"Good morning, Colonel," I said.
"Good morning," said the colonel. "We will have one hour for my interview. I am a very busy man."
"How did you get into the UN Space Marines?" I asked.
"I had an impressive record. I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and became an F-14 Tomcat pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps. I flew many combat missions during the Global Civil War. I resigned my commission ten years ago to take an appointment as an officer in the UN Space Marines."
"Why did you quit the US Marine Corps?"
"There was no opportunity for advancement there. There were many more opportunities for adancement in the UN forces. With the United Earth Government in charge of defending Earth, the U.S. military was being scaled back for homeland defense, just like other national armies. I later became a test pilot for the veritech VF series. I was a major at the time. Angus Beckett and Roy Fokker were among the first test pilots of the VF's. Quite a few of us gave our lives to test the limits of the VF's. Their lives were not in vain, for we learned how to make them better, saving more lives. I later took command of Knight Squadron as a lieutenant colonel. Knight Squadron was one of three Marine veritech fighter squadrons. Five Marine test pilots, including me, now had the task of training other Marines to fly veritechs and come back alive. It was long, hard work but I was glad to see the results pay off in our battles with the Zentraedi. When the veritechs were put into operational deployment, I was promoted to colonel and I was to be put in command of the regimental Marine detachment that was to serve SDF-1 Macross on its first voyage to outer space. I insisted that Knight Squadron be assigned to serve on board SDF-1 as one of its veritech squadrons, to provide support to the Spacy squadrons and the Marine destroid and infantry battalions."
"What is your opinion of the recent attack on Macross City?"
"My Marines shone in that battle. We suffered more losses there than in the Battle of Sara Base. But my men rose to the occasion. They saved a lot of lives. I recommended some of them for promotion and I awarded them medals for their service."
"What do you think of Captain Gloval accepting the Zentraedi defectors as residents of Macross City?"
"I do not reveal my opinions of military policy to the public," said Maistroff. "I will note that the decision was made by Captain Gloval alone, without any instructions from Earth Defense Command. I submitted my opinion on the matter to the EDC; as commander of the Marine detachment, I report to EDC and one of my duties is to provide policy recommendations."
ooooooooooooooo
That afternoon, I decided to go to the arcade. It was one of my pleasures, along with gambling in the casino or shooting at the range with Vince and some of his friends. There were usually some veritech pilots in the game, since the game called Battloid Attack was a simulation of what they did in the field.
I noticed that some pilots from Knight Squadron was there, including Jenna.
"Hi there," I said to her.
"Hi," she replied. "Katie told me she and some others were coming here, and I decided to go along."
"I thought it might do her some good this time," said Katie Taney. "I just hope she doesn't hit you like she did last time."
And so we played some games. I went to the arcade's upper level and I put some money into this game called Crazy Taxi, where I basically played as a cab driver who was supposed to drive impatient people to their destinations, generally breaking every traffic rule. After I was done, I noticed some of the Knight Squadron pilots were crowded around one of the Battloid Attack machines. I looked at rthe holographic image and saw a veritech blasting away Zentraedi pods.
"Check that girl out," said Katie. "She's really good."
"Is she in your squadron?" I asked.
"No," replied Lieutenant Jonathan Wolfe. "Looking at that, she must be a veteran pilot."
I looked at the player, a green-haired lady wearing a yellow scarf. She was flying a red veritech as it blasted enemy pods and fighters. She was very skilled. I wondered how she would do in a game with Jenna. The points piled up and the machine paid out coins.
She played for a while, then this blue-haired young man sat at the machine.
"Who's that?" asked Lieutenant Wolfe.
"That's Lieutenant Max Sterling from Skull Squadron," said Lieutenant Ichijo. "He's really good...for a Spacy pilot."
"I heard he escaped from a Zentraedi ship," said another Knight Squadron pilot.
I could hear cheering from pilots of Skull Squadron, so I decided to watch. Lieutenant Sterling was flying the blue veritech, while the lady was flying red.
"Whoops! I guess I won that skirmish," said Sterling. "Why don't we go to Level A?"
"Yes. Let's go onto to Level A," said the lady. "I imagine that would prove quite interesting."
I then saw their game put on the main screen. the red and blue veritechs were flying at each other.
"Look at Max go!" yelled someone.
"That guy is da bomb!" yelled Lieutenant Ichijo.
"That looks familiar," said Jenna.
