HUMANITY'S CURSE
Volume One: Aftermath of Disaster
Chapter One ~ A New Beginning

Sometimes, what should be never will.
More often than not, greed blinds us to the truth.
Worse still, we open our eyes when it's too late.
Hope remains, when we are true to ourselves.

S Colwell

December 20xx

A sad wind whistled through the valley, untouched by the toxic gasses that cruised the skies. So many reminders of yesterday, so many scars that would remain.

Long before any alien scientist discovered its destiny, Earth had its own troubled history. Man had an innate lust for self destruction; a wayward and senseless nature.

Perhaps the long dead Zor felt he was giving back to the cosmos by teaching a race to unite in the face of adversary. By enlightening a race hell-bent on its own destruction, his own mistakes would be righted, his failings forgotten. Others would see his decision as a selfish burden; Zor had used Earth and its people to repair the damage and ruin he'd caused when he seduced the Invid Regis.

A great man mused on the wizard of Protoculture as he stalked through the lonely graveyard. This man was a mere boy when he'd first laid eyes on Zor's 'gift to the universe'; merely a child when destiny called.

Rick Hunter had lived a lifetime since then, it was hard to imagine himself as that wide-eyed boy. He had lived an unreal life, full of insecurity and doubt, of confusion yet triumph. A hero who none could fault, a natural born leader whose compassion and sheer skill demanded respect. Before the hero became legend, the boy had to become a man. His life was riddled with pain and adventure, of love and disaster...there was a time he wondered if he'd ever get it right.

"Hello Rick." A soft melodic voice broke him from his reverie. Not bothering to turn, he held out his hand, eyes fastened on the tiny stone before him.

"It's been a long time Minmei."

**

December 2014

Snow fell harder as Rick and Lisa sat in his battle-scarred Veritech. Neither spoke, both sat in a comfortable silence until an unfamiliar and weary voice spoke over the radio.

"All Veritechs are ordered to report to..."

As the voice droned on, Rick sighed. Lisa lay her weary head against his chest, contented with the steady thumping of his heart.

"Rick, we'll have to go..." Rick eyed his controls while stroking Lisa's hair absent-mindedly.

"Life sure plays funny tricks on us, Lisa." Rick said sadly. Lisa sat upright, fixing her eyes firmly on his. Placing two fingers on her slightly parted lips, Rick urged her not to speak. "Let's go, forget I said anything." He smiled at her confusion before kissing her softly.

**

January 2015

Whatever small hope the survivors had of recovering lost comrades diminished daily. SDF's one and two were entangled with the remnants of the infamous Backstabber's ship and many heroes it seemed, would never be recovered from their watery graves.

Earth and its survivors had endured so much horror...when would it end? When would all the fighting stop, the senseless brutality, the hatred? Where would it lead them all?

Without the SDF1 standing guard, Macross citizens had no desire to rebuild their once great and revered city. Refugees flooded Monument City with a sense of ease borne from experience, Lisa vowed she never wanted to oversee such a thing, ever again.

For most, heralding the New Year had been a small affair. Most survivors spent it with close friends or other survivors, few venturing out into the streets to celebrate. Both Rick and Lisa had no desire to leave the warmth of each others arms, finding a sense of security and ease simply by holding one another. Each shared their sadness, releasing in private what they refused to in public. Rick would rattle off names of those confirmed dead while Lisa held close her final moments on the bridge; bittersweet, only their memories remain.

"How do you stand it Rick?" Lisa whispered, her voice strained.

Rick moved away from his spot on the window sill, sighing softly. His thick brown locks framing his face wildly, Rick grinned as if trying to lighten the mood.

"There was a time I thought I'd never get used to so much death, let alone the deaths of those close to me. Maybe I've lived in denial so long, it's warped me?" Lisa's brow rose as if to mock him. Rick's voice grew softer as he neared her, crouching down, he cupped her face between his hands, forcing her to keep eye contact. "Maybe it was Roy's influence on me: maybe Lisa, maybe it's a case of us trying to stay sane, to stay strong for those who are left." He rose, kissing her softly on the forehead.

"I wish you didn't have to go." Lisa's voice started to quiver.

"I wish I didn't have to either, but I do. Can't let Max patrol the night sky by himself. Say, Admiral, you can't do anything about my all-night shifts..?"

Lisa's face lit up as she pelted her cushion at the closing door, intent on slamming the laughter out of his handsome face.

**

The ace of the known forces smirked as his commanding officer and friend sauntered in.

"As I live and breath, Captain Hunter, you've graced us with your presence!"

Disregarding military procedure, Rick slapped Max on the back.

"Congratulations on the promotion, Max! I knew it was only a matter of time."

"Yeah, like you didn't have a say in it." Max grinned.

Rick was about to counter when he spied a small group headed by General Milburn. His cheerful face grew darker as he broke away from the friendly exchange.

"If I had any say in it," Rick muttered, "You'd have my job." Turning, Rick snapped to attention, saluting General Milburn.

**

Miriya watched on as Max walked away. She could still feel the whisper of his kiss against her cheek as Dana snored softly in her arms. Miriya kept her silent vigil, watching sadly as he walked away. Then, watching curiously as Max and Rick greeted one another, and then as the two men snapped to military attention as their superior approached.

It still baffled her; this world she'd lived in for four years was fraught with so many complex relationships. First and most obvious, was the relationship between male and female, the relationship of mate. As wonderful as this relationship was for her, she found it difficult to comprehend the male/female partnerships of others. A faint smile played upon her lips as she momentarily pondered Rick, surely his interaction with women was the most complex of all.

Second, was the relationship between parent and child. Astonished at the ease at which Max could adapt, Miriya felt frustrated at her inability. Max seemed to know what was expected of him in his role of a parent, however Miriya did not. Having becoming acquainted with Jean Grant in recent months, some of the myths motherhood had been dispelled, yet Miriya was still unsure of her feelings regarding the closeness that father and daughter shared. Needless to say, Miriya felt a bond with Dana, however the Zentradi Battle Queen was constantly questioning it.

Miriya sighed, resigned to answering the many questions in her head another day. Absently stroking Dana's soft head, Miriya silently bid Max good hunting.

[OWARI]
Humanity's Curse is to love, and suffer its wrath...

DISCLAIMER

Robotech is the property of Harmony Gold. I do not own any characters and references to the series (book, comic or cartoon) are done so without the expressed permission of Harmony Gold. Humanity's Curse is not used for the exchange of or quest for money. Humanity's Curse is a fan-based work, I am merely conveying my love for this brilliant series. Needless to say, anyone stealing ideas belonging to the author - punished in your next life; living as the belly-button scum you are.