Disclaimer
Macross is owned by or licensed to lots of people - Tatsunoko Studios, Harmony Gold, Studio Nue, Streamline Video...note that none of them are me.
The same can be said of Ranma 1/2 - Rumiko Takahashi, Kitty, Shonen Sunday Comics, Viz Video. Not me.
I didn't create any of them, and I certainly do not own them. Any use of them in this story is meant as nothing more than tribute. Please don't sue me.
Wednesday's Child
Eight: At The Worst Possible Time
September 9th, 2009
The bridge doors slid open, and Lieutenant Hayase Misa stepped through. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to force it back into some semblance of order, then stepped over to her bridge station.
I've been astoundingly lucky so far, she mused. Beat out six other officers, each with more experience than me, to get this post.
Of the new ship's bridge officers, only one was currently present, Claudia LaSalle. The two had formed a strong friendship over the last two years. Claudia was naturally likeable, and always willing to help out. And Lord knows Misa had needed that help.
There were three enlisted techs currently finishing up some work or other; due to the problems with staffing the bridge, those three would be taking part in the ship's launch later today. But they weren't permanently assigned, so they'd be making way for more experienced officers later on.
Misa hid a smile that threatened to break free, and started bringing up her console. There was no room for mistakes today. Not on the first launch of the Macross.
"The Captain has arrived at the stage."
Claudia nodded at Kim's announcement, and watched out of the corner of her eye as Misa brought up her terminal.
"We've got fifteen minutes until the ceremony starts," said Misa. "We might just make it. I wonder what he's been doing...?"
"Maybe he was out partying," mused Claudia. "You know? He left last night saying something about the Earth Defense Council...the sly old fox. They probably stayed up all night drinking beer and rehashing old war stories."
"Not that you'd do anything like that, right Claudia?" There was a teasing tone in Misa's voice...one that Claudia hadn't heard in a long time.
Let's add some fuel to that fire, shall we? "What do you mean by that?"
"You and Major Focker came home together quite early this morning." Misa grinned. "Roy's quite the celebrity around here. Nothing he does escapes notice."
"Staying out all night won't affect my performance." stated Claudia.
"Maybe not yours, but the Major has to fly escort for the Macross later today."
"He can drink all night and it won't affect his flying a bit," muttered Claudia. "In fact, he flies better when drunk. He always brags about shooting down five fighters in the Mayan Incident with a raging hangover."
"Even so, if something were to happen--"
"He'll be fine. I guarantee it!" Claudia sighed. Almost got her out. But then the martinet shell has to come back up! Then a thought crossed her mind. "And what about you and Lieutenant Saotome?"
Lisa took a step back, mouth agape. "That--"
"You two have been a permanent fixture in the White Dragon. Every night, it seems."
"Ranma and I are just friends," protested Misa.
"Oh, wow!" Vanessa Laird, the computer operator, leaned over. "You mean our Lieutenant is interested in men after all?"
"I had no idea!" chimed in Kim Kabriov.
"That's a terrible thing to say!" Shammy Milliome, the sensory operator, jumped right out of her seat. "Who she spends time with is her own business, not ours!"
"Oh, don't worry," Claudia said. "Our Lieutenant Hayase, who graduated top in her class from the Naval Academy, didn't do so with any distractions from men!"
"Why, you--"
Claudia raised a hand, interrupting Misa's lunge. "Check your screen."
Misa turned, and nodded. "Small craft, approaching on bearing one-five-seven." She checked the transponder code and keyed her mike. "One zero one five, please state your affiliation."
The pilot's voice crackled over the speakers. "Ichigyo Hikaru, invitation number one zero two one."
She punched the invitation number into the computer. "Confirmed. I see you're with Major Focker. Squawk one zero six seven, and follow ATC instructions for landing."
"Roger."
Misa closed the frequency. She watched as the aircraft's transponder code switched to 1067, then transferred control of the airplane to Macross Base Air Traffic Control. "How many do we have left in the list?"