The game went on for a while, longer than Jenna's game with Lieutenant Sterling had gone. But in the end, the red veritech fell apart and Lieutenant Max Sterling won the game. The members of Skull Squadron congratulated him. I saw the lieutenant hold the lady's hand.
"My name is Miriya and I presently don't have a phone number," said the lady, who sounded mad at losing.
"Then could you meet me at the park at nine o'clock?" asked Sterling.
"Oh whatever you want! Just let me go!" said Miriya, who then promptly left in a hurry.
"Well friend, that was some beautiful lady you just made a date with," said one of Lieutenant Sterling's wingmates. "I hope she plans on showing up."
"She'll probably stand him up," said Lieutenant Ichijo.
"I know that look when I see one," said Katie. "I hope Sterling's not dumb enough to actually show up."
Sterling went out the door, and Jenna followed him out. I remembered what happened the last time they spoke. I went out there and I saw them talking to each other.
"It's me, Captain Jenna Murphy from Knight Squadron," she said to him. "Last time we spoke, I said some very unkind words. I know you were trying to make me feel better. I want to apologize for your words. I know they hurt you; I know you also lost someone close to you. I know that we'll be flying out there against the enemy, and we should at least be on friendly terms if we're fighting alongside each other."
"I forgive you," said the pilot. "Sometimes I still miss Ben. Well, I don't think that girl is gonna show up at the park. She seemed pretty mad. I should just go to the mess and have a nice quiet dinner without distractions."
"You should go anyway. We women could be like that. At least give it a try. You gave flying veritechs a try, why not her?"
He smiled. "You're right. I should show up. The worst thing that can happen is her not showing up."
ooooooooooo
Later in the evening, Lin Kyle was released from the hospital. He was wearing a purple suit on his body and a bandage on his head. The other reporters and I were there at the lobby. Minmei was sitting next to him.
"Minmei, is it true you've been helping Kyle recover right beside his bed for the whole week?" asked a reporter.
"I wouldn't put it that way," said Minmei.
"Rumor has it that both of you are about to get married?" asked another reporter. "Have you got anything to say about that?"
"Absolutely untrue," she replied.
"Can you tell us how your ex-boyfriend reacted when you told him about those marriage plans?" asked another reporter.
"Oh, you must mean Rick Hunter," said Minmei. "He was just a friend."
"You mean to tell us you never discussed marriage at all?"
"No, we haven't."
"Do you currently have a steady boyfriend?" I asked. "Is that why you have no marriage plans with Kyle?"
"I'm not seeing anyone right now," she answered.
"Kyle, tell the truth," said a reporter. "Have you proposed marriage to Minmei?"
"No, I haven't," said Kyle.
"Sounds like a pretty weak denial. Maybe you just haven't had the chance."
"No, I've been thinking about the..."
"Yes?"
"Thinking about how I'd actually say it to her," said Kyle. "Because I don't mind telling you it'sd something I considered."
"When are you going to propose to her?" asked another reporter.
"When's the wedding date?" I asked.
"When are you going to go on your honeymoon?"
"Thank you," said Kyle, standing up. "I've been through a lot and I need to get some sleep now. If you will excuse us."
Kyle and Minmei walk away from the hospital as reporters ask questions which go unanswered.
ooooooooooo
Later that evening, I took a walk in the observation park which was not far from the hospital. I looked out into space.
I noticed Claudia was standing right in front of the window. "Hi there," I said.
"Oh, hi," said Claudia. "I haven't seen you in a while."
"I'm not surprised," I said. "You and the rest of the crew have been awfully busy. What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to spend the evening looking out at the stars. You know, Commander Hayes just left the ship last night."
"Was the commander injured in the attack and transferred to a hospital on Earth?"
"Oh, no. She had an important dispatch from the captain. She flew down there in a Star Goose shuttle that delivered construction supplies earlier that day."
"Does she have family down there? I wonder if she'll get to visist before coming back up here."
"Her father's an admiral and the commander-in-chief of the Earth Defense Command. She'll probably be reassigned to EDC Headquarters."
"Have you spoken to your brother Vince lately?" I asked.
"I haven't. He did leave messages in my voice mail telling me he was okay. You can't imagine how relieved I was when I got that message the day after the attack. Phones were out for most of the day, so I kept wondering if he was all right."
"I'd better be going now. I just rented a new office. I'd better pack my things to move in tomorrow."
