RECONSTRUCTION BLUES PLUS
CHAPTER 10
DISCLAIMER AND COPYTRIGHT:
I don't own Robotech so don't take me to court. If you want to uses any stuff from this fiction, all I ask is an email – NOTES:
This is a different spin on things from episode 28 - reconstruction blues. I will try to add more action and love/hate triangle with Rick, Lisa and Minmei. This is my first attempt at Robotech fan fiction. So please be gentle, NOT. Tell me if I suck. How else am I going to improve? Some of the guys made seem OC and I apologies to any die-hard fans. But it is fiction after all and anything can happen ;) I recommend that you watch the whole series before reading. It's not essential but I do make some references to events that occurred in the series and it's always a good comparison to what I'm writing. Roy and Ben will still be alive in this alternative universe.
"..." Normal speech
'...' Thought
(...) Other forms of speech. EG – radio communication
SDF1 – CONFERENCE ROOM
Gloval and the others waited patiently for the others to arrive. Since they were paged over the intercom it wouldn't be long. They arrived followed by Minmei. Her appearance took him by surprise.
'Minmei? What is she doing here?'
"I apologies for being late, sir. There was an incident downtown this morning and Pilot Hunter has been hospitalised as a result." Lisa explained.
"An incident? Is Hunter ok?" Gloval asked.
"Yes sir. Some Zentraedi were causing a disturbance and Pilot Hunter attempted to stop them. He sustained a few fractured ribs and a minor concussion. He's currently in sickbay right now."
"Sounds like my little brother. He's always getting himself into trouble." Roy commented and it infuriated Minmei to stomp over to where he was sitting.
"Rick saved the Mayor and his wife from those Zentraedi and you make a joke of it. He could have been killed." She fired at the lieutenant, upset by his wise remark.
"Ok, ok… kiddo. Take it easy."
"This changes my plans, I'm afraid…" Gloval said aloud and stopped the arguing between his most trusted pilot and the singing star.
"What plan is that?" Lisa asked.
Gloval explained the situation with the newly discovered Zentraedi protoculture and battle pod factory approaching earth. He outlined how originally wanted Vermillion and Ghost Squadron's to assist Breetai in capturing the factory. But with Rick out of commission for almost a month, it threw a spanner into the works.
"That's no problem. Vermillion can come under my command. I've lead much larger squadrons into battle." Roy suggested.
"If you are confident then proceed. I'm also sending maintenance crew with you. A number of Breetai's ships are having failures due to wear and tear. The maintenance crew will also assist working on the factory once it is capture."
"Sir, can I say something?" Max requested. "Since Miriya and himself are assigned to both squadrons. Will we have to leave or take Dana with us? I'm not comfortable with either option."
"Don't worry Max. Either you or Miriya can stay here on earth with Dana. Your special request for one parent to remain with Dana is valid here."
"Thank you, sir."
"Are there anymore questions?" Everyone remained silent. "Good. You are to leave as soon as possible. Breetai will have more details on the operation once you arrive. Dismissed." Everyone except for Minmei saluted and went to prepare for the operation. She stayed behind and approached the commander.
"Ms Lynn Minmei. I'm surprise that you are here. What can I do for you?"
"Well, you see commander…" Minmei began explaining herself. She outlined her desire to join the SDF Forces but didn't reveal any details about her break up from her former manager and half cousin Lynn Kyle.
"It shouldn't be a problem to find you a position in our media and intelligence department. Actually, it's more media and a public relations since the majority of the fighting has stopped. The news of your recruitment would boost moral."
"Thank you, sir but I was also wondering if there is something a little more involved."
"What do you mean?"
"I know my singing makes a lot of people happy but I want to show that I can do more than just sing songs. Lisa and some of the other guys mention that I could be in the control tower."
"Hmmm… It will take at least a year of training to familiarise yourself with instruments and procedures…"
"That's fine. I can be part of media department and do the part time training. Please I won't let you down." She pleaded.
