Skull Leader's Down!

by RDF-J6

In this AU story, Rick has to eject out of his flaming veritech over Zentraedi held territory. As he evades being captured, Rick makes a startling discovery. Story is ongoing, will try to update often. Remember to write a review after you read.

11. Chapter 11

SKULL LEADER'S DOWN

CHAPTER 11

Rick checked the battery power indicator light on his SATCOM radio. He changed from solar powered to regular battery power a long time ago.

'My battery power should be ok. It is. Something must be interfering with the radio. This is just great! What a fine time to lose reception!'

RDF Combat Operations Center – Fokker Base

In the COC, Lisa was panicking. Not only have they lost radio contact with Rick, they also have lost Rick's tracking signal.

"Rick! Rick! Skull Leader, are you there? Rick!"

"I'm sorry ma'am but somehow or the other we've lost Captain Hunter's signal!" An enlisted radio communications tech said.

"Do you know why?"

"It could be anything ma'am. From electromagnetic interference, something in the holographic projection machines might be causing the interference to him maybe being underground."

"Can you get it back?"

"No ma'am."

Lisa was angry and was also getting scared and worried.

'Rick, I've told you to get off that truck! Damn it Rick, why can't you just follow my orders? God only knows how long we will not be in radio contact with you. And what will happen to you in the meantime.'

Lisa couldn't take it. She needed to vent her emotions and frustration and she can't do it in from of her people because she needed to be strong for her troops. But Lisa is human, she has feelings and emotions. Lisa just saw the love of her life disappear somewhere in the Black Forest of Germany and she does not know how, when or if Rick's tracking signal will show up again. Lisa shook her head to get those negative thoughts out of her mind. Lisa knew that Rick will make contact with her again. She was sure of it. She can feel it in her gut. But Lisa needed to be by herself in order to get her emotions out. She turned to a male lieutenant commander. "Commander Turner, you're in charge of the COC until Commander Grant come in. I'm going to my office."

"Yes ma'am. Captain Hayes."

"Yes Commander Turner." Lisa said as she was turning around to face the lieutenant commander.

"Don't worry about Captain Hunter, ma'am. Despite of what he just did, Captain Hunter is a very smart man. He'll return to you. I'm sure of it. Just stay positive ma'am."

"Thank you, commander for the encouraging words." Lisa said with a bittersweet smile.

"You're welcome ma'am."

Lisa left the COC and walked to her office in a daze. She sat down on her desk, put her arms on the desk and crossed them. She then buried her head in her arms and began to weep bitterly. Sometimes she balled up her hand into a fist and pounded it on the table like a hammer. Minutes later, she heard a knock on her closed door.

"Come in." Lisa said through her tears.

The door opened. It was Claudia. Without saying a word, Claudia walked into Lisa's office, grabbed a chair, placed it next to Lisa and sat down. Lisa just shifted her body over to Claudia, buried her head on Claudia's shoulder and continued to cry.

"Why, Claudia? Why? Why can't Rick listen to orders? Why?"

'Rick's being Rick. He's being bull headed, just like his brother Roy.' Claudia answered Lisa but more to herself.

"Admiral Gloval needs to be told, Lisa. You stay here. I'll inform him."

"Thanks Claudia."

Claudia walked to Gloval's office. When she arrived at Gloval's office door, she knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Claudia opened the door but did not walk in.

"Admiral Gloval, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you sir. We have lost radio contact with Captain Hunter."

"We've lost radio contact how?!"

"We don't know sir. The last contact Lisa had with Captain Hunter was when he said he found tire tracks on the ground that suddenly disappeared to nowhere. He later said that that there was a convoy that was going past his hiding place. Later he said that he was in the back of a covered flat bed truck to find out where the convoy was going. That is when we have lost radio contact with him."

"Oh, this is just wonderful. How long has it been since we've lost radio contact with Rick?"

"I would say five minutes, sir."

Admiral Gloval blew out a breath of frustration. "Thanks for informing me, Claudia."

"You're welcome sir."

"Wait a minute Claudia; before you leave I have something to tell you and Lisa. Go get Lisa and tell her I need to speak with you and her."

"Yes sir."

Claudia walked to Lisa's office and entered in.

"Lisa, Admiral Gloval has something to tell us. You need to get yourself together before we see Admiral Gloval."

"Ok Claudia, give me a minute."

Lisa dried her tears and collected her wits together.

"Ok Claudia, let's go."

