Mimi was glad to be back home, even if home is a military shelter deep beneath Montana. She has spent the last few days with her father and kid sister. They had missed her while she was in space for all these months, they had feared the worse when they had heard about the incident at Macross island. And again when they heard that the SDF Macross had shot into space and vanished somewhere near Pluto. But when she came back she was greeted with flowers, hugs, kisses, and candies. Her family had seen her on the MBS when the Macross was orbiting Mars. They even downloaded a still of her in her Miss Macross gown and they have it framed on the wall of their cell. They were proud to see that Mimi had survived and accomplished so much, with her play, Miss Macross, and just seeing the sights of the universe.
Mimi was relaxing on a bridgeway. She had her elbows resting on the rails as she looked out across the park below and how it stretched on for some distance. This fabricated city was so much better than the one inside the Macross, and yet she found herself a little saddened when she heard that the city was being torn out from the Macross to make room for more military.
Alone in her thoughts she didn't hear her father approach until he too leaned up against the bridge railing.
"Hi there kiddo," he said with a cheery voice.
"Hi Daddy, where's Cindy," Mimi asked and turned to gaze at her cheerful father.
"She's down there playing with some other kids," he said and waved over the park below them. Mimi looked out across and caught a girl that looked like Cindy playing with some other children near the man made lake. They were sailing toy boats and having a good time.
"You momma says hello, she's going to call tonight," her father told her.
"Is there any chance that she can come down here," Mimi asked.
"That's hard to say, there are still dangers out on the surface. After the invasion the few remaining people up there are nomadic gangs and malcontents. The refuse help from the UN and they constantly fight among themselves for territory. There are units of MP up there, trying to keep the peace. Hopefully we can go back up there some day," her father prattled off.
"I see," Mimi said and turned her attention out across the vista of the installation.
"So, are you still seeing David," he asked her.
Mimi felt a cringe run up her spine when he heard his name. After what happened at Mars she would be quite happy to never hear his name ever again. That was the worse fight they had ever had and it still haunts her. After all the two were sweethearts forever and now they had found out the hard way that they were not meant to be. It's sad really.
"Actually we broke up," she began, "but I am seeing this new guy. He's an actor, I worked with him in space when we did that play."
"What's his name," her father asked.
"Stan," she said, "and he's so nice and we have so much in common. I have a lot of fun with him."
"Well, it sounds like you're very happy then," her father said and put an arm around his little girl.
Mimi felt safe in her father's arms. There could be an alien war going on out there and she would care less. All that was important was being home and with her family.
When Mimi glanced down at her watch reality came rushing back to her mind. It was nearly noon and she had a date with Stan in just minutes.
"What's up kiddo," her father asked as she left his arms.
"Oh, I promised Stan that I'd meet him for lunch, that's all," Mimi said.
"Oh, will I expect you later," her father asked.
"Yeah, I'll be back in time for dinner," mimi said as she made her way to the other end of the bridge and into town. She gave a bit of a wave before vanishing into the crowd of people in the town below. Her father stood behind and waved back, watching her the whole while as he gave a warm smile. He was glad to see his little girl returned to him from outer space.
Dave read the address on the slip of paper once more to make sure that he's at the right place. With that confirmed he went ahead and knocked on the door. When there was no reply he knocked a little bit louder and waited.
As the door slid open with its usual hiss Dave found himself in the presence of a very serious looking young man dressed in fine attire.
"May I help you," the young man asked at length as he looked Dave up and down, obviously judging him for something.
"Yes, my name's Dave Monroe, I'm a friend of Minmei, is she here," Dave asked, he wanted to be sure that he was at the right cell.
"No, I think you have the wrong--" but before he could finish his sentence Minmei's voice chimed in from somewhere within the cell.
"David, is that you?" Minmei came up to the door and made her way past the man.
"Hey Minmei, I thought I had the wrong place for a minute there," Dave confessed as Minmei invited him inside.
"Can I get you something to drink," she asked.
"Ice water's just fine," Dave said as he took of his shoes and waited in the den. The young man still stood near the door and had a bead drawn on Dave, and Dave knew it but he had no idea what it was for.
