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
Rick Hunter was glad to be out of the hospital. The doctors had told him he was well enough to finish his recovery period in his quarters and that meant he could go out into the city. Rick was walking again. True he still had his leg wrapped, was walking with a cane, and his arm was in a sling but he was free. He was free of the hospital bed and free of being indoors all day long. As Rick slowly put on a blue short sleeved button up golf shirt with his usual cargos and Docs he thought back to the day he had visited Roy in the ICU just before being given the okay to head home.
It was during one of Lisa's many visits that Rick asked if it was okay to go and see Roy. Amy, after checking him over, said she didn't see any reason why he couldn't as long as he was in a wheelchair and she went with them. Rick was soon being wheeled through the halls of Macross General by one Lisa Hayes who, for the first time since she last saw Carl Ribber, seemed truly happy. And for the first time since he started hearing all those nasty rumors about Minmei and Kyle Rick was in a better mood. But that mood wouldn't last very long.
When the trio came to the ICU Amy checked them in with the visitors' station and walked with Rick and Lisa to the room where Roy was being kept. Lisa knew Claudia wouldn't be in the ICU because her break wasn't scheduled for another few hours. This would give Rick time with Roy by himself.
"Why don't you two go on in and I'll wait out here." Amy told them.
Lisa wheeled Rick into the room placing the wheelchair next to the bed. Roy was hooked up to a machine that was helping him breathe and had an oxygen mask over his face. There were three IV tubes connected to him one to give him a regular drip of fluids to keep him from becoming dehydrated, one to give him a scheduled dose of medicine, and one to feed him a solution of vitamins and minerals.
The monitors blipped and bleeped indicating that Roy was still alive. Rick tried hard not to cry after seeing his big brother lying there helpless in the hospital bed. Rick remembered all the firsts he and Roy shared together. There was the first time Roy took him up in his two seat racer when Rick was seven. The first time Roy accompanied his family to an experimental airplane fly in held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The first time Roy let Rick take the yolk of a plane while they were thousands of feet in the air. The first formal flying lesson Rick would ever receive when he was just eleven right before Roy left for the RDF. The first time Rick ever sat in a military plane on the day the SDF1 launched. And the first time Rick was ever involved in combat as a member of the RDF. Roy was there for all of them.
Now as Rick was going through so many other firsts in his life Roy Fokker wouldn't be there to experience them. Rick was about to enter into his first serious relationship with a woman. And he was about to embark on a new journey as the member of a long dead society being resurrected once more. Rick was learning so much about himself and he wanted Roy to share each new discovery with him. But in his current condition Roy would be unable to watch Rick grow and change from a cocky young teenager to a proud strong confident man with a beautiful and equally strong woman by his side.
"Roy I'm changing a lot and it's a shame you're not around to witness it right now. If only you hadn't gone off and tried to get back at the Zentreadi for what happened to me then you wouldn't be in this mess. I just wish there was something I could do. But then again like me maybe you need to go through this. Maybe something good will come from this. Who knows maybe you're somehow connected to this strange new life I'm discovering. It would sure explain why I saw you in one of my dreams. Maybe you were my big buddy back then too. I just hope you come out of this soon. There's a lot I have to tell you." Rick said hoping Roy could hear him.
Rick tried he really tried hard not to cry but he had failed. Rick broke down in tears and cried. Sitting there in the wheelchair Rick let the silent tears fall upon his face. Lisa saw the tears staining Rick's face and walked over to the chair and placed a gentle hand upon Rick's shoulder. Rick felt Lisa's hand on his shoulder and reached up with his own to take it in his. Lisa squeezed Rick's hand gently to let him know everything was going to be all right. Then using her free arm Lisa wrapped Rick in a hug from behind and placed her head next to his giving Rick a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Don't worry Rick he'll wake up I'm certain of it." Lisa reassured him softly as she held him in her embrace letting him continue to cry.
Outside the room Zack walked up to Amy and wrapped his arms around her waist. "How's our patient?" Zack asked.
"The same as usual! I hope he wakes up soon I hate seeing Rick like this!" Amy said leaning into Zack's arms.
"I know what you mean my little ice princess! I'm just glad he has someone to worry about him and hold him like I'm doing right now!" Zack said turning Amy around and kissing her on the cheek.
"Thank you Zack! I don't know what I'd do with out you!" Amy smiled.
"And you're never going to either!" Zack said.
********
The bridge of the SDF1 was a quiet place that morning. With the battlecruiser slowly making its way towards the Canadian province of Ontario the bridge crew was back to doing what it was meant to do. But it wasn't just the new mission that had the bridge crew less talkative than usual the girls were trying not to talk about the couples on the SDF1 out of respect for Claudia's feelings. Claudia was having a hard time dealing with Roy's coma. The girls decided to take her mind off of things by discussing the latest talk floating around the SDF1.
"So I hear the Mayor is all set to build a brand new Macross City outside of Toronto once the civilians are transferred off the ship." Mina said starting the conversation.
"That'll be good; they need a place to call their own. It's unfair to the people of the city to force them to live on here when they shouldn't have to." Michelle replied.
"I for one hope we can find a way to end all this fighting without loosing any lives." Rei added.
Lisa saw what the girls were trying to do and decided to join in on the conversation. Anything that helped her friend feel better about her current situation was a plus in her book.
"Well don't count on the RDF Command in Alaska to be jumping at the idea of a peaceful resolution to this war anytime soon. I know my father and he's as stubborn as they come. And if the other members of the RDF Command are anything like him then it's going to be a long time before they'll even consider the idea." Lisa said.
"Well they better because it was their decisions in the first place that put us in this mess. They created it so they sure as hell better find a way to get us out of this." Claudia added. The girls couldn't disagree with Claudia's comments. They felt the same way she did about the situation. In their eyes the RDF Command was to blame for delaying the natural progression of Serena and Darien's rise to the throne and the formation of Crystal Tokyo. The future was messed up because of the RDF Command.
"I just hope they realize what they're doing to the future of this world." Rei said as she checked her radar screen.
"I still don't understand any of that yet but it seems to be very important for all of you. Getting you friends to the throne must mean a lot." Lisa replied.
"It does. With Serena and Darien on the throne of the Earth the world will be a better place. There'll be no more wars, no more hunger, and no more poverty. Peace and prosperity will reign supreme. It's a long road, I'll admit that, but once people open up to the idea everything will fall into place. We know the outcome commander we just don't know what the journey getting there will be like." Mina explained to her.
"Then I guess the first step down that path will be getting the RDF Command to agree to talk to the Zentreadi." The captain said making his presence on the bridge known.
********
Miriya was amazed by what she saw inside the SDF1. There were rumors floating around the Zentreadi fleet about the Micronians building an entire society inside the battlecruiser but until Miriya actually saw it with her own two eyes she only thought of the stories as nothing more than rumors. The city was bustling with excitement as large posters were being placed in locations all over the downtown area. Each poster contained photos of a beautiful young couple dressed in black clothes. The young woman wore a cat suit with a mandarin collar that accented every curve just right and a silver colored metal chain belt around her waist, on her feet were a pair of knee high leather boots, and over the outfit she wore a stylized black trench coat. Her hair was a series of small twists that ended in a high ponytail that was a mess of spiral curls. The makeup on her face gave the young woman deep red lips and black lined eyes and mad her look a lot older than she really was.
The young man standing next to her had on a thin black mock turtle neck and leather pants with biker boots and a black belt. Like his companion he too wore a trench coat but it was a bit looser than hers. His hair was loosely styled and fell to his shoulders and in his left hand he held a nasty looking gun. The young woman was standing in such a way that she was provocatively hanging off of him. The posters played on her natural beauty and turned her into an object of desire in order to attract males to the show but Miriya didn't realize this. On the top of the posters were the words White Dragon and on the bottom of the posters was the date and where it would be playing.
"How disgusting males and females touching like that. What sort of culture is this?" Miriya sneered still thinking the way she was told to by her superiors.
Leaving the spot where the poster was being put up Miriya decided it was time to get some food and went to a small Japanese noodle house she had spotted before going to watch the workers put up the movie posters. Walking into the noodle house Miriya saw all sorts of Micronian males and females sitting together eating their food. Staying by the door for a few moments Miriya noticed a small trio of females eating together. One had long aqua colored hair, the youngest of the three had chin length black hair with purple highlights, and the last one had short blonde hair. It was the last one that had Miriya confused. At first Miriya thought she was a male but when she looked closer she saw the blonde was really a female.
"It's been a while since we could sit down and eat like a family eh Michelle." The blonde said.
"Yes we've been busy with our duties and Hotaru has been busy with her classes. With the entire military section on alert almost all the time it's hard for us to just be a family Amara." The one called Michelle replied to the blonde called Amara.
Miriya was intrigued by the concept of family that Amara and Michelle talked about. To the Zentreadi years of being separated into two separate societies had driven away the concepts of love and family. Miriya was fascinated by the concept of family and she wanted to experience it for herself but not until she dealt with the pilot that bested her in combat first. Finding an empty seat at the counter Miriya sat down to have her very first noodle bowl.
Back with Amara, Michelle and Hotaru the conversation turned towards Hotaru and her boyfriend.
"So Hotaru how's the relationship with Serena's brother going?" Michelle asked.
"Oh it's great although he likes to try and get Serena pissed off still!" Hotaru said laughing.
"I wouldn't doubt it! That guy loves seeing Serena mad!" Amara said making sure not to call Sammy a boy in front of Hotaru.
********
Miriya wasn't the only one to notice the posters being put up around the city to announce Minmei's new movie. Serena and Darien were spending some time together after being subjected to the questions of the members of the RDF Command. The pair of fighter pilots didn't want to be the protectors of the Earth or the future rulers of Crystal Tokyo at the moment. They just wanted to be Serena and Darien a couple in love. Serena looked at the overly provocative posters and frowned.
"I can't believe they've turned her into that." Serena commented.
"They're just trying to do what it takes to get people to see the film." Darien replied.
"They're just trying to cater to the hormones of all the men in the military on the ship."
"You'd be thinking otherwise if it were Jan Morris on the posters instead of Minmei."
"She's only seventeen! She's not even an adult yet and they're turning her into some sort of sex symbol for all the hormonally deprived single men in the military! That so called cousin of hers is bad news. And to top it all off! Do you know Minmei practically dumped Rick over all this?" Darien looked over at Serena who was seething with rage over what was happening to Rick. The people running every aspect of Minmei's life were turning her head inside out changing her from a sweet innocent teenager into sex object on top of that it was because of all the people that Minmei left Rick. They were forcing her to grow up far too fast far too soon. Serena wasn't about to stand for that. She wasn't about to let someone else not be able to have a normal life at that confusing time in a young woman's growth.
"Serena calm down. It won't do you any good to get worked up over this." Darien calmly told her.
"I'm sorry Darien it's just that I hate seeing someone robbed of their youth like I was. I also hate what this is costing Rick and Minmei too! I'm just glad he has Lisa now!" Serena replied falling into his comforting embrace.
"Let's just forget about that and go get some sushi."
With that Serena and Darien headed off to the only sushi restaurant on the SDF1. It was expensive but it was worth it.
********
Part 16: Do I Love Her?
********
Rick was glad to be out in the city once again and right now he craved fish. Rick like all the others on the SDF1 had heard the military wanted to put a small aqua farm on the battlecruiser. The RDF wanted the crew of the SDF1 to be able to have fish dishes and thought an aqua farm would be the perfect thing to have. And when Macross City was rebuilt inside the SDF1 the aqua farm operation doubled in size when the local fishermen decided to take over the aqua farm business.
