HUMANITY'S CURSE
Volume One: Aftermath of Disaster
Chapter Two ~ Going On
It's you I miss
It's you who's on my mind
It's you I cannot leave...
Behind
Lynn Minmei
Tears of frustration blinded her as she scrunched the invitation in her shaking hands. The Goddess of the SDF-1, Lynn Minmei crumpled up in a heap on the floor in her room.
What right had she to attend the memorial service? Memories of that awful day hit Minmei hard. She was no soldier, but she knew many of those who died on a first name basis. In particular, Henry Gloval. The kind but distant man deserved better than to die such a horrible death. Minmei couldn't help but marvel, but none too surprised to hear that his last heroic breaths were used to throw Lisa Hayes into an ejection module.
At this, Minmei's sobs subsided.
Lisa Hayes...
**
"What's there to understand?"
"You're capable of so much more Rick!"
"I'm a pilot, that's my life, remember?"
Naturally, it didn't take long for Rick and Lisa to fall into their old habits. Although their squabbles resembled that of an old married couple, to the untrained eye their arguments would seem like flirtation...except for today. Rick had successfully evaded promotion twice, but adamant as he was to avoid the topic, Lisa was too stubborn to let him have his way.
It was early February, however the wind had lost none of its bite. The Earth's seasons had been turned upside-down, inside-out due to the Rain of Death and the attacks here thereafter. On their day off, Rick and Lisa went into town, partaking in activities they once took for granted. Holding twelve bags of groceries, Rick's temper had held enough of Lisa's prodding of the promotion issue. He was contented with his rank, wasn't she? Wasn't a Captain good enough for an Admiral? This rebuttal sparked off their latest spat on the porch of the shared quarters.
**
"Glad to see things haven't changed too much." Max chuckled as he bounced Dana on his knee. Miriya sat beside him and looked out the window to see Lisa throw her hands up in the air and storm inside. Cocking her head to the side, she shot Max a querying look.
"Max, I know it's amusing, but...why?"
"Just one of the mysteries surrounding men and women."
"We don't argue like that." Miriya replied calmly.
"Well, we're a different couple."
"But..."
"I don't have all the answers, honey." Max sighed, throwing an arm around his now pouting wife. "Some couples," He began slowly, "Have it easy...kinda like us." Miriya frowned.
"It's not always easy..."
"There are people who don't understand what we have, how we can love each other but the truth is, they're jealous."
Miriya contemplated this as she nestled into Max's shoulder. Could all those people who threaten their family, really be jealous?
"Why do we have it easy?"
"Because we know what we want. Poor old Rick was stuck between two women for so long, even though it was obvious to everyone who he was meant for."
"Everyone but Rick himself." Miriya chuckled. Max smiled and kissed her nose.
**
Rick dumped the groceries on the table, glaring at Lisa's back.
"Let's pretend that we're adults for a second and get to the bottom of this." Lisa stated coldly. Rick's eyes softened as he saw a repentant light in Lisa's icy emerald stare. "Why don't you want a promotion?"
"I'm making a contribution with Skull - I see the outcome of events right in front of me."
"You like to be where the action is."
"Don't accuse me of amateur heroics, I just love to fly." Rick said slowly. Lisa nodded and walked over to the table.
"Alright fly-boy, what should we have for dinner?"
Rick grinned and slid his arms around her waist. Lisa blushed at his suggestion but made no attempt to break from his embrace.
"How about we go out and celebrate instead?"
"And what, might I ask, are we celebrating?" Lisa swiveled around, greeted by his boyish grin.
"It's not everyday you let me off the hook so easily."
**
"Minmei! Oh darling, please open up!"
"I'm not hungry Aunt Lena, please just leave me alone."
The older woman stared sadly at the door. She was happy to have her little girl back, happier still since her son had vanished. However the venom in Minmei's eyes reminded Lena that she was no longer her little girl. Why there was so much venom in her beautiful eyes whenever Kyle was mentioned, was anyone's guess. Unfortunately for Lena, she was well aware of how possessive her son was. It was only a matter of time before the cousins realised this too.
