"It is said by some that at every decision the universe splits, but as mere mortals we can only experience one path and can only imagine what might have been." Dr. Emil Lang, The Robotech Journals
Rick Hunter stared at the ceiling of Macross General Hospital, wondering if he could ever live this humiliation down.
Shot down by friendly fire, and if that wasn't bad enough, Lisa Hayes, his commanding officer had just left after apologising to him.
"Ugh!" Rick put his hands to his face and wished he could go back to the crazy hallucinations he'd been having just hours ago.
Peeking through his fingers, Rick thought about Lisa, he couldn't believe she had apologised, it seemed so unlike her. Usually, she couldn't get enough of telling him how many regs he was breaking.
He also wondered about himself, after all, just a few weeks ago he would have paid no small amount to have Lisa Hayes admit she was wrong. Now, though, he just wanted to forget the whole thing.
"Look alive there, solider!" A voice suddenly barked, startling Rick almost to sitting up, and cracking his still sore ribs while he was at it.
"Hey! What's the big – "he began, but stopped when he saw who it was lounging in the doorway.
"Roy! Max! Ben!"
Roy Fokker, easily the tallest man on the huge battle fortress that was their home, had to duck a little as he came into the room, followed by blue haired Max Sterling and the large and loud Ben Dixon.
"What's all this lying around?" Roy continued, swaggering over. "The rest of us have to work for our livings."
Rick made a face. "Believe me, Big Brother, I wouldn't be here if I could help it."
Ben Dixon let out one of his trademark guffaws. "Hey, I'd be willing to trade places with you, Lieutenant. The nurses here are babes."
Roy rolled his eyes then held out something that he'd been holding behind his back.
"What's this?" Rick asked, taking it, it was a white box, like the kind the Hospital gift shop put purchases in.
"Scented soaps of course," Roy drawled, "and toothpaste, since you could use it."
Rick made a face at Roy, but quickly checked his breath by holding his hand over his mouth.
It was pretty bad, so he excused himself, not bothering to take Roy's gift with him; the Hospital had perfectly good toothpaste.
When he returned, Ben had switched on the radio and was listening intently.
"They've got a give-away going," he explained to Rick, "three private sessions with Ms. Velvet, you know, the beauty products girl?"
"Aha, your tan is mysteriously explained," Roy remarked from the chair he was sitting on next to Rick's bed.
Ben just grinned. "Hey, believe me, if I won, tanning beds or whatever wouldn't be any part of my free sessions."
Rick shook his head as he sat back on the bed.
"So, Boss," Max spoke up in his soft voice, "who was your other visitor?" He gestured to the flowers in a vase on the bedside table.
Rick stifled a groan, trust Max to notice.
"Hey, they look expensive," Ben turned from the radio just as Lynn Minmei, Macross City's own (and only) pop sensation's new song began to play. "Hey! Was it Minmei? You lucky dog, you!"
Rick grimaced, he only wished it was Minmei, but as far as he knew Minmei hadn't even heard he was laid up.
"My boyfriend is a pilot, now, he's a piloooot," Ben sang, horribly off-key.
"Turn it off!" Rick snapped, more sharply than he intended to.
Ben looked shocked, but shut his mouth and flicked the off-switch on the radio.
"It wasn't Minmei," Rick said, in a calmer voice, "it was" – he avoided their eyes "- Commander Hayes."
"No way!" Ben burst out so loudly Rick almost fell off the bed.
"Commander Hayes?" Max repeated. "Well, that was nice of her."
"Yeah," Rick muttered, suddenly wishing his friends would just go away.
"Commander Hayes ain't that bad looking," Ben suddenly remarked, "if she let her hair down once in a while." He laughed at his own joke.
Rick glared.
Roy, who had kept quiet 'til now got to his feet. "Well, as much as we'd love to stay and chat, some of us have duties to attend to." He gave been a silencing look.
