Disclaimer: I do not now or have I ever owned the characters of Sailor
Moon, Robotech. People I want to say something about Miss Lynn Minmei. I
don't like her. I like the Rick/Lisa romance and Minmei just gets in the
way. So if you like her don't read this, however, if you want to see a new
bitchy side to Minmei please enjoy! At first she'll be nice until the Miss
Macross pageant then watch out people Rick will leave her in the dust for
Lisa don't worry I slowly bring Rick and Lisa together. Again I want to
thank Chibi Halo who wrote 'Sailor Moon Macross' without this story
wouldn't have existed. As always please R&R this so I know how it is coming
across to people! Chibi Halo I would like to know what you think as well!
Chibi Halo there might be a few scenes in my story but I pray you won't
mind. One more thing for the beginning of the first few chapters I will use
your chapter names, I will come up with my own after the last chapter you
named. People who haven't read her story yet please do it is a great read!
Please enjoy and now on with the story! This is the only Disclaimer I will
write! I just wanted to thank Chibi Halo for being my beta reader!
Authors note: When ever I am talking about Kevin, Nathan, Justin and Zack as a group I will refer to them as the four earth generals as that is what they were suppose to be in the manga before Beryl brainwashed them!
Robotech Warriors Book 1 By thunderbird with Sections From Chibi Halo
The crew of the SDF1 had fought their way past three planets. It had been a little over two months since the fateful day when the SDF1 appeared on the far side of Pluto. The alien attacks had become regular occurrences and the Veritech squads were quickly becoming the heroes of Macross City.
The people of Macross City had proved themselves to be a resilient resourceful bunch. Shortly after the SDF1 had transformed and returned to normal the engineers along with Captain Kenji Tuskino and the designers in the city had the city rebuilt so it could withstand another transformation. The next time the city wouldn't look as though it had been in a major quake.
Rick, who was now a full-fledged member of the Skull Squad along with the other new skull members, had yet to prove themselves in actual combat. It seemed the Zentreadi decided to take a small break from the fighting. It was a break that was welcomed by everybody except Rick and two of his new squad mates Lita and Amara. While those two saw the fighting as an outlet for their boredom and short tempers Rick saw it as a chance to get back on the pedestal Minmei once had him on.
Rick, however, was about to get his chance to prove himself in battle. As the SDF1 loomed closer to Jupiter the Zentreadi got what they were waiting for reinforcements from the home world. Another full compliment of Zentreadi battle ships had joined Breetai's fleet. This new fleet, though small in size, added the right amount of firepower need to battle the SDF1. In the Zentreadi chain of command Breetai was the leader of the mission to capture the SDF1 and had command over the latest addition to the armada.
******
Part 5: Mars Base
******
Rick had some good news he was going on his first mission. It had been over two weeks since he last set foot in Macross City. Rick was amazed at how fast the people of Macross City had rebuilt things after the transformation. He was even more amazed to see a simulated sunrise inside the ship; it almost made him forget where he was. On this particular day Rick had made plans with Minmei to go on a picnic in the park and maybe catch a movie at the only theater in town. This was going to be the last day that he would see Minmei for some time. The next day the Skull Squad would be on patrol duty. It wasn't much but Rick would be flying once again.
Rick walked into Lynn's Chinese to see Mr. Lynn, Minmei's uncle, setting up the tables for the day's business. The small Chinese restaurant was doing better than it ever did back on earth. In fact Lynn's was the only Chinese place in town. If people wanted Chinese they either went to Lynn's or made it themselves and no one made Chinese like Lynn's. Rick had to smile at Mr. Lynn because if it weren't for him the entire business district would be a ghost town.
"Good morning Mr. Lynn is Minmei ready yet?" Rick asked.
"My niece should be down soon." He told Rick.
A few minutes later Minmei emerged from the apartment wearing pink clam diggers, a white sweater set, and a pair of tan colored canvas shoes. Her hair was done up in its usual bun. In her hands she carried a large picnic basket and a picnic blanket. Rick could tell the basket was a bit heavy and offered to carry it for her. In no time the two teens were off.
"Bye uncle Chan I'll see you later." Minmei said to her uncle.
"You two have fun and stay out of trouble." Chan told them.
"Don't worry sir we will." Rick assured him.
******
Breetai wasn't two happy with the latest addition to the armada. The new unit sent from the home world was supposed to be one of the best but Breetai wasn't buying that story. The only thing that mattered to Breetai was complete obedience. He needed to know the members of his armada were going to follow his orders to the letter. Breetai was about to consider his newest soldiers a lost cause when he received a hail from their ship.
"This is Khyron reporting for duty Lord Breetai." The soldier announced.
"It's about time you reported in Khyron." Breetai said.
Khyron with his smarmy looks and long white hair gave Breetai a smirk of a grin. Breetai could tell this particular battlepod commander was arrogant and stuck up. Khyron had the air of aristocracy about him and flaunted it wherever he went. This situation was no different. Khyron sat in his chair fiddling with a glass of red wine looking quite bored.
"Yes I thought it was time to get to know the commanding officer of this mission." Khyron said.
"You should have reported in when you arrived here." Breetai almost yelled.
"Really now Lord Breetai don't get yourself worked up over me." Khyron told him.
"Look Khyron I will not tolerate any laziness from stuck up aristocratic pantywaists such as yourself." Breetai yelled.
"Why Breetai you offend me. I'm not lazy, just merely bored out of my mind. When am I going to get the chance to do battle with the Micronians?" he wanted to know.
Breetai wasn't about to let Khyron have the upper hand in this situation. Khyron may lead the troops during battle but before and after Breetai was in charge of the entire armada. He was going to make that clear to Khyron one way or another.
"You'll get your chance when the Micronians reach the largest planet in the system." Breetai began, "I'll have Exedore send you our battle plans."
"Excellent." Khyron replied.
******
Rick and Minmei weren't the only ones enjoying the simulated picture perfect day in the park. Darien and Serena had decided to have their own little picnic in the park. With Lita's home cooking and a few tidbits picked up from the local bakery the princess of the moon and her Earth prince were going to enjoy their first public date.
Everything on the hillside park was as perfect as it could get. The trees and bushes were lush and green and the flowers had a sweet aroma that drifted through the park. There were all sorts of flowers in the park from daffodils and daises to tulips and roses. Upon seeing the roses Darien made a mental note to talk with the caretaker of the park about acquiring a small roes bush he could grow himself in a pot in his room. For Darien roses were the perfect way to relax and the symbol of his position as prince and Tuxedo Mask defender of the Earth and protector of the Moon Princess.
As Serena and Darien got to the small clearing in the park to set up the picnic they noticed Rick and Minmei sitting on a red check picnic blanket eating with chopsticks. Serena immediately gravitated over to the pair on the blanket and began to set up her own picnic lunch. The blonde Veritech pilot received stares from the two teens who were wondering what she was doing.
"Um what are you doing?" Minmei asked Serena.
"Oh I'm sorry I was setting up my picnic lunch. I guess I could set up somewhere else!" Serena replied.
"No that's okay you can pull up a blanket and relax!" Rick said.
"So Rick who's your friend?" Serena wanted to know.
"Um this is Lynn Minmei. Minmei this is Serena Tuskino she's in my squad." Rick said.
"Hey muffin you can stop smelling the roses and come and eat now." Serena called to Darien.
"Be there in a minute meatball head." Darien called back.
"Did he just call you meatball head?" Minmei asked Serena.
"Yeah it's his little name for me. He's called me that since we first met when I was in junior high!" Serena explained with a smile.
Darien came over to the blanket and sat next to Serena. He then pulled out a perfect red rose from out of nowhere and gave it to Serena.
"For the most beautiful woman in the entire universe I give you this." Darien said as he handed the rose to Serena.
