Macross Fan Fiction ❯ Jisedai Macross ❯ Jisedai Macross episode 2: "Preperation" ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Jisedai Macross: eps-2

"Preperation"

[If you are reading this episode that means you are at least mildly
interested in this siries witch is good....or I have a gun to your
head either way you are reading this and that is good. If you remember
from the first episode we left off with the selection of the number 1
ranked fighter pilot to receive a VF-99 Katana. Well lets
continue...oh yeah and by the way I will try to get the story moving
more in this episode and I appolagize for the lack of story in the
first episode but I had to get things moving...]

Seif is on stage in front the huge crowd about to announce the
ultimate victor of the compitition for the VF-99. Right now Jon is
thinking and organizing what he has to tell the three pilots. Well
first and most importantly I have to tell them about the
syncronization... Seif starts the announcement, "And finally the
number 1 ranked fighter pilot in the universe and the ultamate victor
of this compitition is..." ...And then I have to tell him about the
handleing chara.... "...First Lt. Jonathan Hester." The crowd is on
their feet applauding. Wha? He called my...name? That doesn't make
sense. Oh well can't let them stand up there forever...better go
up...at least for image sake... Jon stands up out of his seat in the
audiance and walks toward the stange a little dazed and confused. He
notes the similar looks of the pilots in the audiance as the look at
him but there is anger mixed in with their looks. Hester climbs the
stairs and shakes the hands of the men he had once admired as anime
characters. Each give him a slight compliment on a job well done. Seif
steps back up to the mike, "Ladies and gentlemen these three men will
lead us into battle hence forth and represent the Earth, the U.N.
Spacey, the Universal Council, and this dimention as the best of the
best of the best." The crowd somehow tops there previous decible level
to an almost escruciatingly lound roar. Seif walks over and stands
next to Jon. Jon turns his head just enough to get Seif's attention
with out taking his eyes off the crowd, "I need to speak with you
afterward, ok?" Seif looks confused but says, "Ok, meet me at
Mikes[this is a famouse bar/resteraunt for fighter pilots that has
some how gotten permission to set up before any other civilian shops
are even allowed on the ship...most likely from pressure of the
fighter pilots upon the higher commanders] after this is all over" The
two return their attention to the crowd.

----------------------

At a small round tabel in a cliche bar complete with pool table and
jukebox. There is a large, well built man in a white t-shirt and black
pants. He is Mike and he is both bar owner and bouncer so he is a bad
guy to piss off. Luckily he has been friends with Jon since he started
flying at Edwards AFB in the desert. The bar is quite large because of
the amount of pilots that visit. The only thing not cliche about the
bar is that Mike doesn't allow smokeing in his bar so the air is quite
clean. Seif, Danielle, Isamu, Guld, and Jon all squeeze into the small
table talking to each other. Jon takes the floor, "Seif I told you
that I wanted this to be fair. Just because I designed the damned
thing and I'm your friend since grade school doesn't mean that I
deserve to fly the plane." Seif looks a little mad, "You think I did
that on purpose...you won it fair and square, you can check the
vid-records we kept of every pilot's simulator experience and you
demolished them all." Jon is really confused now, "Ok lets see if what
you are saying is true...Isamu, Guld what level did you get to in the
simulator?"

They think for a second and Isamu is first to come up with the number,
"I got to level 22 but...couldn't beat the onslaught on lev. 23. I
thought I did awesome...untill that boss and fucking army came along."
Guld states his level, "I beat level 22 but, had trouble on 23 but, I
think I found the secret to beat it though. I lost to Isamu by 5
points." The two are confused by the looks from the rest of the table.

Jon looks the most surprised, "The...two...greatest fighter pilots
from the 'Macross Dimension'...lost on level 23?" Isamu and Guld nod
in agreement and ask, "What level were you at Jon?" After a second of
recovering from the shock of the startleing information he had just
learned Jon replies "I...left off...on...level...45...and I was taking
it easy cause I found the simulator to be so easy I figured you would
beat the whole thing."

Isamu and Guld almost fall off their chairs. Jon turns to Seif,
"Maybe...I did earn it...but, you two(addressing Isamu and Guld) need
to spend a lot of time in the simulator if you want to survive the
comming battle. Well we have an early day tommarow...oh yeah almost
forgot. Isamu when you come to the hangar tommarow for sycronization
bring Myung with you, you will need the support and Guld if you got
some one who you really care about and cares about you I suggest the
same. This is both a metally and physically painful process. I'll see
you all tommarow at oh-ninehundred[just incase you don't know
millitary time that is 9 a.m. fairly late for things to get going for
millitary men.]" Jon stands up and walks up to the bar and gives Mike
a tip for his service but, Jon isn't going home quite yet it is still
early in the evening.

Jon is back on the fight deck outside his hangar with his 99's inside
with white cotton covers over them. He is talking to the men who
deliverd the aircraft to the hangar. "...thanks for taking extra care
of them. I'll make sure your superior officers hear of your good
work." As Jon turns around he sees a[this is in his oppinion so if you
don't agree...tough] he sees one of the most beautiful women he has
ever seen before wander into the hangar with the 99's.

She is slightly shorter than Jon and has long brown flowing hair that
almost reaches the small of her back. She has on normal blue jeans and
a white t-shit, which is tucked into her jeans. She is about to lift
up the white cotton cover up to see the aircraft underneath when Jon
walks up.

"Ummm...excuse me this is an extremely restricted hangar." Jon states
in a stern manner. She drops the cloth in her right hand and looks up
him. Jon can now see that she has large blue eyes that sparkle. Jon,
almost regretably states, "I have ask you to leave." She puts her hand
on her hip and puts on a very pissed off face. Jon get a little
nervous of what is to come.

"How dare you! I have clearance to see the entire ship with few
exceptions! MY FATHER WILL BE FERIOUS WITH YOU IF I AM DENINED
ACCESS!" She looks like she has expected him to just give in.

Jon a little shaken that such anger can come from someone so
beautiful, "I sincerely doubt you have access to this area. The only
people allowed in here are the pilots of these aircraft, Gen. Seif,
Gen. Danielle, and few others. Not even the Captain of the ship has
access to this hangar yet so once more...." Jon gulps, "I must ask you
to leave."

He is surprised to see she has taken that well, "Oh...wow I guess I
don't have access...ok I will leave...on one condition...you have to
buy me a drink and give me a ride home." Jon now even more shocked at
the turn of events agrees. He escorts her out of the hangar and closes
it up.

As they walk to the car he has been temporarly issued by the
government(which means it is like a small, futuristic, white Ford)
they start to get to know each other. She starts the conversation, "Is
that your car?!" Jon laughs a little at this, "Noooo. It's government
issued untill I get the car I had set up for me. I never caught your
name." She smiles as they sit down and close the car doors. Jon starts
the energy driven engien and starts to make his way off base. "You can
call me Elly, that is what all my friends call me. And what about
you?" Jon accelerates the car up to normal speed[to allow the personel
to get around the ship faster cars have been modified to drive at
normal speeds of between 200-300 mph.(sorry don't know kph) Also cars
are now mostly driven by computers with few exceptions and on the ship
no harful gas producing vehicle is allowed on base or in the seperate
little dimension. This may seem dangerous but the computers are very
good at not getting into crashes and anybody with a non-computer
driven car has a vigerous driving test to pass every year or so.

"Well since we are only going by how we are referred to I'm Jon. What
were you doing wandering around the base any way." She replys, "I was
just admiring the aircraft. I was going to be a pilot when I joined
the U.N. Spacey but I found this new job that they were training for
was easier and safer. I'm a communications officer. What do you do?"

"I'm a fighter pilot. Do you know who you are assigned to yet?" He
glances at her for a second before returning his eyes to the road.

"Well...actually no. I haven't gotten time to read through my packet
yet. Where are we going anyway." She asks with a bright smile.

"We are going to a little place where us pilots hang out at. The owner
and I have known each other for a while now...it's a place called
Mike's." Just then they arrive at Mike's and Jon pulls into the
parking lot. Hours pass with the two sitting at the bar talking about
their jobs and experiences. They overall have a good time. "Well it's
time to go. I am sure your father is getting worried.

Elly is obviously drunk[she is a lot like Misato Katsuragi
a...'happy/fun drunk'], "Oh, I'm sure he is worried but...how about
one more drink?"

Jon gives a slight chuckle at this, "No way you are too drunk as it
is."

Mike overhears this and steps up, "Hey Hester this can help out. They
are instants sobers. Law states that everyone must have one before
they leave."

"Cool, give me a couple." Jon catches two as they fly through the
air[please any Mugen Tenchi Muyo fans no hate mail for barrowing this
ingenious idea], "heh, Alka-Sober huh? Interesting name. Thanks Mike.
See ya later." Jon gives one to Elly who takes it thinking it is some
kind of candy. Jon winces as he swallows one. The two are instantly
sober. As they step back into his car he asks, "I never asked where do
you live?"

"Oh, over in the officers section of the temporary housing
section...I'll give you directions when we get there." The ride home
is a quiet one.[I suggest the song Space Lion from Cowboy Bebop to
play here] When they arrive at the officers section in a large
neighborhood Jon tapps her on the sholder to wake her up from her nap.
"Sorry about that...umm...take a right up here go down a block take a
left and stop at the third house on the right." He follows the simple
directions and pulls into a small driveway.