"Sixteen, but seven of them have sent cancellations." Claudia was primary communications officer on the boat, despite the fact that she was currently holding the Tactical station.
"Well, they're going to miss a hell of a show." Misa scowled down at her terminal. "The VIP list is huge. And the number of invitations to girlfriends, family members...I'd hate to be dealing with the security for this event."
"Maistrov is handling the military side of that." Claudia looked up. "For the civilian VIPs, that new security company, Tennasaono, has been retained. They're said to be the best in the business, and such a novel business concept. Every one of their security agents is an attractive young woman...and all of them trained in martial arts, and armed to the teeth." Claudia snickered. "But the part they seem to play is as escorts."
Misa giggled. "Whoever thought up that idea is devious, evil, and probably rolling in credits."
Ranma pulled back on the pole, watched as the four other fighters in his formation split off, and grinned. The precision allowed by the new fly-by-light system made this manouevre almost child's play, for all that it looked impressive from the ground.
He watched the tac, following the controller's lead, and lined up for the high-speed pass. VT-002, his personal bird since its arrival on this island, would be passing within two meters of Kramer's VT-004 at just under Mach One. He had to keep a firm hand on the throttle. With the new fusion powerplants, keeping the bird below the speed of sound required effort. He lined up on Kramer's jet, and kept one eye on it and the other on his glide-path needles.
Then nearly panicked as a civilian race job blundered square between them. He gaped at it, then double-checked his needles. If he kept course, and Kramer did the same, they'd miss him. If only Kramer realized the same thing...
Apparently he did; the two jets slid above and below the pusher-prop aircraft, missing it by centimeters on either side.
Ranma clicked his mike. "Who the fuck was that?"
"Language on the air, Zero Two." Roy's voice came over the air. "Is that you, Hikaru?"
A new voice came on. "I know that voice. How are ya doin', Roy? Long time no see!"
"'Long time no see?' Is that all ya got to say for yourself, you moron? You blunder into a formation flight, no idea where those airplanes are going--"
"Oh, that's cold, Roy. Especially considering you sent me the invitation."
Ranma brought his Valkyrie around, wings fully extended, and fell in on the prop job's wing. Most likely, Roy would order one of them to escort him in.
"Nobody asked you to buzz around in a prop plane."
"Hey, I know what I'm doing."
"You might, but those birds up there don't know what you're doing, and that makes it dangerous. So keep your head small enough to fit in your flight helmet, you stupid bastard. You never could fly without being in my slipstream."
Hikaru's reply was light, almost bantering. "I'm going to have to make you eat those words, sempai."
A roar of flame jutted from the back of the prop job, and Ranma gaped as the little plane rocketed forward under astounding acceleration. He firewalled his own engine, followed the plane into its booster climb, and to his chagrin was forced to activate his overthrusters to keep up. His airspeed indicator pegged Mach 1.7 before the prop's solid rocket boosters burned out. He brought the Valkyrie over in a split-s as the prop job stalled out, followed it down as it restarted its engine, and escorted it to touchdown.
Ranma killed his engines, popped the canopy, and jumped out. He ran over to the prop job, pulled its canopy open, and dragged the pilot out bodily.
"Whoa, Saotome."
Ranma glanced up to see Roy walking up briskly. "You want this puke dead, or merely beaten within an inch of his life, Sir?"
"Let him go, Saotome."
Ranma ground his teeth, and turned his attention back to the pilot. "You're right lucky that the Major seems to like you, punk." He dropped him roughly, and turned to Roy. "What the hell, Sir? Anyone else who interfered with that flight, you woulda let me pound his ass."
"Hikaru's an old friend of mine, Saotome. Don't worry, I'll rip a strip out of his hide for you." Roy's expression made it obvious that he was torn between rage and amusement. "Go park your bird, and grab something to eat. We've got another demonstration flight at sixteen hundred."
"Aye aye, Sir." He scowled down at Hikaru, still lying on the pavement. "You're a pretty good pilot, kid. I gotta admit that. But next time you blunder into a military formation, remember this: Your bird ain't armed."
