Wow, didn't think I'd have this done so soon (and the next few should 
flow even faster, considering their half-written already).  Maybe this 
means my muse is back.  Again, previous chapters are availible at 
http://templar.anifics.com/  comments are always welcome, and always 
answered.

Disclaimer: Everything contained in this work of fiction is property of 
its original owner.  No infringement is intended.

No Need for Protoculture
by Andrew Wilson

Chapter 9: Battlecry of Freedom

Tenchi was probably the only one on the flight line who wasn't groaning 
about how the Minmei concert was interrupted by the alert.  He was 
groaning about yet another Zentradi attack.  It was almost as though 
they were testing the SDF-1 instead of attempting to destroy it.

*Well, they said they wanted to capture it when we were their...guests.*

"Alright Skulls, listen up," Rick said over the squadron frequency. 
"There's a mix of thirty crusiers and destroyers approaching.  No mecha 
support, but that'll change.  Ghost squadron is tasked with cap-busting, 
with Green and Red groups for cover.  We've got close support, as usual. 
  When the pods appear, take 'em down."

They didn't take long to appear.  Skull squadron was hardly off the 
ramps before the Zentradi ships disgorged the usual squads of mecha. 
And the dance of death began in the cold stars.

******

"Not again," Sasami moaned as the alarms blared.  The four of them 
finished securing the Tree of Life and it's contents (when the 
artificial gravity goes out, things get messy), but none made a move 
toward the emergency shelters.  Others were doing the same, but many 
were still at the concert in the main amphitheater.

"Almost two years in space," Ayeka sighed. "Will it ever end?"

"No," Ryoko and Yosho said as one.  They exchanged a breif glare before 
turning to the younger women.

"Conflict is part of life," Yosho said slowly. "Whether violent or 
merely competitive.  That is a...side effect of free will."

"They threaten us, we fight back," Ryoko countered. "They try to steal 
what we have, we must protect it.  It's the way things are."

"But why?" Sasami sighed.

"Because no sentient race has outgrown hostility," Ayeka explained to 
her sister. "Though these...Zentradi are much worse than others."

*******

"Watch yourself, two, you've picked up a big one."

Tenchi hit his burners and wrenched his fighter up and away as a set of 
particle beams blew through the space he just vacated.  Halfway through 
his loop, he quickly locked onto and launched his missiles at a pair of 
fighter pods attempting to flank him.  The officer pod that threatened 
him initially was attempting to mimic his turn, but didn't have the 
maneuverability as Tenchi switched to Guardian and cut inside the loop. 
  A quick burst of shells later and he was back in Jet scanning for new 
targets.

"Back to the SDF-1, Skulls," Rick called. "That cruiser is getting a 
little too close to base."

"All ships!" Commander Hayes. "Daedalus Maneuver commencing.  Clear the 
area."

"Not us, Skulls," Rick quickly commanded. "Full burn, we've got a 
squadron of fighters heading for the Prometheus."

A moment later, the 'arm' of the SDF-1 drew back and rammed the 
approaching cruiser.  Skull squadron destroyed the dozen fighter pods, 
and it remained in that position.

*What's going on?* Tenchi asked as Skull split into a trio of flights 
and bracketed the Zentradi ship.

"SDF-1 is pulling back, Skulls," Rick informed them. "Take out the whale!"

As one, the Skull's launched their only heavy warheads.  The launches 
were staggered, so that the sets hit in sequence.  While normally the 
weapons wouldn't do much good against heavy hulls, the sequence that the 
weapons hit allowed them to drill deep inside the cruiser.  And 
after-battle analysis of wrecks over the past year and a half allowed 
them to know exactly where to hit.

First Flight's missiles flew right down the exposed 'throat' and cut off 
the bridge and central control.  Second and Third Flights were tasked 
with the engineering spaces and reflex reactor.  Sixteen heavy missiles 
assaulted the layers of armor and shielding protecting that very 
sensitive region.

"Clear out!" Horn called over the squadron net.  The Skull's burned away 
at full acceleration as the cruiser began to glow.  Cracks emerged along 
the flanks as plumes of plasma erupted from the breaches in the hull, 
and from the bow through the hole the Daedalus made like the breath of a 
dragon.  The cracks widened and spread like water breaking out of a damn 
until the entire ship was a shape of blue-white fire.  Then it faded 
from sight as though it never existed.