"I have had a great time...maybe we will meet again some time. I'd
better go..." Elly gives him a 'million dollar smile' and almost
reluctantly steps out of the car and turns, "Well...good night...and
good luck."

Jon smiles and nodds, "And to you to." He sits and waits until she is
inside and the door closes before he starts the car again and backs
out.

-----------------------

It is the next day inside the 99's hangar with a few exceptions. The
aircraft are uncovered and to the right of each one there is a chair
resembleling one a dentist's has, also there are a couple carts and
computers. All of these objects have wires leading up into the now
opened cockpit of each aircraft respectively. The big hangar doors are
closed but, there is a small door open at the far left side corner of
the hangar.[keep in mind the millitary part is inside the ship part so
there is always bright light outside and no sunrise or sunset, but
there is a visible time change in the small dimension where Mike's is
and where the neighborhood where everyone is staying resides] There
are quite a few people inside the hangar including 3 scientists,
Isamu, Guld, Jon, and Myung. At this time Jon is completely hidden
because is in a back storage room when Elly walks in. She is in
regular uniform dress. [in the millitary there are 3 modes of dress.
One is a casual dress which they where when working in the field.
Another is regualr dress which is wearing the uniform but not
completely decked out in awards and such. This is the usual mode of
dress when on duty and nothing important going on. Finally, there is
full dress which is completely decked out with awards and other
accesories. It is very spiffy looking and is only worn when something
important is going on.] She walks up to the first available person
which happens to be Guld.

"Excuse me, I'm Major Evallynn Hunter. I have been assigned to a Lt.
Hester as his communications officer. Can you point me to him." She
asks with a lost look on her face as she looks at the 99's, "Wow so
these are the new VF-99 Katanas I've heard about. I have to agree they
have a very agressive but elegant look about them."

"Yes they are the top of the line in fighter design...or so I'm told.
I will go get Hester...wait right here." Guld turn and walks toward a
small door in the back to the hangar. Just as he walk out with Jon
stareing down at a folder with a number of papers inside it, Elly
continues reading a similar folder in her hands. "Hester this is your
Com-officer."

They both look up and at the same time they state enthusiastically,
"You!" Guld looking very confused and lost at this point says,
"Ummm...I'm assuming you two have met already."

Elly is the first to respond, "Yeah this jerk kicked me out of here
yesterday."

Jon follows up, "Well at the time you didn't have clearance and you
were gonna touch one of my aircraft. I never caught you full name. I'm
First Lt. Jonathan D. Hester."

Elly lets in a gasp at this, "You...mean...you are THE Jonathan
Hester. The Jonathan Hester who set the record for the highest score
in the simulators. The Jonathan Hester who designed and built the
VF-99's. The same Jon who was drinking with me last night." It takes
her a minute to take in and recover from this new information.
"Wow...well...I'm not so unfamous either. I'm Major Evallynn Hunter."
She says with a proud tone.

Isamu walks up at this and says, "So what." He is immediatly hit in
his ribbs twice once from Elly and the second time from his wife
Myung. He is now doubled over from the pain, "OWW! What was that for!"

Myung replys with, "For acting like an idiot." she state with an angry
tone, "I love him but sometimes he acts like a total and completely
insensitive jerk.

Guld starts, "But he does bring up a good..." WHACK! He is hit very
similarly to Isamu. "HEY! You didn't hit Isamu that hard.

Myung turns to Elly, "You wanna take that one?"

Elly grins evily, "Sure, thanks. You should have learned from his
mistake...and since you didn't we hit you harder." The two women turn
to Jon.

"Heh...ain't no way in hell I'm asking." Jon says in a shaky voice as
he very cautiously backs from the women. "I got it!" Jon finally says
in triumphm, [again no hate mail for this but lets face it...it is
like a game women play they say or do something and we men are left to
figure out what they want us to say or do and if we get it wrong we
are in BIG trouble. NO HATE MAIL! I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT!] He states
in a very cautious voice, "Would you kindly explain who you related to
that is famous...please?" All three men cringe and block their faces
in fear.

The viciously angry faces of the women dissappear in happy faces as
Elly agrees, "Well I'm surprised you don't know my family name but,
I'm the captain's daughter." This is enought to relax Isamu and Guld
but, almost causes Jon to faint.

"S...so your saying...I got the captains daughter drunk...am I still
allowed on the ship?" Jon asked with a very nervous tone about him.

"Of course...in fact he laughed when I told him. You see he still
retains most of the ways he picked up being a fighter pilot. I'm
surprised he hasn't stolen one of the 19's or 22's for a joy ride."
She has nice smile on her face which relaxes Jon finally.

One of the scientists that was working on connecting the machines to
the aircraft walks over to the group. He has the classic look of a
white lab coat, black rimmed glasses, and buzz cut short brown hair[I
was thinking along the lines of the main character from Half-life with
out the enviro-suit]. "Umm, excuse me but we are ready for you Capt.
Bowman."

Guld, now green in face from nervousness, replys, "Uh...ok. Fine. Lets
get this over with." He reluctantly follows the scientist to the chair
on the right of the aircraft closest to the left wall.

"I'll be over to help out in second. Don't start the procedure with
out me." Jon quickly states. The group, except Jon and Elly, goes to
where Guld is now sitting in the chair getting wires stuck to his
head. "Uh...Elly...can I ask you something?" She nods in agreement.
"We are...friends...good friends...right?"

"Of course we are...why?" She has a very confused expression on her
face. "Well...", Jon continues, "This syncronization is a very painful
physical and mental operation. It will take a lot out of me. I asked
Isamu and Guld to bring moral support for this. The thing is I
problely wouldask Seif to be my support but...he and Danielle are at a
very important meeting with the Universal Council...and won't be back
untill this is all over....I'd ask Isamu and the others but...I just
don't feel that close to them yet...what I mean to say is....(he makes
a frustrated grunting sound) Would you...be my support?" He hurredly
adds,"You know you don't have to if you don't want to...but...it would
help."

She now has a very large smile on her face, "I'm touched. I got to do
my set up with my computer in the communications office but...I should
be done in an hour or so. Is that ok?" Hester is relieved to hear
this, "Yeah it should take somewhere from 30 to 45 minutes to finish
each one so you should be just about right on time..." after a little
silence, "Thanks."

"Oh no problem, I'm happy to do it. Well time to get to the
com-office. I'll be back as soon as possible." She smiles once more
and rushes out the door she came in.

Jon walks over to Guld who is feeling like a lab rat, "Uh...is all
this nessesary?". Jon give a little chuckle at this, "Of
course...would you like more wires?" Most of the group laughs at this.
"Sorry to tell you now Guld but...this procedure has only been on in
simulation before now. All tests show this will be non-fatal but very
painful. Since we haven't actually performed this procedure you have
to endure a little more pain as we might have to work out problems,
non-fatal ones of course, as we try to get this thing to work
correctly. Sorry...guess that Zentradi ability to endure pain will
come in handy eh? Well...lets get started...you guys can stay and
watch and help him...just don't get in the way."

------------------------

It is now an hour and a half later and the operation to get Elly set
up with the computer took longer than expected and she is now rushijng
back to the hangar in her temporary white convertible that resemble a
porche 911. Back at the hangar the operation has been successful on
the first two and despite some early problems...relatively easy. Guld
is waking up with a splitting headache. Isamu is sound asleep as the
pain has drained him of energy to stay awake. Myung is currently at
Isamu side, and despite the comfort of the scientists who have told
her that he will be fine with the exception of a headache, is quite
worried for him. Jon is anxious as he is currently being set up and
Elly hasn't returned yet.

Guld walks over to where Jon is sitting in his chair. "Man! You
weren't kidding when you said that it would hurt. Well at least it is
letting up now."

"We used the Instant Knowledge Tech. to insert all the info on the 99
into your head. Try accessing it...it is similar to remembering." Jon
laughs a little as Guld face goes wide with awe as he metaly scrolls
through the info on the aircraft. "Amazing huh? It is as if you knew
all of that your whole life. Now you know what has been in my head
since high school...and I'm still working on new little designs. Oh
yeah...you are not to speak to anyone, with the exception of Isamu,
Seif, Danielle, and me. This information is more delicate than you can
ever concieve. If you leak this information to any source that may be
dangerous...the punishment is that the Universal Coucil with condemn
you to...Death of the Soul. [this is a form of capital punnishemnt
created by the Jurians...it is said to be THE MOST painful and worst
way to possibly die. Essentially...well it is too sick to describe. It
is so horrible that it has been outlawed and only used for the most
capital of capital punishments...even high treason isn't sentenced
this. It is so bad you wouldn't wish it upon your mortal enemy for
life. If you REALLY want to know about it consult the fanfic Mugen
Tenchi Muyo.]

Guld's face immediately turns from amazment to pure fear for even from
their relatively short time in this dimension most people of the
Macross Dimension know about it from the 'news interview incident'.
What happened is many leaders from this dimension where giving a
televised intro to help the new dimension understand things from this
dimension. When a reporter asked about it the council couldn't
describe it so they showed a clip...the entire gymnasium of people,
with the exception of the council who knew not to watch, regurgitated
thir last 2 meals. That part had to be edited out of the televised
program. Many of the new comers continued asking what happened they we
able to describe it and the issue was never brought up again. "MY GOD!
This...must be...pretty important."