"Why Darien Endymon Shields I didn't know you still cared." Serena replied sappily.
"Why Serena Serenity Tuskino why wouldn't I care about my beautiful girlfriend?" Darien asked.
"How romantic." Minmei commented.
"Oh please." Rick said under his breath.
******
Saturday on the SDF1 was usually a slow day depending on where a person was stationed so it was no surprise that Rei, Mina, and Michelle were bored. The three members of the bridge crew were trying to get over their boredom by talking about the latest gossip floating around the ship. And gossip on the SDF1 flew faster than a Veritech at Mach 4.
The rumor mill and gossip chain on the SDF1 was nothing compared to the one back in the Juuban district in Tokyo. Back there the people of Juuban had one great claim to fame Melvin. Melvin was an acquaintance of Serena's and the boyfriend of her best friend Molly. For Melvin gossip was a way of life and the Internet provided him with some juicy morsels. Mina had to admit to herself that she missed Melvin and his manga styled profiles of everyone he had ever met. Without him the gossip didn't seem that interesting. And the latest talk amongst the crew was about as interesting as it ever got.
"Word along the gossip chain is the Skull Squad got some new members yesterday." Rei said.
"Amara told me one's some friend of the lieutenant commander's which is how he got assigned there in the first place. The others are suppose to be friends with Lita, Darien and Serena" Michelle told them with a grin.
"Well ladies I've heard straight out of the horse's mouth that one of the local families considers the Lt. Commanders friend a hero for saving their niece." Claudia said.
"Maybe that's why he was assigned to the Skull Squad." Mina speculated.
"Could be." Rei added.
"Without Melvin and his goofy charts and profiles it's hard to know anything about anybody nowadays." Mina said with a sigh.
"You actually miss that four eyed weirdo?" Rei asked a bit surprised.
"I don't miss Melvin but I do miss his vast amounts of gossip." Mina explained.
"Okay! Anyway Michelle who are the other three new members?" Rei asked.
"Well I think their names are Corporals Fukada, Tanaka, and Sanada!" Claudia told the group.
"Who did you just say?" Mina perked up at the name of Fukada.
"Dummy you heard her cause I did too! What I want to know is why Justin decided to join the RDF?" Rei asked.
"Maybe he just decided to join for the same reasons you and your friends did!" Lisa told her with a smile.
"Maybe your right commander!" Rei and Mina both said.
******
Minmei had to admit to herself that the people of Macross City were quite the enterprising bunch. After lunch was over she and Rick had hooked up with Serena and Darien for a bit of silly fun together. During that time they messed around in the park and caught the only movie playing in town the live action Sailor V flick. Now they were all enjoying the view of the city.
"You know I heard the mayor is trying to find a way to get mail service in the city." Minmei told the others.
"Really that would be so cool." Serena said.
"These people never cease to amaze me." Rick added.
"Tell me about it. Next they will reinvent the phone!" Darien commented.
As the group watched the cars move about the streets inside SDF1 a small robotic camera wheeled its way over to the group. Minmei saw the camera bot and wanted to have her picture taken with Rick.
"Oh Rick let's get our picture taken together." Minmei suggested.
"Sure why not." Rick said as he dug a few coins out of his pocket.
Rick and Minmei went over to a nearby bench followed by the robot and sat down. After placing the coins in the proper slot the couple made a rigid pose while the robot took their picture with a digital camera. Three minutes later the image was printed out on a perfect piece of four by six photographic paper. Serena and Darien decided that a new picture of the ever-loving couple was in order.
"Hey robot over here. We've got a perfect Kodak moment going on over here." Darien said.
The robot came over and Darien dropped in enough coins for two pictures. Darien then grabbed Serena and pulled her into one of their goofy poses. The couple held the pose long enough for the camera bot to take two pictures of the couple. Serena couldn't help laughing at the end result.
"We look totally goofy." She told Darien.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Darien replied.
"That's why I love you so much muffin." Serena said as Darien Leaned down to meet her lips with his in a passionate kiss.
"Rick why can't we be like that?" Minmei asked the pilot.
"This is only our first date together." He told her.
"Oh. I want you to keep this Rick. You can put in your plane so you'll never forget this day." Minmei said as she handed him the photo.
******
Rick's first day of official flight time in the Veritech was a patrol run around the perimeter of the SDF1. It wasn't the combat time he was looking for but it would have to do for the time being. Jupiter was a sight to behold and no one in the Skull Squad except Lita had ever imagined it would be so extraordinary.
"Hey Lita ever think you'd see your home turf again?" Serena asked her over the communicator.
"Not like this Serena. It's beautiful even if there isn't any life down there." Lita replied.
"My Thunder Heart it might not have life anymore, however, it does show it majesty still even in this time!" Nathan said into his new communicator.
"Nathan you always did know how to lift her spirits!" Kevin said.
"Jeez you two could you get any sappier?" Justin asked.
"Can it Justin if I recall one thousand years ago you did the same thing to Rei!" Darien told him.
"Okay guys pay attention to our surroundings!" Serena told the others.
******
On the bridge of the SDF1 Rei Hino received another premonition. And true to form her instincts told her another attack was coming. The commander and the captain had to be informed right away.
"Sir I'm picking up a heavy compliment of enemy pods headed our way on both the radar and the premonitions." Rei informed the captain.
By now Captain Henry Gloval had learned to listen to the premonitions of one Corporal Rei Hino former Shinto priestess in training. And from what he saw she was usually dead on about what she saw.
"Lisa which squad is on patrol duty?" the captain needed to know.
"The Skull Squadron has patrol detail today sir." Lisa told him.
"Good. I want you to have the lieutenant commander be on the lookout for those pods." He said.
"Aye sir." Lisa replied.
******
Roy was having a pretty routine patrol flight when Lisa came over the radio to inform him about the pod sighting.
"Lt. Commander Fokker this is the SDF1 come in please." Lisa said.
"Go ahead commander." Roy replied.
"The captain has put your squad on full alert. Our long-range scanners have detected a fleet of enemy pods not too far from your current location." Lisa told him.
"Thanks for the warning commander. We'll keep an eye out for them." Roy said.
Roy then passed the word along to the rest of his squad.
"Boys and girls this is your big buddy speaking. It seams the SDF1 has detected a group of nasty little pods waiting for us on the other side of this big world. I want you to be on your toes because you never know what might happen." Roy informed them.
"Oh yeah a chance to kick some alien butt." Lita commented.
"Lita you can kick their alien butt, however, you will leave some for me!" Nathan told her.
"Yeah well you all better save some for me!" Amara spoke up.
"I'll let the fires of Mares burn their carcasses!" Justin informed them.
"Okay Darien I think Justin's been around Rei to long!" Serena told him.
"Tell me about it love!" Darien smirked.
"I think we need to ground him from seeing or speaking to Rei until he stops talking like her!" Kevin told the group.
"Not likely! Now in the words of Lita lets kick alien tail!" Justin yelled over the radio.
"Now this is what I joined up for." Rick added.
******
A group of battlepods was indeed waiting for the SDF1 and her Veritech squads to arrive on the other side of Jupiter. When the Skull Squad made their way to Khyron's current location the battlepods began the attack. Breetai was certain this time he would defeat the SDF1. In his mind there was no way he could fail.
******
Rick was holding his own against the battlepod attack. He and the rest of the Skull Squad had taken out a good number of the pods. For his first time in battle Rick was doing better than he or Roy had expected. In fact all the members of the Skull Squad were doing quite well. In no time the members of the plucky little squad were giving the squad a run for the money.
"Good job boys and girls." Roy said to his squad as the pods began to retreat.
******
After a few days had passed since the surprise attack on the SDF1 had taken place the crew was greeted by the red landscape of Mars. As they came close to the planet Michelle detected a faint signal coming from the surface of the planet. The signal appeared to be originating from the abandoned base.