"Oh no," Rick breathed. "All Skull's, return to base!  They got on 
through the Daedalus!"

"We're with you boss," Max replied. "Lead the way."

"We have your six," Tenchi added.

"One flight on me," Rick ordered, "we're heading directly for Macross. 
Two flight, three flight, go through the Daedalus, clean out the trash."

*******

The Skull Veritechs dropped out of the Macross airlock in Guardian and 
descended into the city.  They could see lines of destruction spreading 
out from the Daedalus tunnel like a fountain of fire.  Obviously the 
Zentradi had been willing to sacrifice one of their many capital ships 
simply to get a raiding force this deep into the battle fortress.

"Split up and keep them away from the civilians," Rick ordered. "Tenchi, 
take downtown.  Max, residential zone.  I'll head for Star Dome."

"What about me, boss?" Ken Johnson, Ben's successor, asked.

"On my six, Kenny.  Looks like the fighting is heaviest there.  Let's go!"

Tenchi skated above the surface of the road as he headed for Downtown. 
The commercial area was wrecked, but the broke windows resembled random 
looting more than actual destruction.  In fact...

"Control, this is Skull 2.  Looks like...looting downtown.  But no major 
damage."

"Acknowledged," Hayes said over the circuit. "Any signs of mecha?"

"Negative...wait." Tenchi stopped in front of an inert battlepod. "Looks 
like an abandoned pod.  Standard ostrich."

"Civil defense teams are reporting the same.  Total of four have been 
sighted so far.  Fighting is still heavy in Skull Leader's position."

"Roger, on the way."  Tenchi glanced again at the empty pod before 
steering toward the Star Dome.  A moment later he found a cluster of 
blasted pods with Rick standing in the middle.

"Rick, what's going on?"

Skull one turned to glance at Tenchi's battleoid. "We're finished, 
Tenchi.  Johnson and Max have already headed back to base."

"Are you sure?" Tenchi asked. "What about the Star Dome?"

"They're fine, Tenchi.  Just fine."

*******

"First Lieutenant Masaki, report to the special sessions chamber," the 
intercom intoned. "First Lieutenant Masaki, report to the special 
sessions chamber."

Tenchi muttered to himself as the life deposited him on the bridge deck. 
  They were still on red alert after the last of the battlepods had been 
cleared out.  What they hadn't destroyed, had been chased back to the 
retreating capital ships, but command didn't want the ship to be vulnerable.

"You get called too, Tenchi?"

Tenchi turned to the other voice in the corridor. "Yeah, Rick.  They're 
probably going to tell us that we can finally get some sleep."

Rick nodded soberly as they entered the conference room and saluted.  It 
was the same room that they had received several awards in, as well as 
several debriefings after their little adventure on the Zentradi home base.

This time the entire command staff was there, along with Max and 
Commander Hayes.  In the hot seats were three odd-looking individuals. 
In fact, Tenchi thought they looked a more little familiar.

Gloval nodded to them when he noticed where their attention was. "Yes 
Captain, Lieutenant, these...men are aliens."

Rick looked to be struggling with his feelings on the matter.  Tenchi 
didn't blame him, this soon after the Zentradi attempted to raze 
Macross.  Personally, Tenchi was willing to hear them out.

"But how?" Rick asked.

"Apparently those were reducing chambers that we saw, Captain Hunter" 
Hayes commented.

"It is pleasant to see you again, Captain," one of the Zentradi commented.

"Yes," the large on added, "not long ago you were in a similar position."

"But what are they doing here?" Rick asked uncertainly. "Were they 
captured or-"

"They have come in peace, Hunter," Gloval said.

"Voluntarily and at great personal risk," Hayes added. "They're asking 
for our protection."

Rick's face went red. "Protection?  Are we supposed to say 'All is 
forgiven, be my guest' or what?" He spun toward Gloval before Tenchi 
could stop him. "Have you seen Macross lately, Captain?"

"Stop it, Rick," Tenchi hissed. "We don't need a fight in here."