At that moment Elly runs in relieved they haven't started yet. She is
perplexed at Guld's current expression. "What...is..." Jon is the only
one with the strength to answer, "I just told him that the giving of
the information in his head about the VF-99 to any dangerous
sources...he would be condemned to Death of the Soul by the Universal
Council." Her expression immediately mimics that of Guld's. The only
words she can mange as of yet are, "Oh...my."

After a moment for the two to recover from what they have just heard
it is time for Jon's procedure to begin. Elly takes Jon's only free
had which happens to be his right. Jon quietly closes his eyes and
says, "Ok...begin."

Immediately Jon's body arches in pain and he uses all his strength to
stop him from crushing Elly's hand. She finally struggels free and
places her hands on his right arm and his body returns to a normal
sitting position. She can see he is holding a scream inside and that
his eyes are starting to well up from the pain. Finally he can't hold
the scream any longer and lets out an almost deafening scream of pure
pain. The scream lasts for about 1 minute. All his muscles are tensed
and his fists are in such tight fists his finger nails have dug into
his palm and are starting to bleed. Jon begins to thrash his head back
and forth. Elly places her hand on his face and Jon begins to calm
down as he stares into her very scared eyes. In the background at the
door's entrance Seif and Danielle notice his reaction to Elly and
decide to stay out of view. Jon finally cannot with stand the pain any
longer and faints for the rest of the procedure. This gives the
scientists a chance to bandage the injury in his palms. Elly is almost
crying from the pain and sheer terror she seen in his eyes.

----------------------

It is almost an hour before Jon wakes up again. At first he think the
object that his blurred vision has centered on is an angel and that he
is dead but, after a little his eyes focus and he realizes it is Elly
sitting in a chair next to the chair he is in. Jon smiles widely when
he realizes this. He turns his attention to the foot of the chair
where Danielle and Seif are standing trying to convince Isamu that
what Guld has told him about the punishment is true. Myung has long
since fainted when Isamu was told.

"ISAMU! SHUT UP! I HAVE A FUCKING BAD HEADACHE!" is the only thing Jon
can muster. Isamu immediately shuts up. Elly is suprised at this
because appearently she wasn't paying much attention when Jon woke up
to notice that he did.

"How are you feeling?" She says softly. "Like I've been beat up by
Muhammed Ali(in his prime), Mike Tyson, and Terrance Alverisk(the
current heavy weight champion)[note...this takes place in the future
so this guy isn't real]...oh yeah and by you too Seif." Seif laughs at
this and bounces back with, "Well if I had beat you up, you wouldn't
be alive right now."

After a little Jon is able to stand and takes the attention of the
group, "The procedures when flawlessly. I assume you have played
around with the info in your head and yes Isamu that is the
punishment. You should have already been trying to find out the
different things with controling the aircraft and the other uses you
now have mentally linked to you from your aircraft. We start flight
tests tommarow at oh-eighthundred hours[8 a.m. for those of you that
are millitarily illiterate]. Be hear bright and early because we do
flight tests quite differently than you do in your dimension. We are
much more thorough. I trust we will all sleep well tonight." The group
breaks up and leaves the hangar turning the lights off as the go out.

-------------------

The group has rejoined at the specified time the next morning inside a
meeting room off to the rear of the hangar. The only differences are
that Seif and Danielle are once again out on buisness. Isamu, Guld,
and Jon are in flight suits. Elly is in her U.N. Spacey uniform
(regular dress). After quite a bit of slipping papers around Seif
managed to get Myung into the U.N. Spacey as a Com-officer in charge
of Isamu and Guld and in the case that she must directly order them to
do something she was made a Major right away. She is wearing a very
similar outfit to Elly's.

"Ah, good morning and I would like to start off with...Isamu how does
it feel to have a wife, overnight, join the U.N. Spacey and straight
ahead of you in rank?" The group with the exception of an embarrased
Isamu is laughing. "Well anyway we got a lot of work to do. We are
doing a relatively short and non-detailed test flight...well for me
it's non-detailed. So any unseen problems that may come up you will
have to solve on the spot. Guld lets start with your fight plan...[at
this point I have decided to skip over this next part but still give
you an idea of what happens]. After about an hour of dissusing the
flight plan in the meeting room they all go to the bases mess hall,
which happens to be a very nice spiffy place to eat, and have
breakfast. Later in the air Guld takes off for the Western coast of
South America for under water test and a few land tests in dense
jungle, humid climates, and mountainous terrain. Isamu is sent into
space to a simulated astroid belt and tests the computers abilities to
handle multiple moving, objects in battle conditions, and still be
able to present easy to understand information to the pilot. Jon takes
off for high and low altitude flight testing and performing tests such
as spin roll-out and high angle of attack manuvers. All three haveing
a good time doing it. Elly and Myung are side by side in the
Com-office and are performing their duties to perfection. They run the
simulation programs which produce enemies and other obstacles as well
as relay info to the pilots on their next objective or point marker.

The 99's pull into their places in the large hagar and the cockpits
pop open and hiss with exscapeing pressureized gas. Guld climbs down
his ladder while Isamu and Jon jump down. They take off their helmets
and all three are wearing wide grins of enjoyment. "WOW!", Jon is the
first one to speak, "What a rush! I knew this thing could do some
radical things but...WOW...whew. I'm beat how 'bout you guys?"

Isamu catches his breath finally, "I've done some things today that
would baffle my old physics professor." Guld the ever silent but
strong type finaly speaks, "I don't know how you came up with the
concept with this jet but, thanks for doing it."

Jon is looking with great pride at his creations, "I feel sorry for
those who would take opposite side of these babies....'beautiful...but
deadly'."

Guld states silently, "Ah but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I'm sure if you were faceing these you wouldn't think of them as
beautiful at all."

"So your still alive are you Isamu. Well...if you keep pulling off
those 'too close for comfort' manuevers you won't be living much
longer." Myung walks in with Elly, "Remember no insurance company in
the universe wants you as a customer so I don't get anything if you
die."

Isamu smirks at his wife's joke, "Well that is because I'd figured
you'd follow me shortly after hearing of my death."

"Hah! I'd problely marry Guld and forget all about you." She smiles at
her husband. Jon grabs everyone's attention, "Hey how about some beers
in celebration of the maiden flights of the greatest aircraft ever to
exist by the greatest fighter pilots in the universe." Everyone
agrees.

--------------------

The group is crowded into a booth at Mike's. There are quite a few
people at the bar at this time and they creating the cliche bar noise
of talking, glasses being raised in toasts, ect...Mike walks up with
two beers per person in hand. "The beer is on the house...until you
fail and my bar is destroyed...then I'm charging 100% intrest." this
raises a, "I hear you!" from Isamu. As Mike leaves Jon and Elly decide
to move to one of the small, circular tables near by.

Elly has to raise her voice a little to get over the noise of the bar.
"A couple of my friends are going to get together at a dance club like
bar in town...you wanna come?"

"Sure. What is the name of the bar and when are you going." Jon asks
pleased that she asked him. "Its at a place called the Blue Floor Club
at 8 pm tommarow...I need a ride to and from, perhaps you could give
me a lift."

"Perhaps...kidding ofcourse. I'd be happy to...especially since I have
no idea where this place is. Will I be the only guy in the group or
what?" She laughs as if it were a stupid question, "Who cares but
since you asked, no. A couple of them are bringing their boy
friends...Hey don't you have that air show to do tommarow?"

"Yeah but I leave for it at 6 in the morning and get back at about 5
at night so I will have plenty of time...trust me on this one." after
a short pause, "It is almost unconcieveable that in less than a month
all these men...and more will be fighting for their lives and many may
not even survive..." they look around the room in quiet thought on how
these men would give their lives to protect all they beleive is true
and good.

"What's it like..." Elly catches Jon's attention with sad eyes, "What
is the battle field like? What is it like facing hundreds of enemies
not knowing if you are gonna live to see the next sun rise?"

"Well..." Jon is lost in thought for a moment but come out of it
slowly and as he speaks he stare into space, "In our dimension we
never have battles like that of your dimentsion..it is more of a one
on one thing..." Jon is cut off by Isamu who sits down next to them,
"Your field of view is filled with enemy markers and you say to
yourself 'how the hell am I gonna do this'. Then all normal thought
kinda...slips away and all you think about is killing and trying not
to be killed. You really have no time to feel. If you stop and feel
your emotions...your dead."

Jon cuts back in with his own knowledge, "We fighter pilots don't fly
for the battle. Those who do die quickly. We fly to fly...fighting is
just another task in front of us. If we ever got to liking the
killing...we wouldn't be human...but...animal. No we fight the fights
we do because we want to protect our way of life...our beliefs...We
fly for those at home who can not or choose not to. If it wasn't for
us or any other armed forces for that manner...you wouldn't be able to
sit at home and watch tv or sleep peacefully. We don't just fly and
fight for us but for every man, woman, and child whose very lives
depend upon our success...at least that's what I think." By now the
whole group is up and around the table and shaking their heads in
agreement to what Isamu and Jon has said.

