CH. 7: FRIENDS…NOT ENEMIES

True to his word, Rick helped Miriya clean the few cuts she had on her. He even bought her a change of clothes since hers were ruined. He then led her down the street. "So, you're the Zentraedi's best pilot?" He asked.

"I was," Miriya said lowly.

"I'm not surprised. You're really something else, Miriya."

"Until you beat me in battle. Now I've lost my status."

"Status? You mean they ridiculed you simply because I got in one lucky shot?"

"You call the damage you made to my pod a lucky shot?" She asked him. "One of my engines was damaged and the left arm was rendered inoperable. You all but crippled my ability to fight."

"Well, I guess it was really lucky then," Rick said. "Honestly I thought you had ducked the shot. I didn't notice I'd hit you until I reviewed the gun camera footage."

"You mean you thought you had missed?"

"That's the truth, Miriya," Rick shrugged. "Hey, there we are," Rick said as they came up to the Mongolian BBQ house. "They've got great food here. You'll like it."

'He's right,' Miriya said as she smelled the food. 'This Micronian dining facility smells satisfying.' "What is this called again?"

"It's called a Mongolian Bar-B-Que, Miriya," Rick said. "You put together your own mix of meats, vegetables and even noodles and sauces." He demonstrated as he filled his bowl with shrimp, chicken, beef, spaghetti noodles and carrots. "You then give it to the cook over there and he cooks it on the wok." He handed the bowl to the cook. "I'd like soy sauce, garlic sauce and, uh, plum sauce on it, please."

"No problem," the cook said as he began to cook Rick's food. Miriya followed suit with her own bowl.

"How about you, missy?" The other cook asked.

"Um, the same sauces, please," she replied.

"You got it."

A few minutes later the two of them were back at their table. Rick got them both glasses of ginger ale which Miriya seemed to enjoy drinking. "Dig in," Rick said as they sat down. Miriya hesitantly placed a bite of her meal in her mouth. Her eyes went wide at the taste. "What is it?" Miriya chewed on the food and swallowed it.

"It's very good, Rick!" She said cheerily. "I've never had anything like this. This is completely different than the rations I ate on the ship. And certainly better in taste."

"I'll bet," Rick agreed as he joined the meal. "I've eaten rations before. Not exactly gourmet stuff."

"Mmm," Miriya said as she ate. 'This food is very exquisite.' "Are all you Micronians dining facilities like this?"

"Not all of them," Rick replied. "Some are better. Others, not. They're even different in how you get your food."

"How so?" Miriya blinked.

"Well at some restaurants you stay seated at your table. You give your order off a menu to a waiter and he takes it back to the kitchen where they cook it. Then it's brought out to you."

"Incredible," Miriya was impressed. "I never would've thought Micronians were so organized."

"Um, not to change to subject but…" he looked around. "People might get suspicious if they hear you using that word: Micronians. In fact, some in the military might peg you for an alien."

"But I am," Miriya replied. "Oh. You…you don't want me to get in trouble?"

"That's right, Miriya," Rick nodded. "I can tell you're not a bad person. You just need to understand that for us humans there's more to our lives than battle."

"You don't…hate me?"

"How could I? Miriya, you attacked me because you didn't know of any other way to deal with your problem. I know this may be a shock to you, but…from what me and the people I work with know we believe that our two races are genetically similar."

"What?" Miriya blinked. "But how can that be?"

"I don't know, Miriya. But we're too similar in our physical forms for it to be a stretch."

"I see your point, Rick," Miriya agreed.

"In fact that's part of the reason some of us think our two races can coexist peacefully."

"You mean…Mi-humans and Zentraedi living in peace?"

"Yes," Rick nodded. Miriya looked out the window at the human city.

'Is it…is that possible?'

After dinner, Rick got Miriya a hotel room and more clothes for her to wear. "It's not the best but at least you have a warm bed," Rick said as he showed her the room. "I only have my small room on the base. It's barely big enough for me. Plus I don't think it'd go well with Commander Hayes if she found out I was sneaking a woman onto the base."