Lisa and Claudia walked to Admiral Gloval's office in step with each other. Lisa knocked on the door.

"Just open the door, come on in and take a seat, Lisa and Claudia."

"Yes sir."

After opening the door and sitting down in two chairs, Lisa and Claudia waited for Admiral Gloval to speak. Gloval was standing stroking his moustache trying to decide what to tell Lisa and Claudia.

"Lisa, I don't know how to say this to you any easily, but yesterday Lord Breetai and Exedore contacted me by VTC and told me something very interesting."

"What is it, sir? Lisa asked whose interested was peaked.

"They admitted to me that they have not been totally truthful with us about what they know and don't know about what is going on in the Black Forest."

Robotech Factory Satellite

Breetai and Exedore were in Breetai's office thinking about lunch when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

A female second lieutenant entered on the conveying belt. She saluted when the belt stopped. Breetai returned the salute.

"Lord Breetai, Minister Exedore, I've just been informed by HQ that we have lost SATCOM radio contact with Captain Hunter sirs."

Breetai and Exedore looked at each other.

"What happened lieutenant?"

"Lord Breetai, I've been told that Captain Hunter said that he spotted tire tracks on the ground that suddenly disappeared. A truck convoy was passing by where he was hiding and he sneaked on board the last truck in the convoy. We've lost radio contact with Captain Hunter soon afterward."

"Do they know where Captain Hunter is now lieutenant?"

"No sir."

"Thank you, lieutenant."

"You're welcome sir."

The lieutenant saluted and rolled away from Breetai's office. After the door came down, Breetai spoke first.

"You do realize what this means for us, my friend."

"Yes I do, my lord. This complicates matters for us in more ways than one."

"That is does my friend, that is does. I assume that our agent was briefed on what action she should take should any RDF personnel come upon the facility?"

"She was briefed my lord before she went undercover."

"Does she know what Captain Hunter looks like should she come upon him?"

"I believe so my lord."

"Let's hope you're right my friend."

Inside the secret Zentraedi facility

Fortunately for Rick, the flatbed truck was empty and there was a tarp that Rick was able to use so he can cover himself up with. Even after the truck stopped, Rick stayed still on his stomach for almost an hour before he risked moving around a little. He raised the tarp a little and looked around. The place was packed with boxes and blue plastic barrels.

"It looks like I'm in a garage or some kind of storage facility."

Rick decided that it was time to leave the truck and do some investigating. He threw the tarp off him and jumped down from the truck. Rick looked around; nothing looked out of the ordinary. He noticed a door at the other end of the building.

"I don't know where this door leads to but I guess I'm going to find out."

Lord Berrak's office

"Garrak, have you been able to find the Micronian pilot?"

"No sir, but a roving patrol reported that they have found the wreckage of a veritech southeast of here. The cockpit's canopy was gone as well as the ejection seat."

"That means before the veritech crashed, the pilot had ejected out."

"That is correct sir but that is not all. The patrol also reported that the veritech's tail has the skull and crossbones of a pirate's flag with the Roman numeral one."

"That means that the pilot of the veritech is Rick Hunter. Tell the search parties that a reward is waiting for them when they find the Micronian pilot and delivered to me alive and unharmed. Not a bruise is to on him."

"Yes sir. Sir, that is not all. Another patrol south of here has reported that they have found evidence of a tree that was bent down and the limbs of the same tree were cut off and was used as a bed."

"I see. That means that Commander Hunter should be very close to where we are. Don't increase the patrols but tell the search parties of the reward and for them to be vigilant for the Micronian."

"Yes sir."

Outside in the secret Zentraedi facility

Rick had to stay in the shadows because even though it was dark outside because it was night, there was light from the holographic projection machines and the facility was lit up with lights and floodlights. Trying to find out what the place is and at the same time, trying not to get caught was taxing Rick's nerves.

'I should have listened to Lisa and not have gotten on that truck. Next time I'll leave the James Bond act to the professionals. Curiosity may have killed the cat; I just hope it doesn't kill the pilot.'

Rick crouched and run trying to stay in the shadows as much as he can. He ran from building to building trying to find out what the building is and what they are hiding if any. The first building he came upon was the mess hall. He crept up to the closed door and looked in. Rick saw Zentraedi soldiers and others sitting down eating and talking. Rick decided nothing was worthy of his further investigation, so he moved on.