Rick was tired of the usual expensive fish dishes the local seafood place served and wanted to try something different for a change. In the nearly three years he had been on the SDF1 Rick had yet to go to the local sushi bar. Throwing caution to the wind Rick decided to give sushi a try for the fist time in his entire life. Walking into the sushi bar Rick saw many faces he recognized from around the military section of the SDF1 and from the hospital. And amongst the familiar faces Rick saw Serena and Darien.
Ever since he and Minmei went on the double date with the older couple Rick used them as an example of a couple in love. From watching them together Rick learned that age didn't matter and that when you were really in love you didn't care most of the time what people thought of the things you did together as a couple. They were not as rigid as other couples he had seen and were always laughing and happy. They didn't care if people saw their public displays of affection or not they just cared that they made each other happy. And watching them in the sushi bar Rick saw another example of that.
Serena picked up a piece of tuna on bed of pressed rice with her chopsticks and dipped it into a dish of sauce before feeding it to Darien. Darien ended up with a few grains of the vinegary rice on his chin, which caused Serena to start giggling. The Earth Prince gave her a questioning look and Serena reached up with her napkin and wiped away the rice from his face. Darien then returned the favor by feeding Serena a piece of butterfly shrimp topped with orange salmon roe on the same type of pressed rice dipped in the sauce. Serena took the sushi in her mouth and smiled as she chewed it. When she finished Serena leaned over and gave Darien a small kiss on the lips that lasted all of thirty seconds but conveyed all of her love for the man next to her.
"That's what couples in love should be doing. Not what Minmei and I used do. All we did was sit there and talk about her uncle's restaurant or my life as a pilot. I think Minmei cared more about the fact that I was a pilot in the military and not about how I felt for her." Rick thought aloud.
Rick walked over to the counter where people were watching the sushi chefs create their culinary works of art with pieces of fish meat and rice. Sitting down at the counter Rick took a menu from the slot in front of him and began looking it over. On one side was a list of the standard everyday sushi and sashimi fare that the bar offered. On the reverse side was a list of the beers, wines, alcohol's, and other drinks that were available to drink. Looking the menu over Rick noticed a small message written on it.
For those untrained in the ways of eating sushi and sashimi it is always wise to listen to the chef. And it is always wise to go with the Chef's Surprise. You will never be disappointed.
The Chef's Surprise was just that a surprise. No one knew what the sushi chef would create each night. The best cuts of fish would be selected and then served over a patty of sushi rice either alone or with some roe or other ingredients on top served alongside a few spicy wasabi flavored sashimi rolls. Rick decided it would be a safe bet to go with the Chef's Surprise and have a small pot of green tea with it since he couldn't have alcohol while on his medicines.
"Excuse me miss." Rick said getting the waitress's attention, "I'd like to order the Chef's Surprise and a small pot of green tea."
The waitress wrote down his order and left to prepare the tea setup. And while Rick waited for his lunch to arrive he thought about his crumbling relationship with Minmei and his budding relationship with Lisa. Where one was ending another one was beginning. But Rick felt as though the relationship with Minmei wouldn't be truly over with until he talked to her face to face.
********
As the final touches were being made to the production end of Minmei's move White Dragon Minmei and Kyle were on another photo shoot. Minmei was dressed in an outfit similar to the ones she wore for the posters and in the movie only this time it was skintight red leather pants that were low on the hips with matching knee length boots with three inch spike heels, an all too small red sleeveless Chinese style shirt that ended two inches below her bust, and a stylized red leather trench coat. Minmei's hair was in the same style as the posters and she wore the same makeup.
Kyle was dressed in red as well. This time he wore tight red pants over red boots and a thin tight red mock turtleneck with short sleeves. His hair was once again left to fall down to his shoulders. Everything about the outfit was designed to show off his muscles while Minmei's was designed to make her look like the sex kitten Kyle and the rest of her management team were making her believe she was. In fact, Minmei's old wardrobe had been sent to the resale shop so a more provocative more adult wardrobe could be brought in for her to wear. Minmei's new look was designed to turn men on in more ways than one and she loved it.
"Minmei I could just eat you up." The photographer commented with a British accent.
The photographer then had Minmei remove her trench coat and stand in such a way that her bust looked two sizes larger than it really was. He then had Kyle stand behind her place his arms around her shoulders in a way that had him fondling her chest. Minmei's head was made to rest on Kyle's chest while his head was brought down and tilted so that it looked like he was sucking on her earlobe.
The photographer had Minmei and Kyle hold their pose for a few minutes while he took shots of them from different angles. The whole time he was snapping pictures the photographer made comments to try and get the young couple to relax and look natural.
"Minmei doll loosen up a bit. You don't want to look like a mannequin you want to melt into Kyle's arms." He told her.
Minmei tried to relax a bit and just let Kyle hold her but something was bothering her and it was affecting the pose. Kyle could sense something up with his naive little cousin and began whispering questions in her ear.
"Minmei something's bugging you. Tell me what it is." Kyle half wondered half commanded.
"It's Rick Hunter. Even though I've dropped him from my life like a ton of bricks I think he may still be obsessed with me. I can't have him ruining what we have Kyle. I need to make him see that he means nothing to me anymore." Minmei told him.
"Then send him a message that you wish to see him in the most public of places and humiliate him in front of the entire city."
"I love the way you think Kyle."
"And I love you my White Dragon."
The little conversation between Minmei and Kyle helped the young woman relax and get into the spirit of the shoot. The photographer changed the position of Kyle's right arm so that it was now around Minmei's waist in such a way that his hand was right on her crotch. His left arm was then wrapped across Minmei's bust. Minmei's arms were changed as well. Her left one now snaked up and held onto the back of Kyle's head while her right one was placed on top of Kyle's hand on her crotch as if to guide him to the proper places to touch. Minmei's head was titled to the right to expose a good portion of her neck while Kyle was made to look as though he were kissing, nibbling, and sucking on it.
"Minmei darling part your lips slightly for me and close your eyes a bit. I want to capture you in the height of passion. You're a young sensual creature loved by the camera and by everyone around you. And once they see this spread no one will ever think of you as plain ordinary little girl anymore. Men will do whatever they want for you even stop wars for you." The photographer told her feeding her more hype to boost her already over inflated ego too much.
Minmei tried to do what the photographer wanted but was having some trouble getting fully into it. Kyle could tell his young innocent cousin still had some inhibitions to let go of and decided to break the final barrier releasing the sensual beast he was carefully turning her into. Instead of looking as though he was kissing, nibbling, and sucking Minmei's neck Kyle began to do the real thing adding his hands to the mixture. The results were better than the photographer could have ever imagined. Minmei was totally engulfed by the passion being played out. As the shoot continued Kyle let a small smirk play across his face as he whispered into Minmei's ear.
"You belong to me now Minmei. You're mine." Kyle told her.
********
Captain Henry Gloval commanding officer of the SDF1 knew he had to get the lines of communication open between the RDF Command and the Zentreadi. The only problem was trying to convince the members of the RDF Command that peace talks would be a good thing for both sides. Gloval remembered all the time he spent with Lisa discussing how to handle her father. Each time they discussed possible strategies for dealing with the members of the RDF Command Lisa would tell him how stubborn and thickheaded her father was. The admiral was going to be a tough nut to crack.
But the captain had some hope. Admiral Hayes and the other members of the RDF Command in Alaska didn't realize it but the SDF1 had a secret weapon. If needed Captain Gloval and the other high level commanding officers on the SDF1 were prepared to unleash Serena Tuskino upon the RDF Command and the United Earth Government. For some reason Henry knew that Serena was the key to lasting peace he just didn't know how or when it would happen. He just hoped Serena would be willing to help them.
"In two days I will make my proposal before the RDF Command to begin peace talks with the Zentreadi. If only I had some sort of assurance that they would be willing to give peace a chance but from what I saw at the Command base that is nothing more than wishful thinking." Gloval thought aloud.
With a heavy sigh Henry Gloval logged onto the ship's Intranet and accessed the records for the members of the RDF Command. There had to be something in the records along with what Lisa had told him that could help Gloval deal with the RDF Command. Slowly and surely Gloval began the long process of carefully reading through the records.
********
Rick wasn't certain what he was doing at the small outdoor café. But when he received word that Minmei wanted to see him there he leapt at the chance to actually see her again. It wasn't that Rick still had feelings for her it was the fact that Minmei was very busy and never returned any of his messages. Rick wanted to talk to Minmei but he wanted to do it in private not where everyone could see them. The fact that they would be out in the open like this bothered Rick a lot.
Rick was brought out of his thoughts when he heard some men whistling and cat calling at young woman headed in his direction. At first Rick thought the woman was someone else but then he got a good look at her. There was Minmei standing before him. She had changed a lot since he last saw her. Her hair was now a mess of soft curls held up out of her face in a high ponytail with a series of small twists. Her clothes consisted of tight black hip hugging pants, an equally tight sleeveless black shirt that ended just past the bust, and black spiked heel boots. Minmei didn't look like the girl Rick had met close to three year before that moment.
"Minmei you wished to see me." Rick wondered.
"Yes Rick I did." She replied, "You see things have changed for me since I began filming my movie. For one I've grown up quite a lot."
"I can see that." Rick commented indicating the new look.
"And another thing I've fallen in love. He's not like you Rick. He's not a little boy trapped in a man's world playing at a game he'll never win. He's a real man and he knows how to make me feel like the woman I was meant to be." Minmei told him in a haughty tone.
Rick began to wonder who the new man in Minmei's life was and if he had anything to do with her change in wardrobe and attitude. Rick was concerned that something was going to happen to Minmei and for a moment he found himself wanting to protect her. But then he remembered the reason why he wanted to see Minmei in the first place. Rick wanted to formally end his relationship with Minmei so he could officially begin his relationship with Lisa.
"So Minmei who's the man?" Rick wondered.
"It's Kyle. And he's better than you Rick. He doesn't have to pretend he's some hotshot just to impress me. He makes me come alive with each touch and kiss. He wants me and I want him. Kyle says together we can be the most powerful couple in all of Macross City. Everyone will do what we want them to. We have all the fame and all the money. And once my movie premieres next week the people of this city will forget all about you and your stupid little pilots. We are all that matters to this city." Minmei said.
"Minmei are you nuts? Do you actually believe what you just said? That's all Kyle speaking and not you. He's turned you into his own personal whore."
"How dare you say that about me and the man I love!"
Minmei prepared to strike Rick across the face but never connected. Rick had reached up with his good hand and caught Minmei's wrist holding it in place. Minmei sneered at Rick seething with anger.
"Minmei you need to grow up. You never visited me in the hospital, you never sent me a single card or flower, and you never had time for me. Ever since that Kyle demanded he come back with us all you care about is what he tells you. You know I'm glad we spent that time apart from each other." Rick said.
"And why is that Rick?" Minmei demanded.
"I found out a lot about myself but more importantly I found true love not this little game of dress up you're playing with Kyle. You see Minmei I realized that I am in love with Lisa Hayes. And I can tell she loves me too."
"This relationship is over with Rick Hunter. From now on you and I are strangers. I don't ever want to see you again. Come near me and I'll have you thrown in prison. And they'll believe me Rick because I am a goddess to them."
"You know I suddenly lost my appetite. Goodbye Minmei. I hope you and Kyle are happy in that sick twisted little world of yours."
Rick stood up and walked away from the table leaving a stunned Minmei behind. Rick wasn't supposed to have a backbone and her plan wasn't supposed to end the way it did. She was supposed to be the one to leave Rick sitting alone at the café not the other way around.
