AUTHOR'S NOTE: I did not like the Macross Saga episode "Wedding Bells". There were too many holes in the story that it did not made a lot of sense to me and it left me unsatisfied about the episode. Also, the pace and flow of the episode was terrible. Therefore, I wrote this story to try to fill in the numerous holes in the episode. I hope you will like my take on the episode.
TWO OF A KIND
CHAPTER NINETEEN
WEDDING BELL BLUES
"What the blazes?" Max said to himself in disbelief.
"Are you crazy?!"
Max had a shocked look on his face as Miriya came charging at him like a WWII Imperial Japanese Army soldier on a suicidal Banzai charge on Guadalcanal, screaming a Zentraedi war cry and brandishing a knife in her right hand. Miriya lunged at him with the knife but Max whose reflexes were honed to a razor's edge after years of dodging enemy bullets and missiles, easily side-stepped her attack. Miriya became increasingly angry as Max was easily dodging and side-stepping her attacks. Frustrated at the realization that she could not kill him, Miriya threw the knife at him. Max with his lighting quick reflexes jumped out of the way of the thrown knife. The knife became embedded in the trunk of a tree that Max standing nearby. She then took out another knife out of her pants pocket.
"Look! I understand if you're mad at me for beating you at our game yesterday but that's no reason for wanting to kill me!"
"Hmph! Do you really think I want to kill you for that? It is not that Micronian!", Miriya said as she trying to find an opening in which to stab Max.
Max recognized the name the Zentraedi have for humans from the three Zentraedi ex-spies.
"Wait a minute! You're a Zentraedi?"
Miriya then stopped for a moment but she still had the knife in her hand ready to thrust the knife into Max when she was ready, and she can surprise Max. "Yes. I am Miriya Parino Zentraedi warrior."
'Ah, this is great. I have to fall in love with the enemy and on top of that, she wants to kill me for what reason I don't know.'
"Then what is it?"
"I want my revenge!"
"Revenge? For what?"
"Fool! You do not remember me, do you? You defeated me once and I will not be defeated by you again!"
"Come again?"
"In the city. You damaged my battle pod by shooting away one of my leg thrusters and gun arm!"
Max in his mind went back to the day when he had a running gun battle with a battle pod in the streets of Macross city. The battle pod had him cornered against the outside wall of Macross Hospital when it fired at him. He had barely managed to miss being hit but many bullets began hitting the hospital. It was a miracle no one was hurt or killed.
"Oh my god! You are the pilot of the battle pod I had a running gun battle with on the streets of Macross city!
"Yes! The first time you were lucky but this time you won't be so lucky!", Miriya said as she resumed her attack lunging at him with the knife.
Max was not prepared for the attack. He managed to dodge the thrust but tripped over his own feet and fell. Max looked up to see Miriya with an evil smile on her face ready to stab him with an overhead knife attack. Max at the last second saw a rock nearby within his reach. He grabbed the rock and put it against his face. The knife scraped against the rock with the ear grating sound of rock against metal and causing sparks to fly. Max then managed to push Miriya away and got on his feet. He began running to the tree that had the knife embedded in its trunk.
'I got to get to that knife.'
"Run little man run. You may be a great pilot but what is an insignificant little human insect like you compared to a Zentraedi warrior like me?"
Max got to the tree and with all his strength managed to yank the knife out of the tree before Miriya swung at him with the knife missing him by scant millimeters. Miriya then thrusted at Max but he parried the attack. He then whirled his knife around several times causing the knife to fly out of Miriya's hand. The knife then flew in the air and landed several meters away with its point sticking in the ground. Out of breath and filled with adrenaline and rage, Max angrily pointed his knife at his vanquished foe's throat.
"YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF ZENTRAEDI CRAP! I should kill you right where you are standing! Your running firefight with me almost caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people on the streets and in Macross Hospital! One of them was my squadron commander who also happens to be one of my best friends and academy classmate who was recovering from being shot down and almost killed after one of our too many battles with you and your kind!"
Miriya then dropped to her knees. "Then kill me.", Miriya said tightly.
Max had a puzzled look on his face. "Excuse me."
"Kill me. I do not deserve to live. You defeated me twice and it is a shame that I can no longer bear! It makes me unworthy to live. Kill me! DO IT! NOW!"
Max dropped the knife to his side, loosen his grip on it and let it fall to the ground. "No. I will not do it."
Miriya was surprised and confused at what Max did. "Why?"
Max reached out with his arms and gently lifted Miriya to her feet. "Because you're beautiful and I love you."
"Love? What is love?"
"I'll show you." Max said quietly before kissing her.,
As Max was kissing her, Miriya felt something deep in her soul that she could not know or describe because she never has felt it before. A feeling of warmth and desire that was so overpowering it was becoming irresistible. Miriya pulled away from Max.
"I feel something deep inside of me that I have never felt before. I feel something for you…a desire. Is it love?"
"Yes, it is."
"I do not know your name."
"My name is Maximillian Sterling. My friends call me Max and I like to be called Max."
"I do not know anything about you Maximillian."
"Let us start walking and I will tell you everything about myself. But first, we should pick up these knives so that a child won't pick them up and hurt themselves."
"All right Maximillian."
"And its Max."
After picking up the two dropped knives, Max and Miriya began to walk but not before Max looped his left arm and guided Miriya's arm to it. She was puzzled by Max's action.
"What are you doing Max?"
"It's what a gentleman does for someone he likes.'
"Gentleman?"
"It's what a man is called when he treats a woman with kindness and dignity."
For the next hour Max told Miriya everything can about himself. His friends, where he grew up. Trouble was that he spent most of the time trying to explain things to Miriya because like the three Zentraedi ex-spies, Miriya did not know a thing about human culture or history. After a while, Max then stopped and got down on one knee.
"What are you doing, Max?"
"I know this sounds crazy because we have just met…but Miriya…I love you with all my heart and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"
"What is…marry Max?"
"Miriya, do you love me? You already have an idea of what love is."
"Yes, I do Max."
"Then say yes."
Miriya unsure of what to do next, hesitated but in the end decided that saying yes was the best course of action for her because she indeed fallen in love with Max even though she did not have a complete idea of what love is.
"Yes…I will marry you Max."
Max with a smile on his face got back on his feet and began kissing Miriya. After a minute Max broke off the kiss.
"Miriya, tomorrow I would like for you to meet my friends. Would it be all right with you?"
"Yes, it would Max."
"But before then, I want to take you to the jewelry store so I can buy you an engagement ring. Then very soon we will have to decide when to get married, I must find married quarters for us, buy you a wedding dress, reserve the chapel."
Miriya was growing frustrated with Max's verbal to do list. "Max this is all too much for me to take all at once!"
"I'm sorry Miriya. I am a fighter pilot. I tend to multitask too much when I should try to do things one at a time."
"Do not worry Max. We have plenty of time."
Max smiled knowing that Miriya is going to be the strong and logical one.
"Where do you live, Miriya?"
"I will show you Max."
Miriya lead Max a short distance to an abandoned house. Max was shocked.
"Is this where you're staying?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever been attacked?"
"Several times men tried to attack me after I came onboard the ship but being a Zentraedi warrior, I protected myself and after a while, I was never attacked again."
"I don't like the thought of you staying here. Let me put you in a hotel. I'll pay for your stay."
"I am doing well Max. You do not have to worry about my safety."
"Miriya, I know you're a Zentraedi warrior, you can protect yourself and all that but this one time, do things my way. Let me put you in a hotel at least for tonight. I insist and I will not take no for an answer."
"Very well Max. I will do what you say."
Max managed to flag down a taxi that was passing by.
The cabbie rolled down the front passenger window. "Where to buddy?"
"The One Tree Hotel sir."
"All right. Get in."
It had only taken a few minutes for the taxi driver to drive Max and Miriya to the hotel. After checking Miriya in and paying for the hotel room, Max took the room key card from the desk clerk and escorted Miriya to her room. After opening the door and turning on the light, Max looked around the room to see if it is safe for Miriya to come in. After making sure the room is safe, Max lead Miriya in.