"Very well. I'll arrange the necessary paper work and a SDF training representative will contact you."
"Oh, thank you. Thank you…" She repeated and hugged the older man.
"Ha… Ha… You're part of the military now Minmei. We normally salute our superiors." The older man saw the humorous side to Minmei's gesture.
"Oh… Sorry." She giggled.
SDF1 – VERITECH HANGERS
"Alright, you slackers! The Commander has made this mission a priority over everything else. Prep and load Ghost and Vermillion Squadron for space launch!" Chief shouted to his team.
"How long you reckon Chief?" Roy asked, walking beside the head engineer.
"Four. May be five hours tops. I heard what happen to Rick. Is he alright? Should we prep his veritech?"
"He's fine. Just got knocked around a bit. Don't worry about his ship. He'll be off his feet for a while. It's probably a good thing. He's been working himself into the ground lately Lisa and Minmei chasing him it doesn't make things easier on the young man."
"Hahaha… I know. Simons in the armoury is taking bets who will get the lad. So far Minmei is the leader just by a whisker.
"Really… I might have to pay him a visit." Fokker said. He thought being Rick's brother might give him some insider information that could allow him to make some easy money.
SDF1 – BASE HOSPITAL
Rick sat in his bed pushing around a toy veritech on a portable meal table. The young man was bored and didn't feel resting. The broadcast over the PA system asking for Lisa and his squadron bothered him.
'I wonder what's going on. Lisa and Minmei did say there would be back. It must be something serious. Hang on… Do you I want them back so quickly. Things just get complicated when they are around.'
Just at that moment, Max and Miriya enter the room.
"Hey Rick. How are you feeling?" Max asked in his usual happy self.
"Lisa mentioned that you might be out for almost a month." Miriya followed up.
"The doc said that I bumped my head. So I'm in the here for the night. After that I should be right." He replied.
"Did you forget your ribs? I don't think you'll be right for anything soon." The former Zentraedi ace pilot counted.
"Anyway… What was the page about? What's going on?" the newly appointed Lt. Commander changed the subject.
"Oh that… Gloval wanted…" Max continued to explain the appearance of the Zentraedi factory and their plans to capture if not destroy the vessel. As soon as he had finished explaining, the husband and wife combination had another fight on there hands.
"Come on Rick! Be reasonable." His wingman tried to convince him to stay in bed. "In your condition you would just be a liability out there." Max and Miriya both knew that it had been a while since anyone had seen any real action. This was good for the peace of the new mankind but for pilots like Rick and themselves it was actually boring times and gave them the sense of uselessness. The Vermillion squadron leader's reaction was to be expected.
"A liability!"
Admiral Gloval and Minmei walked the hallways on the medical facility. After he had been told of what happen to Rick, he wanted to see the young man. As they approached his room, the sounds of him arguing the shouting profanities became evident.
"He still has a lot of fight in him, does he?" Minmei could only smile, feeling embarrassed by Rick's behaviour.
EARTH'S ORBIT – BREETAI'S BATTLESHIP
The Zentraedi Commander and former enemy welcomed the team from Macross City. He had under gone process to normal human size to properly welcome them but remainder of his crew stayed their original state.
"Welcome aboard my flagship, Commander Hayes." He greeted Lisa with a formal bow.
"Thank you sir." She followed up with a salute of her own.
"My men will look after the unloading of your equipment. Would you like me to show you to your rooms? I suspect that you may want to freshen up before we begin the debriefing."
"That sounds like a good idea. I personally have not travelled in space for a while and have forgotten how draining it could be." Her thoughts reflected Claudia's and the rest of the support staff but the pilots were keen to get things over with.
Breetai lead the way and as they walked he noticed someone was missing from the group. "Commander Hayes, is there a reason why Lt. Hunter is missing?"
"Rick?" His question caught her off guard. The change in her tone when she said his name didn't go unnoticed by Claudia or Roy. "I'm sorry… Lt. Hunter is currently on sick leave."
