SMST 6D: Ace of Hearts! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special Note: Due to the series being in a shared universe environment, the timeline of the "original" Robotech Series will not be the same in this story. However, the main events will be consistent. As always, C&C are welcomed.
Part 37
2017 CE: Io, Jupiter.
It has been five years since Khyron's last attack on the SDF-1 "Macross", thus ending what future historians would dub as the "First Robotech War". Since then, there have been sporadic "trouble" from so-called "Zentraedi Malcontents" who, like many right-wing groups of old, have caused a few problems here and there. Ironically, thanks to Khyron himself, the bulk of the Zentraedi community have accepted so-called "Micronians" as equals, even if the Zentraedi view them as being "soft". For the most part, the Zentraedi community prefers to be home on one of the moons of Jupiter, thanks to the graciousness of the Sailor Jupiter, where they are free to compete in high-impact sports. Still, Zentraedi will always be a bit rough, even if it is in a good-natured way…
WHAM!
Prince Ran of Asgard delivers a solid blow to the jaw of Commander Khryon, as the two went to town in one of the designated "proving grounds" of Io.
"Give it up, Lord Khyron," Ran said. "I fight Frost Giants all the time."
Khyron squints his eyes, as he surveys the seen.
"Perhaps, but that's because you can SEE your opponent," Khyron said, as he takes our a smoke bomb, and smashes it on the ground.
BAMF!
Ran covers his eyes, as he tries to clear the dust from his line of sight. However, that gives Khryon a chance to grab him from behind.
GRAB!
"It appears that the tables have been turned, Ran," Khyron said, with a smirk.
"Really? Then why are you holding a shadow of my formal self?"
POOF!
Using the Earth Style, Kyron realizes that he was holding sand. And then-
WUMP!
Khyron suddenly fell waist deep into the earth.
"Curses!" Khyron said.
And then, Ran knells.
"Did I win?" Ran asked slyly.
"No, because you cheated."
"Hey, YOU set the rules, and I asked twice for clarification. And, for the record, I did offer to teach you some tricks…"
Ran stomps the ground, which forces Khryon to be at Ran's eye-level.
"There, you happy?"
"No, I am not," Khyron said, as he dusted himself off. "And I wanted to beat you this time using the combat arts that my people specializes, not with parlor tricks."
"Hey, a win is a win-"
"Are you two finished?" Commander Azonia said, as she sat with her six-year old daughter, whom she had named 'Sara'. "This need to prove yourself, Lord Khyron, is irritating."
Ran turns towards his wife.
"Lady Azonia, as an Asgardian, I relish the challenge to vanquish my foes," Ran said. "As my wife, you should respect the fact that Lord Khyron seeks to test his might."
"I concur," Khyron said.
"Ah, so this annual ritual of yours is not some ruse to display your, as the Earthers would say, 'machismo'?"
"No," Khryon and Ran say together.
"Humph. Be as it may, we have to return to Earth for the launch of the SDF-3 'Pioneer'…and to Rick and Minmei's wedding, or we will be late for both."
"Not a problem," Ran said, as he takes out his sword from pocket space. He then raises it into the air…
"By the Power of Asgard!"
CHOOM!
Lightning strikes the his sword ("The Great Rune Sword of Venus"), which was made by Asgardian dwarves, authorized by the Splugorth and blessed by the All-Mother Thordis…
FLASH!
"There," said General Ranma Saotome (USAF), the director of Homeworld Security. His primary wife Usagi had officially retired from service to raise their twins Kenshiro and Ikuko as a homemaker and consulting analyst for UN Spacy Command. Unofficially, two things have occurred. One, as Jackie Tyler, Usagi will head up British Branch of UNIT as a Brigadier, and thus will command the aerospace carrier, the Valiant II. And, two, as the Meltrandi warrior Serene, she will be the head of an all Meltrandi Veritech combat group, dubbed "Valkyrie Squadron", for the expeditionary mission to the Andromeda Galactic Cluster. Her mission is to help prevent the invasion of Earth by the so-called "Robotech Masters", a group of hyper-scientists who were dedicated in their pursuit of the amazing "Flower of Life", the source of "protoculture". From what the Zentraedi has told UN Spacy, the Robotech Masters have no problem to commit genocidal acts, if it meant retrieving their precious protoculture.
Naturally, UN Spacy wants to prevent this from happening…
"All set, love."
Azonia sighs. As much as she loves her husband, she prefers him as the giant-sized Ran, instead of the micronized Ranma Saotome…
Meanwhile, back on Earth…
"What do you mean I'm not a Japanese citizen'?" Lady Bruinhilde said, as she leans over the desk of the Hall of Records. Her 6'5, Amazon-like was intimidating to the hall's supervisor.
"You have to understand, ma'am," the supervisor said, as he wiped his brow. "The new citizenship law is designed to protect the interests of Japan and her people from undue influence by foreigners."
Thanks to several incidents involving United Nation's "Nerv Project", which was created to specifically deal with an alien menace known simply as "Angels" in years 2015 and 2016, the government of Japan has been concerned about the safety of its citizens to the point of kicking all international agencies and multi-national business out of Japan (although there are still nominal ties to them through home-oriented organizations). This concern also includes so-called deities of foreign extractions, if their host bodies were in natural citizens.
"But… but…"
"Brunhilde, please, let me handle this," Nabiki said, as she straightens herself out. She then turns to face the bureaucrat.
"If the government wishes to bury its mistakes, fine. But, according to this edict from the Imperial house, my sister, in spite of her appearance, is Japanese."