The next building Rick looked in at was the male barracks. After deciding nothing was worth looking for, he moved on to the next building. The next building was the female barracks. Rick looked in and immediately saw Zentraedi women clothed and in various states of undress and some of them was even nude, going in and out of the shower. Rick immediately ducked down and his face turned a beet red.

'I hope none of them saw me. They might think I'm some kind of pervert or Peeping Tom. I wonder why the windows aren't covered.'

Rick moved on to the next building. He tested the door knob to see if it could turn. It didn't turn. He looked up and saw a sign written in Zentraedi. Rick had to think back to what Miriya and the other Zentraedi taught Rick and others how to read, speak and write rudimentary Zentraedi. From what he could remember from the lessons, the building's sign read it was the infirmary. He knew nothing of importance would be in the infirmary except medicine and medical instruments, so Rick moved on to the next building.

When Rick reached the next building, Rick knelt down and tested the door knob. It didn't turn either. Rick looked up and saw a sign written in Zentraedi. Again Rick had to rely on his Zentraedi lessons. It was the facility commandant's office. Rick cursed his bad luck. He wishes that the door was open so he can get into the office and check to see if he can find anything useful so he can find out what this place is.

'Well, there is nothing I can do about it now. It's time to move on to next building.'

Admiral Gloval's office

After what Admiral Gloval told Lisa and Claudia what he was told from Breetai and Exedore, they were stunned. At first Claudia, but most especially Lisa were angry because Exedore and Breetai knew that keeping that information from the RDF has put Rick's life in jeopardy. But after calming down, they understood why Breetai, Exedore and the friendly Zentraedi had to keep that information from the RDF.

"Sir, have you told General Maistroff that information?" Claudia asked.

Gloval laughed a laugh of embarrassment. "You know Claudia, I have been so busy lately that I've forgotten to tell Jonas that."

"I think you should contract General Maistroff sir. He would want to know." Claudia told Admiral Gloval.

"I think you're right Claudia."

Admiral Gloval then picked up the telephone. "Sergeant Chase, get in contact with Stuttgart. I need to speak to General Maistroff on the STE."

"Yes sir. I'll get on it right away, sir."

Gloval then put the phone back in the cradle. A minute later, the STE phone on his desk rang. He picked up it. "This is Admiral Gloval."

"Henry, this is Jonas. I've been told to call you on the STE."

"Yes you did, Jonas. I have some information for you that will be of particular interest for you."

"What is it, Henry? Spill the beans."

"Before I tell you this information, I need to tell you how sorry I am to tell you this now. I have been so busy that I have forgotten to call you immediately after I was told to by Breetai and Exedore."

"Oh, don't worry about it, Henry. That is quite alright. I understand how busy you are. I'm busy also."

"Thanks Jonas. Well, this is how I have gotten hold of this information. Yesterday, Breetai and Exedore called me from the factory satellite after hearing about Captain Hunter being shot down."

"Ok Henry, I have gotten it so far."

"Well it's this, Jonas…"

Secret Zentraedi facility

Rick next went to a very large and long building. Just about he was about to test the door knob, he heard a piercing beeping noise in his ear. Rick yanked the earpiece to the radio out of his ear. He was so wrapped up in investigating the facility he had forgotten to check the radio to see if it was still on. He swapped the solar battery to his SATCOM radio for the regular powered battery that was half charged. The battery's energy was dying and the low battery light and alarm went off.

'Oh great, I've forgotten to turn off the radio.'

Rick turned off the radio, slipped the backpack off his back, opened the backpack up and shoved the radio in his backpack. After zipping up the backpack and putting it back on his back, Rick tried the door knob. It didn't turn but he saw light coming out of the building and he saw shadows of people inside. Rick then noticed a keypad near the door. Rick knew from looking at the keypad and the shadows, this building was of importance and people must be inside. Rick decided to wait until someone departed or entered the building and sneak in behind them. Rick crouched walked towards a garbage bin and waited in the dark for someone to walk in or out.

Rick waited for several minutes until two Zentraedis in lab coats walked up and punched several numbers until a click was heard. One of the Zentraedi then opened the door. Rick quickly followed them and immediately ducked behind a stack of boxes. Rick sneaked a peek around to see what the building looks like. The building was long and it was dimly lit. Rick then looked up and saw a catwalk above. The catwalk ran the entire length of the building. Rick decided to go up on the catwalk and see what the building looks like from above. Rick crept up to the catwalk's stairs and began to climb the stairs.

