The Freeman Chronicles

by Basara549

An accident during the recovery of a derelict Zentraedi ship turns a family into the focal point of a shadow war between forces trying to manipulate history to their own ends. But, not even the manipulators can predict the final result of their actions, or the actions of those changed in the process.

12. Book Three, Part Eleven

Part Eleven: Dancing on a High Wire

Chapter One:

"If Zor really is a clone of the original, then whose side is he really on? The Masters, whom the original swore never to serve again? His own? Just how much of his amnesia is real, and how much of it is psychological, or even feigned? And, what will happen if he and the clone of Musica come face-to-face? It could spell disaster for the hopes and dreams of both Dana and Bowie."

From the journal of Alex Tyler, late May 2030.

22-25 May 2030

The month following the hospital incident was filled with lots of tension for the members of the 15th ATAC. Zor had been moved from the hospital, yet no word had ever come out about their "involvement" with him. Dana had spent the first two weeks waiting for Nova to arrest her at any minute. Yet, Nova never showed; for that matter, no one even knew where Nova was at the time, as she disappeared from all the GMP duty rosters during the same period. Alex and Noel had their own reason to worry, as Zor had seen them, even if Nova hadn't, and their means of departure from the room was highly irregular. They could only wonder just how much Zor had told the GMP about his visitors.

Finally, almost five weeks after the incident, Dana got a call to report to Emerson's office. No details concerning the reason for the summons were given, and her escort was the long-absent Nova Satori. As only Dana was called, Alex and Noel felt slightly safer, but Alex felt for sure he was going to end up back in charge of the squadron again. But, strangely enough, Dana returned with a new recruit; one she seemed very enthusiastic about, but would not let anyone see before she introduced him to the squadron as a whole.

"...Our new recruit's a very skilled soldier. I can tell you that he was assigned to us personally by General Emerson himself, and I have the utmost confidence in his decision."

Everyone was puzzled; who could this recruit be, that it would be so important to the ASC leaders to personally oversee his unit assignment?

"All right; you can come in now," Dana called through the doorway. The door opened, and the mystery recruit entered. "This is Zor. He will be serving with us until further notice."

"Is this the ALIEN?" Angie spoke for most of the squad. Even Alex was taken aback by the identity of the recruit, though Noel seemed unfazed.

"Zor is officially part of our unit."

"Lieutenant, is this the real dope?" Louie asked, unbelieving.

"Louie, do you think I'm crazy enough to make something like this up? Not to mention somehow acquiring a P.O.W. from custody, to pull a stunt like that?"

"Lieutenant, I saw this guy shot down by his own troops, with my own eyes! He's a spy!"

"Dante," Alex replied for Dana; "did you ever consider the possibility that he was shot down while trying to DEFECT?" Alex didn't believe it himself, but since Zor was amnesiac, and so resembled the historical Zor, he thought Zor deserved a chance to prove himself. Besides, he could hardly pass up the chance to befuddle the gung-ho sergeant.

"Well... uh..."

"Maybe, Alex, but there's no way I want him for my wingman," Sean chipped in. The crowd was getting restless.

"QUIET!" Dana screamed at her bickering subordinates, instantly getting her demand filled. "Now; I'm still in command here, and I'm telling you that Zor is OFFICIALLY assigned to our unit! You let the general staff worry about where his loyalties lie; it's our job to make him feel welcome, and that's it! As for your little comment, Sean; from now on, he's your wingman, like it or not! Any questions? No? DISMISSED!"

Most of the squad filed out of the room, as Alex and Noel looked on. Some of the troopers, like Eddie Jordan, had already decided not to give Zor a chance. Others, like Louie, Alex, and Noel, were interested in what role Zor would play in their unit. Louie, however, made the mistake of asking Zor about his possible relationship with Dana, confusing Zor and incensing Dana. She quickly ushered Louie out the door, leaving only Alex, Noel, Zor and herself in the room.

"Zor, do you remember us?" Noel asked.

"You were the other two in my room with Lieutenant Sterling, who disappeared when Nova returned. How did you do that?"

"That's a long story, and one you're not cleared for," Alex fibbed. "However, I was wondering if you could help us. Both Noel and Dana are half-Zentraedi, and part of the reason I'm stationed with them is my work on Tiresian and Zentraedi genetics. I'm a doctor as well as a soldier, and I was wondering if you'd consent to giving me a blood sample, so I can check on the validity of my research. It would also allow me to better treat you, should you be injured in battle."

"Do I have to? The GMP has been sticking me with needles for weeks."

"Only one needle, then I won't bother you again. Also, if any of the others give you trouble, just tell Dana or me, and we'll handle it."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"Zor, you can call me Alex. You appear to have been named for the inventor of Robotechnology, and if you're related to him, instead of just named for him, we may have much in common."

"If that's what you want, Alex."

"Zor, Alex;" Dana cut in. "If the two of you are through with the introductions, I'd like to put Zor in the sidearm simulator, to test his reflexes. Is that all right with you, Zor?"

"I guess so."

Zor's performance in the simulator was incredible, surpassing even Noel's previous best of 22 out of 24 by hitting all the targets within the 1 minute time allotment. Some of the 15th were impressed. However, his performance reminded others how he and his Bioroids had killed a number of their squad. Eddie lost his cool, threatening to shoot Zor because of his brother's death months earlier. Zor's reaction was almost as surprising; he just stood there. This reaction proved to Alex, at least, that the memory loss was real. After everything calmed down, Alex got the blood sample, and ran the tests.

As it turned out, the computer spat out a negative result. In fact, Alex was hard-pressed to find even distant relatives of Zor in the gene pool. This, combined with the information from the decoded log that the original Zor's genetics were not used in the Zentraedi creation process, lent heavily to the theory that Zor was a clone of THE Zor.

The next few days were spent familiarizing Zor with the field operation of the Hovertanks, as all his experience before his arrival was with the simulators used to prep him for the assignment. Dana and Noel took it upon themselves to be his instructors, and it made Alex a little jealous that Noel was spending so much time with the handsome alien. Finally, the training was completed, and the squadron had the day off from patrol duties.

Alex, hoping to get some time with Noel away from the rest of the squadron, took her to Arcadia, Monument's amusement park. As luck would have it, Dana had chose to "debrief" Zor there, and the two couples ran into each other within the first hour there. Somehow, Noel convinced Alex and Dana that they'd have more fun hanging around together, so they went to the Space Tunnel together. Alex & Noel's car on the ride was immediately behind Dana & Zor's. The latter didn't exactly seem thrilled with the idea of the ride, either, Alex noticed.

"Maybe you and Dana ought to ride this together..." he mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing..." Alex replied, locking and double-checking his safety harness.

The ride started, and Alex actually began to enjoy the ride - at least until he caught a glimpse of the car ahead. Zor was screaming, and it wasn't a roller-coaster type scream, either. Then, to his horror, Dana's harness came loose, and she was barely hanging on. Almost as quickly, Zor managed to unlock his own harness, and grabbed her arm, pulling her back into the car. They then huddled in the floor, to keep the car's center of gravity low, to where it wouldn't throw them out. Seconds later, they cleared the tunnel, and the ride ended.

Alex had managed to hear Zor's cry as he rescued Dana, over the noise of the ride. Evidently, she had been too frightened and he too confused to realize what he had cried out. He had called out a name; but it wasn't Dana's. He had screamed "Musica". This scared Alex much more than the shooting sim had scared Eddie Jordan.

Chapter Two:

"Do you believe in Rock & Roll

Can music save your mortal soul..."

Don McLean, "American Pie"

When Dana and Zor pulled into the end of the ride, they almost got thrown out of the park, until Alex pointed out Dana's harness came open on its own, and Zor's too easily, and that he was more than willing to testify in a liability lawsuit (managing to get them season passes for the park out of the deal). Regardless, Dana was so messed up by her brush with death that she returned to barracks, while Zor went early to his regular progress meeting with Nova.

Alex and Noel stayed at the park until it closed, Alex trying unsuccessfully to shake the implications of what he'd heard. They made it back to barracks just under curfew, to find (for once) everyone but Dana already in bed; the others had fled to their bunks to escape the wrath of Dana. Zor hadn't returned from his session with Nova, and Dana was pacing the ready room like a caged lion.

"Dana, what's wrong?"

"Zor's late; where could he be?"

"Have you called Nova?"

"Yes, Alex. No one's answering either her office phone, or at her apartment."

"Her apartment? How did you get that number? Those numbers are unlisted, even to where the phone company doesn't know which officer has which number."

"She gave it to me. We talk occasionally, when one of us has something the other would want to trade for."

"Trade? Forget I asked. Have you tried the hospital?"

"They're not there either. I'm worried something's wrong."

"Let me try something." Alex went over to the wall phone, and called the hospital dispatch. The operator immediately recognized him.

"Good evening, Dr. Tyler. How may I help you?"

"Has the GMP called for Professor Cochran tonight?"

"Let's see... Cochran is unavailable tonight, as he is visiting his brother in Brasilia for the week. But, yes, a Lieutenant Satori called for him earlier tonight. Dr. Katz was the only physician with comparable security clearances on call, so we sent him."

"Where was he sent to?"

"GMP enlisted barracks. What is your interest in this, doctor?"