"Okay, you take care."
I took a look around at the observation park. I noticed Claudia speaking to a young man whose face I could not see. I went back to my apartment to finish packing the things that would go to my office.
oooooooooooo
And so I spent the next day moving my things into my new office. I hooked up the computer to the Macross City data net. I set up the Hewlett Pakcard LaserJet printer for which to print my articles. I checked my computer to make sure all of the publishing programs were working right.
I then sent e-mail announcements to the newspapers telling them about the phone number and address of my new office. I looked up my notes and followed-up on stories I was working on. I reported on several new buildings that were finished and ready for habitation.
One afternoon after work, I went shooting with Vince and a friend of his named Phil. They had been friends since before the launch of SDF-1 Macross. I managed to use up a whole box of bullets.
"You're getting better," said Vince, looking at my target.
"Vince used to suck at shooting," said Phil, a red-haired man with a red goatee.
"Do you want to go to the casino, or should I drop you off at your apartment?" asked Vince.
"I'll just go to the casino," i said. "I feel lucky today."
And so I did. Vince drove me there in his black Buick. It was onyl a short drive from the firing range to the casino. I entered and I saw the familiar sights and heard the familiar sounds of the slot machines. I went to the bar where Vince works, and I saw a couple of pilots from Knight Squadron sitting at the table. I noticed Jenna was there.
"Hi there," I said.
"Guess what?' asked Katie. "Max Sterling from Skull Squadron is getting married."
"What?" I asked. "To whom?"
"It was to that lady he was playing that game with," said Lieutenant Ichijo. "Her name's Miriya."
"Here's the kicker," said Captain Landry. "Miriya was one of the Zentraedi defectors. Could you fucking believe that?"
"Well, anyway all of us fighter pilots were invited to the wedding," said Lieutenant Jonathan Wolfe. "We'd better get our dinner dress uniforms pressed."
"Are you going?" I asked Jenna.
"Yes," she said. "Max sent me an invitation. Especially after what I said to him last year, I never expected a wedding invitation. But then, if he is marrying someone who used to be the enemy, it would be hypocritical of him to hold a grudge against me."
"He just wants to share this special occasion with all of you. Try to enjoy yourself."
"We've all attended too many funerals the past two years," said Katie. "A wedding would be nice for a change."
"Skull Squadron's gonna be holding a special ceremony after the wedding," said Captain Landry. "And then there's gonna be a reception."
"Are you going?" asked Jenna.
"This is the first wedding in space; the first between one of us and a Zentraedi," I said. "Of course I'll be there."
"Well, then you'd better cover the bachelor party," said Landry. "We ought to celebrate the occasion with Sterling- even if he is a Spacy pilot."
And so that was what I did.
ooooooooooooo
I entered the Big Bounce Strip Club, which was across the street from the Bright Star Casino. It was a place frequented by crewmen and marines. Captain Landry had informed me that all the squadrons woiuld be celebrating Max Sterling's bachelor party in this place. I decided to bring Kona, Rico, and Bron here. One of their fellow defectors was getting married to Max Sterling, and I figured they needed the exposure. There was a huge banner reading CONGRATULATIONS MAX. We all sat down with our beers.
"Why is everything so dark?" asked Konda.
"I ask the same question," I said.
We all saw scantily clad women walking about. Soime of them were dancing on this huge table.
"They wear so little clothes," said Bron.
Then we saw Max, sitting at a table with other Skull Squadron pilots. Already two strippers were talking to the group.
Then a stripper came to our table. "Want a lap dance?" this red-haired woman asked Rico. "Only twenty dollars."
"Lap dance?" asked Rico.
"This must be a Micronian custom to celebrate a friend's marriage," said Konda.
"I'd like a lap dance," said Rico. "I have twenty dollars."
And so she placed her hands on Rico's thighs and then rubbed her hands. Rico had this blank stare. Then the lady pulled down her tube top, exposing her tits. Then she rubbed them right into Rico's face.
"Aaaahhh!" yelled Konda and Bron. Rico just sat there stiff. The lady just kept rubbing herself against Rico for many minutes. Then she finished.
"Twenty dollars, please," she said.
Rico handed her a twenty without any words.
"We should leave," said Bron. "This is too much."
"No, we should stay," said Konda. "If we are to be accepted as Micronians, we must go through their rituals. It's like combat training."