Jon stands up and after a while get the attention of the bar. He
raises his glass of beer, "I propose a toast...a toast to all those
brave pilots who came before us...to those who are here now...and for
future pilots...all those who died for what they believed in...or or
those who died to make our lives better by furthering the knowledge of
the day...men like Orvil and Wilbur Write...the Flying Tigers...the
Tuskegee Airmen...George Washington...Galleleigo...and a man who I
have admired my whole life Chuck Yeager who took a very dangerous
plane on a run to break the sound barrier when the only other man
(Scott Crossfield) wanted major bucks to do the same job and Chuck
said sure I'll do it and for my normal Air Force pay too...he risked
his life doing something that most scientists said was
impossible...breaking the sound barrier...to all those I cannot name
from the macross dimension...wait I got one Roy Folker...and many many
many more not only in aviation but in other areas as well...to those
people a toast." The rest of the bar raises their mugs and agree with
a "Here, here!".

-----------------------

It is 5:30 in the morning and Jon is slowly putting on his flight
uniform. He is thinking over the manuevers he must perform perfectly
at the first annual U.N. Spacy Air Show. This is the first public
showing of the VF-99 and if anything goes wrong the image of the
aircraft will forever be tainted in the publics mind. Jon,though, is
very confident that everything will go as expected and he is
expecially pleased to know that he and his 99 have been invited to do
one of the few things Jon has always wanted to do as a pilot...fly as
the 'missing man' in the 'Broken Wing Manuever'. In this flight
formation manuever there are usually 7 aircraft in a V-type formation
and the last man on the right wing of the V breaks off from the rest.
This is a powerful symbol for remembering and showing respect to all
pilots who have died before them...to be invited to head this V is
honorable but to be the 'missing man', in other words the pilot that
breaks off, is one of the highest honors a pilot can have. You see it
symbolises a flight group in combat and the 'missing man' is a pilot
who gives his life in order to save the rest of the group...really
quite sad when you think about it. It is usually performed during the
opening ceromonies after the playing of the national anthum.[oh just
to let you know that part is all true...not made up at all. I have
also chosen the "Star Spangeled Banner" as the U.N. Spacey national
anthem because...frankly I like it much more than the traditional U.N.
Spacey anthem and I like it more than any other country's and if you
dont like it...tough...I'm the author so *pulls down his right bottom
eyelid while sticking his tounge out*]

Jon is in the 99's hangar now and is doing his final flight check of
the aircraft. When he finishes walking around the plane, checking
everything, he climbs up the ladder on the left side of the nose of
the aircraft. He steps down into the cockpit he puts on his helmet(and
air seals is), straps himself in, and closes the cockpit. At first it
is pitch black but the computer kicks on and the cockpit lights up
with the image of the surroundings of the aircraft. Little menus pop
up from a holo-laser-projector in front of Jon. They ask weather or
not to turn on a system and/or a setting for that system.[As we all
know these menus are pulled up by the pilots mind.] Useing the laser
interface all Jon has to do is touch the selection he wants. Jon
quickly turns on all computers systems, sets weaponry to 'Paintball
Mode'(this is a training mode where the weapons will act as if they
have fired, but don't. The computer calculates where the weapon would
go and makes a simulated paint splatter where it would land.) He then
sets the HUD[Heads up display for the not so wise of people] to
'Navigation Mode'(A mode for basic, non-combat, flight. HUD mode can
be change rapidly depending on the situation. Essentially the computer
could show everything to the pilot...but that would be confusing so
the pilot chooses a mode that would feed him only the information he
needs to know in that situation.) Jon then turns the energy flow in
the engiens and verniers on and then starts the in-take blades. While
the blades get up to speed(producing a high pitch whine) Jon situates
other things in the cockpit. Finally, Jon lights the engiens and Jon
taxis(pilots term for moving around the flight deck) to an elevator
which takes him down to a very dark section of the ship. It is an
unpressurized flight launching area.[this is a fairly good sized area
where the aircraft are launched from. It is the last thing between the
ship and the out side and it sits only in the middle of the Laviathan
where the doors are visible from the outside.] A man in a pressurized
suit guides Jon to the take off point with his bright orange batons.
Jon taxies into a small tunnel leading toward the outside. Jon locks
the breaks and powers the engiens to 40% which is far more than enough
to get airborn and then contacs the tower for permission to take off.
After he gets the go ahead from the tower the hundreds of solid and
engergy doors open in front of him. After the final door on the
outside opens and sunlight gleams through the greenish energy barrier
which is just on the inside from the last door. It will allow Jon to
pass through it but not allow anthing else to leave and nothing to
enter that tunnel. Jon lets the breaks off and the 99 shoots down the
tunnel like a bullet through a barrel. As he exits the tunnel there is
a seriene sunrise in front of him. Jon quickly smiles at the sight and
pulls back on the stick and pushes up the accelerator and the aircraft
rockets into the sky.

--------------------

At the airfield where the airshow is going to be held a group of
pilots are standing next to their custom painted F-22's. The leader is
an old adversary of Jon's and has no idea the pilot that will be the
'missing man' in his 'Broken Wing' performance is Jon[neither does Jon
know about him]. He is a shorter man than Jon. Well built with short
brown hair and hazel eyes that pierce you to the core. He is wearing
the old U.S. AirForce flight suit and pacing agitatedly.

"Where is this son of a bitch!" He nearly screams at his team mates,
"They said he would be here 20 minutes ago!"

"Calm down Craig. I'm sure he will..." He never gets to finish his
sentence because the hangar's radio connection to the tower comes
alive saying, "The pilot you were waiting for is here." The group
walks out of the hangar toward the runway to meet their temporary
member. They all stare at a point in the sky try to get a glimps of
this new highly advanced fight-plane. Finally, after many anxious
moments, they spot a tiny, shiny dot in the sky. Soon the dot turns
into a large white airplane and makes a graceful, short, landing and
pulls into the hangar where the rest of the team's aircraft are. The
engiens cut out and a high-pitched whine is made from the slowing
blades in the intakes. The first thing the pilots notice about the
aircraft is its size. For a fighter plane it is rather large, like the
Su-37 or the Mig-29. The next thing[or things depending on your point
of view. For me it is thing because it is the setup, or style, of the
aircraft] is that it has forward swept wings, kanard foreplanes, and
short tail fins. This starts an arguement about the setup of the
aircraft between the pilots.

"The kanards give you better manueverability at low speeds and that is
great for dog fighting.", one of the pilots says to another one who in
returns, "like the cheif designer from Boeing said 'I've never seen a
bird with its tail in the front and birds fly just fine.'" Just then
the cockpit pops up an inch or so and oxygen escapes in a white cloud
while makeing a hissing sound. The the whole cockpit opens up and Jon
steps down the ladder on the opposite side of the aircraft from the
rest of the pilots. As Jon comes around the nose of the aircraft he
comes face to face with Craig who intended to verbaly slam the
late-comer only to find it was Jon his old rival from U.S. AirForce
flight school.

Craig speaks[if you call yelling speaking] first, "What the hell are
you doing here! Last I heard you got shipped out to Death Valley to a
dead-end test flying job! And what the hell are you doing with this
fucking ugly airplane."

Jon replys calmly after stiffleing a laugh, "Well Craig I'm here to
fly as the 'missing man' in, what I'm guessing is your flight routine,
and I left that dead-end test flying job to build and fly the most
advanced aircraft and greatest fighter plane ever to be built!", Jon
is quite pleased with his answer and crosses his arms.

Craig by now is obviously angry, "What! This piece of shit! It will be
a cold day in hell when that piece of shit can win a dog fight!", Jon
once again stiffles a laugh because Craig's face is beat red, "HA! How
about sometime during the show we have a dog fight. Huh? Wha do ya
say?"

Craig cracks a smile of confidence, "Sure. Now I will finally be able
to get you back for all those times you embarrased me at flight
school.", As he finishes his sentence an airshow official walks in.
"Alright. You guys need to be in the air in 10 minutes. I want you to
fly out somewhere where you can't be seen. Then do a fly by just as
the Star Spangled Banner finishes, not supersonic. The when you are
lined up we will start the music for the 'Broken Wing' formation,
again not supersonic. Got it? Good." He turns and walks out of the
hangar.

When Craig goes to insult Jon he finds that Jon is already getting in
the cockpit and decides to let it go for now. All the members of the
flight team make their way to their 22's and climb inside. Jon takes
off first going in a seperate direction of everyone else for the
manuver that is planned for the opening ceremonies.

---------------------

Later that day parachuters are dropped from an airplane high above
airshow-center and they carry the U.N. Spacey flag and the "Star
Spangled Banner" starts playing and it is being sang by a popular male
singer. At the end of the song when, "And the home of the brave." is
sang the team flies towards the crowd from the front and Jon comes
from behind and flies straight through the center of the team(they do
this just in front of the crowd and of course about 300 feet above the
ground.

After a short period the song Taps(Day is Done) is played on a Trumpet
and the flight team, with Jon in position, flies low and slowly down
the airshow stage from the right to left. When they are at the center
Jon pulls up and away from the team acting as the 'missing man'. When
Jon is finally on the ground again he taxis to a position where on
lookers get a closer look at the aircraft. Jon sticks around the
airplane to answer the many questions that people have. At about half
way through the show, for Jon anyway, it is time to dog fight Craig.

"Right now we have a dog fight between two of the best pilots at this
show. This fight will be real not faked or set up. The only thing not
real about this fight will be the electronic bullets and missiles they
will be using for safety reason. They will be doing the best two out
of three. And here they go now!", the announcer informs the crowd.