"You two were summoned here for the same reason Commander Hayes and 
Lieutenant Sterling were, because you have prior contact with these aliens."

"For the record, sir," Tenchi commented. "Max and I didn't have much 
contact when we were on that ship."

"Understood, Lieutenant, but you're personal observations and 
experiences might be useful."

Tenchi's blood ran cold.  Did he know?  Who had told him?  A thousand 
scenarios flashed though his head as the rest of the meeting passed by 
in a blur.  Even the medical evidence of similarity between humans and 
Zentradi failed to penetrate his growing anxiety.  It wasn't until 
Gloval asked him to remain after all the other officers had cleared out 
that he shook himself out of the endless speculation.

For a long time Gloval didn't say anything, only slowly packed and lit 
his pipe while Tenchi sat immobile. "An interesting reaction, 
Lieutenant.  One might think that my statement had another meaning to you."

"If you say so," Tenchi said, barely remembering "Sir."

"Commander Hayes relayed to me - and only me - the story you told her 
and your team when you were in the return fold.  I also verified certain 
facts with Doctor Lang."

"Yes, sir."

Gloval paused for a moment, then studied Tenchi closely. "Lets lay all 
our cards on the table, shall we?  How many -- Juraians? -- are there on 
this ship?"

Tenchi scowled. "Sir, I will not be party to-"

"I have no intention of throwing civilians into a cell, or being turned 
into guinea pigs, Lieutenant!" Gloval thundered.  Tenchi flinched at the 
anger in the voice. "How many?" Gloval asked softly.

"Counting myself, sir?" Tenchi waited for Gloval's nod before 
continuing. "Four.  Myself, my grandfather, and his two half-sisters. 
There are two others in addition.  Well, three, actually."

"Others?  Is one of them that new assistant Lang praises every chance he 
gets?"

Tenchi nodded.

Gloval leaned back. "So, Lieutenant, what kind of aid might we receive 
from any friendly groups out there?"

Tenchi gulped before continuing. "A friend of ours who's a field officer 
for the Galaxy Police -- they're a mix of law enforcement and military 
arm of a alliance called the Galactic Union."

"Much like the UN was supposed to be before it collapsed?"

"Not exactly, but close enough.  Anyway, she left shortly before the 
launch of the SDF-1.  Washu thinks that she was in-system about the time 
we crossed the asteroid belt the first time."

"So would they bring help?"

Tenchi shrugged. "I don't know, sir."

"You had better help someone comes along," Gloval said darkly. "Because 
you know as well as I do, Lieutenant, that there is no way this single 
ship can defeat that fleet we're against."

*******

"So why is it you asked to walk with me today?" Ayeka asked as they 
rounded a corner near the park.

Tenchi shrugged. "I thought you should know what Captain Gloval said."

Ayeka nodded. "Yes.  And you've been understandably busy in the time 
since that meeting, what with rebuilding and that attack."

"So do you think-"

Ayeka cut him off with a look. "Yes, Tenchi, he would lend his aid. 
Because that's who he is.  But, I believe he would also attach some 
price to that aid, in an attempt to get his way.  Either affecting all 
of Earth, or an attempt to sway Yosho or myself into certain actions."

Tenchi watched a group of Zentradi defectors at work on the road for a 
few moments. "Is the idea of being on the throne that bad?"

"No," Ayeka said with a sigh. "Or rather, it is to Yosho.  For me, I 
would not be on the throne, but whoeve Father decides I should marry would."

Tenchi's eyes widened in surprise. "What?  Why?"

Now it was Ayeka's turn to shrug. "Tradition.  There has never been an 
Empress.  The 'Queens of Jurai' are powerful positions, but without 
their mutual husbands, they have nothing."

"That's not fair," Tenchi grumbled.

"No, it's not.  But life often isn't." Ayeka smiled. "On the other hand, I-"

Ayeka broke off as a shout of pain erupted behind them.  Tenchi spun and 
saw a gang of toughs backing that work crew into a wall. "Don't you like 
that, freaks?" the leader shouted. "You're not so big now, are you?"

"Why don't you go back where you came from," another snarled.

"I got an idea!" Another shouted in a voice that told everyone the line 
was rehearsed. "Let's send them back.  They should all fit in the airlock."