"Well, Miriya, it's not exactly five-star Wilton Hotel accommodations but this should do for you for the night."
"It does Max. Thank you for paying for the room."
"Think nothing of it Miriya. Do you have any other clothes than the ones you're wearing?"
"No, I do not."
"Okay. Tomorrow after I get off duty, let me take you to a department store so I can buy you some clothes and a nice dress before I introduce you to my friends."
"That will be fine with me Max."
"Good. I am giving you your room key card just in case you must leave your room. You saw me open the door to your room with the card, so you know how to get into your room, correct?"
"Yes, I did Max."
Max smiled and nodded. He then gently kissed Miriya on the lips.
"I'll see you tomorrow after I get off duty which should be after 5pm. I'll buy you your engagement ring and clothes, then I'll introduce you to my friends."
"That will be fine with me Max."
Max smiled and kissed Miriya. "Okay, I have to go Miriya. See you tomorrow evening."
"I love you Maximillian Sterling."
"I love you too Miriya. I'll see you tomorrow."
THE NEXT DAY
Max walked up to Rick in the briefing room after Roy gave his daily operational briefing.
"Hey Rick."
"Oh, hi Max. Did she show up?"
"Yes, she did."
"Really. And she wasn't mad at you?"
"Uh, let us just say that she was still a little bit ticked off at me, but I will explain it later. What are you doing after we get off duty?"
"Probably nothing but Lieutenant Commander Grant invited me to eat dinner with her and Roy in her quarters in the evening after we get off duty. Why did you ask?"
"Because I like you and Ben to meet her."
"That's fine."
"Great. Let's meet up at the officer's club at 2000 hours. Is that too soon for you?"
"No, it's not."
"Great. See you this evening at the officer's club."
"Okay Max."
Max picked up Miriya in her hotel room at 5:30pm. After checking her out of the hotel, Max invited Miriya to eat at a restaurant. She immediately accepted the invitation. The couple walked to a burger restaurant where Miriya ate the first decent meal she had since first sneaking onboard the ship. After paying for their meals and leaving the restaurant, Max then escorted Miriya to a department store to buy her some clothes and a nice dress for her when Max introduces her to Rick and Ben.
When they walked into the women's department, Max looked around for a woman sales associate. Despite having two sisters in a family of five Max knew nothing about women's clothing or fashion. A woman sales associate sensing that Max was in trouble walked up to the couple asking them if she can be of help. Relieved upon seeing the sales associate, Max explained his dilemma to her. With a smile the sales associate assured Max that she will take good care of Miriya before taking Miriya by the hand and leading her to the women's clothing section. Sensing that he has a long wait, Max found a chair and sat down.
After almost an hour of waiting, Max finally saw Miriya and the sales associate. They were walking towards him with several dresses and clothes draped in the sales associate arm. He then looked at his watch, it read 7:30pm.
'Good, we have plenty of time.', Max said to himself before standing up.
"I take it we're all finished, Miriya.", Max said as he was holding out his arms.
"Yes, we are finished Max.", Miriya said as Max wrapped his arms around her waist and drawing her in to kiss her.
"Would that be cash or charge and who is paying?", the sales associate said with a smile as she was walking to the cash register.
"I am ma'am, and it looks like it has to be a charge card.", Max said as he was looking at the amount of clothes.
SDF-1 OFFICER'S CLUB
2000 HOURS
Max walked into the dimly lit and loud officer's club trying to find Rick and Ben in the semi darkness of the club. The DJ who was blaring loud ear-splitting techno dance music was not helping matters for Max.
'Oh man, I hate dance music! Maybe I should have told them to meet us at the ship's officer's lounge. At least it's lot quieter there.'
"Hey Max! We're over here!", Ben said as he was waving his arm in the dimly lit club.
"I see you Ben.", Max said at where Ben and Rick were sitting.
Max walked to the table where Rick and Ben were sitting. Ben was drinking a bottle of beer while Rick was drinking a glass of cola. A waitress in a short and frilly black dress walked up asking Max what he wants to drink.
"Ah, ginger ale please ma'am.", Max said as he was sitting down.
"So, where's your girlfriend Max?", Rick asked.
"She'll be here soon."
"Uh-huh. Sure.", Ben said mockingly.
"I'm not lying Ben. She's outside because she's nervous about meeting you."
"Yeah, right. Face it, Max, she ditched you."
"Ben, we have known each other since we were kids. Have you ever known me to lie?"
"No, but there were plenty of times when you have stretched the truth."
"You're right Ben but this time I am not stretching the truth."
"Ben, let us take Max at his word. Okay?", Rick said with a smile.
"Okay Rick but I'll believe it when I see her Max."
"Fine Ben."
"So how did the date go Max?", Rick asked.
"Uh, it went okay for the most part."
"You don't sound so sure Max. You sound like you're lying or at least stretching the truth again Max.", Ben said.
"Well…I'll admit that at first we didn't exactly hit it off so well."
"She was still mad at you for beating her at that game the other night, right?"
"Well not exactly Rick. I didn't know it at the time, but we've met once before."
"How Max?"
"Remember that running gun battle I had with a battle pod in Macross city?"
"That same battle where Lieutenant Commander Fokker was almost killed, and you had a fire fight with a battle pod near Macross Hospital where Rick was recovering?"
Max nodded his head.
"Yeah, I remember. So?"
"Well Ben…turns out that she was the pilot of that battle pod."
"Wait a minute Max! Are you telling me that your date is a Zentraedi?"
Max nodded his head. "Yes Ben. She's the enemy."
"Whoa! This is heavy!", Ben said before taking a sip of his beer.
"I don't understand Max. How did she know you're the pilot?", Rick said in a puzzled tone of voice.
"Remember the other night at the video arcade when I shot her last plane?"
"Yeah."
"It was the same maneuver I've used when I shot up and damaged her battle pod."
"Wow! No wonder she was angry at you."
"Yes. So angry as a matter of fact…she tried to kill me."
"WHAT?", Rick and Ben said together.
"She tried to kill me with a knife. I managed to get out of the way of her first knife attack, but she had another knife. Took me several minutes of dodging and ducking before I finally managed to disarm her."
"Whoa! That's some first date.", Ben said.
"That's not all…I asked her to marry me, and she said yes."
Ben took a sip of his beer and spewed it out in a big spray when he heard the news. He then began coughing. Max and Ben began slapping Ben on the back.
"You're okay Ben?", Rick asked in a concerned tone of voice.
Ben kept coughing but managed to nod his head. His coughing finally subsided enough for him to talk. "Thanks guys, I'm okay. Max, where do you go off asking a girl to marry you after only one date and she is the enemy to boot? I mean, what the Hell is the matter with you? Have you lost your damn mind?"
"No, I haven't Ben."
"Then what has gotten into you to do something crazy like that? It is not like you to do something rash like that. She tried to kill you for god sakes!"
"I know Ben I know! It is hard to explain Ben…but there is something about her that drew me to her. I know we have nothing in common other than both of us are pilots and we are enemies and all that but…through the love we have for each other maybe we can show the Zentraedi that there is more to their existence than just war and fighting and in some way, we can do something about this war. I know it's risky and it may not work but I have to at least try."
"Max, now you're saying something that totally does not make any sense at all. Admit it, you do not know what you are doing. These people have no conception of love. I've seen it for myself."
"I know that Ben, but she does."
"And how do you know that?"
"She told me. Well, she did not exactly tell me that she loves me. She told me that she had a feeling for me that she couldn't explain when we first kissed and asked me if it was love and I said yes."
Suddenly Miriya's voice broke Ben and Max's increasingly heated argument.
"I assume these are your friends Max?"
Max, Rick, and Ben turned their heads to the direction of the voice. Standing near their table was Miriya her arms slightly out to the side in a fashion model like pose and dressed in a beautiful short sleeved white dress with a frilly blue hemline and trim that went barely above her knees with matching white dress shoes. They all stood up when Miriya started walking towards Max. Rick was taken away with Miriya's beauty while Ben showed no emotion at all.
