05_force_of_arms-第7部分

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r。〃

This　business　of　pressing　lips　had　been　mentioned　before　among　the　Zentraedi；　had　been　one　of　the　prime　matters　of　fascination　that　had　led　to　the　defections。　But　still；　the　thought　of　such　unbridled　contact　between　the　sexes　sent　the　erstwhile　warriors　into　a　tizzy。

〃Maybe　they　won't　make　us　do　it？〃　〃My　lips　aren't　ready　for　that　sort　of　thing！〃　〃I　dunno；　something　tells　me　it　might　feel　good。〃　〃Lemma　at　'er！〃

Some　babbled　and　exclaimed　to　one　another；　others　started　shaking　visibly　or　gnawing　their　fingernails。　A　few　tried　rubbing　their　top　and　bottom　lips　together　and　concluded　that　they　were　doing　it　wrong　somehow。　At　least　one　swooned。


At　the　interview；　Kyle　found　another　microphone　shoved　into　his　face。　〃Tell　the　truth：　have　you　proposed　marriage　to　Minmei？〃

He　was　calm；　unflappable；　on　the　outside。　〃No；　I　haven't。〃

He　and　Minmei　were　not　close　by　blood；　although　their　families　had　kept　close　bonds　due　to　friendships　and　shared　business　investments　in　the　White　Dragon　and　Golden　Dragon　restaurants。　He　had　grown　up　with　Minmei　very　much　like　an　adoring　little　sister　to　him。

But　that　had　changed　over　time；　as　much　as　he'd　fought　it。　It　was　the　tremendous　battle　inside　him　pared　to　which　mere　physical　fights　were　children's　antics。　Everyone　thought　the　self…discipline　he　brought　to　the　martial　arts　was　a　reflection　of　his　inner　calm；　in　fact；　it　was　a　reflection　of　the　iron　will　that　barely　kept　him　from　yielding　to　temptation。　He'd　spent　all　his　young　adulthood　locked　in　fierce　battle　against　his　own　impulses。

And　most　difficult　of　all　were　the　movies　they　made　together；　the　shared　work　and　intensity　of　their　scenes；　especially　the　love　scenes。　It　was　so　easy　for　acting　to　slide　over　into　the　real　thing。　The　impulses　were　very　patient　and　unrelenting。　He　drove　them　off　each　day；　only　to　have　them　return　fresher　and　stronger　than　ever　the　next。

But　no　more。　Being　with　Minmei　aboard　the　SDF…1；　seeing　the　others　who　coveted　her；　had　decided　Kyle。　No　one　else　could　have　her。

〃Sounds　like　a　pretty　weak　denial。〃　The　interviewer　grinned　at　him。　〃Maybe　you　just　haven't　had　the　chance；　right？〃

Kyle　said　in　his　calm；　measured　tones；　〃No；　I've　been　thinking　about；　um。。。〃

The　newsman　was　watching　him　like　a　ferret。　〃Yes？〃

〃Thinking　about　how　I'd　actually　say　it　to　her。　Because　I　don't　mind　telling　you；　it's　something　I've　considered。〃

He　heard　Minmei's　gasp　next　to　him；　and　the　mass　intake　of　breath　by　the　reporters。　Flashbulbs　began　popping；　and　everyone　began　talking　at　once。

〃Minmei；　what　d'　you　have　to　say？〃　〃Have　you　set　the　date？〃　〃Tell　our　viewers：　Would　you　accept　if　he　proposes？〃　〃Give　us　a　shot　of　you　two　holding　hands！〃　〃Kiss　'er；　Kyle！〃　〃Where　d'　you　two　plan　to　honeymoon？〃

But　they　paid　the　reporters　no　attention。　〃Kyle；　are　you　serious？〃　Her　eyes　looked　enormous。　They　sat　there；　gazing　at　each　other；　while　the　furor　boiled　around　them。


His　screen　switched　off；　Rick　lay　with　head　pillowed　on　elbows；　feeling　utterly　wretched。　I　can't　believe　it。　All　this　time　she's　been　waiting　for　Kyle　to　propose　to　her。