Minmei returned with two glasses of ice water and led Dave over to the sofa where she sat the glasses down on a coffee table.
"Ahem," the young man coughed up so he could have the spotlight once more.
"Oh, how rude of me," she started, "David, I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Kyle."
Dave looked up to the man and gave a nod and a smile, "How are you?"
The young man, Kyle, combed his hand back through his long black hair and made his way into the den. His eyes still throwing daggers from behind his glasses.
"David is one of the two pilots I've told you about," Minmei added sweetly.
"You're a pilot," Kyle asked, his eyebrow cocked over one of his lenses.
"That's right, Corporal David Monroe of Vermilion Squadron," Dave said as he rose to his feet. He offered Kyle a handshake but it was not returned.
"And I'm suppose to be impressed," the sour young man asked sharply.
"Excuse me," Dave asked. He had just felt like he had taken a succor punch to the gut, it was surprising and left him spinning. He just stared at the Kyle with a slacked jaw.
"David," Minmei interjected, "Kyle is a graduate."
"Oh," Dave started in hopes to turn this conversation around in his favor, "what's your major?"
"Philosophy," Kyle said plainly.
"Like Plato and Aristotle and the rest of those guys," Dave asked finding that he had something to talk to Kyle with.
"No, I find Occidental philosophy unenlightening," Kyle began as he fixed his glasses once more, "I prefer the studies of Sun Tsu, Buddha, and Confucius."
"Oh," was all Dave could muster.
Looking for a new topic, Minmei stood up and moved herself between the two gentlemen. "You know, Kyle is my manager."
"Well then, Kyle, sounds like you have an easy job then, your cousin here is a very fine singer," Dave added.
"Actually it is a very tough job. Not only am I her manager but I am her chief of security. A star of Minmei's caliber attracts those few unsavory types that would end her career like that," Kyle snapped his finger to emphasize how quick those fanatics could do as he says. Even in these fragile times it was sickening to hear that there are those people who still exist on the lower level of the food chain in society.
"Kyle worries over me so," Minmei added and rest a hand on his shoulder in order to calm him down a bit.
"Well, if this is a bad time," Dave started as he got up from off the sofa.
"No," Minmei began, "please stay a little bit, I haven't seen you since we've landed."
"It's all right, Minmei, soldier boy probably has somewhere he ought to be right now anyway," Kyle added, his dagger-like eyes twisting into Dave.
As Dave made his way to the door he spent just a moment to stare into Kyle's eyes with some authority.
"What's your problem, man," Dave asked.
"You and what you represent," Kyle said as he stood in Dave's way.
"I have never asked for gratitude before by anyone but right now I would really wish you would consider what I have done for you," Dave spat out, "many good men and women have lost their lives to those damn aliens up there to keep good people like you alive down here."
"The pilot is a romantic," Kyle huffed out before jabbing his finger into Dave's chest, "listen to me, fly boy, there are many other ways to diffuse a bomb besides retaliating right off the bat."
Dave went to grab Kyle's finger and move it out of the way but the young man move too fast and maneuvered around Dave in such a way where Dave found himself on the floor with his arm being pulled against its mechanics.
Dave knew not to fight this hold. Kyle is obviously skilled and has had some training in one of the martial arts if he pulled off such a submission. The pain in his arm socket was intense and burned like white hot fire. Dave grit his teeth and groaned in defiance of the pain he felt. As the hold was locked on, Minmei had pleaded with Kyle in Chinese to let him go. After a few more moments of torment he let Dave go and stood over the pilot victorious.
"Don't threaten me again, soldier," and with that, Kyle left to his room.
Dave remained on the floor just a little longer to compose himself from the pain his arm was still in. He rolled over and got up to his knees and felt Minmei aid him.
"Dave, I am so sorry," she started. Her eyes were blurry as she watched Dave fall into the sofa, "sometimes he just doesn't rationalize things. He's been through a lot during the war. When the aliens attacked while we were in space, his parents were killed; my aunte and uncle."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Dave said with a legitimate sense of sorrow in his voice. He too had lost his only family, his father. He knew that if peace was made between the aliens and Earth he could never forgive them.