"Sick leave? I hope it is nothing serious."
"He'll be fine but as a result he was not able to take part in this mission."
"I see… That will cause some minor changes the operation."
"Some changes sir?"
"It's nothing of major importance. We can discuss it later." Breetai stopped in front of two set of doors. "We were unable to arrange better accommodation. These two rooms were the best we could arrange I'm afraid."
"They are more than adequate." He bowed once again before leaving the group.
"So… Which room are you lovely ladies taking?" Roy asked with a sly grin as he draped himself over the Lisa and Claudia's shoulders.
His crude remark earned him a stiff push from Claudia, causing him to fly into one of the doors. "Nice try flyboy but better luck next time."
"Jez… Claudia. That one hurt." Roy rubbed his head where it impacted with the door. A little guilt started to set in when she saw her man lying on the floor in the doorway. She knelt down so they were at eye level.
"You poor thing… when all this is over and we're back on earth. I'll treat you to something special."
SDF1 – MEDICAL FACILITY
"Ricky…" Dana had spoonful of hospital food and held it up to his mouth "Eat." Miriya had pulled Dana from day care and thought Rick would like some company. The half Zentraedi adored Rick and jumped at any chance to spend some time with him.
"I'm not hungry right now. Thanks anyway." His mind was off elsewhere.
"Eat." She forcibly pushed the spoon into his mouth.
"Yummy." Rick decided that it was better to play along. He would never admit it but he had a soft spot for the young girl. Unknown to the both of them, Miriya and Minmei were standing in the doorway watching them interact.
"More?" Before he could answer or even swallow his first bite, she pushed another spoonful into his mouth. Giggles from the doorway alert them to their visitors as he struggled to breathe and chew.
"Mama!" Dana leapt of the bed and raced to Miriya's arms. "Ricky eat!" she said happily.
"Yes you did. You did a very good job." Minmei walked over to the struggling Rick.
"You should be more appreciative of Dana's care." She picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth like a mother would a child. "It's not everyday someone gets their own personal nurse."
"I'm all better now. Thanks Dana." He managed to get out after swallowing. His response caused the young girl to squeal and cheer with delight. "So how are thing going with the mission?"
"They have docked with Breetai's ship. We should get new when the mission commences." Miriya replied taking a visitor's chair and shifting Dana into her lap.
"Ok…"
"Something on your mind? You don't seem yourself." 'Is he thinking about Commander Hayes?'
"Just fell useless sitting around and waiting."
"Well, now you know how some of us feel." Minmei reached over and pulled some stray locks of dark hair from his eyes.
"She's right Rick." Miriya interjected. "I feel the same way when Max goes out on a mission." Dana got off her mother's lap and climbed onto Rick's bed. She clumsily wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and gave him an awkward hug.
"Ricky sad?"
DEEP SPACE – BREETAI'S BATTLESHIP
"I don't mean any disrespect Commander." Claudia said aloud. "But are you sure that this plan will work."
"I know that it is inappropriate of me to request such a thing from yourself and Commander Fokker but your role is vital as a distraction."
"I have no issues with this plan what so ever. Just how far do you want us to go? I mean, I've never done it with so many people watching but I'm always keen to try new things. After all, it is for the greater good of this war."
Claudia's eyebrow twitched as she tried to remain composed and professional. A couple of knuckles popped as her partner continued ranting about the bedroom display he was going to be putting on.
"I am impressed by your willingness Commander Fokker but I would think that… I believe that you refer to the term as kissing… would sufficient in this instance." A little embarrassed by the situation, Breetai quickly continued to keep things on track. "Then as my forces will infiltrate the facility from the rear and the earth forces will engage the enemy the front."
"Sir, can I enquiry why our forces are attacking the enemy head on?" Lisa was quick to point out that the earth forces would be in the area where the most intense fighting would occur and therefore the probability of life lost high.