********
The White Dragon premier was the hottest ticket in town. Everyone wanted to be able to go to the very first showing of the first movie to be made inside the battlecruiser. And almost everyone on the SDF1 wanted to see Minmei perform again at the premier. Minmei mania ruled all over the SDF1 especially in Macross City. But there were some who could care less about all the hype. For Serena and her friends the movie premier was the farthest thing from their minds as they gathered for another meeting. This time they let Rick and Lisa join their meeting. They may not have been Scouts but they were still an important part of the past and the Silver Alliance.
"Welcome to our little meeting Rick, Lisa. I see your arm's out of the sling and you're walking without the cane Rick." Serena said getting the meeting started.
"Yeah Amy gave the good word yesterday. Another week and my leg can finally come out of this wrap." Rick replied.
"And then Rick can return to active duty by the end of the month." Amy told them.
"The captain has put Rick in charge of the Skull Squadron in Lt. Commander Fokker's absence." Lisa announced.
Everyone looked over at Rick and saw the expression on his face. They could tell Rick felt as though he were robbing Roy of his rightful place as the leader of the Skull Squad. Rick didn't want for this to happen. He just wanted to have Roy awake and functioning again. Life just didn't seem right without Roy around.
"What's he going to do about a fighter? His was all smashed up in that battle with the Zentreadi." Amara wondered.
"It was decided that until Lt. Commander Fokker is able to return to active duty Rick will fly in Skull One." Lisa told them.
Rick's face paled when he heard he would be getting Roy's plane. Next to Claudia that plane was the most important thing in his life. And knowing Roy he wouldn't dare let anyone near his plane unless there was a very good reason to. Rick felt sorry for the person who would be given the job of telling Roy he was flying his plane when he woke up. Sensing Rick's fear Lisa took his hand in hers and gave him a reassuring look.
"If I didn't know better I'd say the commander likes Rick." Mina whispered to Lita.
"You knew it would happen someday. Especially after that kiss they shared." Lita whispered back trying not to be heard by the others.
"And now to get down to the real reason for this meeting. We need to figure out a way to open the lines of communication between the Zentreadi and the RDF Command." Luna said.
"Plus we need to get the RDF Command to commit to their promise of letting the civilians be able to rebuild Macross City outside of the SDF1." Artimes added.
"Good luck trying to convince those hard heads anything." Lisa said.
"What makes you say that Lisa?" Darien wondered.
"Knowing my father he won't back down until everyone else gives up. I don't know who was more stubborn growing up my father or my mother. They could keep an argument alive for days. And if he's that way then I'm pretty certain the other members of the RDF Command will be the same way." Lisa told everyone.
"Looks like we have our work cut out for us." Amara said.
"I love a good challenge." Lita added.
"That's my Thunder Heart!" Nathan laughed, "Always ready to put the enemy in their place or straighten out our allies!"
"Oh you!" Lita laughed as she lightly punched Nathan in the arm.
"Well I for one am prepared to go before the RDF Command myself if it will get them talking with the Zentreadi." Serena declared.
"So what do we do first?" Justin asked.
"We probable wait until the Captain tells us something!" Kevin said.
"Yeah I agree with Kev. we don't know what the captain wants yet and right now is just a waiting game for now!" Zack said.
********
Miriya walked through the streets of Macross amazed and confused by everything she saw. Everywhere she went she saw the posters and other things advertising the movie White Dragon. Miriya was confused by the concept of a movie. She couldn't understand what all the excitement was all about. Stopping in front of the only movie theater in town Miriya watched as the workers prepared it for the premier about to take place in two days. A large sign was placed on the outside of the theater announcing that the premier was sold out with a smaller sign in the window of two small booths telling people the same thing. Miriya just couldn't figure out why people would want to see a female that touched a male the way she did in the posters around town.
"I don't get it why do these Micronians worship that female so. What is it about her that makes them act the way they do?" Miriya thought aloud.
Miriya figured if she was going to learn what it was about the female called Minmei that made an entire city act the way it did then she would have to find a way into the movie. Unfamiliar with the concept of sold out Miriya went to the ticket booth where there was one young man preparing for another day of very little people coming to see the ever rotating lineup of overly played live action and anime films.
"The White Dragon is there any way to see it?" Miriya asked the man behind the glass.
"There are no seats left for the premier and when it opens to the public the next day you won't be able to buy tickets for later showings so you're just going to have to take your chances standing in line with the rest of the city and the military men on their breaks. But not to worry you'll eventually be able to see it seeing as how it's the only new movie to come here in almost three years." He told her.
"I see." Was the only reply Miriya knew in a situation such as this one. Taking the information the man behind the counter had given her at face value Miriya left the Biograph Theater and headed off to do some more investigating around the city. She had over seventy thousand people to check out in order to find the pilot that defeated her in combat.
"I am going to have to check out this White Dragon when I can see it." Miriya thought aloud.
********
The SDF1 took its time heading to Ontario. Captain Gloval didn't want to do anything that would further jeopardize his standing with the RDF Command. And he wanted to make certain that the Zentreadi wouldn't attack the ship before they were able relocate the people of Macross City. Henry Gloval tried to make things look as inconspicuous as possible. Right now he didn't want to get on the bad side of either the Zentreadi or the RDF Command.
The crew of the SDF1 was in the middle of a shift change. The senior bridge crew had all somehow managed to get tickets to the premier of the new movie White Dragon. The only one not going to see the movie was Claudia. She had told Lisa it would be too painful to see all the couples at the premier and volunteered for double shifts. Lisa just figured that Claudia needed some time to herself away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And the extra quiet bridge that night would be just what Claudia needed.
"Have fun at the movie Lisa." Claudia said as Lisa was leaving to get ready.
"Are you sure you'll be okay Claudia?" Lisa asked over her shoulder.
"I'll be fine Lisa. Now go before you end up being late."
"Okay, okay I'm going. I'll see you in the morning Claudia."
Lisa then exited the bridge to head back to her quarters to get ready for her evening together with Rick and what would be their first date.
********
The city was buzzing with the excitement of the movie premier. It seemed just about everyone was outside the Biograph to try and catch a glimpse of the stars as they arrived at the theater. Almost everyone on the SDF1 military or civilian wanted to see Minmei in person. The premier of the movie was to include a small concert by Minmei who would sing the title track to the movie's soundtrack. And besides the concert some of the more well known members of Macross society would be in attendance.
Tickets for the event were the hottest thing in town and if you had one you were envied by everyone you knew. It seemed that only the very wealthy and elite members of Macross society were able to get tickets to the movie. The average citizen in Macross and the members of the military weren't as lucky. Only a small few of them were able to get tickets for the premier. Everyone outside of the cast and crew had to pay for their tickets. There were no tickets given out to anyone except for three, tickets were given to Minmei's family her Aunt Kim, Uncle Chan, and little cousin Jamie were given the only free tickets in the entire ship.
Among the lucky ones besides Serena, Darien, the Generals and the rest of the Scouts to get tickets to the movie premier were Rick and Lisa. Somehow Rick was able to purchase the tickets before they sold out. It had cost the Veritech pilot a full week's salary for the tickets but it was worth it. Rick had wanted to treat Lisa to a special night out as a way of thanking her for all the time she spent with him in the hospital and he wanted to see how they felt about one another. This was going to be one evening they would never forget for a long time.
The night started out with the arrival of the cast, crew, and other important people on board the SDF1. Then once they had entered into the Biograph the public who had tickets were let in. Before the movie was to even start the director walked out onto the stage to talk to the audience.
"Ladies and Gentlemen I just want to welcome you to the first ever showing of the new movie White Dragon staring Minmei and Lynn Kyle. Minmei, Lynn Kyle, and I worked hard on this film to bring it to all of you. I think you'll like what you see. And now before we begin tonight's presentation I would like to introduce to you the star of White Dragon Minmei who will be singing a song from the soundtrack." The director Billy Zane said.
Minmei, who had her last name dropped at Kyle's suggestion, walked out on stage wearing a form fitting black hip hugging leather skirt that ended at mid thigh, an all too tight and very small black leather strapless top that barely covered her bust, a very short black leather jacket, and thigh high black leather four inch spiked heeled boots. Once again her hair was done in the same style and her makeup hadn't changed except for the fact that her lipstick was now blood red and her face made to look two shades paler. Minmei walked over to the microphone and took it off the stand before addressing the crowd.
"Thank you for coming to my movie. As Billy said I will be giving you a taste of the White Dragon soundtrack. This song is called Lovers' Dance." Minmei told the audience.
The music began playing and what the audience thought would be a simple romantic ballad turned into something much more. The beat to the music was sensual and erotic filled with moans in the background. As the song went on the audience realized what Minmei was singing about, making love. And the dance she did upon the stage had a few people in the audience appalled by what they were seeing.
When the song was over with Minmei got a respectable round of applause as she walked off the stage. A theater worker then removed the microphone as the curtain opened and the movie began. The story which at first was going to be about a military pilot saving a city from an alien invasion turned into a spy movie where the spy team of Minmei, the lead spy White Dragon, and Kyle, the spy called Red Falcon, battled an evil super genius while falling in love with each other. About thirty minutes into the movie Minmei and Kyle shared their first kiss on screen one the audience knew wasn't fake. Then ten minutes later the spies were in a hotel suite at a Monte Carlo styled hotel where they proceeded to make love to the song Minmei had sung before the movie.
The sight of seeing Minmei and Kyle on screen doing things to each other only two consenting adults should do was too much for both Rick and Lisa. It was hard for Rick because the look of honest not faked pleasure on Minmei's face was the final nail in the coffin for him. For Lisa Kyle looked too much like Carl that it still hurt that her childhood friend was dead. The pain of discovering his fate on Mars was still etched into her brain even if she was ready to move on. The movie continued on but Lisa didn't want to see any of it. Getting up from her seat Lisa headed for the aisle and then the exit. Noticing her leaving Rick decided to follow Lisa and see what was wrong.
********
The night crew of the SDF1 thought they would be having a peaceful shift. But Claudia, the captain, and the girls who worked the night hours soon found themselves facing a mess of pods led by Khyron. The Zentreadi squad commander was back to being under the command of Breetai who had recently returned from assisting Lord Dolza. And the first thing Breetai wanted Khyron to do after seeing the transmission coming from the SDF1 was to launch an attack against it.
With the Skull and Lunar squads off duty for the evening the task of defending the SDF1 fell to the other squads on board the two carriers. Four of the moderately sized squads were sent into battle against Khyron and his men. And with the SDF1 so close to Thunder Bay and Lake Superior it was rough going trying not to involve the people down on the ground. Captain Gloval wanted to end the battle between the Zentreadi as quickly as possible.
"Claudia, send a message to all personnel to begin transformation procedures." Captain Gloval said, "Amber, contact engineering and have them divert power to the transformation mechanism."
"Aye sir." The two women replied.
Claudia then got on the ship's com system and prepared to inform the military personnel to prepare for the upcoming transformation.
"All personnel report to transformation stations. Repeat, all personnel report to transformation stations." Claudia told the rest of the crew.
"Sir, engineering reports transformation mechanism powered and ready to go." Amber, the night helms officer reported.
"Good. Claudia, begin transformation sequence." Gloval told her.
"Aye sir." Claudia replied as she began punching in the codes to begin the ship's transformation.
********
The streets of Macross began to rumble and split signaling that the SDF1 was transforming yet again. Those on the streets knew exactly where to go in times like this. There were shelters where the citizens of Macross were supposed to go when the SDF1 transformed. In a neat and orderly fashion the people of Macross City who were not indoors headed for the shelters. The looks on their faces told anyone who saw them that they were getting bored with heading off to the shelters.