There　was　a　knock　at　the　door；　and　Max　showed　up；　dressed　in　civvies：　sports　jacket；　slacks；　sweater；　and　tie。　He　wore　a　cheerful；　eager　look　that　made　him　seem　sixteen　or　so。

〃Sorry　to　bother　you；　boss。　But　I'm　thinking　of　wearing　this　tie　to　meet　Miriya。　And　I　wondered　if　it　made　me　look　too　sophisticated；　you　know？　Or　maybe　I　should　go　the　other　way；　wear　a　gold　chain。。。〃

After　Rick　got　rid　of　Max；　he　decided　to　get　some　fresh　air。　He　wandered　up　to　a　parklike　area　on　one　of　the　observation　decks　and　stared　out　a　viewport　as　high　as　a　billboard　and　longer　than　two。

Earth　swung　by　above　him；　a　crescent　of　swirling　blue　and　white　in　the　darkness。　He　sat　and　tried　to　spot　Alaska。

After　a　while　a　familiar　voice；　holding　a　trace　of　mischief；　said；　〃Well；　if　it　isn't　Lieutenant　Hunter；　as　I　live　and　breathe！〃

He　looked　up　to　see　Claudia　standing　nearby。　〃Oh。　Hi；　how're　you？〃

They　hadn't　seen　each　other　a　great　deal　lately；　partly　because　they　had　been　so　busy　and　partly　because　they　both　still　ached　with　the　grief　of　Roy　Fokker's　death；　and　seeing　each　other　brought　it　up　all　over　again。

But　now　she　came　over　to　sit　next　to　him。　〃Not　bad。　But　what're　you　doing　up　here　at　this　hour？〃

〃Couldn't　stand　my　quarters　anymore。〃

〃Ah。　You　saw　the　press　conference。〃

〃Mm…hm。〃

She　sat　down；　crossing　her　knees；　resting　her　chin　on　her　hand；　helping　him　watch　Earth。　〃You　could　get　along　without　her。　She　isn't　that　terrific。〃

〃She　is　to　me！〃　Rick　wouldn't　have　taken　that　from　anyone　else　now　that　Roy　was　gone。　But　Claudia　had　an　honesty　that　was　hard　not　to　respect　and　give　its　due。　And　she　was　quite　capable　of　getting　mad　right　back　at　you　if　she　felt　it　was　warranted。　Claudia　was　not　someone　you　wanted　to　be　mad　at　you　if　you　could　avoid　it。

〃You're　bright；　you　should　be　with　somebody　else；〃　she　said　after　a　bit。

〃I　don't　know　that　I　want　to　be。　I'm　stuck　on　her。〃

〃Why；　Rick？〃

〃I　don't　know　why！　Maybe　she's　just　my　type。〃

Claudia　put　one　finger　to　her　chin；　eyeing　him　sidelong。　〃I　don't　know。　I　sorta　picture　you　being　with　somebody　more　mature。　You　know：　someone　more　experienced？　Who's　been　through　a　big　romance　and　a　broken　heart？〃

Oh；　great；　just　what　I　need！　Rick　thought。　Some　other　walking　wounded　to　hang　around　with！　But　he　couldn't　help　listening　very　closely。

〃It'd　be　good　for　you　to　be　with　someone　who　can　appreciate　a　relationship。　Those　people're　around；　y'　know。　Sometimes　they　turn　out　to　be　your　next　door　neighbor。　Or　even。。。your　superior　officer。〃

〃Huh？〃

She　rose。　〃Gotta　go。〃

〃Claudia；　you　mean　Lisa；　don't　you？〃

She　glanced　back　over　her　shoulder　at　him。　〃Did　you　hear　me　mention　anybody　by　name？　I　only　said　people　like　that　are　around。　Sometimes　they've　been　known　to　pass　by　so　close；　you　can't　even　see　them。〃