"I can see why it may seem that I'm protecting my forces but this way we are able to disable the facility without any major infrastructure damage. Your forces will not attack the facility directly, just engage the enemy fighters. Once my pods forces are in the facility they will have a better chance of avoiding combat within the factory because we have the same model of fighters. My men also know how to disable the ship without destroy the whole engine room."
"I see… I apologies for my question. It was out of line."
"No… A good commander cares for their soldiers. I would expect any worthy commander to question that aspect of the operation."
"But it shouldn't be that difficult. We will be broadcasting Roy and Claudia which will distract the enemy." Max added. "So I expect resistance will low."
"That is our expectation as well." The Zentraedi Commander looked after the conference table. "Any other questions?" when no one spoke up he dismissed the group. As they filed out of the room, Claudia delivered a force slap to the back of Roy's head.
"I can't believe that you said that!" she began jabbing his finger in his chest. The other pilots began snickering at their flight commander's plight. "Your cockiness may work on earth but it doesn't up here."
Lisa just sighed knowing that any words from her wouldn't stop her best friend unleashing on her better half. Instead she turned to Ben and Max. "I have to give an update report to the Admiral. Max, do you want to speak to Miriya while I have the communications up link? It may be a while before we get a chance to talk to earth again."
"Sure. Thanks Lisa." She then turned to the corporal wingman.
"Ben…" She sighed again as Claudia dragged Commander Fokker by the ear causing him to complain loudly. "Please make sure that they don't do too much damage to each other."
EARTH – OUTSKITS OF MACROSS CITY
"Grandpa… Grandpa…" The little girl yelled behind as she skipped through the rumble and empty buildings. "Hurry up! Mama is going to be upset if we are late."
"Sorry dear. Grandpa's legs are getting old. They can't run as far as you can." The elder man replied trying to make ground on his grand child.
"You have to eat your vegies so you get big and strong. Mama always tells me to eat my vegies. You have to eat some more vegies." She leapt up onto a boulder and playfully flexed her muscles to show her strength. Then something shining within the debris caught her eye. She jumped down to investigate.
"Please be careful. Your mother is going to very mad with Grandpa if you hurt yourself or get really dirty." He followed her behind the boulder to a large alien machine giving off the pulsing glow.
"It's really pretty…" the young girl admired the green aura emitted from the device. "Can we take it home?"
SDF1 – MEDICAL FACILITY
"So you are really going ahead with all of this?" Rick tapped the pile of manuals and CDs Minmei brought in with her. She had not officially started her training but Miriya had lent her some of the manuals they give to her during her induction to the Allied Defence Force.
"Of course. Why do you ask? Don't you want me around?" She pretended to be sad and hurt 'He's so easy to tease sometimes…'
"No! I didn't mean that." His reaction however predictable still caused her to giggle.
"Don't worry Rick. I'm kidding. I've only browsed through a few of the books and it's seems a lot to remember." Her comment was innocent enough but he had no idea that she was setting him up again
"You don't need to remember every single rule or regulation. It's more common sense than anything else. Plus you can ask any of us if you are having troubles."
"Is that your way of offer your private tuition services? If you want to be alone with me Rick you can just come out a say it."
"I…I didn't mean it that way…"
"Oh… are you saying that I'm not pretty enough for you?"
"Hang on! Stop twisting my words around!" He turned to Miriya and Dana on his left. "Miriya!"
"Sorry Rick… I have to side with Minmei and this one. We women can be very sensitive creatures."
"What?" he couldn't believe what was happening but he should have known better; he was outnumbered by two to one. "I know Dana is on my side. You're with your uncle Ricky ain't you Dana?"
"Ricky bye bye!" the two year old squeaked and bounced around in her mother's lap. It was actually three against one.
"You women have no mercy; picking on an injured man."
"Oh… You poor thing…Let me make things better for you." Minmei cooed as she lean closer to him and kissed his bandaged forehead. "Do you want Nurse Dana to feed you some more as well?"