"Satori was interviewing one of my subordinates tonight, who happens to be a patient of mine, as well. He was only recently released from Cochran's care at the hospital to my care on an outpatient basis, and he failed to return to barracks before taps. I figured cross-referencing the GMP with Cochran would locate him for me, provided he wasn't AWOL illegally. Thanks for the assistance." Alex hung up, then turned to Dana and Noel.

"Well, I found our missing trooper. Do you want me to call, or do you want to do it yourself?"

"I think it's my place to do it, after all," Dana replied, stepping to the phone and tapping in the number. A GMP private appeared on the screen.

"Barracks Seven, front desk."

"Private, this is Lieutenant Sterling of the 15th ATAC," Dana launched in at the private, not letting him have the chance to say another word. "Put me through to Lieutenant Satori, NOW. I don't care if she is busy, Private; she's busy with one of my men. Don't make me have to go over your head to my foster father, Chief of Staff Emerson." Dana was letting her Zentraedi side out, full blast, and it was having a visible effect on the private. Ten seconds later, Nova appeared on the screen.

"Dana; I should have known. If you're calling about Zor, he's had a relapse, and will be under observation until his condition improves. He collapsed three hours ago, and is being treated in the triage center here until Cochran can come back from Brasilia tomorrow. After then, he'll be taken back to the hospital for more tests. I apologize for not calling you sooner, but I had my hands full with the situation."

Dana replied by hanging up, and storming out of the room.

"So, Zor passed out at the meeting?"

"Yeah; Dana's taking it pretty hard. I guess she's having a hard time dealing with these feelings she has for him, and somehow she sees Nova as a potential threat or rival."

"I think I understand. You feel threatened by Zor, don't you?"

"A little; you've been spending a lot of time with him."

"I feel a kinship with him, somehow, but I'm not interested in him in any other way."

"I want to believe you, but..."

"But, it's hard not to notice. What is it about him that makes you scared about our relationship?"

"It has something to do with your ancestry, but I don't want to open that can of worms any time soon. Let's go to bed."

"Fine with me, loverboy. But, try to find out what's wrong with Zor, so Dana won't be driving Nova bonkers all week."

30 May 2030

It would be five more days before Zor returned to the 15th. During this time, Alex helped Noel refine the use of her powers by trying to locate Dana and Zor at cross-city distances. Noel also built a scale model hovercraft to go with Louie's 1/6 scale Red Bioroid. The night before Zor's release, she practiced her telekinesis with the models, using them to scare Sean. Sean had come in late from a visit with Marie, only to find the four foot tall Bioroid and hovercraft flying down the hall at him, with no visible means of support. His screams woke the rest of the squad, who had a good laugh at his expense, since the Bioroid had been teleported back to the lab when he looked away, leaving him with no proof that anything had actually happened to him.

Finally, Zor returned. Louie showed Zor the model Bioroid, only to be shunned. Eddie, on the other hand, took the rejection of Louie's handiwork as callousness about the deaths Zor had caused, and gave in to his urge to avenge is brother. Luckily, Angie intercepted Eddie, and broke up the fight before it could escalate. Though he still had only others' word on what he had done as a Bioroid pilot, Zor was finally beginning to comprehend the effect that his service to the Masters had on his new associates.

Alex feared that, based on Zor's reaction to Eddie, Zor might become suicidal. So, when Zor left the lounge, Alex followed at a distance, as quietly as possible. Zor ended up in the exercise room, staring at himself in one of the fold-up mirrors used for dance & gymnastic exercises. Alex dared not enter, and he ducked into the neighboring storage room as he heard Dana approach, looking for Zor. After all, despite her own motives, Dana would not approve of anyone else spying on Zor. After Dana joined Zor in the exercise room, Alex crept up to the door, to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"I'm tired of this. Please leave me alone, Dana."

Even without looking into the room, Alex could detect the rage building inside Zor.

"I don't want you bothering me anymore. And I don't want my memory back either; understand?"

"I don't believe what I'm hearing!" Dana snapped back.

"I can't take this whole situation! If your people want what's locked up inside my brain, tell them to operate!" Zor's anger was overt, now, and Alex began debating whether it was time to intervene.

"You're really hurting me. I'm only trying to help you. I want us to keep being friends; please... let me." Dana closed on Zor. "Listen to me; the past is the past. I don't care what you did. I only know you as you are now. And I think part of you feels as close to me as I feel to you. Don't run away from this - together, we can win!"

"That's it, Dana," Alex thought to himself. "When in doubt, quote Minmei."

Zor's reaction caught both Alex and Dana off-guard. "No! It's over!"

"Okay. If that's the way you want it, fine." Dana turned to head for the door, causing Alex to dive for cover. "But don't come looking for me when you need help!"

From around the corner, Alex heard a few, stomping footsteps, followed by a curse from Dana as she stubbed her toe, then kicked the protruding object. This was followed by the crash of lots of breaking glass. Alex started again to enter the room, but stopped when he heard their voices.

"Zor."

"Musica... When I first saw her, she was playing this beautiful music. Then, I used her as a shield... I didn't think they'd kill her, but they did!"

"No, Zor, they didn't. Bowie saw her - alive! It must have been a dream."

"I have no memory; I'm an android. I did kill Eddie's brother, I'm certain of it." Alex heard the sound of more glass breaking, then Zor screamed again. "By Haydon! The Robotech Masters, they must control me completely! There's only one way to defeat them - I must destroy myself!"

Alex again was torn over whether or not to enter. He could hear Dana sobbing. Then, Dana began to regain her composure.

"No, Zor. There's always hope... Your hands! Look at them... Androids don't bleed. You're human, Zor; as human as I am."

"Without a memory? Without a will of my own?" Zor paused, as Dan's words began to sink in. "I'm sorry, Dana. I've said some terrible things to you."

"It's all right. Let me help you."

The crisis seemed passed, so Alex went into the office next door, grabbed the first aid kit, and returned to the exercise room as if he'd been led there by the sound of the breaking mirror. "Are you two okay?" he asked as he entered the glass-strewn room.

"I'm fine, Alex; but Zor needs you to look at his hands."

Alex checked Zor's hands, removing a few small shards of glass. He then placed the first aid kit into Dana's hands. "If I leave the kit with you, can you finish bandaging his hands?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I just remembered something I have to tell Noel." Alex stood up, turned and left the two to sort out their wounds, physical and mental. Noel was waiting in his room, looking a little shaken herself.

"Is Zor okay?"

"Yeah; just a few cuts on his hands. How did you know?"

"I was trying to reach you telepathically, but all I got was your observations of Dana and Zor. The volatility of their emotions overwhelmed my attempt to contact you."

"You'll get better in filtering things like that out, I'm sure. Their spat did give me confirmation of one theory, though. It concerns those two, Bowie, and yourself."

"What is it?"

"I'm now one hundred percent certain that Zor is a clone of THE Zor."

"How did you figure this out?"

"His flashback was a twisted version of the death of his original lover, before they were clones. The main difference is that she willingly shielded him, instead of him using her as a shield."

"What has that to do with Dana, Bowie and me?"

"Zor's lover was the original Musica."

"I understand how that affects Bowie and Dana, but how does it affect me?"

"Well, besides being Zor's lover, Musica was also the maternal source for the genetic codes that went into making the Parino and Marinoni clone lines. In other words, Bowie's fallen in love with your and Dana's grandmother."

"WHAT?"

"You heard me. Musica is your genetic grandmother, and Dana's as well. I've known since I tested the hair, but I was afraid to say anything."

"Are you going to tell the others?"

"Are you kidding? I was barely able to convince myself to tell you. They're just not ready for it. Will you keep it under wraps until they are ready?"

"If you want me to. I understand how this is potentially a problem."

"Thanks." Alex sat down next to her on the bed, and began unzipping her uniform top. "And now for something completely different..."

"Mind reader..."

A few days later, the first offensive was launched. The 15th being held in reserve, Dana decided to take Bowie and Zor on a trip to the Macross ruins, to try and jog Zor's memories of their encounter there. Alex and Noel went along, but chose to stay outside when the others entered the SDF-1 mound. This was unfortunate, as they would have recognized the flowers for what they were, and only Noel (by way of Karen's message) would have known their significance. Some things aren't meant to be.

Chapter Three:

"The boundaries between what can be done, and what SHOULD be done, are very fine lines. Since Karen's gift, I've felt compelled to act more and more in opposition to the grand plans of the Masters, and those who would emulate them here on Earth. Deciding just how much I can interfere with what has been foreseen, without causing catastrophic change, is even more stressful than actually doing the deed. The stress reminds me of a quote from one of Alex's SF series, an oath taken by members of a council with the fate of a race in their hands. 'I am Gray. I stand between the darkness and the light; between the candle and the star.' I don't think I ever understood the meaning of that oath until now."

- Diary of Noel Freeman, 2 June 2030.

3 June 2030

The past week had been filled with worry for their friends in the CU and TASC. The Air/Ground rivalry was forgotten, as they listened for news - any news - of the Black Lions. Finally, Marie's group broke through, thanks to a secondary attack from Earth distracting the Masters. Unfortunately, all this did allow was the misnamed "Strike Force Victory" to return to Earth, while their "rescuers" took their place at ALUCE and the reactivated lunar farside base that had been the construction site of the SDF-2 and Earth's meager pre-Zentraedi space forces.