"Ready to loose Hester!", Craig shoots off, "I highly doubt it. Ok
break in 3...2...1...BREAK!", Jon cracks. The planes turn and split
going in opposite directions. Shortly after they split Jon immediately
transforms to Battleroid mode and easily strafes Craig with electronic
bullets from his gun pod. "What the hell Hester! Mother Fucker!"[sorry
but I think if I were to have them say things other than swears
well...it would sound like dialoge from DBZ on Toonami for
example..."You dirty dog" What the hell is that! No one says that!] "I
admit that was a little cheap but...I didn't want you to be too cocky,
eh. I promise I will beat you totaly with fighter mode for now on."
With that Jon transforms back into fighter mode and forms
up[man...another pilot phrase to explane. Ok, forming up on someone's
wing means to get into a formation with them.] on his wing. Then after
they realign themselves with the airshow stage.

"Ok in 3...2...1...BREAK!", Jon calls again. They split and Jon
performs a gut wrenching turn(almost 90 degree) and faces(coming at
Craig from the side) the still turning Craig. Craig seeing this turns
his plane back to flat and level and pulls straight up and spins. Jon
follows him up with ease. Craig rolls to his left and performs a nice
tight loop. Jon follows with another tight turn that litteraly spins
the nose directly back toward the ground and for a moment actually
flies backwards. Craig watching the move suddenly realizes how good
the 99 is and decides that he will have to go all out to beat him. So,
Craig tumbles the F-22 around just long enough to get a lock on Jon
and fires an electronic missile. Jon sees the missile as if it were
real from his cockpit and deftly dodges it while fireing his gun at
Craig. Craig narrowly dodges the bullets (more luck on Craig's part
than skill) showing that he is good enough pilot to stand against a
valkyrie in an ordinary[well advanced ordinary] airplane. As Craig's
nose is now pointed strait at the ground so he pulls around to level
and then rolls to his right and when he looks for Jon again Jon is
gone. The computer in the 99 predicts Craig's movement and suggests
that Jon rockets down so that when Jon pulls up he will sit directly
under Craig aircraft and Jon agrees.

Craig now is geting very scared. "Shit Hester where'd you go?!", Jon
almost dies laughing, "Oh...no where. Well lets finish it eh?" Now
Craig is sweating bullets trying to find Jon and just happens to
glance at the right time to see Jon's right wing dissapear under him.
"O...K...Hester...but I have a good feeling your gonna loose.", just
as Craig says 'loose' he hits the air break and flips over to fire
straight up Jon's tail pipe but Jon is not there. Jon seen Craig
glance over and knew he had been caught so Jon had fallen back to
about a couple hundred feet behind and let him roll right into his gun
sight. The last thing Craig hears is laughing and the the alarms in
the cockpit go off telling him he is dead.

"And it appears that Lt. Hester of the U.N. Spacey, currently
stationed aboard the U.N.S.S. Laviathan has won the first two fights
with relative ease. Congrats Lt. Well I guess this proves the huge
capabilities of the brand new VF-99 Katana." The announcer states to
the crowd as somehow with all the manuevers Craig and Jon manange to
stay within easy view of the crowd. When Jon taxis back to his place
on the ground he is greeted by a large crowd applauding him. As Jon
steps down the ladder he gets comments from "good job" to "How the
hell did you do that?" from some of the more expierianced pilots.
Finally after an hour the crowd dwindles down and Jon gets a break
from asking questions. It is now that Jon notices an old P-51 Mustang
D-model. Since there is no danger Jon decides to go over and check out
the airplane. As Jon walks around the aircraft admireing the different
parts of it and getting to the opposite side of it he notices a good
looking woman bending over into the cockpit. Jon pauses confused on
wether or not to bother her.

Jon finally gets the courage to say something, "Hey. Nice plane. I see
you've totally restored it.", when she looks up and tosses her long
blonde hair back Jon has to stop and regain his self control by
thinking that he is already trying to get a girlfriend in Elly.
"Thanks...hey aren't you that pilot that was in the dog fight?"

"Yeah, it was really easy especially with the 99.", She looks nervous
now. "Wow, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you design that plane in
high school." Jon is looking a little embarrased now

"Yeah,...It took me all four years to complete. Designed it down to
each individual wire and fuel line" She looks a little dizzy now,
"That is impressive. Oh, where's my manners. My name is Terry and you
have to be Jon. It is a true honor to meet you."

"Why thanks, I don't get that much. This was my favorite plane for a
long time. So beautiful and yet so powerful. Have you suped-it-up or
is it completely original?" She steps down that small ladder and wipes
her hands with a little red towel.

"It is completely original and it still screams. Even the guns work.
But enough of the relics how the hell could you design a plane, in
high school, that is ranked as the best?", Jon chuckels a little.

"A long story. It officially started on my trip to Florida with my
A.F.J.R.O.T.C(AirForce Junior Recruit Officer Training Corps.) when I
drew a crewd picture of a Macross jet I had come up with. Well, later
when I found that the Macross jets were very realistic I realized my
drawing was horrible so I completely redesigned it but I kept the
name. Looking at the picture and comparing to this(motioning toward
the 99) you would say 'how could you get from this to this?' but, I
did. Before, I even started the remodel of that original copy I spent
about 3 months researching how Macross jets worked and got most of it
down pat...problely the hardest thing for me to find out is how a jet
engien could run in space...it isn't a jet engien at all. The blades
in the intake merely act as a cooling system when in the atmosphere.
The rest is a nuclear powered rocket engien. In our dimension it was
an idea played around with with great results but got shut down
because people were woried that if were to blow up in the atmosphere
the Earth would die or something like that. To us it was called the
N.E.R.V.A.[have no idea what it stands for] rocket engien.", Jon acts
knowledgeable on the subject.

"Wow, that is quite detailed for a cartoon even if it is an anime."
Just then Jon's watch beeps and he looks down and becomes very
nervous. "Ah, I got to go. I would love to stay and talk but I am
meeting my girlfriend and we are going to a night club. Good bye
Terry. It has been nice meeting you." Terry looks a little sad, "Well,
I will let you go on your way. Good Bye Jon." Jon shakes her hand and
spins on his heel.

-----------------------------

An hour later, Jon is climbing down the ladder of the 99 in side his
hangar onboard the Laviathan when Seif walks up.

"Hey Jon, what's up. Anyway guess what I did today.", Seif is looking
very happy. Since Jon is so tired that he just shrugs in ignorance. "I
finished the conversions on your car. It is ready for the road. I tell
you what though...V8 engiens are hard to convert to energy use. Your
car is now more powerful than most new-age sports cars."

"Great! I can pick up Elly in it. Cool! I owe you big time buddy.
Shit! I got to go. If you would just leave it here I will pick it up
in a bit. Thanks man." Jon then turns to go home, well to his
temporary home. "Sure Jon, no problem. Oh, and good luck tonight." Jon
steps into his car(the temporary one) and starts it and drives home.

---------------------------

About a hour later and a half hour till Jon and Elly need to be at the
club There is a knock on a door. When the door opens Jon is out side
wearing a smile as he sees the person who opens the door is the
captain of the Laviathan himself, Rick Hunter. Jon is wearing a button
down shirt that has an anime style image of a samuri on it[to my
friends you know what this style shirt looks like] and a pair of black
slacks and a pair of shiny black shoes. Rick is in some casual jeans
and a t-shirt.

"Hello Mr. Hunter. It is pleasure to meet you in person. I came to
pick up Elly...if that is ok with you.", Jon is starting to get
nervous that Rick wont like him.

"That is perfectly okay and call me Rick ok. Elly will be down in
about 5 minutes or so. Is that a...classic car from your dimension? I
ask because one of my old wing man...you problely know who Max Jeanus
is...is a old car nut...he has an old Cobra right now.", The old man
seems pleased with Jon.

"Just call me Jon. Yeah wanna take a look at it while we wait. Come
on.". The two walk over to an old car[I will explain exactly which one
in a sec] Jon pops the hood and starts talking about the car. "This is
a 1967 427 Corvette with 425 horse power, well originally, now that it
has been changed to energy use it has 1300 horse power. Easily more
powerful than most new cars. I has a super charger and the body is a
Red with black striped convertable with sting-ray body. It has leather
seats and chrome side pipes. This is a bad ass machine. I also have a
new motorcycle that I am currently building.", Jon is looking very
proud with his 'piece of art' and Rick looks a little lost.

"Now this is a car!", Elly says as she walks up to them wearing a
little black dress with no sleeves and only goes halfway down her
thighs. At the moment she has her hair up and a little black purse
hanging from her right sholder and a little gold and dimond necklace
hanging down on her chest."Now I see why you never liked that
temporary car." She walks over to Rick and gives him a big hug, "I'll
be back by eleven...I promise. Don't worry about Jon he is a good guy.
He wont try anything...for now. Good night daddy." She kisses him on
the cheek and turns to Jon. "We gonna go or what?"

Jon looking a little dazed as he stares at her and after a short
pause, "Uh...uh...yeah ok. Lets go." Jon opens the passenger door for
Elly and then closes it after she is seated. When he sits in the
driver's seat Rick walks over, "Take good care of her or I will hurt
you." Jon doesn't look surprised, "If she gets hurt when she is with
me I will hurt myself...so don't worry." Rick then walks back to his
front door and watches them leave.