The light banter at Rick's expense continued until a knock came at the door and one of real nursing staff entered with a portable comm. device. "Excuse me Lt. Hunter but you have a call from a Commander Hayes. Do you want to take it?"
"Lisa?" 'Why would she contact me?' He reached over and took the device from the nurse. "Sure I'll take it." Miriya noticed the instance the nurse and Rick mention Lisa's name; Minmei's eyes changed sharply but overall her body language remained unchanged.
"Hello. Rick speaking." He held the device in front of him and spoke.
(Hi Rick. How are you?) Her image came across a little distorted and there was a time delay in the speech arriving but overall a conversation could be held.
"I'm fine… Why did you call?" 'Damn that sounded a little direct.'
"Oh… I had to submit an update report to the Admiral. I had some time left so I thought I'll see how you are going and let Max talk to Miriya." At that moment the blue haired ace pilot popped his head in from the side.
(Hey chief! How are you feeling?)
"Hey Max. Miriya and Dana are actually beside me." The mother and daughter combination went over next to Rick to get into the video view."
"DADDY!" Dana yelled with joy when she spotted her father on the display.
(Hi baby! Are you being a good girl for mama?)
"Yes. Ricky bye bye!" her response caused Miriya and Minmei to start laughing.
(You sound like you're having fun sweetie. Who else is there?) The sound of another voice didn't go unnoticed by him.
"Min Min."
(Min Min? Oh you mean Minmei?) The pop star snuck her head into view. Lisa's reaction was as subtle as Minmei's when she heard her name.
(Well I'm glad to see that you are well taken care of, captain.)
"Max… You have no idea how bad I want to be on that mission you are on." His comment earned him a pinch on the cheek.
"What's the matter Lt. Hunter?" She tighten her grip. "Is a former winner of the Miss Macross, the best female Veritech pilot and the very first half Zentraedi human child not good enough for you?"
"AH! Ok. Ok. Minmei!" Dana saw what Minmei was doing and copied her actions. She latched onto Rick's other cheek and began pulling.
"Dana! Miriya please help!" but the Zentraedi mother was busy trying to keep a straight face to help.
"That's right Dana! We have to show him who's the boss!" Minmei's words encouraged the young two year old actions.
(It looks like we contacted you at a busy time.) Lisa tried not to sound annoyed by the sight of Minmei and Rick having fun but it was really starting to push her boundaries. (We'll be in contact again once the mission is completed.)
"Woah! Hang on Lisa!" His words came out rather hastily which cause her disappointed look to fade away. "You guys be careful out there."
(Thanks… We will…) She reached over and switched off her feed.
BREETAI'S BATTLESHIP
"Well, they look like they're having fun." Max commented as he stretched his arms.
"Yeah… they do…" her words carried the disappointed she felt in her heart.
"Listen Lisa… Rick hasn't told me anything about what is happening with the three of you."
"Three of us?"
"I'm including Minmei… As much as you don't like to; you have to admit that she is part of his life whether as a friend or something else."
"If this is your way of cheering me up, then give up."
"I haven't finished. My captain may be really dense but he has a good heart and would do nothing to intentionally hurt you or Minmei. Now you can think about that and have trust in the man that you love." His words caused her the blush deeply. "Or you can worry yourself about something that is not going to happen."
"Thanks Max… Miriya is really lucky to have you."
"No worries captain." He saluted her almost comically trying to cheer her up. "Now let's finish this mission so I get home to my family and you to your man."
SDF1 – MEDICAL FACILITY
"Minmei I really hate to ask this of you. But could you…"
"Of course it's no problem at all. We'll stay here and have fun with Rick." Miriya handed over her daughter the young woman. Just as they got off their communications with Breetai's battleship, a scramble alert boomed over the SDF speakers. This was the queue for all the Veritech pilots to prepare for flight.
"Ok… Dana you be good for Minmei and Rick. Mama has to go to work now."