"Wow! She's beautiful Max! She's quite the catch.", Rick whispered in Max's ear.
"I know Rick. Miriya."
Max with a smile on his lips held out his hands. Miriya grabbed Max's hands who then wrapped his arms around Miriya's slender waist and kissed her. After a long kiss, they broke their kiss and embrace.
"Yes, they are Miriya. Rick, Ben, this is my fiancé Miriya Parino. Miriya, this is my friend and academy classmate Rick Hunter. He's also my former commander in Vermillion Squadron and roommate at the academy."
"Pleased to meet you Miriya.", Rick said as he extended his right hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Rick.", Miriya said as she took Rick's hand and shook it for a few seconds.
"And this is Ben Dixon, a childhood friend of mine. We have been friends ever since we were kids growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. We also went to the academy together."
"Hello.", Ben said tightly. He refused to extend his right hand.
"Pleased to meet you Ben.", Miriya said kindly.
"C'mon Ben be nice.", Max whispered.
Ben reluctantly extended his right hand. Miriya took Ben's hand and shook it.
"So, have the two of you set a date yet?", Rick as the four of them sat down.
"No, we haven't Rick. I haven't even brought her an engagement ring." Max said as he had his arm draped across the back of Miriya's shoulders. "Which reminds me. Miriya, tomorrow evening I after get off duty, I'm taking you to the Macross Galleria to the jewelry store to buy you an engagement ring."
"Very good Max."
"Have you told your parents yet Max?"
"How can I Rick? You know the RDF has jammed our communication signals to Earth."
"Not the MARS radio system. They cannot jam that signal because MARS is an official military communication system. They have to keep MARS open so we can communicate with the RDF and other military units."
"How do you know that Rick?", Ben said finally speaking up.
"I know the OIC of the MARS radio room. I used it several times to call my aunt and uncle in Windham, New York to keep them informed about Roy and with me and Lisa."
"Can you do that?"
"Officially no but he and the radio operators don't mind me and other military people using it. They look the other way as long as we don't abuse it."
"How it's done, Rick?"
"I'm not exactly sure how it works Max. All I can tell you is that the radio operators are able to connect with telephone operators on Earth and from there the telephone operators are able to connect you with whoever you want to call."
"Oh, I see."
"Where are you staying Miriya?" Rick asked.
"I was staying a hotel that Max paid for, but I do not know where I will be staying now."
"Max, why don't you see if you can put her up in one of the vacant BOQ rooms near where those three ex-spies are being quartered."
"Rick, that's against regulations! She is not a political refugee! She's an enemy combatant who wants to marry Max!"
"Ben, there isn't any specific regulation regarding who can be quartered in the BOQ."
"She's an enemy combatant Rick!"
"Ben, you were never against the three ex-spies or the other Zentraedi staying with us!"
"That's because those two situations are different Rick! The spies and other Zentraedi asked for political asylum! She is an enemy combatant who has not said she has given up her warlike ways! The only reason why she's here is she wanted to kill Max!"
"Ben simmer down okay. You are getting too loud that I cannot even hear the loud music. Not that I even care about it.", Max said.
"Sorry Max. Sorry Rick."
"It's okay Ben.", Rick said.
"Well, we haven't set a date yet, but I know who I want to be my best man. Ben, would you be my best man? Sorry Rick, but Ben and I have known each other since we were kids."
"Don't worry about it, Max. I understand."
"No, I won't Max.", Ben said quietly and tightly.
"What?"
"I won't be your best man. Get Rick to be your best man."
Max had a shocked look of surprise on his face. "Why Ben?"
"I have my reasons.", Ben said tersely before getting up and shallowing the last of his beer. He then reached into his pocket to get his wallet out so he can pay his bar tab.
"See you tomorrow Rick."
"Uh, yeah. See you tomorrow morning at the briefing Ben."
"See you later Max."
Ben then walked out of the club.
"Can you excuse me for a moment Miriya?", Max said before kissing her.
"Of course, Max."
Max then ran out of the club to chase after Ben.
"Would you like a drink Miriya?", Rick asked.
"Yes, that would be nice. Thank you, Rick."
"Ben! Ben! Wait up! I want to talk to you! Ben!"
Ben turned around to see Max running to catch up to him. Instead of ignoring Max and keep walking, Ben stopped and waited.
"What do you want Max?"
"Ben, what's the matter with you? You are never like this. You have always treated people the same and that is fairly, equally and with kindness no matter who they are. The way you'd acted towards Miriya in the club…this is not like you."
"Max, you're marrying someone who is an enemy of ours! I looked over to see how she would react when I was saying critical things about her race to see how she would react, and she was emotionless. I mean she was stone cold emotionless. Just like those Zentraedi who held us prisoners on that ship."
"Ben, give her time. She has never experienced emotions because they have not been bred to have emotions like us. They were bred to fight and that is all they know. I never heard you say anything negative about the Zentraedi who defected, especially the three ex-spies."
"I'm personally against them wanting to live among us but I understand why they wanted to live with us and why they defected. So, I am not saying anything even though I do not like it because many of them killed our friends, wing mates and squadron mates. And who knows when they will get tired of living among us and go back to their warlike ways and kill us when we least expect it, or God forbid your soon-to-be wife does the same?"
'So that's it.' "Ben, I have also lost friends and squadron mates in this war but why treat Miriya any differently just because we are at war with her race? As for the other Zentraedi if they go back to their warlike ways…well if it happens, it happens. We cannot worry about or anticipate the unknown or the what ifs. If it happens, then we will deal with it in the same way we always have. And if Miriya does the same…well that is my own stupid fault for falling in love with her. If she does go back to the Zentraedi and attack us, I'll blow her away into the vacuum of space like I would any other of the enemy and I won't hesitate to do it and I wouldn't give it a second thought."
"May I remind you that the only reason why your soon-to-be wife is here on this ship is because she wanted to kill you and she almost did."
"I know that Ben but it's a risk I'm willing to take. She already has an idea of what love is. Very soon she might have an idea of regret or shame is. C'mon Ben, we have been friends ever since we were little. Please, do not let this end our friendship. I need you. These next few days and weeks are going to be crazy for me and without you being my best man, it will be even crazier. C'mon Ben, don't do for Miriya, do it for me."
Ben could do nothing but let out a big sigh. Max can be very persuasive when he needs to be. "Okay Max. I'll be your best man, but only because you have asked, and we have been friends since we were kids."
"Thanks Ben.", Max said with a smile. He then extended his arms. "C'mon Ben, show me some love."
Ben also opened his arms and the two friends who have known each other since childhood embraced in a brotherly hug.
"Come back in the club and get to know Miriya better."
"No offense Max but I'm taking a raincheck on that. Maybe some other time."
Max was taken back by Ben's refusal, but he did not press the issue by asking him why.
"Sure Ben. How about the three of us get together in the next few days at a restaurant you like so you can get to know Miriya better. I'll pay your check."
"We'll see Max."
Max had a surprised look on his face because Ben usually does not turn down a free meal. "C'mon Ben, don't make this hard for me."
Ben was silent for a short moment before sighing a sigh of resignation. "Alright Max, you win. I will meet the two of you. You name the place and time and I'll be there."
"Thanks Ben. See you tomorrow at the CAG's briefing."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow Max."
GOLDSTEIN AND SALES JEWELERS
MACROSS GALLERIA MALL
THE NEXT DAY
After some finagling and maneuvering by Captain Gloval, Max managed to put Miriya in a vacant female BOQ room. Max showed up at her BOQ room with women's undergarments, personal grooming, feminine hygiene products and toiletries he brought at the base exchange. After showing Miriya how to use the toiletries, he told Miriya to take her key card to her quarters because he was going to take her shopping for an engagement ring. They walked out of her quarters and Miriya shook the door to make sure the door was locked. They walked out of the base and Max flagged down a taxi.
"Where to friend?"
"Macross Galleria sir."
"Hop in."
It had only taken several minutes for the cabbie to arrive at the galleria. At the entrance to the mall, Max paid for the fare and they got out of the cab. They then entered the mall where the first place to stopped was at a map kiosk where they can find where the jewelry store is at. After finding the store, they walked into the store and immediately went up to the engagement ring counter where a salesclerk who was behind the counter immediately came up to them.
