SMST 6D: The Ace of Hearts! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM1/2, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 21
A week later…
"So, Rick, you decided to slack off, eh?" Roy said with a smile.
"Hey, the medical corps is the one not wanting to let me out of here, Big Brother," Rick said.
"Don't blame US, Lt. Hunter," Michiru said smile, as she recorded Rick's vital signs.
"BUSTED," Roy said, as he rubbed Rick's head of hair.
"Roy, stop that-!" Rick replied, as he waves Roy hand away.
"Now, Commander, it would be best to NOT aggravate the patient," Mchiru said.
"See?"
"Yeah, yeah," Roy replied.
"Call me if you need anything," Michiru said, as she nods with a smile, before leaving Rick's room.
After Michiru leaves, Roy returns his attention towards Rick.
"It's too bad she dates other girls," Roy said, before stroking his chin lecherously. "On the other hand, the possibilities are-"
"Knock it off, Big Brother," Rick replied. "Not everyone has THAT sort of fetish."
"ALL HANDS: BATTLESTATIONS!" came the announcement. "I REPEAT: ALL HANDS: PREPARE FOR BATTLESTATIONS-!"
"Well, it's off to work," Roy said, as he gets up. He then gives a "thumbs up" salute.
"See you in the funny papers."
And with that, Roy leaves the hospital room.
"Good luck, Big Brother…"
Meanwhile…
"Captain Gloval, I can help," Usagi said, as she walks along with Gloval to the Bridge.
"I have the up most respect for you, General Tsukino, but your presence might be a disruptive element," Gloval said.
"Henry, no one knows of my true identity, except for you and Ranma. In fact, I can still play the role of the Meltrandi warrior 'Serene', who sides with the 'micronians' out of both a sense of vengeance…and the need to demonstrate her loyalty to her benefactors."
"Hmmm…"
"If you allow me to contribute, I will see to it that the civilian population gets relocated."
Gloval stops and looks Usagi.
"You can facilitate this?"
"Henry, there's a lot about me that could make your hair stand. I'm one who helped to push through the construction of the 'Reflex Grand Cannon' without anyone's public knowledge."
"And how would you keep the secret of the Zentraedi's presence from public scrutiny?"
"Henry, the Earth is ALWAYS getting invaded by one group or another. I know people who specializes in, shall we say, 'memory erasing' measures?"
"That's a bit extreme, do you not think?"
"Can you think of a better idea?"
"No, I guess not. But I would feel comfortable in allowing people to choose."
"Of course, Henry."
Silence.
"So, what is your skills rating in mecha piloting?" Gloval asked.
Usagi smiles.
A short time later…
"NOW?" Roy said, as he accepts the orders from Lisa's workstation.
"That is correct, Commander," Lisa replied through a secured communications link. "Gloval wants you to put the Meltrandi into your unit for now," Lisa replied. "Hayes: out."
CHIRP!
Roy sighs, as he turns towards Usagi, was standing there with a grin on her face.
"I don't know HOW you managed to pull it off, but I guess you're in…'Bunny'."
"Hey, I got my ways…you know, being a 'superior officer', and all. So, when are we going to do this?"
Roy points to one of the Veritechs.
"THAT is yours. Actually, it's Rick Hunters, but-"
"Thanks," Usagi said, as she grins.
And then she runs off to join the fight.
Roy merely chuckles. He has known Usagi and her husband Ranma since his days at the American Naval Academy, when his old friends were guest flight instructors at the Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Florida. And since then, Roy has learned not to underestimate "Bunny" and "Wild Horse" (the call-signs of Usagi and Ranma respectively)…
"Well, let's get to work," Roy said, as he hops into his plane…
During the battle, the Zentraedi forces, this time led by quadrano (i.e. another name for "squadron") leader Miriya, began to press their advantage.
"Destroy these micronians!" Miriya snarled. "For Serene-!"
RATATATATATAT-!
