RDF Aerospace & Engineering Academy North Canada, UEG, June 2007

Lisa Hayes stayed in front of her room window for a few minutes, gaze lost beyond the mountains that, despite the warm weather and late summer, were covered in snow. That morning she would be graduating from the Military Academy together with 479 fellow officers.

In spite of this important event, her memory was now going back in time to that night two years earlier, when she first escaped from the control of her father along with her love. She had ended up at Manhattan Beach on an absolutely romantic getaway with a charming young soldier from the RDF with whom she was... really hopelessly in love. Lisa mechanically raised her left hand where a ring was shining against the light. She looked at it in awe, surprised even that it was there, stuck on her fourth finger. How many things has changed. She smiled lightly as she touched the shining stone standing on pure gold. That time, that afternoon, Lisa had been convinced that they would really go further, that he would overwhelm her with passion and they'd end up making love somewhere on the beach... like in some kind of cheap novel happy ending. Instead they ended up arguing...and they said goodbye coldly after he drove her home.

Lisa sighed, remembering how bad her temper was these days, and smiled bitterly, realizing how much worse it had gotten. Yet he had loved her... still loved her.
His name slipped from her lips -

Karl. How I wish you were here today...

Lisa stood, lost again in her thoughts, her serious face mirrored in the glass ahead. Her hair pulled at her temples, fell into two thick, heavy braids on her back. Her flaming black and blue uniform wore sergeant's rank on her tailcoats. Her hat, which she had not yet worn, was lying on the night table. She stared at her reflection on the glass: her eyes were always hypnotic, and green as those of a cat. But they had caught the lustre of ice. Lisa forced herself to remember all that fading moment: in an almost-masochistic way, she made herself relive that feelings so far away. Everything seemed so vivid.
When Karl Riber told her he was leaving for Mars, she experienced such a terrible pain that she was split in two...and that wound had not healed. She could still hear the echo of his voice... She could still hear the sound of his voice... that evening, that late summer evening their idyll had abruptly ended, and followed with a melancholy goodbye.

-I'll be waiting for you

-When you come, I'll be your guide on Mars**.

But Lisa had other sad memories, too, for sure. She squeezed her eyes, trying to swallow a tear...How long she'd waited on the high school steps on her graduation morning. Yet Sergeant Riber Fruhling had never arrived. That day, frustration drove her to tears of anger. While her friends and classmates waited for their graduation with joy, her heart was tight and her face reflected her pain. Not even the presence of Admiral Hayes had softened her disappointment, not even her frightfully high scores and the honourable mention. That day had been so full of expectations.

Lisa Hayes shook her head softly, rocking her braids over her shoulders. She had good memories too... She remembered how Riber had shown up at her house the day after her graduation, dressed in uniform, with a serious look... he looked so tense that at any moment he seemed to break in two. He would never forget Mrs. Ross' voice coming into the dining room and saying
- Admiral Hayes, there's Sergeant Riber Fruhling here to see you...*

Lisa had swallowed a slice of fruit without chewing it, almost strangling, she had felt herself wrapped in a cloud of hot heat. Admiral Donald Hayes had slowly lifted his gaze from the newspaper he was reading and looked at Mrs Ross as if he wanted to cross her. Then he looked silently at his daughter with an imperturbable stare. Lisa was blushing. Her hands were sweating. She had no absolute idea what was going on.
She remembered the cold feel of the heavy wood of the front door where she had stuck her ear, trying to hear what Karl and her father were talking about in the hall, but only some muffled hums came to her, a sign that the two were chatting in a low tone. Then she heard her father's voice loud and clear as he approached the door: Lisa only had time to make a leap back before being overwhelmed by the doorjamb opening. Donald Hayes was standing in front of her with that incomprehensible look.

-Renraku shiyou to omottetanoni, Lisa-Chan (ah you were already here Lisa-Chan)-he said without looking her in the eye

Lisa glasped- Hai... otōsan (yes...dad)

She looked over her father's shoulder and met Karl's tender eyes, then Admiral Hayes seemed to lighten his gaze

-Why don't we go into the living room. Besides, the sergeant didn't come just to talk to me. Lead the way, Lisa-Chan.

