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!
Here comes Trista ready or not! Oh and Minmei lovers this is the beginning of the end of her old goody two-shoe days! But if you like Rick/Lisa relationships stick with it we're going to be headed there!
Robotech Warriors Book 1 By thunderbird with Sections From Chibi Halo
While the captain and Lisa were visiting with RDF command in Alaska Minmei went to visit her parents in Yokohama, Japan. An hour after Captain Gloval and Commander Hayes departed from the SDF1 Rick Hunter and Lynn Minmei made their final preparations to leave the SDF1 from the Dadelous to go to Japan. Because of her status as Miss Macross Minmei was the only civilian being allowed to leave the SDF1. And because she was Miss Macross the press and a small crowd were on hand to witness her departure much to Rick's dismay.
This will be the first time since Minmei apologized that I've seen her I wonder if she's back to her old self, Rick thought.
No sooner than the thought crossed Rick's mind a car pulled up to the deck of the Dadelous. The door of the car opened and a very tired looking Minmei stepped out and feigned a smile for her fans and the press. It was obvious Minmei hadn't received much sleep since Rick last saw her. Being Miss Macross was taking its toll on her.
Rick climbed into the experimental aircraft and waited for the flight crew to help Minmei into her seat behind Rick. Minmei climbed the ladder to her seat and began getting comfortable.
"You seem to be acting a lot nicer than usual Rick." Minmei observed.
Gee I guess she forgot about the apology she gave me already, Rick thought.
"Oh I guess I grew up a bit since I joined the military." Rick said playing along with her.
Once Minmei was comfortably in her seat the canvas of the plane was lowered and Rick began flight procedures. Within five minutes the small two seat experimental airplane left the Dadelous headed towards Japan with Miss Macross on board.
"It's been a long time hasn't it Rick." Minmei commented.
"It sure has; I've forgotten how I've felt for her." Rick replied caressing the yolk of the plane.
Minmei didn't quite hear or understand what Rick meant by his last statement and leaned forward to get better clarification of what he said.
"What?" Minmei asked him.
"Oh nothing." Rick said playfully messing with her head.
Rick knew Minmei would try and get him to clarify his statement. Still a bit confused about his feelings for her Rick wanted to get her mind off of the current topic and began doing some of the maneuvers he used to perform in his father's air circus. After performing a few simple barrel rolls Rick returned the plane into its upright position and concentrated on flying once again.
As the small plane sailed through the sky six Veritech fighters pulled up along side the small plane revealing Kevin, Justin, Nathan, Ben, Max, and Serena out on patrol together. Ben dipped his wings in salute to Miss Macross while Serena called them over the radio.
"Just making sure you and Minmei get out safely lieutenant." She said.
The others decided to have some more fun with their CO and began joking around about the two of them being on a date.
"Have fun on your date lieutenant." Max said.
"Yeah hope you two love birds have a good time." Ben added.
"Don't forget Lt. Hunter to have her home before mid-night!" Justin laughed through the radio.
"Oh real cute Justin! But serious have fun sir and be careful!" Nathan told him.
"Yes please be careful Rick and come back!" Kevin said.
"We will!" Rick told his friends.
Minmei thought the guys were being silly and liked the idea of being on a date.
"You know it does sort of feel like a date Rick." Minmei said.
Serena's voice came over the radio once again and it was time for the Veritechs to return home.
"Well guys it's time to let these two wonderful kids be on their way. We need to get back." She told the guys.
"Yes ma'am." They replied in unison.
Alone once again Minmei began talking about all the things she had been doing since their date at the café before Rick's capture.
"You know Rick I finished my album and went on TV to promote it. I even made a TV movie, did a musical special, and did my favorite musical play at a small playhouse for a week and recorded the music from it. The director of the TV movie was the same man who directed the Sailor V movie. He says he wants me to do a movie for the big screen for him and I get to pick someone to be in it with me. How about it Rick? How would you like to be a movie star." Minmei said.
"Gee Minmei thanks for the offer but I'm pretty busy in the RDF. How do you keep up with that schedule of yours?" Rick wondered.
Rick got no response from Minmei who by this time had given Rick her answer when she fell asleep in her seat. Rick sighed and smiled while he headed the plane towards Japan.
******
Part 12B: Homecoming Part 2: Return Home
******
Back with the Vermilion squadron the guys couldn't wait to get done with patrols. They all had plans that they wanted to do with their loved ones. Ben and Max were going to just sit back and relax. To bad for Serena she had to do a lot of paper work.
"So Max, Ben what are the two of you going to do?" Justin asked.
"Oh well I'm not really doing anything except relaxing!" Max said.
"Yeah I don't know what I'm doing either!" Ben said.
"Well guys looks like our shift is over Kevin, Justin and Nathan have fun with the girls! Max, Ben what ever it is you're going to do have fun too!" Serena said over the radio as they headed in to dock.
******
Rick and Minmei had been flying for hours. As the landscape changed around them Rick noticed they were passing by Mount Fuji and thought Minmei would like to get a good look at the famous Japanese landmark out their window.
"Minmei wake up we're in Japan now." Rick said.
Minmei woke up and looked out at the scenery before her. The sight of Mount Fuji was one of the most amazing things she had ever seen. Not saying a word Minmei stared out the canopy of the plane in awe. The large snow covered mountain towered over the beautiful Japanese countryside as the tiny plane flew past the mountain towards its destination of Yokohama.
******
Serena enjoyed having the afternoon off. With a break in the action and the captain and the commander gone for the day things were pretty slow. Serena had volunteered to take Rick's place and take the Vermilion squad out on their patrol run so he could take Minmei to Yokohama. In fact Serena didn't mind it at all she wanted to do it so Rick and Minmei could spend some much- needed time together.
Ever since the restaurant incident Minmei had been avoiding Rick like the plague by taking on more projects than ever. And now Minmei was beginning to get a swelled ego. People still refused to notice it too. Minmei was becoming a rising media star. A month after the Cat's Eye and three members of the Vermilion squad had disappeared Minmei had her first album finished and she was on TV promoting it like the dickens. There was even talk about a second album, which came to fruition when she recorded the music from her favorite musical play. In fact, Minmei was willing to do anything that would take her mind off of Rick.
Serena sat in her little chair eating take out Chinese from Lynn's while she tried to go over her paperwork. Luna was munching on some grilled shrimp Serena had ordered for her. It was expensive but it was better than the cat food the supermarket had to offer. Looking down at the papers sprawled out on the table Serena sighed and decided to postpone doing her paperwork. It was times like these Luna could swear the princess and the schoolgirl personas were fighting with each other for control. Luna hoped the princess would win but she enjoyed the days when the schoolgirl was in charge.