Ranma stepped into the White Dragon...and promptly got a face full of water.
"Oh! Sorry about that, Ranma."
Ranma chuckled as she wiped the water out of her eyes. "No problem, Minmay." Every time she came in here, she ended up with water spilled on her, one way or another. He wasn't certain if Minmay was doing it out of hero worship - the girl was quite taken with Ranma's accomplishments, especially after hearing some of the details of the mission that got Ranma the Medal of Valour - or if she was doing it just for fun.
By now, everyone on the whole damned base knew about the curse - she never could keep it quiet.
"Oh, yeah, by the way. There's a woman here looking for you. I told her you'd probably be in some time today, and she's been waiting about three hours."
"Really?" Ranma blinked. "She give a name?"
"No." Minmay shook her head. "Just said she was part of the civilian security team."
"Where is she?" Minmay pointed, and Ranma gaped. "No way."
"Who is she?"
"She's my sister-in-law." Ranma walked over, and grinned down at the woman. "Long time no see, Nabs."
"Don't call me that." Nabiki's eyes laughed up at her, for all that her expression remained serious. "How are you doing, little sister?"
"Pretty good." Ranma sat down. "Except that I ain't a sister."
"Currently, you are." Nabiki leaned back. "Pretty good plum fell in my lap for this one; my security agents are covering all the civilian VIPs for this gig. Including Jamis Merlin."
"Your security agents?"
"Tennasaono is my company. Or rather," she allowed, "mine and my business partner."
"Tennasaono..." Ranma blinked. "Mom is your business partner?"
"Yep." Nabiki grinned. "I always thought you were smarter than you let on, Saotome."
"Not that that's hard," laughed Ranma. "So who are you covering?"
"Nobody. I'm just here to oversee the girls." Nabiki slid a teapot over to Ranma. "Here."
"I'll wait." Ranma grinned. "If I change back right now, this flight suit is gonna chafe in all the wrong places."
"So Minmay tells me you're in here all the time with a certain Lieutenant."
"It's not what you think!" Ranma raised his hands. "Misa and I have been friends for something like ten years now."
"Sounds like it could be more."
"We've both lost someone, Nabs. Neither of us really wants to--"
"I take it back. You're as stupid as ever." Nabiki scowled. "Akane died fourteen years ago, Ranma. It's a bit long to still be carrying the candle."
"Misa's boyfriend died only two years ago." Ranma looked down at his hands. "Besides, I don't have a lot of good friends, and I don't want to risk screwing up a friendship."
"That was always your problem, Ranma."
"Well, let's admit it's a problem, and ignore it, then." Ranma looked up. "How's Mom doin'?"
"Pretty good. She and your dad broke up a few years after you left. He didn't approve of her working with me."
Ranma snorted. "He was a sexist asshole. I'm surprised they lasted that long. How about your family?"
"Kasumi tied the knot a few years back."
"Tofu?"
"No, we still have no idea where he is. She finally gave up waiting for him, and married some other guy. A massage therapist. We sent you an invite to the wedding, but I guess it never reached you."
"I've been on this island for three years, under a complete blackout."
"Might be why." Nabiki drew in a deep breath. "And some bad news...Daddy died last year."
"What happened?"
"He just...gave up, I think. With Akane dead, you gone, and even Auntie Nodoka giving up on the dojo...he just couldn't handle it any more." She looked down. "He died two days after Kasumi had her daughter." She looked up again, and scowled at Ranma's expression. "Don't you dare blame yourself for that, Saotome! You did right, even Daddy admitted that."
"I..." He sighed. "I guess I still blame myself for Akane."
"Well, Daddy didn't. Auntie Nodoka certainly doesn't. She was mad as nails that she couldn't come today." She chuckled. "Wanted to see how her manly son looked in uniform."
"I don't look real manly right now," quipped Ranma, and the two shared a laugh. "Minmay has a bad habit of splashing me every time I come in here."
"Anyway, she sends her love. And she wants to know when you're gonna give her some grandkids."