The reunion was short, as the news soon came that Emerson was being sent to command the lunar operations. Everyone knew that the decision was a farce; the political supporters of Leonard didn't even attempt to conceal that it was an exile at best, a suicide mission at worst. Some appeared to hope that Rolf would be victorious in the manner of Nelson; i.e., posthumously. Leonard, himself, seemed to have the least malice in his motives. While Emerson was his most vocal opponent, Rolf was also the most likely to maximize what he was being given; "make lemons into lemonade", as per the old cliche.

However, as much as people thought Leonard was out of control, the truth was that his tactics were stretching the Masters' forces thin, in ways that the ideas of Emerson and others did not. Jokes and lingering doubts about Leonard's behavior 15 years aside, the truth remained that Leonard was the master of long-term strategy, while Emerson was at his best on an immediate tactical level - at least if the UEG politicians were letting them do their jobs - and both knew it. Bowie took the news hard, though he did his best to conceal his pain. Dana and Noel were also affected, but they had faith that Emerson was unsinkable, and that the move would backfire on the politicians - after all, the reason why successful Roman and Chinese emperors DIDN'T use those tactics on their true enemies, is that an unexpected victory would give the rival more popular support, and exile not only consolidated the opposition, but allowed the opposition to organize and gain strength out of easy range of spies and easy constraint.

The next day seemed to crawl for Alex, as Dana made some sort of secret plans with Captain Komodo, and Sean had a date with Marie planned. It seemed everyone was busy, save Alex and Noel. Or, at least, that's what Alex thought.

"Noel, where are you going? I thought we were going to stay in and watch some of my anime?"

"I have to go see Uncle Rolf about something."

"Can't it wait until the last visitation call, tomorrow?"

"No, but it shouldn't take long. Warm up that cranky old VCR, and get the Dirty Pair tapes out. I'm in the mood for random acts of destruction." She teleported out of the room before he could respond.

She reappeared outside Southern Cross HQ, where Rolf had just arrived from listening to Bowie's music from the 15th's parking lot.

"Noel, what are you doing here?"

"The same as you, Uncle Rolf; to give a warning to our least-favorite SPOOK," she punned, referring to the acronym of Zand's think-tank.

"Why, Noel? This could be dangerous."

"I know, but I've faced him before... Well, Karen has, anyway."

"Karen? What does she have to do with this?"

"I'm surprised you hadn't noticed by now. I'm not the original Noel Freeman; Karen was. It was her use of her psi powers that caused her to grow into an adult, while freeing Dana and herself from Zand's labs in 2017. She made me to keep Mom and Dad from freaking out."

"What powers does she have, and do you have them?"

"Teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy, and more that I've never tried. They are our legacy from the nature of Karen's conception, in a dimensional fold. I only recently had my powers awakened, by a message from Karen sent via Carpenter. Zand is as scared of my powers as he is of you. The only reason he never tried to kill me before now, is that he didn't figure out who Karen was, either, and thought I had full control over my powers."

"Why do you want to confront him, now?"

"The same reasons you have. The end of the war is coming very soon, one way or another. I want Zand to know exactly what will happen to him if he tries anything with Dana."

"Then, let's go in. I'm glad to know you're capable of protecting Dana, should something happen to me."

Twenty minutes later, they were standing in Zand's office, watching the door open, having bypassed his security systems with Noel's powers.

"Don't turn on the light, Zand. Just sit down and listen," Emerson whispered coarsely. "We won't be staying long."

"We?"

"Rolf and I, Zand." Noel stepped out of Emerson's shadow.

Zand shut the door, but continued to stand. Emerson chose to take the initiative.

"I'm leaving in the morning; you probably helped engineer it," Emerson sighed. "I just wanted to say something to you before I leave -" Suddenly, Emerson sprung at Zand, gripping the scientist's neck as tightly as a vise, before the latter could react. Emerson's voice grew much stronger as he shouted into the face of the man he was lifting up to his eye level.

"You WILL leave Dana and Noel alone while I'm gone; do you hear me? If I come back to find you've tried anything - ANYTHING, I'll kill you myself, if Noel doesn't beat me to it." He tightened his grip.

"And, if you try anything against Rolf," Noel added, "I'll do to your head what I'm doing to your toy over there." She glanced over at the crystal ball by Zand's desk. It began to glow a dull red; then, it detonated, sending glass shards throughout the room, with telekinetic shields protecting Rolf and Noel from the shrapnel. "Do you understand?"

Zand nodded, as Emerson relaxed his grip before throwing Zand into the sofa next to the door.

"I know you've been keeping tabs on Dana through back-channels and informants," Emerson stated, returning to his earlier whispering tone. "Stop it at once, and don't do it again. If I have to pay you another visit, it will be to dismiss you from the ranks of the living." Emerson stepped to Noel's side. "Noel, get us out of here; the stench is making me ill."

Noel put her arm through her foster father's, and teleported them back to the parking lot, beside his limousine.

"General," Noel asked formally, now being in the presence of his driver, who was caught off-guard by their sudden reappearance, "I'm a little weak from our theatrics back there. Could you give me a ride back to my barracks?"

"Sure, Noel. I'm proud of what you said in there. Now, could you explain to me in better detail what you were saying earlier about yourself and Karen?"

"It might be better if you ask her yourself. If my visions are correct, she is on her way back to Earth, as we speak."

"Is the entire REF coming back?"

"No; just my family and a unit of mixed forces aboard the Korra'ti; that's all I can tell. They aren't precise, these visions. I don't know how large the military force is, or even when they'll arrive. It could be tomorrow, next week, or years from now. Remember how Carpenter lost all those years? The Korra'ti folded out of harm's way last year; it may take a similar time to return. It's quite possible we'll all be dead by then."

"I see. Thanks for telling me, anyway."

"Well, you definitely meet the criteria of 'Need to Know'. I'd just rather Karen fill you in on my past, as I still don't know the half of it."

When Noel returned to the barracks, all was not quiet. First, Sean was in a deep funk. He had been waiting to take Marie out on the town, when a girl he hadn't seen in two years practically molested him in public as Marie was coming out the door to meet him. At the same time, Dana's matchmaking attempt turned into a comedy of errors, as Nova thought Komodo's advances were from Zor. Both problems then collided head-on, when a distraught Marie tried her hand at demolition derby, only to have Dennis Brown, another squadron commander, take her place in the police chase, resulting in Nova falling for the self-sacrificing pilot instead of Komodo or Zor.

"Welcome back," Alex called to her as she entered the lounge, and she sat at the bar next to him. "You missed out on all the action."

"Not really; I picked up on it, trying to find out why Sean is so depressed."

"You know, you should be careful about that. People may not appreciate it."

"I know, but some things people practically broadcast. Tell me; do you think he really loves her?"

"Yeah, I think he does. He's never been this tore-up over a woman before. Hell; he's never been this DEDICATED to a woman, before."

"Good. Then, I'll try to get a message to Marie in the morning, to explain what really happened."

"Do you think she'll believe it?"

"It won't hurt to try."

4 June 2030

That morning, the mission departed. Sean tried to catch Marie, but failed. However, Noel could see Marie opening the note she'd found in her helmet that morning, and Marie's features softened as the gantry elevator's doors closed. Satisfied that things were back on course for the two, she helped carry the heartbroken Sean to shelter.

Chapter Four:

"In his notes from 2017, Zand referred to Dana as 'The One'. Maybe so, originally, but someone had other plans, revolving around Noel and myself. Then again, I think Noel took the Babylon 5 parallels in her diary a bit too seriously, especially the Anla'shok oath 'We live for the One, we die for the One."

- Karen Freeman, The Plane Truth.

4 June 2030

One of the more interesting features of ASC life was the base rec hall. It was a combination arcade, bar and restaurant, where rank was (usually) ignored the second one walked through its doors. While not a true substitute for trips into town (MPs were part of the staff), it did provide enough entertainment possibilities to act as an alternative when alert levels were high. The fact that, while there was a three drink limit, those drinks were free, also helped.

The one located between the barracks of the 15th ATAC and its fellow units of the 5th Mechanized Division had only been open two months, and it had fielded constant business ever since, thanks to the heightened hostilities. If it had opened a year earlier, Alex mused, things might have turned out very differently. It had been the lack of such a facility that had led Alex, Noel, Dana and Bowie to accept that fateful "make-busy" patrol that ended in their first face-to-face encounter with Zor, in the Macross ruins.

Today's activity appeared to be centering around the arcade, so he drifted that way.

"What's going on?"

"Corporal Nichols is setting a new record on the simulator."

"Louie? Get real. He has trouble hitting the urinal, let alone setting record scores."

"Then explain how he's beating Dana."

"This, I've got to see..."

Alex worked his way to the back window of the cockpit simulator, which was the base non-moving model common in arcades to stimulate interest in military service. Louie was vaporizing the generic Battloids (the game dating from before the war) left and right, while using the weapon controls only to fire, not to aim. And, when he missed, the weapons auto-fired to cover the likely positions of the missed target.

"How's he doing that?" Alex asked Dana.

"Beats me. It has something to do with those glasses." Alex only then noticed that Louie had swapped his trademark goggles for a high-tech visor. Suddenly, the game flashed a congratulatory message, as it came to a halt.

