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To tell the truth, I was worried for a bit, since I hadn't written anything
since 9-11, however it turns out that my muse hadn't abandoned me, she just
was TAD keeping spirits up in NYC.
However, since she got back tonight, here is chapter 12 of Tales of the
Wanderer Book 2: "The Heavy End..."
As always, C&C is not only welcome, but all but BEGGED for! ^_^;
--
Starrngr -- Ranger HQ
HTTP://home.talkcity.com/TheSanitarium/Da_Muck/
"You wear a Hawaiian shirt and bring your music on a RUN? No wonder they
call you Howling Mad..." -- Doc' (As Rabid).
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: totw2_12f.txt
Even though these things give you about as much legal coverage
as a G-string on a stripper, I am going to include it anyways.
Most of the characters in this story are the property of Harmony
Gold, and a whole lot of other companies who's names escape me at the
moment, and are used without their permission. However, since this
is a not for profit undertaking, I dont think its neccecary to worry
about it. At any rate, I'm so broke suing would be a waste of time.
The few original charecters in here are mine, so please ask before
using them in a fic of your own.
Comments and Criticisms welcome: E-Mail Starrngr@aol.com.
Flames will be promptly filed in file 13 and ignored. Previous
parts of this story can be found at: Ranger HQ:
HTTP://home.talkcity.com/TheSanitarium/Da_Muck/Libr/wndr/
AND at Sofaspud's Couch HTTP://www.sofaspud.org/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tales of the Wanderer: Book 2: Wandering Ace Chapter 12: The Heavy
End
Captain Gloval was waiting by the hatch when Muck finally
escorted Minister Exedore into the main conference room. "Minister
Exedore. I'm glad to finally meet you in person," Gloval observed,
holding out his hand.
"Yes, I'm glad to meet face to face as well," Exedore agreed,
accepting the handshake, while behind them Col. Maistroff entered.
"Colonel." Gloval observed. "I think we're missing some
people, aren't we?"
"Yes, Sir. They should be arriving momentarily, though."
Gloval nodded, then indicated the witness stand. "Very well.
If you'd take your seat, Minister, We'll begin as soon as they
arrive." Exedore nodded at this, and took the indicated seat, Muck
standing behind him and to his right. A young third lieutenant
entered, bearing a tray of orange juice, placing a glass where the
Minister could reach it. Exedore raised the glass and took a
cautious sip, the looked up at the Lieutenant.
"This is quite refreshing. What is it?"
Muck looked up to Gloval and got a nod of approval before
answering for the young officer. "It's called orange juice,
Minister. From our on-board hydroponics orchards."
"You GROW this?" Exedore probed.
"Actually, we grow the fruit it comes from, Minister."
"Ah. I see," mused Exedore, finishing the glass while he
considered the implications of this statement. He placed the empty
glass on the table as the young officer returned from her rounds.
"That was very refreshing. Thank you," he enthused.
"Your welcome, sir. Would you like another?" she inquired
with a bright smile, replacing the empty glass with a full one.
"If you insist," Exedore replied lightly, and she moved off with
a nod.
As she left, Max and Miriya Sterling entered. "Reporting as order,
Captain," Max supplied, as the pair came to attention and saluted.
"Ah! Hello, Quadrano Leader," Exedore interjected, coming to his
feet, orange juice forgotten.
"Minister Exedore!" Miriya gulped in astonishment, then quickly
saluted him in Zentraedi style. "My apologies, sir, no one told me
YOU were the emissary!" Though she was a head taller than Exedore,
she had that guilty look of all children when suddenly caught by
their parent. She glanced at Max, then back to Exedore. "You're
probably wondering why I..."
Exedore held up his hand in a gentle gesture, and Miriya stopped,
blushing. "We did find your Mating ritual... Marriage? Quite
provocative, but that is not why I am here. I shall explain as soon
as everyone arrives. I take it this is the male half of your
bonding?"
"Umm, Yes, Minister." Miriya replied sheepishly. Beside her,
Max was in a bit of a snit, and considered kissing her to remind
her of just what their marriage really meant, at least to him. The
hatch opened again, admitting Rick Hunter, who crossed to Max and
said something only Max could hear.