Ben didn't get it. "Well, wouldn't you agree, Lieutenant?" He asked Rick. "After all you ki-"
"Yeah, I'd really like to take a nap," Rick spoke loudly over Ben, which was quite an effort. No-one but he, Ben, Max and Lisa knew everything that had happened on the Zentraedi ship and Rick wanted to keep it that way.
"I'm just saying you gotta take 'em where you can get 'em, especially-"
"OK, hotshot," Roy put an arm around Ben's shoulders and all but yanked him toward the door, "we get the picture. You rest up now, Little Brother," Roy waggled a finger at Rick. "We can't have you freeloading for too long, can we?"
Rick cracked a small smile.
"Oh, I think we're doing OK-" Ben began, but stopped when Roy squeezed his shoulders a lot tighter.
"Enjoy your gift," Roy continued with a wave, stepping backward out of the room, with Ben in tow.
Rick laughed at the look on Ben's face. "Thanks for coming."
Max followed, but paused at the door. "Ben's not that far off, Boss," he said, thoughtfully, "Commander Hayes is a pretty woman, and nice, too."
Rick almost snorted with laugher. Nice? Lisa?
"See ya, Max," was all he said.
Max shrugged. "Aye, aye," he replied, before heading out the door.
Claudia Grant, Communications Officer onboard the SDF-1 Battle Fortress, cast a sideways look at Lisa, her best friend.
Lisa had been a little late to the Bridge that morning, a fact that was unusual enough in itself, but now she stood at her station, staring blankly out at the blue sky and sea.
What's with that girl? Claudia wondered, a little exasperated, originally she had figured a bad visit with her father, Admiral Donald Hayes, had been behind her friend's mood, but this seemed much more serious.
Claudia looked about, it was all quiet on the Bridge, Sammie, Vanessa and Kim weren't on duty yet and their replacements kept to themselves.
I think we could chat for a few minutes, Claudia decided and walked over to Lisa, touching her on her shoulder.
"Hmm?" Lisa shook her head, as if in a haze and looked up.
"OK, spill," Claudia encouraged, "what's got you so down?"
"What?"
"Oh, please," Claudia rolled he eyes, "anyone could tell something's eating you and I'm your best friend, come on now."
Lisa wouldn't meet her eyes. "It's nothing…I'm just…tired…"
"Well, we all are," Claudia acknowledged, "but that's not what's bothering you, come on, you can trust me."
Lisa heaved a sigh. "Claudia, do you ever wonder if the military is the right place for you?"
"What?!"
"Because sometimes I think…" Lisa trailed off.
With a flash of insight, Claudia remembered the events of the battle against the Zentraedi a few days earlier, the Daedeleus Manoeuvre had been a success, but one of the RDF's pilots had been hit…Roy's friend…
"Where did you go this morning, Lisa?"
Lisa did not speak, but her shoulders slumped.
"It was Lieutenant Hunter, wasn't it?" Claudia prodded.
All of Claudia's knowledge of Rick Hunter came from Roy and from various tit for tats between him and Lisa over the comm. net during battles.
"Well, he's all right isn't he?"
"He's fine," Lisa murmured.
"That's good then," Claudia patted her arm, "so why are you so down? He didn't blame you for what happened, did he?"
"No."
"Well then, it couldn't be as bad as all that," Claudia eyed her friend closely.
"You're wrong," Lisa declared, looking up at Claudia for the first time and there was something in her eyes…
Claudia knew that the situation was rather serious, but she couldn't help but declare. "And now the stroke of Cupid's arrow strikes home!"
"What?!"
Claudia had her hands held to her chest and she smiled at Lisa. "Well, it's been coming a long time, I mean, after all you've been through together."
"What are you saying?"
"You're in love with Lieutenant Hunter, of course!" Claudia continued, marvelling at Lisa's naiveté in matters of the heart.
Lisa shook her head. "That's ridiculous!"
Claudia shrugged. "Well, love doesn't almost make sense – in fact it hardly ever does."
Lisa looked like she was about to make further denials, but instead blurted. "What should I do, Claudia?"
"Well, first of all, you can relax, let your hair down and smile more often!"
