Title: Top Gun

Chapter: 01

Series: Macross Frontier

Pairing/s: BreraxAlto

Rating: M

After the end of the Vajra War, life for Alto had returned to a level of normalcy that he hadn't experienced since before he had fought with his father. That seemed so long ago now. He had recently made up with his father, really it was amazing what facing death did to your priorities, and after a short time, he had moved back into his family home. He had returned to Mihoshi Academy along with the others, and he had remained in the pilot program, despite his father's grumbling.

Alto had also remained a pilot of the S.M.S, but his missions were small and few. Because he no longer had a backup, he wasn't allowed to range far from Frontier, and there were a limited number of small one-man missions available. The N.U.N.S were offered first choice of missions, with S.M.S getting the ones they felt they were too good for. He had felt a moment of regret about leaving his wing-mates in the N.U.N.S, but when asked, had wryly stated that he wasn't really suited for all those rules and regulations anyway.

He would have asked Luca Angelloni to be his backup, but after Luca had confessed his feelings to Nanase Matsuura, and she accepted, Luca had split his time between his family business, school, and her. He barely could make it to the weekly meetings, let alone run any missions. Alto found this all very amusing, or he would have, if it hadn't effectively grounded him. Although he could still fly in the open sky with his EX-Gear, it wasn't the same as piloting a fighter…

Alto sighed, deep in thought, as he walked though the corridors of the S.M.S. building on his way to the weekly meeting. He had suddenly found himself with a great deal of free time, and he wasn't sure what to do with himself. He could return to acting, but he wasn't sure he wanted to yet. Though, he thought dryly, I never really left it behind, did I? I just made the world my stage…Alto felt a twinge of guilt. Compared to others who lost families and homes to the war, he had escaped relatively unscathed. Life was good to him, he was now the ace of his academy, and he had Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome throwing themselves at him at every possible opportunity. Alto shuddered. While that might be the fantasy of every other teenager, it certainly wasn't his fantasy.

Now that Sheryl had been healed of her Vajra-strain infection, she had returned to the stage and created a singing sensation all over again. Ranka had also returned to performing, saying she wanted to share her true song with everyone. Sheryl was proving her metal by operating without a manager. After the war ended, Sheryl had released her manager, Elmo Kridanik, telling him that Ranka needed him more. With good wishes on both sides, Elmo returned to Ranka, providing some much needed stability and maturity in her life. The two singers had been constantly battling to come out on top ever since, and Alto apparently become a prize in their little competition, which seemed to escalate constantly. He really wished they would find something else to fight over.

With all of the work that had been done to make the Vajra home world their own, the people of Frontier had already begun moving down to the planet's surface, anxious to live free of colony restrictions. This meant that there was ample housing available again to all who needed it. While initially Alto had found this convenient, he soon changed his mind.

After returning from his post-war hospital check-up, Alto had moved out of the apartment he had shared with Sheryl. It hadn't seemed appropriate to continue living together, especially now that she could take care of herself. His new apartment had been conveniently located close to both S.M.S. headquarters and his school. Shortly after moving into his new place, he had had Ranka inform him that she would be moving into the same building. After all, she told him, her brother Brera Sterne was living with her now, and she wanted a place for her own family, given that Ozuma appeared to be nearly ready to settle.

Alto hadn't been able to leave fast enough. The though of living in the same building with the two siblings had filled him with trepidation. Giving up on living in an apartment, Alto had escaped to his family home. His father and brother seemed to find the whole situation hilarious. After the initial teasing and innuendos, they had been supportive of case. The fact that the two idiot singers kept calling his home at all hours had helped. After constantly receiving calls from them about NOTHING, he had blocked them from calling his mobile. At least the two didn't come to school often, they were too busy with their careers. That was one small mercy…

As Alto reached the briefing room, he took his seat next to Klan-Klan in her micronized form. Since her passive lover Michel had died in the war, Klan hadn't smiled or laughed, as far as Alto knew. He worried about her. He was just about to strike up a conversation when Squad-Captain Ozuma Lee entered the room, followed by his fiancée Cathy Glass. Everyone had been unsurprised when the old rock-n-roller had finally proposed, and Cathy had accepted. Now that Ranka was grown up and with her real older brother, it seemed that Ozuma could live his life for himself. Everyone had expressed their heartfelt congratulations. Alto smiled inwardly. Cathy had recently decided that until the squad was up to full strength, no one would be flying missions, and after a shouting match that lasted for nearly an hour, Ozuma had given in. Alto hoped that a replacement could be found soon, he knew that Ozuma certainly had the motivation for it, though he knew that it was difficult to attract those with the right 'qualities' to the S.M.S..

He gave a mental shrug. Those that belonged in the S.M.S. would find there way eventually, all he had to do was be patient…

As Ozuma took his place at the front of the room¸ Alto felt a strange chill run down his spine. It warned him that something bad was going to happen. Whatever Ozuma had to say, it wouldn't end well. The quick glances that both Cathy and Ozuma kept throwing his way did nothing to ease his growing trepidation. Finally, Ozuma reached the end of the regular minutiae, and dropped his first bombshell.