"Yes. Can I help you?"
"Yes ma'am. I am looking for an engagement ring for my fiancé. Can you recommend a ring that is a nice fit for her?
The clerk looked at Miriya for a moment sizing her up and the situation and then nodded. She then unlocked a heavy metal plate slide, reached in, and grabbed a display case of several rings. She picked out a medium set, 14 carat diamond ring and showed it to Max and Miriya. She then began a sales pitch as she was sliding the ring on Miriya's left ring finger. She then asked Miriya if the ring fitted nicely and Miriya said yes. She then let go of Miriya's hand so she can allow Miriya to take a good look at the ring to see if she likes the ring. Miriya was immediately taken away by the beauty and sparkle of the diamond and the ring.
"I love the ring Max. I want this ring."
"It does look beautiful on you Miriya."
He then looked at the price of the ring and was shocked by the price. "It's a little too expensive for me but if you love the ring, then we'll buy it."
Max then took the ring off Miriya's finger and went down on one knee. Miriya was shocked at what Max was doing.
"Max, you have already proposed to me once."
"I know Miriya but this time it's for real since I have the ring. Miriya Parino, will you marry me?"
"Yes Max. I will marry you.", Miriya said with a smile on her face.
Sensing an opportunity to get free publicity and advertising for his store, the jewelry store owner grabbed a digital camera and started taking pictures a few feet away from the pair. He managed to snap a picture before Max stood back up and began kissing Miriya. The owner then snapped several more pictures before closing in real close and asking them to come cheek-to-cheek as Miriya was holding up her ring. After finishing taking the picture, the owner thanked them for allowing him to take pictures and then told the clerk to give them a twenty-five percent discount for allowing him to take the pictures. A relieved Max said "thank you" to the owner for the discount before talking with the salesclerk about a payment plan to pay for the ring. After working out a payment plan, the clerk ringed up the sale and gave a ring box to Max even though she knew he would not need it. Max and Miriya then walked out the jewelry store and walked towards the galleria's exit.
MIRIYA'S BOQ
Max and Miriya was sitting on a couch relaxing. Max had his arm around Miriya's shoulders as she was admiring her ring. It was something she has never seen before and she was mesmerized by its beauty.
"So, when do you want to get married Miriya?"
"I like to get married right away Max."
"Do you want a church wedding?"
"I don't know Max. Is a church where people usually get married?"
"Yes."
"Then yes, I would like to have a church wedding."
"Okay but there is a lot involved in a wedding."
"Like what Max?"
"Who's going to be your maid of honor and your brides' maids. I must figure out who is going to be my grooms' men. We must find you a wedding dress, dresses for your maid of honor and maids, tuxes for Ben and my grooms' men. We need wedding announcements, flowers, a photographer, the reception. I have to find a reception hall, reserve the chapel, find a caterer."
Max then became overwhelmed when he realized what all goes into a wedding. "Oh man! This all too much to handle by myself! We need to find a wedding planner."
"A wedding planner?"
"It's a person who plans everything there is to a wedding."
"Then by all means, Max. Call one."
Max got up from the couch to look for a phone book. After finding a telephone book, Max looked to find a wedding planner but could not find one. After not finding one in the phone book, Max was about to try to find one on the Internet but then remembered that Miriya does not have a computer.
'I could use my smartphone to look for a wedding planner, but I hate using it because the font's too small to read even with my glasses.' "Miriya, I couldn't find a wedding planner in the phone book so I'm going to have to look for one on the Internet. I'm off flight rotation tomorrow so I'm going to look for a wedding planner tomorrow."
"That will be fine Max."
Max sat back down on the couch next to Miriya.
"I still have some time left before I have to leave. What do you like to do until I have to leave?"
"Just sit next to me Max."
Max sat down on the couch and looped his arm around Miriya's shoulders and lead her into his chest. For the next hour, Max and Miriya did not said a word, they just cuddled and kissed occasionally. Max then broke the silence with a question.
"So, when do you like to get married?", Max asked.
"How about after you have everything planned out with the wedding?"
"That will be fine Miriya."
After an hour went by, Max looked at his watch.
"Miriya, I have to leave."
"I understand Max, but I wish you did not have to leave."
"I wish I didn't have to leave either Miriya, but I have to."
Max gently cupped his hands around Miriya's face and kissed her lips. They kissed slowly and with love and passion for long moments before Max broke the kiss off.
"I really have to leave Miriya."
"I understand Max."
"You have the phone numbers to my smartphone and BOQ. You know how to use the telephone?"
"Yes, I do Max."
"Good. I'll see you sometime tomorrow Miriya."
"Good night Max."
"Good night Miriya." Max said before giving Miriya one last good night kiss.
SDF-1
MARS RADIO ROOM
THE NEXT DAY
Earlier in the day, Max went on the Internet to search for a wedding planner. After finding one he liked, he called the wedding planner on the telephone he has in his quarters. After talking the planner for what seemed to be a good hour or more and after a lot of questions and back-and-forth, he finally breathed a little easier when the planner, Diane Lane agreed to be the wedding planner. He looked at his watch and decided he had time to go to the MARS radio room to call his parents before going to the officer's mess for lunch. He walked in the radio room and told the enlisted radio operator he wanted to make a ship-to-Earth radio call. After getting a briefing from the radio operator about radio procedure and getting information from Max, the operator called the Kenosha telephone operator. The telephone operator made the connection and several seconds later, the radio operator heard the familiar tone of a telephone ring. Then he heard the voice of a middle-aged lady.
"Hello."
"Hello ma'am. Is this the residence of Tim and Janice Sterling in Kenosha, Wisconsin? Over."
"Yes, it is."
"Ma'am, I'm Airman First Class David Samuels. I am the MARS radio operator on board the SDF-1. Do you read me? Over"
"Yes, I do."
"Ma'am, before we go on any further, I need to inform you that because you're on a military radio system, every time you finish speaking you need to say "over". That way you can let me know you are finished speaking so I can start to speak. Do you copy me? Over."
"Yes, I do. Uh…over."
"Ma'am, I have an incoming MARS radio call for you from Capt. Max Sterling. Will you accept the call? Over."
"Yes! Yes! I will accept the call! Over!"
"Ma'am, hold on for a moment while I hand the headset over to him. Over."
The radio operator handed over the microphone headset to Max and left the room. Max put on the headset on his head.
"H…Hello…mom? Is it you? Over."
"Max! Is it you?"
"Yes…it is me, mom. Over."
Max then hears his mother start to cry.
"Hold on Max I need to get your father!"
"Okay mom, I'll hold. Over."
"Tim! Pick up the phone in the living room! It's Max!"
Max could hear his father's voice asking if it was Max and his mother saying "yes". He then heard a telephone coming out of its cradle.
"Max! Is it you?"
"Yes! It is me, dad! Over."
Max then hears his father crying which is something he does not do.
"You'll have to excuse your father Max but when the ship first disappeared, the military put a news blackout on the ship, and we thought the worst has happened to you. We did not know whether you are alive or dead. Then when you called us when you arrived back on Earth to tell us you are back on Earth and you are alive and safe, we thought everything was fine and the danger has passed. Now you were ordered back into space and the military has jammed all communication with you and the ship. We didn't know what to think."
"Max! It's so good to hear you son!"
"It's good to hear you too, dad. Over."
"How are you able to get ahold of us, Max? The military has blocked all calls and communication to you and the ship." Max's mother asked.
"Mom, dad, you need to say "over" whenever you finish saying a sentence so I can know you're finished speaking. I know it sounds crazy because you are on a telephone, but I am on a military radio system and we need to use proper military radio procedure, okay. Over."
"We understand Max. Over." Max's father said.
"I'm using the ship's MARS radio, mom. The RDF cannot jam MARS because it is an official communications system, and we need to communicate with the RDF and other military units. Over."
"Isn't that illegal? You are not supposed to use military communications for personal use. Over."