"Oooh," Lisa moaned, clapping a hand to her forehead. "If only it was that easy-"
"Well, you can only do your best, but you can at least try."
Lisa was about to say something, doubtless more objections, when a shadow fell across them.
"Claudia, Lisa."
"Captain Gloval, sir!" The two women turned and saluted.
"At ease," the moustached man told them in his gravelly voice.
They dropped their arms.
"Now, I could use you two to begin coordinating the distribution of supplies once they arrive here on the ship, the Council is not giving us much time to unload them."
"Certainly, sir," Claudia spoke when Lisa stayed silent, "we were just discussing…combat manoeuvres.
"Hmm, I see," Gloval raised his eyebrows, not looking as if he believed it, but choosing to say no more.
As she returned to her station Claudia continued to wonder about Lisa and her flyboy and made a vow that she'd do whatever she could to help her dear friend.
For once Khyron, leader of the elite 17th Mechanised Division of the Botoru Battalion wished that male and female Zentraedi were not segregated so he could strangle the female on the other side of the comm screen.
"You will desist in this mockery!" He snarled, instead, shaking his purple fist. "I am your superior!"
The female tossed her green hair back from her shoulders with a laugh. "In rank, perhaps, but certainly not in ability."
Khyron actually shook with anger. "I warn you," he threatened.
"I am not cowered by your threats, after all, who made a fool of himself in the last combat and lost a command vessel? You are the laughing stock of the fleet."
"Am I now?" Khyron made a note of this, woe to any Zentraedi he discovered laughing behind his back…
But now to deal with this one.
"Your arrogance will be your downfall," he warned, "because you have never been truly challenged you believe you are something special. But be warned, Miriya, there is one aboard the Micronian vessel that even you cannot best."
To Khyron's delight Miriya took the bait, if anything she looked even more arrogant as she lifted her chin and met his eyes squarely.
"So! A Micronian ace on the battle fortress…" she mused. "I'd like to meet him!"
Khyron smirked and even the fact that Miriya snapped off her comm screen without a salute did not bother him, for he was certain it would be the last time she disrespected him.
The coffee shop Variations was quiet that day to Claudia's relief, since she was out of breath from running there, having only an hour break in her duty.
"Hey, there," Roy said by way of greeting, "I decided not to risk ordering for you...after what happened last time.
"Well, all you need to remember is to ask for only one shot," she reminded him.
"I'll try to keep that in mind," Roy promised with a wink.
Claudia smiled at him and for a moment they just looked at each other. It had been a long trip back to Earth and an exhausting one. Claudia could count the number of times they'd spent a good amount of time together on the fingers of one hand. She could only hope that now they were back on Earth things would be better, although it was hard to imagine so when the Brass were being such fools.
"So, what do I owe the pleasure of this lightning meeting?" Claudia asked after a moment. "Business or leisure?"
Roy smiled a rakish grin, "A little from column 'A' and a little from column 'B'."
Claudia arched an eyebrow. "I hope you won't make me guess, time is tight."
Roy pouted a little, but brushing back a lock of hair said. "I know you Bridge Girls have your finger on the pulse of everything in this ship, so I have to ask if you have any idea where Miss Minmei is these days."
Claudia titled her head. "For business reasons, of course?" She asked a little challengingly.
Roy took one of her hands in his. "Do you have to ask?"
Claudia grinned, slightly embarrassed, but then Roy had always liked to flirt. "Well, then, I can tell you that Miss Macross is at the eastern corner of Macross Park, filming for her movie. You'll find her on the set every day."
Although Claudia wondered briefly why Roy wanted to speak to Minmei, she didn't dwell on it…she had only twenty minutes to get back her station.
"Now, do you think we could get onto the personal stuff?"
"Hmmm," Roy leaned close, "how personal do y' wanna get, Lieutenant Grant?"
"How 'bout dinner at my place?" She suggested in a low voice.
Roy grinned broadly at her. "Promise me you'll make your famous pineapple salad and it's a date."
"Your wish is my command," Claudia told him.
