The next week was an exciting and busy one at the base, as a few squads from the North East Quadrant were in town for some training exercises and conferences. Admiral Gloval had implemented some reforms across the forces and also worked on new training materials that were desperately needed due to the lack of forces and number of new recruits. Even with the very recent destruction of the SDF-1 and SDF-2, Gloval didn't want to wait to implement the changes and insisted that the event go forward. Captain Hayes had contributed greatly to the changes as she was a top graduate of the Military Academy and was recognized as a top-notch tactical strategist. It was that background, coupled with her practical experience of the last three years that made her input so valuable to the changes being made. Captain Hayes recommendations did not come solely from her but she had gathered feedback and info from Rick, Max and Miriya who had been able to give her information based on the feedback from the pilots. Fours squads Wolf, Vermillion, White and Skull from Macross Base were the first squads schedule to attend the training and lectures for the next couple of weeks. There were a few war games scheduled that everyone was looking forward to participating in especially now that the actual threat that Khyron represented was gone but they knew that they still needed to be vigilant against other pockets of rebel Zentraedi.

The first couple of days that the squads arrived were spent getting them settled into the military housing and getting their VF-1's checked over and upgraded using new technology and weaponry developed by the Dr. Lang and Breetai. Before the pilots were allowed back into the VF-1s, they were required to attend presentations by Dr. Lang and complete a certain number of hours in the modified simulators to have the pilots get used to the software changes and weapons changes that were made. The pilots were pleased with the improved laser targeting system, armor and the increase in rounds that they the Veritech's could hold and the updated software included better radar systems, communications, and extended optical zoom. The upgrades were minor compared to the upgrades going into the new VF-4s that were being prototyped but would help keep the VF-1s in service until the time the VF-4s could be put into production and deployed to all the squads.

Many of the pilots of the other squads were happy to be reunited with old friends that they had served with on the SDF-1 and newer pilots were in awe of meeting some of their heroes from the space war. Rick, Max and Miriya were all in high demand and they also had a good time socializing with the newer pilots and forging new friendships. It wasn't until the third day in that Rick ran into Jack Archer who had helped with the Minmei and Kyle incident in Granite City and helped escort the two to their concert while Rick and his team had pursued the attackers. "Hey Rick, finally, I can't believe that this is the first time we've gotten to say hi to one another." The two shook hands and continued their conversation.

"Jack, it's good to see you again and thanks for your help the last time, I don't think I really got to thank you for that."

"Not a problem, I can understand why you had such a personal interest in making sure Minmei was alright, I heard that you two are a couple and living together now. Good one Hunter..." Jack slapped Rick on the back, jovially.

"Uh, yeah, thanks," said Rick. "So you got any plans while you're out here?"

"As a matter of fact I do, going to have dinner with lovely lady on Friday night, any suggestions on where to take her?"

Rick didn't really know that much about any of the good restaurants in Macross, and trying to be helpful, said, "Well I heard Papillion is good..."

"Hey Rick, that's a great idea, Lizzie loves French food. I hope I can get a reservation on such late notice."

"Oh I am sure it wouldn't be hard for a guy like you Archer, you can probably go in and charm your way in"

"Ha, ha that maybe true but I am sure Lizzie would prefer me to get reservations the conventional route and not rely on my charms to get us a table. I'll check into it. Thanks for the recommendation."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before they had to move on to their next activities. It wasn't until the afternoon that Rick saw Archer in the large meeting hall where Captain Hayes was going to give a talk and presentation mostly for the new recruits on the tactical maneuvers and air strategies that were used during the year long travel back to Earth from space. Unfortunately Rick got there a bit late and was forced to find a seat in the back. He was surprised to see the presentation so well attended by not only the pilots but other military personnel around the base. When Captain Hayes was introduced there was an appreciative round of applause for her and Rick watched as Lisa took to the lectern, introducing herself to the crowd and explained the role that she played on the bridge during the battles the SDF-1 faced. Using different mediums to display and present her topic, Lisa kept the room enthralled with the retelling of certain battles and the decisions that were made during key points in the fights. She discussed tactical strategies used and downplayed her own role in the situations preferring to credit the success of the battles on the pilots, destroid operators and others who were responsible for executing the plans that came from the SDF-1. Rick felt so proud of her as Lisa received a standing ovation at the end of her presentation and the question and answer section was extended by at least half an hour to deal with the number of questions that came at her. Rick stayed as long as he could but had a simulator session scheduled that he couldn't miss. He heard a number of pilots commenting on the presentation and a few who went a bit further and commented on her youth and beauty as well. Those pilots got a few glares from Rick who realized they had been overheard and they quickly left the lecture hall. As he was leaving, he noticed Jack Archer approaching Lisa and frowned as Lisa seemed to greet the Captain warmly and wondered if they knew each other from before.

With all the training and meetings during the week, Rick came home exuberant but exhausted and fell asleep soon after coming home. As for Minmei, she kept herself to the bedroom when he came home and they barely talked only to convey the barest amount of information. It was an uncomfortable situation and Rick couldn't wait for her to find a place of her own. Living with Minmei reminded him everyday of his mistakes and started to resent her presence in his home. He wanted her gone so he could try and make things right with Lisa and felt bad that he felt that way since it wasn't really Minmei's fault either. It was on Thursday when he returned home that Minmei came out to greet him. She seemed nervous and Rick felt bad that she felt that way and so he smiled at her hoping to ease her mind, "Hi Minmei, how are things going?"

"Good, Rick, good... umm, I was wondering, but do you think we can still go out to dinner tomorrow night? I heard that there might be a famous director that is going to be there tomorrow night and it would be great for my career if I could possibly meet him. I know it's a lot to ask but I hope you can do this for me."

Rick felt it was the least he could do for her and said, "Sure Minmei that's not a problem, what time is our reservation at?"

"It's at 8pm, if that is ok with you, um, you'll need to wear a suit if that is ok with you."

Rick laughed and said supportively, "Yeah don't worry Minmei, I'll clean up for this. We'll have a great time, the director will love you and you'll be able to jumpstart your career."

Happy that Rick agreed, Minmei gave Rick a hug and then ran into the bedroom to make her plans for the next day.

A few streets away, the same conversation was happening over the phone. Jack had called Lisa to confirm their date for the next day and Lisa picked up the phone on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Lizzie?"

Lisa laughed, "Yes, who else would answer my phone?"

Jack laughed, "Well I don't know who you could have over."

"Sorry Jack, there is no one in my life right now," said Lisa, at least not yet she thought as she patted her belly.

"Lizzie dear, we are going to have to change that, Karl wouldn't have wanted you to be alone, you know that."

"I know Jack, I just haven't really met anyone yet"

"Hmm, I don't know what is wrong with the men on this base, they don't seem to have any taste."

"Jack you know it's not that, I haven't been the most receptive to them either. "

"Ok, ok, well after today's presentation that may change, I heard quite a few compliments directed your way and it sounds like half the pilots are in love with you."

"Only half?"

"Well you have to remember the other half know how you really are..."

At that the two of them laughed and Jack asked Lisa if they were still on for Friday night. "I got a great recommendation for a fancy restaurant and was able to snag us a table at 8pm. So dress up and let's show this town how two military brats can clean up."

The two chatted for a few more minutes and confirmed a pick up time for the next day and after they hung up, Lisa went to her closet to pick something to wear for the next night.