This prompted Exedore back to his feet, as he suddenly shouted;
"Of course! The Micronization process must have affected my memory
somehow! You're two of the captives from Breetai's Flagship,
aren't you?" Max and Rick expressed a bit of bafflement at this,
but Exedore continued unabated. "How did you escape? Was it yet
another secret Micronian power?"
Muck, who knew well that Max had secreted himself aboard by
disguising his Veritech as a Zentraedi solder, stepped in to deflect
the conversation. "Yes, Minister. Another Military Secret, sir."
Apparently satisfied, Exedore nodded and sat back down as Rick, Max,
and Miriya found seats.
The hatch opened once more, admitting the Rico, Konda, and Bron.
"Well, I must admit that I didn't expect the leaders of our mass
defection to actually attend," Exedore observed aloud, causing an
instant panic attack in the three micronized warriors, who huddled
together as panicked eyes searched for a way out.
"M-m-m-Minister Exedore!" Rico finally stammered. "Please,
Your Excellency! It wasn't our fault, really!" Konda and Bron also
began to protest their innocence, but Exedore again silenced them
with the same gentle hand gesture he had used on Miriya.
"Relax, please. I assure you I have no intention of harming
you," Exedore proclaimed in a gentle tone. The three sighed a quite
audible breath of relief as they sagged against each other in a most
comic fashion.
Maistroff cleared his throat as the last arrivals found seats.
"I believe that's everyone, Captain. The ship's computer will record
the proceedings for us."
"Very well," Gloval rumbled, pushing up his cap from over his
eyes. "Minister, you've told us very little so far, so we are
unclear as to the exact reason of your mission here. Would you be so
kind as to enlighten us?"
"You're curiosity is understandable, Captain, but not everyone
is here yet." A murmur of astonishment circulated, but Exedore
continued unabated. "There are two of your kind who we are most
interested in. The first possesses powers and skills that can only
be called extraordinary; the second, the female who seems to form the
core of your psychological assault."
The three defectors leaned closer together in some sort of
private conversation as the rest exchanged puzzled looks. "I'm
afraid I can't think of anyone who would be at the core of a
psychological assault, Minister. If you would please be more
specific?"
"He means the Lynns, Captain," Muck supplied from behind
Minister Exedore, who had stood once more.
"Is that her name?" Exedore inquired twisting to look behind
him before looking back at Gloval. "At any rate, she is performing
some kind of strange chant..." Exedore picked up the forgotten
glass of orange juice and held it like a microphone.
"Stage Fright, go away! This is my big day..." Exedore crooned
in a creaky falsetto.
"He IS talking about Minmei!" The three spies exclaimed.
Rick and Max exchanged incredulous glances as Gloval pulled his hat
low over his eyes again and did his best to impersonate a turtle.
Maistroff stared at the overhead for a long moment, before looking
straight at Muck.
"Captain Thunders. Get your jeep and bring the Lynns here,"
Maistroff snapped.
"Aye aye, sir." Muck replied, giving a snappy salute and beating
feet while Maistroff and Gloval tried to think of a polite way to ask
the Minister to PLEASE stop singing...
* * * * * * * * *
"That's Her!" Exedore exclaimed as Minmei finally stepped
through the briefing room hatchway. The exclamation caused her to
stop, looking around in confusion like a deer caught in a pair of
headlights.
Her cousin Kyle followed a moment later, grumbling about being
pushed around by the military, followed by Muck, who had a look on
his face Gloval remembered well from his Babushka (1)... a look of
disappointment mixed with an iron determination to not put up with
any foolishness.
"Can someone please explain what this is about?" sighed Minmei
in a tired voice.
Kyle stepped around her, as if to protect her. "I wouldn't
expect any answers from these people; they're only concerned with
their fascist war plans, not peace..."
He was cut short by Muck grabbing his elbow from behind,
spinning Kyle to face him. "It just so happens this is a peace
conference, so I suggest that you button it and co-operate or this
fascist war pig is going to kick you out of the nearest airlock
so hard you'll make it back to earth on sheer momentum." Kyle's
eyes flared, then stopped as he caught something in Muck's eyes.
"That will be ENOUGH, Thunders," Gloval barked.
Muck stiffened, releasing Lynn Kyle's arm. "Yes sir. My
apologies, sir." Kyle rubbed his arm, but sullenly made his way
across the room to an available seat.