"OK, then, dinner it is, seven o'clock okay?" Roy was getting to his feet still holding her hand.
"If you can be on time for once."
"Hey, I try," Roy made a show of looking hurt, then he squeezed her hand. "See you in the general vicinity of seven o'clock then."
With a wave he was off.
Reaching across the table Claudia picked up Roy's still steaming coffee wondering if she should risk a sip and leaned back in her chair, taking a moment to bask in her happiness. Sure, Commander Fokker, she thought, dinner tonight and perhaps…breakfast, too.
Roy didn't get out much in Macross City, being the CAG gave him less time off duty than just about anyone else on the ship except the medical teams. But the city still had the same layout as it had back on Macross Island, so he found his way to the park easily enough.
As Claudia had said in the eastern section roadblocks were up, stage lights and sets assembled and dozens of people milling about.
As a military officer, Roy was able to park a lot closer than any normal civilian could and soon he was walking towards the cameras and the crowd.
There was shouting and demands all around and frankly the chaos made Roy wonder how they got anything done.
"Ugh! Cut! Cut! What are you people doing?! This is an action movie! You're moving like it's an art house production!"
Roy watched the sunglassed man holding a megaphone shouting at a small group of people dressed in tunics.
"We're dancers!" One of them complained. "Not martial artists!"
"Well, that's what you're gettin' paid for, so shut up and do it as directed!" Mr. Megaphone snarled.
"Nice fellow," Roy muttered to himself, looking about for Minmei, she shouldn't be too hard to spot…
"Commander Fokker!"
Roy turned with a smile. "Well, hey, if it isn't the woman of the hour…or the year more like it."
Minmei ran down the steps of a fabricated Chinese Temple to meet him.
"Oh you," Minmei giggled, "this movie has plenty of good people in it."
"But you're the star."
"Can you believe it?"
"Why not?" Roy shrugged. "You're talented."
"Oh, thank you!" Minmei smiled, then looked about. "So where's Rick?"
Remembering the last time he had to break bad news about Rick to Minmei, Roy didn't want to make a scene, so he put his hand on her shoulder and steered her a few feet away from the set.
"Rick's not currently mobile," he began, and catching the look on Minmei's face, hastened to add. "He'll be just fine, but he's at Macross General, he took a bit of a hit a couple of days ago."
"Oh no! Poor Rick!"
"Well, like I said, he'll be up and about soon enough, but in the meantime he's languishing away in that hospital room…I'm sure he'd appreciate seeing you."
Minmei looked about for a moment…obviously this movie was very important to her and was been filmed at breakneck speed, but this was Rick.
"Of course, Commander! I'd love to see him."
"Great, he's in room 401, I'm sure you won't need a pass being-"
"Minmei!" A voice cut Roy off and he turned around to see a man with long dark hair storming their way.
"Oh hi, Kyle!" Minmei waved to him, seeming not to notice the angry look on his face. "Do you know Commander Roy Fokker?"
Kyle glared up at Roy as if he was insulted by the mere presence of him. "Commander," he said curtly.
"Hey," Roy nodded, just as shortly. He'd heard all about Kyle, the self-proclaimed pacifist who didn't mind delivering black belt karate when it suited.
"So what are you doing here?" Kyle demanded, taking Minmei's arm.
"Roy came to tell me about Rick, Kyle, you remember him? He's in the hospital and I have to visit him."
"Now?" Kyle demanded.
"Well, as soon as possible. We better go talk to Vance, I'm sure he can spare me for an afternoon."
Kyle looked like he wanted to object, but he couldn't think of a tactful way to do so.
Minmei turned back to Roy. "It was so nice of you to visit, will you come by again?"
Roy couldn't think of anything he felt less like doing, but he didn't say so. "I'll do my best, but right now duty calls."
Minmei nodded. "Good luck! Goodbye, Commander Fokker," she waved to him.
"Later," he waved back and headed back to his jeep as fast as he could.
No sooner had he stuck his key in the ignition then the communication console started beeping.