Yes father- she replied going forward, pushing another heavy dark wooden door and entering the living room lights. Lisa Hayes smiled recalling the chill of the room flooded with plants of all kinds. The light of day took on a shade of green that filled the air. Riber's eyes were as bright as torches as he sat awkwardly on the large leather sofa, squeezing the black cap with the RDF insignia.

ù- Well, Lisa- said the Admiral in a monotonous voice, the one he used to use with all his subordinates- Sergeant Riber Fruhling came here to disturb us at lunch time with a specific request.

Lisa looked at Karl alarmed, but saw that he hadn't lost his sweet, confident look. She didn't answer, didn't move a single muscle, but felt the teacup slip through her wet hands.

No one spoke, so Admiral Donald Hayes took the floor.

-Sergeant-he wasted his time coughing- Well, I'm no longer his direct superior... right, Riber?

Riber nodded vigorously.

-Well, although I am no longer his superior at Kern's base- he turned to Lisa-he thought well to come and ask directly to the station, why go through all the official channels?

Lisa looked first astounded at her father and then at Karl, alternately, without being able to link that thread of speech, just feeling she was about to lose her breath at any moment.

-Are you listening to me, Lisa?

Lisa Hayes clearly remembered looking deeply into her father's eyes: he held a loving and reassuring gaze. At that moment her heart started to beat again.

-But why don't you tell her, Sergeant? Why didn't you tell her what are you doing at our house this morning? -Huh?

Karl spoke for the first time that day: he stood up stiffly.

-Yes, sir. Admiral Hayes. -I've come to officially ask you, Admiral, permission to date your daughter, Miss Elizabeth.

Lisa had her mouth wide open, her eyes pupils dilated. She rushed back to Karl's face, as he looked straight ahead, and then looked again at her father who was still sitting there with a sly, impenetrable face.
Then time passed in silence

- Dōi suru ka? Lisa-Chan? Nani mo iwanai no? ( Lisa? Are you going to speak?)

-Kotaete mo īdesu ka? Papa? (Daddy? I have to answer?)

The whole scene was pretty surreal, and Lisa felt like she was riding the rollercosters.

Karl kept looking at some blurry spot beyond the window waiting for the two Hayes to speak English again. The Admiral stood up and Lisa followed him.

-Well, you two guys are shy. Would you prefer I leave you alone for a few minutes?

-Oh, no, sir.

-Oh, no, dad.

They said at the same time

Admiral Hayes finally smiled...

-I see the three of us are getting along.

Lisa Hayes rolled the ring in her finger as a noise of excited footsteps and cheerful giggles approached behind the door along the hallway...

-Heyyy let go of me! Make me fall!- cried a shrill voice.

Lisa was literally ripped out of her daydreams, while the latch clicked and the door opened, laughing and screaming, filling the whole room...

-I can't believe you're ready already!

Lisa Hayes turned three-quarters threateningly.

-You should be same way too, Christine. It's only 45 minutes to the ceremony.

-Ohh don't rush me, please! I'm pretty nervous on my own!

Lisa looked resignedly at her roommate. She was wrapped in a pink bathrobe, slipping on the floor with her short hair friend covered in a rather short blue cloth. She ran her fingers through her hair waiting for something.

-You should back to your room and get ready too Kim! Lisa continued in a flat tone voice.

-Yes, Sergeant... I'm going! Just gonna borrow some lipstick from Chris!

Lisa sighed. Those two made more noise than a bunch of kids.

-Hey! a little makeup wouldn't hurt you, Supergirl!

Lisa turned around with eyes on fire- Don't call me that, Sergeant Young!

Her face had a grimace of indignation. The two girls go on laughing and teasing her... but soon her phone start ringing.

-Hello father- she said with his usual serious tone.

-Lisa, darling. I'm on my way to the Academy. I'm sure you'll get an honorable mention this morning. How you feeling?

Lisa smiled slightly

-You're really kind. Thank you. But I don't think it's gonna happen... besides, I'm fine.

-Well, will I see you later to celebrate? Although I guess you want to spend the day with your friends.

- No, Papa- Lisa looked through the window one more time- Watashiniha tomodachi ga imasen...(You know I don't have any friends).

Christine puffed looking at her -Of course Supergirl is so serious, she should soften up a bit.