Minmei took a seat beside Dave and looked into his eyes. Her's looked so fragile. Things must be moving like a hurricane for her. She has been blasted into space where she spends the last two years running away from giant-sized aliens, she then wins the Miss Macross contest, becomes a superstar, returns home to find her aunte and uncle have died, and she now has a concert coming up pretty soon. There are those that know Minmei the celebrity and then there are those like Dave that knew the real Minmei. To him she was an innocent schoolgirl working in her parents' restaurant. She spent her time singing to herself and being on Hikaru's side. Dave looked into her eyes, tears on the verge of falling over her cheek and he felt captured. He reached out with his hand and gently stroked her cheek, brushing a strand of hair aside. The tear finally dropped from her eye and it fell into her glass of ice water. She looked down and Dave found himself caring for the young starlet. He embraced her into his arms and she gave into his hug. She sat her glass aside and accepted his hug. She needed so desperately to be held. Things were spinning around her so fast that she had no idea where to begin. She wanted to scream, to laugh, to cry, to do anything but she had no clue what to do. All she knew was Dave was good.
After an eternity she glanced up, her eyes filled with hope and desire. She was glad to have a friend in Dave. It's a shame that Hikaru isn't around quite as much as Dave is but Hikaur's always busy, being an officer comes with its price and unfortunately she was paying for it as well.
Dave looked deeply into her eyes and realized how lucky Hikaru was to have Minmei as his girl. She is sweet, warm, caring, and extremely talented. Minmei had been there for Dave during his hardships with Mimi and he was so glad to have her around and to know her so well. He found her eyes very inviting and drew himself in closer. He gave in at that moment as did she and the two kissed. It was electric and passionate. Dave felt all the wrongs in the universe fade away to nothingness. And Minmei finally knew what made sense. That one moment there on the sofa had brought to them what was so desperately needed, love.
Dave drew back and looked into her eyes once more and then found reality crashing into his mind. He had stepped over the lines of friendship and felt as if he had betrayed Hikaru. He felt shame come over him as he looked away for a moment.
"I," he started to say, "I gotta go."
"Y-yes," Minmei said as she found herself back to square one once more. She was looking down at herself and found reality overwhelming her once more, only now she has a new complication, her betraying Hikaru and finding feelings for Dave, feelings she had never considered before for him. They felt right and good, and that was why she felt so bad. She loves Hikaru, right? They've lasted the two years aboard the Macross, and two years is quite some time to spend with one person. Hikaru had been her first crush ever. But now Dave has added into the equation and it left her with a barrage of feelings.
Dave slowly stood and Minmei had followed him up and walked him to her door. Dave slipped his shoes back on and stepped back out. He looked over his shoulder and caught her sparkling eyes and slight smile as he walked away. He smile softly before he vanished into the crowd of people in the town outside.
Mimi awoke and found herself in an unfamiliar place. Her last memories where hazy images of a dream. She had dreamt that she and Dave were still together and they were celebrating their return to Earth with friends and family. But as her senses returned to her she began to remember that the room that she was in was Stan's bedroom. She found herself in his arms and she then recalled her afternoon.
The two had gone out to lunch and went for a stroll around the town. After that he had invited her back to his cell and the two shared stories. Hopes, dreams, aspirations, fears, and other topics where stirred up as the two went through a bottle of wine. As the day burned off into night they had given away to pleasure and went to bed. Mimi had felt so complete and so whole, a feeling she had not felt in a while. Dave was a million miles away from her thoughts as she and Stan made love. And now she is here, in his arms, stirring in her dreams with this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her heart longed for Dave, that's what her dreams had shown her. But now as she lies her in bed with Stan, she is faced with conflicting emotions for the two men. But after what Dave had done aboard the ship after the Miss Macross pageant, she felt that the two had made it very clear that they were over and done with. This is all part of the healing process, the hurt, the guilt. Stan is the man she's in love with now. He had always thought that he was handsome. He had fine chiseled looks, blond hair, ocean-blue eyes, a drop-dead-gorgeous smile, and a physique which had a few more years on Dave's. He seemed so perfect and yet Mimi lies here in Stan's arms and furrowed her brow over her dream. She hated the imagery it had shown her. She was through with him, wasn't she?