"I don't believe it; a perfect score!"

"Believe it, Alex," Louie said, stepping up out of the cockpit. "I call it my Visual Trace Firing System. It aims the guns by reading my eye focus, then all I have to do is pull the trigger. You could call it my 'pupil pistol'."

"Could I see it?" a voice asked, from behind Alex.

"And you are?" Alex asked back, turning to face the inquirer.

"Major Cromwell, Robotech R&D, and this is Major Gervasi. We're on base for the technical upgrades to the mecha. I think we can use the corporal's system in simulation training; more, eventually. We'll help you upgrade it and give you advice, assistance and technical support. Is this the only copy?"

"N-No..."

"Fine. If you don't mind, we'll have a look at this one, then. Can you be in my temporary office tomorrow at 1300 hours?"

"S-s-sure..."

"We're looking forward to working with you." Cromwell nodded to Gervasi, and the two left.

"Good going, Louie," Dana congratulated, mussing the corporal's hair.

"It was nothing..."

"By the way," Alex interrupted; "have either of you seen Noel?"

"No," they answered in unison.

"She's disappeared on me again. I hope she's all right."

"Jeez, Alex; you're starting to sound like Dana looking for Zor - OWW!" Louie's exclamation was the result of Dana's kicking him in the shins.

"Seriously, Alex; I haven't seen her since lunch. Where could she have gotten to?"

"Doctor, the Invid Nebula is just as much a threat as the Tyroleans. Shouldn't we warn Emerson of the danger?" Miles Cochran asked Zand.

"Do you think I expunged all mention of the Invid, the Matrix, and the Flower of Life from every record but our own, just so you could go blurting it out to Leonard and his military imbeciles? Or to the fools at UEG? Have I wasted so much time on you? Confrontation is the whole point of the Shapings, don't you see? War is the whole point. Do you think Sterling's latent powers will be awakened by anything short of the Apocalypse? The Protoculture's Shaping of history is moving toward a single Moment, and that moment is near; I can feel it. I shall take ultimate advantage of that Moment. Nothing will be allowed to stop it."

"I just thought..."

"You just thought to interfere with the Shaping so that your brother would be out of danger? Don't look so surprised! Why do you think all your attempts to get him a transfer failed? I was giving you a test of loyalty. You wavered, and so you failed." Zand turned to the others present. "Kill him."

"I don't think so." Noel stepped from the shadows, and threw her hand up at Zand's pawns. "Stay where you are." Confused, the minions hesitated. "I'm getting tired of this, Zand. Cochran, come to me."

One of Zand's minions attempted to stop Cochran, but Noel flung the antagonist back with a telekinetic bolt, adding a flourish of her hand for effect. The others made no attempt to stop their former colleague.

"So, Noel; you plan to interfere with the Shapings as well. You know you are doomed to fail."

"You do not fully understand the Shapings yourself, Zand. That failure will be your downfall. The only reason I am here is that I sensed Miles freeing himself from your grasp."

"And what will you do with him now?"

"It's none of your business, anymore. Do your little flunkies know your secret? Do they know that there are three people that you dare not trifle with? Oh, I'm sure they know about Rolf and me, but did you ever tell them about Alex? Why do you think your attempts to silence Alex always failed, even before he became my lover? There is something in store for him; something neither of us have any power over. He has read the texts long made forgotten by you; he has found the true relationship between Dana, myself, and Zor. Do anything to any of us, and you shall die. You know it to be true, don't you?"

Zand blanched, and Noel took that as a 'yes'. With that accomplished, she teleported, taking Cochran with her. They arrived in an empty room, that had the musty smell of age, but was not of any style construction Cochran was familiar with.

"Where are we?"

"Someplace safe, beyond the reach of Zand," she replied. "Go through the door, and ask to speak to Roy. Tell them that Karen sent you, and you will be kept safe here."

"Thank you. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Just live your life as a free man; that will be reward enough." She stepped away from him, and disappeared in a field of shimmering lights, reminiscent of fold reaction energy.

Cochran opened the door, and entered his new life.

Noel teleported back to the barracks, exhausted. Strangely, she had no memory of where she'd been, or what she'd been doing, since a few moments before her initial teleport from the barracks. She made her way past Dana and Louie's "science project" in the ready room, and stumbled wearily to her and Alex's room. She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

6 June 2030

Emerson's fleet had made its own luck, using an experimental non-Protoculture fold system to create an artificial singularity that destroyed all the escort cruisers of the Tyrolean fleet, which had been sent en masse to attack him. This set the stage for an assault the next week, using nearly all of the space-capable assets of the Southern Cross. Thanks to Cromwell's team, this now included the ATAC units, as the tanks had been upgraded with sealed cockpits, propellant tanks, and enhanced combat controls. Some of the squadron was upset that the upgrades had been made without their being told.

"If you don't like it, tough; you're military, so you should be used to it by now. The tanks are equipped with tutorials and dry-fire practice programs, so everyone board their tanks, and practice from now until lunch."

Everyone spread out to their individual mecha, save Dana, who decided to supervise the training for a while, and see how the new systems worked.

"Good, you're here," someone said from behind her. Dana turned, and found Dennis Brown standing there. "Looks like it's gonna be fun, doesn't it?"

"You're coming along on this party?"

"Gotta prove I'm not a screw-up, don't I?" Dennis relied, smiling. "Hey, Louie! Congratulations; I heard you're the one who dreamed up the new targeting systems. They managed to make just enough for the Monument forces."

"You mean, the simulator gizmo?" Dana asked.

"They told me it was for simulation training," Louie replied, disgusted.

Sean, evidently, was enjoying the new system. "First round kill every time!"

"Shut up, Sean!"

"I'm sick of this!" Bowie snapped. "There are humans like us in those Bioroids, and they're not our enemies! And we're not theirs, can't you understand that?"

Dana went to calm Bowie down, but was stopped short by the sound of a plasma cutting torch igniting behind her. Louie was the one with it, trembling with anger.

"Those bastards from R&D never even asked me; they just lied, picked my brain, and did what they were planning to do all along. Like WE'RE the clones; like THEY'RE the Robotech Masters!" He fired the torch into the wall, melting the panel.

"Now, wait a minute, Louie!" Alex said forcefully, but evenly, "Surely you didn't think the device would STAY a training device? It would be useless to train with, unless the mecha had them too. Your work perfecting it only made it more quickly implemented. It's a testament to your skill that they decided to waive the simulator trials, and give it to us for use in the next battle."

"Louie, the balloon's already up," Angie added, inching toward the berserk corporal. "Emerson and the rest go, whether we do are not. All you can do this way is give the goddamn aliens a better edge."

Dana surprised everyone by her response.

"Go ahead, Louie; flame 'em all. If you can't do it, I will."

"They lied to us."

"I know, Louie," she said softly, taking the torch from him. She turned toward her own tank.

Angie stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You swore an oath!"

"So did they, Angie; so did they." She tried to step around Angie, only to be blocked by two more figures - Noel and Zor.

"Dana, listen to us," Noel pleaded. "Put down the flamethrower. Two wrongs won't make a right. Zor, tell her why."

"I understand this war from both sides; maybe I'm the only one who ever will," Zor stated. "And humanity mustn't lose, IT MUST NOT LOSE; do you understand? I know what a Bioroid clone feels when it dies. I've died before, and will again, as we all will. The difference is in how we'll LIVE, don't you see? And for that, I'll fight, and even kill, if needed.

"Dying is a natural thing," Zor continued, softer; "sometimes it's even a mercy. But living as a slave - that can make dying seem like a miracle." He closed in on Dana, and she pointed the torch toward the ceiling. He took it from her, and shut it down, as Louie ran from the motor pool in despair. "The war must end, but the Robotech Masters MUST NOT WIN." He dropped the torch, putting his hands on Dana's shoulders.

Noel came up to them, and put her arms around them. "Please, for all our sakes; remember that there is nothing that the human heart can't overcome. My sister once told yours, Dana, that sometimes some must die, for others to live. Sacrifice may be necessary for us to win, but we must not be afraid, or give in to despair. You're right, Zor. We must win, even if it costs us our lives."

Chapter Five:

"When Dana told me what she'd found, I realized that the Masters had actually begun to put their eugenics program's final phase into operation. I'm glad that they waited as long as they did, because the war would have happened a lot differently, had they started it when the Zentraedi fleet was lost."

- Dr. Alex Tyler, report sent with Tyrolean evacuation fleet to Drs. Lang & Grant, September 2030

10 June 2030

The hours before launch had been filled with impatience, replaced by tension once they actually boarded the shuttles. As the pull of natural gravity lessened, and artificial gravity took over, the butterflies in their stomachs seemed to grow into Mothras. It would take nearly a day for the fleet to reach its objective, and every imaginable way to pass the time was attempted by one person or another. Of course, the lack of privacy hampered Alex and Noel's chances of what they would have preferred to be doing, ala the old peace activist slogan.

The call to board mecha had barely been made when news came of the destruction of the transport carrying the 12th ATAC, after the 13th had already launched from it. As for their own shuttle, the 14th had drawn first launch, and soon found their way to the deck of the ship below. As the 15th was about to launch, word came of a major hull breach on another ship, so they were diverted to try to capture and hold the hole, to allow a boarding action. After a quick pass over the hole, the 15th took positions in their tank mode behind Dana, for final approach. This was quickly broken up by the arrival of Red Bioroids - lots of them, of a type new to them.