"Fokker," he answered pressing the screen.
Lisa's face appeared. "Commander Fokker, radar reports that a group of enemy fighters are entering Earth's orbit. They'll make contact in ten minutes, I'm scrambling the Vermillion Team."
Flooring the accelerator Roy made a quick turn and headed for Prometheus. "Roger, I'll lead 'em seeing as Rick is out, I wouldn't want anything to happen to his men. Keep the Skulls ready in case we need back up."
"Roger that," Lisa said, though her voice seemed slightly strained, which struck Roy as unusual, but he didn't have time to wonder about it. It was time to focus on one thing…the battle ahead.
"Vermillion Squadron, you will engage the enemy in sector 9-A and will keep them as far away from the ship as possible," Lisa relayed the orders almost automatically. She shook herself though, she had to concentrate properly, these pilots depended on her.
"Roger," Max Sterling affirmed
"Aye, aye, Commander," Ben added.
With that the two were propelled off the Daedeleus and into the air.
"Vermillion team clear. Skull Leader, are you ready?"
"Roger."
Claudia looked up suddenly from her station. "Skull Leader - what?"
Lisa looked over, shocked as Claudia left her station and came right over to look at the information on Lisa's console screen. "Is Roy leading that intercept flight?!"
"He's covering for Lieutenant Hunter," Lisa murmured.
Claudia's expression was something between anger and fear, and didn't seem to be able to speak.
"Skull Leader airborne," Roy's voice crackled through the speakers. "We're heading for the intercept point."
"Roger," Lisa turned back to her console, "good hunting."
"I'd rather be hunting for a pineapple salad," came the reply.
"What?!" Lisa started, confused.
"What was that?" Captain Gloval asked from his command chair.
"Sir, it sounded like Commander Fokker wants to hunt for a pineapple salad." Lisa told him shaking her head…What on earth?
She noticed Claudia laughing behind her hand, but there was no chance to ask what was so funny because Vanessa reported from the threat board.
"It's a squadron of enemy battle suits."
Captain Gloval looked pensive. "Lisa, we better order out the rest of the Skulls, one battle suit wrecked havoc last battle, a squadron of them are going to be tough."
"Yes, sir," Lisa nodded and turning to her console and passed on the instructions to Captain Kramer.
Good luck, Lisa thought as she watched the Skull Squadron heading into the air.
At the head of the Quadrono squadron Miriya observed her radar screen, certain that the pilot she was looking for was among the dots headed their way.
"I am looking for one particular pilot," she spoke to her squadmates. "When I find him you will withdraw and cover me, understood."
"Yes, First Officer Miriya," her second in command answered.
By this time the micronians mecha were clearly in sight, Miriya smiled viciously.
"Very well, attack!" She ordered.
"All right, boys, this is gonna be a tough one," Roy warned the men as the squadron of alien battle suits dived to intercept them. "Attack!"
Their enemy had the same idea soon there were plasma shots and missiles flying.
The missiles were the deadliest weapon of the battle suits, two huge protrusions on either side of the mecha's body served as a launcher for dozens of them that arched and looped through the air.
But Roy had spent more years flying aerobatics than fighter pilot techniques, and he flew arches and loops of his own that got him through the path of the missiles and with a shot from the Veritech's gun took out the battle suit that had fired them.
"Scratch one," he murmured to himself.
He pulled another tight turn in time to blow another battle suit out of the air and dodge yet more missiles.
It gave him no small amount of satisfaction to fly circles around these guys, one of these suits had taken out five of his men back in space, but now, he knew what he was fighting against….and that made all the difference.
Miriya watched from above, looking for the pilot Khyron spoke of. All of the micronians were good pilots Miriya had to admit, the proof was in the fact that they hadn't all been blown from the sky the second the Quadronos showed up. She was almost impressed.
And then she saw him, the one that Khyron must have spoken of, he flew like none other in the squadron.
Miriya narrowed her eyes and tightened her hands around her controls.
"Now you die!" She cried as she dived, plasma cannons blazing.