Picking up her remote control Serena turned on her TV to get an update on the latest news from the MBS. Turning to the new channel Serena caught the beginning of the mid day report.
"Good afternoon I'm Marina Corwin and this is MBS news at noon." The anchor began in a noticeable British accent, "Toping today's stories Henry J. Gloval captain of the SDF1 and first officer Commander Lisa Hayes have gone to meet with RDF officials in Alaska. Reports indicate the captain will be requesting the formation of a series of truce talks between the RDF and the Zentreadi. It has also been reported that Captain Gloval will request permission for the safe return of the citizens of Macross City into society. More will be reported on this story as new information becomes available. In other news..."
Serena changed the channel because she knew the rest of the newscast would be mostly about the mayor and Minmei. Nothing much ever really happened in Macross City. Nothing worth really talking about had taken place since the Miss Macross pageant. Stopping on the entertainment channel Serena saw a quick blurb on Minmei being the only civilian able to leave the SDF1 before changing channels again.
Stopping on the movie channel Serena saw what had to have been the millionth replay of the Sailor V live action movie. Since it was the only new movie in town at the time of the first Zentreadi attack the people in Macross made a big deal out of it.
"This channel only has nine movies to show besides this one and they seem to play this all the time. Oh well let's see what's on the other channels." Serena said as she flipped the channel.
The next channel was the anime channel and it just so happened this channel was showing the second Sailor V anime movie.
"Oh my god you are not going to believe this one but the anime channel is showing the second Sailor V anime movie and the last channel was showing the live action version at the same time." Serena commented to Luna.
"Wonders never cease to amaze me. Shouldn't you be doing your paperwork Serena?" Luna replied before going back to her shrimp.
"Oh I will just not right now. Right now I'm going to watch this documentary on Big Brother Roy on the science and nature channel." Serena told her.
******
The small plane landed in Yokohama an hour after it passed by Mount Fuji. The two passengers of tiny plane made their way from the municipal airport into the city. The moment Minmei saw the city she got a real excited look upon her face and began staring at the buildings as though she had never been there before. Rick grabbed Minmei by the hand and began leading her through the city trying to point out all the interesting places along the way.
"The building on your right is the Yokohama opera house." Rick told a disinterested Minmei as he read the sign near the building.
"I can't wait to show my parents how much I've changed." Minmei said not really noticing if Rick was paying any attention to her.
Looking around Minmei noticed a small toyshop with a display of stuffed bears in the window. Running towards the shop Minmei dragged Rick along for the ride. Rick noticed where they were going and decided he had to put his foot down if they were going to have enough time to spend with Minmei's parents. They only had permission to be gone from the SDF1 for no more than one day.
"Minmei we can't dawdle around town looking in every window that has something cute in it. We have to be back to the SDF1 by no later than eight tonight." Rick reminded her.
"Oh Rick you need to learn how to have fun." Minmei said with a giggle.
"Minmei I wish I could have fun but I have my orders!" Rick told her.
Once they were on their way again Rick resumed his tour guide duty and began pointing out more interesting buildings and landmarks around town. Minmei continued to stare at each building in awe and wonder. Even though she had seen them before she hadn't been back to Yokohama in two and a half years.
******
It was a rare day when both Amara and Michelle had a day off. Serena had exercised her rights as a squad commander and decided to give her friends a day to catch up on life. And with the commander gone with the captain Claudia gave the main bridge crew a well-deserved day off. Amara and Michelle were going to spend their day off just being a family by taking Hotaru to the park and a few of the other fun places in town including the ice cream parlor.
Sitting in the ice cream parlor Michelle noticed how much she and Amara had been acting like a married couple lately. They talked about all the things a married couple would discuss and had fallen into the routine married people would get into. The life partners weren't officially married but their closest friends and even their foster daughter treated them as though they were actually married. To them the writing was on the wall when they found out Amara and Michelle were living together years ago. And even though the others thought of them as being married Michelle wouldn't have it any other way.
"What are you thinking about Michelle?" Amara asked her.
Michelle was brought back to reality when Amara's deep feminine voice broke the silence. It was this monotone baritone voice that got most people thinking Amara was a man. But once they found out she was a woman they quickly began looking for some way to tell her voice was feminine.
"Huh? Oh I was just thinking how we've become quite the little family over the past few years. Ever since we've been away from Earth this is the only life Hotaru's known." Michelle said.
Amara could understand where Michelle was coming from. Since the war began and the SDF1 made its failed fold life under a simulated sky was all the seventy thousand people of Macross had. And if the captain and Lisa didn't succeed that day life on the SDF1 would be the only thing they would have.
"This war affects more than just us Michelle. This time the whole world is watching. And if we don't do something to stop the Zentreadi we may never set foot on land again." Amara reminded her.
Hotaru didn't like it when her mama and papa began talking this way. Not going back to Tokyo meant there wouldn't be any future or Crystal Tokyo.
"But what about our future?" Hotaru asked with eyes full of concern.
"Don't worry peanut we'll have Crystal Tokyo some day." Michelle reassured her.
******
Rick and Minmei stopped near the entrance to the Chinatown district of Yokohama. The large red pagoda styled sign written in Mandarin Chinese welcomed visitors to Chinatown. Looking up at the sign Rick didn't have to know Mandarin to know which district they were about to enter. The style of the sign and the buildings were distinctive of any Chinatown district in the world. Taking Minmei by the hand Rick went to find the home of Miss Macross.
"There it is Rick." Minmei said five minutes later as she pointed to a building that looked like her uncle's place in Macross City.
The sign over the door was exactly the same as its counterpart in Macross City. There in Yokohama was another Lynn's Chinese restaurant. Walking inside the restaurant Minmei looked around and smiled. For the first time in over two years Lynn Minmei was finally home.
"I'm home." Minmei called out in a normal tone of voice.
A few minutes later a woman who looked like an older version of Minmei came out of a back room with a tray filled with teacups. Putting the tray down on the nearest table she began to place the teacups on the table. When she finally faced Minmei and Rick Mrs. Lynn looked up and lost all the color in her face before she dropped her teacup.
Upon hearing the shattering teacup a man who looked a lot like Lynn Chan came out to see what was wrong. Noticing his wife's state he looked towards the young couple standing near the door and began shaking as he stared straight towards Minmei. Tears of joy began rolling down his face because his little girl was brought back to them.