Gloval glared at the still petulant Kyle. "These proceedings
are strictly classified. You will answer our questions, and if you
ever speak about what you hear today to anyone, hope that Captain
Thunders there gets to you before I do. Is that Understood?"
"Yes, Captain," Minmei replied gently while Kyle leaned back in
his chair and sulked; Minmei placed a hand on his shoulder. "They
need our help. Can't you see that hostility isn't going to get us
anywhere?" Kyle shot Minmei a petulant look, but finally nodded
in agreement.
Gloval looked to Exedore, and irritation crept into his tone.
"Now, Minister, if you would _please_ tell us what this is all
about?"
"All in its proper order, Captain. However, I assure you my
presence here is of critical importance to both our races." All the
military officers exchanged startled glances; Exedore's attention
was on Lynn Kyle. "Officer Kyle. What exactly is your military
rank?"
Kyle replied with a snort. "I have no rank. I am a civilian,
and won't have anything to do with the military."
"Someone with your superior fighting skills and super-powers?
Aboard this ship? I think not," Exedore observed in an icy tone.
"Super-powers? What are you talking about?" snarled Kyle.
"The ones you demonstrate in the history recording 'Little
White Dragon'," Exedore countered, drawing looks of astonishment
from everyone but Muck.
"That's not a historical document, Minister," Muck interjected,
breaking the tableau.
"It's not?"
"No sir. It's what we call a movie. It's something we made up,
something to entertain us and distract us from the war out there."
Muck supplied.
"Captain Thunders is correct, Minister," Gloval added. "None
of us have the sort of powers you've just described."
"I see." From his tone, clearly Exedore was skeptical,
but willing to accept that claim at face value. "And your energy
barrier and destructive wave?"
"Both are based on technology we found aboard this ship," Gloval
admitted.
"But you forget the Protoculture!" Exedore exclaimed. "The
great Matrix which was Zor's greatest accomplishment, which he hid
aboard this ship before sending it here. A power which allows things
like THIS!" Exedore pointed to the main viewing screen, which then
displayed a video clip. Alien glyphs of the Zentraedi language
appeared along the edges, identifying the source. The image was
centered on a lone Super VT in Batteliod mode. As the clip began
to play, the VT drew a sword from somewhere and landed briefly on a
rounded surface, making a slashing cut which pierced deeply into the
surface. It then made a throwing motion and a golden streak flew
from its left arm and off screen, before the VT leapt away. As it
did, the focus changed, revealing the curved surface to be the top of
a Zentraedi battlepod, and the miniature scale of the VT; such a
small scale that it could only be one person... Star Ranger. "This
clip was taken from the battle recorders on one of our officer's
pods. The officer in question had no idea of what had happened
to him. I only discovered it upon later study of the recordings.
This sort of Micronization is only possible through the power of
Protoculture!" Exedore concluded in triumph.
Gloval Glared at Muck, who sheepishly rubbed the back of his
head. "Perhaps YOU would like to explain this to the Minister?"
"Umm, yes sir." Muck turned to Minister Exedore, who looked
to him with challenge in his eyes. "What you're seeing isn't what
you think your seeing, Minister," Muck admitted. Exedore raised
an eyebrow at this but remained silent for the moment. "What your
seeing on the screen is... well... Me. It doesn't have anything
to do with Protoculture at all."
Exedore sat back in his chair and crossed his arms in disbelief;
Muck sighed and plowed forward. "You see, Minister, I'm not even
from around here, really. Well, I do come from earth, just not THIS
earth." Exedore leaned forward, intrigued, and indicated for Muck
to continue. "Well, basically what happened is that where I come
from, I was a hotshot inventor. I was working on teleportation,
a system somewhat similar to the spacefolds your fleet and the SDF-1
use. Only problem was, I had to prove the concept, so I made a bad
decision. I used insufficiently tested equipment and a flawed theory
to teleport myself into my bosses lab while she was showing HER
bosses around. The idea was to make such a big impression that they
wouldn't think of canceling my program. However, My targeting
was off, and I wound up arriving in a spot that was already occupied
by another piece of matter... a robotic probe my boss was working
on." Exedore winced at that piece of information... Muck realized
that the Zentraedi had probably lost more than one ship to such bad
targeting. "Still, I was lucky, I guess. Instead of being blown
into my component atoms, I was merged with the probe... Like this."