She kept dressing, wearing an immaculate white shirt with the Aerospace Forces crest embroidered on her chest.

Then she looked at her again -She's not even 20 yet she's acting like my granny!

Kim caught her looking at her

- Shut up Chris.

Lisa looked back at her ring for the nth time as she hung out.

- See you later, Dad.

-Hey, Lisa.

Kim was standing behind her, the towel around her chest, her hair still moist.

-Which is it, Sergeant? Lisa huffed, turning around and staring into Kim's eyes.

Kim gave her an equally intense gaze.

-I know we've never got along so well... I... I just... I wanted to congratulate you.

Lisa looked at her astonished, she'd never have expected such a showing...

-I just wanted say you that I admire you... very much. We'll probably never see each other again, but believe me, for me would be great to work with an officer like you... well maybe in another life, who knows. I'm sure you'll have a brilliant career.

Kim Young held her hand, smiled, and Lisa blushed. But soon she smiled back sincerely.

-I wish you the same Kim... Thank you.

Admiral Hayes turned off his phone as his jet took off from the Alaskan base heading for the RDF Academy. The new cadets' graduation ceremony would begin in exactly one hour. Her daughter Lisa, who had been studying aerospace engineering and had gained the rank of sergeant, would be graduating with the rank of at least Third Lieutenant. She had also distinguished herself in war simulations as a strategist and as a flight officer. The Admiral knew all her skills, and they were all beyond excellence. Lisa was at the top in all classes, and had developed great physical endurance in astronautical training. In her free time she also achieved the fifth dan in karate. He wasn't surprised by her statement.

-You know I don't have any friends...

Donald Hayes looked up at the snowy mountains beneath him and clenched his fists tightly on the armrest. Then unbuckled his seat belt. He knew the war would soon be over. What he could not accept was that his daughter, with that brilliant career ahead of her, would fly to Mars in a few months to reunite with Riber Fruhling. He gritted his teeth in anger, remembering his own subterfuges, which then turned into big mistakes. He remembered as if it was now that day, two years earlier, when he called Lieutenant Sullivan at Kern Base in California.

He had specifically requested that on June 29th, Riber Fruhuling be sent for a guard on the airfield for 48 hours in a row.

-Sullivan disguised his dismay, Riber had asked for the day off for those very days. It seemed incredible to him that Admiral Hayes himself would bother with such a request.

- But... of course Admiral, it will be done as requested.

Hayes looked up at the sky again. Two years ago, on her high school graduation day, Lisa was so sad. Her green eyes seemed to burst with tears at any moment. During her speech her voice was cracked and when she was called to collect the medal of honor she walked on stage with her shoulders lowered, her back curved. Donald Hayes did not believe that her beautiful face could be disfigured by such a sadness...

When they were alone in the Limo on their way to some expensive French restaurant Admiral Hayes freezed speechless when Lisa burst into sobbing, ripping his amaranth gown with the yellow school's logo.

-Papa... I'm so sad... I'm so unhappy.

She had broken down crying, like a waterfall...

The Admiral had hugged her, trying to calm her down, but it was like a nervous breakdown... A puffy face, swollen and damp eyes, eyelashes sparkling of big drops of her tears. She told him everything, innocently, honestly. She told him that she was in love with a soldier, Karl Riber, but she had disappointed him, and now he had left her, without a word. He didn't show up for her graduation, never answered her calls.

-Please forgive me, Papa, for telling you anything. Please forgive me... Serena is leaving and Karl stood me up... I'm alone now... I feel so alone.

Donald Hayes had held her, caressing her long wavy hair. He faked it, he lied. He had known all along, and had deliberately acted to separate them. The next morning, he called Kern's base, soaked with remorse, then he asked for Riber and when the young sergeant showed up at his house he instructed him on his attitude with friendly threats.

-Looks like my daughter really cares about you. Yesterday she was waiting for you at your ceremony, and your absence really broke her heart.

Riber had tried to stutter an excuse - But sir...

-Don't interrupt me, Sergeant. I don't want to see my daughter in pain. You know everything that went on with her mother.

Karl looked at him silently, astonished and almost frightened.