"Captain I'm detecting a distress signal from Mars Base Sara." Michelle told the Captain.
"What Mars Base Sara? It can't be!" Lisa called out in total disbelief.
"Are you certain that's where the signal is coming from?" Captain Gloval asked Michelle.
"Yes sir I'm positive of it. I double-checked it " Michelle replied.
"Sir there could be the chance that someone is still alive down there." Lisa said with a glimmer of hope in her voice.
"Yes there is that chance Lisa." The captain commented.
"I can't feel it anymore." Rei said to no one in particular.
"Feel what Rei?" Michelle asked her.
"The fire of Mars. It's gone." Rei told her.
"Rei do you detect any signs of life down on the surface?" the captain needed to know.
"The dust storms are making it impossible for me to pick up anything. And the planet is so dead that I can't connect with it anymore." Rei told him.
"I see then I have no choice but to send someone down there to check it out personally. Lisa I'm putting you in charge of this mission." The captain announced.
"Me sir? Do you think that's wise?" Lisa wanted to know.
"Yes you are one of my best crewmen and I trust you enough to give you this responsibility." He told her with a small half smile.
Lisa didn't know whether to be happy or afraid that she was going to the surface of Mars. The moment Michelle told them she detected the signal from the base one word kept playing itself over and over in her mind, the word Carl. For Lisa that name brought both pain and happiness.
******
The Skull Squad was enjoying the brief break in action when Lt. Commander Fokker entered into ready room. At the moment Roy didn't look too happy. Great, he thought, another babysitting mission.
"Boys and girls I just came back from meeting with the captain and it looks like we have another mission ahead of us. It seems we are to secure the perimeter of the old abandoned Mars Base Sara while the good commander investigates a distress signal picked up by the bridge."
"Do we have to?" Bennett complained.
"I'm afraid we do." Roy told him.
"This should be fun." Rick remarked.
"I've learned all missions are important no matter what you have to do." Serena commented.
"You have? Serena when you were younger I remember you always wanting to run for your life from missions!" Kevin told her.
"Oh but when Molly was in trouble or even Darien she'd run to help them!" Nathan told his friend.
"Man you could always count on Serena no matter how hard it got!" Justin said.
"Yeah I can vouch for that!" Darien said.
"When do we leave Roy?" Rick asked.
"We leave when the commander is ready!" he said.
******
Breetai was sick of waiting for Khyron's little group to join his fleet. Being personally chosen by Dolza, the supreme commander of the entire Zentreadi military, to lead the mission to recover the SDF1 was a great honor. Learning someone like Khyron was going to be under his command wasn't going to make this mission any easier. Hopefully Exedore would have some good news for the Zentreadi commander.
"Lord Breetai our sensors have detected a signal coming from the surface of the red planet not too far from our current location." Exedore informed him.
"Very well, send word to Khyron and his unit to go to the planet and investigate the signal. The source of that signal could be of some use to us." Breetai said.
"It will be done Lord Breetai."
Exedore left Breetai's personal chamber to get in touch with Khyron. Hopefully the squad leader would be able to carry out Breetai's orders.
******
The orders were simple go to the surface of the planet and find the source of the signal that was detected. Breetai couldn't have been any clearer if he had given the orders himself. Khyron couldn't wait to get his first glimpse at the Micronian military. When Dolza told the squad leader he was going to be a part of the mission to retrieve the SDF1 he was thrilled. This mission was a once in a lifetime opportunity even if he was under Breetai's command.
"Set course for the red planet. We have a mission to attend to." Khyron told his crew.
"What is our mission Lord Khyron?" one of the crewmen asked.
"We are to search out the source of a signal coming from the surface of the planet and if at all possible we are to capture it." Khyron explained.
******
The transport plane touched down on the surface of the red planet. Not too far from Lisa's position was Mars Base Sara, the Earth's first attempt at colonizing another planet. The dust storm that plagued the planet had died down allowing Lisa to land on the surface. As she made her way to the base one thing kept running through her mind. Dear God please let him be alive, she thought.
Lisa was surprised to find the control panel that worked the doors to the base still worked. This was indeed a good sign for it meant the base still had power. And in her mind if the base still had power then someone must still be there. The only way to know that for certain was to get to the main control room of the base and check for life signs.
The inside of the base was completely dark. Turning on the lantern she had brought with her Lisa was able to spot a control panel. A few quick punches on the panel and the lights came on inside the base. Lisa smiled to herself because her guess had been lucky. As she started down the maze of corridors towards the control room Lisa began to think about one of her fondest childhood memories growing up in Virginia near the naval base.
******
She was nine and he was fifteen yet she had a crush on him. Lisa's mother had been friends with Carl's mother since her family moved to Virginia. Lisa's father was given a permanent position at the base with good opportunities for promotions and this allowed the Hayes family a stable home life.
Lisa and Carl spent a good deal of time together with Lisa usually tagging along. Carl didn't mind that Lisa wanted to do what he did. In fact the older boy liked it when she went with him to the large willow tree by the pond in the meadow near their houses. It was here on summer afternoons that Carl would sit and stare up at the clouds while Lisa would swing on a swing someone had hung on one of the branches of the tree. It was on one of those days that Carl gave Lisa his big news.
"Lisa have I got news for you." He began, "I've been accepted into the Junior Academy in Maryland. I leave at the end of the month."
"Will I ever see you again?" Lisa wanted to know.
"Sure you'll see me again when I come home for holidays." He told her.
For three years Carl kept good on his word to visit Lisa on holidays. But during the summer after his last year at the academy Carl had even more good news for the now twelve year old Lisa. This time Carl had been accepted into the military and he was going to become a pilot.
"Lisa you're one of my best friends and I can tell you anything. Well I have some great news. I've been accepted into the military flight program. Your father wrote a great recommendation and I got into the program. Who knows I may even go to Mars one day." He told her.
"Carl that's wonderful. Someday I'm going to go into the military too and then we can be together forever." Lisa declared.
"Lisa you do that. You hold on to that dream and in six years I'll see you in a military uniform." He replied before giving her a peck on the cheek.
Carl waved goodbye to Lisa and headed off for home to spread the good news to everyone that he knew. As Lisa watched him run off her heart sank a little. The man she thought she loved had told her she was only his friend. I'll show him, she thought, I'll be the best one in the Junior Academy and the military. That was the last time Lisa Hayes ever saw Carl Grubber.
Lisa and Carl did keep in touch though writing to each other. As the years passed the pair marveled at each other's accomplishments. Lisa was able to make it into the Junior Academy two years earlier than Carl and graduated with high honors at the top of her class. Carl made it through the flight program and was accepted into the space program. The day he was chosen to be a part of the crew of the newly completed Mars Base Sara Carl called Lisa to give her the good news.
Lisa tried to make it to launching of the ship that would carry the Mars base crew to the new base. But due to her training obligations and the conflicts taking place she would miss the launch. Lisa wouldn't have the chance to tell Carl how she really felt about him before he left.
A few years after Carl had left for Mars Lisa was promoted to commander and given the chance to be the first officer on the SDF1. But her promotion wouldn't be a happy time for her. Word had reached Earth that something had gone wrong on Mars and the entire crew of Base Sara had mysteriously vanished without a trace.
******
Khyron's fleet fell into orbit above Mars and prepared to make their ascent on the planet. The base they saw on the surface below would be the perfect place for the Zentreadi to have a stronghold in this solar system. Khyron was going to see to it personally that the Zentreadi gain control of the base.
"Prepare to launch the pods." Khyron ordered from inside his pod.
The hanger doors opened on the side of the small Zentreadi battlecruiser allowing for thirty pods to descend to the surface of the planet. This mission would not fail. Khyron would see to that personally.