"I'll give you half an hour to unlock this door, Minmei. You'll not be missing another dinner."
**
Sighing, the songstress stared at her reflection. If only Rick...
"He's a pilot! That's his life!"
"You call that a life?! War, devastation until everything's destroyed?"
"We're trying to put an end to all that, Minmei!"
She was hot on his heels that day. Only recently did Minmei understand the depth of Rick's devotion to her, but it was too late.
"You're not going anywhere Lisa, because I love you."
Her world had fallen down, literally. New Macross was in flames and there was Rick, pronouncing his love to another.
Did she really have anyone to blame, but herself?
Kyle!
Rick and Kyle were as different to each other as night was to day...why did she spend so much time looking the other way? Rick was there for her, whenever she needed him; her knight in shining armour, always swooping in to save her. Kyle, the dark prince who created havoc wherever he went, upsetting the peace he proclaimed to love.
It wasn't always that way, she reminded herself. There was a time she believed she belonged with Kyle. At that time Rick was so busy with his duty and she was so young...
Excuses!
Tears burned her lids, blurring her vision. The world spun, she suddenly felt sick.
**
Stubbornly refusing to do as her parents wished, Dana stuck out her bottom lip and kept her blue eyes open. Even after Max tried the firm 'father voice', the child refused to sleep.
'She has the stamina of a giant!' Miriya thought proudly.
Max shook his head and walked out of the nursery. He was tired and had duty in the morning, although Miriya was off the schedule...again. At first, he thought it would be a chance for her to relax, perhaps even hone her maternal instincts. However the repeated occurrence was beginning to worry Max...
Max let out a yelp while Miriya chuckled.
"Perhaps if we go to bed, Dana will too." She purred as she released her grip on his rear.
**
"I've got nothin' to prove for it's you, that'd I'd die to defend..."
"Shut up Rick!" Lisa snarled from the bottom of the stage. He grinned, ignored her, and continued.
"I wanna laaaaaaay you down in a bed of rosesssmpf..."
Lisa clamped her hand down hard on Rick's mouth. As she dragged him away from the microphone, the room was filled with lewd remarks and whistles. Taking him out the back and giving him as stern a look as she could muster, Lisa couldn't help but kiss him and taste the rum that took him up to the karaoke stand.
Rick's sedated mind couldn't keep up with her, not that he was complaining. If this was his punishment, perhaps he should get up there more often! As their kiss grew in intensity, Rick broke away.
"Uh," He said clearing his throat. "Perhaps we should take this someplace else?"
[OWARI]
Humanity's Curse is to love, and suffer its wrath...
[AUTHOR'S NOTES]
*Rick's drunken song contains lyrics from Bed of Roses, one of Bon Jovi's best!
Sphersian - Thankyou! You'll probably hate me for what I'm about to do next chapter [evil laugh], being the Rick/Lisa fan you are.
ltnikki - Wow! I appreciate your feedback. Yes, I am a big fan of Rick and Lisa and I agree - Rick was a big fool. Max and Miriya are cute, I couldn't resist putting them in. I believe you are referring to the Anti-Minmei movement [website]. The owner was a huge fan of Miriya and Nova Satori, but hated Dana. It was a great laugh, her theory of how Kyle and Minmei had a child with puffy blond hair and switched their child for Nova - who was 'really' Max and Miriya's baby. Never fear, it isn't true. In the novel's, it's said that Max dyed his hair blue because it was all the rage - to have outrageously coloured hair. It is possible that Max's true hair colour is blond, and that's how Dana came to having her colouring.
And yes, I am writing more ^_^ I'm in the process of proofing the next couple of chapters - Rick/Lisa lovers and Minmei haters are going to hate me! [evil laugh] On that note, thankyou for reading!
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.