Mimi drew the covers closer to her and bit her lip. Stan remained in slumber and she tried to fall back to sleep herself but she was afraid that her dreams would be about Dave. She kept her eyes open and nuzzled back into Stan's arms and chest. He stirred a little and held her a little closer before returning to sleep.
Mimi looked up at the ceiling and felt the chaotic twister of these last few months wash over her.
Mimi was relaxing on a bridgeway. She had her elbows resting on the rails as she looked out across the park below and how it stretched on for some distance. This fabricated city was so much better than the one inside the Macross, and yet she found herself a little saddened when she heard that the city was being torn out from the Macross to make room for more military.
Alone in her thoughts she didn't hear her father approach until he too leaned up against the bridge railing.
"Hi there kiddo," he said with a cheery voice.
"Hi Daddy, where's Cindy," Mimi asked and turned to gaze at her cheerful father.
"She's down there playing with some other kids," he said and waved over the park below them. Mimi looked out across and caught a girl that looked like Cindy playing with some other children near the man made lake. They were sailing toy boats and having a good time.
"You momma says hello, she's going to call tonight," her father told her.
"Is there any chance that she can come down here," Mimi asked.
"That's hard to say, there are still dangers out on the surface. After the invasion the few remaining people up there are nomadic gangs and malcontents. The refuse help from the UN and they constantly fight among themselves for territory. There are units of MP up there, trying to keep the peace. Hopefully we can go back up there some day," her father prattled off.
"I see," Mimi said and turned her attention out across the vista of the installation.
"So, are you still seeing David," he asked her.
Mimi felt a cringe run up her spine when he heard his name. After what happened at Mars she would be quite happy to never hear his name ever again. That was the worse fight they had ever had and it still haunts her. After all the two were sweethearts forever and now they had found out the hard way that they were not meant to be. It's sad really.
"Actually we broke up," she began, "but I am seeing this new guy. He's an actor, I worked with him in space when we did that play."
"What's his name," her father asked.
"Stan," she said, "and he's so nice and we have so much in common. I have a lot of fun with him."
"Well, it sounds like you're very happy then," her father said and put an arm around his little girl.
Mimi felt safe in her father's arms. There could be an alien war going on out there and she would care less. All that was important was being home and with her family.
When Mimi glanced down at her watch reality came rushing back to her mind. It was nearly noon and she had a date with Stan in just minutes.
"What's up kiddo," her father asked as she left his arms.
"Oh, I promised Stan that I'd meet him for lunch, that's all," Mimi said.
"Oh, will I expect you later," her father asked.
"Yeah, I'll be back in time for dinner," mimi said as she made her way to the other end of the bridge and into town. She gave a bit of a wave before vanishing into the crowd of people in the town below. Her father stood behind and waved back, watching her the whole while as he gave a warm smile. He was glad to see his little girl returned to him from outer space.
Dave read the address on the slip of paper once more to make sure that he's at the right place. With that confirmed he went ahead and knocked on the door. When there was no reply he knocked a little bit louder and waited.
As the door slid open with its usual hiss Dave found himself in the presence of a very serious looking young man dressed in fine attire.
"May I help you," the young man asked at length as he looked Dave up and down, obviously judging him for something.
"Yes, my name's Dave Monroe, I'm a friend of Minmei, is she here," Dave asked, he wanted to be sure that he was at the right cell.
"No, I think you have the wrong--" but before he could finish his sentence Minmei's voice chimed in from somewhere within the cell.
"David, is that you?" Minmei came up to the door and made her way past the man.
"Hey Minmei, I thought I had the wrong place for a minute there," Dave confessed as Minmei invited him inside.
"Can I get you something to drink," she asked.
"Ice water's just fine," Dave said as he took of his shoes and waited in the den. The young man still stood near the door and had a bead drawn on Dave, and Dave knew it but he had no idea what it was for.
Minmei returned with two glasses of ice water and led Dave over to the sofa where she sat the glasses down on a coffee table.
"Ahem," the young man coughed up so he could have the spotlight once more.
"Oh, how rude of me," she started, "David, I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Kyle."
Dave looked up to the man and gave a nod and a smile, "How are you?"