Muck stepped away from the wall, making certain that there was clear
space around him. His skin silvered, then rippled, loosing all
definition. The silvering spread across his uniform, growing
slightly and becoming blockish before solidifying into the form of
Star Ranger. The final touch was the silvering running away from the
center of the form to the limbs; leaving the paint-job and final
details behind as it vanished.
Exedore leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. Gloval and
Maistroff had both seen the change before; both studied Exedore's
reaction intently. The others simply stared with various expressions
of shock, surprise, and disbelief. Rick and Max, who knew about
this, but hadn't seen Muck actually change, watched intently as Star
Ranger became Micheal Thunders once more. "Later, I tried to stop
someone from using a similar technology, only to have it
self-distract. Instead of being killed, though, I wound up here."
There, of course, was a bit more to all of it than that, but Muck
didn't want to add more confusion to the already delicate situation.
"I see," mused Exedore, turning back to Gloval and leaning
forward in his chair. "But if you do not have the Matrix, where is
it?"
A deep quiet settled over the briefing room, broken when Gloval
turned to Maistroff. "I think we're ready for Dr. Lang." Maistroff
nodded, and, as if on cue, the briefing room hatch slid open to admit
the ships resident genius, Dr. Lang... the one person on board who
knew the most about the secrets of the SDF-1. Both Lynns gasped
at the sight of his alien eyes, transformed to all pupil by the
Robo-technological boost he'd accidentally triggered when the ship
was first boarded.
"We have heard you mention Protoculture repeatedly, Minister.
Will you tell me what it is?" Land asked, bluntly.
"How can you not know? Protoculture is the greatest energy
source in the galaxy. It is what powers our ships and battle
mecha... of both your fleet and ours. The great matrix is what makes
this ship so important to us."
Lang shook his head. "I have been searching this ship since
your fleet arrived in our system, and I have found nothing like that
aboard. However, I believe I know what has happened. Come with me,
Please." Lang turned and moved towards the hatch; Muck glanced
up to Gloval, who was already on his feet.
"Captain Thunders, you will escort the Minister," Gloval
confirmed. "Everyone else remain here, please. We'll be back
shortly."
"Aye Aye, Sir," Muck replied. "Minister, if you would be so
kind as to follow me?"
* * * * * * * * *
"If you will recall, when you first attacked, we were forced
to attempt a space-fold," Lang was explaining as the quartet entered
the large compartment that used to contain the SDF-1's fold
generator. "However, we had no chance to experiment, or test. A
jump that was just to take us to the far side of the moon took us out
past Pluto, instead."
"Yes, I remember that quite well. You jumped from far too deep
in your planet's gravity well. We were convinced you were quite
suicidal," Exedore replied. "In fact, you're lucky you survived
at all."
"It was a result of our ignorance," Gloval admitted. "We didn't
know, so I tried to get us as close to where we'd performed the
initial experiments."
"As a result of this... miscalculation, we had another
un-anticipated side effect," Lang continued. "The space-fold
apparatus just vanished. Faded from view completely; leaving only
these..." Lang indicated the mysterious flittering lights that now
populated the center of the compartment; the mysterious energies
that powered the SDF-1's defensive system.
"May I borrow some of your instruments for a moment, Doctor?"
Exedore inquired. Lang nodded, and the small platform grew silent
as Exedore manipulated the sensors. In this quiet, the small ring
of Muck's remote link to FRED was clearly audible, and drew an
irritated look from Gloval. Muck blushed, and stepped out of the
compartment before answering the device, disguised as a cell phone.
"What is it, FRED? I'm kinda busy here..." Muck grumbled.
"Well excuse me. I thought that informing you that I've just
picked up the same sort of emissions as my damaged sensor pack might
actually be important..."
"Are you certain?"
"I'm a computer. Of course I'm certain. Why, do you think you
know where the emanations are coming from... correction. Were coming
from, they've just stopped."
"Minister Exedore was using some of Lang's instruments,"
Muck observed. "You're certain about this?"
"I'm a computer. I don't make mistakes."
"Oh? Then how do you explain..." What ever Muck was about to
say in rebuttal was cut off by the emergence of Exedore and company,
Muck quickly closed the link and put it away.
"All of Zor's Secrets, Lost!" Exedore was lamenting. "This long
war, fought for nothing."