"Officially, we are not supposed to dad, but the officer-in-charge of the radio room and the operators usually look the other way because they know how important it is to us on the ship and it is the only way, we can keep in touch with you since the other satellite communication systems are jammed. Over."
"Do you know why the RDF is jamming our communication with you? Over."
"No, I don't, mom. Over."
"What did I tell you Janice?! It is those damned politicians in the UN and the UEDC! They are the ones behind this! They are at it again! They are all the same! They are the scum of the Earth is what they are! I knew we could not trust them! You can't trust those damned people to save your life!"
"Tim, calm down! Do not let your blood pressure go up. Let us not argue politics with Max on the phone. Alright?"
"Okay, Janice. How are you doing, son? Over."
"I'm doing well, dad. I have been promoted to captain and in command of my own squadron. Over."
"Oh good. Congratulations on the promotion and new command, son."
"Thanks mom. How is Susie and Sharon doing? Over."
"Susan is doing well. She is about to finish her residency at Milwaukee General and very soon she will go into general practice and do that for a while. She still has not decided on whether she will stay in general practice or go into a specialty field. Sharon is also doing well for the most part. She is in her third year of law school at the university's law school in Madison. She said she is not going to take the bar exam immediately after graduating from law school. She said she wants to take another year off to go backpacking in Europe again to "find herself again." Just between you and me Max, I think she's only saying that because she wants to find a rich European man and marry him."
"Tim Sterling! You know that is not true! Stop saying those things about your daughter!"
"Well, she's your daughter too Janice. As a matter of fact, she's a lot like you."
Max knew it was useless trying to get his mom and dad to say "over" whenever they finish speaking. So, he decided to drop it and not remind them any further.
"Mom, dad…I have something to tell you. Over."
"What is it, Max?"
"Mom, I have a girlfriend. Over."
"Well, it's about time, Max." Max's father teased.
"Tim! Behave! Good for you Max. What's her name?"
"Her name is Miriya Parino, mom. Over."
"Miriya Parino. That is an unusual name. How long have you and her been dating?"
"For a couple of days, dad. Over."
"That's not really a long time to get to know someone before having her be your girlfriend."
"I know, dad. Over."
"So, where did you meet her?"
"I met her a video arcade off base, dad. She and I played a video game and I beat her. I then asked her for a date. Over."
Max's father chuckled at what Max said. "That's some way to ask a girl out on a date, Max. I hope she wasn't angry at you for beating her."
"Well, she was angry dad. I must admit it was an unusual way to meet a girl, but it worked. Um, mom, dad. I have something else to tell you. Over."
"What is it, Max?", His mother asked.
"I asked Miriya to marry me."
Before Max could say "over" his mother yelled; "WHAT? MAX STERLING HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?"
Max immediately had to yank the headset off his head. He had to wait several seconds for his ears to stop ringing. When he put the headset back on his head, his mother was still yelling.
'I should have asked the airman where's the volume control on this thing.'
"DO YOU HEAR ME MAX STERLING?"
"Yes, I hear you mom. Over."
"WHAT'S THE IDEA OF YOU GETTING MARRIED TO A GIRL THAT YOU HARDLY EVEN KNOW? YOU'RE MAKING A MISTAKE IN ASKING HER TO MARRY YOU!"
"Janice, stop yelling! You are making me deaf. Look, I must agree with your mother on this Max. I think you're making a mistake in asking a girl to marry you when you hardly even met the girl for not even a week."
"I know we barely know each other dad but Miriya and I have a connection with each other"
But before Max could speak another word, his mother started yelling again.
"CONNECTION? WHAT KIND OF STUPIDITY ARE YOU SAYING? THAT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL! HAVE YOU GONE INSANE MAX? YOU'RE THROWING YOUR LIFE AWAY!"
"Janice, what did I tell you? Stop yelling. Calm down. When are the two of you getting married, Max?"
"Miriya wants to get married right away but more likely it will be after I get everything worked out with the wedding planner with the wedding, the chapel, reception hall and everything else. I would say in about three weeks."
"THREE WEEKS! THAT'S TOO SOON! NOW I KNOW YOU HAVE REALLY LOST YOUR MIND!"
"Janice, you need to calm down! There is no use in yelling at him. It's obvious that he has made up his mind."
"TIM WHY ARE YOU TAKING HIS SIDE ON THIS?!"
"I'm not taking Max's side on this Janice and you need to stop yelling! You need to let him go. He is a grown man and in the military. He is living his own life now and has his own responsibilities. If he makes a mistake in marrying the girl and gets a divorce, he will learn from it and move on. We can't look out for him anymore."
Max's mother took in a deep breath and blew it out in a resigned huff. "I guess you're right Tim."
"So, how are you going to pay for the wedding, Max?"
Max's eyes went wide with surprise. "Oh no dad! I have been so busy with buying an engagement ring and everything else that I've totally forgotten about how I am going to pay for all this."
"Doesn't your fiancé have parents that can pay for the wedding because usually the bride's parents pay for the wedding."
Max wondered about telling his parents about Miriya being an enemy alien but decided not to. It was shocking enough to tell his parents about Miriya being his girlfriend and fiancé, not to mention the fact that he did not tell them that she wanted to kill him.
'I'll tell them later.' "No, she doesn't have any parents, dad. She does not even have any relatives on the ship or in the city. Over."
"Ah, that's a shame. Hey, I have an idea. How about we wire the money from the savings account we have for you so you can pay for the wedding?"
"Wait a minute, dad. What savings account? I do not even remember having a savings account in our bank. All I had was a checking account from all the jobs I worked in high school. Over."
"Not in your name, Max. It is a separate savings account we have in our name that we opened for your college education right after you were born. Your sisters have the same kind of account."
"Now wait just a second, Tim. That money is supposed to be Max's college education money."
"I know that Janice. But he got a free education at the RDF Academy which means that money is still in the bank doing nothing but collecting interest. With all the money both of us put into it these past almost twenty-something years and the interest accrued, I know we have at least several thousand dollars in that account. I won't be surprised if it's fifty to a hundred thousand dollars."
"I don't know, Tim."
"Janice, it's not doing anything but collecting interest and Max needs every penny he can get. Besides, very soon the bank will start taking interest out and I do not want them to get that. Remember how expensive our wedding was?"
"I guess you're right Tim. Yes, go on ahead and withdraw the money and send it to Max."
"Will you be willing to do that dad? Over."
"Sure, I'll be willing to do that. Do you have a checking or savings account in a bank on the ship?"
"Yes, I do dad. Over."
"Good. Go ahead and give me the information."
"Okay, hold on for a minute dad while I get my bank card out of my wallet. Over."
Max reached into his pocket to get his wallet. After he grabbed his wallet, he opened it and searched for his bank card. When he found it, he read his savings account number to his father.
"Okay Max, I got it. I'll go to the bank first thing tomorrow morning after it opens and transfer the money to you."
"Thanks dad. I really appreciate it. Every dollar helps. Over."
"Think nothing of it, son."
Max wanted to keep talking to them, but he knew that eventually he had to end the call because someone else might want to use it or an incoming emergency call might come in from the RDF. Besides, it was getting close to lunchtime.
"Mom, dad…I have to go. It is getting close to lunchtime. Over."
"Okay Max, we'll let you go. It's been nice talking to you."
"It's been nice talking to you too, mom. I will call you again in a couple of days. Over."
"That sounds good, Max. Next time you call us, bring your fiancé with you. We would like to talk with her."
"I will, dad. Over."
Clearly reluctant of ending the call, Max tried to hold back the tears.
'Screw military radio protocol.' "I love you mom and dad."
"We love you too Max. Call us when you can."
"I will mom. Good-bye mom. Good-bye dad. Over."
"Good-bye Max. Talk to you again real soon." Max's mom said haltingly in between the sniffing of tears.
Max then heard the dial tone telling him she has hung up. Max then wiped away his tears and walked out of the radio room.
