Author's Note: Sorry for the wait folks but I was swamped with school and had a writer's block from the Nether World also I got a job in the career field of my choice. But I manage to figure out what to do. So here is a glimpse to the past that brought Cyan to the crew of the Nirvana. As usual I only own Cyan and nothing else used in this fic.
Chapter 6: Just a small trip huh?
As Cyan lay on his bunk he began to think about a lot of things. About his friends long since passed on either by combat or of, luckily, peaceful final rest. About what kind of life he would've had if he did not take that fateful assignment. But the one thing that really seems to stand out the most was the question of how Earth, the planet he had sworn to protect, has gone AWOL. "Argh it just doesn't make sense!" Cyan exclaimed. He then gets up and decides to take a walk around the ship. After some time wandering he finds himself in the galley that was mostly empty except for one other occupant.
"Oh hello Cyan, I wasn't expecting anyone else up at this hour." That occupant was the expecting mother herself Ezra.
"It's OK ma'am I just have a lot on my mind is all." Cyan replied. "But what are you doing up?"
"I was just getting a midnight snack for myself and my child." Ezra answered as her hand went to her stomach. Cyan let out a small smile at that.
"Ah the food cravings gotcha." Cyan reasoned "Well I won't take up your time then ma'am." Cyan then turned to the when Ezra stopped him.
"It seems to me that you have some troubles though."
"Nothing you need worry your pretty little head about." Cyan stated. Ezra gave Cyan a leveled look.
"Cyan, I'm sure you have seen your share of pregnant women right?"
"Uh yeah a little."
"Then I'm sure you don't want to annoy one right?"
"You are playing dirty with that."
"Just sit down and humor me then. My child is still hungry and won't let me sleep"
"Okay what ya wanna hear?"
"How about your friends and how you got here?"
"Well my friends are a more pleasant topic so I'll start with that." Cyan surrendered "Let's start with those on my squadron…"
INITIATE FLASHBACK SEQUENCE IN 3…2…1
LOCATION: MACROSS CITY THREE WEEKS BEFORE KHYRON'S FINAL ATTACK
"HEY BOSS YOU WANT IN THE POOL OR WHAT?!" shouted one of Cyan's wingmen, Lance Striker.
"What's the stakes Lance?" Cyan shouted back.
"When and if Captain Rick Hunter admits that he is in love with Captain Lisa Hayes." Sarah McDowell answered while chuckling.
"OK put me down for 20 on 3 weeks from today."
"3 weeks from today, really sir?" Sarah question with a look of doubt on her face.
"Yes really and I expect my winnings in cold hard cash."
Just then Captain Hayes comes storming into the bar Cyan and the rest of the squad are in looking like she wants to give someone a slow and very painful death. She was dressed in civilian wear and look like she was going to be on a picnic. She sits down at a table and orders a drink for herself. Cyan and his friends practically stopped mid-drink to watch the scene unfold.
"Still want to put it down for that boss?" Lance asked as the squad watched what happened.
"I wonder what Hunter did this time." Commented Joseph Kane. Cyan gets up from the stool he was on and started walking towards Lisa's table. Lisa looks up and sees Cyan with a look of concern on his face.
"Mind if I sit down Captain?" Cyan asked.
"We are off duty Cyan. You can call me by my name but sure sit down if you like." Lisa answered. "Though I doubt I'll be much company right now."
"OK Lisa what did he do this time?"Cyan chuckled. Lisa at first wasn't going to answer but after a while, and a couple of drinks, she just let loose a storm of annoyance and hurt. She told Cyan about the picnic that never happened and all because of Ms singing sensation Minmay and Rick, being the idiot that he was, going to see her instead. Cyan sat there and took it all in before he gave Lisa some words of wisdom.
"Well that was stupid of him. You want to borrow my Veritech with or without ammo?" Okay maybe the words were not that wise. Lisa still gave a small laugh and a smile at that.
"Why is it that whenever someone is in a bad mood all they have to do is see you and you get them to smile?" Lisa asked.
"Just part of my boyish charms don't ya know." Cyan said with a cheesy Irish accent. "Still you can't sit here and drink your sorrows away. You have to confront him and truly tell him how you feel, or that little brat of a star will win in the end." Cyan then gets up and places some bills on the table. "Your drink is on me tonight Lisa. Cya when I cya!" As he leaves the bar Lisa began to think about what both Cyan and her other friend Claudia said.
REESTABLISHING NORMAL TIME SEQUENCE IN 3…2…1
"Well it sounds like it was a rough relationship between your two friends." Ezra stated.
"Rough doesn't even begin to describe those two!" Cyan exclaimed "I swear sometimes it was very tempting to just knock 'em both out and stick 'em in a room that locks on the outside." Cyan takes a sip of tea that Ezra prepared during the story. "Add to the fact that Minmay just has to be the center of attention. I mean come on there are other forms of entertainment that does not involve her."
"Do you really dislike her that much Cyan?"
"Kinda, I mean she was essential in the final conflict against the Zentradi armada and all but it seems like that is all anyone want to hear or see anymore after that." Cyan answered "It gets old real fast." Cyan gets up from his seat to gaze out the window. "But apparently Rick had corrected his cranial anal dysfunction and created quite the family for him and Lisa" He chuckled "If Cassie is any proof that is." Cyan sighed as he looks at his tea.
"Are you alright Cyan?" Ezra asked with a look of concern on her face.