-I'm also well aware that Elizabeth has a wary temper, but she's sharp and fierce. She's like a gentle lotus flower... -he had said as if speaking to himself...- Well, I now order you to ask her officially. To engage in honest dating and friendship with my daughter.

Riber looked at him with his eyes wide open. The Admiral remembered that boy's big, bright eyes, his straight and clean look. It was not the look of a soldier.

-And remember, Sergeant, my daughter must never know anything I'm telling you. Now I'm going to call her and you're going to tell her these words:

-I've come to officially ask permission to go out with your daughter, Miss Elizabeth.

Riber had nodded, then had saluted the Admiral -Yes, sir.

Hayes had looked at him with disguised contempt as looking at an inferior being. Now the Admiral bitterly regretted everything. He felt the same twinge of remorse after two years. He had deliberately acted to separated them a second time.

The warm sunny morning could not temper the weather in the far North of Canada. An incessant breeze had obliged the ceremony inside. The sun was pouring out of the stained-glass window into the great hall of the Academy. Here the cadets, dressed in their formal uniforms and ranks were eagerly awaiting the start of the graduation ceremony. At the end of the two years of Academy, each of them would spend a three-month training at an RDF base, and the most deserving would be assigned to the High Command Bases in Alaska, Australia and Japan. The latter was not coveted because the country was still fertile ground for Unification Wars and they were still fighting each other practically continuously.
A branched terrorist organization known as Scavengers had become a bad headache for the Government in recent times. In addition, the general terror of the new graduate cadets was to end up being assigned to one of the bases in old Europe. Here, the wars had reduced some once thriving and historically rich countries to a monument of destruction and hatred. Entire cities had been plundered of their beauty and economy. Many European citizens had died and many had attempted to flee beyond the Pacific and applied for a refugee licence in order not to remain in their hometowns.

These thoughts emerged in Lisa Hayes' mind, nebulously, as they still crossed with Karl Riber's memories.

-I can't believe that the world is falling apart like this. Look Lisa, there's not a day goes by that I don't wake up terrified that whatever's going on in Europe might come out here.
-I couldn't bear the idea of having to kill... people...
-Lisa, I couldn't bear the thought of... leaving you...

Lisa stared at a spot at the end of the room, trying to chase these thoughts away...
-Hey... a voice at her side pulled her out of that sort of dizziness.
-Hey, Sergeant Hayes...
Lisa Hayes turned to her left with a puzzling look. A girl on the right with bright blue eyes behind a pair of drop glasses looked at her with a small smile. Like many of the girls at the Robotech Academy, she wore her hair cut short on her forehead.
Lisa said nothing and that girl, whom she didn't recognize, went on...
-I know we don't know each other, oh well.. I know you... -I mean who doesn't know Lisa Hayes, the Admiral's daughter...
Lisa frowned. As usual she got defensive unintentionally.
-Then?
-Well, I just wanted to tell you that I admire you so much. I'm sure you'll get a mention today. We used to take the same aerial strategy control course, and you know, you really are the best.
-Oh well, thank you... Lisa said, softening her gaze... -I'm sorry, I don't remember your name.
We used to take the same aerial strategy control courses, and you know, you really are the best.
-Oh well, thank you... Lisa said softening her gaze... -I'm sorry, I don't remember your name.
The girl smiled quietly as she tightened her shoulders.
-Oh.. I'm Vanessa, Vanessa Leeds.
Lisa shook her hand watching her.

-I guess it'll be the last time we see each other!

-I guess so! I wish you luck, Lisa.

Lisa smiled kindly, then a huge round of applause welcomed Colonel Reinhardt on stage for the graduation ceremony.

Second Lieutenant Elizabeth Hayes...Second Lieutenant Elizabeth Hayes...

The applause faded slowly and she could hear the muffled sound of voices mixing with the buzz of the graduates and officers as she walked down the stairs to the podium and back to her seat. As she passed by she crossed her father's eyes, and she felt somehow confused... as if she were walking weightlessly. Donald Hayes was moved, perhaps at a later time he would shed a tear, alone.
Lisa looked gorgeous. Her long twisted hair fell behind her back in two perfectly aligned braids. Her eyes shone, green and bright but slightly crooked at the sides, giving her gaze a constant look of sadness. She was thin but her body, after years of training, had become imposing and the high uniform dressed her perfectly. Admiring glances came from the cadets and officers and even a few smothered giggles...