To Minmei it looked as though her parents were looking at a ghost. The Yokohama Lynns were crying as they came over to hug their daughter. Minmei was home and that's all that mattered to them. But the moment their arms went around their daughter any thoughts of showing them how much she had changed left the mind of the soon to be seventeen year old. Minmei began acting as though nothing was different and she had never even left home.
"Minmei you've come back to us." her mother said through tears.
"We thought you were lost to us for good." Her father added.
After letter their daughter go Minmei's parents turned their attention towards Rick and wondered who the young man with their daughter was.
"Minmei who's this young man with you?" her mother asked.
"Mom, dad this is Rick Hunter." Minmei said using a casual introduction, "Rick these are my parents Lynn Xian and Lynn Mai."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Rick said shaking hands with Minmei's father.
Xian wondered how his daughter had met such a nice strong young man.
"Minmei where did you meet this young man?" Xian asked her.
"Well if it wasn't for Rick I wouldn't be here. He saved my life when we got stranded inside the ship. But that wasn't the first time he saved me. He stopped some nasty alien from stepping on me." Minmei told her parents as though it were nothing.
"Mr. Hunter we are truly grateful for what you have done for our daughter." Mai said to Rick.
"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time is all." Rick replied.
Rick noticed a confused look upon the face of Minmei's father. Something about Minmei's story had the patriarch of the Lynn family puzzled. Nowhere had anyone had ever mentioned anything about aliens being involved in the disappearance of Macross Island.
"Minmei honey there were no aliens when the island blew up." Xian told his daughter.
Minmei didn't know what her parents had been told but she knew there were aliens out there and they had been trying to take away the place she had been calling home for two years.
"Daddy the island didn't blow up. Everyone's okay and has been living on the spaceship that was in Macross City. In fact, Uncle Chan has been getting a lot of customers at the restaurant from the military section of the ship." Minmei said.
Xian was glad to hear is brother and his wife were alive and doing well but the thought of his daughter living in a place where military men came and went freely scared him half to death. He didn't know how those type of men thought but he was certain they would take advantage of an impressionable young teenager like his daughter. Xian didn't know just how right his thinking was it was just a whole different group of people taking advantage of her.
******
The future was looking a lot better for the Scouts on board the SDF1. Now that they were back on Earth Crystal Tokyo was looking more and more like a reality to them. If everything went right between the captain and RDF command then the groundwork for the future could begin. But at the moment the future was hanging by a thread.
Rei was in her quarters doing what she had done for almost two months meditating without the aid of the flames. Ever since word had come through from RDF command that the SDF1 was to remain in space Rei was trying to find a way to know if the future they had seen during the attacks by the Black Moon Family would ever exist. The visions Rei had been getting told her that the next dozen years or so would be the hardest years of their lives. But more importantly the outcome of the war with the Zentreadi would be enough to solidify Serena's position as a world leader. The only problem at the time she had that vision was the fact that their princess and her prince had vanished and were now considered MIA.
As Rei sat in her meditative position she used to communicate with the sacred fire she went through the ritual she used during each meditation. Moving her hands in the familiar positions of the kanji Rei called out the name for each one. Upon reaching the last gesture Rei began repeating the hand movements over and over again going faster and faster during each repetition. When the vision finally came Rei stopped her chanting and sat with her hands folded in a prayer position with her index fingers pointing up as the vision played itself out.
The vision Rei had showed three distinct battles. Each battle had an ending that had Rei scared. Three Veritech fighters were shot at and in the last battle the Veritech exploded as it impacted into the side of a mountain. Rei couldn't tell who was piloting the three Veritechs or what squads they came from she just knew one of the pilots was going to die. Rei hoped that pilot wasn't Serena or any of her other friends.
******
Minmei couldn't stop talking about the things the people of Macross had accomplished over the past two years. As she talked about the broadcasting system and the mail service Rick sat in silence counting down the minutes until it would be time for them to return to the SDF1. Minmei was about to tell her parents all about the Miss Macross pageant and about being crowned the first ever Miss Macross when Rick thought it was high time they return to the SDF1.
"Minmei you'd better start saying your good-byes because if we want to get back to the SDF1 at a reasonable hour we'd have to leave now." Rick said.
Minmei's father was going to hear of no such thing. He had just gotten his daughter back and he didn't want to loose her again. There was no way on Earth Lynn Xian was letting his only child return to a ship full of military men starving to take advantage of an impressionable young woman like Minmei.
"I'm sorry Mr. Hunter but my daughter will not be returning with you." Xian told Rick.
Minmei wasn't about to let her father stop her. She had far too much that needed to be done back on the SDF1. And she planned on finishing all of it.
"Daddy you have to let me go back with Rick. I'm needed up there. I'm doing important work on that ship. The brave soldiers on that ship need me to help boost their morale." Minmei argued.
Xian wasn't going to hear it from her.
"Minmei what could you possibly be doing up there that you can't do down here? We need you here. One day this restaurant will be yours and it's about time you learned how to run it properly." He argued right back at her.
"I happen to be Miss Macross." Minmei yelled back, "I entered a pageant they had and won. Now I have two albums and an acting career. They need me."
Just as Minmei's father was about to yell at her for entering the pageant footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs that lead to the rooms above the restaurant. There coming down the stairs was a young man no older than Rick with long black hair and glasses. He looked to be in fairly good shape but not overly muscular. The young man had on a mustard yellow mock turtleneck and blue jeans with black Doc Martin boots underneath. Upon his face was look of frustration over all the yelling going on below.
"Would you mind keeping it down. I'm trying to study up there." the young man said.
Minmei's attention was torn from her father to the young standing at the bottom of the stairs. Upon first glance at him Minmei's whole face lit up. Running over to the new arrival Minmei threw her arms around him in a great big hug and squeezed as tight as she could.
"Oh Kyle it's so good to see you again." Minmei said trying to hold back the tears.
Kyle, as Minmei had called him, placed his arms around Minmei and smiled. He had to admit it was good to see Minmei alive and well and if she was alive then his family must be as well.
"Minmei it's good to see you too. How are my parents?" he replied.
"They're doing fine. They reopened the restaurant and have had great business ever since." Minmei told him.
"That's good to hear. Who's you friend over there?" Kyle said as he noticed Rick.
Minmei thought she would have some fun with Kyle and introduce Rick the way he should have been introduced in the first place. Once Kyle found out what Rick did for a living he would throw a hissy fit and stumble over every word he said.
"Kyle I'd like you to meet Lieutenant Rick Hunter. Rick this is my cousin Lynn Kyle." Minmei said introducing the two headstrong young men.