Rick and Lisa who happened to be outside of the theater at the time the alarm in the city went off began heading towards the nearest shelter. As they headed across the street it began to split in two sliding open to accommodate the changes the ship and the city would be undergoing. The opening below the street was seven feet deep, just large enough for an average man to stand up. The streets of the city were wracked with another jolt from the transformation and a hit to the hull from a pod cannon. People on the sidewalks tried hard not to fall down and some of them failed. Rick and Lisa both lost their footing and fell into the opening just mere moments before the street began to close once more.
********
The people in the Biograph were not ready for the ship to transform into the battleoid form. As the SDF1 shook and rocked with the transformation and the battle outside it the people in the theater began to make a mad dash for the exits. Knowing what had to be done the Scouts and Generals along with Serena and Darien quickly reacted trying to get the people in the theater out in an orderly fashion.
"Everyone please calm down and exit the theater in a calm and orderly fashion." Serena called out over the noise of the crowd.
"What do you need us to do?" Mina asked Serena.
Looking around the theater Serena noticed Kyle and Minmei near the stage. Kyle was hovering over Minmei who looked to be clutching her head and her ankle in pain. Despite what she felt about the younger woman Serena knew they had to help her.
"Amy I want you and Zack to go and help Lynn Kyle get Minmei out of here and to the hospital. The rest of us will try and calm this crowd down and direct them out the center doors in the lobby." Serena told them.
"We're on it Serena." Amy and Zack said in unison.
"You heard the woman let's get going." Mina added.
The Scouts and Generals then broke up into smaller groups to go and help the people in the theater get out without any injury.
********
Rick and Lisa were under the streets of Macross in a small four by six seven foot deep space. Sure there was a ladder like series of rungs in the wall but it did them no good if the street was closed together. Rick and Lisa knew there was only one reason for something like this to happen, the SDF1 was under attack yet again.
"Oh this is just great." Rick complained as he checked his still healing left leg.
"Who knows how long it'll be before the captain tells Claudia to transform the SDF1 back." Lisa replied.
"Looks like we'll be down here for a while."
"Not much we can do down here except wait."
"Gee I haven't done anything like this since I first came onto the SDF1."
Lisa sat down and noticed that Rick was still checking his still healing leg. The young commander was worried that Rick's leg may have been damaged further in the fall from the street. It had taken Rick a bit of time to get where he was in his recovery and Lisa worried that he may be set back to where he was when he got out of the hospital.
"Rick is your leg okay?" Lisa asked him.
"Yeah it's fine. It's just a little tender from the fall." Rick replied.
Rick then looked over at Lisa and noticed the gloomy expression written across her face. Something was bothering Lisa and he intended to find out what it was.
"Lisa why did you run out of the theater like that?" Rick wondered.
"Minmei's costar Lynn Kyle looked way too much like a boy I knew growing up in Virginia. We were friends even though he was six years older than me. Growing up I idolized Carl and even had a crush on him. And up until just before the training began for the new Veritech pilots and crew of the SDF1 I thought I might see him again. It was around that time the rumors that something happened to the crew of Mars Base Sara went crazy and killed each other after a meteor hit part of the base. I didn't want to believe what I had heard. But then we traveled to Mars and I learned that he and everyone else on Base Sara was dead. That's when I realized it was over for good for us." Lisa explained.
"That explains why you were so eager to take that mission to the surface of Mars. But I thought you were moving on with your life."
"I am. At least I think I am. But seeing Kyle up on the screen like that brought back a whole boatload of memories and feelings that hadn't gone away yet. I may have gotten over my crush but Carl was still my friend and it hurts not knowing what happened to him."
Rick saw how the memories of her childhood friend were affecting Lisa and went over to the young commander and placed an arm around her shoulders pulling her close to him. Lisa looked over at Rick and saw the tender look on Rick's face and smiled. A lot had happened to them since they were captured by the Zentreadi and part of it centered on them.
"You know I'll always be here for you." Rick told her.
"I know that Rick and I appreciate it very much."
"I care about you a lot Lisa and it's not because of some past we had together. When I see you I don't see her I just see the kind wonderful strong person you are. I think...no I know I've fallen for you Lisa. I love you and I want to spend as much time as possible with you."
Lisa didn't know what to say. Here was someone four years younger than she was willingly professing his feelings for her. Lisa had been thinking about her feelings for Rick ever since he first visited Roy in the ICU and the more she thought about it the more she realized that she loved Rick a lot.
"I love you too Rick." Lisa told him.
Lisa and Rick sat there looking at each other in the eyes. They had just admitted their feelings to one another. It was a big step in their relationship. By telling Lisa he loved her Rick was ending his relationship with Minmei for good. It felt great to not have to worry that Minmei would be hurt if he pursued a more serious relationship with Lisa. It was something Rick wanted and something he knew Minmei wasn't ready for, she just wasn't mature enough to handle it and the feelings that came with it.
The young couple decided to remove the distance between them and leaned in close to each other for a kiss. It would be their first kiss on the lips since the Zentreadi ship and the first kiss that would come from their hearts and not some command. When their lips touched the problems of the world melted away. There was no war going on and there was no big Hollywood styled movie premier. Minmei and Kyle didn't exist either. There was only them. All that mattered was Rick and Lisa. Lisa parted her lips as an invitation to Rick to let his tongue into her mouth. Rick wasted no time exploring everything Lisa's mouth had to offer. A few minutes later the kiss ended and Rick and Lisa sat there smiling at one another just as the street began to open once more.
"Looks like the battle is over." Rick said still a little heady from the kiss.
"Yeah I guess it is. We'd better get out of here." Lisa replied also a bit giddy.
"Lisa do you want to come to my quarters?" Rick asked.
"Are you sure Rick I mean you just got out of the hospital not too long ago?" Lisa asked.
"Yes Lisa I'm sure! I feel like exploring our new found relationship more!" Rick told her.
"Oh Rick!" Lisa screamed not in horror but in excitement in seeing just how far their newfound love could take them.
Together the new couple climbed out of the split street and proceeded to Rick's quarters.
********
The reporters waited outside of Macross General Hospital for news on Minmei. They flocked to the hospital when word was sent out that Minmei had been brought there by one of the military doctors who happened to be in attendance at the movie premier. Fifteen minutes after their arrival Minmei and Kyle walked out of the hospital stopping on the steps to address the crowd. The young couple had huge smiles upon their faces telling the reporters that something else had happened in the hospital besides a check up to see if Minmei was okay.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press I have some very good news to announce to you tonight. First of all Minmei is fine. The doctors said she just has a nasty bump on her head and bruised her ankle during the attack. But that's not all. While inside the exam room Minmei consented to be my bride. Minmei and I are to be married as soon as we can get permission to travel to Yokohama to see her parents once more." Kyle told the reporters.
The reporters couldn't believe what they were hearing Lynn Kyle and their beloved Minmei were going to be married. They didn't know if the young couple would be able to get permission from the military to leave the ship again but when they did they wanted to be there for the momentous occasion.
"Minmei is what Kyle saying true? Did you accept a marriage proposal from him?" the reporter for an entertainment gossip program asked her.
"Yes I did. Kyle loves me very much and wants only the best for me. He says we can be even better together if we're married." Minmei told them in her naïve yet beginning to understand manner.
"What about your age Minmei aren't you a little young to be getting married?" the entertainment reporter for the local paper asked.
Kyle felt they had said all there was to be said on the subject. He didn't want anyone saying or asking something that might have Minmei thinking what they were doing was wrong. Kyle didn't want the trust Minmei had in him to be destroyed because she suddenly began questioning the moral legality of their relationship. Minmei believed everything Kyle had told her and if she began to doubt him then all his hard work would go down the drain. He didn't want anyone to ruin the final step in his plan that would make Minmei his forever.
"I'm sorry but Minmei is tired and needs to get her rest. She's had a long day." Kyle told the reporters in a 'don't even think about questioning me' tone.
Minmei looked over at Kyle with a look on her face that clearly told him she wasn't in the least bit tired. Kyle glared back at her with a look that told her who the boss in the relationship really was. He then leaned over to her and whispered something in her ear.
"Listen Minmei I don't like the look you just gave me one bit. If I say you're tired then you're tired. You listen to me now understand. I tell you what to do and you and I are going back to our suite. You are not going to any party. I control your life not you." Kyle hissed in her ear.
Minmei's eyes became real wide and then shone with understanding as Kyle laid down the laws of their relationship. Minmei knew her place and didn't want to anger Kyle. Kyle had told her she was too immature to handle the kind of people running her career and that she would be better off letting him handle everything. And when he said everything he meant everything.
"I could use some rest after what happened in the theater. I'm sorry I can't answer any more of your questions." Minmei told the reporters in a quiet voice.
********
Kyle and Minmei returned to the hotel suite after dealing with the reporters in front of the hospital. Minmei didn't quite understand what had Kyle all bothered like he was but something was wrong she at least knew that. Walking over to Kyle Minmei put a hand upon his shoulder and looked up at him with big questioning eyes. The eyes that once held all the innocence in the world had become darker with feelings and desires Minmei was still too innocent to understand. But that would soon be a thing of the past.
"Kyle is something bothering you?" Minmei asked him.
"Nothing is wrong Minmei now that I have you back in our home." Kyle told her.
"I just want to make you feel better. If there is something I can do tell me." Minmei replied.
"I think you know what it is I want." Kyle said with a feral look on his face.
Minmei understood all too well what Kyle was talking about and soon found herself being pulled into a lip crushing kiss. Kyle forced her mouth open with his tongue and shoved it into her mouth. A look of fear came over Minmei's face as she wondered if what they were about to do was right. As the kiss continued Kyle pulled off Minmei's jacket and began running his hands up her bare sides. When the kiss ended Kyle was panting as Minmei just looked at him with fear-laden eyes.
"Kyle this isn't right. The marriage tonight we're cousins and we shouldn't be doing this." Minmei tried to reason with him.
"Minmei, Minmei, Minmei I guess our family has done a very good job of keeping this little secret. You see we're not actually cousins. Twenty years ago my parents adopted me. My mother's career was still going and she didn't want to be burdened with the inconvenience of having a baby. But her manger had told her that the motherly type was in and she needed a baby in order to further her career. So she and my father adopted me. It was three years later when you came along and by then they all forgot about the fact that I wasn't a natural born Lynn. Six years after that when my mother was well retired from her modeling job she decided she was ready to actually go through childbirth and year later my brother Jamie was born. It was then I learned the awful truth about myself. My parents told me I wasn't their child and Jamie wasn't my brother. They cared more about him than me. But one thing kept me going over the following years, you. You see I developed a crush on you Minmei and then one day I decided that I loved you. That was when your parents decided that you should visit my parents for a while. You were fourteen and I was seventeen at the time. I knew pursuing a relationship then would be wrong so I forced myself to wait and that's when I went away to Yokohama University a year later. I couldn't stand the military presence in Macross but I had to control my desires and lust for you Minmei. Now that you're all grown up I want you. I want to make you mine forever. Say yes and I can make you a true woman." Kyle told Minmei.
Minmei looked at Kyle and could tell that he wasn't lying to her about the adoption or his feelings for her. His love, however sick and twisted it may have been, was genuine for her. Kyle wanted her and he wanted to give her something Rick couldn't, the gift of true womanhood.
"Yes Kyle, change me from a scared little girl into a strong woman. I don't want to be the girl I was before you came to the SDF1. Make me yours." Minmei said.
A sinister grin came across Kyle's face. He had won. Minmei was about to be his forever.
TBC
Please R&R! Also read Chibi Halo's Sailor Moon Macross!