The young man, Kyle, combed his hand back through his long black hair and made his way into the den. His eyes still throwing daggers from behind his glasses.
"David is one of the two pilots I've told you about," Minmei added sweetly.
"You're a pilot," Kyle asked, his eyebrow cocked over one of his lenses.
"That's right, Corporal David Monroe of Vermilion Squadron," Dave said as he rose to his feet. He offered Kyle a handshake but it was not returned.
"And I'm suppose to be impressed," the sour young man asked sharply.
"Excuse me," Dave asked. He had just felt like he had taken a succor punch to the gut, it was surprising and left him spinning. He just stared at the Kyle with a slacked jaw.
"David," Minmei interjected, "Kyle is a graduate."
"Oh," Dave started in hopes to turn this conversation around in his favor, "what's your major?"
"Philosophy," Kyle said plainly.
"Like Plato and Aristotle and the rest of those guys," Dave asked finding that he had something to talk to Kyle with.
"No, I find Occidental philosophy unenlightening," Kyle began as he fixed his glasses once more, "I prefer the studies of Sun Tsu, Buddha, and Confucius."
"Oh," was all Dave could muster.
Looking for a new topic, Minmei stood up and moved herself between the two gentlemen. "You know, Kyle is my manager."
"Well then, Kyle, sounds like you have an easy job then, your cousin here is a very fine singer," Dave added.
"Actually it is a very tough job. Not only am I her manager but I am her chief of security. A star of Minmei's caliber attracts those few unsavory types that would end her career like that," Kyle snapped his finger to emphasize how quick those fanatics could do as he says. Even in these fragile times it was sickening to hear that there are those people who still exist on the lower level of the food chain in society.
"Kyle worries over me so," Minmei added and rest a hand on his shoulder in order to calm him down a bit.
"Well, if this is a bad time," Dave started as he got up from off the sofa.
"No," Minmei began, "please stay a little bit, I haven't seen you since we've landed."
"It's all right, Minmei, soldier boy probably has somewhere he ought to be right now anyway," Kyle added, his dagger-like eyes twisting into Dave.
As Dave made his way to the door he spent just a moment to stare into Kyle's eyes with some authority.
"What's your problem, man," Dave asked.
"You and what you represent," Kyle said as he stood in Dave's way.
"I have never asked for gratitude before by anyone but right now I would really wish you would consider what I have done for you," Dave spat out, "many good men and women have lost their lives to those damn aliens up there to keep good people like you alive down here."
"The pilot is a romantic," Kyle huffed out before jabbing his finger into Dave's chest, "listen to me, fly boy, there are many other ways to diffuse a bomb besides retaliating right off the bat."
Dave went to grab Kyle's finger and move it out of the way but the young man move too fast and maneuvered around Dave in such a way where Dave found himself on the floor with his arm being pulled against its mechanics.
Dave knew not to fight this hold. Kyle is obviously skilled and has had some training in one of the martial arts if he pulled off such a submission. The pain in his arm socket was intense and burned like white hot fire. Dave grit his teeth and groaned in defiance of the pain he felt. As the hold was locked on, Minmei had pleaded with Kyle in Chinese to let him go. After a few more moments of torment he let Dave go and stood over the pilot victorious.
"Don't threaten me again, soldier," and with that, Kyle left to his room.
Dave remained on the floor just a little longer to compose himself from the pain his arm was still in. He rolled over and got up to his knees and felt Minmei aid him.
"Dave, I am so sorry," she started. Her eyes were blurry as she watched Dave fall into the sofa, "sometimes he just doesn't rationalize things. He's been through a lot during the war. When the aliens attacked while we were in space, his parents were killed; my aunte and uncle."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Dave said with a legitimate sense of sorrow in his voice. He too had lost his only family, his father. He knew that if peace was made between the aliens and Earth he could never forgive them.