The first thing running through Kyle's mind was the fact that Rick was a military man. Kyle hated the military for everything they did and stood for. At the same time Rick kept thinking Minmei and Kyle were being too familiar with each other for just being cousins. The two men stared at each other neither one speaking. After a few moments of silence Kyle finally spoke.
"So your part of the military do you enjoy going around causing mass destruction wherever you go?" Kyle spat out.
"I don't destroy something if can help it. As a friend of mine put it we're out there protecting honest decent individuals putting our lives on the line so this world can have a peaceful future. We don't look for glory and fame. Knowing the people we're protecting can sleep through another night unharmed is all the payment we need." Rick argued using the words Serena had spoken many times.
"Then I guess you can't help it Military." Kyle argued back.
Not wanting to see her cousin and her boyfriend argue with each other Minmei decided to intervene by reminding Rick they needed to return to the SDF1 before curfew.
"Rick maybe we should get going. We don't want to be late for curfew." Minmei said.
Kyle wasn't about to let his favorite cousin return to a military ship with a military pilot. And if what he had heard was true Minmei's position on the ship would be of some use to the young protestor.
"I could go with you Minmei. I want to see my parents again and I'm certain your father will feel better knowing I'm going with you." Kyle offered.
"That's a wonderful idea Kyle." Xian said with a big smile and a look that told Rick and Minmei the subject was closed and Kyle would be going.
"Good then if there are no objections I'll get my things together and we can leave. I wouldn't want to get Minmei into trouble by having her late for curfew." Kyle said.
Five minutes later Kyle was packed and ready to go carrying a small bag that held his belongings. After hugging her parents goodbye Minmei, Kyle, and Rick made their way to the Yokohama Municipal Airport to begin the journey home.
After the preflight check had been made the small two seater took off from the small runway. Minmei, who was seated on Kyle's lap, wrapped her arms around Kyle's neck and held on for dear life. Once they were in the air Rick was about to say something to Minmei but when he turned around to speak with her all he saw was Minmei laughing at something Kyle had said to her. In Rick's mind Minmei looked happier now that Kyle had reentered her life.
******
Captain Henry J. Gloval of the SDF1, member of the RDF, and former Soviet soldier sat in silence as the transport plane made its way back to the SDF1 under the cover of night. The last words spoken to him by the commanding officers of the RDF played themselves out over and over again in his mind. He couldn't believe RDF command would think and say such things let alone the father of his first officer. The words spoken to him by Admiral Hayes that echoed through his mind were some of the harshest words he had ever heard anyone speak about their fellow man.
"It is much easier to monitor any possible treasonous acts when the people of Macross are all on the SDF1." Admiral Hayes's voice rang in the back of Gloval's head.
To them telling the truth of what happened to us over the last two years would be treason, Gloval though to himself.
"We are not afraid to sacrifice thousands of lives to save the billions here on Earth." He could hear the admiral say in his biting tone.
But I am. I am afraid to sacrifice a single life whether it is on the SDF1 or on Earth I am afraid to loose a life while I am in command of that ship, Gloval thought.
"We don't really need the SDF1 anymore to defend our world." Gloval winced remembering the way the admiral stressed the word our.
So they feel they don't need the SDF1 to protect them anymore yet they feel they need us to be a decoy for the Zentreadi, Gloval thought.
"So in order to keep this planet free of all alien activity we are ordering the SDF1 to return to space immediately."
These people haven't seen the Earth in two years and they expect me to take it away from them in one single night just to keep them from getting fired upon by the Zentreadi, he thought.
Gloval kept playing the words over and over again in his mind. And each time he heard the admiral tell him the SDF1 was not wanted yet it was actually needed Gloval got madder and madder at RDF command. The words Henry J. Gloval said to his bridge crew on the day the Zentreadi first made themselves known now seemed as eerie as one of Rei's premonitions. The RDF command had indeed sentenced the crew of the SDF1 and the people of Macross to their deaths. They were sending the lambs to the slaughter and there was nothing he could do to stop them.
Lisa was also replaying her father's words in her mind. She couldn't believe the man she looked up to would just let thousands of people die out there in space. The captain had promised each and every one of those people they would be brought safely back to Earth so they could rebuild once again. And Lisa was going to back him up in that decision one hundred percent. She didn't care if it meant going against her own father because to her Henry Gloval was more like a father to her than her own father was.
Sighing Lisa looked down at the envelope baring the seal of the RDF upon it. The crisp white envelope had her name written upon it with black ink in her father's familiar handwriting. It didn't address her by her rank it just simply said Lisa upon it. Lisa was going to wait until she returned to her room to open the letter but she was curious to know what the admiral had to say about the entire situation so she decided to open it on the plane. The sound of the rustling paper was added to the soft clicking of the captain working on his computer. Once the letter was unfolded Lisa began to read it.
Lisa,
You are probably wondering about the decision made by the high-ranking leaders of the RDF command. Let me tell you it was not an easy decision for us to make. But it was one we had to make. I know lying about your disappearance to the world was wrong but we had to do it in order to protect the world from widespread panic. Let me say this the world treated you like heroes when they learned the tragic news. And in my mind you are a hero for braving it out in space for two years. But know this you will not have to spend another day in space as long as I am an admiral in the RDF command. Right now I am working on measures to get you transferred off of the SDF1 and back on solid ground once again. You will never have to worry about the aliens ever again because we will be side by side in the RDF command center very soon. I'm doing this for your safety Lisa.
Dad
Like the trip over to RDF command the trip home went unnoticed by Captain Gloval. Not once did the captain look out his window to see the stars in the sky or the lights from the islands below. All he could see or rather wished to see was the bulkhead in front of him. The brief case containing his reports and other important paperwork was sitting underneath his chair. Gloval had his laptop out to try and get some work done but he just couldn't stand to look at another official transmission or report that bared the insignia of the RDF. Instead he decided to add to the extremely personal and detailed journal he had been keeping over the past two years. His experience with the RDF brass and his personal thoughts on them were written down allowing the captain to get things he wanted to say to the RDF commanding officers off his chest without getting into trouble.
"Sir, we're going to be landing on the Prometheus shortly so you might want to turn off any electronics you have with you." The pilot said.
"Thank you lieutenant." Gloval replied as he shut down the laptop.
"It sure feels good to be home sir." The lieutenant commented trying to make some small talk.
"Yes it does feel good to be home." The captain replied not certain if the pilot was referring to the Earth or the SDF1 as home.
TBC
Please Read and Review!