"Yeah," the leader grabbed the worker he struck and lifted him high. 
"Lets see how they like sucking hard vacuum."

"Enough," Tenchi said from the man's shoulder.  He ducked under the 
surprised swing and locked gazes with the gang's leader. "Leave them alone."

"What're you gonna do about it, punk?"

Tenchi simply smiled.

*******

The doctor clicked her tongue as she bandaged the last of Tenchi's 
injuries. "I suppose this makes up for when the rest of your squadron 
were in here without you."

Tenchi winced as the last bandage was put in place. "I guess so, Doc."

"How many were there?"

"Fifteen," Ayeka answered from beside the door.  There wasn't a single 
mark on her.

The doctor stepped back to admire her handiwork. "Well, Lieutenant, 
considering what happened to them, I'd say you got off lightly. 
However, I'm taking you off the flight line tonight.  Get some rest, and 
let those heal."

"But, we have to escort-"

"Lieutenant Sterling and Corporal Elkins will be fine without you. 
Especially with Wolf squadron as backup.  That is an order, Lieutenant."

The doctor left, and Tenchi was alone with a snickering Ayeka.

"It's not that funny."

"Yes it is," Ayeka replied, then sobered. "And it helped me come to a 
descision I've been avoiding."

"What's that?" Something in the way Ayeka spoke set off warning bells.

Ayeka paused to glance out the window. "After this is over, I'm leaving. 
  Perhaps forever."

"What?" Tenchi sprang to his feet.

"It's about time that someone challenged that foolish notion that only a 
male can be heir to the throne of Juria," Ayeka said in a rush. "I'm 
sorry, Tenchi, but I can't do that with you along.  Or even Sasami, for 
that matter."

"And especially not Grandpa," Tenchi nodded. "But why now?"

"Because you belong here, and I don't," Ayeka said simply. "Tenchi, you 
and Captain Hunter are the same.  You hate war and violence, but you 
continue to fight, so someone else doesn't have to.  When the Zentradi 
are driven back - and they will be, soon - both of you and all those 
like you will continue to serve, to protect the peace."

Tenchi sat back down to digest Ayeka's statement.  He wanted to argue, 
but found that he couldn't.

"Ryoko will stay with you, through heaven and hell.  Sasami is a free 
spirit, now more than ever.  Yosho will never leave his adopted home. 
And Washu...has her lab, and her discoveries."

"But you're bound to Jurai," Tenchi stated.

"Yes." Ayeka held out her hand. "Come, let's at least enjoy the rest of 
this time here."

*******

They were halfway to the park when Tenchi's pager went off. "Oh no, it's 
an alert.  Commander Hayes!"

"Go!" Ayeka pushed Tenchi toward his jeep and watched as she sped toward 
the Prometheus.

Tenchi reached the hanger a moment before Rick, and received quite a 
shock.  While Rick's Veritech was outfitted with the new Fuel and Sensor 
Tactical packs that had been in production for months, Tenchi's looked 
like a wreck with cables and armor scattered over the repair bay.

"Sorry Lieutenant," one of the techs said. "We heard you were off duty, 
so the Captain authorized the upgrade."

Rick nodded. "I guess it's my job to save the girl."

"Good luck," Tenchi called as Rick vaulted into his cockpit and taxied 
to the elevator.

Rick's Veritech shot off the hurricane bow and accelerated towards the 
besieged shuttle and Skulls at an unheard of rate.  As Tenchi watched 
the battle on a screen in the main briefing room, his mind repeated the 
statistics that Washu and Lang had described in their briefing on the 
new equipment.  Eighty gravities of acceleration, which is reduced to 
four with the acceleration compensators built into the packs.  The 
actual engine and maneuverability modules were located on the legs. 
Also in the packs were the new multi-missile systems which increased the 
Vertiechs supply of light missiles over three times.  Rick was putting 
those to good use on those battlepods.

The battle was over in moments, and Rick took over escorting the shuttle 
to the atmosphere while Max and Elkins returned to base.

*Maybe, just maybe, we have a chance to end this peacefully.*

Somehow, Tenchi couldn't bring himself to believe that.

End Chapter 9


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