"Eh?" Miriya said, as she dodges the attack at the last minute. She then sees the offender.
"So, you think you can defeat me, the pride of Azonia's forces? So BE it."
With that, Miriya turns her flying power-armor around, and engages the offending Veritech.
"Man, this person is a pretty hardcore," Max said, as he dodged and weave the attack.
"Let's see what you got…"
Meanwhile, Ranko sees that Roy was about to be overwhelmed.
"Roy, hang on-!" Ranko yelled, as she swoops in to provide cover.
"Ranko, I got this!" Roy yells. "Stay in position!"
"What was that? I think your com-link is suffering from interference," Ranko said, as she swoops in.
"Feh," Roy said with a smile. He had known that "Ranko" was really his mentor for some time now. After all, one's piloting skills were like a handprint: very distinctive. And besides, no one HER age would have the piloting aptitude that she has, unless she was already an accomplished pilot…
"Alright," Roy said, as he performed an evasive procedure. "But be sure that you watch where you are aiming…'Wild Horse'."
'Huh, so you knew, kid,' Ranko thought to herself with a smile, as she provided cover for the CAG…
Later…
"Well, at least we survived yet another 'encounter'," Max said, as he sipped his beer in the officer's lounge.
"Not really," Ben replied. "We did lose our commander."
"What are you talking about, Max?" Rick said. "Roy getting married to Commander Grant is NOT 'death sentence'."
"Not according to my dad, Rick. HAHAHAHAHA-"
Rick merely rolled his eyes.
"So…we have a Meltrandi working with us?" Max asked.
"Yeah, special orders from Captain Gloval."
"I don't know we should let the enemy work with us," Ben asked.
"Orders still stand. And by the way, 'wing groups' will now be constituted as a four-person team."
"So I guess that this makes us…the fantastic four?"
"You know, you make better pilot than a better comedian, and that's not saying much," Max replied.
"Regardless, I want us to welcome this new person-"
SHOOP!
All eyes turn towards Serene. She was dressed in a standard uniform.
"Cpl. Serene, reporting for duty sir," Serene said, as she snaps her hand in salute.
"Well, all I can say is…" Rick began to say as he stood up to attention.
SNAP!
"Welcome to the team, Corporeal."
"Thank you, sir."
"Ah, now I can tell someone ELSE what to do!" Ben grins evilly while rubbing his hands.
"Actually, she will under my direct supervision, due to the sensitivity of the situation," Rick said.
"D'oh!"
A short time later…
"It's really going to be weird telling you what to do…'Big Sister'," Rick said, as he and Serene walk down the hallway. "But…I'm glad to spend time with 'family', ever since Pops died."
"Yeah," Serene replied. "Your father was one of the finest men I knew, having served with him during the Vietnam War."
"And if I didn't know you well, I would be surprised by that."
Silence.
"So, did you really serve the Zentraedi as one their Meltrandi warriors?" Rick asked.
"Yeah, and it was awful, too," Serene replied.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, it's been eighteen months since I've been with a man," Serene fumed. "That's like…torture for me. The males are clueless, and the women…are anti-male. I'm surprised I don't have calluses from my 'self-fulfillment' activities at this point."
"…"
Meanwhile…
"Yes, I do have the real Usagi back," Ranko said over the phone on a secured line. "And Canada will be taking in those passengers who are willing to go through a 'memory suppression' process. It sucks, but it's best thing possible at this point in time."
"That's wonderful…I mean, Usagi being back and all, Ranchan," Ukyo replied. "Maybe that will help Orochimaruko stay sane for a change."
"What? Has she been acting weird again?"
"No, but…you know how these things are with her. And remember, you and I were once shared the same body, thanks to the intervention of the Bajoran Prophets."
"Yeah…"
"Oh, and the kids want to know when can you come back."
"As soon as this…Zentraedi business has been taken care of, Ukyo. Piece of cake."
"You seemed confident."
