Disclaimer: 'The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers' is copyrighted by Hearst Entertainment, Inc.

This is a work of fanfiction and I make no profit of it.

He sees her sitting out on the sun terrace busy with some data pads. He remembers that he has not seen her at lunch and, on a hunch, decides to step out and talk to her.

"How are you feeling, Niko?" he asks, concerned.

She looks up from her reading.

Her smile is relaxed but she still seems exhausted.

"Like after trying to lift a sand pyramid for 24 hours? Or maybe like maintaining psychic shields on a shuttle long enough to steer it through the Orion Nebula?"

"You did well."

She puts away her data pads.

"Thanks, Zachary. I didn't know that I could do it. It proves that technology and psychic powers don't mix as badly as they always say. Though I hope it doesn't become our standard procedure for deflecting cosmic energy to save the costs for shields."

"You'd better savor your week of light duty then, in case they do just that.

Though the recapture of the Cheyenne should ease the budget constraints."

For a short moment her face seems strained, like a shadow that flickers by.

Something seems to bother her.

"Do you need more time off? If you need more time to recuperate your powers..."

"No, don't worry. I've already begun some grounding meditations to replenish my reserves. Besides, soaking up the sun does count."

She stretches leisurely at those words and leans back in her chair.

"How have your kids taken it that you're not a robber?"

"They seemed almost disappointed."

She laughs at that.

"No one values our work. Maybe we should really turn renegade. Though I hope I won't have to pose as a ship-wrecked astronaut again."

"You can survive for days in those suits."

There it is again. That sudden flicker of tension, an almost grim set of her lips.

She has never shown claustrophobia or any form of space fear but if it begins now she has to confront it before it gets worse.

"You'll have to go out again."

"Yes, of course."

Now she's looking at him as though she has no idea what he is talking about but is intently trying to figure it out.

"Yes, I will go out again. Space isn't a problem. I've been doing enough hull repairs on Pluto when I was a cadet."

"Pluto? They usually don't send diplomacy candidates there."

"I was trying to avoid diplomacy. Following the details of protocol wasn't my idea of being a ranger."

"What was?"

"Fighting the bad guys." She says it almost smugly.

For a short moment he thinks that she is the only one of them who chose freely to enlist without being forced to by the need to escape hardship or other circumstances.

"You surely can't complain about a lack of bad guys now."

"No."

Silence. She is looking down.

Finally she asks:

"Do you think Daisy got away?"

"She has risen from the dead more than once, so to speak."

"Yes, but with only a spacesuit in the sector of the Orion Nebula? It's far away from any trade route."

"The suit has a strong distress signal transmitter and as we know now, there are enough gullible aliens who will pick up a beautiful ship-wrecked human female.

We'll know for sure when the next battle cruiser disappears."

"Yes. We will."

All worry vanishes from her face and is replaced by a grim expression.

"We got Macross and the rest," he tries to cheer her up.

"Yes." The worry returns and this time it seems tinged with guilt.

"He probably caught Doc and me when we were sending our transmission to Beta. I should have sensed him."

"You've said before that his species has some natural resistance to telepathy."

"Yes. But – I don't know. I should have kept me eyes open. I should have spotted him."

"Niko. You can't prevent all mistakes. You have to learn from them and then let it go."

"Yes. You're right. I just wish …"

Her eyes are still downcast. She is not taking this one easy.

Deep breath, determined smile.

Then she changes the topic.

"So how many people have called you to ask whether you have really become a robber?"

"My mother phoned. And my credit card company. How is it for you?"

"I'm getting emails from people whom I haven't heard from in years. And a TV station called that wanted to do an interview."

"What did you say?"

"That I wasn't interested. I don't want to talk with reporters about my 'adventures' with Daisy O'Mega and the Blackhole Gang." She says it bitterly, almost sarcastically. Not quite ready to let go.

"You're angry that Daisy escaped."

She shrugs helplessly. Somewhere between upset and outraged.

"I don't wish her dead but I don't want her running free either. She just takes what she wants and she hurts people."

He could pretend he did not understand exactly what she meant. But they are a team, almost like family, and they watch out for each other. Even if one of them withdraws.

"Goose is an adult, Niko. He can handle it."

"I hope so." She smiles but it does not reach her eyes.

Then she gets up.

"I need to watch some cadets train. See you later."

He really hopes that all of them will be okay.