Jon starts the car and the engine gives a very satisfying low rumble.
Jon smiles, takes a deep breath, and hits the accelerator. The car
fish tails with some smoke coming from the rear tires. As they drive
on the highway, Elly turns on the radio but it is useless because of
the noise comming from the side pipes drowns out everything.

-----------------------

Jon and Elly walk up to the bouncer outside of a classy looking club
about 10 minutes early. They seem to have known each other for a while
since he knows her by name. He is a fairly tough looking african
american whearing a black silk shirt and black slacks. He has a shiny
gold necklace around his neck and a nice rolex on. His black hair is
cut short, real short. He has an obvious gold tooth.

"Hey! Elly! Its been a while. Whaz'up. You ain't been round much no
more."[excuse my grammer this is just how he talks], they give each
other a short hug, "Oh sorry Cris, I have a had a ton of work. Are my
friends here yet?"

"Yeah dhey at your normal table in the back..."Elly catches this pause
in the sentence, "Whats up Cris?" Now he is acting very concerned as
he debates with himself on wether or not to tell her. "He is here. Max
came in bout an hour ago...w'ch out...he been lookin' for you...He
pretty mad."

Now Elly looks a little worried. "Shit! Not tonight! God damit! When
will he learn! Hey, thanks for the heads up. I owe you one Cris." With
this she turns and starts to walk into the club. When Jon follows Cris
stops him, "Where da hell you t'ink you goin' buddy!" Luckily for Jon
Elly hasn't gotten inside yet and comes back.

"He is the reason I'm really worried about Max. He's with me
Cris...don't worry he's cool." Cris looks Jon up and down confused why
he would be with Elly then just shrugs it off with, " 'k if you say
so...Just be carefule o' Max...he very protective o' Elly even t'ough
she not his no more and you'd better take good care o' her or I kick
yo ass. You hear me...and if you get in fight with Max, w'ich you
will, take it out side, 'k."

"I hear you man. I'll make sure nothin' happens inside. And about
Elly...don't worry I'll take good care of her." Now Jon and Elly turn
and walk into the club together. The club has a dancefloor in the
center and bar near the rear. There are round tables and booths every
where. The club is busy but not as busy as Jon imagined. Walking is
quite easy. The main bulk of the people are on the dance floor dancing
to loud music. Jon and Elly make their way to the rear of the club.
They stop at the booth where their friends are sitting.

After a moment of shaking hands and kisses on the cheak Elly
introduces Jon. Jon just shakes hands with every one at the table.
There are 3 women and 3 men at the table. (starting on Jon's left and
moving around the U-shaped table to Jon's right) Nick, Estella, Don,
Tracy, Matt, and Cary. Apperantly this had been discussed by the new
group of people before they got here cause all the guys, deftly, get
up from the table and take Jon over to sit at the bar. Elly sits down
with the girls who gather closer together to talk with each other over
the loud music.

Estella, a rich girl in a purple dress with long brown hair,"He's
kinda cute but...are you sure he is the right guy for you? I mean you
could do much better than him." Cary is wearing a sparkley
blueish-white dress and has her short blonde hair in curls. Cary looks
agitated at her friends remark, "I think he looks cute, smart, and
careing and, besides, if Elly likes him then she likes him for who he
is. I doubt anyone like Max will get under her radar like that again."
Tracy has a medium length red dress on and her long brown hair up in a
bun. "I agree with Cary...but...you could find someone
better...especially in the looks department. I mean he isn't ugly but
he is no superstar either."

Back with the guys at the bar, they are all drinking from brown
bottles of beer. Matt speaks up first, "So...how did you meet Elly any
way." Matt has short and slightly curly brown hair and is wearing a
silk shirt similar to his date's dress(Cary) and a pair of black
slacks[sorry about my poor taste in style...lets just say...I'M A
GUY...and I am NOT gay so...black slacks will be very very popular. Oh
and one more reminder...NO HATE MAIL].

"Well...I met Elly because she is my com. officer. You see...I am a
pilot and..." He is cut off by Don. Don has straight black hair and is
wearing an Armani[hey hey something different] Suit. "We know what a
com. officer is...we are all pilots." Nick butts in here, "So, is that
the only thing that makes you like her?" Nick has short blonde hair
and is wearing a red shirt white slacks and white shoes. He is
obviously the crazy one of the group.

"No no no, she's beautiful...actually too beautiful. I sometimes
wonder if she is leading me on because she could have any guy she
wanted so why me? She is really intelligent and compasionate. She is
just plain fun to be around...and there is something else...I can't
quite describe...I don't know it just...feels right. Well anyway
nothing is set in stone yet. I'm mean so far it feels as if she is
deciding to take our relationship to a boyfriend-girlfriend thing or
to just stay good friends."

Suddenly there is a sound that catches the guys' attention...well
mainly it was Elly saying, "Get out of here Max!" When the guys look
over he is a tall guy with a tan complexion and black hair. He is
sitting next to Elly comming on to her at a disgusting pace. Jon
stands up but Matt puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him, "Don't get
into this. All of us, including the girls discussed this last time
when the three of us got our asses kicked by him and his buddies. He
will grow tired of this and leave soon. For now just let it be."

Jon looks back to Elly and the look of disgust, anger, fear, and
sadness put him over the top. He breaks free of Matt and walks over
and taps Max on the right shoulder. This grabs the attention of about
20 of Max's buddies and they walk over and surround Jon. Max turns
around looking very pissed that he has been interrupted. "What do ya
want!", Elly is looking scared at what is about to happen to Jon.

"Leave her alone..." Jon is cut off by a very hard punch in the
stomach. He falls back into the group of Max's buddies and mumbles
under his breath, "I promised Cris nothing would happen inside so...,
" Jon lifts himself up with a grunt, "lets get this outside." He taps
Max on the right shoulder again.

"What now!" Max can't get out another sentence because of a
surpisingly powerful punch in the face from Jon. Three of Max's
buddies try to go help him but suddenly, out of no where, a sword
appears in front of their throats along with the words, "This will be
a clean one on one...I wont get involved and you won't either."
comming from Seif who is accompanied by Danielle. "He is all yours
Jon...good luck."

"Thanks Seif." Jon hoists the obviously very dazed Max onto his right
shoulder and carries him through the crowd out side where he dumps his
body on the ground with a, "Wow, good job." comming from Cris.

A bunch of people come from the club to see the fight. The first one
out is Elly followed by Seif, Danielle, the group of Max's buddies(who
are very nervous of Seif), Elly friends, and just a bunch of people
from the club. Max slowly get to his feet now so pissed off that his
face is turning red. He looks to he friends but see why they don't
help. As he starts to calm down for the fight he finds that he has a
bloody lip which causes the start of the fight. He strolls up to Jon
and punches at his face. Jon has learned some moves from Seif though
and deftly dodges it and counters with a hit to the stomach. This
doubles Max over and Jon kicks him in the face throwing him onto his
back.

"Just cause I'm not buff don't mean I can't fight. Seif taught me this
style of fighting it is called Jeet Kune Do."[just a note this style
is the same as what Spike, from Cowboy Bebop, uses.] As Max gets up he
surprises Jon with an upper cut which knocks him onto his back. "Yeah
well, technique is nothing compared to pure power." Jon laughs a
little as he gets up, "Well that is good because this technique uses
the opponents power against him." With that the fight continues.

Max makes a swinging kick with his left leg but Jon duck under it and
grabs it after it passes over head. He then kicks Max's other leg out
and Max fall flat on his ass. Max then swings his still free leg
around and it land with a devastating thump on Jon face. Jon is now
lying face down on the ground with a bloody lip and a boot mark on his
left cheek. Max gets up and turns his attention on the noisy crowd who
are cheering for him. He turns and stands by Jon's feet. Jon quickly
slides himself backwards so his legs are on opposite side of Max's and
spins himself onto his back so his left leg comes up and hits hard
into the back of Max's knees and the right leg sweeps him off his
feet. Max hits the ground real hard this time. Jon pushes himself to
his feet and watches as Max slowly does the same. Max now has a really
badly broken nose. Max uses both hands to push Jon in the chest
saying, "You wanna die punk! HUH!" at the second push Jon skillfully
grabs Max's hands and headbutts him in the face causing even more
damage to Max's face. This time it doesn't go so smoothly though as
Max breaks his right hand free and punches Jon in the ribs breaking
one. The last hit from Jon was devastating though and Max goes
unconscience as he hits the ground.

Jon being the victor he turns his head to look at Elly who is
horrified as she stares at Max's body only glancing at Jon once as if
saying, "How could you do this?". Jon feeling very lonely at this
point starts walking to his car limping slightly and holding his left
side. Seif and Danielle walk up and put his arms around their
shoulders to give him support as he walked. Seif is the first to
speak, "What about Elly?" The group stops, "The sad thing is women
feel sympathy for the person more injured...even if they hated him
more. Look at her...and prove me wrong." Seif and Danielle glance back
to see Elly looking frightened at Max. The group continues watching.

Elly is kneeling at Max's side. half her mind is scared and concerned
for Max while the other half is saying, "What are you doing do you
remember how he treated you. He deserves this." At that moment Max
regains conscienceness to see Elly at his side. He smile at her while
softly saying, "I always knew you had a great ass." Elly immediately
changes attitudes as she slaps him in the face putting him back into
unconscienceness and standing up disgusted. She looks around for Jon
and finds him limpind down a dark street with Seif on his right and
Danielle on his left helping him walk. She is washed over with regret
on how she treated him just recently and runs after Jon as it starts
to rain.

