Chapter 5, part 2
January 22nd, 2015
It was mid-afternoon when Rick managed to find some
free time to stop by and visit Claudia. They spent a few minutes
chatting about how everyone was doing and then Claudia shifted the conversation
to the topic of how Rick would be her interim replacement.
"Rick, I think that even though Hialeah is now giving
us a big helping hand, we still need someone on the 'micronian' end to
make sure things are running smoothly. You saw the other day, with
that incident with Miriya, how angry at the Zentraedi some people are right
now."
Rick still hesitant, thought to bring up the point
that Stuart should be able the situation. Claudia shook her head
saying, "No, Stuart is very overwhelmed right now. Maistroff just
put in charge the planning of the new base."
Rick gave her a confused look, "He has to also do
that in addition to the relocations?"
"Yeap. Maistroff is trying to drive us all
crazy. He must have some type of hidden agenda to try and get us
all so stresed out that we resign."
"Well, everyone dislikes Maistroff to be sure, but
do you really think he wants to get rid of people?" asked Rick.
Claudia looked at him for a moment, then said, "Now
that Gloval is...," she didn't finish the sentence, but continued, "Maistroff
is very power-hungry. Everyone, including himself I think, knows
he's an imbecile, but he's so high up in the ranks and he's chummy with
all the local politicians, that there really is no way he can be removed
from his position right now. And you know he won't go on his own.
But, anyways, let's forget about him for right now. As I was saying,
I know that Stuart would very much appreciate your help, and you're pretty
much familiar with the process. You'll just be doing the coordinating,
instead of the actual transporting. I'm sure you can handle that."
Rick sat quietly for a few moments, thinking over
what Claudia had just said. He shrugged and said, more to himself
than to Claudia, "Well, I suppose it won't be too difficult, especially
now with Hialeah's help, and we're actually going along at a quick pace,
it wouldn't really take too much longer...I suppose it shouldn't be too
bad."
Claudia smirked slightly and said, "Rick, you can't
always spend your every waking hour in your VT, as much as you would like.
And you have a natural leadership ability, it wouldn't do anyone any good
if you were isolated up in the air all the time. I remember telling
that to Roy a few times..."
Claudia had trailed off and seemed lost in thought.
Rick, initially wanting to protest her statements, had halted his thoughts
when she mentioned Roy. Not wanting to upset Claudia, Rick said nothing
and waited for her to speak.
Claudia looked behind towards the door to make sure
it was locked before saying, "Rick. I want to tell you, I had this
strange...something strange happened when I was unconscious."
"Strange? What do you mean strange?" asked
Rick.
Claudia looked at the door again, then said in a
hushed voice, "You know those near-death experiences? Where sometimes
you're visited by people who've passed away before us?"
Rick, still thinking over what she said, said, "Yeah...."
slowly, then suddenly it hit him and he said in a rush, "You mean you talked
to Roy?!"
Claudia hushed him up, "Shhh! Don't say it
so loudly. I don't want the doctors to know because they'll think
I'm crazy. Maybe you already think I'm crazy, but to answer your
question, yes. While I was unconscious, or maybe halfway in between,
I spoke to Roy."
Claudia saw that Rick was looking at her with an
anticipating look so she told him all she could remember.
After she finished relaying her story, she waited
for Rick's assessment.
"I believe you Claudia. One hundred percent.
And, I agree with him. We all want what's best for you, what makes
you happy. If a couple of years from now, five years, ten years,
someone comes along that can make you happy, we won't object."
Claudia had tears in her eyes and was still not
able to be totally excepting of the prospect of ever being with anyone
except Roy. She decided she would struggle with that in private and
tried to turn away from the inner dilemna for a moment by asking Rick about
the song Roy had mentioned.
Rick wore a nostalgic look on his face, "Yes, I
remember that song well. It was a sort of healing song for Pop.