...yes she's beautiful, she looks like an ice stew...

...She didn't smile once, is she human?

Lisa could hear a little as she returned to her seat, but Karl's voice, in her ear, was louder than anything else.

-You're so beautiful... your hair... promise me you'll never have it cut...

- You look beautiful Lisa-Chan

Admiral Donald Hayes allowed himself the indulgence of caressing his daughter's face while the officers walled in to greet the new RDF Lieutenant.

-Lisa smiled softly as she saluted her father and the Colonel

-Thank you, Admiral. Colonel Reinhardt.

-At ease Second Lieutenant - replied the Reinhardt as he looked at the young officer from head to toe...

-I had no doubt you'd graduate at the top of your class. I see you're absolutely the best here. Have you already chosen the final base where you will serve?

Lisa looked up proudly

Yes, sir. I've already asked for Sarah Base...

The Admiral stopped her with a wave of his hand.

-My daughter's gonna be training at Alaska Base for the rest of the summer, and then... The Admiral took a break.

Lisa tensed up. She couldn't interrupt her father. Because he was the Admiral. She knew he couldn't accept the idea of her following Riber Fruhling to Mars. He'd always rejected the view. But Lisa knew he would adapt. Now it was up to her alone to decide.

-I'll be waiting for you Lisa, and when you get there, I'll be your guide on Mars**...

Colonel Reihnard watched the two Hayes alternately, but neither of them spoke.

-Well, I'll see you at dinner Donald, though, right? Elizabeth will see you too. Although I heard you prefer to be called Lisa.

Lisa looked at him.

-Yes Sir, Colonel, Lisa... it' s... my name.

While Admiral Hayes and his daughter walked towards the gates a series of reporters and social managers from the RDF stood still on the Academy Square waiting for them. After posing for official photos, the two of them quietly walked out into the corridors.

Lisa was caught by a group of graduates who were loudly celebrating by bursting bottles of champagne on the grass, bursting the foam and drinking from the neck of the bottles among laughter and laughter. They made a racket and threw their medals and hats up in the air.

Donald Hayes looked at them.

-They're fighter pilots- he said.

Lisa looked at him in amazement.

-How did you figure it out?

-Well, years of experience. Pilots have it written all over their faces and, well their attitude, too.

He just kept walking, without saying more. Lisa took one last look at the group of fellow pilots having fun. It was a look full of frustration.

-Lieutenant Hayes!

Lisa looked to her left where a young girl's blonde head appeared from behind a column.

-Lieutenant Hayes...

Lisa and her father stopped with a curious look on their faces.

The girl was wearing corporal's rank and an ordinary dark blue uniform.

She locked herself perfectly in front of her superiors trying to control the excitement in her voice tone.

-Corporal Samantha Porter, Admiral Hayes! I request permission to congratulate Second Lieutenant Elizabeth Hayes, sir.

Lisa couldn't believe her ears. She looked at her father who carried a slight smile on his lips.

-At ease corporal

The blonde girl finally got her breath back.

-Thank you, sir I... I just... I just...

Suddenly couldn't remember a word of that long speech she had planned.

- Lieutenant Hayes... I wanted to tell you that you're my idol.

Her big brown eyes glowed with joy.

That's all I wanted to say. I admire you very much. My dream would be to serve with you.

Lisa was sincerely surprised.

-Thank you, Corporal...

-Porter... Samantha Porter, but everybody calls me Sammie.

The girl tightened up again

-I'm sorry to have bothered you, Admiral, Lieutenant. -Her face was showing deception. Lisa realized she was being too cold. That girl looked so young.

She reached out her hand.

-Very glad to meet you, Sammie.

An amazed smile rose from her face. They shook each others' hands

-Have a nice time at Robotech Academy... I'm gonna miss this place- she added without even knowing why.

The two Hayes walked away, leaving an ecstatic Sammie Porter on the forecourt. Motionless in the sun.