"Hey guys," said Vince as he walked in. "What's with his face?"
"He had his first lap dance," I said. "Zentraedi society seems to practice sexual repression."
"They just have to get used to it."
"I'm going for a lap dance," said Konda. "We must go through with it if we are to be accepted as Micronians."
And so the bachelor party continued, with all this action from the finest strippers in Macross City. There was loud cheering and whooping. I even noticed Lieutenant Colonel Angus Beckett was among the guests of Max Sterling's bachelor party. We were there for a long time, drinking and looking at the girls. I wondered iof the bride was having a bachelorette party.
Then something happened. Some angry words were said. Soon there was a fight.
"You Micronians have strange rituals," said Rico. "First you rub against female skin, and now you do combat just to celebrate marriage."
Soon, the fight came to us. The three Zentraedi defectors were good fighters, considering they lived ina society that only existed to wage war.
And then the police arrived.
"STOP!" they yelled.
oooooooooooo
"You know, I don't think this is a Micronian marriage custom," said Bron.
We all sat in cells in the cell block of the Macross City Police Headquarters. The police put and end to the brawl and arrested us all.
Max Sterling was sitting in the same cell I was. "When Miriya finds out about this, she's gonna kill me after all," he said.
"Probably," said a Skull Squadron pilot. "I wonder what Lisa would think of this."
"Here we are," said Captain Landry. "We'll probably be court-martialed or something."
Katie and some women from Knight Squadron came to see us all.
"You guys, I can't believe this," she said. "When the colonel finds out about this..."
"I think the colonel will understand," said Angus Beckett, sitting in the same cell with us.
"Sir?" asked Katie. "I wasn't expecting you here."
"Maybe the cops will keep me in here for a week," said the colonel. "I hope so."
"Afraid of what Colonel Maistroff would do?" asked Lieutenant Ichijo.
"My wife," said Beckett. "I'll probakly have to sleep in my office for the next month."
"Uh oh," said Max. "Here comes Miriya."
I looked and saw this green-haired lady come to the cell block. We all looked at what was going to happen to the wedding.
"Miriya, darling," began Max, "I can explain."
"No need to explain," said Miriya. "This must be another Micronian custom."
Soon afterward, we were all released.
oooooooooooo
The wedding was next morning, and I was wearing my suit. The cathedral was packed with hundreds ofm people wearing their best clothes, and being a reporter who covered the SDF-1's long trek through space and battles with the Zentraedi, I had the privilege of sitting close to the front, right behind the wedding party. I saw Max Sterling dressed in his white tuxedo. He stood before the altar. Standing beside him was the best man, Skull Squadron's commander, Lieutenant Rick Hunter. Then Miriya arrived in the cathedral, dressed in a white wedding dress. Escorted by her maid of honor, Claudia Grant, she walked along the main aisle between the wooden pews. Photographers snapped pictures at this green-haired lady. She stood in fron of the altar.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" asked the minister.
"I do," said Rico, standing up. He takes Miriya's arm and escorts her to the altar.
Miriya now stood in front of Max.
"The wedding bands, please," said the minister. Rick Hunter opened a velvet box containing the wedding bands.
"Do you, Miriya Parino, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" asked the minister.
"I do," replied Miriya.
"And do you, Maximilian Sterling, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" asked the minister.
"I do," said Max.
"By the powers granted to me by the United Nations, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Max and Miriya kissed as photgraphers snapped pictures.
"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Maximilian Sterling!" said the minister.
The wedded couple takes a walk down the aisle and more cameramen take pictures. They go to the steps of the cathedral. All of Skull Squadron cheered at the wedding of their wingmate. I shook Max's hand, and then I took Miriya's right hand and kissed it.
"Good luck," I said.
More people greeted them. And then they entered the white limousine. The door was closed, concealing the couple, and the limousine drove off.
I saw Lieutenant Colonel Angus Beckett in the crowd.
"I hope you're not in trouble over last night," I said.
"Well, Colonel Maistroff told me that if I were to do such a thing again, I'd be reassinged to a weather station in Antarctica," said Colonel Beckett. "enough with that. We have a wedding to celebrate."
oooooooooo
All of us went to the observation deck. We would see the ceremony conducted in space by Skull Squadrons' veritech fighters.