"Typical." Ranma chuckled.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Ranma glanced up. "Hey, Misa. Thought you had bridge duty today?"
"I do. Lunch break." She sat down at the table. "Roy told me you were heading here for a meal yourself. That was half an hour ago, but I figured you'd still be eating."
"I'm a martial artist. We got big appetites." Ranma grinned. "Actually, I've been catching up with Nabs here on family business."
Nabiki bowed. "Tendo Nabiki, Ma'am."
"Oh, I've heard lots about you." Misa grinned.
"Great. There goes my rep." Nabiki grinned back. "So you're Ranma's new girlfriend, eh?"
Misa blinked. "It--" She turned on Ranma. "Did you tell her that?"
Ranma shook her head. "It's Minmay's fault, not mine. I thought I'd disabused Nabs of that idea, but I see that her taste for humiliatin' me hasn't been lost."
"Ranma and I are just friends, Miss Tendo."
"Call me Nabiki." She waved a hand artlessly. "And yeah, Ranma's telling the truth. She told me you two were just friends."
"The whole damn base seems to think we're lyin'," muttered Ranma.
"I don't care about the entire base," stated Misa. "What concerns me is that Claudia thinks we're lying. You know how she loves to play the matchmaker."
Nabiki chuckled. "So, you're Ranma's best friend, and nothing more. Excellent. This means I can trot out all my best stories. Ranma ever tell you about the time he met Kurenai Tsubasa?"
Ranma's expression of annoyance changed to one of horror. "Oh, no way. Not that story!"
Misa chuckled. "Okay, this I have to hear."
"A bunny suit!" Misa chuckled. "Of all things."
"I see someone enjoyed her lunch." Claudia watched as Misa brought her terminal back up.
"Ranma' sister-in-law joined us for lunch." Misa grinned. "She had some stories from back when they were kids."
"Oh?" Claudia chuckled. "Bunny suit, eh? How did that happen?"
"Oh, no." Misa shook her head. "I'm not telling you." A wicked grin crossed her face. "You can ask Ranma yourself. Just mention the name Tsubasa."
"Ma'am?" Shammy turned in her seat. "I've got a gravitic anomaly on my scope. And ARMD-01 reports a luminescent phenomena from the same region."
"Where?" Misa was suddenly all business.
"Behind the moon."
"Show me the readings."
Shammy tapped her keys, and Misa frowned at the data that appeared in her terminal. "Looks familiar."
"It matches the patterns from the arrival of the Macross." Claudia scowled. "Except it's a lot bigger."
"I've got pinpoint sources now. The signal is fading. One hundred and twenty point sources...They're gone."
"Could it be a space fold?"
"Don't know. We've not had a chance to experiment with the fold system yet, don't even know if it works. But this looks like the projected data." Misa bit her lip. "I think we'd better contact the Captain."
"We saw the same sort of phenomenon ten years ago." Global nodded to Commander Baker. "We'd better get to the bridge."
They departed the stage, much to the consternation of Senator O'Donnell, who was about to introduce Global. The elevator deposited them next to the staff car that had brought them, and Global got behind the wheel and started it up. Baker jumped over the hood, slid across to the passenger-side door, and got in. "Lieutenants Hayase and LaSalle are starting liftoff preparations."
Global tromped the gas, and aimed the car for the nearest hatch on the ship. He hit the ramp at nearly top speed, and drove into the ship. Given the size of the previous management, the ship's corridors were more than broad enough for motor traffic. "Any word on Gold, Kanehema or Park?"
"None have reached the island yet. Park's en route, but Gold and Kanehema are still tied up groundside."
"We might have to launch with nothing but enlisted techs, Number One. That's going to make your job more difficult."
"The XO's job is always difficult," Baker grinned. "I've got your back, Sir."
Global chuckled, then brought the car to a stop. "I want you to report to Auxilary Control, make sure everything's under control there. Then report to Lieutenant Commander Lang, find out where we are with engines."
"Aye, Sir."