London, UEG, June 2007

Rick Hunter squeezed as tight as he could into the collar of the black coat he had just bought from a second hand shop. He cursed the shopkeeper for not offering him a scarf, and possibly an umbrella too. He quickly left in the pouring rain for the taxi rank. He had just learned that taxis no longer drove down the street like in the good old days. Too risky for the terrorist attacks that were recently targeting civilians in the former British capital. In fact the only remaining bulwark of the Unified Government was the ex-American Embassy in Mayfair. Rather than a palace of bureaucratic paperwork, it looked more like a fortress armoured by the military of the RDF and the Local Police.

The eagle that once stood above the huge building had been removed to make room for the signs of the UEG. Very little else remained of London's haughty beauty. The lions of Trafalgar had been blasted with dynamite. The majestic cathedral of St Martin in the Fields had been burnt at the stake. Westminster had been evacuated a year earlier and the descendants of the former Royal Family had fled to the islands of their commonwealth. The Tower Bridge... well, it was still here. Rick Hunter cast a casual glance across the river where the two towers emerged over the dark waters for no reason. The bridge that linked them was torn apart and had rotted for a while, left as a carcass of a huge aquatic monster. Rick took one last look, then he got into a cab and showed his papers before. It was procedure. He let himself get in the back seat as he caught the Indian driver's glance. Rick's eyes had taken a dark, almost black shade. His hair was moist and fell constantly on his forehead. He was freezing cold.

-It's best to lock yourself in before curfew - said the Indian. - This will be my last ride.

Of course - replied a grumpy Rick.

-Is there a curfew in America, too, sir? -Mm-hmm?

-Of course there is- replied Rick even ruder.

...I can't remember what the night looks like anymore... he thought.

It was only 6pm when Rick Hunter stepped into the hotel. At 9 am the next morning he was due to present for the 2007 World Aerobatic Champion title. He had won the championship twice in a row. Though he was 100% focused on his performance, that afternoon he felt the urge to take a walk, leave the hotel and training rituals just to take a closer look at old London. Well maybe it would have been better not to. He had been to Europe many times with Mitch's Air circus, but the city that had appeared in front of him was not one of his childhood memories. The city of cities... when the rain started to pour on him, he suddenly realized he was dressed like a California sucker on holiday. He rushed to buy a coat to save himself from the damp and so he kept walking aimlessly staring at the gloomy leaden sky and the clouds bursting with water, and that city... so frightening and dark. He looked at his phone and tried to take a few pictures, but for what? He briefly thought of Jessica Fisher. Maybe she'd like to see some pictures of London or maybe... she just wouldn't give a shit.

Rick made a frown as if to chase her memory away. He hadn't seen her in at least a year. Since that disastrous riot at Capital Mall things had gotten weird between them... first really crazy, then suddenly great, everything was cool, and then bad, very bad again... a rollercoaster ride at supersonic speeds. Rick was wondering how he could have felt some of those powerful things. Almost overwhelming.

...Is that you're a teenage boy Rick- Roy had told him -At your age, everything is amplified.

...Amplified... Rick had puffed. Was it possible that he had fallen in love with her?
Anyway, he wasn't, any more.

- Rick, I really like you, but... it doesn't work

-Rick, you'll always be a very special friend

He was still blushing with anger at the thought of her words. He would never trust a woman like that again. She had humiliated him. That's how he felt. Humiliation, maybe even hate. Not love for sure. Rick stared at himself in the bathroom mirror. His reflection was that of a very attractive boy with big blue eyes and a big, wild mass of dark hair. He'd grown quite tall, not like Roy of course, but he was still 17. He looked at himself one more time, opened his mouth and examined the shape of his teeth. Then he lost interest in himself. His thoughts flew away confused. It was a mid-range hotel but close enough to the Stanstead racetrack where the world championship would be held.

If it kept raining, the rain would have made the track hard. And the start maybe. But luckily, there wasn't a breath of wind.

He lay on the bed with his arms crossed behind his head. He thought he'd call his father. It was a ritual he always did before races, and he thought he'd call Roy. He had no sense of where he was at the time, but he was at least 6 hours out in time difference.

Aircraft carrier CVN-99 Asuka II,South Pacific, UEG***

Lieutenant Commander Roy Fokker's phone was buzzing on the night table while his rightful owner slept in Dr. Aries Turner's department bed. Likewise, the owner of the bed was sleeping in the same place holding the Lieutenant's shoulder.