Nabiki presents an official statement to the supervisor. As he reads it, his face falls slightly…
"And if you wish to have a career in public service, I suggest that you rescind your decision to terminate my sister's citizenship," Nabiki said icily.
The supervisor realized that he couldn't deport someone who saved a member of the royal family without cause, even if he believed himself to be a nationalist in the best sense…
"Fine," the man said. "Miss Brunhilde will remain on the registry as 'Akane Tendo'."
"Good," Nabiki said, as she rises from her seat. She then bows slightly.
"And thank you for your…generosity."
The man gets up, and nods his head in defeat.
A short time later, Brunhilde and Nabiki can be seen walking down the steps of the Hall of Record. As they do so, they get stares from the people. After all, it's not every day that one sees a Norse warrior who dressed the part.
"Honestly, I wish the government would have accepted the fact that I can be a loyal Japanese citizen, even if I have more than one guise," Brunhilde complained.
"You should relax, Brunhilde," Nabiki said. "You did the right thing after you were forced to reveal yourself, when you stopped one of those so-called "Angels" from killing the royal family a couple of years ago."
Brunhilde looks at her sister.
"It was the right thing to do, you know."
"I know. And soon the records will indicate that you and Akane Tendo are one-and-the-same, you can get your old guise back."
"It's about time, too," Brunhilde replied. "I have long accepted my Norse identity, but I refuse to lose my mortal one in the process. Between you and me, it's not fair that mortals have so much power over how gods are perceived, and whether or not a god's mortal guise is 'valid' or not."
"Blame it on the magi and other paradigm shifters," Nabiki said. "Perception is everything, and these will-workers know how to exploit it amongst the Masses."
Brunhilde turns to face her sister, and gives her a smirk.
"You still talk like a member of the Technocratic Union."
"Among other professions, my dear sister."
"NYAHHHH!"
Bruhilde's Pegasus, which was being petted by kids, sees his mistress, and calls for her.
"Okay, okay, 'Stormy'," Brunhilde said, as she goes over to pet her flying steed. She then gives Stormy a bushel of carrots from her saddlebag.
"You've been taken care of?"
"We looked after him, like you asked us to, Miss," said one of the kids.
"And I thank you," Brunhilde said, as she gives the kids gold pieces. "For you for watching over Stormy."
"Wow!" said teenaged girl. "Thank you!"
"Was it necessary to bring your pet with you, Brunhilde?" Nabiki asked.
"Stormy is not a 'pet', he is my partner."
"Oh, so you're into THAT now…"
"NABIKI!"
"Just kidding. By the way, have you made up your mind about Ranma's latest adventure?"
"Yes, and I will allow him to go, since he can be here and elsewhere."
"Oh, I see. So, did you know he was leaving behind a 'Life Model Decoy'?"
"A…what?"
"Well, instead of leaving behind one of his doppelgangers like he usually does, he is going to leave behind a android duplicate to 'mind the store' for a while. Same with Usagi."
"In other words, I end up being with a machine, while that bimbo Usagi-"
THOOOM!
The skies crackle, which causes Brunhilde to cower slightly.
"Be careful," Nabiki said. "Usagi, like it or not, is our 'All-Mother'. You have to show her some respect."
"Well…so what? I'm Ranma's wife, just as she is. And she is not going to run off with MY husband, you know!"
Brunhilde hops on Stormy.
"Stormy, to the skies. Yip, yip!"
Thus, Brunhilde takes to the skies on Stormy's back. Destination: Macross City.
Meanwhile…
"Thanks for helping me get my bridal gown on," Minmei said, as she looks at herself in the mirror.
"Well, this is a special day, my dear," said Minmei's mother, whose name was "Lynn Shi".
Her husband's name was "Bao".
"I agree," said Lisa Hayes, as she fluffs up Lynn's veil. "I'm surprise you went with a Western style wedding."
"Well, as much as I want to, I know that your mission to deep space will occur tomorrow."
"Why didn't you have the wedding earlier then?" Miriya asked, as she sipped on her bubbly. "I mean, you and Rick were engaged for five years."
"That's because Rick, as always, is indecisive," Lisa said.
Lisa and Miriya laughs.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Minmei protested. "He just…likes to think things through, that's all. And, besides, I wanted to give my fans a proper farewell, before I rejoin UN Spacy."
"You didn't have to if you wanted to be with Rick," Lisa said. "The SDF-3 'Pioneer' does have a civilian contingent."
"I know, but…it's something that I always wanted to do."
"Well, then," Lisa said, as she places the veil on Minmei's head. "I approve…Warrant Officer Lynn Minmei."
Since reactivating her commission, Lynn will be the head of the SDF-1's Public Relations Group, which will work in concert with representatives of the UN's Diplomatic Corp.
"Well, for now, I will be looking forward to be 'Mrs. Rick Hunter'…"
KNOCK-KNOCK!
"Who is it?" Minmei asked.
"It's Serene," came the response.
"Come in…"
Serene enters the room and closes the door.
"Did you find Ranko, Serene?" Minmei asked.
"She is, um, on his way," Serene replied. "She got held up a bit."
Elsewhere…
"You were going to leave me behind, with a MACHINE?" Brunhilde yells, as she is shaking Ranko.
"Ack!" Ranko said, as she tried to speak. "Not…too…tight."
"You listen up, buster. I'm coming with you, you HEAR ME?"
Brunhilde lets her wayward husband go.
KLUMP!
"Okay, okay…you can come," Ranko said, as she felt her throat. "Sheesh…"
Tbc.
Next Time: A wedding and a launch. See you then!