Global climbed out of the driver's seat, allowing Baker to take the wheel, then punched the lift's priority button. "As soon as I find out what's happening, I'll comm you."
"Yes, Sir." Baker pulled the car into reverse, backing away from the lift, then peeled off down the corridor.
"The entire system is going haywire." Claudia was flipping switches and rotating dials to no avail. "It's all coming online, and I can't shut it down!"
"Captain on the bridge."
Global rubbed his forehead - while the bridge had been built with humans in mind, they weren't built with his 195 centimeter frame as a model; the hatch was five centimeters too low. "Status?"
"All systems under computer control, and we can't override," stated Misa. "The main gun is activating."
"What about targeting?"
"Sensors have detected two ships moving into Earth orbit. They came from the approaching fleet, and--" She paused. "Yes. The targeting array has locked onto them."
"Where are they? Show me the sensory data."
"Yes, Sir." Misa tapped keys. "They're over Saudi Arabia, coming up over the horizon in thirty seconds."
Global smacked a fist down on the console. "Get me Lang."
"On the air, Sir."
"Lang, this is the Captain. Can you shut down the power feeds to the main gun?"
"Negative, Sir." The chief engineer's voice sounded uncommonly frazzled. "Our systems are ignoring all commands we send, and unless you want us to damage the feed--"
"We might be needing it shortly."
"Main gun is firing, Sir!"
Parasitic energy was crackling between the two booms of the main gun; as he turned to watch, the gravitic cannon discharged. The beam itself was invisible, and travelled nearly sixty-four times faster than light, but it incinerated the air between them and the target, leaving a trail of plasma behind it. Misa looked back to her displays, saw the beam penetrate one of the two approaching ships just as it hove over the horizon. Both ships vanished off her scope, the second probably torn apart by secondary gravitic waves.
"Systems have been returned to our control."
Global stared out over the horizon. The main gun had punched a hole straight through the mountain at the center of the island. Luckily, the town beneath the ship was unharmed, but Global rather doubted that that would last.
"This could have been a peaceful first contact," he said bitterly. "Now all they'll see is that we fired first."
"Sir, the ship's computers had identified the targets as being hostile."
"It doesn't matter. We fired first." He shook his head. "It must have been a trap. Left in the computers by the original designers."
"More ships are approaching, Sir. And they're launching small craft."
"And the main gun?"
"It's in recharge cycle, Captain. Fifteen minutes."
"God help us." Global paused to take a breath. "All Valkyrie squadrons will scramble to repel invaders. Destroid teams stand by for ground combat. All forces, move out!"
Ranma visually inspected the ordnance loaded on his aircraft. The Diamondback missiles - white-painted warshots, instead of exercise weapons - were still tagged, but otherwise ready to fire. Orange-suited ordnance specialists started removing the tags, uncaging the seeker heads, and Ranma nodded. His preflight external examination complete, he scrambled up the crew ladder, and dropped into the office.
Across the flight line, he saw the assembled members of VFA-113 - the ancient and honourable Jolly Rogers, reborn as a Valkyrie squadron - prepping for takeoff. The QF-3000 Ghost rocket-powered interceptors were already airborne, their AIs allowing them punishing acceleration that would have turned flesh-and-bone pilots into chunky salsa. They would meet the enemy at forty kilometers up, but Ranma doubted they'd accomplish much.
Never send a robot to do a man's job.
He checked his systems, and nodded, pleased with the results. His personal airplane, the Switchblade, was one of the prototype Valkyries, with two head lasers to the usual one and lacking the two fuselage ordnance slots. Externally quite different from the production model fighters, its internals had been upgraded to match the VF-1 Alpha Block Two Valkyries coming straight from the factory.
Two hundred and twelve Valkyries, in total, had been assigned to Macross. Ten full squadrons of eighteen birds (plus two spares) each, and twelve training birds, the two-seat VF-1D. And Roy, CO of the Jolly Rogers, also wore the hat for command of First Combat Air Division, putting him nominally in charge of VFA-114, the Gunfighters, as well.