"Hey Jon!" The three stop and Jon supports himself and turns expecting
her to slap him or something only to find her soaking from the rain
and on the verge of tears. "Ya know...I still need a ride home..." Jon
smile and turns to Seif who beats Jon question with his answer, "Don't
worry you take her home now and here this will help." Seif pulls a
small pill from his right pant's pocket and gives it to Jon, "Think of
it as a rejuvination pill...It will instantly heal most wounds...this
one is made for broken bones so you will still have a bloody lip but
you will be able to walk and drive.", Jon pops it in his mouth and
smiles, "I owe you one Seif...thanks. Well see ya later."

Jon walks up to Elly with an umbrella Danielle had with her and puts
his left arm over shoulder and she leans into him as they walk down
the slightly dark street toward his car. The only words that are
spoken between here and her home are, "I'm sorry Jon...it just took me
a moment to realize once again that he is a jerk." and Jon's reply is,
"All's forgiven."

--------------------------

By the time they get to Elly's house Elly and Jon are much more dry.
When they pull into the drive way Elly turns to him, "Thanks Jon, I
had a great time...well besides the whole fight thing. See you
tommarow, eh? Good night." Elly pauses then turns and gets out of the
car when she walk up to the house in the rain Rick opens the door. Jon
puts the car in reverse and as he backs up both of them wave at him.
They, obviously, will have a long night of talking ahead of them.

--------------------------

The sun is making a beautiful orangeish-red sun rise over the
Laviathan as it sits in the water. The sea makes a georgous reflection
of the sunrise. Suddenly the water around the Laviathan is desturbed
and the giant ship lurches from its resting place in the sea.
Simotaneously hundreds of birds take off from their resting place on
top of the ship. Inside the command center of the Laviathan many
people are at work ensuring that everything is working correctly. The
captain, Rick, [though Rick is a General he is the "Captain" of the
ship so when I refer to him as captain that doesn't mean his rank has
changed so dramatically...but if some one else is known as a captain
that is their rank]is looking over multiple screens as they float in
mid air infront of him. He waves his hand with a smile and the screens
dissapear.

"Start all anti-gravity engiens and run them at 100% capacity. Keep me
up to date on our altitude. Have 2nd stage boosters ready." As Rick
gives the orders they each recieve an 'Aye, sir!' from a different
place on the command deck.

A slightly unkempt man with black hair falling straight down on all
sides walks up behind the captain and gets Rick's attention. He has an
aire of intelligence and skill. His uniform indicates he is the Cheif
of Security. "General there are some people at the door who say that
you invited them up here." The man motions toward the door. When Rick
spins the chair around to look he finds his daughter, Jon, Seif,
Danielle, Isamu, Myung, and Guld. "It is ok. Let them in and remember
them they are my good friends...and family. Good job, though, Seargent
Wolfwood. Oh, one more thing how is Lt. Stampeede settleing in as
munitions expert?"[Hah, if you think this will be the only character
from an anime/game who will work on the ship...then I laugh at
you...expect, not a lot, but more.]

"He is haveing a fun time fireing guns all day. Thanks for asking."
The seargent walks back to the group and informs them they can go in
now recieving a 'Good job on checking.' from Seif. The group walks up
to Rick. All of them are amazed at the room with the exceptions of
Seif, Danielle, and Jon who have already experienced the room. Elly is
about to hug her father when Jon stops her telling her it would
embarass the military because at that moment television viewers are
watching with a very resticted view as to prevent much information
from leaking to any potential enemies about the Laviathan's command
deck. "Thank you Jon, you prevented thousands of dollars being wasted
on trying to appease the public's conscience about the captain's
daughter being given a job on the ship."

A young luitenent with short black hair[not an anime character from
any series] gets the attention of the captain. "Sir we are at
sufficient altitude to use the stage 2 boosters. Also, the boosters
have been prep'ed and are ready for use. What are your orders sir."
Rick turns once more to his group of on-lookers, "I'm sorry but I have
duties to attend to. Please excuse me." Rick turns back to forward
facing position, "Ignite the stage 2 booster and regulate to keep this
ship stable." There is a low rumble as more smoke is seen and the
water dissapears beneath them as the ship ascends up into the upper
atmosphere. As every thing is seems to be working correctly...the ship
stops ascending and hovers and slowly starts droping.

"What is the problem?" Rick asks angerly. "Sir, we seem to be loosing
altitude..."at this Rick thinks, Well da! Tell me something I don't
know. "We are not aware of the problem as of yet." Rick is very angry
now, "What is our altitude?" Rick starts to sweat. "We are currently
3/4 of the way throught the 2nd stage." Rick gets an idea, "Are the
final stage engiens ready?" "Umm...yes sir!". Rick smiles widely,
"Fire the final stage rockets...NOW!"

The young seargent looks nervous, "But...sir...that may cause damage
to the ground and we may not have enough thrust to reach orbit." Rick
glances at him for a second, "I said do it." Rick quickly pulls up a
screen and starts working on calculations as he is working the full
instruction on how to do what he is attempting appears on his screen.
Rick glances around for a second and sees Jon and Seif smiling and
waving. I owe them for this. "At exactly 1 minute and 23 secods after
ignition of final stage thrusters tilt the ship's nose up 45 degrees
and start main engiens, with the exception of engien 9, then continue
running all engiens until we get into geo-sync orbit."

There is a resounding 'Aye, sir!' from the command deck. Slowly the
lumbering ship ignites all its engiens with lots of smoke comming from
the bottom part of the ship. As the nose turns upward eight of the
main engiens ignite but the nineth is kept off for the chance of
causeing damage to the planet. As the gigantic ship lurches forward
and upward it gains speed and after a few tense moments the ship
finally reaches orbit and the engiens are cut.

"Close all of the planetary launch engien's doors and cool them down.
Start the fold engien and program in the coordinates to our next way
point." Rick glances back to Seif who gives him a thumbs up. Then a
small screen pops up infront of the captain there is a man who appears
to be a mechanic. He is tall and tough looking with a mostly bald head
and a thick black beard. He has a blue jacket with the sleeves cut off
and a red t-shirt on underneath. He also has a scar over his right
eye.

"Ahh Colonel Black [I told you so.]have you discovered the problem
with our second stage engiens yet?" He rubbs his head and grunts,
"Yeah, apparently some idiot changed the power settings to run at 50%
power instead of full. Not much damage though." The Cheif of
Mechanical Upkeep of the Laviathan lights a cigarette ignoring the
dangers of his action.[I would like to note that this Jet Black has
both his arms for he never came in contact with his contact with his
old partner from Cowboy Bebop who shot off Jet's left arm...because
this is a different universe.] "Thank you Colonel. Bridge out." The
screen dissapears.

A young short haired blonde Captain addresses Rick, "Sir, the fold
engiens are ready for fold to specified coordinates...shall we
procede." Rick glances again at Seif as he finishes a conversation
with a team already at the position they are folding to. The team is
supposed to make sure there is nothing going to be in the way when
they get there.[just a quick little note...when a fold is commenced by
the Laviathan 2 survey droids are sent ahead one during fold which
gets there just quick enough to scan the area and relay info back to
the computers on the ship and a second that procedes just infront of
the Laviathan for a last minute measure. If the coordiates end up
inside an astroid or something big the computers will adjust the
coordinates to a safer place near by and if the Laviathan folds onto
something rather small in comparison like...a pop can floating in
space well that item will be vaporized by what is known as a 'clean
sweep' made by the 2 droids. If a ship is in the way the coordinates
will be changed as well...and if somehow something small gets through
the 'clean sweeps' it will be vaporized by the engergy that is used in
folding which not even the legendary metals can survive...in this case
a team was set up ahead of time to ensure nothing goes wrong...I think
that is everything]

Seif gives him a thumbs up and he turns back to the young Captain,
"Commence fold to way point 2. When we arrive inform the fleet that we
are ready and waiting." She snaps a quick salute while saying, "Sir,
yes sir! Commence fold to way point 2." From another part of the
command deck the order is echoed, "Commencing fold to way point 2."
After a short whirling sound of the fold engiens the Laviathan
dissapears in a flash of green light. They are flying quickly through
what appears to be a green tunnel. Rick turns back to Seif, "I thought
these folds were instantanious no matter the distance."

Seif smirks a little, "It is instant we are moving through a rip in
space and time to us the most distant fold operation will take about a
half hour, in other words moving from one end of the 'known universe'
to the opposite side. But outside time is frozen so it appears
instant. Don't wory the time we spend in fold doesn't effect the body.
We will still be the exact minute, hour, second, day,...ect...when we
come out of fold as we were when we went in." The captain looks a
little lost because all the folds he had ever done had not been
instant. "Captain this is your first time in a 'true fold' all other
folds attempt to do the same thing but have their problems such
as...using black holes well...black holes, even artificial ones, can
be very erratic in destination so you could end up on the other side
of the universe from where you were going...using worm holes are the
same way and they produce harmful radiation...some times fold is
confused with hyper space or sub space...and the folds that all of
your old ships used were very consuming of energy and definately not
instant plus they were very inaccurate if you didn't know what you
were doing to the exact degree. The Universal Council is one of the
extreme few who know how to use and build 'perfect fold' technology
all others have either died off, left to another distant part of the
universe, or have joined the council."