******
As Lisa continued on to the control room the lights in the base went out. Lisa then turned her lantern back on. That's strange, she thought, I could have sworn the environmental controls would last longer. Lisa wouldn't have much longer to go for at the end of the corridor was the control room
Lisa had to use the emergency override lever to open the doors to the control room. As she entered the room Lisa made her way to the large console in the center of the room. Punching a few buttons on the console Lisa was able to access base controls and turn off the distress signal. Lisa needed to know if anyone was still alive in the base and had the system check for life signs.
"Let's hope someone is still in here." Lisa said out loud as she crossed her fingers, "I know it will at least register me so whatever number it gives me I'll just subtract one from it and that's how many survived the incident."
The incident was rumored to be an asteroid crash on the planet's surface that had smacked into part of the base. It wasn't very large but the damage it had done was immense. Some even said that those who survived the asteroid began to go crazy and turn on each other. No one knew the real reason why the crew of Mars Base Sara suddenly disappeared.
When the computer was finished scanning the base for any signs of life it flashed the results on the screen for Lisa to see. Staring at the results Lisa's face turned grim and ashen the number that flashed back at her on the screen was one. No one had survived.
Lisa knew she had to tell the captain and the crew of the SDF1 the grim news. As the tears streamed down her face Lisa began her transmission.
"This is Lisa Hayes inside Mars Base Sara calling the SDF1." She said.
"This is the SDF1 go ahead Lisa." Claudia responded.
"The search for survivors on the base has turned up negative. There are no survivors in Sara sir what do you want me to do next?" Lisa told them.
"I want you to see if there are any usable supplies left on the base so we can transport them to the SDF1." The captain replied.
"Aye sir." Lisa said as she ended the transmission.
******
Roy and his squad were patrolling the perimeter of the base watching the transport squad load their ships with supplies and parts. Things were going well inside the base. Lisa was overseeing the transfer of the usable parts and supplies to the SDF1 and the perimeter was secure. In fact things were going too well and if Roy hadn't been a bit edgy he would have missed the oncoming attack by the Zentreadi battlepods.
In a matter of mere moments the peaceful nature of the planet's surface was shattered as all hell broke loose around the base. The transport squad scrambled to the planes so they could return to the SDF1. Roy knew something had to be done and fast.
"Bennett you Harris and Anderson get those transport planes back to the SDF1. Rick I need you to find Commander Hayes and get her back to the SDF1 as well. The rest of you are gonna help me take out these aliens." Roy told his squad.
"Uh Roy why me? You know how she feels about me." Rick wondered.
"Because I trust you." Roy said.
Silently and to himself Rick moaned.
******
The base was rocking as the blasts hit the surface of the planet. As she ran back to the entrance she had used Lisa saw something crash through the ceiling of the base. One lone Zentreadi battlepod had its gun pointed straight at the commander. As the pilot was about to fire on Lisa a blast came from the left destroying the pod.
Rick climbed out of his battleoid to check and see if Lisa was okay. The Veritech pilot had a lucky shot and was able to destroy the pod instead of crippling it. When Lisa saw who was coming out of the Veritech she was not thrilled one bit to see him. Corporal Rick Hunter was not one of her favorite people to be around.
"Commander are you okay?" Rick asked her.
"I'm fine corporal." Lisa said in a less than friendly tone.
"Lt. Commander Fokker sent me to get you safely back to SDF1." Rick told her.
"I'm not quite ready to return to the SDF1 just yet corporal."
"Why is that commander?"
"I have to destroy the base before the aliens get their hands on it."
"What are you crazy? That's a suicide mission. I can't let you do that."
"Corporal I am not crazy. I know what I'm doing. I have to keep the aliens from getting their hands on this base."
"Okay I'm going with you. It's my job to see you make it out of here safely and I'm not about to let anything happen to you."
******
Outside the base the remaining members of the Skull Squad were having a tough time with the Zentreadi squad. The Veritech squad was greatly outnumbered but that wasn't about to stop them from doing their job. The Zentreadi were a tough bunch but the members of the Skull Squad were tougher.
Serena was holding her own and had just taken out one of the pods when she heard an explosion behind her. Unknown to the Scout a pod was on her tail preparing to fire on her.
"It's a good thing I saw him." Darien said over the radio.
"Thanks for the help muffin." Serena replied.
"Hey when have I not helped you out?" he remarked.
"Oh let me see. The last month we were fighting Beryl I believe you were having some identity issues so I really wouldn't call the spats you had with Kunzite help just lucky coincidences."
"Okay you got me there."
"Hey I resent that Serena!" Kevin told her.
"Hey would you two love birds mind cutting the chatter and get back to the battle." Lita said at the same time Kevin said what he said.
"Oh yeah right. Kevin you were out of the right frame of mind then remember?" Serena replied.
"Oh yeah! Sorry!" Kevin told her.
"Come on lets plow the road!" Nathan said.
"Nathan you've been watching Independence Day again haven't you?" Justin chuckled.
"You know it!" Nathan laughed.
"Well then my alien butt kicker man let's wipe the road with their sorry excuses for an alien butt!" Lita told Nathan.
"Right behind you Thunder Heart!" Nathan said as he zoomed passed Justin.
******
Lisa and Rick entered the control room of the base and set to work. Lisa began entering a few sequences on the control panel and brought up the self- destruct sequence. After punching the appropriate authorization code a siren began to sound.
"We have to hurry corporal we only have five minutes before this place blows up." Lisa yelled.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Rick replied.
Rick and Lisa ran as fast as they could. By the time they reached Rick's Veritech the base began to shake. As the other sections of the base started to explode Rick grabbed Lisa and carried her into the cockpit of his fighter. By the time Rick was able to get the battleoid started the section of the base they were in began to explode.
******
Roy was the first to notice the base beginning to explode. As he saw the main section go up in smoke and flames Roy wondered what was happening in the base. He hoped Rick and Lisa would be able to make it out of the base in time before the final section went up in flames.
"Listen up everybody the base looks like she's blowing sky high. We'd better get our butts back to the SDF1 before we get caught in the blast." Roy told the squad.
"Aye sir!" The others said.
******
Roy wasn't the only one to notice the explosion on the surface of the planet. Khyron had caught sight of the smoke and flames out of the corner of his eye. He knew it would be useless to continue the battle if there wasn't anything to fight for. And he also knew it wouldn't be worth anything to get killed by an explosion from the planet's surface.
"All battlepods return to the ship." Khyron ordered.
The remaining pods took their leave of the battle and headed back to the ship. Khyron knew it was better to live to fight again another day than to die without trying. This mission may have been a bust but he wasn't going to fail his next one.
******
Three things happened all at once on the surface of the planet Mars. Rick and Lisa made it out of the base the moment the last section went up in flames. Rick did the fastest maneuvering and transforming of the Veritech he had ever done. Roy and the rest of the Skull Squad high tailed it back to the SDF1. No one was about to get caught in the explosion that was destroying the base. And finally Khyron made a hasty retreat back to his ship. Without the base around the battle on Mars just wasn't worth the effort.
Roy and the rest of his squad were about to land on the Prometheus when a call came over his radio. The call he received was one he hoped to hear.
"This is Corporal Rick Hunter calling Skull One." Rick said.
"Go ahead Rick." Roy responded.
"I have the commander and we are heading for the SDF1." Rick told him.
"Glad to see you made it out of there Rick." Roy said.
******
Breetai was quite unhappy with Khyron when he made his report to the Zentreadi commander. Not only did the squad leader fail to secure the base on Mars but he retreated from battle as well. Breetai wasn't about to tolerate any failed missions not when they were so close to returning to the Earth. The mission commander made his displeasure known to the subordinate.