"To finish off this weeks meeting, I would like to introduce to everyone our new skull squadron pilot." Alto forgot his trepidation for a moment. He would be allowed to fly again! He was jerked back to reality when he caught Ozuma watching him. Alto's stomach churned as his trepidation increased.

"He should be familiar to all of you, though some more than others" Ozuma continued. He turned slightly towards the door.

"Enter!"

Alto was frozen in horror as none other than his personal nemesis sauntered into the briefing room. Brera Sterne, Ranka's biological older brother and bodyguard. A first rate pilot and martial arts expert, had had never failed to show Alto how much better at everything he was. Alto was working himself up as he remembered all of the past insults he had received at Brera's hands, when he noticed something different about the blonde cyborg. Then it struck him. Brera was wearing casual clothes! And he looked pretty damn good too! Alto bit his lip as his eyes moved slowly over Brera's body, cataloguing him. Black jeans were slung low on his hips with a tight white v-neck t-shirt allowing a tantalising view of his skin. Brera was wearing a turquoise pendant on gold chain.

Alto gave himself a mental smack. Why was he checking Brera out anyway? As Alto looked away, his eyes caught Brera's, and locked. Brera's eyes appeared to be challenging him to find something wrong. Considering their past encounters and the current witnesses, Alto had no desire to accept the challenge, regardless of what it was. He shook his head slightly, mute.

"Does anyone object to his admission to the S.M.S. as a pilot then?" Ozuma asked, looking meaningfully at Alto. When Alto chose not to respond, Brera smirked at him. Alto scowled at the table, imagining him beating Brera to a bloody pulp. Caught up by his imagination, he remained oblivious to the proceeding meeting.

Ozuma smiled slightly as he saw Alto scowling at the table. This would teach him to pay attention in meetings. Ozuma was very fond of the blue-haired pilot, really, but every now and then he had to put the kid in his place when he got too cocky. Out of the corner of his eye, Ozuma saw Brera was watching Alto unobtrusively, a smirk on his lips.

Looked like the blonde was enjoying this, and Ozuma had a feeling he would excel in his new role. Now, to drop the other bombshell on the unsuspecting bluenette…

"Then as of now Brera Sterne is an official member of the Skull Squadron, call-sign Skull-_. He will pilot his VF-27 Lucifer as the partner and backup of Alto Saotome, call-sign Skull-_. Those two shall report to me at 16.00 hours the day after tomorrow for a mission. That is all. Dismissed!"

Alto was jerked back to the real world with a bump.

"Wait, WHAT!" he yelled. Brera smirked at him as he followed Ozuma and Cathy out the door.

"Don't be late!" he called as he left. Everyone else began leaving as well. It was pretty predictable what would happen next, after all.

Alto was frozen in his chair in an inarticulate rage. How dare that bastard act condescending! How DARE he! By the time Alto had worked past his anger, the only people left in the room where Klan and himself. Klan had a wicked smile on her face. Alto realised that he'd been had. There was no way that it was coincidence. That would explain the looks that he had received from Cathy and Ozuma. Beside him, Klan started shaking. He turned to her, puzzled and a bit miffed. What was she doing?

"Your…face…" Klan's shaking increased as she spoke.

"What?" Alto asked, puzzled. Klan tried again, her voice shaking.

"Your…face…is…HYSTERICAL!" all of the laughter that she had been trying to hold in was abruptly freed as she took in Alto's expression. She howled with laughter which, of course, only served to make Alto scowl more. She kept laughing, every time she looked at Alto's face she set off again. Ok, granted it was good to see Klan laughing again, but really! Finally, she started to settle down.

"That's what you get…for not paying attention" she giggled, wiping the tears from her eyes. Alto glared at her.

"Don't you give me that look, you should have objected when you had the chance! Everyone was waiting for you too."

Alto looked away, a slight blush on his cheeks.

"I was…distracted." Klan's eyes lit up, and a devious smile formed on her lips.

"Hmm, I wonder what by…"Alto opted for a quick conversation change. How was he going to explain that Brera had distracted him? Even if he said he was imagining strangling the bastard, she probably wouldn't believe him. Best not chance it.

"They set me up" he said flatly. Klan shook her head. Really, this boy…

"Now why would they do that? Maybe he was all there was, and Ozuma thought that you would rather fly missions again, even if you did have to work with the guy who is better at everything than you." Alto glared at her again. She didn't have to rub it in!

"It could be another of the old fools' ploys to put me in my place again." He suggested. Klan looked thoughtful.

"Well there is that, but I doubt that Cathy would let him…anyway, for now, focus on this. At least you have missions again, and it's not like you have to see him everyday. You aren't sharing quarters or anything. Relax. Everything will look better tomorrow; it'll all be fine…"

Chapter 01 END