"Mama fly fly!"
"That's right." She pulled her daughter into a big hug. The two year old didn't fully understand the situation like the others did in the room. There was always a hint of sadness during these occasions because every pilot knew that this could be their last flight. Dana just thought she was being rewarded by her mother and continued to giggle.
"Rick! What are you doing!" Minmei words only stopped him momentarily.
"What does it look like? I'm going to…" he was stopped short by another Minmei ear pull. "Ah! That hurts!"
"And how much do you think it's going to hurt if you get into your Veritech in the shape you are in?"
"Minmei is right." Miriya backed up her new friend's sentiments. "We should be able to handle everything. It's most likely some restless Zentraedi."
"Look…" He managed to pry the vice like grip from his earlobe. "With the main squadron on a mission in space, we are short on the ground and severely lacking in experienced pilots. We need all the hands we can get."
His reasoning was valid and Miriya hated to admit it but she didn't like the idea of only leading her team into a possible hostile situation. It was strange, before she meet Max; she wouldn't have an ounce of fear or hesitance leading a Zentraedi battalion or a covert solo mission. But after coming in contact with the humans, falling in love with Max and having Dana much of the Zentraedi hard edge in her started to wither away. She also knew the pride of pilot and solider. Rick was no different.
"But Rick…" Minmei's eyes carried the same concern that her voice pleaded. Her hands changed to a different sort of hold that she used to pull in into line moment ago. She desperately grasped onto his hospital gown, not wanting him to leave.
"It's alright Minmei… It'll be ok. I promise." He caught her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze for reassurance.
"You promise?" he nodded and then continued his way to the hangers with Miriya.
BREETAI BATTLESHIP
"What on earth are you doing?" Claudia enquired as she watched Roy begin stretching and flexing like he was preparing for a triathlon.
"What does it look like? I'm warm up for the show baby." Her head just fell into her hands as she began muttering obscenities. Lisa was busy adding the finishing touches to the mission from her console. It was hard to properly concentrate the two bickering and just as hard to keep a straight face.
"I'm glad you find this amusing." The long time friend noticed the amusement on her face. "Just remember, you had to go through this with Rick when you guys were caught behind enemy lines."
"What was that!" Fokker stopped clowning around. "You and my baby brother have hooked up before? That little bastard told all of us that nothing happen. That lair!"
"Ah… The events of that mission were and are still confidential. I have no idea what you are talking about." Her answer came out too quickly to be believed and a crimson shade began to develop on her cheeks.
"I don't believe this! And I thought he was still vir…" Claudia delivered a timely blow to Roy's head which stopped him from finishing. "If you don't stop messing around I swear Roy Fokker…" Her fist waved dangerous above his head ready for another wack.
"Alright! I'm serious now. But after all this is done, we're having words." He pointed his finger directly at the first officer.
EARTH – OUTSKITS OF MACROSS CITY
Miriya lead the V formation of Veritechs to their destination. There were reports of Zentraedi battle pods and the monitoring system detected heat signatures from enemy weapon fire in the vicinity. Only recently a new township had grown close by and it was assumed that the Zentraedi rebels were attacking these people.
"All fighters break formation." Miriya ordered. "We are approaching the target area so stay alert and monitor your radars."
(We may have innocent civilians on the ground so watch your fire) Rick's voice followed.
"Lt. Hunter is right. Be careful what you…" Before Miriya could finish, the group were bombarded by a shower of Zentraedi gun fire from the ground. Luckily everyone managed to avoid any serious damage.
(I've got them! They have divided their forces. Looks like this is the welcoming party and the rest are up ahead. I'm sending their coordinates now.)
Miriya received the information from one of the pilots and decided on best plan of attack. "It looks like the bulk of their forces are here. Lt. Hunter and his accompanying wingman and investigate the second group. The rest of us will dispose of the enemy here." Her commands where clear and concise; they reflected her demeanour but as she watch Rick and the other pilot break away from the main group she couldn't shake a terrible feeling.