"I am very unhappy with you right now Khyron. You failed me. This was a simple mission to secure the base on the planet and you couldn't even do that." Breetai yelled.
"But Lord Breetai the Micronians destroyed the base before I could get to it. I thought it best to leave the planet before I myself got caught in the blast." Khyron tried to explain.
"I will not tolerate any of your excuses Khyron."
"These are not excuses Breetai. I'll have you know I'm one of the best squadron leaders in the entire Zentreadi military. I know what I'm doing."
"You'd better for your sake."
TBC
As always please R&R!
Authors note: When ever I am talking about Kevin, Nathan, Justin and Zack as a group I will refer to them as the four earth generals as that is what they were suppose to be in the manga before Beryl brainwashed them!
Robotech Warriors Book 1 By thunderbird with Sections From Chibi Halo
The crew of the SDF1 had fought their way past three planets. It had been a little over two months since the fateful day when the SDF1 appeared on the far side of Pluto. The alien attacks had become regular occurrences and the Veritech squads were quickly becoming the heroes of Macross City.
The people of Macross City had proved themselves to be a resilient resourceful bunch. Shortly after the SDF1 had transformed and returned to normal the engineers along with Captain Kenji Tuskino and the designers in the city had the city rebuilt so it could withstand another transformation. The next time the city wouldn't look as though it had been in a major quake.
Rick, who was now a full-fledged member of the Skull Squad along with the other new skull members, had yet to prove themselves in actual combat. It seemed the Zentreadi decided to take a small break from the fighting. It was a break that was welcomed by everybody except Rick and two of his new squad mates Lita and Amara. While those two saw the fighting as an outlet for their boredom and short tempers Rick saw it as a chance to get back on the pedestal Minmei once had him on.
Rick, however, was about to get his chance to prove himself in battle. As the SDF1 loomed closer to Jupiter the Zentreadi got what they were waiting for reinforcements from the home world. Another full compliment of Zentreadi battle ships had joined Breetai's fleet. This new fleet, though small in size, added the right amount of firepower need to battle the SDF1. In the Zentreadi chain of command Breetai was the leader of the mission to capture the SDF1 and had command over the latest addition to the armada.
******
Part 5: Mars Base
******
Rick had some good news he was going on his first mission. It had been over two weeks since he last set foot in Macross City. Rick was amazed at how fast the people of Macross City had rebuilt things after the transformation. He was even more amazed to see a simulated sunrise inside the ship; it almost made him forget where he was. On this particular day Rick had made plans with Minmei to go on a picnic in the park and maybe catch a movie at the only theater in town. This was going to be the last day that he would see Minmei for some time. The next day the Skull Squad would be on patrol duty. It wasn't much but Rick would be flying once again.
Rick walked into Lynn's Chinese to see Mr. Lynn, Minmei's uncle, setting up the tables for the day's business. The small Chinese restaurant was doing better than it ever did back on earth. In fact Lynn's was the only Chinese place in town. If people wanted Chinese they either went to Lynn's or made it themselves and no one made Chinese like Lynn's. Rick had to smile at Mr. Lynn because if it weren't for him the entire business district would be a ghost town.
"Good morning Mr. Lynn is Minmei ready yet?" Rick asked.
"My niece should be down soon." He told Rick.
A few minutes later Minmei emerged from the apartment wearing pink clam diggers, a white sweater set, and a pair of tan colored canvas shoes. Her hair was done up in its usual bun. In her hands she carried a large picnic basket and a picnic blanket. Rick could tell the basket was a bit heavy and offered to carry it for her. In no time the two teens were off.
"Bye uncle Chan I'll see you later." Minmei said to her uncle.
"You two have fun and stay out of trouble." Chan told them.
"Don't worry sir we will." Rick assured him.
******
Breetai wasn't two happy with the latest addition to the armada. The new unit sent from the home world was supposed to be one of the best but Breetai wasn't buying that story. The only thing that mattered to Breetai was complete obedience. He needed to know the members of his armada were going to follow his orders to the letter. Breetai was about to consider his newest soldiers a lost cause when he received a hail from their ship.
"This is Khyron reporting for duty Lord Breetai." The soldier announced.
"It's about time you reported in Khyron." Breetai said.
Khyron with his smarmy looks and long white hair gave Breetai a smirk of a grin. Breetai could tell this particular battlepod commander was arrogant and stuck up. Khyron had the air of aristocracy about him and flaunted it wherever he went. This situation was no different. Khyron sat in his chair fiddling with a glass of red wine looking quite bored.
"Yes I thought it was time to get to know the commanding officer of this mission." Khyron said.
"You should have reported in when you arrived here." Breetai almost yelled.
"Really now Lord Breetai don't get yourself worked up over me." Khyron told him.
"Look Khyron I will not tolerate any laziness from stuck up aristocratic pantywaists such as yourself." Breetai yelled.
"Why Breetai you offend me. I'm not lazy, just merely bored out of my mind. When am I going to get the chance to do battle with the Micronians?" he wanted to know.
Breetai wasn't about to let Khyron have the upper hand in this situation. Khyron may lead the troops during battle but before and after Breetai was in charge of the entire armada. He was going to make that clear to Khyron one way or another.
"You'll get your chance when the Micronians reach the largest planet in the system." Breetai began, "I'll have Exedore send you our battle plans."
"Excellent." Khyron replied.
******
Rick and Minmei weren't the only ones enjoying the simulated picture perfect day in the park. Darien and Serena had decided to have their own little picnic in the park. With Lita's home cooking and a few tidbits picked up from the local bakery the princess of the moon and her Earth prince were going to enjoy their first public date.
Everything on the hillside park was as perfect as it could get. The trees and bushes were lush and green and the flowers had a sweet aroma that drifted through the park. There were all sorts of flowers in the park from daffodils and daises to tulips and roses. Upon seeing the roses Darien made a mental note to talk with the caretaker of the park about acquiring a small roes bush he could grow himself in a pot in his room. For Darien roses were the perfect way to relax and the symbol of his position as prince and Tuxedo Mask defender of the Earth and protector of the Moon Princess.
As Serena and Darien got to the small clearing in the park to set up the picnic they noticed Rick and Minmei sitting on a red check picnic blanket eating with chopsticks. Serena immediately gravitated over to the pair on the blanket and began to set up her own picnic lunch. The blonde Veritech pilot received stares from the two teens who were wondering what she was doing.
"Um what are you doing?" Minmei asked Serena.
"Oh I'm sorry I was setting up my picnic lunch. I guess I could set up somewhere else!" Serena replied.
"No that's okay you can pull up a blanket and relax!" Rick said.
"So Rick who's your friend?" Serena wanted to know.
"Um this is Lynn Minmei. Minmei this is Serena Tuskino she's in my squad." Rick said.
"Hey muffin you can stop smelling the roses and come and eat now." Serena called to Darien.
"Be there in a minute meatball head." Darien called back.
"Did he just call you meatball head?" Minmei asked Serena.
"Yeah it's his little name for me. He's called me that since we first met when I was in junior high!" Serena explained with a smile.
Darien came over to the blanket and sat next to Serena. He then pulled out a perfect red rose from out of nowhere and gave it to Serena.
"For the most beautiful woman in the entire universe I give you this." Darien said as he handed the rose to Serena.
"Why Darien Endymon Shields I didn't know you still cared." Serena replied sappily.
"Why Serena Serenity Tuskino why wouldn't I care about my beautiful girlfriend?" Darien asked.
"How romantic." Minmei commented.
"Oh please." Rick said under his breath.
******
Saturday on the SDF1 was usually a slow day depending on where a person was stationed so it was no surprise that Rei, Mina, and Michelle were bored. The three members of the bridge crew were trying to get over their boredom by talking about the latest gossip floating around the ship. And gossip on the SDF1 flew faster than a Veritech at Mach 4.