The captain still looks a little lost but Seif decides to save the
rest for another day. "Sir, 10 seconds 'till we come out of
fold...10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...coming out of fold
now." The ship appears in a brilliant flash of green light. They are
in the shadow of Mars. Out on the edges of the planet the main fleet
can be seen setting up for the battle wich will be held in the astroid
belt just beyond Mars. Seif grabs the Captain shoulder and wispers to
him, "When you are done here come to the 'War Room' and the stratagy
will be told there...bring only those that need to hear it." The
captain nods, "I'll be done shortly." With this Seif shuttles the
group off to the 'War Room'. The captain gives his last commands
before leaving, "Lock us in position and stay in Mar's shadow. The
enemy cannot be allowed to see us, yet. Stratigists come with me we
are going to learn of the battle plan." Rick is accompanied by 2 young
officers with clip boards in hand out of the command deck.

-------------------------

After a few minutes a large group of people are gathered in the 'War
Room'. The room is dark and is only being lit by holo screens and 3D
maps. It is the cliche war room look with much more advanced
technology. Seif steps forward to speak.

"Okay, now that we are all here I will begin.."Seif wave his hand a
large 3D real-time map pops up with a picture of Mars on one side and
Jupiter on the other with the astroids in the middle[it is a top down
perspective if there was such a thing as top down in space] Suddenly
green arrows appear on the Mars' side faceing inward and red ones
appear the same way only on Jupiter's side. Then a larger green arrow
appears behind Mars. "Exactly 20 hours from now at 0700 tommarow it is
estimated that they will attack us. (the red arrows move into the
astroids and are shown fireing) We let them take the first shot. We
don't want to look like the bad guys. Our fleet will return fire and
launch half of all their fighters to intercept the enemy fighters.
(little red dots come from the red arrows as the green arrows return
fire and launch their little green dots) It is thought that they will
launch half of their fighters in the begining but we are going on the
data that they will do what we do. If our forces get pushed back they
will launch the rest of their fighters and if it happens again we will
launce our '1st wave fighters' and shortly after our '2nd wave
fighters'. (the little green dots are loosing and the green arrows are
moving back slightly. Both red and green arrows launch more little
dots after a short period the big green arrow launches lots of little
green dots in 2 waves) Analists say they have a weapon that we havent
seen yet. Problely a giant cannon or ship. We make them think that
they have the advantage and they will pull it out to test it out. When
we do the Laviathan will open the main cannon and charge it. Once it
is done charging they will commence an immediate fold to just behind
their new weapon and fire the main cannon...trust me a direct from the
cannon will destroy it. Then they will fold to the right flank of the
line and fire straight down the line destroying as many of the enemy
ships as possible. Then it will patrol down the line helping where
needed. That is the basic stratagy...any questions?"

One of the strategists who came with the captain stands up, "Yes, what
about the Universal Council. Are they or Aren't they going to help
us." Seif smiles, "Great question. The answer is maybe. The thing is
we really don't know so instead of devise a stratagy where we would
get help some time in the battle and suffering when the help doesn't
come we decided it would be wiser to devise a stratagy without that
help and incorperate them if they do come. Good question. Any others?"

A slightly older officer stands up, "Why don't we just out right
attack them with this ship in the beginning?" Seif thinks of the right
words, "Because a basic stratagy of war is that you never show your
enemy your full capability at the begining of a fight but rather near
the end. We want them to think we have no special weapon so they will
show theirs and let their gaurd down and when they do we will show
ours gaining the advantage of surprise. And also if you can don't show
your capabilities at all. So if they don't have a secret weapon we
might and I repeat might not use the Laviathan in battle at all. Any
others?" The group is silent. "Well then lets get ready for this
battle." The crowd slowly drains from the room muttering about not
seeing any action.

-----------------------

19 hours later all of the pilots are gathered in a large hangar for a
speach by Seif. The tension in the air, from the impending battle, is
so thick you could touch it. Seif is up on a high platform above the
crowd. with a microphone in front of him. After a few minutes of
talking amungst the crowd they settle down Seif smiles and starts.

"I would like to start off by saying that I am not that great at
speachs and since I don't have a personal writer this might not be
that great...anyway...I will problely make 3 speaches like this while
on this ship once on our first battle(this one), once on our hardest
battle, and finally once on the last battle this ship will take part
in." Seif takes a deep breath, "I problely should say that we are all
gonna kick ass and come back alive...but that would be lying because I
really have no idea how this battle will turn out. We may lose but we
may also win. Even if we win we all problely wont come back alive. I
ask one thing of this battle do your best and no heroics. Heroics in a
battle like this will kill you. Don't go into this battle thinking
"I'm gonna kill every bad guy I see" because I would bet you will be
one of the first killed but to think "I'm gonna die so why try" is
even more useless. It is those people who are thinking "I may die but
if I do I will not die in vaine because I will do all that I can to
help and I'm definately not going to give up." who will most likely
make it through this battle. If there is one vote of confidence I can
give is that they are way too over confident and have sent some of
their worst pilots...but even their worst are pretty good. The last
thing I would like to say is that...remember...you aren't just
fighting for your life...you are fighting for the future of all
humanity...this is much bigger than just you...so one moto I have
always lived my life by...Never give up and never surrender...I don't
care if Adolf Hitler has an AK-47 to your head. If there is an opening
snatch the gun from his hands and put a clip into him...Dismissed!"

An officer takes command of the group.."Attention! Fall out and
Dismissed!" the whole hangar spins on their heels and files out of the
hangar at the same time.

---------------------

Jon is puttig on his gloves that go with his flight suit and is about
to get into the cockpit when Elly runs up. Jon is quite happy to see
her. She is in full uniform and was about to head over to her work
station.

"Jon wait! One last thing before you leave." She takes off the
necklace she is wearing. It is a small gold chain with a heart shaped
pendent that Elly opens and shows that there is a picture of Rick,
Lisa(her mother), and her as a child. "I have wore this almost every
day since the day my mother died. It is very precious to me. I want
you to hang on to it so you can't die because you have to get this
back to me." Jon takes the necklace and places it in the pocket closes
to his heart. "I knew a guy once who used to do something like this.
He would wash his own socks and every time he would go on a mission he
would get his socks ready to be washed so he couldn't die because he
had to come back and wash his socks. Sad thing is one day after a
mission...those socks never got washed. He saved his platoon by
destracting the enemy enough for them to get away. What was left of
his body was buried with his socks. Don't worry Elly you will get your
necklace back." He smiles as she gives him a quick hug before running
off to her post.

Jon slowly climbs into his cockpit and as he sits down he sees Isamu
break from a long kiss with Myung and her giving a big hug to Guld.
She then runs after Elly. The others climb into their aircraft. "Good
luck guys." Jon says and they reply, "Good luck." The three close the
cockpits simotaneaously. After a few minutes the engiens of the 99's
start up and they taxi out onto 3 squares in front of the hangar. The
airplanes easily fit inside the squares and then the squares decends
into the ground and a pair of doors close above them. It is very dark
inside of the tunnel and the computer even asks if Jon wants to move
to night vision mode. Jon confirms just after the platform comes to a
stop in what looks like a giant underground hangar that is not
pressurized plus the lights are off so this is a very dangerous place.
Jon follows the hand and voice instructions of the man in front of him
with a pair of orange batons. After a short taxi the 99 is enclosed in
a small tunnel leading straight out. There a closed doors about 100
meters in front of him. Jon puts the break on and powers up the engien
to 30% power(a lot for the 99 especially in space). A red light starts
flashing indicating that artificial gravity has been released and Jon
receives a go ahead from the control tower to launch and instantly
hundreds of solid and energy barriers are lifter in front of him with
only the one energy barrier that is the second door in from the end
that is left closed and will only allow him to leave and nothing to
come in throught that opening. Jon releases the break and rockets down
the tunnel and out the front of the Laviathan toward Mars.

Jon looks around and sees Isamu and Guld forming up on his wing. Then
there is a comunication window that pops up with Elly's face in it and
shortly afterward one with Seif. "Jon I am giving you the attack
command of the Laviathan's forces but only order it when I tell you
for now form a V formation with '1st wave fighter groups' and stop at
the position I am sending you now. I will join you in the second wave.
When you attack attack hard and fast. Seif out." Seif window
dissapears and Jon gives the orders and the thousands of fighter turn
into a huge V and Jon stops them sucessfully at the position Seif
sent.

After a short wait the battle begins with a communication to all ships
from the command ship on the front line, "They have fired on us. All
ships hold your fire it is a warning shot wait for a hit. They have
fired again. It is a direct hit all ships commence attack!" Then
another communication is routed through Elly and to Jon from Seif.
"Wait for it...we are pushing them back...they have launched their
second wave and so have we...they are pushing back our lines...Ready
the men..." Jon transforms into Battleroid mode and whips out both
sabers putting them together and forming a twin saber. He raises it to
a vertical position telling the other pilots to be ready. After a long
and silent pause, "Attack." Jon brings down the engergy saber to a
horizontal position pointing toward the battle somewhere behind the
red planet...

--------------------

To be continued...