THE GOLDEN STEER STEAKHOUSE RESTAURANT
MACROSS CITY
TWO DAYS LATER
1600 HOURS
After ducking Max for several days, Ben finally agreed to meet Max and Miriya at his favorite steak place. Max and Miriya arrived at the restaurant early and were escorted to a table by the maître 'd. They sat down and the maître 'd gave them each a menu and left. Several minutes later a waiter came to their table.
"Good evening sir, ma'am. My name is Penny, and I will be your waitress. Would you like to order now?"
"Not yet. We're waiting for someone.", Max said.
"That's fine. Would you like a drink?"
"I'll have a ginger ale please." Max said.
"I'll have water."
"Very good. I'll be back with your drinks.", The waitress said with a smile and left.
Just as soon as the waitress left, Ben walked into the restaurant and saw Max and Miriya. The maître 'd escorted Ben to their table and handed Ben a menu and left.
"There he is, right on time like he usually does. Hi Ben.", Max said with a smile.
"Hello Benjamin."
"My name's Ben.", Ben replied coldly not looking at Miriya.
"Hi Max.", Ben said with a half-hearted smile to Max, but he stared at Miriya with coldness. "Hello.", Ben said coldly as he was sitting down.
Just as Ben sat down, the waitress came with Max's and Miriya's drinks. "Hello sir. Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes ma'am. Beer from the tap please."
"I'll be back with your drink. Would you like to order together?"
"Yes, and I will be paying for the three of us.", Max said.
"All righty then. I'll be back with your beer and I will give all three of you a few minutes to look at the menu to decide what you want."
"Thank you, ma'am.", Ben said.
The waitress came back with Ben's beer and left. Everyone sat in awkward silence while looking at their menu. Having never eaten beef before Miriya could not decide what she wanted to eat. She looked over at Max. "What would be a good meal for me to eat, Max?"
"I think steak kebobs would be a good meal for you. Good mix of meat and vegetables plus the rice pilaf should make a good filling meal for you without making you too full. What do you say, Ben?"
"Why are you asking me, Max? It doesn't make any difference to me.", Ben said coldly.
"O-kay." ,Max said more to himself. "I'm just trying to make conversation, Ben."
The waitress came by their table several minutes later to take their orders. Miriya went ahead and ordered the steak kebob meal with rice pilaf. Max ordered an 8-ounce New York strip steak medium rare, with French fries and mixed vegetables. Ben ordered a 14-ounce Porterhouse steak medium rare, with a bake potato, dinner roll, and a salad. The waitress took their menus with a smile, said that their meals should be ready in less than thirty minutes, smiled and left. After several more minutes of awkward silence, Miriya spoke up.
"Benjamin."
"I've told you before, it's Ben.", Ben said coldly.
"Very well…Ben.", Miriya said with a nod of her head. "Ben, listen to me. Max has told me why you have acted so harshly towards me when we first met. At first, I cared less of what you thought of me. But now…I am beginning to understand why you have acted so hostile towards me. I do not blame you for your hostility because I would react the same if I were in your position. I understand that you have lost many friends and comrades in our many battles with you, and I am now beginning to regret that I may have killed some of them. I have been in many battles and wars long before we Zentraedi have even met your race. I have lost many comrades and friends also, but I never grieved for them because that is not who we are and how we behave. I have seen death so many times that I do not even think about it. We are not…how do you say it…bred to have emotions.
But we believe that when a Zentraedi warrior dies in battle, we will receive a great reward in the afterlife for what we have done and that we will live eternally in a land where there is no war. I understand you are concerned about Max marrying me because you have known Max ever since the two of you were children and you have every right to be concerned about me because you do not know me, and he is your best friend. But you should not be concerned for Max because we Zentraedi are loyal to the people we fight alongside with and I promise you that I will not do anything to harm Max. Max is teaching me how to have emotions and how to show them. I would like for you to be my teacher also. But most of all, I want you to be my friend and I want to be your friend. But even if you are not willing to be my friend, I will always be your friend."
Ben's hardness began to melt at what Miriya said.
"Miriya, I'm glad you've told me what you have said, and I believe it came from your heart. To tell you the truth, I really do not know if I believe you fully when you have said that you will never hurt Max because I do not know you well enough to know for sure. But…if you have said that you will never hurt or harm Max in anyway…I will take your word for it. Look, I am glad you are willing to be my friend but…I don't know if I can ever trust you or your kind fully enough to be willing to be your friend…but…if you are willing to be my friend…I'll be willing to be your friend.", Ben said with a genuine smile as he extended his right hand.
Miriya smiled as she took Ben's hand and shook it.
Max also smiled as he saw Ben and Miriya shake hands. "Now, that's the Ben Dixon I know.", Max said with affection for his childhood friend in his voice.
After several minutes of Ben and Miriya exchanging small talk with Miriya asking Ben questions about his childhood friendship with Max, the waitress arrived at their table with their meals and asked them if they wanted refills of their drinks. All of them said yes and the waitress left. Several minutes later, the waitress came back with their drinks. After the waitress left, Ben lifted his glass of beer.
"To friends.", Ben said.
Max smiled as he lifted his glass of ginger ale. Miriya followed lifting her glass of water.
"To friends.", Max said quietly.
"To friends.", Miriya said as the three of them clinked their glasses.
ONE MONTH LATER
After much stress, worry, and planning the day of Max's and Miriya's wedding finally arrived. Max managed to find a wedding dress for Miriya from a pilot in another squadron whose wife was the exact same height and figure as Miriya. Max found a tailor in Macross city who also rented tuxedos tailor-formed to fit. The wedding planner helped in finding brides maids, maid of honor, and flower girl dresses for Miriya's wedding party, helped Max in reserving the ship's main chapel for the wedding ceremony and the main ballroom at the officer's club for the reception. She also helped with the flowers, wedding announcements, and food for the reception.
The night before the wedding after the wedding rehearsal, Ben, Rick, Roy, and the rest of the fighter squadron commanders threw a bachelor's party at the officer's club for Max complete with a stripper. Claudia frowned when she heard what the pilots were going to do. Roy gave his best "it wasn't me who suggested it" shrug and look, which was true because it was Ben who hired the stripper and suggested the party. Max tried to show disdain for Ben's hiring of the stripper, but he did admit that he enjoyed the party. However, he was glad that Miriya did not have an idea of what a bachelor party is. While Rick enjoyed the party also, he was glad Lisa was not around to find out he attended a bachelor party complete with a stripper.
'She'll wring my neck for sure if she ever finds out I went to a bachelor party and that Ben hired a stripper.'
In a side room of the chapel, Ben knocked on a closed door.
"Come in. The door is open and I'm decent."
"Hey Max, ole buddy. It is almost time. Ready to get hitched?"
"I'm ready as I'll ever be, Ben."
Ben then slapped Max on the shoulder. Max closed the door and walked behind Ben into the sanctuary through a side door. Max closed the side door and stood next to Ben waiting for the ceremony to begin. The chaplain walked in and stood behind Ben and Max at the pulpit. The chaplain nodded to the organist as a signal to begin playing. Slowly, the wedding party began walking up the aisle towards the altar. First it was Rick and Vanessa. Next it was a pilot from Ghost Squadron and Kim, then it was a pilot from Wolf Squadron and Sammie. Roy escorted Claudia who was the maid of honor. The ring bearer was a young boy who is the son of a pilot from Eagle Squadron, followed by the flower girl. She was the daughter of a pilot in Orion Squadron who was dropping rose petals along the aisle. Then the organist began playing the "Bridal Chorus" from Wagner's "Lohengrin". Everyone in the chapel stood as Miriya began walking down the aisle with her hand looped around Captain Gloval's arm. Max could not help but smile broadly when he saw Miriya walking up the aisle. Miriya and Captain Gloval stopped when they arrived at the altar and Max was there to meet her. The organist stopped playing and the chaplain began the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony when the chaplain said, "I now pronounce the of you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Max lifted the veil that was covering Miriya's face and kissed her. The organist began playing Mendelssohn's "Wedding March". Everyone in the chapel cheered and when Max and Miriya began walking down the aisle towards the outside of the chapel. The wedding party themselves began walking out of the sanctuary.