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
Rick Hunter was glad to be out of the hospital. The doctors had told him he was well enough to finish his recovery period in his quarters and that meant he could go out into the city. Rick was walking again. True he still had his leg wrapped, was walking with a cane, and his arm was in a sling but he was free. He was free of the hospital bed and free of being indoors all day long. As Rick slowly put on a blue short sleeved button up golf shirt with his usual cargos and Docs he thought back to the day he had visited Roy in the ICU just before being given the okay to head home.
It was during one of Lisa's many visits that Rick asked if it was okay to go and see Roy. Amy, after checking him over, said she didn't see any reason why he couldn't as long as he was in a wheelchair and she went with them. Rick was soon being wheeled through the halls of Macross General by one Lisa Hayes who, for the first time since she last saw Carl Ribber, seemed truly happy. And for the first time since he started hearing all those nasty rumors about Minmei and Kyle Rick was in a better mood. But that mood wouldn't last very long.
When the trio came to the ICU Amy checked them in with the visitors' station and walked with Rick and Lisa to the room where Roy was being kept. Lisa knew Claudia wouldn't be in the ICU because her break wasn't scheduled for another few hours. This would give Rick time with Roy by himself.
"Why don't you two go on in and I'll wait out here." Amy told them.
Lisa wheeled Rick into the room placing the wheelchair next to the bed. Roy was hooked up to a machine that was helping him breathe and had an oxygen mask over his face. There were three IV tubes connected to him one to give him a regular drip of fluids to keep him from becoming dehydrated, one to give him a scheduled dose of medicine, and one to feed him a solution of vitamins and minerals.
The monitors blipped and bleeped indicating that Roy was still alive. Rick tried hard not to cry after seeing his big brother lying there helpless in the hospital bed. Rick remembered all the firsts he and Roy shared together. There was the first time Roy took him up in his two seat racer when Rick was seven. The first time Roy accompanied his family to an experimental airplane fly in held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The first time Roy let Rick take the yolk of a plane while they were thousands of feet in the air. The first formal flying lesson Rick would ever receive when he was just eleven right before Roy left for the RDF. The first time Rick ever sat in a military plane on the day the SDF1 launched. And the first time Rick was ever involved in combat as a member of the RDF. Roy was there for all of them.
Now as Rick was going through so many other firsts in his life Roy Fokker wouldn't be there to experience them. Rick was about to enter into his first serious relationship with a woman. And he was about to embark on a new journey as the member of a long dead society being resurrected once more. Rick was learning so much about himself and he wanted Roy to share each new discovery with him. But in his current condition Roy would be unable to watch Rick grow and change from a cocky young teenager to a proud strong confident man with a beautiful and equally strong woman by his side.
"Roy I'm changing a lot and it's a shame you're not around to witness it right now. If only you hadn't gone off and tried to get back at the Zentreadi for what happened to me then you wouldn't be in this mess. I just wish there was something I could do. But then again like me maybe you need to go through this. Maybe something good will come from this. Who knows maybe you're somehow connected to this strange new life I'm discovering. It would sure explain why I saw you in one of my dreams. Maybe you were my big buddy back then too. I just hope you come out of this soon. There's a lot I have to tell you." Rick said hoping Roy could hear him.
Rick tried he really tried hard not to cry but he had failed. Rick broke down in tears and cried. Sitting there in the wheelchair Rick let the silent tears fall upon his face. Lisa saw the tears staining Rick's face and walked over to the chair and placed a gentle hand upon Rick's shoulder. Rick felt Lisa's hand on his shoulder and reached up with his own to take it in his. Lisa squeezed Rick's hand gently to let him know everything was going to be all right. Then using her free arm Lisa wrapped Rick in a hug from behind and placed her head next to his giving Rick a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Don't worry Rick he'll wake up I'm certain of it." Lisa reassured him softly as she held him in her embrace letting him continue to cry.
Outside the room Zack walked up to Amy and wrapped his arms around her waist. "How's our patient?" Zack asked.
"The same as usual! I hope he wakes up soon I hate seeing Rick like this!" Amy said leaning into Zack's arms.
"I know what you mean my little ice princess! I'm just glad he has someone to worry about him and hold him like I'm doing right now!" Zack said turning Amy around and kissing her on the cheek.
"Thank you Zack! I don't know what I'd do with out you!" Amy smiled.
"And you're never going to either!" Zack said.
********
The bridge of the SDF1 was a quiet place that morning. With the battlecruiser slowly making its way towards the Canadian province of Ontario the bridge crew was back to doing what it was meant to do. But it wasn't just the new mission that had the bridge crew less talkative than usual the girls were trying not to talk about the couples on the SDF1 out of respect for Claudia's feelings. Claudia was having a hard time dealing with Roy's coma. The girls decided to take her mind off of things by discussing the latest talk floating around the SDF1.
"So I hear the Mayor is all set to build a brand new Macross City outside of Toronto once the civilians are transferred off the ship." Mina said starting the conversation.
"That'll be good; they need a place to call their own. It's unfair to the people of the city to force them to live on here when they shouldn't have to." Michelle replied.
"I for one hope we can find a way to end all this fighting without loosing any lives." Rei added.
Lisa saw what the girls were trying to do and decided to join in on the conversation. Anything that helped her friend feel better about her current situation was a plus in her book.
"Well don't count on the RDF Command in Alaska to be jumping at the idea of a peaceful resolution to this war anytime soon. I know my father and he's as stubborn as they come. And if the other members of the RDF Command are anything like him then it's going to be a long time before they'll even consider the idea." Lisa said.
"Well they better because it was their decisions in the first place that put us in this mess. They created it so they sure as hell better find a way to get us out of this." Claudia added. The girls couldn't disagree with Claudia's comments. They felt the same way she did about the situation. In their eyes the RDF Command was to blame for delaying the natural progression of Serena and Darien's rise to the throne and the formation of Crystal Tokyo. The future was messed up because of the RDF Command.
"I just hope they realize what they're doing to the future of this world." Rei said as she checked her radar screen.
"I still don't understand any of that yet but it seems to be very important for all of you. Getting you friends to the throne must mean a lot." Lisa replied.
"It does. With Serena and Darien on the throne of the Earth the world will be a better place. There'll be no more wars, no more hunger, and no more poverty. Peace and prosperity will reign supreme. It's a long road, I'll admit that, but once people open up to the idea everything will fall into place. We know the outcome commander we just don't know what the journey getting there will be like." Mina explained to her.
"Then I guess the first step down that path will be getting the RDF Command to agree to talk to the Zentreadi." The captain said making his presence on the bridge known.
********
Miriya was amazed by what she saw inside the SDF1. There were rumors floating around the Zentreadi fleet about the Micronians building an entire society inside the battlecruiser but until Miriya actually saw it with her own two eyes she only thought of the stories as nothing more than rumors. The city was bustling with excitement as large posters were being placed in locations all over the downtown area. Each poster contained photos of a beautiful young couple dressed in black clothes. The young woman wore a cat suit with a mandarin collar that accented every curve just right and a silver colored metal chain belt around her waist, on her feet were a pair of knee high leather boots, and over the outfit she wore a stylized black trench coat. Her hair was a series of small twists that ended in a high ponytail that was a mess of spiral curls. The makeup on her face gave the young woman deep red lips and black lined eyes and mad her look a lot older than she really was.
The young man standing next to her had on a thin black mock turtle neck and leather pants with biker boots and a black belt. Like his companion he too wore a trench coat but it was a bit looser than hers. His hair was loosely styled and fell to his shoulders and in his left hand he held a nasty looking gun. The young woman was standing in such a way that she was provocatively hanging off of him. The posters played on her natural beauty and turned her into an object of desire in order to attract males to the show but Miriya didn't realize this. On the top of the posters were the words White Dragon and on the bottom of the posters was the date and where it would be playing.
"How disgusting males and females touching like that. What sort of culture is this?" Miriya sneered still thinking the way she was told to by her superiors.
Leaving the spot where the poster was being put up Miriya decided it was time to get some food and went to a small Japanese noodle house she had spotted before going to watch the workers put up the movie posters. Walking into the noodle house Miriya saw all sorts of Micronian males and females sitting together eating their food. Staying by the door for a few moments Miriya noticed a small trio of females eating together. One had long aqua colored hair, the youngest of the three had chin length black hair with purple highlights, and the last one had short blonde hair. It was the last one that had Miriya confused. At first Miriya thought she was a male but when she looked closer she saw the blonde was really a female.
"It's been a while since we could sit down and eat like a family eh Michelle." The blonde said.
"Yes we've been busy with our duties and Hotaru has been busy with her classes. With the entire military section on alert almost all the time it's hard for us to just be a family Amara." The one called Michelle replied to the blonde called Amara.
Miriya was intrigued by the concept of family that Amara and Michelle talked about. To the Zentreadi years of being separated into two separate societies had driven away the concepts of love and family. Miriya was fascinated by the concept of family and she wanted to experience it for herself but not until she dealt with the pilot that bested her in combat first. Finding an empty seat at the counter Miriya sat down to have her very first noodle bowl.
Back with Amara, Michelle and Hotaru the conversation turned towards Hotaru and her boyfriend.
"So Hotaru how's the relationship with Serena's brother going?" Michelle asked.
"Oh it's great although he likes to try and get Serena pissed off still!" Hotaru said laughing.
"I wouldn't doubt it! That guy loves seeing Serena mad!" Amara said making sure not to call Sammy a boy in front of Hotaru.
********
Miriya wasn't the only one to notice the posters being put up around the city to announce Minmei's new movie. Serena and Darien were spending some time together after being subjected to the questions of the members of the RDF Command. The pair of fighter pilots didn't want to be the protectors of the Earth or the future rulers of Crystal Tokyo at the moment. They just wanted to be Serena and Darien a couple in love. Serena looked at the overly provocative posters and frowned.
"I can't believe they've turned her into that." Serena commented.
"They're just trying to do what it takes to get people to see the film." Darien replied.
"They're just trying to cater to the hormones of all the men in the military on the ship."
"You'd be thinking otherwise if it were Jan Morris on the posters instead of Minmei."
"She's only seventeen! She's not even an adult yet and they're turning her into some sort of sex symbol for all the hormonally deprived single men in the military! That so called cousin of hers is bad news. And to top it all off! Do you know Minmei practically dumped Rick over all this?" Darien looked over at Serena who was seething with rage over what was happening to Rick. The people running every aspect of Minmei's life were turning her head inside out changing her from a sweet innocent teenager into sex object on top of that it was because of all the people that Minmei left Rick. They were forcing her to grow up far too fast far too soon. Serena wasn't about to stand for that. She wasn't about to let someone else not be able to have a normal life at that confusing time in a young woman's growth.
"Serena calm down. It won't do you any good to get worked up over this." Darien calmly told her.
"I'm sorry Darien it's just that I hate seeing someone robbed of their youth like I was. I also hate what this is costing Rick and Minmei too! I'm just glad he has Lisa now!" Serena replied falling into his comforting embrace.
"Let's just forget about that and go get some sushi."
With that Serena and Darien headed off to the only sushi restaurant on the SDF1. It was expensive but it was worth it.
********
Part 16: Do I Love Her?
********
Rick was glad to be out in the city once again and right now he craved fish. Rick like all the others on the SDF1 had heard the military wanted to put a small aqua farm on the battlecruiser. The RDF wanted the crew of the SDF1 to be able to have fish dishes and thought an aqua farm would be the perfect thing to have. And when Macross City was rebuilt inside the SDF1 the aqua farm operation doubled in size when the local fishermen decided to take over the aqua farm business.