The song is basically about a man who always goes to visit his wife's grave,
and on this one particular visit, he has something to tell her. Let's
see, I still remember the lyrics I think...'...I never want to hurt you,
'cause I darlin' I still love you. But things aren't like they used
to be, it's time for letting go. I wasn't out there looking... I
met someone just like you, in line at the grocery store. We've been
spending time together, yea, she knows all about you. The truth is,
she can give me, what you can't anymore. I know I promised you forever,
I never I thought I'd see this day. If only I could write the pages,
our story wouldn't this way. I feel so much better knowing we could
have this moment. But it looks like it may rain soon, and it's gettin'
kind of late. Hon', I'll always bring you roses, everytime
I come to visit. The caretaker's waiting, he wants to close the gate.
I know I promised you forever, I never thought I'd see this day, if only
I could write the pages, our story wouldn't end this way. It wouldn't
end this way..."
Rick watched as Claudia wiped a tear away, then
he got up to sit on the side of her bed and hug her with one arm.
"I'll be alright," Claudia said with a small sniffle.
"Do you think I could listen to the song sometime?"
Rick returned to his seat, "Sure. Just let
me know."
Claudia blew her nose and dried her eyes and then
said in a commanding voice, "So. Tell me what's going on with you
and Lisa."
Rick blushed slightly, "We're taking things slowly.
We haven't had much chance to see each other yet though. There's
so much we need to talk about, but sometimes when I see her, and I want
to tell her something, I just want to hold her instead."
Claudia smiled at him, "That's perfectly alright
Rick. Sometimes, words aren't necessary."
Rick continued, in a voice expressing slight amazement,
"I just can't believe it still. She was right there in front of me,
all this time and I couldn't see it. Now that I know how she feels,
and how I feel. I just can't stop thinking about her, it's driving
me crazy. I want to make up for all the time we've lost and I want
to make sure that she knows how sorry I am about all I put her through.
I want to do things right from now on. I dunno, I just, sometimes,
when I look at her, I just want to kiss her but I don't want to seem like
I'm taking advantage of our new situation or if I don't kiss her then I
don't want her to be hurt. It's a bit confusing."
"Well, Rick. Did you two talk about it?
What did Lisa say?"
"She said not to hesitate, and actually, she was
sorta feeling the same way too."
"Well then Rick, there you go. If Lisa doesn't
have a problem with it, then you shouldn't worry. I had told Lisa
one time, that she should stop moping and smile more often.. Now
I'm telling you the same thing. Don't mope, smile, and be a man.
Remember this Rick, she's been attention-starved for a long time.
I don't think, in fact, I can say pretty absolutely, that I know she will
always welcome any sign of affection from you. Her love and emotions
had been buried for so many years, and she was the Ice Queen for a long
time before you first met her. But when you came along, everyone
could see the Ice Queen start to melt, but she still wasn't the woman she
could be, because she was unhappy. Now you're together, you can bring
that out in her. Given that, added to the traits she already has,
she will be such a force to reckon with. You can bring out that confidence
in herself as a person. She's had confidence, but it's always been
confidence as an Officer. You can bring out the 'real live woman'
in her that's been hidden and buried since her fiancee' died, and she can
bring out the real man in you. That's why you are both so good for
each other. You challenge each other, but you can bring out the best
in each other now as well."
Rick spent a few more minutes talking to Claudia,
then left to return to the airfield, thinking about all that she had said
during his entire drive.
* * * * * * *
Max had decided that it would be best if Dana not
come to visit Miriya, basically because of the fact that it would be difficult
for Miriya to handle the small child while she was macronized. Plus,
the child might be frightened to see her mother at such a scale.
Max was updating Miriya on Dana's accomplishments
of the day when there was a knock at the door and shortly thereafter, Lady
Hialeah entered the room.
She entered with her usual proud gait as Togo and
Jigo followed behind her. What neither Max nor Miriya expected to
see was Uradana following behind them. As everyone finally filed
completly into the room, Max and Miriya could see that Uradana was wearing
leg and wrist shackles.
Hialeah looked behind her at her subjects before
saying to Miriya, "Miriya Parino. I have come to visit you again
because I have someone who wishes to apologize to you." Hialeah stepped
to the side to allow Jigo and Togo to usher Uradana up to Miriya's bed.
