//About the third incarnation of this story, but this one serves a completely different purpose
Ainu Depot, Hokkaido
Maria and Reina were alone as Optimusjamie left for the Edge Worlds.
"I like him. He's funny," said Maria.
"Were you suggesting..." whispered Reina.
"What? No! You know our love will never die..."
One month later...
"Maria, what are you talking about?" shouted Reina.
"He.. Is coming..." whispered Maria.
"What? Look, you're just... mad,"
"Is it madness to see the truth? the age of humanity is at an end!"
"Argh! I've had it up to here with you!" Reina pushed Maria out of the room and slammed the door. She turned on her PDA. She contacted the Council of Ministers.
Comm ID: Aurelio Garcia
Target: Reina Ozu
Subject: RE- Your daughter
Granted. The next time you're on Malta, go to Garcia's Cafe. She's bound to be there.
::TRANSMISSION ENDS::
Reina was just on a smuggling route to New York, so after this run, she'd head up to Malta, ostensibly to pick up more Cardamine for the Matsuda, but really to give the serum to Maria. After all, it was for the best...
As soon as Reina arrived on Malta, she went to see Maria.
"Oh, Reina, my love- Have you come to forgive me?" They held each other as the sun began to set.
"Yes, Maria, I have. So, ho 'bout a ride in my transport?" Reina needed to get Maria away from Malta for this to work.
"Oh, Reina! I'd love to!"
After making the arrangements with Maria's mother, the two set off for the spaceport. Maria seemed detatched, moreso than usual. The streets were bustling as they approached and Reina had to fight to keep Maria close. Maria nearly tripped as she spotted a beautiful dress in a shop window. They held each other and giggled like tey were ten years younger...
When they finally got to Reina's transport, the two lovers had a few moments alone on the main deck. Maria prepared some drinks while Reina put some music on.
"Remember, love: Shaken, not stirred!" said Reina. Maria chuckled as she mixed the drinks. Reina selected a soft, techno tune she'd fallen in love with, recently. Figuratively, of course. Her true love lied with Maria, who incidentally, had just finished witht he drinks and was bringing them over. It was going to be one of those good nights. The ragtag crew, scraped from whatever Reina could find on Freeport 10, started coming in.
There was the helmsman, a KNF deserter who just happened to be called Sulu, a young Bretonian engineer called Suzie, whom Reina had apprenticed, Leo; a Zoner medic who never gave up and Mike, a Libertonian gunner who enjoyed his job a bit too much. That was the entire roster of Ozu Smuggling Corporation, plus Reina, the captain of their only ship and CEO of the company.
"Cap'n," said Suzie, in her thick Scottish accent, "All the cargo's loaded and we're refueled and ready to leave!" Reina applauded the crew.
"Good work everyone. Now, this ship needs a name. And, while we're in orbit of Malta, it's time to officially christen the ship!" A cheer erupted from the crew. Even Maria. "And so, I have decided that our fine ship shall be called the Kobayashi Maru!" This caused much applause, although Sulu looked a bit concerned. "Now," said Reina, picking up her drink, "If anyone needs me, Maria and I'll be in our bunk,"
Reina and Maria slept through the night as the Kobayashi Maru cruised through the soft blue of the Honshu system...
Well, Maria at least. Reina got out the syringe with the formula she'd been told would stop Maria's delusions. Moving quickly, she slid the needle into Maria's arm and injected the formular. Her body went limp, and Amaranth was dead.
Now Maria could be reborn.
![[Image: rPQpZ1j.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/rPQpZ1j.jpg)