She　started　off　once　more；　throwing　back　over　her　shoulder；　〃Now；　don't　stay　up　too　late。　Things　will　look　a　lot　better　in　the　morning。〃

He　watched　her　go　and　said　very　softly　to　himself；　〃Wow。〃

Rick　sat；　watching　Earth　again。　The　way　he　had　it　figured；　the　SDF…1's　orbit　would　bring　Alaska　into　view　in　a　little　while。　He　went　over　the　message　he　had　flashed　to　Lisa　by　prosign　dots　and　dashes。

He　wished　he　had　said　more。


CHAPTER　SEVEN

The　myths　of　selfless　humility　and　humble　allegiance　to　ideals　aside；　there　is　no　warrior　culture；　not　that　of　Japanese　samurai；　medieval　knight；　or　any　other；　that　does　not；　upon　close　scrutiny；　have　a　ruthless；　entirely　practical　side　to　it。　Also　universal　are　egotism　and　a　hypocritical　willingness　to　dispense　with　all　the　high…flown　language　and　poetic　vows　when　the　grim　business　of　life　and　death　is　at　hand。
How　much　more　so；　then；　among　the　cloned；　bred…for…battle　Zentraedi？　In　the　case　of　Miriya　Parino；　female　warlord　of　the　Quadronos　and　arguably　the　greatest　fighter　of　her　race；　the　matter　is　certain：　Her　soaring　pride　and　utter　self…confidence　had　been　her　hallmark　until　she　was　bested　both　in　the　air　and　on　the　ground　by　Max　Sterling。　Her　emotional　ferment　was　such　that　the　law　of　her　kind；　the　vendetta；　was　the　only　road　open　to　her…vengeance；　by　any　means　possible。
Is　it　any　wonder；　then；　that　what　happened　next　has　provided　fuel　for　songs；　arguments；　dissertations；　and　grand　opera　for　generations　since？
Altaira　Heimel；　Butterflies　in　Winter：　Human　Relations　and　the　Robotech　War

The　super　dimensional　fortress　prowled　cautiously　through　the　void；　vigilant　against　attack　and　yet　resigned　to　battle　as　only　a　seasoned　veteran　can　be。

The　Zentraedi　had　e　pressing　battle　upon　the　ship　many　times　before；　would　e　again。　Life　in　between　clashes　was；　therefore；　to　be　lived　that　much　more　fully。　Death　was　all　around…the　war　had　gone　on　for　years；　nobody　aboard　thought；　any　longer；　that　it　couldn't　as　easily　be　their　number　that　would　e　up　the　next　time　around。

In　the　center　of　Macross　was　a　park；　lovingly　and　carefully　put　together　by　the　inhabitants　almost　blade　of　grass　by　blade　of　grass。　Overhead　was　an　Earthly　summertime　evening；　courtesy　of　the　EVE　system。　There　was　even　the　sound　of　crickets…descendants　of　good…luck　pets　who　had　somehow　survived　the　war。

Max　Sterling　paced　fitfully　under　a　streetlamp　near　the　Peace　Fountain　that　trickled　and　gurgled　a　few　yards　away。　He　checked　his　watch　for　the　seventh　time　in　two　minutes。

〃Jeez；　it's　almost　nine。　I　hope　she's　all　right。〃

He　was　worried　that　Miriya　wouldn't　show　up…worried　even　more；　really；　that　she　would。　Just　an　average…looking　young　man　straightening　his　necktie　and　hoping　his　only　sports　jacket　didn't　look　too　shabby；　and　recalling　with　a　sudden　sinking　feeling　that　he　had　forgotten　to　pick　up　the　flowers　he　had　ordered。

He　didn't　know　that　death　hunted　afoot　and　that　the　pounce　was　near；　he　wouldn't　know　for　several　seconds　yet　that　cruel　eyes　were　watching　him　from　the　shadows。

〃I　can't　believe　I　asked　her　to　meet　me　in　the　park…a　girl；　at　night！〃　he　muttered。　〃She　could　get　mugged　or　something。〃