-Roy... did you hear the phone?

-Roy... she whispered.

Roy Fokker in a sleep-wake state repeatedly slammed his palm on the night table until he caught the phone. Still with eyes dazed from sleep, he had seen the incoming call.

Before answering, he cleared his voice, and lifted himself onto the bed.

-I'm sorry, Aries, I have to take this... It's Rick.

The doctor smiled with her eyes closed, squeezing her face on the pillow.

-Rick! -Are you having performance anxiety?

-Uh, no, I...

Roy Fokker walked away from the bedroom, slipping into the kitchen of Aries' little apartment. From the huge room window facing the water, he could see the flashing lights of the harbor on the small island to the north. Torches of fire...

-They still live like savages on that island - he thought.***

-Brother!? I only excuse you because tomorrow is your big day, you know what time it is here?

-Uh, let me guess - said Rick from the other side of the world - midnight?

-That's right!

-Don't tell me I woke you up, because I'll never buy it!

Roy smiled and thought that maybe some time earlier he wouldn't buy it either. Maybe he'd be in some bar, drinking, messing around or bothering the waitresses. But now...

-Well, yeah, I was asleep. But never mind... tell me how it's going...

-The truth is, I don't know. This place is totally depressing me. It's completely crap. A ghost town or something.

- Hold on Rick, think you'll be back at the cornfields, Alice's cows and all the rest, tomorrow. With your third World Champion Title

Rick smiled proudly, then burst out laughing...

-And how the fuck would you know... -Yeah... it'd be cool to have the title again and everything.

- I'm sure you'll do it, you're the best. Besides, I've seen you on your profile, you've got a lot of followers.

-Ah forget that shit. I have to do this for the endorsements.

- Yeah, but there are a lot of hot girls following you****. You can have fun tomorrow, but remember, only after you win the contest. No sex before, it might affect your performance!

-Lol!

Rick smiled amused. It was like his older brother had a nail in his brain...

-I'm guessing that's your mantra before the missions.

-Exactly, never before and always after! -he kept laughing.

-But... right now I'm only praying this war will end, Rick, I've had enough of this, too- said Roy suddenly thoughtful - and...

-When the war's over, you go back to Dad's air circus? You promised.

-Good luck, Rick, even if you don't actually need it... remember, you're the best.

Roy went back to his room trying to be quiet, but Aries was awake, lying halfway down on the pillows. Roy smiled at her.

-I woke you up. I'm sorry.

-How's your brother?

Roy lay on the bed, hiding his face in her neck and holding her by the waist.

- He's a little tense for a race- He said breathing her perfume, then lifted three-quarters and looked into her eyes.

- That kid grew up alone. It's just... I want this war to end, I want... I want us to finally be together.

Aries Turner stroked his blond hair gently

-Roy...

Roy grabbed her hand and kissed her fingertips.

-I mean the three of us... -Rick, me... and you...

Aries smiled surprised, then put her forehead closer to Roy's, and kissed him.

-what you think.. -he said- sounds nice?

-yeah... very nice.

Hi, everybody. How's going with the lockdown? Things are slowly returning to normal here in my country, so I'm back at work and I have very little time to write. But ... But I think I'll finish this chapter next week. In my intention, this first part its like a focus in the young characters' personalities. I'm doing my best to try to create a credible psychology for them... Knowing what they'll be like in the future... Next one's gonna be a slightly more drama chapter, with the deaths and stuff!

Thank you for reading

Love, Mao

* This scene is inspired by the 1984 book Misa Hayase - White Reminescenses, in which Riber goes to visit Misa at Admiral's house.

**This sentence is taken exactly the same from the manga Macross the First by Haruhiko Mikimoto released for the first time in 2009 (unfortunately incomplete), its an alternative telling of SDF Macross.

***This is the aircraft carrier where Roy Fokker served for the UN Spacy on Macross Zero OAV (prequel to SDF Macross, 2002-2004). Aries Turner was here too.

****This anecdote is taken from the comic Robotech- from the stars (2002) , where we learn that Rick Hunter, during his teen years as a aerobatic pilot, had many female fans.