Rick was tired of the usual expensive fish dishes the local seafood place served and wanted to try something different for a change. In the nearly three years he had been on the SDF1 Rick had yet to go to the local sushi bar. Throwing caution to the wind Rick decided to give sushi a try for the fist time in his entire life. Walking into the sushi bar Rick saw many faces he recognized from around the military section of the SDF1 and from the hospital. And amongst the familiar faces Rick saw Serena and Darien.
Ever since he and Minmei went on the double date with the older couple Rick used them as an example of a couple in love. From watching them together Rick learned that age didn't matter and that when you were really in love you didn't care most of the time what people thought of the things you did together as a couple. They were not as rigid as other couples he had seen and were always laughing and happy. They didn't care if people saw their public displays of affection or not they just cared that they made each other happy. And watching them in the sushi bar Rick saw another example of that.
Serena picked up a piece of tuna on bed of pressed rice with her chopsticks and dipped it into a dish of sauce before feeding it to Darien. Darien ended up with a few grains of the vinegary rice on his chin, which caused Serena to start giggling. The Earth Prince gave her a questioning look and Serena reached up with her napkin and wiped away the rice from his face. Darien then returned the favor by feeding Serena a piece of butterfly shrimp topped with orange salmon roe on the same type of pressed rice dipped in the sauce. Serena took the sushi in her mouth and smiled as she chewed it. When she finished Serena leaned over and gave Darien a small kiss on the lips that lasted all of thirty seconds but conveyed all of her love for the man next to her.
"That's what couples in love should be doing. Not what Minmei and I used do. All we did was sit there and talk about her uncle's restaurant or my life as a pilot. I think Minmei cared more about the fact that I was a pilot in the military and not about how I felt for her." Rick thought aloud.
Rick walked over to the counter where people were watching the sushi chefs create their culinary works of art with pieces of fish meat and rice. Sitting down at the counter Rick took a menu from the slot in front of him and began looking it over. On one side was a list of the standard everyday sushi and sashimi fare that the bar offered. On the reverse side was a list of the beers, wines, alcohol's, and other drinks that were available to drink. Looking the menu over Rick noticed a small message written on it.
For those untrained in the ways of eating sushi and sashimi it is always wise to listen to the chef. And it is always wise to go with the Chef's Surprise. You will never be disappointed.
The Chef's Surprise was just that a surprise. No one knew what the sushi chef would create each night. The best cuts of fish would be selected and then served over a patty of sushi rice either alone or with some roe or other ingredients on top served alongside a few spicy wasabi flavored sashimi rolls. Rick decided it would be a safe bet to go with the Chef's Surprise and have a small pot of green tea with it since he couldn't have alcohol while on his medicines.
"Excuse me miss." Rick said getting the waitress's attention, "I'd like to order the Chef's Surprise and a small pot of green tea."
The waitress wrote down his order and left to prepare the tea setup. And while Rick waited for his lunch to arrive he thought about his crumbling relationship with Minmei and his budding relationship with Lisa. Where one was ending another one was beginning. But Rick felt as though the relationship with Minmei wouldn't be truly over with until he talked to her face to face.
********
As the final touches were being made to the production end of Minmei's move White Dragon Minmei and Kyle were on another photo shoot. Minmei was dressed in an outfit similar to the ones she wore for the posters and in the movie only this time it was skintight red leather pants that were low on the hips with matching knee length boots with three inch spike heels, an all too small red sleeveless Chinese style shirt that ended two inches below her bust, and a stylized red leather trench coat. Minmei's hair was in the same style as the posters and she wore the same makeup.
Kyle was dressed in red as well. This time he wore tight red pants over red boots and a thin tight red mock turtleneck with short sleeves. His hair was once again left to fall down to his shoulders. Everything about the outfit was designed to show off his muscles while Minmei's was designed to make her look like the sex kitten Kyle and the rest of her management team were making her believe she was. In fact, Minmei's old wardrobe had been sent to the resale shop so a more provocative more adult wardrobe could be brought in for her to wear. Minmei's new look was designed to turn men on in more ways than one and she loved it.
"Minmei I could just eat you up." The photographer commented with a British accent.
The photographer then had Minmei remove her trench coat and stand in such a way that her bust looked two sizes larger than it really was. He then had Kyle stand behind her place his arms around her shoulders in a way that had him fondling her chest. Minmei's head was made to rest on Kyle's chest while his head was brought down and tilted so that it looked like he was sucking on her earlobe.
The photographer had Minmei and Kyle hold their pose for a few minutes while he took shots of them from different angles. The whole time he was snapping pictures the photographer made comments to try and get the young couple to relax and look natural.
"Minmei doll loosen up a bit. You don't want to look like a mannequin you want to melt into Kyle's arms." He told her.
Minmei tried to relax a bit and just let Kyle hold her but something was bothering her and it was affecting the pose. Kyle could sense something up with his naive little cousin and began whispering questions in her ear.
"Minmei something's bugging you. Tell me what it is." Kyle half wondered half commanded.
"It's Rick Hunter. Even though I've dropped him from my life like a ton of bricks I think he may still be obsessed with me. I can't have him ruining what we have Kyle. I need to make him see that he means nothing to me anymore." Minmei told him.
"Then send him a message that you wish to see him in the most public of places and humiliate him in front of the entire city."
"I love the way you think Kyle."
"And I love you my White Dragon."
The little conversation between Minmei and Kyle helped the young woman relax and get into the spirit of the shoot. The photographer changed the position of Kyle's right arm so that it was now around Minmei's waist in such a way that his hand was right on her crotch. His left arm was then wrapped across Minmei's bust. Minmei's arms were changed as well. Her left one now snaked up and held onto the back of Kyle's head while her right one was placed on top of Kyle's hand on her crotch as if to guide him to the proper places to touch. Minmei's head was titled to the right to expose a good portion of her neck while Kyle was made to look as though he were kissing, nibbling, and sucking on it.
"Minmei darling part your lips slightly for me and close your eyes a bit. I want to capture you in the height of passion. You're a young sensual creature loved by the camera and by everyone around you. And once they see this spread no one will ever think of you as plain ordinary little girl anymore. Men will do whatever they want for you even stop wars for you." The photographer told her feeding her more hype to boost her already over inflated ego too much.
Minmei tried to do what the photographer wanted but was having some trouble getting fully into it. Kyle could tell his young innocent cousin still had some inhibitions to let go of and decided to break the final barrier releasing the sensual beast he was carefully turning her into. Instead of looking as though he was kissing, nibbling, and sucking Minmei's neck Kyle began to do the real thing adding his hands to the mixture. The results were better than the photographer could have ever imagined. Minmei was totally engulfed by the passion being played out. As the shoot continued Kyle let a small smirk play across his face as he whispered into Minmei's ear.
"You belong to me now Minmei. You're mine." Kyle told her.
********
Captain Henry Gloval commanding officer of the SDF1 knew he had to get the lines of communication open between the RDF Command and the Zentreadi. The only problem was trying to convince the members of the RDF Command that peace talks would be a good thing for both sides. Gloval remembered all the time he spent with Lisa discussing how to handle her father. Each time they discussed possible strategies for dealing with the members of the RDF Command Lisa would tell him how stubborn and thickheaded her father was. The admiral was going to be a tough nut to crack.
But the captain had some hope. Admiral Hayes and the other members of the RDF Command in Alaska didn't realize it but the SDF1 had a secret weapon. If needed Captain Gloval and the other high level commanding officers on the SDF1 were prepared to unleash Serena Tuskino upon the RDF Command and the United Earth Government. For some reason Henry knew that Serena was the key to lasting peace he just didn't know how or when it would happen. He just hoped Serena would be willing to help them.
"In two days I will make my proposal before the RDF Command to begin peace talks with the Zentreadi. If only I had some sort of assurance that they would be willing to give peace a chance but from what I saw at the Command base that is nothing more than wishful thinking." Gloval thought aloud.
With a heavy sigh Henry Gloval logged onto the ship's Intranet and accessed the records for the members of the RDF Command. There had to be something in the records along with what Lisa had told him that could help Gloval deal with the RDF Command. Slowly and surely Gloval began the long process of carefully reading through the records.
********
Rick wasn't certain what he was doing at the small outdoor café. But when he received word that Minmei wanted to see him there he leapt at the chance to actually see her again. It wasn't that Rick still had feelings for her it was the fact that Minmei was very busy and never returned any of his messages. Rick wanted to talk to Minmei but he wanted to do it in private not where everyone could see them. The fact that they would be out in the open like this bothered Rick a lot.
Rick was brought out of his thoughts when he heard some men whistling and cat calling at young woman headed in his direction. At first Rick thought the woman was someone else but then he got a good look at her. There was Minmei standing before him. She had changed a lot since he last saw her. Her hair was now a mess of soft curls held up out of her face in a high ponytail with a series of small twists. Her clothes consisted of tight black hip hugging pants, an equally tight sleeveless black shirt that ended just past the bust, and black spiked heel boots. Minmei didn't look like the girl Rick had met close to three year before that moment.
"Minmei you wished to see me." Rick wondered.
"Yes Rick I did." She replied, "You see things have changed for me since I began filming my movie. For one I've grown up quite a lot."
"I can see that." Rick commented indicating the new look.
"And another thing I've fallen in love. He's not like you Rick. He's not a little boy trapped in a man's world playing at a game he'll never win. He's a real man and he knows how to make me feel like the woman I was meant to be." Minmei told him in a haughty tone.
Rick began to wonder who the new man in Minmei's life was and if he had anything to do with her change in wardrobe and attitude. Rick was concerned that something was going to happen to Minmei and for a moment he found himself wanting to protect her. But then he remembered the reason why he wanted to see Minmei in the first place. Rick wanted to formally end his relationship with Minmei so he could officially begin his relationship with Lisa.
"So Minmei who's the man?" Rick wondered.
"It's Kyle. And he's better than you Rick. He doesn't have to pretend he's some hotshot just to impress me. He makes me come alive with each touch and kiss. He wants me and I want him. Kyle says together we can be the most powerful couple in all of Macross City. Everyone will do what we want them to. We have all the fame and all the money. And once my movie premieres next week the people of this city will forget all about you and your stupid little pilots. We are all that matters to this city." Minmei said.
"Minmei are you nuts? Do you actually believe what you just said? That's all Kyle speaking and not you. He's turned you into his own personal whore."
"How dare you say that about me and the man I love!"
Minmei prepared to strike Rick across the face but never connected. Rick had reached up with his good hand and caught Minmei's wrist holding it in place. Minmei sneered at Rick seething with anger.
"Minmei you need to grow up. You never visited me in the hospital, you never sent me a single card or flower, and you never had time for me. Ever since that Kyle demanded he come back with us all you care about is what he tells you. You know I'm glad we spent that time apart from each other." Rick said.
"And why is that Rick?" Minmei demanded.
"I found out a lot about myself but more importantly I found true love not this little game of dress up you're playing with Kyle. You see Minmei I realized that I am in love with Lisa Hayes. And I can tell she loves me too."
"This relationship is over with Rick Hunter. From now on you and I are strangers. I don't ever want to see you again. Come near me and I'll have you thrown in prison. And they'll believe me Rick because I am a goddess to them."
"You know I suddenly lost my appetite. Goodbye Minmei. I hope you and Kyle are happy in that sick twisted little world of yours."
Rick stood up and walked away from the table leaving a stunned Minmei behind. Rick wasn't supposed to have a backbone and her plan wasn't supposed to end the way it did. She was supposed to be the one to leave Rick sitting alone at the café not the other way around.