Miriya looked directly at Uradana, which made Uradana look away for a moment
before meeting Miriya's eyes and saying, "Miriya Parino, I apologize for
my attack against you."
Hialeah looked on proudly, "You are probably shocked
to see Uradana still alive after what she did. However, I had a very
interesting conversation with the micronian, Claudia Grant. And she
rather convinced me that it would be in everyone's best interest if we
showed some clemancy on Uradana. What was it Grant said...something
about dysfunctional behavior brought upon by her environment,
meaning myself. Since I always seek to prove myself as a great
leader worthy of my subjects trust, I will try out her advice and spare
Uradana for the time being." Hialeah nodded and Jigo and Togo took
Uradana outside.
Hialeah sat down in a chair and eyed Max, who was
sitting on Miriya's open upturned palm. "Miriya, this is your mate
I assume?"
Miriya replied, "Yes indeed he is. His name
is Max," and she held Max up so that Hialeah could have a better look at
him."
Hialeah tilted her head around so she could look
at him from all directions and after her examination was over, stated,
"He looks adequate. I have heard that he is an ace pilot. Very
admirable. Not quite as pleasing to look at as the male micronian
that was with Grant, but he is acceptable. By the way, I forgot to
ask Grant, but maybe you can help me. Where might I find that micronian?
I believe his name was Hunter?"
Miriya and Max looked at each other, neither one
not knowing what to say. Max wondered why Hialeah wanted to find
Rick and gave Miriya a look, indicating that he wanted her to ask Hialeah.
"Lady Hialeah, we might be able to locate him but
please may I inquire why you seek him out?"
Hialeah shrugged and said, "Well, I was just wondering.
I thought if he were not preoccupied at the moment I could talk to him
and see if he would want to macronize so that way I may have a better look
at him."
Max, grasping the oddity and humor of the situation
smiled as signaled to Miriya that he wanted to tell her somethig, so she
lifted him up to her ear.
"Miriya, tell her that Rick already belongs to another
woman."
Miriya thought for a moment, then remembered about
Lisa. "Your Ladyship, I must apologize but I do not think that Hunter
would want to macronize, because he already belongs to another woman."
Hialeah raised an eyebrow, then crossed her arms,
"Oh, I see. Well, if that is the case then I suppose there is nothing
I can do about it. Jigo is alright I suppose, I'll just look at him.
However, please let the micronian know, that if he ever changed his mind,
I would be very pleased to see him again."
"Yes, ma'am," answered Miriya.
Hialheah stood up saying, "Very well, I shall take
leave of you now. Let me know when you return to your duties so we
may speak again. Good day."
After she left the room, Max started to laugh.
"Maximillian, what is so funny?"
"It's funny that Hialeah wants Rick to macronize,
just so she can look at him."
Miriya tilted her head a bit and said, "Well, she
is right. Rick is very pleasing to look at. Lisa must be very
happy now. Max. Will they get married now? Will they
have a child like we did?"
Max chuckled, "Well, I don't think they will get
married now, and they definitely won't have children yet. I don't
know how long they will wait before they do either."
"But Max, we met and then soon after that day we
got married."
"I know Miriya, but you see, every couple is different.
Rick and Lisa have had a lot of difficulties and it will take time to work
through them before they feel it is the right time to get married."
"Ahh, that's right. I remember you telling
me that. Well, I am happy that they will be friendly with each other
now, rather than fighting. Will they touch lips?"
Max laughed again and replied, "Yes, I am pretty
sure they will."
Miriya nodded with a pleased look on her face, "That
is good. I think Lisa will be happy. Sometimes I can see on
her face that she wants to touch lips with Rick."
Max was taken offguard, and didn't have an immediate
comment, but finally he said, "Yes, Lisa will be very happy indeed."
* * * * * * *
Sammie and Lieutenant Antell knocked on the door
of Vanessa's office and in a few seconds they were seated in comfortable
chairs while Vanessa sat behind a rather small desk. She finished
up reading a report that she had held up, then quickly put it away in its
folder and laid it off to one side and said, "Now, what can I do for you?