But that wouldn't matter in a purely tactical situation. Such as this one.
He watched as Roy's personal bird, known as Skull One, started taxiing.
"Okay, ladies. The show starts in ten minutes. Let's not be late."
"ARMD-01 reports massive damage. ARMD-02 has taken minor damage. Three more enemy craft destroyed by heavy nuclear missile barrage, but ARMD-02 has been forced to break off the attack."
"City evacuation is proceeding."
"Skull Squadron now leaving the deck." In place of the squadron's full name, a call sign was used. "Brown Squadron drawing to the line, and all weapons are green."
"Give Skull one more minute to get off the deck, and then give them the go."
"Aye, Ma'am."
Misa's primary role on the massive starship was as its flight operations officer. Because they needed to fit in the TO&E somewhere, she also managed Destroid operations.
Not that they're gonna make it into this fight.
"Small craft have crossed the ionosphere. About half of them are launching fighters; the other half are still dropping. They may be trying to land troops."
"Thank you, PO Milliome." Misa tapped her keys. "PO Laird, set up the Ghosts for an intercept on the small craft that have not launched fighters."
"Aye aye, Ma'am."
Misa clicked on her comms. "Skull Lead, Gunsight One. BarCAP. Your vector two six five for two forty."
"Roger that." Roy's visor was still open, and his oxygen mask dangled loosely. He winked at Misa. "And hearin' your lovely voice reminds me of why I'm fighting today."
Claudia leaned over so that her face would appear on his terminal. "And why would that be, Major?"
"Why, for the future of the human race!" He flashed them both a thumbs-up, then strapped on the oxygen mask.
"Vampire!"
"Where?"
"From two seven zero. Range is still one fifty."
Claudia tapped controls. "Bringing anti-aircraft batteries to intercept." Through the massive fish-dome of the bridge's forward wall, they watched the AA batteries rotate to face the incoming threat.
"Firing."
SA-33 "Swordfish" missiles rippled from their packs. But the oncoming horde of missiles was too thick to realistically whittle down. About a third got through, and started hammering the city and airbase.
"They're not hitting the ship," mused Global.
"Wonder why?"
"Most of them hit the base, a few hit the city. Evacuation is still proceeding, sixty percent complete." Misa clicked back to the tactical display. And blinked. "Vee Tee One Oh Two still hasn't left the parade grounds."
"Who's assigned to it?"
"Who cares?" She tapped issuance commands into the computer, directing fuelers and ordies to the bird, then clicked open her link. "Vee Tee One Oh Two, Gunsight One. Respond."
"Huh?" The pilot's voice was somewhat confused. Misa's face darkened. How could anyone sleep through a full alert?
"Why are you still on the ground? We're at full alert!" Her anger was showing through her tone of voice now, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Claudia shaking her head. But she ignored the other woman; she had a job to do.
And so did the idiot in VT-102.
"Get in the air, right now!"
"The runway is a mess." It was the first coherent thing he'd said.
"Runway nine is clear." She watched the aircraft power up, then closed the channel. "How could anyone fall asleep during a battle?"
"Ghosts have reached interception range, and are launching missiles." Vanessa scowled. "Six dropshuttles knocked down...their fighter escort is carving up the Ghosts...seven knocked down...eight..." She turned to Misa. "All Ghost interceptors have been shot down or are out of missiles. Eight dropshuttles destroyed."
"Not too bad for a loss of twenty-four robot jets."
"Skull has reached intercept range."
The manoeuvreability of the fighter pods was just plain stupid. They twisted and turned with disgusting ease, and Ranma roared angrily as he watched a Skull get vapourized. The alien fighters carried some kind of directed-energy nose gun - not a laser; given the way it jumped erratically, probably a particle cannon. Due to their inaccurate nature, they fired in streams, producing an effect much like a shotgun.
And they're fast! How can they be so fast, so nimble, and carry such a heavy gun?
He lined up one in his gunsights, and triggered the laser cannons. Both beams stabbed straight through the pod, blowing it apart almost instantly.