At the middle of the building, Rick saw something that caught his interest. Rick looked down and saw three chambers. The chambers were glass capsules and it was filled with a green liquid. Inside the chambers were vaguely human shaped blobs.

'What the Hell is in those chambers? I sure wish I had binoculars with me.'

Rick strained to take a really good look at the chambers. Rick looked at the first chamber. It vaguely looked like a shape of a nude humanoid looking man. He could barely make out a face. Rick really began to take a good look at the outline of the face.

'That face looks familiar.'

As he began to studythe face, a shocking realization came to his brain and shiver went up his spine to the top of his head.

'That face looks like Khyron. Oh my God, it is Khyron!'

Rick then slowly and hesitantly looked at the second chamber fearful of what he will see. Goosebumps began appear on his arms. The second chamber contained the shape of a nude humanoid looking woman, complete with breasts, woman's hips and pubic mound. Rick looked at the outline of the face began to really shiver.

'Oh dear God, that is Azonia!'

Rick then began to realize what kind of place he has stumbled upon. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

'Oh my God this place is a cloning facility of dead Zentraedi warriors! What the Hell is going on here? What are they trying to do?'

Rick didn't even dare to look at the third chamber. He didn't even want to know what was in the third chamber.

'RDF Intelligence needs to know about this place! This place needs to be destroyed!'

All of a sudden, Rick heard alarmed voices from below. Rick looked down and saw Zentraedis looking up and pointing their fingers at him.

'Oh shit! I've been spotted!'

RDF Combat Operations Center – Fokker Base

After Admiral Gloval told General Maistroff about what he was told by Breetai and Exedore, Claudia and Lisa started walking back to the COC. Lisa was walking with her arms crossed in front of her chest, deep in thought and worried about Rick.

"Claudia, I'm so worried about Rick. I can't be out in the COC. Can you be in the COC and call me when you get word from or about Rick? I'm going to lie down on the couch in my office."

"Sure, go ahead, Lisa. I don't mind keeping watch over the COC."

"Thanks Claudia."

Lisa walked into her office and closed the door. She immediately fell on the couch and cried. She then lay on her side and wrapped her arms around her as if she was trying to fend off the cold air that was entering her body.

'Oh Rick! How I am missing you! I don't know where you are or even if you're alive! No! Don't think that way Lisa! Rick's alive! I know he is! Oh Rick my love, wherever you are, just please be safe!'

Lord Berrak's office

Garrak ran up to Berrak out of breath, stopped short of him and saluted.

"Sir, there is an intruder inside the facility!"

"What, an intruder?" Berrak asked not believing what he had just heard.

"Yes sir!"

"How did the intruder get in here?"

"No one knows sir!"

"Where is the intruder now?"

"He's inside the regenerating building!"

"What does the intruder look like?"

"No one knows for sure because he is up on the catwalk! But from what I've been told, the intruder is a Micronian human and he's wearing a white flight suit with a green backpack on his back!"

"Find him! The Micronian must not escape the building or this facility!"

"Yes sir!"

Up on the catwalk of the regenerating building

Rick was in a panic. 'I got to get out of here and fast!'

Rick started to run towards the end of the catwalk where he started from. As Rick was running, guards started to raise their rifles ready to shoot at Rick. Zentraedi in lab coats stopped them and warned them in Zentraedi not to shoot because the bullets might ricochet off the wall, ceiling or catwalk and hit the cloning chambers.

'This is the last time I'm going to play James Bond!' Rick said to himself as he ran down the catwalk and the stairs.

As Rick was running towards the door, he was relieved to find that there wasn't a keypad near the door. He turned the door knob and pushed open the door with all his might. The door flew open on its hinges and hit the side of the building with a loud bang. Rick immediately hid in the darkness.

By this time, sirens began to wail, search lights came on and a voice over the loudspeaker said in Zentraedi that there was an intruder inside the compound. Rick knew he couldn't stay in the darkness for very long because guards will start looking for him. Rick started to run trying to stay in the darkness as much as possible.

Rick spotted a clump of tall bushes nearby and ran for it. Rick stopped at the bushes to catch his breath. He knew that he had to get back to the garage and hotwire one of the trucks if he had any hope of escaping from the facility alive. As he was thinking of where to go next so he can get to the garage, a pair of hands reached out of the bushes, grabbed him by the backpack and shoulders and pulled him in behind the bushes. Rick was surprised and was caught off guard.

"What the…"