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!
Here comes Trista ready or not! Oh and Minmei lovers this is the beginning of the end of her old goody two-shoe days! But if you like Rick/Lisa relationships stick with it we're going to be headed there!
Robotech Warriors Book 1 By thunderbird with Sections From Chibi Halo
While the captain and Lisa were visiting with RDF command in Alaska Minmei went to visit her parents in Yokohama, Japan. An hour after Captain Gloval and Commander Hayes departed from the SDF1 Rick Hunter and Lynn Minmei made their final preparations to leave the SDF1 from the Dadelous to go to Japan. Because of her status as Miss Macross Minmei was the only civilian being allowed to leave the SDF1. And because she was Miss Macross the press and a small crowd were on hand to witness her departure much to Rick's dismay.
This will be the first time since Minmei apologized that I've seen her I wonder if she's back to her old self, Rick thought.
No sooner than the thought crossed Rick's mind a car pulled up to the deck of the Dadelous. The door of the car opened and a very tired looking Minmei stepped out and feigned a smile for her fans and the press. It was obvious Minmei hadn't received much sleep since Rick last saw her. Being Miss Macross was taking its toll on her.
Rick climbed into the experimental aircraft and waited for the flight crew to help Minmei into her seat behind Rick. Minmei climbed the ladder to her seat and began getting comfortable.
"You seem to be acting a lot nicer than usual Rick." Minmei observed.
Gee I guess she forgot about the apology she gave me already, Rick thought.
"Oh I guess I grew up a bit since I joined the military." Rick said playing along with her.
Once Minmei was comfortably in her seat the canvas of the plane was lowered and Rick began flight procedures. Within five minutes the small two seat experimental airplane left the Dadelous headed towards Japan with Miss Macross on board.
"It's been a long time hasn't it Rick." Minmei commented.
"It sure has; I've forgotten how I've felt for her." Rick replied caressing the yolk of the plane.
Minmei didn't quite hear or understand what Rick meant by his last statement and leaned forward to get better clarification of what he said.
"What?" Minmei asked him.
"Oh nothing." Rick said playfully messing with her head.
Rick knew Minmei would try and get him to clarify his statement. Still a bit confused about his feelings for her Rick wanted to get her mind off of the current topic and began doing some of the maneuvers he used to perform in his father's air circus. After performing a few simple barrel rolls Rick returned the plane into its upright position and concentrated on flying once again.
As the small plane sailed through the sky six Veritech fighters pulled up along side the small plane revealing Kevin, Justin, Nathan, Ben, Max, and Serena out on patrol together. Ben dipped his wings in salute to Miss Macross while Serena called them over the radio.
"Just making sure you and Minmei get out safely lieutenant." She said.
The others decided to have some more fun with their CO and began joking around about the two of them being on a date.
"Have fun on your date lieutenant." Max said.
"Yeah hope you two love birds have a good time." Ben added.
"Don't forget Lt. Hunter to have her home before mid-night!" Justin laughed through the radio.
"Oh real cute Justin! But serious have fun sir and be careful!" Nathan told him.
"Yes please be careful Rick and come back!" Kevin said.
"We will!" Rick told his friends.
Minmei thought the guys were being silly and liked the idea of being on a date.
"You know it does sort of feel like a date Rick." Minmei said.
Serena's voice came over the radio once again and it was time for the Veritechs to return home.
"Well guys it's time to let these two wonderful kids be on their way. We need to get back." She told the guys.
"Yes ma'am." They replied in unison.
Alone once again Minmei began talking about all the things she had been doing since their date at the café before Rick's capture.
"You know Rick I finished my album and went on TV to promote it. I even made a TV movie, did a musical special, and did my favorite musical play at a small playhouse for a week and recorded the music from it. The director of the TV movie was the same man who directed the Sailor V movie. He says he wants me to do a movie for the big screen for him and I get to pick someone to be in it with me. How about it Rick? How would you like to be a movie star." Minmei said.
"Gee Minmei thanks for the offer but I'm pretty busy in the RDF. How do you keep up with that schedule of yours?" Rick wondered.
Rick got no response from Minmei who by this time had given Rick her answer when she fell asleep in her seat. Rick sighed and smiled while he headed the plane towards Japan.
******
Part 12B: Homecoming Part 2: Return Home
******
Back with the Vermilion squadron the guys couldn't wait to get done with patrols. They all had plans that they wanted to do with their loved ones. Ben and Max were going to just sit back and relax. To bad for Serena she had to do a lot of paper work.
"So Max, Ben what are the two of you going to do?" Justin asked.
"Oh well I'm not really doing anything except relaxing!" Max said.
"Yeah I don't know what I'm doing either!" Ben said.
"Well guys looks like our shift is over Kevin, Justin and Nathan have fun with the girls! Max, Ben what ever it is you're going to do have fun too!" Serena said over the radio as they headed in to dock.
******
Rick and Minmei had been flying for hours. As the landscape changed around them Rick noticed they were passing by Mount Fuji and thought Minmei would like to get a good look at the famous Japanese landmark out their window.
"Minmei wake up we're in Japan now." Rick said.
Minmei woke up and looked out at the scenery before her. The sight of Mount Fuji was one of the most amazing things she had ever seen. Not saying a word Minmei stared out the canopy of the plane in awe. The large snow covered mountain towered over the beautiful Japanese countryside as the tiny plane flew past the mountain towards its destination of Yokohama.
******
Serena enjoyed having the afternoon off. With a break in the action and the captain and the commander gone for the day things were pretty slow. Serena had volunteered to take Rick's place and take the Vermilion squad out on their patrol run so he could take Minmei to Yokohama. In fact Serena didn't mind it at all she wanted to do it so Rick and Minmei could spend some much- needed time together.
Ever since the restaurant incident Minmei had been avoiding Rick like the plague by taking on more projects than ever. And now Minmei was beginning to get a swelled ego. People still refused to notice it too. Minmei was becoming a rising media star. A month after the Cat's Eye and three members of the Vermilion squad had disappeared Minmei had her first album finished and she was on TV promoting it like the dickens. There was even talk about a second album, which came to fruition when she recorded the music from her favorite musical play. In fact, Minmei was willing to do anything that would take her mind off of Rick.
Serena sat in her little chair eating take out Chinese from Lynn's while she tried to go over her paperwork. Luna was munching on some grilled shrimp Serena had ordered for her. It was expensive but it was better than the cat food the supermarket had to offer. Looking down at the papers sprawled out on the table Serena sighed and decided to postpone doing her paperwork. It was times like these Luna could swear the princess and the schoolgirl personas were fighting with each other for control. Luna hoped the princess would win but she enjoyed the days when the schoolgirl was in charge.