********
The White Dragon premier was the hottest ticket in town. Everyone wanted to be able to go to the very first showing of the first movie to be made inside the battlecruiser. And almost everyone on the SDF1 wanted to see Minmei perform again at the premier. Minmei mania ruled all over the SDF1 especially in Macross City. But there were some who could care less about all the hype. For Serena and her friends the movie premier was the farthest thing from their minds as they gathered for another meeting. This time they let Rick and Lisa join their meeting. They may not have been Scouts but they were still an important part of the past and the Silver Alliance.
"Welcome to our little meeting Rick, Lisa. I see your arm's out of the sling and you're walking without the cane Rick." Serena said getting the meeting started.
"Yeah Amy gave the good word yesterday. Another week and my leg can finally come out of this wrap." Rick replied.
"And then Rick can return to active duty by the end of the month." Amy told them.
"The captain has put Rick in charge of the Skull Squadron in Lt. Commander Fokker's absence." Lisa announced.
Everyone looked over at Rick and saw the expression on his face. They could tell Rick felt as though he were robbing Roy of his rightful place as the leader of the Skull Squad. Rick didn't want for this to happen. He just wanted to have Roy awake and functioning again. Life just didn't seem right without Roy around.
"What's he going to do about a fighter? His was all smashed up in that battle with the Zentreadi." Amara wondered.
"It was decided that until Lt. Commander Fokker is able to return to active duty Rick will fly in Skull One." Lisa told them.
Rick's face paled when he heard he would be getting Roy's plane. Next to Claudia that plane was the most important thing in his life. And knowing Roy he wouldn't dare let anyone near his plane unless there was a very good reason to. Rick felt sorry for the person who would be given the job of telling Roy he was flying his plane when he woke up. Sensing Rick's fear Lisa took his hand in hers and gave him a reassuring look.
"If I didn't know better I'd say the commander likes Rick." Mina whispered to Lita.
"You knew it would happen someday. Especially after that kiss they shared." Lita whispered back trying not to be heard by the others.
"And now to get down to the real reason for this meeting. We need to figure out a way to open the lines of communication between the Zentreadi and the RDF Command." Luna said.
"Plus we need to get the RDF Command to commit to their promise of letting the civilians be able to rebuild Macross City outside of the SDF1." Artimes added.
"Good luck trying to convince those hard heads anything." Lisa said.
"What makes you say that Lisa?" Darien wondered.
"Knowing my father he won't back down until everyone else gives up. I don't know who was more stubborn growing up my father or my mother. They could keep an argument alive for days. And if he's that way then I'm pretty certain the other members of the RDF Command will be the same way." Lisa told everyone.
"Looks like we have our work cut out for us." Amara said.
"I love a good challenge." Lita added.
"That's my Thunder Heart!" Nathan laughed, "Always ready to put the enemy in their place or straighten out our allies!"
"Oh you!" Lita laughed as she lightly punched Nathan in the arm.
"Well I for one am prepared to go before the RDF Command myself if it will get them talking with the Zentreadi." Serena declared.
"So what do we do first?" Justin asked.
"We probable wait until the Captain tells us something!" Kevin said.
"Yeah I agree with Kev. we don't know what the captain wants yet and right now is just a waiting game for now!" Zack said.
********
Miriya walked through the streets of Macross amazed and confused by everything she saw. Everywhere she went she saw the posters and other things advertising the movie White Dragon. Miriya was confused by the concept of a movie. She couldn't understand what all the excitement was all about. Stopping in front of the only movie theater in town Miriya watched as the workers prepared it for the premier about to take place in two days. A large sign was placed on the outside of the theater announcing that the premier was sold out with a smaller sign in the window of two small booths telling people the same thing. Miriya just couldn't figure out why people would want to see a female that touched a male the way she did in the posters around town.
"I don't get it why do these Micronians worship that female so. What is it about her that makes them act the way they do?" Miriya thought aloud.
Miriya figured if she was going to learn what it was about the female called Minmei that made an entire city act the way it did then she would have to find a way into the movie. Unfamiliar with the concept of sold out Miriya went to the ticket booth where there was one young man preparing for another day of very little people coming to see the ever rotating lineup of overly played live action and anime films.
"The White Dragon is there any way to see it?" Miriya asked the man behind the glass.
"There are no seats left for the premier and when it opens to the public the next day you won't be able to buy tickets for later showings so you're just going to have to take your chances standing in line with the rest of the city and the military men on their breaks. But not to worry you'll eventually be able to see it seeing as how it's the only new movie to come here in almost three years." He told her.
"I see." Was the only reply Miriya knew in a situation such as this one. Taking the information the man behind the counter had given her at face value Miriya left the Biograph Theater and headed off to do some more investigating around the city. She had over seventy thousand people to check out in order to find the pilot that defeated her in combat.
"I am going to have to check out this White Dragon when I can see it." Miriya thought aloud.
********
The SDF1 took its time heading to Ontario. Captain Gloval didn't want to do anything that would further jeopardize his standing with the RDF Command. And he wanted to make certain that the Zentreadi wouldn't attack the ship before they were able relocate the people of Macross City. Henry Gloval tried to make things look as inconspicuous as possible. Right now he didn't want to get on the bad side of either the Zentreadi or the RDF Command.
The crew of the SDF1 was in the middle of a shift change. The senior bridge crew had all somehow managed to get tickets to the premier of the new movie White Dragon. The only one not going to see the movie was Claudia. She had told Lisa it would be too painful to see all the couples at the premier and volunteered for double shifts. Lisa just figured that Claudia needed some time to herself away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And the extra quiet bridge that night would be just what Claudia needed.
"Have fun at the movie Lisa." Claudia said as Lisa was leaving to get ready.
"Are you sure you'll be okay Claudia?" Lisa asked over her shoulder.
"I'll be fine Lisa. Now go before you end up being late."
"Okay, okay I'm going. I'll see you in the morning Claudia."
Lisa then exited the bridge to head back to her quarters to get ready for her evening together with Rick and what would be their first date.
********
The city was buzzing with the excitement of the movie premier. It seemed just about everyone was outside the Biograph to try and catch a glimpse of the stars as they arrived at the theater. Almost everyone on the SDF1 military or civilian wanted to see Minmei in person. The premier of the movie was to include a small concert by Minmei who would sing the title track to the movie's soundtrack. And besides the concert some of the more well known members of Macross society would be in attendance.
Tickets for the event were the hottest thing in town and if you had one you were envied by everyone you knew. It seemed that only the very wealthy and elite members of Macross society were able to get tickets to the movie. The average citizen in Macross and the members of the military weren't as lucky. Only a small few of them were able to get tickets for the premier. Everyone outside of the cast and crew had to pay for their tickets. There were no tickets given out to anyone except for three, tickets were given to Minmei's family her Aunt Kim, Uncle Chan, and little cousin Jamie were given the only free tickets in the entire ship.
Among the lucky ones besides Serena, Darien, the Generals and the rest of the Scouts to get tickets to the movie premier were Rick and Lisa. Somehow Rick was able to purchase the tickets before they sold out. It had cost the Veritech pilot a full week's salary for the tickets but it was worth it. Rick had wanted to treat Lisa to a special night out as a way of thanking her for all the time she spent with him in the hospital and he wanted to see how they felt about one another. This was going to be one evening they would never forget for a long time.
The night started out with the arrival of the cast, crew, and other important people on board the SDF1. Then once they had entered into the Biograph the public who had tickets were let in. Before the movie was to even start the director walked out onto the stage to talk to the audience.
"Ladies and Gentlemen I just want to welcome you to the first ever showing of the new movie White Dragon staring Minmei and Lynn Kyle. Minmei, Lynn Kyle, and I worked hard on this film to bring it to all of you. I think you'll like what you see. And now before we begin tonight's presentation I would like to introduce to you the star of White Dragon Minmei who will be singing a song from the soundtrack." The director Billy Zane said.
Minmei, who had her last name dropped at Kyle's suggestion, walked out on stage wearing a form fitting black hip hugging leather skirt that ended at mid thigh, an all too tight and very small black leather strapless top that barely covered her bust, a very short black leather jacket, and thigh high black leather four inch spiked heeled boots. Once again her hair was done in the same style and her makeup hadn't changed except for the fact that her lipstick was now blood red and her face made to look two shades paler. Minmei walked over to the microphone and took it off the stand before addressing the crowd.
"Thank you for coming to my movie. As Billy said I will be giving you a taste of the White Dragon soundtrack. This song is called Lovers' Dance." Minmei told the audience.
The music began playing and what the audience thought would be a simple romantic ballad turned into something much more. The beat to the music was sensual and erotic filled with moans in the background. As the song went on the audience realized what Minmei was singing about, making love. And the dance she did upon the stage had a few people in the audience appalled by what they were seeing.
When the song was over with Minmei got a respectable round of applause as she walked off the stage. A theater worker then removed the microphone as the curtain opened and the movie began. The story which at first was going to be about a military pilot saving a city from an alien invasion turned into a spy movie where the spy team of Minmei, the lead spy White Dragon, and Kyle, the spy called Red Falcon, battled an evil super genius while falling in love with each other. About thirty minutes into the movie Minmei and Kyle shared their first kiss on screen one the audience knew wasn't fake. Then ten minutes later the spies were in a hotel suite at a Monte Carlo styled hotel where they proceeded to make love to the song Minmei had sung before the movie.
The sight of seeing Minmei and Kyle on screen doing things to each other only two consenting adults should do was too much for both Rick and Lisa. It was hard for Rick because the look of honest not faked pleasure on Minmei's face was the final nail in the coffin for him. For Lisa Kyle looked too much like Carl that it still hurt that her childhood friend was dead. The pain of discovering his fate on Mars was still etched into her brain even if she was ready to move on. The movie continued on but Lisa didn't want to see any of it. Getting up from her seat Lisa headed for the aisle and then the exit. Noticing her leaving Rick decided to follow Lisa and see what was wrong.
********
The night crew of the SDF1 thought they would be having a peaceful shift. But Claudia, the captain, and the girls who worked the night hours soon found themselves facing a mess of pods led by Khyron. The Zentreadi squad commander was back to being under the command of Breetai who had recently returned from assisting Lord Dolza. And the first thing Breetai wanted Khyron to do after seeing the transmission coming from the SDF1 was to launch an attack against it.
With the Skull and Lunar squads off duty for the evening the task of defending the SDF1 fell to the other squads on board the two carriers. Four of the moderately sized squads were sent into battle against Khyron and his men. And with the SDF1 so close to Thunder Bay and Lake Superior it was rough going trying not to involve the people down on the ground. Captain Gloval wanted to end the battle between the Zentreadi as quickly as possible.
"Claudia, send a message to all personnel to begin transformation procedures." Captain Gloval said, "Amber, contact engineering and have them divert power to the transformation mechanism."
"Aye sir." The two women replied.
Claudia then got on the ship's com system and prepared to inform the military personnel to prepare for the upcoming transformation.
"All personnel report to transformation stations. Repeat, all personnel report to transformation stations." Claudia told the rest of the crew.
"Sir, engineering reports transformation mechanism powered and ready to go." Amber, the night helms officer reported.
"Good. Claudia, begin transformation sequence." Gloval told her.
"Aye sir." Claudia replied as she began punching in the codes to begin the ship's transformation.
********
The streets of Macross began to rumble and split signaling that the SDF1 was transforming yet again. Those on the streets knew exactly where to go in times like this. There were shelters where the citizens of Macross were supposed to go when the SDF1 transformed. In a neat and orderly fashion the people of Macross City who were not indoors headed for the shelters. The looks on their faces told anyone who saw them that they were getting bored with heading off to the shelters.
