u3000so\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000defectors\uff1f
\n
\nHe\u3000wondered\u3000only\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000lives\u3000were\u3000at\u3000stake\u3002
\n
\nSkull\u3000Leader\u3000came\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000sustained\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000its\u3000autocannon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tracers\u3000lighting\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000one\u3000pod\u3000leg\u3000to\u3000metallic\u3000splinters\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000pod\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000banked\u3000and\u3000came\u3000to\u3000ground\u3000behind\u3000an\u3000upcropping\u3000of\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000an\u3000armored\u3000ultratech\u3000warrior\u3000sixty\u3000feet\u3000tall\u3000with\u3000a\u3000belt\u2026fed\u3000autocannon\u3000gripped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000fist\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\uff1b\u3000I\u3000order\u3000you\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000your\u3000weapons\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000plastron\u3000cannon\u3000muzzles\u3000swinging\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002\u3000Energy\u3000bolts\u3000blazed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000volley\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000he\u3000came\u3000up\u3000again\u3000shooting\u3002\u3000The\u3000high\u2026density\u3000slugs\u3000blew\u3000another\u3000pod\u3000leg\u3000in\u3000half\u3000at\u3000its\u3000rear\u2026articulated\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000toppling\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000third\u3000one\u3000ran\uff1b\u3000zigzagging\uff1b\u3000evading\u3000his\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000there\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000drumming\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000on\u3000the\u3000field\u3000of\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Zentraedi\u3000malcontents\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000their\u3000disabled\u3000mecha\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000they\u3000carried\u3000no\u3000personal\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000police\u3000and\u3000militia\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000Skull\u3000Team\u3000went\u3000to\u3000mop\u3000up\u3000and\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000Zentraedi\u3000on\u3000foot\u3000were\u3000taken\u3000prisoner\u3002\u3000The\u3000malcontents\u3000would\u3000pay\u3000with\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lives\u3000they’d\u3000taken\u3002
\n
\nTonight\u3000we\u3000won\u3002\u3000What\u3000about\u3000tomorrow\uff1f
\n
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000one\u3000to\u3000deplane\uff1b\u3000Ransom\uff1b\u3000Bobby\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Greer\u3000were\u3000already\u3000far\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hangars\u3000and\u3000revetments\u3000when\u3000Rick\u3000dragged\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000his\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000dogtired\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000peace\u3000be\u3000so\u3000terrible\uff1f\u3000Peace\u3000was\u3000all\u3000he\u3000or\u3000Roy\u3000or\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000wanted\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000there\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Lisa\u3000standing\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000ops\u3000door\u3002\u3000No\u3000peace\u3000in\u3000my\u3000lifetime\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3002\u3000Look\u3000at\u3000that\u3000warcloud\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Why\u3000do\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000I\u3000should\u3000ask\u3000for\u3000a\u3000blindfold\u3000and\u3000a\u3000last\u3000cigarette\uff1b\u3000mander\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Not\u3000very\u3000funny\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000not\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000groped\u3000for\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000all\u3000the\u3000things\u3000he\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000and\u3000been\u3000through\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000few\u3000days\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000report\u3000to\u3000Captain\u3000Gloval\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000considered\u3000that\uff1b\u3000brows\u3000knit\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3000\u3003Wonder\u3000what\u3000he\u3000wants\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000couldn’t\u3000hold\u3000back\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000was\u3000your\u3000visit\u3000with\u3000Minmei\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000enjoyed\u3000her\u3000broadcast\u3000from\u3000Granite\u3000City\u3000yesterday\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000let\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hardtop\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000actually\u3000visit\u3000with\u3000Minmei\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000started\u3000off\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000caught\u3000up\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000right\u3000behind\u3002\u3000She\u3000made\u3000it\u3000sound\u3000as\u3000spiteful\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000hating\u3000herself\u3000for\u3000it\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000time\u3002\u3000\u3003Was\u3000that\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000adoring\u3000fans\u3000that\u3000you\u3000couldn’t\u3000get\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Rick\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Anything\u3000happen\uff1f\u3003\u3000Why\u3000am\u3000I\u3000putting\u3000us\u3000both\u3000through\u3000this\uff1f\u3000she\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000came\u3000back\u3000at\u3000once\uff1a\u3000Because\u3000I\u3000love\u3000him\uff01
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000could\u3000happen\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000raced\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000blue\u3000envelope\u3000from\u3000her\u3000uniform\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000She\u3000dashed\u3000around\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000him\u3000up\u3000short\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000palm\u3000of\u3000one\u3000flightsuit\u3000glove\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lisa\uff1b\u3000what\u3000is\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Just\u3000something\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000me\u3000by\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000not\u3000trusting\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000his\u3000face\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000Her\u3000heels\u3000clicked\u3000away\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hardtop\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000envelope\u3000held\u3000photographs\u2026Lisa\u3000with\u3000a\u3000niece\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000vacation\uff1b\u3000Lis \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000envelope\u3000held\u3000photographs\u2026Lisa\u3000with\u3000a\u3000niece\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000vacation\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000as\u3000an\u3000adorable\u3000teenager\u3000with\u3000a\u3000kitten\u3000perched\u3000on\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Lisa\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u3000of\u3000her\u3000graduation\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000mumbled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3002\u3000The\u3000album\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000it\uff1a\u3000What\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000came\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000flash\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000left\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000feeling\u3000like\u3000there\u3000was\u3000some\u3000good\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000bad\u3000things\u3000looked\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000always\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000angels\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000now\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000photographs\u3000at\u3000his\u3000side\u3000and\u3000watching\u3000her\u3000disappear\u3000among\u3000the\u3000parked\u3000bat\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000ride\u3000out\u3000a\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000regret\u3000that\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000wash\u3000him\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000sorry\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000born\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003mander\u3000Hunter\u3000reporting\u3000as\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGloval\u3000sat\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000the\u3000sweeping\u3000forward\u3000viewport\u3000of\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\uff1b\u3000at\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000sky\u3000flecked\u3000with\u3000white\u3000clouds\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000e\u3000in\uff1b\u3000Rick\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000without\u3000turning\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000came\u3000in\u3000warily\uff1b\u3000Gloval\u3000did\u3000not\u3000often\u3000use\u3000his\u3000subordinates’\u3000first\u3000names\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000get\u3000right\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3002\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000him\u3000and\u3000came\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000aliens\u3000among\u3000us\u3000are\u3000reverting\u3000to\u3000their\u3000former\u3000ways\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRick\u3000considered\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000friends\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u2026Rico\uff1b\u3000Bron\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Konda\uff1b\u3000Karita\u3000and\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000New\u3000Portland\u3000rebels\u3000won’t\u3000give\u3000us\u3000any\u3000more\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That\u3000incident\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000symptom\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000mander\u3002\u3003\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000way\u3000Gloval\u3000pronounced\u3000your\u3000rank\u3000that\u3000let\u3000you\u3000know\u3000you\u3000were\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000yourself\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000cannot\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000have\u3000this\u3000occur\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000went\u3000on\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000risking\u3000plete\u3000social\u3000breakdown\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000have\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000reassigned\u3000to\u3000new\u3000locations\u3000where\u3000we\u3000can\u3000keep\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNone\u3000of\u3000the\u3000importance\u3000of\u3000that\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000We\u3000promised\u3000them\u3000freedom\uff01\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000ing\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000that\u3000had\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000bright\u3000two\u3000years\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000rest\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000said\u3002\u3000Gloval\u3000was\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000Rick\u3000to\u3000enforce\u3000his\u3000directives\u3000and\u3000letting\u3000him\u3000know\u3000what\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000for\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000Hunter\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\u3000who’d\u3000been\u3000through\u3000so\u3000much\u3000for\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000in\u3000truth\u3002\u3000The\u3000younger\u3000man\u3000snapped\u3000off\u3000a\u3000brisk\u3000salute\u3002\u3000\u3003Whatever\u3000you\u3000decide\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000my\u3000support\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3000And\u3000you\u3000have\u3000the\u3000support\u3000of\u3000everyone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3002\u3003\u3000Gloval\u3000acknowledged\u3000the\u3000salute\u3000precisely\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000tiredly\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000any\u3000real\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000met\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000understand\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rick\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n
\nMinmei\u3000shivered\u3000under\u3000her\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000a\u3000pylon\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000wreckage\u3000and\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000as\u3000night\u3000came\u3000on\u3000Granite\u3000City\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000much\u3000desolation\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000much\u3000bitterness\uff1b\u3000even\u3000between\u3000people\u3000who\u3000should\u3000have\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000love\u3000one\u3000another\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000ago\uff01
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000few\u3000lights\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3002\u3000Kyle\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000off\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000whether\u3000he\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000or\u3000keep\u3000on\u3000going\uff1b\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000him\u3000again\u3000and\u3000no\u3000clear\u3000conviction\u3000as\u3000to\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000or\u3000not\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stars\u3000appeared\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3002\u3000Where\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f
\n
\n
\nTHE\u3000END
\n
\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Robotech\uff1a\u3000Force\u3000of\u3000A<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-2832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-12","comments-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2832","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2832"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2832\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2832"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}