Picking up her remote control Serena turned on her TV to get an update on the latest news from the MBS. Turning to the new channel Serena caught the beginning of the mid day report.
"Good afternoon I'm Marina Corwin and this is MBS news at noon." The anchor began in a noticeable British accent, "Toping today's stories Henry J. Gloval captain of the SDF1 and first officer Commander Lisa Hayes have gone to meet with RDF officials in Alaska. Reports indicate the captain will be requesting the formation of a series of truce talks between the RDF and the Zentreadi. It has also been reported that Captain Gloval will request permission for the safe return of the citizens of Macross City into society. More will be reported on this story as new information becomes available. In other news..."
Serena changed the channel because she knew the rest of the newscast would be mostly about the mayor and Minmei. Nothing much ever really happened in Macross City. Nothing worth really talking about had taken place since the Miss Macross pageant. Stopping on the entertainment channel Serena saw a quick blurb on Minmei being the only civilian able to leave the SDF1 before changing channels again.
Stopping on the movie channel Serena saw what had to have been the millionth replay of the Sailor V live action movie. Since it was the only new movie in town at the time of the first Zentreadi attack the people in Macross made a big deal out of it.
"This channel only has nine movies to show besides this one and they seem to play this all the time. Oh well let's see what's on the other channels." Serena said as she flipped the channel.
The next channel was the anime channel and it just so happened this channel was showing the second Sailor V anime movie.
"Oh my god you are not going to believe this one but the anime channel is showing the second Sailor V anime movie and the last channel was showing the live action version at the same time." Serena commented to Luna.
"Wonders never cease to amaze me. Shouldn't you be doing your paperwork Serena?" Luna replied before going back to her shrimp.
"Oh I will just not right now. Right now I'm going to watch this documentary on Big Brother Roy on the science and nature channel." Serena told her.
******
The small plane landed in Yokohama an hour after it passed by Mount Fuji. The two passengers of tiny plane made their way from the municipal airport into the city. The moment Minmei saw the city she got a real excited look upon her face and began staring at the buildings as though she had never been there before. Rick grabbed Minmei by the hand and began leading her through the city trying to point out all the interesting places along the way.
"The building on your right is the Yokohama opera house." Rick told a disinterested Minmei as he read the sign near the building.
"I can't wait to show my parents how much I've changed." Minmei said not really noticing if Rick was paying any attention to her.
Looking around Minmei noticed a small toyshop with a display of stuffed bears in the window. Running towards the shop Minmei dragged Rick along for the ride. Rick noticed where they were going and decided he had to put his foot down if they were going to have enough time to spend with Minmei's parents. They only had permission to be gone from the SDF1 for no more than one day.
"Minmei we can't dawdle around town looking in every window that has something cute in it. We have to be back to the SDF1 by no later than eight tonight." Rick reminded her.
"Oh Rick you need to learn how to have fun." Minmei said with a giggle.
"Minmei I wish I could have fun but I have my orders!" Rick told her.
Once they were on their way again Rick resumed his tour guide duty and began pointing out more interesting buildings and landmarks around town. Minmei continued to stare at each building in awe and wonder. Even though she had seen them before she hadn't been back to Yokohama in two and a half years.
******
It was a rare day when both Amara and Michelle had a day off. Serena had exercised her rights as a squad commander and decided to give her friends a day to catch up on life. And with the commander gone with the captain Claudia gave the main bridge crew a well-deserved day off. Amara and Michelle were going to spend their day off just being a family by taking Hotaru to the park and a few of the other fun places in town including the ice cream parlor.
Sitting in the ice cream parlor Michelle noticed how much she and Amara had been acting like a married couple lately. They talked about all the things a married couple would discuss and had fallen into the routine married people would get into. The life partners weren't officially married but their closest friends and even their foster daughter treated them as though they were actually married. To them the writing was on the wall when they found out Amara and Michelle were living together years ago. And even though the others thought of them as being married Michelle wouldn't have it any other way.
"What are you thinking about Michelle?" Amara asked her.
Michelle was brought back to reality when Amara's deep feminine voice broke the silence. It was this monotone baritone voice that got most people thinking Amara was a man. But once they found out she was a woman they quickly began looking for some way to tell her voice was feminine.
"Huh? Oh I was just thinking how we've become quite the little family over the past few years. Ever since we've been away from Earth this is the only life Hotaru's known." Michelle said.
Amara could understand where Michelle was coming from. Since the war began and the SDF1 made its failed fold life under a simulated sky was all the seventy thousand people of Macross had. And if the captain and Lisa didn't succeed that day life on the SDF1 would be the only thing they would have.
"This war affects more than just us Michelle. This time the whole world is watching. And if we don't do something to stop the Zentreadi we may never set foot on land again." Amara reminded her.
Hotaru didn't like it when her mama and papa began talking this way. Not going back to Tokyo meant there wouldn't be any future or Crystal Tokyo.
"But what about our future?" Hotaru asked with eyes full of concern.
"Don't worry peanut we'll have Crystal Tokyo some day." Michelle reassured her.
******
Rick and Minmei stopped near the entrance to the Chinatown district of Yokohama. The large red pagoda styled sign written in Mandarin Chinese welcomed visitors to Chinatown. Looking up at the sign Rick didn't have to know Mandarin to know which district they were about to enter. The style of the sign and the buildings were distinctive of any Chinatown district in the world. Taking Minmei by the hand Rick went to find the home of Miss Macross.
"There it is Rick." Minmei said five minutes later as she pointed to a building that looked like her uncle's place in Macross City.
The sign over the door was exactly the same as its counterpart in Macross City. There in Yokohama was another Lynn's Chinese restaurant. Walking inside the restaurant Minmei looked around and smiled. For the first time in over two years Lynn Minmei was finally home.
"I'm home." Minmei called out in a normal tone of voice.
A few minutes later a woman who looked like an older version of Minmei came out of a back room with a tray filled with teacups. Putting the tray down on the nearest table she began to place the teacups on the table. When she finally faced Minmei and Rick Mrs. Lynn looked up and lost all the color in her face before she dropped her teacup.
Upon hearing the shattering teacup a man who looked a lot like Lynn Chan came out to see what was wrong. Noticing his wife's state he looked towards the young couple standing near the door and began shaking as he stared straight towards Minmei. Tears of joy began rolling down his face because his little girl was brought back to them.