"Yeah I'm fine, just memories is all." Cyan turned to Ezra. "To you it has been centuries since Earth but for me it was just last week."
"What happened that day?"
"What should've been a smooth operation" Cyan closed his eyes as the memories drift into his mind and his tale being spoken.
INITIATE FLASHBACK SEQUENCE IN 3…2…1
LOCATION: MACROSS DAY OF THE ACCIDENT
Cyan was going through some adjustments on his veritech in preparation of the experimental compact space fold system. The test consists of a jump to Mars and back that should take less than 1 hour to make the necessary adjustments. The plan was simple but dangerous as this was the first manned flight after countless simulations and unmanned probe test. Cyan volunteered for the assignment because he felt that as one of the top 10 fighter pilots that doesn't have a lot to lose, according to him, he may as well give it a go.
"Well girl, looks like you are ready to make history. Now let's hope I am or we are both screwed." Cyan stated to his veritech. He got down from the cockpit and look to the sky. Cyan knew the risks involved in this but let's face it what is life without risk.
"CYAN TALBAIN!" came a scream from not to far of a distance.
"Uh oh. I got a feeling I know where this is going."
Cyan's squadron came into the hanger all with mean looks in their eyes. They have just heard what he was going to do and boy were they pissed.
"What were you thinking volunteering for this huh?!" Sandra yelled.
"That this was a chance in a lifetime and I gotta take it."Cyan calmly answered.
"Why didn't you tell us boss?" Lance asked.
"Because I knew you would react this way." Cyan stated "Come on guys you know me. I'll be done and back in no time."
"But sir, seriously why go through this?" Lance asked with a very confused look on his face. Cyan took a look out towards the runway and the remains of the SDF-1. What Lance didn't realize was that this was the exact same question that Cyan been asking himself ever since he took this assignment.
"You ever wonder what will happen when your time on this earth is over?" Cyan asked. "What you will eventually leave behind not only for your family but your history?" Cyan looks back to his squad and see that some have a look of understanding while others were still confused. "As you guys already know, my family is dead and gone. I am the last of the Talbain clan practically." Cyan closes his eyes as memories of what was forever named 'The Rain of Death' haunts his mind. "I know it sounds selfish but I want to leave behind something that forever changes history so that my family name is immortalized for eternity." The squad started to understand what he was going through because some had seen friends and loved ones perish during the war.
"Alright but when you do get back, you sir are in a lot of trouble." Sarah stated "Higher rank be damned."
time skips…weird to have in a flashback but eh
Cyan was already in orbit of Earth. The launch was successful and he was thanking the heavens that he didn't blow up. His instruments all show that he has the green light to go. Now is left to do is get the show on the road.
"Control, this is Lieutenant Talbain reporting in. Do you read over?" Cyan spoke into the com. At first there was just static then after a few seconds Control answered.
"Talbain this is Control, we read you load and clear. Report status of the device."
"Instruments show ready status on the device. I am ready to input the coordinates for Mars."
"Talbain you have permission to begin prep for space fold. All computations have been uploaded to your hub. Have a safe trip and God Speed."
"Just have that new Barbeque Joint ready to receive a huge celebration when this is over."
"We'll save a couple of ribs for you" came a chuckle from somebody in Control.
The com went dead and the recorder came online so that the researchers will know everything as it happens.
"Ok now let's go over the checklist shall we." Cyan says to himself. "Fold computations uploaded to the hub, check. Protoculture is stable and flowing at an efficient rate. Coordinates for Mars is now…set."
Cyan takes one last look around for any possible interference. Last thing anyone wants is another Macross Island incident.
"I guess all is left to do is to initiate the sequence and pray." Cyan made the final prep and look at the recorder. "To quote Major Don West from Lost in Space 'and the monkey flips the switch.'"
Cyan initiated the space fold and things appear to be operating at normal standards until something went wrong with the computations. The fighter began to shake and rattle as Cyan struggled to retake control.
"CONTROL THIS IS TALBAIN! SOMETHING WENT SERIOUSLY FUBAR! I CAN'T CONTROL MY FIGHTER; REPEAT I CAN'T CONTROL MY FIGHTER! DO YOU COPY?" Cyan yelled into his com. But all he got was static. The veritech suddenly jerk causing Cyan's head to collide with the back of his seat. Cyan blacked out as his fighter continues its' wayward journey to only the heavens knows.
REESTABLISHING NORMAL TIME SEQUENCE IN 3…2…1
"After I came to I found myself in an unknown space and time with you guys trying to get a hold of me." Cyan finished his tale.
"I'm sorry this happened to you Cyan." Ezra said. "But are you at least glad you are not dead?"
"Yeah I guess I have that going for me." Cyan answered. "Wait a minute THAT'S IT!"
His shout of excitement startled poor Ezra. "What Cyan? What is it?"
"The onboard recorder should have the whole flight saved if it wasn't damaged during the test." Cyan explained. "That means that it should have the data of what went wrong. Ezra you are a genius!" He pulls Ezra out of her chair, gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks again Ezra, gotta run so TTFN ta ta for now!" He rushes out of the galley to the hanger.
"What just happened?" Ezra asked herself as she stands there in a daze.
So there may be hope yet for Cyan. Again I know that this was a long way coming and I hope it was worth the wait. Please let me know what you think and remember. Helpful criticism is appreciated but flames are just going to help me cook my food. Later folks (hopefully not to later)!