Lang patted the Minister's shoulder consolingly. "Perhaps
we will find it again... who can say?"
"We need to return to the briefing room," Gloval observed
gruffly. "There is still much we need to discuss..."
* * * * * * * * *
"It does appear that we have made a great mistake," Exedore
admitted when everyone was once more ensconced in the briefing
room. "However, you cannot deny the power of this girl's songs!"
"I wouldn't dream of it," Gloval admitted.
"That's because its true!" "Minmei's songs have great power!"
The three spies were tripping over each other word-wise, making it
hard to tell who had said what... yet they clearly agreed on this
point.
Exedore grunted. "This is not the first time our race has
encountered something like this. Generations ago, we encountered
another culture much like yours and it nearly destroyed us."
"How so?" inquired a confused but interested Maistroff.
"For us Zentraedi, fighting is our way of life. However,
when our troops were exposed to an emotionally open culture similar
to yours they refused to fight." Exedore explained. "This could
not be tolerated, so loyal troops were brought in, assisted by our
creators, the Robotech Masters themselves, to destroy everyone
who had been in contact with this civilization to destroy this
contagion before it spread." As the impact of this began to
penetrate, a deep concern; pierced with a growing horror began to
settle over the room. "If and when our supreme commander Dolza reads
my report he will have no choice but to make the same decision
and launch an all out attack on this system with the entire Grand
Fleet; especially in light of the fact that Zor's matrix is no longer
aboard this ship."
Gloval looked to Rick and Max. "The one mentioned in your
report."
Rick Hunter nodded glumly. "Yes sir." 'Five million ships
worth, give or take a couple of thousand, sir...'
Exedore nodded as well. "I can see what you are thinking. However,
these new developments such as our defections, the Minmei cult, and
the mating of our greatest warrior with one of your pilots change
the picture dramatically." Exedore paused. "Because if a solution
cannot be found, everyone in our fleet is in as much danger from the
Grand Fleet as you are..."
A dead silence filled the briefing room for a long moment until
the com-unit at Gloval's seat began to ring. "Gloval. Hmm? Yes,
by all means, set it up immediately, and pipe it down here for the
Minister." He looked up at the assembled faces as he hung up the
handset. "Minister Exedore, your flagship wishes to communicate
with you, immediately. Our communications technicians will patch
the channel through to the handset on your desk."
Exedore nodded grimly, a nasty premonition of what this was all
about growing in his mind. Almost on cue, the communication
terminal at the witness desk rang, and the minister picked it up with
a trembling hand. "Exedore here... Yes, M'lord. She has? You're
certain of this? Yes, I know what this means. I understand,
M'lord." His hand was trembling enough now that it took two attempts
to replace the handset in its cradle; yet his eyes were calm as he
looked up at the others assembled. "You must prepare yourselves
to escape this star system. We will help you."
Gloval eyed the Minister carefully. "Out of the question.
We have sworn to defend this planet," he declared flatly.
Exedore nodded wearily. "I understand. We would act no
differently. What's more, without your help, we cannot escape
either; our supplies of Protoculture are all but exhausted, and Zor's
great matrix was our last hope." He sighed. "It appears we will
soon be fighting a common enemy... the Grand Fleet."
Maistroff exploded at this news. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
Exedore wearily eyed the Colonel. "My lord Breetai has just
informed me that the Grand Fleet is on its way to this star system.
Four million ships with the firepower of a super-nova."
The briefing room exploded into commotion. Lynn-Kyle was
expressing futility, while those from the military seemed resigned
to the inevitable. Max and Miriya only regretted not having longer
together. Exedore looked around, and decided that the warriors,
at least, were indeed worthy allies. Pushing himself to his feet,
his voice garnered everyone's attention. "It is not over yet! There
may yet be a way!" The silence in the wake of this statement
was as sudden as switching off a light.
"Explain, Please," Gloval guardedly asked.
"Thus far, this vessel, in your hands has proven itself
unbeatable! I need some more information to be certain, but I do
believe there *IS* a way we can win!" Exedore replied, his voice now
steady and his entire body language screaming certainty...
A certainty that slowly but certainly spread to everyone else present
as well...
* * * * * * * * *
To be concluded in Chapter 13 "Hammer Time!"
----------
(1) Babushka: Russian for grandmother.
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