A holographic image of a road appeared. The veritech fighters lined up on the road and changed into battloid mode. They emmitted light beams crossing each other at angles. A blue veritech fighter flew along the holographic road. Fireworks were deontated in the space around the SDF-1. Then the veritechs changed into fighter mode and returned to the ship.
ooooooooooo
The wedding reception was held in a ballroom, the same ballroom where the Valentine's Day Party took place. All of us wedding guests were here, except for the wedding party. The cake was in the shape of SDF-1 in its battloid mode.
Then the wedding party members came in in pairs. One by one they were introduced by the announcer.
After that, Max and Miriya came inside, with their arms interlocked. They both walked to the head table as photographers snapped pictures. They took their seats.
I was sitting in the table with the other reporters. The first thing that was served was salad and bread rolls. I had the bleu cheese dressing. It tasted very good.
Then we had the main course, which was prime rib, vegetables, and a baked potato. We all dug in. The prime rib was good especially with the horse radish sauce. The sauce gave the prime rib a biting flavor.
Rick Hunter then stood up. "Good evening, everyone," he said. "I'd like to propose a toast to the newlywed couple, Max and Miriya."
All of us toasted to their marriage. We then continued to finish our meal.
Then came the cutting of the cake. Max cut the first piece and put it in Miriya's mouth. Then she cut the second piece and put it in his mouth. More pictures were taken. Then the rest of us took a piece of cake and sat down at our tables to eat it.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said the announcer. "Today is a very special day. It's more than just a wedding celebration. It's a joining of two souls dedicated to the protection of our Robotech colony. I would like to introduce the man who consented to this special occasion, the guest of honor, Captain Henry J. Gloval."
"Well, to begin with I'd like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Max and Miriya," said Captain Gloval, who was wearing a red cape over his uniform. "For this wedding carries a great historical significance. As you all know, Miriya was a Zentraedi warrior who destroyed many of our own ships. She has come from a culture that we have grown to fear and hate. Clearly it is the Zentraedi who have caused our present situation. They alone prevent our return to Earth, our homes, and our beloved families. It is they who have caused injury, destruction, and endless suffering."
I looked around the crowd. They and I were wondering why Captain Gloval would be inciting hatred against the Zentraedi.
"Now I know what you are thinking," continued the captain. "Why is it he is choosing this time to remind us of these terrible things? I remind of these brutal acts, ladies and gentlemen, because we must learn to forgiveour enemies. We do not forgive blindly or out of ignorance, but becuase we are a strong and willing nation. We can not blame the Zentraedi for this inexplicable lust for war. They have never known another way of life and it is their only means of survival. Nor can we condemn the individual of that society for the mass insanity of their war machine. Instead, we must look at their good nature. Now some have made the request to stop the fighting. I believe it is a generous request and we must respond with equal integrity. The blood of these young people were tested before the ceremony. Zentraedi blood was found to be same as human blood. There is no reason why we can not co-exist in peace, so let this occasion represent the future where all people live in harmony."
We all cheered Gloval for his excellent speech.
"Please allow me to speak just a moment longer," he said. "I am sure there are those who lost loved ones in the war and can not help harboring ill feelings for the Zentraedi. But somehow we must overcome those feelings. We must stop this senseless destruction. Each and every citizen must develop a responsible attitude for the prospect of peace. We must learn from our mistakes to live with different people and different nations.Think of the challenge. I am not proposing laying down our arms but extending them in friendship, so that if there is a chance for a peaceful solution, we can find it together as these young people have done. The Zentraedi are a strong and intelligent people. Therefore, let this act here today stand as a symbol of our approval. We must follow their example. They are the heroes of today."
The guests cheered. Some of them offered toasts to the Zentraedi. Things began to look bright. Maybe we can stop this fighting.
The announcer took the microphone. "Tonight we have with us a very special person," he said. "A woman who has brought happiness to us all. Welcome Miss Lin Minmei."
Minmei appeared and took the microphone. "First, I'd like to extend my congratulations to Max and Miriya on their wedding day," she said. "I've decided to sing a song that tells usabout people very much oike you and me. People who are separated from home, apart from loved ones but strong enough to find the hope that joy can bring when two people discover love."
She started singing the song "Here By My Side". It was the same song she dedicated to me and Jenna in her debut album. She finished the song.
"Okay folks," said the announcer. "The beautiful Minmei will now sing a song dedicated especially to the wedding couple."