The rumor mill and gossip chain on the SDF1 was nothing compared to the one back in the Juuban district in Tokyo. Back there the people of Juuban had one great claim to fame Melvin. Melvin was an acquaintance of Serena's and the boyfriend of her best friend Molly. For Melvin gossip was a way of life and the Internet provided him with some juicy morsels. Mina had to admit to herself that she missed Melvin and his manga styled profiles of everyone he had ever met. Without him the gossip didn't seem that interesting. And the latest talk amongst the crew was about as interesting as it ever got.
"Word along the gossip chain is the Skull Squad got some new members yesterday." Rei said.
"Amara told me one's some friend of the lieutenant commander's which is how he got assigned there in the first place. The others are suppose to be friends with Lita, Darien and Serena" Michelle told them with a grin.
"Well ladies I've heard straight out of the horse's mouth that one of the local families considers the Lt. Commanders friend a hero for saving their niece." Claudia said.
"Maybe that's why he was assigned to the Skull Squad." Mina speculated.
"Could be." Rei added.
"Without Melvin and his goofy charts and profiles it's hard to know anything about anybody nowadays." Mina said with a sigh.
"You actually miss that four eyed weirdo?" Rei asked a bit surprised.
"I don't miss Melvin but I do miss his vast amounts of gossip." Mina explained.
"Okay! Anyway Michelle who are the other three new members?" Rei asked.
"Well I think their names are Corporals Fukada, Tanaka, and Sanada!" Claudia told the group.
"Who did you just say?" Mina perked up at the name of Fukada.
"Dummy you heard her cause I did too! What I want to know is why Justin decided to join the RDF?" Rei asked.
"Maybe he just decided to join for the same reasons you and your friends did!" Lisa told her with a smile.
"Maybe your right commander!" Rei and Mina both said.
******
Minmei had to admit to herself that the people of Macross City were quite the enterprising bunch. After lunch was over she and Rick had hooked up with Serena and Darien for a bit of silly fun together. During that time they messed around in the park and caught the only movie playing in town the live action Sailor V flick. Now they were all enjoying the view of the city.
"You know I heard the mayor is trying to find a way to get mail service in the city." Minmei told the others.
"Really that would be so cool." Serena said.
"These people never cease to amaze me." Rick added.
"Tell me about it. Next they will reinvent the phone!" Darien commented.
As the group watched the cars move about the streets inside SDF1 a small robotic camera wheeled its way over to the group. Minmei saw the camera bot and wanted to have her picture taken with Rick.
"Oh Rick let's get our picture taken together." Minmei suggested.
"Sure why not." Rick said as he dug a few coins out of his pocket.
Rick and Minmei went over to a nearby bench followed by the robot and sat down. After placing the coins in the proper slot the couple made a rigid pose while the robot took their picture with a digital camera. Three minutes later the image was printed out on a perfect piece of four by six photographic paper. Serena and Darien decided that a new picture of the ever-loving couple was in order.
"Hey robot over here. We've got a perfect Kodak moment going on over here." Darien said.
The robot came over and Darien dropped in enough coins for two pictures. Darien then grabbed Serena and pulled her into one of their goofy poses. The couple held the pose long enough for the camera bot to take two pictures of the couple. Serena couldn't help laughing at the end result.
"We look totally goofy." She told Darien.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Darien replied.
"That's why I love you so much muffin." Serena said as Darien Leaned down to meet her lips with his in a passionate kiss.
"Rick why can't we be like that?" Minmei asked the pilot.
"This is only our first date together." He told her.
"Oh. I want you to keep this Rick. You can put in your plane so you'll never forget this day." Minmei said as she handed him the photo.
******
Rick's first day of official flight time in the Veritech was a patrol run around the perimeter of the SDF1. It wasn't the combat time he was looking for but it would have to do for the time being. Jupiter was a sight to behold and no one in the Skull Squad except Lita had ever imagined it would be so extraordinary.
"Hey Lita ever think you'd see your home turf again?" Serena asked her over the communicator.
"Not like this Serena. It's beautiful even if there isn't any life down there." Lita replied.
"My Thunder Heart it might not have life anymore, however, it does show it majesty still even in this time!" Nathan said into his new communicator.
"Nathan you always did know how to lift her spirits!" Kevin said.
"Jeez you two could you get any sappier?" Justin asked.
"Can it Justin if I recall one thousand years ago you did the same thing to Rei!" Darien told him.
"Okay guys pay attention to our surroundings!" Serena told the others.
******
On the bridge of the SDF1 Rei Hino received another premonition. And true to form her instincts told her another attack was coming. The commander and the captain had to be informed right away.
"Sir I'm picking up a heavy compliment of enemy pods headed our way on both the radar and the premonitions." Rei informed the captain.
By now Captain Henry Gloval had learned to listen to the premonitions of one Corporal Rei Hino former Shinto priestess in training. And from what he saw she was usually dead on about what she saw.
"Lisa which squad is on patrol duty?" the captain needed to know.
"The Skull Squadron has patrol detail today sir." Lisa told him.
"Good. I want you to have the lieutenant commander be on the lookout for those pods." He said.
"Aye sir." Lisa replied.
******
Roy was having a pretty routine patrol flight when Lisa came over the radio to inform him about the pod sighting.
"Lt. Commander Fokker this is the SDF1 come in please." Lisa said.
"Go ahead commander." Roy replied.
"The captain has put your squad on full alert. Our long-range scanners have detected a fleet of enemy pods not too far from your current location." Lisa told him.
"Thanks for the warning commander. We'll keep an eye out for them." Roy said.
Roy then passed the word along to the rest of his squad.
"Boys and girls this is your big buddy speaking. It seams the SDF1 has detected a group of nasty little pods waiting for us on the other side of this big world. I want you to be on your toes because you never know what might happen." Roy informed them.
"Oh yeah a chance to kick some alien butt." Lita commented.
"Lita you can kick their alien butt, however, you will leave some for me!" Nathan told her.
"Yeah well you all better save some for me!" Amara spoke up.
"I'll let the fires of Mares burn their carcasses!" Justin informed them.
"Okay Darien I think Justin's been around Rei to long!" Serena told him.
"Tell me about it love!" Darien smirked.
"I think we need to ground him from seeing or speaking to Rei until he stops talking like her!" Kevin told the group.
"Not likely! Now in the words of Lita lets kick alien tail!" Justin yelled over the radio.
"Now this is what I joined up for." Rick added.
******
A group of battlepods was indeed waiting for the SDF1 and her Veritech squads to arrive on the other side of Jupiter. When the Skull Squad made their way to Khyron's current location the battlepods began the attack. Breetai was certain this time he would defeat the SDF1. In his mind there was no way he could fail.
******
Rick was holding his own against the battlepod attack. He and the rest of the Skull Squad had taken out a good number of the pods. For his first time in battle Rick was doing better than he or Roy had expected. In fact all the members of the Skull Squad were doing quite well. In no time the members of the plucky little squad were giving the squad a run for the money.
"Good job boys and girls." Roy said to his squad as the pods began to retreat.
******
After a few days had passed since the surprise attack on the SDF1 had taken place the crew was greeted by the red landscape of Mars. As they came close to the planet Michelle detected a faint signal coming from the surface of the planet. The signal appeared to be originating from the abandoned base.
"Captain I'm detecting a distress signal from Mars Base Sara." Michelle told the Captain.
"What Mars Base Sara? It can't be!" Lisa called out in total disbelief.
"Are you certain that's where the signal is coming from?" Captain Gloval asked Michelle.
"Yes sir I'm positive of it. I double-checked it " Michelle replied.
"Sir there could be the chance that someone is still alive down there." Lisa said with a glimmer of hope in her voice.