"New targets ahead."

"Roger, Lieutenant. I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Cut that out, Alex!"

"Who's joking? I think it would be advisable to increase our rate of closure."

"Alex, break left!" Noel shouted.

Alex practically turned his tank on its side, compared to its previous orientation, as a shot barely missed him. Eddie, on the other hand, wasn't as lucky, a shot hitting him in the thinly armored space canopy, and straight through the floor of the cockpit, causing the tank to explode.

"They got Eddie! Dan, Noel, match my descent! When we get down, we can cover the others in Battloid mode!"

"Gotcha."

Alex was soon down, and transformed, followed Dana, Noel, and the rest of the squadron. However, they found themselves surrounded, but at least with a defendable position. Alex tried to call in reinforcements, but to no avail.

"Any luck, yet?" Dana asked, between shots.

"Dennis' AJACS have taken a pounding, and are pulling back. No help there."

"Will we do?" a familiar voice asked, as another group of AJACS hit the Bioroids from behind.

"Marie, you're a sight for sore eyes," Sean exclaimed.

"We couldn't agree more," Dana added. "As much as we hate it, because of the chance they're using captured humans as pilots, we've got to go for head shots, folks. This new design's cockpit is the only vulnerable spot on them. Adjust your fire accordingly."

With the help of the Black Lions, they fought off the counter-attacking Bioroids, and finally neared the breach. However, the breach itself was heavily defended. Dana finally got through the to the command ship, and was patched through to Emerson herself.

"General, we're pinned down at the entrance gap by heavy Bioroid fire! Our advance has stalled, and request assistance ASAP. Over." There was a pause, then...

"Attention, Earth forces on Target Delta! Clear a path; repeat clear a path. We are going to attempt to widen the hull breach with a ram."

"Did I just hear what I thought I heard?"

"Guess so, Alex, 'cause here comes the Tristar. Everyone, fall back 200 meters!"

The Tristar hit the larger ship squarely in the ruptured region, making the hull breach larger, and destroying several Bioroids in the process. The AJACS took advantage of the situation to retreat back to the Tristar, having used up their missiles and most of their reaction mass. When the ship pulled clear, the 15th ATAC was left as the only ASC element still on the enemy vessel.

"Let's do it, Fifteenth! Follow me!" Dana yelled, leading the charge for the hole. Of the twelve remaining squad members, only eight made it in - Dana, Alex, Angie, Noel, Louie, Bowie, Sean and Zor. Tensen had retreated to the Tristar, having taken major damage, while the other three were killed in the charge for the hole. Once inside, the 15th's link to the fleet went down, as they had before, so they had no way of knowing that the other three of the Masters' ships were coming to the aid of the damaged one, forcing the ASC fleet to retreat.

The next hour was filled with something more closely akin to door-to-door fighting, though now with the humans as the attackers - a reversal of the role the Spartas Hovertank was originally created to fill against Zentraedi aggressors. In the midst of it all, Zor suddenly stopped, and run off on his own. Angie and Dana chased after him, returning a half-hour later, having shaken off their pursuers.

"Where's Zor?"

"He's turned traitor, Alex."

"Are you sure, Angie?" Noel asked.

"He shot at us, Noel, if that's any indication," Angie replied indignantly. "Strange as it may seem, it almost seemed as if he was trying NOT to hit us."

"He's being mind-controlled again."

"How do you know?"

"Angie, there's something you guys need to know, that Dana, Alex and I have been keeping from the rest of you. You all know about my discovery that I'm half-Zentraedi, like Dana. Unlike her, I have mental powers that I don't completely understand yet, like telepathy. After you told me what happened to Zor, I tried contacting his mind. He's fighting for his own existence right now, against the people controlling him. It was his resistance that made him miss when they forced him to fire on you."

"I find this talk of 'powers' hard to believe."

"Any more than aliens identical to humans, fifty years ago? Or jets and tanks that can turn into robots? You've all witnessed indirectly my powers, from my escape with Alex from Zor's hospital room, to the night I scared Sean by using telekinesis on Louie's Bioroid model. I just wish that the powers were more useful here, but the entire population here is at least telepathic, and that causes a lot of background interference when trying to scan for an individual, like Zor."

The others looked at Noel strangely, trying to assimilate the news. Dana chose to cut it short.

"Now that you've got that off your chest, I think its time for us to hide our mechs, and proceed on foot. We're going to have to blend into the populace and find their command center. If you find it, or don't find anything within twelve hours, return here. If we do find our objective, we'll regroup, take the tanks, and destroy or capture it, if possible."

After hiding the tanks, they hopped on a conveyer that took recycled materials back into the city section. Once there, they tried to blend in, but Sean was too much of a show-off, and got waylaid by a triad of clonehealers, blowing their cover. In their escape, the group split onto three sections, with Angie and Sean going one way, Alex and Noel another. Alex and Noel returned to the street after acquiring some nondescript robes from an empty dwelling.

"What now, Noel?"

"We could try to find the command center, or we could locate Musica."

"Let Bowie find Musica. Do you have any idea where Zor is?"

"Barely; he's about a kilometer away."

"If we get him out of here, would he revert to his old self?"

"Depends on what you mean by that."

"Like how he was on Earth."

"Yes. The Masters are barely in control of him as it is."

"Let's go get him, then."

They walked through the streets of the false Tiresia for a couple hours, taking in the sights. Finally, they came to a guarded structure.

"Halt, clones. Civilians are not permitted in this sector," the two clones said in unison, lowering their weapons.

"Noel, can you do something?" Alex whispered. "Noel?"

"I'm sorry, Alex," he heard in his head, as he quickly realized that she'd teleported from his side. "One of us has to stay free, and I'm the only one who can pass for a Tiresian. You would endanger both of us." It was then that the third guard clone of the triad hit him from behind, knocking him out.

"Alex, are you okay?"

Alex opened his eyes, looking up to find that Dana had his head in her lap, the rest of him stretched out on a bench. He sat up slowly, taking in his surroundings. At least Angie and Sean weren't around to see him in such a compromising position.

"Where are we?"

"We're in a holding cell. They brought you and Louie in unconscious, though he woke up before you. Bowie's here, too. At least, Angie, Sean and Noel are still free, so-" Dana was interrupted by the door to the cell opening.

"Don't think that I'll forget your face, slimeball, because I won't!" Angie growled as he was thrown into the cell, kicking and screaming. Sean, however, walked in peacefully, hands behind his head and whistling. The door slammed shut behind them.

"Angie; you okay?"

"Only my pride's hurt, Alex. The gang's all here, huh?"

"Everyone but Noel. With her powers, she's unlikely to be caught, unless they find her sleeping."

"She probably teleported back to Earth."

"She wouldn't do that, Angie," Dana replied, defending he cousin. "Besides, she probably doesn't have the range for it."

"I still don't like it."

"She's probably our only hope of busting out of here, so pipe down," Alex countered.

"Yes, sir; but it doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Since we're waiting for either liberation or execution, and it doesn't really matter what we say in here, let's compare notes," Dana suggested. "Alex, what did you and Noel see?"

"We got as far as the entrance to the Masters' chambers, where Noel skipped out on me, as I got clobbered. No other major targets spotted."

"Sean?"

"Angie and I were never able to shake pursuit, though evidently we served as a great distraction for the rest of you, from the questions they asked."

"The rest of us ended up in the clone healing, reprogramming and disposal units, and almost got caught. We ended up getting split up at that point. Bowie spent time with his girl, and she really does like him after all. Louie got as far as the computer center, before the computer's defenses got him. I went further into their medical section - perhaps further than I wanted. Alex, why would a society of clones have a nursery?"

"A nursery?" Alex thought about the information from Zor's logs about the dual role of the Zentraedi creation program. "Oh, God; they're actually doing it."

"Doing what?"

"Remember what I told you about the Masters' other reason for creating the Zentraedi, besides as their enforcers? It was also to determine the best pairings of genetics among the Tyrolean population. From what you've seen, they've started the final phase of the experiment, growing the next generation of Robotech Masters in vitro. Some of those babies in there could be your aunts and uncles."

"Unbelievable," Louie commented.

"But true, Louie. The only other alternatives are naturally born children, to be raised by the state, or that they are babies grabbed in the raid on Monument months ago, also to be raised by them as Tyroleans. Either way, we should have been prepared for this, but the information from Zor's ship on Tyrolean culture was suppressed by Lazlo Zand. In fact, the only reason I know of these things is that I stole copies of SPOOK's archives from Cochran's laboratory. If Emerson and Leonard had been given this information, the war could have been ended months ago; perhaps not even fought."

"Zand... Why does that name bother me?"

"The records indicated that you were a major study project of his when you were a child, Dana, until something made you unavailable to him. Maybe he did something to you in that time."

"But what?"

"Don't worry about it now. Let's worry about how we're going to get out of here."

Chapter Six:

"If you really want to, you can hear me say

Only if you want to, will you find a way.

If you really want to, you can seize the day

Only if you want to, will you fly away."

- Enya, "Only If..."