Minmei then sang her song "To Be in Love". Max and Miriya then took the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. Then the party continued, as people sat with each other, speaking to one another, and having drinks.
I walked up to the couple. "Hello there," I said. "Why not tell us how you first met?"
"Well, it started like this," said Miriya. "I was a Quadrano pilot for the Zentraedi Air Force. I recommended this plan to target the SDF-1's best pilots. Commander Azonia agreed, and I led the mission to track and kill the best pilots. I knew the ace pilots had unique color schemes for their fighters. I saw this blue fighter and I figured he was an ace, so I shot at him."
"That was me," said Max.
"He was difficult, so I flew right into the ship. But he wanted to do combat even inside here. He shot me down. There was an opening, so I took the opportunity to escape. I flew back and I vowed to kill him."
I then noticed Jenna standing among the people that crowded to hear Max and Miriya's story. She had this blank look on her face.
Then she ran off.
"Excuse me," I said to Barbara, one of the guest reporters. "Could you take over the interview?"
"Sure," she said.
I later found Jenna staring out into space. She was crying.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"It's her," she said.
"Her what?"
"Miriya. She was the one who killed Lani."
"How do you know?" I asked.
"She told us she was the one who flew that flying destroid into the ship. That was the one I was chasing that day. She flew the same way like that destroid that killed Lani. Now she's here and she married one of the pilots and..."
"She probably did kill Lani," I said. "She killed others as well. She was the enemy, Jenna. Her people tried to kill you, and our people tried to kill her. But she's not the enemy anymore. She turned her back on the Zentraedi way of life, she chose to live among us. And she found someone to love."
"I still miss Lani."
"You now know the Zentraedi are a lot like us, capable of love. you must have killed some Zentraedi when you flew out there."
"About a hundred."
"The next time you fly out there, you might end up killing someone a lot like Lani. Or she might end up killing you. You did not make the decision to go to war. Neither did Miriya. If there is a peaceful resolution, we must seek it. Otherwise, more people like Lani, from both sides, will die."
Jenna looked at me with her blue eyes. "You're right," she said. "I'm going back and I'm going to celebrate the occasion. Did you know Lani saved my life?"
"I didn't know that."
"When I was injured in battle and unable to fly my fighter, she pushed me to the Prometheus. She was the one who found me and pushed me to safety. Lani didn't save my life just so I could be miserable."
"Can I walk you back to the reception hall?"
"Sure."
I took her arm and we walked back to the reception hall. We approahced a few feet before the door.
"Oh no," she said. "I forgot my gift to Max and Miriya."
"We can get it after the reception," I said. "you can bring it to the Skull Squadron's office tomorrow."
"Okay. Katie and the others must have wondered where I went."
Then the alarm sounded.
"Of all times for the enemy to attack," I said.
"I have to go," said Jenna. "If I don't make it back, the present is in my quarters."
She then ran off, so I ran to the observation deck. I looked and saw the veritech fighters take off. Soon they engaged in combat with the enemy, and space was filled with explosions.
I saw a veritech fighter chasing a Zentraedi battle pod. It fired at the pod. The pod was not destroyed. It just stood there, unable to change velocity. Soon more pods were hit. Our fighters must be disabling them. Soon the remaining operational pods withdrew to their ships. The veritech fighters came back. This was very interesting.
oooooooooooooo
I went to Jenna's quarters that night after the battle. I could hear the television was on.
I went inside and I saw her sitting on her bed. She was smiling.
"Hi," I said.
"Hi," replied Jenna. "You know, Max and Miriya were fighting along with us."
"Really?"
"They got the idea of simply disabling the battlepods, rather than blowing them up. I managed to disable ten pods."
I looked at the television screen and I saw Lani wearing a swimsuit. She and Jenna and Katie were on a beach.
"What's this?" I asked.
"This was a video of our trip to Sydney, Australia just before we went back to duty to serve on this ship," said Jenna. "The first time I watched it after Lani died, I cried myself to sleep. Now I feel happy looking at the video. This was the first time I felt happy about watching this since she died. Come to think of it, I haven't been happy in a long time."
"I've noticed," I said. "Listen, I've got to go work on my article I have a new office you know." I turned and looked at a wrapped box. "Is this the gift?"
"Yeah, I forgot to bring it with me to the reception," said Jenna. "I'll drop it at Skull Squadron's office tomorrow."
"Take care."
And then I left to write my article.