"Yes there is that chance Lisa." The captain commented.
"I can't feel it anymore." Rei said to no one in particular.
"Feel what Rei?" Michelle asked her.
"The fire of Mars. It's gone." Rei told her.
"Rei do you detect any signs of life down on the surface?" the captain needed to know.
"The dust storms are making it impossible for me to pick up anything. And the planet is so dead that I can't connect with it anymore." Rei told him.
"I see then I have no choice but to send someone down there to check it out personally. Lisa I'm putting you in charge of this mission." The captain announced.
"Me sir? Do you think that's wise?" Lisa wanted to know.
"Yes you are one of my best crewmen and I trust you enough to give you this responsibility." He told her with a small half smile.
Lisa didn't know whether to be happy or afraid that she was going to the surface of Mars. The moment Michelle told them she detected the signal from the base one word kept playing itself over and over in her mind, the word Carl. For Lisa that name brought both pain and happiness.
******
The Skull Squad was enjoying the brief break in action when Lt. Commander Fokker entered into ready room. At the moment Roy didn't look too happy. Great, he thought, another babysitting mission.
"Boys and girls I just came back from meeting with the captain and it looks like we have another mission ahead of us. It seems we are to secure the perimeter of the old abandoned Mars Base Sara while the good commander investigates a distress signal picked up by the bridge."
"Do we have to?" Bennett complained.
"I'm afraid we do." Roy told him.
"This should be fun." Rick remarked.
"I've learned all missions are important no matter what you have to do." Serena commented.
"You have? Serena when you were younger I remember you always wanting to run for your life from missions!" Kevin told her.
"Oh but when Molly was in trouble or even Darien she'd run to help them!" Nathan told his friend.
"Man you could always count on Serena no matter how hard it got!" Justin said.
"Yeah I can vouch for that!" Darien said.
"When do we leave Roy?" Rick asked.
"We leave when the commander is ready!" he said.
******
Breetai was sick of waiting for Khyron's little group to join his fleet. Being personally chosen by Dolza, the supreme commander of the entire Zentreadi military, to lead the mission to recover the SDF1 was a great honor. Learning someone like Khyron was going to be under his command wasn't going to make this mission any easier. Hopefully Exedore would have some good news for the Zentreadi commander.
"Lord Breetai our sensors have detected a signal coming from the surface of the red planet not too far from our current location." Exedore informed him.
"Very well, send word to Khyron and his unit to go to the planet and investigate the signal. The source of that signal could be of some use to us." Breetai said.
"It will be done Lord Breetai."
Exedore left Breetai's personal chamber to get in touch with Khyron. Hopefully the squad leader would be able to carry out Breetai's orders.
******
The orders were simple go to the surface of the planet and find the source of the signal that was detected. Breetai couldn't have been any clearer if he had given the orders himself. Khyron couldn't wait to get his first glimpse at the Micronian military. When Dolza told the squad leader he was going to be a part of the mission to retrieve the SDF1 he was thrilled. This mission was a once in a lifetime opportunity even if he was under Breetai's command.
"Set course for the red planet. We have a mission to attend to." Khyron told his crew.
"What is our mission Lord Khyron?" one of the crewmen asked.
"We are to search out the source of a signal coming from the surface of the planet and if at all possible we are to capture it." Khyron explained.
******
The transport plane touched down on the surface of the red planet. Not too far from Lisa's position was Mars Base Sara, the Earth's first attempt at colonizing another planet. The dust storm that plagued the planet had died down allowing Lisa to land on the surface. As she made her way to the base one thing kept running through her mind. Dear God please let him be alive, she thought.
Lisa was surprised to find the control panel that worked the doors to the base still worked. This was indeed a good sign for it meant the base still had power. And in her mind if the base still had power then someone must still be there. The only way to know that for certain was to get to the main control room of the base and check for life signs.
The inside of the base was completely dark. Turning on the lantern she had brought with her Lisa was able to spot a control panel. A few quick punches on the panel and the lights came on inside the base. Lisa smiled to herself because her guess had been lucky. As she started down the maze of corridors towards the control room Lisa began to think about one of her fondest childhood memories growing up in Virginia near the naval base.
******
She was nine and he was fifteen yet she had a crush on him. Lisa's mother had been friends with Carl's mother since her family moved to Virginia. Lisa's father was given a permanent position at the base with good opportunities for promotions and this allowed the Hayes family a stable home life.
Lisa and Carl spent a good deal of time together with Lisa usually tagging along. Carl didn't mind that Lisa wanted to do what he did. In fact the older boy liked it when she went with him to the large willow tree by the pond in the meadow near their houses. It was here on summer afternoons that Carl would sit and stare up at the clouds while Lisa would swing on a swing someone had hung on one of the branches of the tree. It was on one of those days that Carl gave Lisa his big news.
"Lisa have I got news for you." He began, "I've been accepted into the Junior Academy in Maryland. I leave at the end of the month."
"Will I ever see you again?" Lisa wanted to know.
"Sure you'll see me again when I come home for holidays." He told her.
For three years Carl kept good on his word to visit Lisa on holidays. But during the summer after his last year at the academy Carl had even more good news for the now twelve year old Lisa. This time Carl had been accepted into the military and he was going to become a pilot.
"Lisa you're one of my best friends and I can tell you anything. Well I have some great news. I've been accepted into the military flight program. Your father wrote a great recommendation and I got into the program. Who knows I may even go to Mars one day." He told her.
"Carl that's wonderful. Someday I'm going to go into the military too and then we can be together forever." Lisa declared.
"Lisa you do that. You hold on to that dream and in six years I'll see you in a military uniform." He replied before giving her a peck on the cheek.
Carl waved goodbye to Lisa and headed off for home to spread the good news to everyone that he knew. As Lisa watched him run off her heart sank a little. The man she thought she loved had told her she was only his friend. I'll show him, she thought, I'll be the best one in the Junior Academy and the military. That was the last time Lisa Hayes ever saw Carl Grubber.
Lisa and Carl did keep in touch though writing to each other. As the years passed the pair marveled at each other's accomplishments. Lisa was able to make it into the Junior Academy two years earlier than Carl and graduated with high honors at the top of her class. Carl made it through the flight program and was accepted into the space program. The day he was chosen to be a part of the crew of the newly completed Mars Base Sara Carl called Lisa to give her the good news.
Lisa tried to make it to launching of the ship that would carry the Mars base crew to the new base. But due to her training obligations and the conflicts taking place she would miss the launch. Lisa wouldn't have the chance to tell Carl how she really felt about him before he left.
A few years after Carl had left for Mars Lisa was promoted to commander and given the chance to be the first officer on the SDF1. But her promotion wouldn't be a happy time for her. Word had reached Earth that something had gone wrong on Mars and the entire crew of Base Sara had mysteriously vanished without a trace.
******
Khyron's fleet fell into orbit above Mars and prepared to make their ascent on the planet. The base they saw on the surface below would be the perfect place for the Zentreadi to have a stronghold in this solar system. Khyron was going to see to it personally that the Zentreadi gain control of the base.
"Prepare to launch the pods." Khyron ordered from inside his pod.
The hanger doors opened on the side of the small Zentreadi battlecruiser allowing for thirty pods to descend to the surface of the planet. This mission would not fail. Khyron would see to that personally.
******
As Lisa continued on to the control room the lights in the base went out. Lisa then turned her lantern back on. That's strange, she thought, I could have sworn the environmental controls would last longer. Lisa wouldn't have much longer to go for at the end of the corridor was the control room
Lisa had to use the emergency override lever to open the doors to the control room. As she entered the room Lisa made her way to the large console in the center of the room. Punching a few buttons on the console Lisa was able to access base controls and turn off the distress signal. Lisa needed to know if anyone was still alive in the base and had the system check for life signs.