As Roy was escorting Claudia, he whispered to her; "Are you mad at me for attending the bachelor party?"
To which Claudia answered, "Oh no, I am not, Roy. As a matter of fact, when we get married, I'll suggest to Lisa that she hires a male stripper for my bachelorette party.", she said as she looked at Roy with a mischievous smile on her face. Roy did not saw the humor in Claudia's asinine comment.
As Max and Miriya walked outside of the chapel, a phalanx of eight veritechs in battloid mode stood on either side of the newly wedded couple with their guns crossed like they were holding swords. Then fireworks began going up and exploding. A laser show began adding to the festive atmosphere.
At the reception, after Ben made some crude and crass jokes about Max marrying an alien woman and what their children would look like if Miriya would ever become pregnant, like would their children be born with antennas sticking out from behind their heads and the first words they speak will be "Nanu. Nanu.", Ben introduced Captain Gloval and asked him if he would come to the dais and make some comments. Captain Gloval got up from where he was sitting and walked to the dais. Just as soon as he got behind the dais, he stopped, cleared his throat, and began to speak.
"Well, to begin with, I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Max and Miriya. Their wedding carries with it great historical significance. As all of you may know by now, Miriya was a Zentraedi warrior who destroyed many of our ships and killed many of our people. She comes for a culture that we have grown to fear, hate, and despise."
'Oh no Captain Gloval, what are you doing?', Rick said to himself. Miriya just stared down at her plate with a look of shame on her face. Max's face turned white while everyone in the ballroom just stared at Gloval with stunned silence. Ben's jaw dropped not believing what he has just heard. Gloval just pressed on.
"It is the Zentraedi who has caused our present situation. It is they alone who are preventing us from returning to Earth. It is they who have caused injury, death, destruction and endless suffering to us!", Gloval said as he balled up his fist and slammed hard down on the dais.
"Captain please!", Max yelled getting out of his seat as Rick and Ben stood up at the same time and yelled "Captain!" However, Gloval was not deterred.
"Now, all of you may be asking yourselves: 'Why is he choosing this time to remind us of all these terrible things that are happening to us?' Let me tell you why and I am speaking to everyone here in this ballroom, throughout the ship and in Macross city, it's because we must do what is commanded of us by Jesus in the Bible; we must learn to love and forgive our enemies!"
Images of Captain Gloval was being shown everywhere in the ship and in the city. People everywhere, whether they are civilian or military, they were in their barracks room or in the park, were looking at Gloval on closed circuit television monitors and was listening to what he was saying. Many of the people were beginning to understand and was cheering to what he was saying, while some were openly hostile.
"Not blindly or out of ignorance, but because we are a strong and willing people, and we are better than the Zentraedi when it comes to forgiveness. We cannot blame the Zentraedi for their inexplicable lust for war because they have never known any other way of life other than war, and it has been their only way of existence. We cannot condemn individual Zentraedi like Miriya, Bron, Konda, and Rico for the actions of their leaders. Instead, we must as Abraham Lincoln put it succinctly over 150 years ago, 'look for the better angels of their nature.' As many of you may know by now, hundreds of Zentraedi soldiers have defected to our side and are now onboard the SDF-1 seeking asylum, all of them having been reduced to human size. They have said that they are tired of the constant fighting and they want to make peace with us, and I believe that request is genuine."
He then turned to Max and Miriya and with his arm pointed towards them. "The blood of these two young people who were just married was tested before the wedding ceremony. Our doctors and serologists found that human and Zentraedi blood are one in the same! They both have the same identical 23 pairs and structure of DNA chromosomes! There is no difference! There is no reason why we cannot co-exist in peace with the Zentraedi! Let this occasion represent a future where all people, no matter what race they are can live in peace and harmony!"
Loud cheering and handclaps began to emanate from everyone in the ballroom. Gloval began raising and lowering his arms as a signal for everyone to be quiet again.
"Please, let me speak for a moment longer. All of us have lost friends and loved ones in this senseless war and I would be remiss if I did not say that many of you harbor ill feelings towards the Zentraedi and I understand completely if you do. But we must somehow overcome these ill feelings. We must stop this senseless war and hatred or else all of us will perish and become extinct!
In closing, let me say that every one of us must develop a responsible attitude towards the efforts of peace with the Zentraedi. I challenge all of you to show greater tolerance of the enemy and to the ones who have defected. I am not suggesting that we totally lay down our arms, but we must extend the hand of friendship to the enemy. There is a chance for peaceful coexistence with the Zentraedi and we must try our best to make it happen as Max and Miriya have shown. The Zentraedi are a strong and intelligent people. Let this ceremony be used as a symbol of our desire for peace. We must emulate Max and Miriya because they are our heroes for today and our hope for tomorrow."
TACTICAL OPERATIONS CENTER
ALASKA BASE
Video and audio feed of the reception and Gloval's speech was fed into the tactical operations center. Admiral Hayes and Lisa was in a private office watched the speech. He shook his head before he turned off the TV with the remote.
"I can't believe what Henry's saying. He's all but suggesting that we should negotiate with the Zentraedi!"
"Father he is right! It is the only way to avoid our own destruction! If we do not start talking peace with the Zentraedi, it will mean the total annihilation of this planet and the end of humanity and I know that not even you would want that to happen!"
Admiral Hayes looked at his daughter with an incredulous look on his face. "Lisa! I cannot believe that you have just said that! You said yourself that because of their warlike mentality, we cannot negotiate with the Zentraedi! That we should prepare for war!"
"I know that father and I now regret saying that because of what is happening! I am sorry father, but you must stop the startup of the Grand Cannon immediately!"
Admiral Hayes was avoiding looking at Lisa. "I'm sorry Lisa but plans to use the Grand Cannon when the enemy finally arrives on Earth has already been set and there is nothing you or I can do to stop it.", he said before leaving the operations center.
ZENTRAEDI ARMADA
BREETAI'S FLAGSHIP
Breetai and Exedore were also watching Gloval's speech in Breetai's office. As they were watching the speech, they began receiving disturbing news from other ships around the fleet. Many pilots and soldiers were disobeying orders to go to their battle stations or battle pods saying they do not want to fight any longer. Some were committing outright munity and ships security forces were having trouble gaining the upper hand on the troublemakers and mutineers. Breetai was feeling a headache coming on.
"Will this nightmare ever end? Ever since we have encountered the Micronians it has been nothing but trouble for us."
"My lord, maybe…no, the Micronians must have something to do with Protoculture. Otherwise, there is no reasonable or rational explanation for all that is happening to us."
"You are right my friend."
Breetai fell silent for a long moment until Exedore spoke up.
"What are you thinking my lord?"
"I am thinking about opening up a dialogue with the Micronians. What do you think my friend?"
"We have to do something my lord. Our supplies and fuel are now critically low and ship commanders are reporting munities onboard their ships. We must do something my lord. But the final decision is yours and yours alone my lord."
"I know my friend, I know."
MARRIED OFFICERS QUARTERS
LATER THE SAME EVENING
Max was relaxing on a couch after taking off his tuxedo and changing into jeans and a tee shirt. In his mind, he was anticipating a wonderful evening and night of wedded bliss and marital sex. As he was thinking about the evening to come, the shrill noise of the smoke detector made him jump and the quarters was filling up with smoke. He ran into the kitchen to see the stove on fire. He immediately grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher.
"Miriya get out the way!"
He pointed the nozzle of the extinguisher at the fire and squeezed the trigger. Chemicals from the extinguisher began snuffing out the fire. The fire went out in a matter of seconds.
"Miriya, what were you doing?"
Miriya tried to explain what she was doing. After a while, Max deciphered what Miriya said. He laughed then pulled Miriya into his body.
"Don't worry about it Miriya. Well, it looks like I will do the cooking from now on.", Max said as he began kissing Miriya.
"I'm sorry Max I burned dinner."
"Don't worry about it Miriya."
Max began kissing Miriya more passionately. Very soon, their passions became inflamed and very soon, they were on the kitchen floor.
"Shouldn't we go to the bedroom, Max?"
"Eh, who cares. No one's going to come in anyway."