To Minmei it looked as though her parents were looking at a ghost. The Yokohama Lynns were crying as they came over to hug their daughter. Minmei was home and that's all that mattered to them. But the moment their arms went around their daughter any thoughts of showing them how much she had changed left the mind of the soon to be seventeen year old. Minmei began acting as though nothing was different and she had never even left home.
"Minmei you've come back to us." her mother said through tears.
"We thought you were lost to us for good." Her father added.
After letter their daughter go Minmei's parents turned their attention towards Rick and wondered who the young man with their daughter was.
"Minmei who's this young man with you?" her mother asked.
"Mom, dad this is Rick Hunter." Minmei said using a casual introduction, "Rick these are my parents Lynn Xian and Lynn Mai."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Rick said shaking hands with Minmei's father.
Xian wondered how his daughter had met such a nice strong young man.
"Minmei where did you meet this young man?" Xian asked her.
"Well if it wasn't for Rick I wouldn't be here. He saved my life when we got stranded inside the ship. But that wasn't the first time he saved me. He stopped some nasty alien from stepping on me." Minmei told her parents as though it were nothing.
"Mr. Hunter we are truly grateful for what you have done for our daughter." Mai said to Rick.
"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time is all." Rick replied.
Rick noticed a confused look upon the face of Minmei's father. Something about Minmei's story had the patriarch of the Lynn family puzzled. Nowhere had anyone had ever mentioned anything about aliens being involved in the disappearance of Macross Island.
"Minmei honey there were no aliens when the island blew up." Xian told his daughter.
Minmei didn't know what her parents had been told but she knew there were aliens out there and they had been trying to take away the place she had been calling home for two years.
"Daddy the island didn't blow up. Everyone's okay and has been living on the spaceship that was in Macross City. In fact, Uncle Chan has been getting a lot of customers at the restaurant from the military section of the ship." Minmei said.
Xian was glad to hear is brother and his wife were alive and doing well but the thought of his daughter living in a place where military men came and went freely scared him half to death. He didn't know how those type of men thought but he was certain they would take advantage of an impressionable young teenager like his daughter. Xian didn't know just how right his thinking was it was just a whole different group of people taking advantage of her.
******
The future was looking a lot better for the Scouts on board the SDF1. Now that they were back on Earth Crystal Tokyo was looking more and more like a reality to them. If everything went right between the captain and RDF command then the groundwork for the future could begin. But at the moment the future was hanging by a thread.
Rei was in her quarters doing what she had done for almost two months meditating without the aid of the flames. Ever since word had come through from RDF command that the SDF1 was to remain in space Rei was trying to find a way to know if the future they had seen during the attacks by the Black Moon Family would ever exist. The visions Rei had been getting told her that the next dozen years or so would be the hardest years of their lives. But more importantly the outcome of the war with the Zentreadi would be enough to solidify Serena's position as a world leader. The only problem at the time she had that vision was the fact that their princess and her prince had vanished and were now considered MIA.
As Rei sat in her meditative position she used to communicate with the sacred fire she went through the ritual she used during each meditation. Moving her hands in the familiar positions of the kanji Rei called out the name for each one. Upon reaching the last gesture Rei began repeating the hand movements over and over again going faster and faster during each repetition. When the vision finally came Rei stopped her chanting and sat with her hands folded in a prayer position with her index fingers pointing up as the vision played itself out.
The vision Rei had showed three distinct battles. Each battle had an ending that had Rei scared. Three Veritech fighters were shot at and in the last battle the Veritech exploded as it impacted into the side of a mountain. Rei couldn't tell who was piloting the three Veritechs or what squads they came from she just knew one of the pilots was going to die. Rei hoped that pilot wasn't Serena or any of her other friends.
******
Minmei couldn't stop talking about the things the people of Macross had accomplished over the past two years. As she talked about the broadcasting system and the mail service Rick sat in silence counting down the minutes until it would be time for them to return to the SDF1. Minmei was about to tell her parents all about the Miss Macross pageant and about being crowned the first ever Miss Macross when Rick thought it was high time they return to the SDF1.
"Minmei you'd better start saying your good-byes because if we want to get back to the SDF1 at a reasonable hour we'd have to leave now." Rick said.
Minmei's father was going to hear of no such thing. He had just gotten his daughter back and he didn't want to loose her again. There was no way on Earth Lynn Xian was letting his only child return to a ship full of military men starving to take advantage of an impressionable young woman like Minmei.
"I'm sorry Mr. Hunter but my daughter will not be returning with you." Xian told Rick.
Minmei wasn't about to let her father stop her. She had far too much that needed to be done back on the SDF1. And she planned on finishing all of it.
"Daddy you have to let me go back with Rick. I'm needed up there. I'm doing important work on that ship. The brave soldiers on that ship need me to help boost their morale." Minmei argued.
Xian wasn't going to hear it from her.
"Minmei what could you possibly be doing up there that you can't do down here? We need you here. One day this restaurant will be yours and it's about time you learned how to run it properly." He argued right back at her.
"I happen to be Miss Macross." Minmei yelled back, "I entered a pageant they had and won. Now I have two albums and an acting career. They need me."
Just as Minmei's father was about to yell at her for entering the pageant footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs that lead to the rooms above the restaurant. There coming down the stairs was a young man no older than Rick with long black hair and glasses. He looked to be in fairly good shape but not overly muscular. The young man had on a mustard yellow mock turtleneck and blue jeans with black Doc Martin boots underneath. Upon his face was look of frustration over all the yelling going on below.
"Would you mind keeping it down. I'm trying to study up there." the young man said.
Minmei's attention was torn from her father to the young standing at the bottom of the stairs. Upon first glance at him Minmei's whole face lit up. Running over to the new arrival Minmei threw her arms around him in a great big hug and squeezed as tight as she could.
"Oh Kyle it's so good to see you again." Minmei said trying to hold back the tears.
Kyle, as Minmei had called him, placed his arms around Minmei and smiled. He had to admit it was good to see Minmei alive and well and if she was alive then his family must be as well.
"Minmei it's good to see you too. How are my parents?" he replied.
"They're doing fine. They reopened the restaurant and have had great business ever since." Minmei told him.
"That's good to hear. Who's you friend over there?" Kyle said as he noticed Rick.
Minmei thought she would have some fun with Kyle and introduce Rick the way he should have been introduced in the first place. Once Kyle found out what Rick did for a living he would throw a hissy fit and stumble over every word he said.
"Kyle I'd like you to meet Lieutenant Rick Hunter. Rick this is my cousin Lynn Kyle." Minmei said introducing the two headstrong young men.