(Lt. Hunter) Rick's partner for this mission hailed him. (I'm starting to detect some strange energy readings from the area where the second group were located)
"Yeah… I'm getting that as well." The strange readings didn't really concern him but if was enough to consider a change in his plans. "We'll change into guardian mode and go in low. That way they'll be unable to detect us and hopefully we'll get the drop on them."
(Roger that.) The two Veritechs flew down low before changing modes. There wasn't much cover but this helped with manoeuvrability. They arrived at the source of the energy source but then it suddenly disappeared. Rick switched to his other senses in order to find out what was happening. To his surprise he picked up the heat signatures of some civilians.
(It's alright we are from Allied Defence Force. Can you tell me what happen?) He activated his external speakers into order to communicate to them.
"We found this cool machine but then the bad guys showed up and took it away." Little girl spoke up from the arms of an elderly man.
(Do you know what bad guys did then?)
"Nuh. Grandpa and me hide behind his wall when we heard them coming"
(Lt. Hunter look out!) The corporal's voice cut through his cockpit as a volley of bullets flew in his direction. Rick skilfully avoided being hit and still managed to get is plane in front of the little girl and her grand father as cover. They both returned fire.
(Sir! There's more of them than we picked on the scanners. If we stay here they'll surround us.)
"Damn… This isn't good." An explosion went off close to his right side. The blast caused some structural damaged as well as giving his ribs a good knock. He checked the damaged and found that he had lost fifty percent of his vertical thrust. There was no way he would be able to take off in his condition.
"Corporal! I'm going to try and lead them away. When you get a chance rescue the civilian and get the hell out of here!"
(But sir!)
"It's an order! My ship can't take off. Contact the main squadron for backup." Rick switch to full battloid and took off in the opposite direction. The plan seem to be working because the majority of the fire was aimed at him. He weaved and manoeuvred his mecha to the best of his ability but his injuries limited his actions and reactions.
Moving into a half shell of a factory, he rested and brought his time. Breathing became difficult and metallic taste of blood formed in the back of his mouth. 'Must be my ribs. If Lisa or Minmei found out I'll be a dead man.'
Then to his surprise, two full size Zentraedi warriors appear. One of them carried and rectangular shaped object underneath his arm and the other was the look out. The object gave off a strange glow and then his instruments started going off the charts. Rick had no idea what it was but somehow knew it was important. He fired a warning shot aimed at their feet.
(Drop everything and step away!) His external speakers boomed. The two Zentraedi looked at him for a moment and then each other. Eventually they decided to comply with Rick's orders. He slowly moved in with his rifle ready if they decided to try anything. His focus was solely on the two perpetrators and Rick failed to notice the enemy battle pod creeping up from the other side of the wall.
The battle pod waited until Rick had picked up the strange device that the Zentraedi was carrying (What is this! Was this your objective for attacking this township?) When no answer came he threw it aside and pointed his rifle at it.
"Wait! Don't!" One of them spoke. His threat to destroy it looked to have worked. "It's a proto culture machine!"
"You fool! Don't say anything!" His partner viciously backhanded the other in order to stop him from saying anything more.
(A proto culture machine! That means you would be able to…) Before Rick say anymore a blast from behind knocked his mecha face first into the ground. His rifle went skidding away and was picked up by one of the Zentraedi rebels. He managed to turn over but massive feet of the battle pod landed squarely on each of his arms immobilising him
(You two! Hurry up and get the machine back to Khyron!) A female voice came from battle pod.
(Who are you!) Laser turrets turned and pointed direct at Rick.
(There's no point introducing myself to someone who isn't going to live long enough to remember it) Those were her last words as she fired directly into the body of Rick's Veritech.
END OF CHAPTER
AUTHOR'S NOTES
I'm back but I don't know if regular updates will continue. Although, I haven't forgotten about this FIC and do plan to complete it.