"Let's hope someone is still in here." Lisa said out loud as she crossed her fingers, "I know it will at least register me so whatever number it gives me I'll just subtract one from it and that's how many survived the incident."
The incident was rumored to be an asteroid crash on the planet's surface that had smacked into part of the base. It wasn't very large but the damage it had done was immense. Some even said that those who survived the asteroid began to go crazy and turn on each other. No one knew the real reason why the crew of Mars Base Sara suddenly disappeared.
When the computer was finished scanning the base for any signs of life it flashed the results on the screen for Lisa to see. Staring at the results Lisa's face turned grim and ashen the number that flashed back at her on the screen was one. No one had survived.
Lisa knew she had to tell the captain and the crew of the SDF1 the grim news. As the tears streamed down her face Lisa began her transmission.
"This is Lisa Hayes inside Mars Base Sara calling the SDF1." She said.
"This is the SDF1 go ahead Lisa." Claudia responded.
"The search for survivors on the base has turned up negative. There are no survivors in Sara sir what do you want me to do next?" Lisa told them.
"I want you to see if there are any usable supplies left on the base so we can transport them to the SDF1." The captain replied.
"Aye sir." Lisa said as she ended the transmission.
******
Roy and his squad were patrolling the perimeter of the base watching the transport squad load their ships with supplies and parts. Things were going well inside the base. Lisa was overseeing the transfer of the usable parts and supplies to the SDF1 and the perimeter was secure. In fact things were going too well and if Roy hadn't been a bit edgy he would have missed the oncoming attack by the Zentreadi battlepods.
In a matter of mere moments the peaceful nature of the planet's surface was shattered as all hell broke loose around the base. The transport squad scrambled to the planes so they could return to the SDF1. Roy knew something had to be done and fast.
"Bennett you Harris and Anderson get those transport planes back to the SDF1. Rick I need you to find Commander Hayes and get her back to the SDF1 as well. The rest of you are gonna help me take out these aliens." Roy told his squad.
"Uh Roy why me? You know how she feels about me." Rick wondered.
"Because I trust you." Roy said.
Silently and to himself Rick moaned.
******
The base was rocking as the blasts hit the surface of the planet. As she ran back to the entrance she had used Lisa saw something crash through the ceiling of the base. One lone Zentreadi battlepod had its gun pointed straight at the commander. As the pilot was about to fire on Lisa a blast came from the left destroying the pod.
Rick climbed out of his battleoid to check and see if Lisa was okay. The Veritech pilot had a lucky shot and was able to destroy the pod instead of crippling it. When Lisa saw who was coming out of the Veritech she was not thrilled one bit to see him. Corporal Rick Hunter was not one of her favorite people to be around.
"Commander are you okay?" Rick asked her.
"I'm fine corporal." Lisa said in a less than friendly tone.
"Lt. Commander Fokker sent me to get you safely back to SDF1." Rick told her.
"I'm not quite ready to return to the SDF1 just yet corporal."
"Why is that commander?"
"I have to destroy the base before the aliens get their hands on it."
"What are you crazy? That's a suicide mission. I can't let you do that."
"Corporal I am not crazy. I know what I'm doing. I have to keep the aliens from getting their hands on this base."
"Okay I'm going with you. It's my job to see you make it out of here safely and I'm not about to let anything happen to you."
******
Outside the base the remaining members of the Skull Squad were having a tough time with the Zentreadi squad. The Veritech squad was greatly outnumbered but that wasn't about to stop them from doing their job. The Zentreadi were a tough bunch but the members of the Skull Squad were tougher.
Serena was holding her own and had just taken out one of the pods when she heard an explosion behind her. Unknown to the Scout a pod was on her tail preparing to fire on her.
"It's a good thing I saw him." Darien said over the radio.
"Thanks for the help muffin." Serena replied.
"Hey when have I not helped you out?" he remarked.
"Oh let me see. The last month we were fighting Beryl I believe you were having some identity issues so I really wouldn't call the spats you had with Kunzite help just lucky coincidences."
"Okay you got me there."
"Hey I resent that Serena!" Kevin told her.
"Hey would you two love birds mind cutting the chatter and get back to the battle." Lita said at the same time Kevin said what he said.
"Oh yeah right. Kevin you were out of the right frame of mind then remember?" Serena replied.
"Oh yeah! Sorry!" Kevin told her.
"Come on lets plow the road!" Nathan said.
"Nathan you've been watching Independence Day again haven't you?" Justin chuckled.
"You know it!" Nathan laughed.
"Well then my alien butt kicker man let's wipe the road with their sorry excuses for an alien butt!" Lita told Nathan.
"Right behind you Thunder Heart!" Nathan said as he zoomed passed Justin.
******
Lisa and Rick entered the control room of the base and set to work. Lisa began entering a few sequences on the control panel and brought up the self- destruct sequence. After punching the appropriate authorization code a siren began to sound.
"We have to hurry corporal we only have five minutes before this place blows up." Lisa yelled.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Rick replied.
Rick and Lisa ran as fast as they could. By the time they reached Rick's Veritech the base began to shake. As the other sections of the base started to explode Rick grabbed Lisa and carried her into the cockpit of his fighter. By the time Rick was able to get the battleoid started the section of the base they were in began to explode.
******
Roy was the first to notice the base beginning to explode. As he saw the main section go up in smoke and flames Roy wondered what was happening in the base. He hoped Rick and Lisa would be able to make it out of the base in time before the final section went up in flames.
"Listen up everybody the base looks like she's blowing sky high. We'd better get our butts back to the SDF1 before we get caught in the blast." Roy told the squad.
"Aye sir!" The others said.
******
Roy wasn't the only one to notice the explosion on the surface of the planet. Khyron had caught sight of the smoke and flames out of the corner of his eye. He knew it would be useless to continue the battle if there wasn't anything to fight for. And he also knew it wouldn't be worth anything to get killed by an explosion from the planet's surface.
"All battlepods return to the ship." Khyron ordered.
The remaining pods took their leave of the battle and headed back to the ship. Khyron knew it was better to live to fight again another day than to die without trying. This mission may have been a bust but he wasn't going to fail his next one.
******
Three things happened all at once on the surface of the planet Mars. Rick and Lisa made it out of the base the moment the last section went up in flames. Rick did the fastest maneuvering and transforming of the Veritech he had ever done. Roy and the rest of the Skull Squad high tailed it back to the SDF1. No one was about to get caught in the explosion that was destroying the base. And finally Khyron made a hasty retreat back to his ship. Without the base around the battle on Mars just wasn't worth the effort.
Roy and the rest of his squad were about to land on the Prometheus when a call came over his radio. The call he received was one he hoped to hear.
"This is Corporal Rick Hunter calling Skull One." Rick said.
"Go ahead Rick." Roy responded.
"I have the commander and we are heading for the SDF1." Rick told him.
"Glad to see you made it out of there Rick." Roy said.
******
Breetai was quite unhappy with Khyron when he made his report to the Zentreadi commander. Not only did the squad leader fail to secure the base on Mars but he retreated from battle as well. Breetai wasn't about to tolerate any failed missions not when they were so close to returning to the Earth. The mission commander made his displeasure known to the subordinate.
"I am very unhappy with you right now Khyron. You failed me. This was a simple mission to secure the base on the planet and you couldn't even do that." Breetai yelled.
"But Lord Breetai the Micronians destroyed the base before I could get to it. I thought it best to leave the planet before I myself got caught in the blast." Khyron tried to explain.
"I will not tolerate any of your excuses Khyron."
"These are not excuses Breetai. I'll have you know I'm one of the best squadron leaders in the entire Zentreadi military. I know what I'm doing."
"You'd better for your sake."
TBC
As always please R&R!