The first thing running through Kyle's mind was the fact that Rick was a military man. Kyle hated the military for everything they did and stood for. At the same time Rick kept thinking Minmei and Kyle were being too familiar with each other for just being cousins. The two men stared at each other neither one speaking. After a few moments of silence Kyle finally spoke.
"So your part of the military do you enjoy going around causing mass destruction wherever you go?" Kyle spat out.
"I don't destroy something if can help it. As a friend of mine put it we're out there protecting honest decent individuals putting our lives on the line so this world can have a peaceful future. We don't look for glory and fame. Knowing the people we're protecting can sleep through another night unharmed is all the payment we need." Rick argued using the words Serena had spoken many times.
"Then I guess you can't help it Military." Kyle argued back.
Not wanting to see her cousin and her boyfriend argue with each other Minmei decided to intervene by reminding Rick they needed to return to the SDF1 before curfew.
"Rick maybe we should get going. We don't want to be late for curfew." Minmei said.
Kyle wasn't about to let his favorite cousin return to a military ship with a military pilot. And if what he had heard was true Minmei's position on the ship would be of some use to the young protestor.
"I could go with you Minmei. I want to see my parents again and I'm certain your father will feel better knowing I'm going with you." Kyle offered.
"That's a wonderful idea Kyle." Xian said with a big smile and a look that told Rick and Minmei the subject was closed and Kyle would be going.
"Good then if there are no objections I'll get my things together and we can leave. I wouldn't want to get Minmei into trouble by having her late for curfew." Kyle said.
Five minutes later Kyle was packed and ready to go carrying a small bag that held his belongings. After hugging her parents goodbye Minmei, Kyle, and Rick made their way to the Yokohama Municipal Airport to begin the journey home.
After the preflight check had been made the small two seater took off from the small runway. Minmei, who was seated on Kyle's lap, wrapped her arms around Kyle's neck and held on for dear life. Once they were in the air Rick was about to say something to Minmei but when he turned around to speak with her all he saw was Minmei laughing at something Kyle had said to her. In Rick's mind Minmei looked happier now that Kyle had reentered her life.
******
Captain Henry J. Gloval of the SDF1, member of the RDF, and former Soviet soldier sat in silence as the transport plane made its way back to the SDF1 under the cover of night. The last words spoken to him by the commanding officers of the RDF played themselves out over and over again in his mind. He couldn't believe RDF command would think and say such things let alone the father of his first officer. The words spoken to him by Admiral Hayes that echoed through his mind were some of the harshest words he had ever heard anyone speak about their fellow man.
"It is much easier to monitor any possible treasonous acts when the people of Macross are all on the SDF1." Admiral Hayes's voice rang in the back of Gloval's head.
To them telling the truth of what happened to us over the last two years would be treason, Gloval though to himself.
"We are not afraid to sacrifice thousands of lives to save the billions here on Earth." He could hear the admiral say in his biting tone.
But I am. I am afraid to sacrifice a single life whether it is on the SDF1 or on Earth I am afraid to loose a life while I am in command of that ship, Gloval thought.
"We don't really need the SDF1 anymore to defend our world." Gloval winced remembering the way the admiral stressed the word our.
So they feel they don't need the SDF1 to protect them anymore yet they feel they need us to be a decoy for the Zentreadi, Gloval thought.
"So in order to keep this planet free of all alien activity we are ordering the SDF1 to return to space immediately."
These people haven't seen the Earth in two years and they expect me to take it away from them in one single night just to keep them from getting fired upon by the Zentreadi, he thought.
Gloval kept playing the words over and over again in his mind. And each time he heard the admiral tell him the SDF1 was not wanted yet it was actually needed Gloval got madder and madder at RDF command. The words Henry J. Gloval said to his bridge crew on the day the Zentreadi first made themselves known now seemed as eerie as one of Rei's premonitions. The RDF command had indeed sentenced the crew of the SDF1 and the people of Macross to their deaths. They were sending the lambs to the slaughter and there was nothing he could do to stop them.
Lisa was also replaying her father's words in her mind. She couldn't believe the man she looked up to would just let thousands of people die out there in space. The captain had promised each and every one of those people they would be brought safely back to Earth so they could rebuild once again. And Lisa was going to back him up in that decision one hundred percent. She didn't care if it meant going against her own father because to her Henry Gloval was more like a father to her than her own father was.
Sighing Lisa looked down at the envelope baring the seal of the RDF upon it. The crisp white envelope had her name written upon it with black ink in her father's familiar handwriting. It didn't address her by her rank it just simply said Lisa upon it. Lisa was going to wait until she returned to her room to open the letter but she was curious to know what the admiral had to say about the entire situation so she decided to open it on the plane. The sound of the rustling paper was added to the soft clicking of the captain working on his computer. Once the letter was unfolded Lisa began to read it.
Lisa,
You are probably wondering about the decision made by the high-ranking leaders of the RDF command. Let me tell you it was not an easy decision for us to make. But it was one we had to make. I know lying about your disappearance to the world was wrong but we had to do it in order to protect the world from widespread panic. Let me say this the world treated you like heroes when they learned the tragic news. And in my mind you are a hero for braving it out in space for two years. But know this you will not have to spend another day in space as long as I am an admiral in the RDF command. Right now I am working on measures to get you transferred off of the SDF1 and back on solid ground once again. You will never have to worry about the aliens ever again because we will be side by side in the RDF command center very soon. I'm doing this for your safety Lisa.
Dad
Like the trip over to RDF command the trip home went unnoticed by Captain Gloval. Not once did the captain look out his window to see the stars in the sky or the lights from the islands below. All he could see or rather wished to see was the bulkhead in front of him. The brief case containing his reports and other important paperwork was sitting underneath his chair. Gloval had his laptop out to try and get some work done but he just couldn't stand to look at another official transmission or report that bared the insignia of the RDF. Instead he decided to add to the extremely personal and detailed journal he had been keeping over the past two years. His experience with the RDF brass and his personal thoughts on them were written down allowing the captain to get things he wanted to say to the RDF commanding officers off his chest without getting into trouble.
"Sir, we're going to be landing on the Prometheus shortly so you might want to turn off any electronics you have with you." The pilot said.
"Thank you lieutenant." Gloval replied as he shut down the laptop.
"It sure feels good to be home sir." The lieutenant commented trying to make some small talk.
"Yes it does feel good to be home." The captain replied not certain if the pilot was referring to the Earth or the SDF1 as home.
TBC
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