Oh. That's how.
He clicked open his mike. "Skull One, Skull Eight. The targets are very fragile; one hit kills 'em. Suggest we use the turrets. It'll up our hit count."
"Good thinking, Skull Eight." There was a pause. "Oh, you've gotta be kiddin' me."
"Skull One, what's up?"
"Hikaru's found his way into a Valkyrie--"
"What?"
"Don't worry. For once it's not his fault." Skull One peeled off of their formation. "Lieutenant Hayase ordered him off the tarmac, not realizing he was a civvy. I'll go take care of him."
"Roger."
"Status of the antigravity servos?"
Baker's voice was tinny through the intercom. "Full power available at your discretion, Captain. And we've isolated that booby trap program and killed it."
"Good. Stand by in case we need to take off." Global closed the link.
"Skull is mopping up the invading fighters. Brown is getting hurt, though."
"Dropshuttles have gotten past the fighter screen." Shammy adjusted her instruments. "They'll land on the west side of the island, possibly in the water."
A proximity alarm sounded, and Misa stared at her board. "Oh, shit. This idiot again." She clicked open the link. "Vee Tee One Zero Two, alter course. You're going to crash into us!"
"Tell me something I don't know!" The pilot sounded panicked. "Rudders and spoilers are both fried."
"That won't affect GERWALK mode. Have you tried that?"
"What the hell is GERWALK?"
The question was unexpected enough to bring silence across the bridge.
"Oh, my God. He's lost it." Misa leaned forward. "Pull the G lever on the left side of the console. Once you've recovered the aircraft, pull the B lever."
"Got it."
Misa glanced at her screen, watched the incoming Valkyrie slew off its suidical course, and drop into the city. She turned to Claudia. "I need to know who's in that bird. He's a loose cannon, an idiot, and he's going to do more damage--"
Claudia had already pulled the flight roster. "Misa."
Misa shut up.
"That bird isn't assigned." Claudia turned her display so that Misa could read it. "Pulled off the flight roster for public display."
"You mean..."
"Could be anyone in there, and we've got no way of knowing."
"Great. Just fantastic." She turned back to her board. "Brown, break off. Cerulean, we're expecting invasion forces. Get into the city."
There could have been a worse time for the doors to open and for Senator O'Donnell to stride in, lit cigar smouldering. Personally, Misa couldn't think of one.
"Well, Captain. Looks like we got this ship finished just in the nick of time." O'Donnell examined the coal of his cigar. "When do you take off?"
Misa glanced over at Claudia. "Take off? Is he serious?"
"I hope not." Claudia shook her head. "We're missing half our officers, and the only ship's system we know for certain is working is the main gun."
Global was making much the same point to O'Donnell, but to limited avail. Finally, he turned away from the smaller man, and sighed.
"We're not ready for this." His voice was not much higher than a mumble. "We're just not ready." He glanced over at Kim. "PO Kabriov, start the countdown."
"Aye, Sir." Kim was nineteen at the oldest, terribly scared, and prepared to do her duty nonetheless. "Takeoff in T minus one twenty...mark. Reactor coming to full power."
"Takeoff at zed positive fifty. Departure corridor is clear."
"Helm answers ready for bells, Captain."
"Antigravity system now at full power."
"Sixty seconds."
Global settled into his chair. "Release all docking grapples."
"Docking grapples are released, all hatches are sealed."
"Environmental plant fully on-line."
"Full power to reactors in five seconds."
"Liftoff T minus thirty seconds."
The chatter fell off on the bridge, as tasks were completed. Finally, Claudia stated, "Fifteen seconds. Final launch clearance?"
"Launch clearance is go." Global adjusted his hat.
"Aye, Sir. T minus ten...nine...eight..."
Misa leaned back against her seat.
"Seven...six..."
Shammy and Kim belted themselves in.
"Five...four..."
Vanessa sat down at her station, and adjusted her own webbing.
"Three...two...one..."
"Macross: Launch!"