In　fact；　street　crime　in　Macross　was　all　but　nonexistent。　And　punishments　were　such　that　recidivism　was　just　about　nil；　but　that　sort　of　reasoning　meant　nothing　to　a　young　man　waiting　for　a　woman　who　had　him　mesmerized；　entranced；　enraptured。　A　woman　he　had　met　only　a　few　hours　before。

A　woman　who　stood　in　the　dark　poised；　to　kill　him。

Then　he　heard　running　footsteps　behind　him；　and　her　voice。　〃Maximillian；　prepare　for　your　doom！〃　It　was　a　literal　translation　of　a　Quadrono　war　cry。

Miriya　had　gotten　to　the　spot　well　in　advance；　seen　him　arrive；　watched　him。　She　had　been　set　to　kill　him　precisely　at　their　appointed　meeting　time；　a　quarter　hour　before。　But　she　had　only　watched　him；　hating　him　all　the　more　but　feeling　strange…feeling　drawn　to　him　in　some　mysterious　way　she　couldn't　fathom。

She　told　herself　she　was　merely　studying　her　enemy's　movements　and　possible　vulnerabilities　and　fought　down　the　liking　she　had　for　seeing　him　in　motion。　She　told　herself　that　she　was　merely　waiting　for　the　most　opportune　moment；　yet　though　that　part　of　the　park　was　absolutely　deserted；　she　let　the　minutes　slide　by。

Miriya　observed　his　eyes；　his　lips；　the　way　he　moved。　She　felt　a　trembling　in　herself　that　no　military　mind　/body　discipline　known　to　her　could　quiet。　But　at　last；　by　a　tremendous　application　of　will；　she　hurled　herself　into　battle。

Max　was　unaware　of　all　of　that；　of　course。　At　first　he　thought　it　was　some　kind　of　joke。

He　saw　her　charging　at　him　with　the　quick　grace　of　a　panther；　a　gleaming　knife　held　high。　Miriya's　heavy　waves　of　green…dyed　hair　snapped　and　flew　behind　her　like　a　flag。　She　still　wore　the　brown　body　suit；　the　kneehigh　boots　of　blue…dyed　leather；　and　the　yellow　scarf　at　her　throat。

Her　eyes　started　madly。　She　was　Quadrono；　a　Zentraedi　warrior；　and　yet　this　miserable　human　had　somehow　made　her　vacillate…made　her　feel　weakness　where　once　there　had　been　only　strength！　But　that　would　end；　Sterling　would　die；　to　expiate　his　sin　of　defeating　her；　and　she　would　once　more　be　Miriya　the　unconquerable。

Max　was　fumbling　through　a　little　greeting　he　had　been　rehearsing；　his　habitual　whimsical　half　smile　appearing　on　his　face。　〃Miriya；　it's　nice　to　see　you。。。glad　you　could。。。uh。。。〃

This；　while　she　bore　down　on　him；　the　blade　gleaming。　The　knife　was　a　kind　of　hybrid　cross　between　a　Japanese…style　tanto　and　one　of　the　midlength　Randall　hunting　models；　with　a　circular　guard。　She　saw　that　she　had　a　lot　of　ground　yet　to　cover　and；　afraid　that　he　might　elude　her；　hurled　it　at　him；　clawing　in　the　meantime　for　her　second　blade。

The　knives　weren't　quite　like　the　Zentraedi　weapons　she　was　used　to；　but　the　balance　and　heft　weren't　too　different。　Although　a　firearm　would　have　been　faster；　her　incandescent　need　for　revenge　had　made　Miriya　choose　a　more　traditional　weapon。　It　had　to　be　reflexes；　muscle；　eye…to…eye　confrontation；　and　cold　steel　that　settled　her　score　with　the　hated　human。

And　in　that　moment　Max　Sterling　proved　that　all　those　dogfight　kills　weren't　some　kind　of　fluke。　His　psychomotor　responses　were　the　fastest　the　SDF…1　meds　had　ever　measured…his　coordination　and　reflexes　were　unprecedented。