11 June 2030

Musica had went looking for Zor, after the guards told her that he had gone missing. Thanks to her contacts with Bowie, her memories of the relationship between her original and Zor's had reawakened, but only as a memory of something long past its day. Still, she felt obligated to try to find him, help him; for the sake of that ancient relationship. She left her sisters, without saying where she was going, or why; but then, she hardly knew the answers to those herself.

She first went to the area modeled after the neighborhood where the original Zor and Musica had shared many happy memories, and wandered its streets and alleyway, searching for Zor, who she thought would be drawn here as well. Each step brought back more and more memories from her previous life; memories the Masters had tried to suppress. Those memories led her to the entrance of an alley she felt compelled to wait at, but not enter; some deep irrational memory remained, but would not come into focus.

Minutes later, her patience was rewarded by Zor also finding his way to the alley. She approached him, and started to convince him that he needed to get under cover. But, before she could get him past his disorientation, the search parties found them, and they took him away. She went back to her sisters, to try to convince them to help, but they were only intent on returning to the old status quo, not helping her. She returned to the streets, trying to think of any way to help Bowie and Zor.

"Musica?" a voice similar to her own asked, out of the shadows.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Noel," the stranger said in perfect Tiresian, as she stepped out of the shadows. She was wearing a uniform like Bowie's, and had hair much like Musica's own. Unlike Musica, who had violet eyes, Noel's were a deep green that seemed bottomless. She was both eerily familiar and alien, at the same time. "I'm a friend of Bowie and Zor. I want you to help me free them."

Despite her wariness over Noel's decided non-Terran appearance, she felt that she could trust the stranger. "I was going to try on my own, but together we might have a better chance of success. But, before we start, can you tell me how you know me, and why I feel like I should know you, somehow?"

"I am half-Zentraedi. My mother was of the Marinoni series; that series of clone was made by combining two Tiresians' genetics, as part of the Masters' grand plan. One of those Tiresians was the original Musica. Effectively, I am your grandchild."

"How can you know this?"

"The man I love is a scientist; one of the humans who has followed in Zor's footsteps. He decoded Zor's secret research files from the old battle fortress. He's one of those being held with Bowie. We must free them, if we are to help Zor."

In the holding cell, things were getting desperate. Angie, Sean and Dana were at each other's throats, and the others were the only reason things hadn't turned into a free-for-all. Finally, the cell door opened, and they were told that they were being taken to be executed. As they we being led out, a driverless hovercraft rammed into the first three guards, while the rear three dropped like rocks, for no apparent reason. They looked around, to find two green-haired women running to them.

"Hi, guys! Miss us?"

"Noel!" Alex yelled, running up to her, picking her up and swinging her around in his arms. Bowie and Musica were also reunited, but more sedately.

"We have to hurry," Noel said, after being put down. "Zor's in danger!"

"Where do we need to go?"

"Follow me," Musica replied. "We have to move quickly, but quietly."

They picked up the guards, put them in the cell, and took their weapons. Musica then led them through a series of back corridors to the Memory Management complex. From an observation window, they watched Zor's treatment. They made their move when the indicator showed Zor's memory was completely restored.

They shot holes through the glass, then burst through it, firing at the guards. Louie and Angie pulled Zor from the machine, while the others held the scientists at gunpoint. Then, more guard arrived, and the situation deteriorated into a firefight. After a long minute of heavy fire, which the 15th miraculously survived unscathed, the way out was clear. They took the door in SWAT fashion, an found no resistance. They loaded everyone into the hovercraft the last batch of guards had used, and took off toward the recycling center.

"LOOK OUT!"

The hovercraft was nearing the area where they left their tanks, when one of the new Bioroids came around a corner just in time to be ran over by them. They had little chance to see how they had affected the Bioroid, as the hovercraft's controls became erratic. It bounced once, losing speed, then began a rollover.

"Everyone, JUMP!" Dana yelled, and everyone complied. The now-empty hovercraft rose, continuing the roll, then came down hard, exploding on impact.

"Louie immediately recognized where they were. "We're in the central control area!"

"Then, let's blow it, and get out of here - uh-oh..." Dana was interrupted by the sound of approaching Bioroid hovercraft. "Everybody, scatter!"

They all quickly hid in the loose spaces between a series of pipes that ran along one wall, making it in safely before they could be spotted by the trio of Bioroids that arrived. But, instead of leaving, they landed, and began to spread out, searching for the 15th.

Hiding in the shadows, Zor took the opportunity to seek answers. "Musica, why did the Masters send me to Earth in the first place?"

"You were sent to Earth as a spy," she whispered. "They planted a neuro-sensor in your brain. You weren't even aware of what you were doing when they engaged it, Zor."

"She's right," Noel added. "It was hidden well. It was like you had a split personality, with one only having partial access to the other, and the second not even aware of the first. Even I wasn't able to detect your problem until you were taken over up here. I know what it's like to have holes in your mind. Now that I know what your problem is, I can fix it - but we have to get out of here, first."

Suddenly, a throbbing siren filled the air, distracting the Bioroids.

"Musica, what's that sound?" Dana asked.

"It's a battle alert. Your forces must have returned to attack the fleet again."

"Then, it's time to make our move. We take out this control center, whatever it takes. Emerson won't stand a chance if we don't succeed. We go on three... One, Two - GO!"

Zor, Noel and Musica stayed back, while the others took on the Bioroids, two per mecha. The blasters weren't having much effect, until Louie used their only grenade to stagger the one he and Dana were fighting. This had the side effect of staggering the other two, through their mental link. Zor took off again, to find something more effective to use against the Bioroids, while Musica and Noel headed for the tower that housed the shield controls. Bowie and Angie managed to take out their Bioroid, so Bowie joined them, and together they ran up the tower steps as the other two Bioroids finally fell.

Unfortunately, a replacement trio of Bioroids showed up as they made their way back down to the main deck. Their captured rifles were depleted, and there was nowhere to run to. One of the Bioroids raised its arm to fire at them, only to have its arm blown off. Out of the side passageway came an old-style red Bioroid, shooting at the newer models already there. There was no mistaking the fighting style.

"Go get him, Zor!" Dana cheered. Zor damaged the triad with a long burst of shots from both the platform and the weapon drum, then jumped off the platform. The platform then crashed into the other Bioroids, taking them out in a chain-reaction explosion.

"Dana, you and the others go ahead; the Hovertanks are down that corridor. I'll stay here and delay any further pursuit."

"But, what about you?"

"Don't worry about me, Dana. I will stay here, and see that the Masters trouble Earth no more."

"But, Zor!"

"Go! I'll catch up with you later."

Having no other choice, the squad and Musica ran down the passage, and found themselves back in the recycling chamber. The Hovertanks were still were they left him.

"But what good will the tanks do us? There's no way we can reach the fleet on the tanks' thrusters."

"Don't you think I know that, Angie? I've got an idea; if you'll follow me to the next room, I'll show it to you."

"Whatever you say, Lieutenant. I just wish I knew what you have in mind."

Dana led them to the neighboring chamber, which was essentially an airlock full of junk. Dana pointed to a row of beat-up Bioroid hovercraft.

"Louie, can you get those things running good enough to get us to Emerson?"

"Lieutenant, are you crazy?"

"I don't want to hear it! I'm not talking about winning a race with them; we'll only need them for a few minutes. If we're not back to the fleet by that time, it won't make any difference."

Louie looked one of them over, and popped the hatch where the diagnostics readout was located. He'd found out a lot about the equipment helping Cochran, and gathering info for his models.

" I should be able to fix it, but I'll need help to do it quickly."

"Noel and I will help," Alex volunteered. "We have the most experience with alien technology. Dana, you pick two others to find the airlock controls, and the rest of you get to the tanks and guard us. You might need to help with some lifting with the tanks, too."

A half-hour later, six hovercraft were functional, and Dana had found the airlock controls. The rest of the hovercraft were total losses, at least in quick-fix terms.

"Dana, give me the best hovercraft, and Noel and I can double up our tanks on it."

"Sounds like it might work. I wonder how Zor's doing?"

"I don't know, but we can't wait any longer," Angie pointed out.

"Noel?"

"I'll try to contact him... He says that the Masters have transferred their command to a different ship, so he only has one more thing to do, then he'll join us in space."

"As much as I hate to leave him here, I guess we'll have to." She placed her hovercraft next to the hatch controls, boarded it, then hit the switch to open the hatch, after everyone was ready. As they hadn't depressurized the airlock, they blew out with the rest of the debris, losing themselves in it as if it had been a malfunction of the hatch. "Wait until the junk spreads out before you start up. We don't want to tip our hand too soon, or risk damaging these hovercraft more than they already are. Bowie, try to raise the fleet, while we're sitting here."

"I'm attempting to hail them right now..."Bowie's connection went quiet for a few seconds, then he switched back to the unit's tactical net. "I've got them. We'll barely be able to catch them; one of the transports is slowing down, so we can catch up. Dana, take over the link; I'm afraid they'll discover my passenger if I stay in contact with them."

"Understood. Okay, everyone; let's move!"

They were half-way to the retreating fleet when a flash lit up space behind them. The ship they had left minutes before was exploding, from the center out. Hundreds of small objects could be detected exiting the ship, as it slowly devoured itself. All the smaller objects converged toward the nearest undamaged ship of the Masters' fleet.

"Look at all the escape pods!"