It's about the instrumentation upgrades on your VTs right?"
Sammie and Vanessa spent the next 20 minutes going
over the details, with Lieutenant Antell acting as secretary and taking
down notes. She dropped her pen and bent down to pick it up, then
took out her pager and looked at it as she sat back up.
"Captain Porter, Major Lloyds wants to see you right
now...it says here that it will only take a few minutes," announced Antell.
"Huh? Major Lloyds? I wonder what he wants.
Is he in his office right now?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Alright, I'll run over there really quickly.
You can wait here. I'll be right back."
Vanessa sat there and decided not to try and converse
with Antell, remembering what happened the last time, so she instead went
back to reading the report she had been reading earlier.
Some five minutes had passed when a radar tech came
in and asked Vanessa to check on a new piece of monitoring equipment that
had just been installed in the front office. Vanessa got up, leaving
Antell alone in the office.
After 10 minutes, Vanessa finally came back to her
office. Five minutes after that Sammie returned wearing a slightly
angry expression and turned to Antell, "Antell, are you sure that message
said for me to see Lloyds? Because his aide said he is in downtown
Monument right now."
Antell wore an innocent look, "The message said,
'Need the captain to see me briefly, ASAP. Lloyds.'"
"Maybe your message got crossed with someone elses,
that happened to me one time," suggested Vanessa.
Sammie looked at Antell again, who sat expressionless,
and then asked Vanessa if they were done with the meeting. Vanessa
said that there wasn't anything else they needed to discuss at the moment
so Sammie and Antell left and headed back towards their own office to finish
up the day and see about trying to go home early.
On the walk there Sammie asked Antell, "Are you
sure that wasn't an old message or something? I didn't hear the pager
go off."
Antell looked straight ahead as she walked and said,
"I had the pager on vibrate mode today."
Sammie looked as if she were going to say something,
then changed her mind and simply uttered, "I see..."
* * * * * * *
Rick was pleased with what Sammie and Vanessa had
come up with. He was secretly grateful that they decided to have
the 'date' at home instead of going out. Vanessa had told him that
she had overheard some civilians complaining about some soldiers they had
seen out about town, having a good time. The civilians had accused
the unnamed soldiers of not caring about what happened to the people.
For that reason, Vanessa suggested that they don't go out for a night on
a town just yet, especially since Lisa was now an Admiral.
Rick tossed and turned for awhile, until finally
deciding not to worry about things, since it wouldn't help, so he laid
still and thought about all the things he would do and say tommorrow when
Lisa came home. "Do the right things, say the right things, Hunter,"
he said aloud.
He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep, but not
before breathing a small prayer that tommorrow would go as planned and
not be filled with unwanted surprises.
====================
Author's Notes:
1. Star, I swear! I had written this before I had read your chapter 3. The issues of Rick's leadership skills and the scene of Max and miriya discussing Rick and Lisa I wrote yesterday afternoon, then when I went online at night and checked here, I read your chapter 3. I'm thinking, 'Oh no! The two sound a bit similar!', so I thought about pulling out those similar parts in my story, but I wanted to leave the Max and Miriya conversation in because it's funny, and the Claudia conversation with Rick had been planned for awhile now. The song quote was also alluded to earlier, and I plan to use several song quotes from now on, because I think there's a lot of good songs out there that describe the Rick-Lisa situation. I had no pre-meditated similarities intended! :) p.s. I am trying to figure out what you have in store for Rick and Lisa. The only thing that I'm totally against, as a Rick/Lisa fan, is a permanent break up. (I forgot to add that clause in my intro chapter heeehee :) )
2. The song quote is from George Jones' "The Visit" on the "High-Tech Redneck" album. I think it's a very touching song. Take a listen to it if you can!
3. Alright, another short part, but the next chapter should be quite large. And it will take some time to write so I cannot estimate when it will be posted. :) Thank you to everyone for giving me suggestions! :)