"They are no different from any other giant race we've dealt with before, Ucchan. THESE guys are just better armed."
"You got a point there…"
"Well, I got to get ready for night patrol, so…give everyone my best."
"Love you, Ranchan."
"Ditto."
"You jackass," Ukyo said with a smile. "You still can't reaffirm that you love your 'cute fiancée."
"Hey, I'm a narcissist, remember?"
"Humph. Take care."
CLICK!
As Ranko hangs up the receiver, her memories drift back to the events from a few weeks ago…
FLASHBACK!
"I can't believe that neither Kisame nor Itachi were HERE!" Naruto yells, as he kicks the dirt around.
"You should relax, Naruto," Sakura said, as she meditates. She was trying to prefect an antidote to Sasori's poisons, using "chakra control".
"Look at it this way, Naruto," Kakashi said, as he reads his romance novel. "At least you put your new techniques to the test."
"Yeah…against dummies, Kakashi-sensei!"
"Big brother, you should relax," Renata said, as she pets her pet snake, which she calls "Orochiko". She was her 'summoning" animal partner.
Naruto turns towards his younger, twin sister.
"Why is your snake here?" Naruto asked with annoyance. "That thing is always attacking me, you know."
"I don't attack you, jerk," Orochiko replied. "I only hug you."
"Yeah!" Renata interjects. "And I don't complain when Gamakachi hangs around."
"Oh, yeah," Naruto smirked. "Being wrapped in the coils of a snake every morning is the SAME as Gamakachi showing up."
"Why won't you like me?" Orochiko cries. "Wah-!"
"See?" Renata said, as she comforted her friend. "You made Orochiko cry."
"WHAT?"
Kakashi chuckled, while Sakura performed a big sweat technique.
"…"
"I am SO glad that either of those two are NOT on my team," Neiji said. "And it's hard to believe that my uncle thinks so highly of Naruto and Renata's parents."
"Perhaps it's a youth thing?" Ten-Ten offered.
"You could be right," Rock Lee said. "Lord Ranshin did tell me stories of how he trained in his youth."
"More than that," Guy-sensei said, as he stands up to look at the setting sun. "The Jade King, being the noble man that he is, knows the path of the martial artist. It is fraught with peril, but rewards from protecting the innocent are priceless. He uses the power of youth to accomplish his goals, something that I've always pressed upon you, my students."
"Okay, boys and girls," Ukyo said, as she prepared to distribute her okonomiyaki from her portable grill. "Come and get it!"
"Oh, boy!" Naruto said with excited. Outside of ramen, he loved okonomiyaki…
Above the camp, Jiraiya sits on a large branch, smoking his pipe.
"This is what I call a good day, Ranma," Jiraiya said.
"You mean the calm before the storm," Ranko replied, as she works on some paperwork with her digital-pad. Thank goodness for 'wireless'…
"Something like that," Jiraiya replied. He then turns towards his "student", which wasn't really the case, but still…
"You think the Akatsuki will be dealt with? By your hand?"
"I'm going to try," Ranko replied. "And if not by ME, certainly I want to make sure Naruto and Renata are prepared to…defend themselves."
Silence.
"Why haven't you settled down yet?" Ranko said, as she turns towards her old student.
"Why should I?" Jiraiya replied. "I happen to like the ladies, and…Tsunade has move on."
"Oh."
Silence.
"You can always go for her, you know."
"No, I have my own path to follow. And besides…"
SPLASH!
"I got this sexy body to keep me company now," Jiraiya-onna said, as she started to feel herself up. "You know, for those lonely nights."
"You would."
END FLASH!
Ranko sighs, as she prepares for her nightly patrols.
Tbc.
Next Time: Disaster nearly occurs when a new shielding system overloads during a battle with Khyron the Terror, forcing Ranko and Usagi to reveal the truth of their might. Unfortunately, this sets the stage for a return to deep space! See you then…