"I see," Miriya said. "Thank you, Rick," she said. "I…I don't know how to…"

"Don't worry about it, Miriya." He turned to leave. "I got to get back to the base." He fished a card out of his pocket. "If you need anything, call." After he explained how to use the phone he left.

'Is this some kind of trap? Is he leaving me here to be captured by…?' She shook her head. 'No. Rick's too kind to do that.' Miriya laid down on the bed. It was warm. "He's so…so kind to me." She fell asleep with a smile on her face knowing she had made a friend, not an enemy, with the Red Death.

XXXXX

Miriya was woken up by the phone ringing. "What could this mean?" She picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Miriya! Hi!"

"Rick!" Miriya smiled hearing his voice.

"I hope I didn't wake you. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," she said back sitting up. "Why are you calling?"

"It's morning, Miriya. I wanted to know if you wanted to catch breakfast with me. I've got a friend with me. But don't worry. Max says he's already met you."

"Max? Blue hair and glasses?"

"That's him. He'll be joining us. Don't worry, Miriya…"

Down on the street Max was getting some sodas while Rick was on the phone. "I won't tell anyone that you're a Zentraedi unless you want me to."

"Thank you, Rick."

"We're across the street from the hotel. We'll wait for you so take your time."

"I'll be right down." They hung up and Rick rejoined his wingman.

"Everything okay, skipper?" Max asked as he handed Rick a soda.

"Yep. She'll be down soon," Rick said as they sat on a bench.

"You look like you got hit by something," Max said noticing the faint cut on his cheek.

"Oh, this is nothing." Rick said rubbing it through the band-aid. "Just…nicked myself shaving before my date last night."

"Ouch," Max said. 'Must've been a bad nick.'

Ten minutes later Miriya appeared outside the hotel. She was wearing a red body suit, blue boots and yellow neckerchief. "Hey!" Max pointed her out. "There she is."

"Miriya!" Rick waved to her as they stood up.

"Oh," she said as she crossed the street to join them. They were both wearing their uniforms. "Hello. It's nice to see you again, Max."

"You too, Miriya," Max nodded. "Did you enjoy your date with my skipper last night?"

"Yes, I did. We had Mongolian."

"Wow," Max said.

"Well," Rick said. "If you're ready Miriya let's go eat."

"Sure," she nodded as she walked alongside her former enemy.

After a fifteen minute walk the three of them came across a small diner. "This looks good," Max led the way inside.

"Listen, Miriya," Rick whispered to her. "Please, try to keep your profile low. I…I don't want you to get in trouble."

"I…" Miriya blushed at his concern. "Thank you, Rick."

The breakfast was just as good as the meal she ate with Rick the previous night. 'I just enjoy the food these people have,' she said as she ate her pancakes. 'There seems to be no end to their culinary skills.' She then turned her attention to the biscuits and gravy.

"This diner always has the best breakfast," Max smiled.

"I agree," Miriya nodded. "This food is remarkable."

'There's something odd about her,' Max thought. 'She sure is beautiful but…something's off.'

'She's amazing. She's gorgeous, intelligent, a damn fine pilot…' The more he watched her eat the more Rick couldn't help but be amazed by her.

The three of them spent the whole day together. They went to the movies and even the arcade. Crowds gathered as the three of them fought each other on the Veritech consoles. The more time she spent with Rick the more Miriya came to enjoy this thing the humans called peace. She also relished being in the friendly company of her former rival: the Red Death.

Then, as night approached Sirens blared as another enemy attack began. "It's an attack!"

"Perfect timing as always!" Rick yelled as they got up.

"Rick!" Miriya shouted after him.

"Miriya," he ran back to her. "Please, find a shelter and stay there."

"But I…"

"I don't want you to get hurt Miriya," he pleaded with her. "Please?" She saw the concern in his eyes for her.

"I will. You be careful, Rick."

"I will," he placed a kiss on her cheek before taking off. Miriya stood, her face flushed from the display of affection.

'What was that and…why do I…' She placed a hand on her cheek. 'I liked it.'