Max　was　still　trying　to　figure　out　what　she　was　talking　about　when　his　body　saw　the　flash　of　steel；　understood；　and　ducked；　he　was　doing　his　best　to　recall　the　awkward；　rather　romantic　little　speech　he　had　meant　to　make　to　her　when　those　supreme　and　somehow　strangely　given　bat　reflexes　cut　in。

His　evasion　was　barely　a　flicker　of　movement；　the　knife　flashed　past　him　to　land　solidly　in　a　tree　trunk。

This　was　the　first　time　she　had　ever　missed。　But　she　kept　ing　at　him。

Stunned；　Max　watched　her　charge　headlong　toward　him。　She　threw　the　sheath　of　the　first　knife　far　from　her；　it　made　no　sound；　landing　in　the　grass。

〃Hey；　are　you　crazy？〃　Everything　had　suddenly　slid　into　place　within　him；　he　already　loved　her　so；　but　the　physical　Sterling；　the　part　that　made　him　unbeatable；　was　broadcasting　warnings　and　threat　updates；　putting　his　body　in　motion。

She　drew　a　second；　sheathed　blade　from　the　open　front　seam　of　her　body　suit。　〃I　am　Quadrono　Leader　Miriya　Parino：　Zentraedi　warrior！〃

Max　gulped。　〃There　goes　our　first　date。〃

But　something　in　him　had　already　changed；　his　balance　was　forward；　on　the　balls　of　his　feet…he　felt　nearly　weightless…and　his　hands　were　curled　into　the　fastest　fists　on　the　SDF…1。

However；　he　was　still　infatuated　with　her；　he　held　himself　in　check　when　all　his　impulses　were　to　counterattack。　A　little　thing　like　attempted　murder　couldn't　alter　the　fact　that　he　was　hopelessly　in　love　with　her。

She　had　seen　him　pacing；　heard　his　concern　for　her。　The　weakling　human　fears…for　the　safety　of　an　imagined　loved　one；　of　all　things！…were　so　contemptible　and　misplaced；　and　yet。。。

Somewhere　deep　inside　of　her　she　knew；　with　a　clear　and　pure　knowledge；　that　Max's　worry　was　a　reflection　of　his　regard　for　her。　Who　else；　in　the　course　of　her　matchless　military　career；　had　ever　shown　such　simple；　loving　concern　for　Miriya　Parino's　well…being？

No　one。　Not　ever。　The　very　thought　galvanized　her；　launched　her　forward　to　murder。

The　sheath　hissed　briefly　with　a　metallic　rasp　as　the　blade　glimmered　wickedly　under　the　soft　park　streetlights。　〃You're　such　a　fool！　Fight　for　your　life！〃

There　was　something　nauseatingly　vulnerable　and　adoring　in　his　eyes；　the　expression　with　which　he　regarded　her　was　unworthy　of　any　true　warrior…but　it　sapped　her　determination　so。

Yet　inside　her；　a　furnace　as　hot　and　powerful　as　any　Protoculture　engine　burned。　Kill　him！　Kill　him　now；　at　once！　Before。。。before　he　can。。。

〃My　life？　But　why　attack　me？〃　Max　asked　bewildered；　but　his　body　was　already　set…they　were　both　so　locked　into　the　physical　language　of　hand…to…hand　that　a　fight　was　inevitable。

She　brought　the　glitter　of　the　blade　up　into　their　line　of　sight　like　a　fencer　so　that　they　could　both　consider　its　cold　blaze。　〃I　will　have　my　revenge！〃

His　hand　went　to　the　hilt　of　the　knife　embedded　in　the　tree　trunk；　and　she　made　new　calculations　based　on　his　being　armed。　Sterling's　having　a　knife　was　so　much　the　better　as　far　as　Miriya　was　concerned；　she　wanted　to　kill　him　in　a　fight　on　equal　terms；　wanted　to　humble　him　as　he　had　humbled　her…before。。。before　he