"Any signs of Zor?"

"Not unless he's in one of the pods."

"You stupid alien. You said you'd catch up..." Dana was on the verge of tears.

"I'm truly sorry, Dana," Angie said, haltingly. "I-I know you were fond of him. And he liked you a lot, I could tell." Angie was not used to the type of words for the situation, so he changed the subject. "Sean, take over the fleet link for the Lieutenants; Alex has his hands full keeping both Battloids on that hovercraft."

Ten seconds later, Louie broke the silence that had taken over their tac net. "Lieutenant Sterling, I think you should check this out, behind us."

Dana switched to the Battloid's rear view sensor, and saw a small object emerging from the glare - a Bioroid on a hovercraft. "It's him!"

As he drew closer, they could see he was carrying his Battloid-mode Hovertank under one arm.

"Whaddya know;" Angie joked, "he even brought along a change of clothes."

"Fine by me, Sergeant," Alex added, "just as long as he isn't bringing any of his old drinking buddies along as well. By the way, Dana; there's something I've been meaning to tell you about Musica - she's your grandmother."

Dana's eyes practically bulged out of her helmet in shock, from hearing the news. "You're kidding, right?"

"Nope, cousin," Noel replied. "If those two get hitched, we'll have to start calling Bowie 'granpa'."

"Like hell you will," Bowie interjected. "Of course, if I have to spank you to make you quit, I'll have the right to."

"I'd like to see you try," Dana said, smiling. Bowie was the better boxer, but Dana and Noel were much better in classical wrestling and close combat drills. "Okay, let's knock off the chatter till later."

Zor finally caught up, and they boarded the transport with little further talk.

Chapter Seven:

"It's just a jump to the left..."

- "The Time Warp", from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

13 June 2030

It so happened that the ship that recovered them was heading back to Earth. Emerson and most of the space forces were heading to the Moon, specifically for Farside Base and its drydocks. The rest, including the 15th, were being sent back to Earth. Despite their space experience, which exceeded that of much of Emerson's force, they were still classified as primarily a ground unit, and were being sent back to guard Monument City.

Still, it was easy to see the logic of the move. The massive attack had left Monument with minimal defenses - under-armed Battloids and fighter pilots with more simulator time than actual flight time. Someone had to go back and defend headquarters. The real down side was that, if they had gone to Farside, Bowie and Noel could have gotten Musica to Rolf, and they might have been able to figure out a way to persuade the Masters into ending the conflict. But, on Earth, Musica would be in danger from the second they landed, as Leonard was beyond thoughts of a truce or even a cease-fire, and probably wouldn't even give them credit for destroying the ship, seeing how Zor was the one who did it.

So, naturally, the first thing that came up on the transport was the matter of getting Musica safely off the transport, and past the GMP. The really strange thing about this was that Angie seemed to be the person (other than Bowie) most concerned with her safety.

"We can't let the GMP get her! Remember what they did to Zor, and he was just a military officer! Imagine what they'd do to someone vital to the Masters' entire operation!"

"Our problem would seem to be that there's one too many of us," Louie stated.

"Noel, could you teleport Musica to safety?"

"No; I'd have to go with her, and wouldn't have the energy or an absolute fix for the return trip. I could end up missing the shuttle, or worse. Then again, who says it has to be Musica that leaves? I've got an idea, but I'll need some help."

"What kind of help?"

"For starters, my armor needs to be let out a bit; say, for someone about ten centimeters taller than me. Understand?"

"You know, that just might work..."

14 June 2030

Zor had been roughed up somewhat in his heroics in space, and had actually passed out from exhaustion shortly after they had boarded the shuttle. As a result, Alex confined him to sick bay, and took him to the hospital immediately after landing, bypassing Nova. The problem now was the rest of them getting by her.

"Welcome back, Dana," Nova said, a hint of jealousy in her voice. "I hear your team finished off the ship you brought down before; congratulations."

"It was mostly Zor's doing."

"Speaking of Zor, what was wrong with him?"

"Fatigue and stress, Alex says. I can understand why; we rescued Zor just before he was to be executed as a traitor." It was only a small stretching of what really happened, but it was what they'd agreed to say, to cover up the source of the injuries that resulted from his capture and brain manipulation. Besides, the scientists were to copy his restored memory, then kill him when they were through, so it was true, from a certain point of view.

"If he played as big a role as you said in the report you sent in, he must be their 'Public Enemy Number One' right now."

"I guess so; can we save the chat for later? I need to get back to barracks, shower, and change uniforms before going to the post-mission debriefing."

"Pardon me, Miss War Hero." Alarms were going off in nova's head, but she just couldn't figure out why. Dana was almost sounding the way she did when she was in trouble up to her armpits, but there didn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary. The squadron looked okay, but they all seemed to be walking on hot coals, figuratively.

The last two by her were Grant and Freeman. Noel seemed to be leaning on Bowie for support. This was not a totally outlandish idea, seeing how they'd grown up together, but slightly risque, considering they weren't blood relatives, and that Noel was engaged to Alex. Of course, Alex HAD left with Zor without so much as saying a word to Noel, so maybe something had happened to their relationship in space. Relationships in uniform, while no longer illegal (as they had been before the Global War), were hardly the most stable, especially when between an officer and a non-comm, and definitely when both were in the same unit. As she watched them leave, a strange thought went through Nova's mind. Noel seemed to be, well, taller than she remembered. But, that was ridiculous. Wasn't it?

An hour later, having used Alex's credentials to bypass their physicals (which he'd already done on the shuttle), the 15th arrived back at their barracks. Of course, Dana and Alex would barely have enough time to shower and change clothes before having to leave for their debriefing, but the rest would have the day off, barring alien attack. Considering that the squadron was at only half-strength again, they hoped it would be the first in a long string of days of light duty.

When they entered the ready room, they found their other two squad members playing rummy; Noel was beating Tensen badly. Tensen had aborted his attempt to enter the ship with them, and as a result beat them back to Earth by a full day. Noel, on the other hand, had teleported back to barracks while the shuttle was preparing for re-entry, to insure that the head count came out correctly.

"How did it go, Dana?" Noel asked, drawing a card. "Gin!"

"Worked like a charm, cousin. And, John; never play cards with a psychic. You'll never win." Everyone but John (who missed Noel's 'coming out', and thought she had gotten back to Earth similarly to him) laughed a little at that, though Noel gave Dana a 'Who, me?' look. "Now, Noel; quit fleecing the rubes, and help me get our 'grandmother' out of your armor."

When Tensen saw Musica, he giggled a bit as well, Noel having at least had the courtesy to fill him in on the non-psychic aspects of the whole sordid mess while waiting for the others to arrive.

"Lieutenant, you wouldn't happen to have any other maternal relatives around, by any chance?" he asked, then ducked under the table as seven helmets and a bar stool were thrown in his direction - the latter by telekinesis. "Just kidding - Jen would do worse to me than that, if I'd really meant it."

Chapter Eight:

"Doesn't it consume your soul, making you lose control..."

- "Jealousy", from the 1980s cartoon series Jem and the Holograms

14 June 2030

"Here; let us take a look at you." Dana and Noel were sitting on the former's bed, as Musica was trying on some of Dana's civilian clothes.

"But, these garments expose my legs."

"With legs like yours, Musica, I wouldn't let that bother you. See for yourself, in the mirror."

"I know you never looked as good as she does in that dress, Dana."

"Don't remind me. Why is it, whenever I wear something like that, it makes me look about ten years old?"

"I don't have that problem, so maybe you inherited your looks from your father's side."

"You..." THWAPP! Dana hit Noel over the head with a pillow, and a pillow fight almost erupted in front of a confused Musica, before Bowie interrupted by knocking on the door.

"Is she ready yet?"

"Come on in," Dana replied, tossing the pillow against the headboard. "What's the verdict?"

Bowie stood there for a while, then said "I'll think I'll write a song about it."

"I guess that's an affirmative," Dana sighed. "Young love; isn't it grand?" The video phone rang, changing the subject. Dana answered it, blocking off the rest of the room, just to be safe. "Lieutenant Sterling here."

Dante appeared on the screen. "Zor's being released in a little while. What do you want me to do with him?"

"Let's see; spandex and a ribbon tied around his -"

"Lieutenant!"

"Just kidding," Dana smiled. "Anyway, both our forces and theirs will be busy for at least another day, regrouping, so let's go celebrate our safe return."

"Sounds interesting. Where's the party?"

"Get Zor over to the Moon of Havana, by eight. We'll meet you there."

"Roger, Lieutenant. We'll be there."

"Lieutenant Satori?"

"Yes, Corporal Swenson?"

"Could I have the evening off? Some of my friends just came back from the strike force, and I was hoping to go to their victory party."

"I'm sorry, but..." Nova started, then remember. Doesn't Swenson have friends in Dana's unit? They're the only unit that would have a reason to celebrate the latest debacle. "That is, SURE, you can have tonight off, but you still have to remain on call. Where will I be able to reach you?"

"The party's at the Moon of Havana, ma'am, from twenty hundred until midnight."

"Thank you, Corporal. Enjoy your night off." I know I will, Nova thought to herself.

"Nova, what are you doing here?"

"I heard about your little get-together, and figured there was room for one more at your table."

"Well..." Dana stalled a second; "Why not? We're all friends here."