MAX AND MIRIYA STERLING'S QUARTERS
SEVERAL DAYS LATER
Max came into the living room to see Miriya sitting on the couch with a glum look on her face. He kissed her cheek, but she did not react. Max became concerned.
"What's wrong Miriya?"
"I'm not being an equal partner in this marriage Max."
"In what way Miriya?"
"I'm not doing anything Max. All I'm doing is sit in our quarters and watch television until you arrive home."
"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"
"I want to fly again Max. I want to be a veritech pilot."
"Miriya, you have to be an officer in the RDF to fly a veritech."
"I know that Max, but I am a pilot."
"Yes, of a battle pod."
"Max, I know how to fly a veritech. They are quite easy for me to fly. They are not much different from a battle pod. You flew a battle pod once."
"Yes, but that's because I had Ben and Rick helping me fly it. You of all people should know that battle pods are not sized for humans to pilot it. And the only time I ever saw you fly a veritech was that one time when we played each other at the video arcade."
"Max, is the reason why you don't want me to be a veritech pilot is because I'm a Zentraedi or a woman?"
"Of course not Miriya. It is none of those reasons. But you must understand that we have never had a woman or a Zentraedi try to be a pilot before. This is something that is unknown to us."
"Then ask someone in your chain of command who is willing to listen to you."
"Alright, I'll talk to Commander Fokker tomorrow and sees what he says. But try not to get your hopes up. He might say no for the same reason."
"Max, please tell Commander Fokker is all I ask is that I be given a fair chance to try. If I fail, I fail and I will not bring it up again."
"Okay, fair enough."
THE NEXT DAY
"So, what did Commander Fokker say?", Miriya anxiously asked as Max walked in.
"He is willing to give you a try. Tomorrow morning at 0800 hours, you will meet Commander Fokker in the flight simulator room to see how well you will do in flying a veritech in a virtual environment. If you do well, you will fly in a two seat veritech trainer with Commander Fokker in the back seat to see how well you will fly. If you do well, you will have an interview with Commander Fokker and later with a flight psychiatrist. Depending on what the flight psychiatrist says, it will determine if you become a veritech pilot or not."
"Fair enough Max. All I want is a chance to prove myself."
THE NEXT DAY
Miriya met Roy on time in the flight simulator room. Roy gave a short briefing and lead Miriya to a flight simulator. He then left the room. In the control room, Roy on a closed-circuit video monitor watched Miriya as she flew the simulator and was impressed. He liked what he saw. After the simulation was done. Roy told Miriya she did more than well enough to fly a veritech for real.
Roy led Miriya to the flight deck and escorted her to a two-seater veritech that had the canopy open. Roy gave Miriya a red flight helmet. She gave a wide-eyed look of surprise when Roy handed her the helmet.
"Is this a joke? Did Max put you up to this?"
"Excuse me Miriya?"
"Never mind."
Miriya climbed the ladder into the front seat while Roy climbed into the back seat and closed the canopy.
"Okay Miriya, taxi the veritech to the jet blast deflector and stop when the flight deck officer signals you to stop. When the flight deck officer tells you, go ahead and turn on both engines one engine at a time, then push the throttle all the way forward. Brace yourself and get ready when the flight deck officer gives the catapult officer the signal to launch you because you will be flung forward real fast. Then grab the flight stick just as soon you can. When we come back to the ship, I will talk with the landing signal officer while you concentrate on landing the veritech. If you need help in landing, just let me know. There's no shame in asking for help. As a matter of fact, it will only help you. Got it?"
"I got it Commander Fokker."
"Very good Miriya."
Miriya was surprised at how fast the veritech was launched but recovered quickly enough to grab the flight stick and send the veritech into space. Miriya flew the veritech like she was a veteran pilot. Roy was impressed with her flying skills. Roy then had Miriya transform to guardian mode then to battloid mode. At first, she had some difficulty with flying in battloid mode but quickly adapted. After being satisfied with Miriya's flying, he ordered Miriya to go back to veritech mode and fly back to the SDF-1. Miriya had some trouble landing the veritech but managed to land the veritech with some difficulty but no damage. After parking the veritech, Roy and Miriya climbed down onto the deck.
"Okay Miriya, you had some trouble landing but it's nothing that can't be overcome by practice and training. Every rookie fighter pilot has difficulty landing. Now, I will lead you to my office for an interview and then you will meet privately with a flight psychiatrist. The purpose of the flight psychiatrist's interview is to find out if you have any hidden agenda, how your mind works, and if you will stay true to us and not defect back to the enemy if the fighting starts up again."
"I understand commander."
Roy led Miriya to his office for the interview. After getting to know Miriya better and asking some general questions, Roy was satisfied with what Miriya told him. He left his office so that the flight psychiatrist can talk privately with Miriya. After for what seemed to be hours and hours of waiting, the flight psychiatrist finally left Roy's office.
"So, how did she do doctor?"
"I think she's a good risk commander. Because of her Zentraedi bearing, she is very loyal to her husband and the friends she has made so far, so I don't think she'll defect back to the Zentraedi. My findings are only preliminary for now but let me do some more studying by myself before I make a final report. It will take several days to type up a final report, but I think she will make a fine pilot and officer."
"Thank you, doctor."
A WEEK LATER
Miriya was asked to come to Roy's office because he has some good news for her. When Max and Miriya entered Roy's office, Roy's extended his right hand. Miriya took Roy's hand.
"Congratulations Mrs. Sterling. I've received the psychiatrist's final report and he has recommended that you become a pilot and an officer in the RDF."
"That's wonderful news Miriya.", Max said as he hugged Miriya.
"Thank you, Max. That is indeed wonderful news. Thank you, Commander Fokker."
"You're welcome, Miriya. Now you will have to go through a six-week officer's training school. If you complete the school, you'll be given your commission and ensign bars."
"When do I report?"
"Tomorrow morning at 0800."
SIX WEEKS LATER
ZENTRAEDI ARMADA
LORD BREETAI'S FLAGSHIP
Breetai was in his office moodily brooding trying to decide what to do next.
'I have to contact the Micronians. I have no other choice. We are running out of supplies, energy, options and most of all, time.'
"Exedore my friend, I have made a decision."
"I hope it is the right decision my lord."
"I have decided to make contact with the Micronians."
"It is the right decision my lord."
"I hope you are right my friend. Lord Breetai to the Communications Room."
"This is the Communications Room my lord."
"Contact the SDF-1. I want to speak with the commanding officer."
"Yes, my lord."
SDF-1
Miriya successfully completed the officer's training school. In a ceremony in the captain's conference room, Captain Gloval and Max pinned the gold ensign bars on Miriya's uniform epilates. As Gloval, Roy, Max, Miriya, Ben, Rick and several officers were enjoying eating hors d'oeuvres of small sandwiches, cut-up vegetables, and punch at a reception in the officer's lounge, Claudia's voice came over the speakers.
"WILL CAPTAIN GLOVAL REPORT TO THE BRIDGE ON THE DOUBLE! WILL CAPTAIN GLOVAL REPORT TO THE BRIDGE ON THE DOUBLE!"
"Will you please excuse me everyone?", Gloval said before leaving the conference room.
Gloval then ran to the bridge.
"Captain on the bridge!", Claudia yelled.
"As you were everyone. What is it Claudia?" Gloval asked when entered the bridge.
"Sir, you need to hear this. Sammie, divert the incoming call to the speakers."
"Yes, ma'am."
"This is the commander of the Zentraedi task force requesting to speak with the captain of the SDF-1."
AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTES:
MILITARY ACRYNYMS
OIC - Officer in Charge. They are officers who oversee a duty section or station onboard a military ship or on land on a military base.
MARS - Military Auxiliary Radio System. It is a program that is run by the United States Department of Defense that lets civilian amateur and HAM radio operators use the military radio communications network to assist the military during times of national emergencies. Wikipedia has a great article about the MARS radio system. Because fanfiction will not allow the showing of other website's URL or allow hyperlinking, just go to Wikipedia's website and in the search box, being typing in, Military Auxiliary Radio System.