Minmei took a seat beside Dave and looked into his eyes. Her's looked so fragile. Things must be moving like a hurricane for her. She has been blasted into space where she spends the last two years running away from giant-sized aliens, she then wins the Miss Macross contest, becomes a superstar, returns home to find her aunte and uncle have died, and she now has a concert coming up pretty soon. There are those that know Minmei the celebrity and then there are those like Dave that knew the real Minmei. To him she was an innocent schoolgirl working in her parents' restaurant. She spent her time singing to herself and being on Hikaru's side. Dave looked into her eyes, tears on the verge of falling over her cheek and he felt captured. He reached out with his hand and gently stroked her cheek, brushing a strand of hair aside. The tear finally dropped from her eye and it fell into her glass of ice water. She looked down and Dave found himself caring for the young starlet. He embraced her into his arms and she gave into his hug. She sat her glass aside and accepted his hug. She needed so desperately to be held. Things were spinning around her so fast that she had no idea where to begin. She wanted to scream, to laugh, to cry, to do anything but she had no clue what to do. All she knew was Dave was good.
After an eternity she glanced up, her eyes filled with hope and desire. She was glad to have a friend in Dave. It's a shame that Hikaru isn't around quite as much as Dave is but Hikaur's always busy, being an officer comes with its price and unfortunately she was paying for it as well.
Dave looked deeply into her eyes and realized how lucky Hikaru was to have Minmei as his girl. She is sweet, warm, caring, and extremely talented. Minmei had been there for Dave during his hardships with Mimi and he was so glad to have her around and to know her so well. He found her eyes very inviting and drew himself in closer. He gave in at that moment as did she and the two kissed. It was electric and passionate. Dave felt all the wrongs in the universe fade away to nothingness. And Minmei finally knew what made sense. That one moment there on the sofa had brought to them what was so desperately needed, love.
Dave drew back and looked into her eyes once more and then found reality crashing into his mind. He had stepped over the lines of friendship and felt as if he had betrayed Hikaru. He felt shame come over him as he looked away for a moment.
"I," he started to say, "I gotta go."
"Y-yes," Minmei said as she found herself back to square one once more. She was looking down at herself and found reality overwhelming her once more, only now she has a new complication, her betraying Hikaru and finding feelings for Dave, feelings she had never considered before for him. They felt right and good, and that was why she felt so bad. She loves Hikaru, right? They've lasted the two years aboard the Macross, and two years is quite some time to spend with one person. Hikaru had been her first crush ever. But now Dave has added into the equation and it left her with a barrage of feelings.
Dave slowly stood and Minmei had followed him up and walked him to her door. Dave slipped his shoes back on and stepped back out. He looked over his shoulder and caught her sparkling eyes and slight smile as he walked away. He smile softly before he vanished into the crowd of people in the town outside.
Mimi awoke and found herself in an unfamiliar place. Her last memories where hazy images of a dream. She had dreamt that she and Dave were still together and they were celebrating their return to Earth with friends and family. But as her senses returned to her she began to remember that the room that she was in was Stan's bedroom. She found herself in his arms and she then recalled her afternoon.
The two had gone out to lunch and went for a stroll around the town. After that he had invited her back to his cell and the two shared stories. Hopes, dreams, aspirations, fears, and other topics where stirred up as the two went through a bottle of wine. As the day burned off into night they had given away to pleasure and went to bed. Mimi had felt so complete and so whole, a feeling she had not felt in a while. Dave was a million miles away from her thoughts as she and Stan made love. And now she is here, in his arms, stirring in her dreams with this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her heart longed for Dave, that's what her dreams had shown her. But now as she lies her in bed with Stan, she is faced with conflicting emotions for the two men. But after what Dave had done aboard the ship after the Miss Macross pageant, she felt that the two had made it very clear that they were over and done with. This is all part of the healing process, the hurt, the guilt. Stan is the man she's in love with now. He had always thought that he was handsome. He had fine chiseled looks, blond hair, ocean-blue eyes, a drop-dead-gorgeous smile, and a physique which had a few more years on Dave's. He seemed so perfect and yet Mimi lies here in Stan's arms and furrowed her brow over her dream. She hated the imagery it had shown her. She was through with him, wasn't she?
Mimi drew the covers closer to her and bit her lip. Stan remained in slumber and she tried to fall back to sleep herself but she was afraid that her dreams would be about Dave. She kept her eyes open and nuzzled back into Stan's arms and chest. He stirred a little and held her a little closer before returning to sleep.
Mimi looked up at the ceiling and felt the chaotic twister of these last few months wash over her.