"Really? I don't believe I've met one of your number."

"This is... Marcy, a friend of Bowie's. She's a musician, but not very talkative."

"Let me introduce myself, then. Marcy, I'm Lieutenant Nova Satori of the Global Military Police. Nice to meet you."

"Thank you," Musica whispered, nervous over the sudden attention.

"What have you heard from Dennis, Nova?" Dana asked, changing the subject.

"I-He's part of Emerson's force at Farside. He got through on a back channel, and said he was all right. Marie's been put in charge of Emerson's fighter wing, and Dennis is her new XO, and one of her squadron commanders."

In the background, Bowie ended a sad number, that made Musica think about her sisters that she had left behind. All she knew of their fates was that they had managed to escape the exploding ship.

"Oh, sisters, forgive me," she whispered to herself.

"No, Musica," Zor replied to the plea not meant for him. "Betrayal cannot be forgiven. I am beyond forgiveness, and so are you."

"NO!"

"We are traitors, Musica. Traitors!"

"Zor, SHUT UP!" Dana hissed, as he was blowing Musica's cover story to the winds.

"I don't care," Zor said, jumping out of his seat and leaving the club. Musica was crying, not really aware of her surroundings.

"There goes the party," Alex said, deadpan, trying to distract Nova. "Excuse us, will you, Nova? We're not in the mood for any more celebration."

The 15th and their guests stood up and left, leaving Nova with a perplexed look on her face, and holding the check.

"Sterling," she said, after settling the 15th's bill. "You're going to pay for this, and I just don't mean for the drinks." Suddenly, it hit her. Zor had called the girl "Musica", not "Marcy". Where was it she had heard that name before? "I'm going to have to have a long talk with Swenson, tonight."

The 15th had returned to barracks, where they found Zor in the courtyard, feeling sorry for himself. Angie went over to talk to him.

"Zor, what's bugging you?"

"I should have stayed on the flagship."

"What? Are you crazy?"

It was where I belonged."

"But, you would have died."

"That's exactly my point. Besides, then I'd merit a hero's funeral, isn't that right? A golden opportunity for you to display those precious emotions of yours - weeping for the fallen, and all that."

"Do you think I ENJOY losing friends?! Why, I-I..." Angie couldn't hold back any longer, and he pulled his fist back, then threw a punch that leveled Zor.

"Angie, calm down!" Dana yelled at her sergeant, as she put herself between the two.

"Get up, Zor. You ain't hurt - YET."

Zor staggered to his feet. "So, I'm to be happy, that I'm alive to go out and kill or be killed tomorrow?"

"Zor," Dana pleaded. "You think it's going to make you feel better to get us to hate you? It won't! Quit punishing yourself, and quit trying to get Angie to do it for you! Your past is over with! You have a new life to live! You had no control over your actions before; it's time for you to begin anew."

"Begin what? Dana, IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME! This life, like all the others! That is my punishment! I'm so tired of it all! Just leave me alone. It's my problem, and I'll deal with it my own way!" He ran past the others, and into the night.

"Alex, I'm afraid for him."

"So am I, Noel."

"It's not the same way as you, Alex. The Masters restored ALL of his lifetimes' memories; not just this one's. His previous lives are destroying what he had built himself into, here on Earth. His memories are clashing, fighting for dominance. Most people would have gone insane by now from it, but he's still there, fighting it."

"Can you help him?"

"Only if he lets me, but I don't think that he will. He feels stuck in the role of the avenger of his first life, yet each further death draws him to clash with the original Zor's beliefs. He has to realize that vengeance for its own sake is self-destructive, yet he can't abandon the fight, either."

"Let's go inside; I'm getting a cold feeling in my gut, like we're heading for a disaster of mind-numbing proportions."

"Strange; I thought I was the only precognitive."

"That's not funny, love. I only wish I knew things would work out."

Noel remained silent, deciding that it would not be a good idea to tell him that she hadn't been joking, and that she, too, could sense the impending doom. Only, unlike him, she KNEW that it really was on its way, and even she would be hard pressed to make even the smallest difference in its outcome.

Chapter Nine:

"We're running with the shadows of the night;

So baby, take my hand, it'll be all right.

Surrender all your dreams to me, tonight;

They'll come true in the end."

- Pat Benetar, "Shadows of the Night" (1982)

15 June 2030, 00:14

"Corporal Swenson, reporting as ordered, ma'am."

"Good. Now, tell me what you know about this girl, Musica."

"Bowie's girlfriend? This was the first time I'd ever met her."

"Had you ever overheard members of the 15th ever talking about her, before?"

"A little; why?"

"Did they ever mention where she was from?"

"They said she was from out of town."

"I have evidence that says she's an alien spy."

"That can't be! She's too nice a person to be-"

"Swenson, you're losing your objectivity! Tell me; have you seen or heard ANYTHING that might confirm her origins as being alien?"

"Just what Zor said at the club. He said that 'they' were traitors to their people. But, if that's true, wouldn't that mean she isn't a spy?"

"It's not your position to make such judgements, Corporal. Until further notice, you are to stay with me in this investigation. This means no talking to your friends, no time off, NOTHING, until we apprehend this Musica person. If we were part of Dr. Zand's goon squad, we could go in and grab her now. However, we're not, and we need solid proof that she's an XT before we can arrest her for anything other than trespassing on military property, and that's only if Dana's stupid enough to be keeping her in the barracks!"

The audio-only telephone rang, cutting her rant short.

"Lieutenant Satori; I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now. Can you leave your name, and I'll get right ba-" She was cut off again, this time by the caller speaking.

"Her name is Musica. She's from the alien ship. You'll find her at the barracks of the 15th ATAC. I suggest you apprehend her as soon as possible, before she manages to-"

Just hold on a minute! Who is this?"

"Can't you tell, Nova?"

"Zor! Tell me; what's this all abo- Damn, he hung up! But, he gave us the probable cause to go after her. Alert one of the squads, and have them accompany us the ATAC barracks."

"Yes, ma'am," Jenny said, dejectedly.

Dana and Noel were trying to make more permanent plans for Musica's future. If she stayed at the barracks, she would be discovered eventually. However, in the hills north of the base, their sisters had left them some property, that included a survival bunker built into a cliff side. Alex had discovered the papers relating to it in the files from the lock box that had revealed Noel's age, but they hadn't had a chance to go looking for it.

They were discussing moving Musica there in the morning, as they approached Dana's room, where Bowie and Musica were waiting. Both cousins froze when they heard Musica's song echoing down the hall. The song transfixed them, as they saw images in their minds, evoked by the song. Visions of other worlds; other races; other times. Visions of a tripartite flower, and of Zor. The song ended, and the visions faded - but did not totally disappear from their minds.

"Dana, what was that?"

"I don't know. I heard her song, then everything went strange. I had those dreams again, only this time while wide awake."

"I did, too. I never have understood your dreams, until now. Do you have any idea how or why we shared them?"

"Maybe it was the music. Maybe, Musica's music affects us the same way it affects the clones on the ships. We may even have been remembering some kind of racial memory; memories that we share with her." Dana opened the door.

Musica was standing by the window, looking over at Bowie, who was sitting on the foot of the bed. The window was open, and the breeze from a rapidly advancing storm front made her hair stream in a way that could only be described as dramatic.

"Musica, were you singing about the Flower of Life?" Dana asked.

"Yes, I was. Why?"

"Bowie, do you remember those flowers we saw growing inside the ruins of the SDF-1? I think those were the Flowers of Life!"

"Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure. Could that be what this war is all about, Musica?"

"The Masters have not given it to me to know that for sure, Dana. But, for your world's sake, I hope you are wrong about the Flowers of Life. They will bring a great evil here, if they have blossomed."

Dana started to ask Musica to elaborate as to what that evil was, in comparison to the Masters, when Louie burst into the room.

"Guys! Nova and Jennifer are downstairs with a bunch of Gimps. They want to see you right now, Dana!"

"Noel, take care of Musica. C'mon, Louie; let's go see what 'Miss Stick-in-the-mud' wants."

After Dana and Louie left, Noel turned to Bowie and Musica. Her eyes dilated, and her voice became unsteady. "They've come for you, Musica. Zor has been having trouble assimilating his two lives. The memories that belonged to the original Zor, who was the lover of the original Musica, have been unsettling to him. It was out of a blind jealousy, that he neither understood nor recognized, that he betrayed you to the GMP."

"Why, I'll-"Bowie started.

"- do nothing, Bowie," Noel interrupted, handing Bowie the notepad with the map to the bunker. "Zor hates what he's done. He was not really aware of what he'd done, at least not the Zor you know. That Zor loves Dana, but won't admit it. It is the battle between the two unassimilated personalities that is responsible. Please, listen to me carefully. Five kilometers north of here, there is a bunker, with food, weapons, and transportation. Take one of the Cyclones, and go to the SDF-1 mound in the morning. I will meet you there. Go now, while you still have time." Noel fainted, falling onto the bed.

"Noel?" Getting no response, Bowie decided to do as he was told. "Musica, hurry! We must leave here."

"Where are we going?"

"Someplace safe - I hope." He stuffed the notebook into his uniform harness, then helped Musica out through the open window. He jumped down, to her side, and they ran into the night, their escape covered by the approaching storm.