Rick and Lisa who happened to be outside of the theater at the time the alarm in the city went off began heading towards the nearest shelter. As they headed across the street it began to split in two sliding open to accommodate the changes the ship and the city would be undergoing. The opening below the street was seven feet deep, just large enough for an average man to stand up. The streets of the city were wracked with another jolt from the transformation and a hit to the hull from a pod cannon. People on the sidewalks tried hard not to fall down and some of them failed. Rick and Lisa both lost their footing and fell into the opening just mere moments before the street began to close once more.
********
The people in the Biograph were not ready for the ship to transform into the battleoid form. As the SDF1 shook and rocked with the transformation and the battle outside it the people in the theater began to make a mad dash for the exits. Knowing what had to be done the Scouts and Generals along with Serena and Darien quickly reacted trying to get the people in the theater out in an orderly fashion.
"Everyone please calm down and exit the theater in a calm and orderly fashion." Serena called out over the noise of the crowd.
"What do you need us to do?" Mina asked Serena.
Looking around the theater Serena noticed Kyle and Minmei near the stage. Kyle was hovering over Minmei who looked to be clutching her head and her ankle in pain. Despite what she felt about the younger woman Serena knew they had to help her.
"Amy I want you and Zack to go and help Lynn Kyle get Minmei out of here and to the hospital. The rest of us will try and calm this crowd down and direct them out the center doors in the lobby." Serena told them.
"We're on it Serena." Amy and Zack said in unison.
"You heard the woman let's get going." Mina added.
The Scouts and Generals then broke up into smaller groups to go and help the people in the theater get out without any injury.
********
Rick and Lisa were under the streets of Macross in a small four by six seven foot deep space. Sure there was a ladder like series of rungs in the wall but it did them no good if the street was closed together. Rick and Lisa knew there was only one reason for something like this to happen, the SDF1 was under attack yet again.
"Oh this is just great." Rick complained as he checked his still healing left leg.
"Who knows how long it'll be before the captain tells Claudia to transform the SDF1 back." Lisa replied.
"Looks like we'll be down here for a while."
"Not much we can do down here except wait."
"Gee I haven't done anything like this since I first came onto the SDF1."
Lisa sat down and noticed that Rick was still checking his still healing leg. The young commander was worried that Rick's leg may have been damaged further in the fall from the street. It had taken Rick a bit of time to get where he was in his recovery and Lisa worried that he may be set back to where he was when he got out of the hospital.
"Rick is your leg okay?" Lisa asked him.
"Yeah it's fine. It's just a little tender from the fall." Rick replied.
Rick then looked over at Lisa and noticed the gloomy expression written across her face. Something was bothering Lisa and he intended to find out what it was.
"Lisa why did you run out of the theater like that?" Rick wondered.
"Minmei's costar Lynn Kyle looked way too much like a boy I knew growing up in Virginia. We were friends even though he was six years older than me. Growing up I idolized Carl and even had a crush on him. And up until just before the training began for the new Veritech pilots and crew of the SDF1 I thought I might see him again. It was around that time the rumors that something happened to the crew of Mars Base Sara went crazy and killed each other after a meteor hit part of the base. I didn't want to believe what I had heard. But then we traveled to Mars and I learned that he and everyone else on Base Sara was dead. That's when I realized it was over for good for us." Lisa explained.
"That explains why you were so eager to take that mission to the surface of Mars. But I thought you were moving on with your life."
"I am. At least I think I am. But seeing Kyle up on the screen like that brought back a whole boatload of memories and feelings that hadn't gone away yet. I may have gotten over my crush but Carl was still my friend and it hurts not knowing what happened to him."
Rick saw how the memories of her childhood friend were affecting Lisa and went over to the young commander and placed an arm around her shoulders pulling her close to him. Lisa looked over at Rick and saw the tender look on Rick's face and smiled. A lot had happened to them since they were captured by the Zentreadi and part of it centered on them.
"You know I'll always be here for you." Rick told her.
"I know that Rick and I appreciate it very much."
"I care about you a lot Lisa and it's not because of some past we had together. When I see you I don't see her I just see the kind wonderful strong person you are. I think...no I know I've fallen for you Lisa. I love you and I want to spend as much time as possible with you."
Lisa didn't know what to say. Here was someone four years younger than she was willingly professing his feelings for her. Lisa had been thinking about her feelings for Rick ever since he first visited Roy in the ICU and the more she thought about it the more she realized that she loved Rick a lot.
"I love you too Rick." Lisa told him.
Lisa and Rick sat there looking at each other in the eyes. They had just admitted their feelings to one another. It was a big step in their relationship. By telling Lisa he loved her Rick was ending his relationship with Minmei for good. It felt great to not have to worry that Minmei would be hurt if he pursued a more serious relationship with Lisa. It was something Rick wanted and something he knew Minmei wasn't ready for, she just wasn't mature enough to handle it and the feelings that came with it.
The young couple decided to remove the distance between them and leaned in close to each other for a kiss. It would be their first kiss on the lips since the Zentreadi ship and the first kiss that would come from their hearts and not some command. When their lips touched the problems of the world melted away. There was no war going on and there was no big Hollywood styled movie premier. Minmei and Kyle didn't exist either. There was only them. All that mattered was Rick and Lisa. Lisa parted her lips as an invitation to Rick to let his tongue into her mouth. Rick wasted no time exploring everything Lisa's mouth had to offer. A few minutes later the kiss ended and Rick and Lisa sat there smiling at one another just as the street began to open once more.
"Looks like the battle is over." Rick said still a little heady from the kiss.
"Yeah I guess it is. We'd better get out of here." Lisa replied also a bit giddy.
"Lisa do you want to come to my quarters?" Rick asked.
"Are you sure Rick I mean you just got out of the hospital not too long ago?" Lisa asked.
"Yes Lisa I'm sure! I feel like exploring our new found relationship more!" Rick told her.
"Oh Rick!" Lisa screamed not in horror but in excitement in seeing just how far their newfound love could take them.
Together the new couple climbed out of the split street and proceeded to Rick's quarters.
********
The reporters waited outside of Macross General Hospital for news on Minmei. They flocked to the hospital when word was sent out that Minmei had been brought there by one of the military doctors who happened to be in attendance at the movie premier. Fifteen minutes after their arrival Minmei and Kyle walked out of the hospital stopping on the steps to address the crowd. The young couple had huge smiles upon their faces telling the reporters that something else had happened in the hospital besides a check up to see if Minmei was okay.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press I have some very good news to announce to you tonight. First of all Minmei is fine. The doctors said she just has a nasty bump on her head and bruised her ankle during the attack. But that's not all. While inside the exam room Minmei consented to be my bride. Minmei and I are to be married as soon as we can get permission to travel to Yokohama to see her parents once more." Kyle told the reporters.
The reporters couldn't believe what they were hearing Lynn Kyle and their beloved Minmei were going to be married. They didn't know if the young couple would be able to get permission from the military to leave the ship again but when they did they wanted to be there for the momentous occasion.
"Minmei is what Kyle saying true? Did you accept a marriage proposal from him?" the reporter for an entertainment gossip program asked her.
"Yes I did. Kyle loves me very much and wants only the best for me. He says we can be even better together if we're married." Minmei told them in her naïve yet beginning to understand manner.
"What about your age Minmei aren't you a little young to be getting married?" the entertainment reporter for the local paper asked.
Kyle felt they had said all there was to be said on the subject. He didn't want anyone saying or asking something that might have Minmei thinking what they were doing was wrong. Kyle didn't want the trust Minmei had in him to be destroyed because she suddenly began questioning the moral legality of their relationship. Minmei believed everything Kyle had told her and if she began to doubt him then all his hard work would go down the drain. He didn't want anyone to ruin the final step in his plan that would make Minmei his forever.
"I'm sorry but Minmei is tired and needs to get her rest. She's had a long day." Kyle told the reporters in a 'don't even think about questioning me' tone.
Minmei looked over at Kyle with a look on her face that clearly told him she wasn't in the least bit tired. Kyle glared back at her with a look that told her who the boss in the relationship really was. He then leaned over to her and whispered something in her ear.
"Listen Minmei I don't like the look you just gave me one bit. If I say you're tired then you're tired. You listen to me now understand. I tell you what to do and you and I are going back to our suite. You are not going to any party. I control your life not you." Kyle hissed in her ear.
Minmei's eyes became real wide and then shone with understanding as Kyle laid down the laws of their relationship. Minmei knew her place and didn't want to anger Kyle. Kyle had told her she was too immature to handle the kind of people running her career and that she would be better off letting him handle everything. And when he said everything he meant everything.
"I could use some rest after what happened in the theater. I'm sorry I can't answer any more of your questions." Minmei told the reporters in a quiet voice.
********
Kyle and Minmei returned to the hotel suite after dealing with the reporters in front of the hospital. Minmei didn't quite understand what had Kyle all bothered like he was but something was wrong she at least knew that. Walking over to Kyle Minmei put a hand upon his shoulder and looked up at him with big questioning eyes. The eyes that once held all the innocence in the world had become darker with feelings and desires Minmei was still too innocent to understand. But that would soon be a thing of the past.
"Kyle is something bothering you?" Minmei asked him.
"Nothing is wrong Minmei now that I have you back in our home." Kyle told her.
"I just want to make you feel better. If there is something I can do tell me." Minmei replied.
"I think you know what it is I want." Kyle said with a feral look on his face.
Minmei understood all too well what Kyle was talking about and soon found herself being pulled into a lip crushing kiss. Kyle forced her mouth open with his tongue and shoved it into her mouth. A look of fear came over Minmei's face as she wondered if what they were about to do was right. As the kiss continued Kyle pulled off Minmei's jacket and began running his hands up her bare sides. When the kiss ended Kyle was panting as Minmei just looked at him with fear-laden eyes.
"Kyle this isn't right. The marriage tonight we're cousins and we shouldn't be doing this." Minmei tried to reason with him.
"Minmei, Minmei, Minmei I guess our family has done a very good job of keeping this little secret. You see we're not actually cousins. Twenty years ago my parents adopted me. My mother's career was still going and she didn't want to be burdened with the inconvenience of having a baby. But her manger had told her that the motherly type was in and she needed a baby in order to further her career. So she and my father adopted me. It was three years later when you came along and by then they all forgot about the fact that I wasn't a natural born Lynn. Six years after that when my mother was well retired from her modeling job she decided she was ready to actually go through childbirth and year later my brother Jamie was born. It was then I learned the awful truth about myself. My parents told me I wasn't their child and Jamie wasn't my brother. They cared more about him than me. But one thing kept me going over the following years, you. You see I developed a crush on you Minmei and then one day I decided that I loved you. That was when your parents decided that you should visit my parents for a while. You were fourteen and I was seventeen at the time. I knew pursuing a relationship then would be wrong so I forced myself to wait and that's when I went away to Yokohama University a year later. I couldn't stand the military presence in Macross but I had to control my desires and lust for you Minmei. Now that you're all grown up I want you. I want to make you mine forever. Say yes and I can make you a true woman." Kyle told Minmei.
Minmei looked at Kyle and could tell that he wasn't lying to her about the adoption or his feelings for her. His love, however sick and twisted it may have been, was genuine for her. Kyle wanted her and he wanted to give her something Rick couldn't, the gift of true womanhood.
"Yes Kyle, change me from a scared little girl into a strong woman. I don't want to be the girl I was before you came to the SDF1. Make me yours." Minmei said.
A sinister grin came across Kyle's face. He had won. Minmei was about to be his forever.
TBC
Please R&R! Also read Chibi Halo's Sailor Moon Macross!
