Chapter XI

The wide, black flattop was a welcome sight to see, especially after nervously watching the fuel gauge wavering between green and red for a few miles.  "Skull Two, is it me, or are we being welcomed aboard with opened arms?"

"If this is a mirage, don't pinch me," he replied coolly.

Our fighters pulled to a stop and we dismounted.  A pasty-faced ensign, with the name "Carver" on his name patch, approached.  "Captain Hunter, Captain Sterling, I welcome you aboard the ESS Enterprise, with Vice Admiral Russell T. Gates' compliments.  Please accompany me to the wardroom."

We returned the young man's salute.  "We'll follow where you lead us, Ensign Carver.  Kindly make it a short trip, however, our nerves are rather shot," I said, a tad formally.

"And that's different from our fighters, how," Max quipped.

"That's right, I forgot that our planes found religion," I rejoined.

"In what way?"

"They're holey."

Max swatted the back of my head as we ducked down the stairway.  "This way, sirs," Carver said, mildly amused.

Max and I hung our helmets on the hat rack in the corner of Rusty's office.  "Nice scrape you found yourself in, Rick," he smiled as we sat down.

"No worse than the one you and Roy had in San Diego," I grinned.

"True," he smirked.  "Now, what is this business about wanting to go back?"

Max and I lay gave our report, and, a few hours later, Rusty nodded and scowled.  "You guys have a lot of guts going back to Macross City, you know."

"The implacable foe is the only one worth fighting," Max remarked.

"You guys do seem to have coral for brains," Rusty grimaced, shaking his head in disbelief.  "Okay, one more time.  What is the plan?"

"Well," I said.  "We do a HAHO jump from the coastline in towards Macross City, land, and proceed."

"How will you enter the city?"

"We'll bring along some demolitions, Rusty."

"As plans go, I've heard better," Rusty said.

"And I've heard worse," I countered.  "What about the one that began, 'Follow me, we'll get there in no time.'"

"That was one minor mistake, Rick.  Are you going to hold that over my head the rest of your life?"

"Relax, Rusty, it's forgiven."

Max looked at me strangely.  "What, is everyone in the defense force a friend of Roy's, or does it just seem that I've fallen into a tight circle of friends?"

"Yes," I said. 

"Okay, Mister-Fortune-Cookie," Max quipped.  "How do we get into the SDF-1?"

"The new RDF Marine Corps uniform includes a helmet with mask, right," I grinned.

"You've gotta be kidding me, Rick," Rusty said.  "The old, 'we'll sneak into the laundry room and steal a uniform or two' trick?"

"If you have a better idea, tell me now."

"Well, you're right about one thing," Max said.

"What's that?"

"There is no better plan."

"That's right.  That's why I developed this one."

"My god," Rusty said.  "Rick Hunter developing a plan.  This is a first."

"Whaddaya mean by that?"

"I recall your days in the Boy Scouts, mister.  Who got his patrol lost with that 'Swedish Compass' fiasco?"

"You've gotta be kidding me.  You planned that?"

"Took ya how many years to figure that out?"

I conceded the point and changed the subject.  "Thanks for the base of attack, Rusty.  Max and I should leave soon, though."

"What's the hurry?"

"Well, the faster we go, the sooner this war ends, right?"

"True, but you two are exhausted.  At least stay for some chow.  Finest mess hall afloat."

"We appreciate the offer, sir," Max said, "But Rick is right.  We gotta get there fast."

"Well, don't say I didn't offer," Rusty said.

***

Six hours later, as the cargo plane flies, Max and I found ourselves back in Macross City, dressed in matching black commando uniforms.  It was approximately five minutes till dawn, and we were on opposite ends of Broadway, the city's main street.  We'd rigged a small surprise to cover our entrance, and, not three yards from where I stood, I had summarily bound and gagged two RDF Marines, to ensure speed and surprise..  Their patrol bike was idling, and I was counting down till 0500, when the changing of the guard would occur.  My radio crackled.  "Lead, what's the game?"

"Two, you got wheels," I said.

"Yeah, so we deliver the goods and peel out, right?"

"Yes, on my count.  Three, two, one.  Make for the Prometheus!"

We triggered the explosives that we'd planted around the gates to the city and the guard shacks.  The fireballs that took down the guard posts drew everyone's attention, and, in the confusion, the sight of two uniformed marines riding back to HQ drew no attention.  "Lead to Two.  Full throttle, we're going in."

"Two, I copy," he replied.  Upon seeing two motorcycles heading back to base, the communications officer queried our actions, and when we didn't answer, the SDF-1's anti-personnel batteries, consisting of twin ma-deuce machine guns and a 40mm grenade launcher in a turret-pod, opened fire at us..  The gunners were used to targeting Destroids, so they were a little slower against a faster-moving opponent.  Tracer rounds surrounded me, and I banked to port as the first grenade came hurtling my way.  I saw the flight deck rapidly approaching, as the crossfire got worse.  "Max, what's your 20?"

"I'm taking heavy fire, but Howe's gunners can't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle.  It makes for some interesting views, though."

"We gotta get through to the prison, dude.  Ditch the bike, this has gotta be a full frontal assault."

I slid my bike over on its right side and skidded along, letting it part in a shower of sparks.  I twisted around as I tumbled, trying to reach a flash-bang, but my balance was awful and I slid into a concrete barrier.  The resulting thud sickened me, and nausea permeated my head. I couldn't think straight, and my left leg was killing me.  I finally found a flash-bang and hurled it at the nearest weapons station.

The guards screamed in pain as the light seared their eyeballs, and the concussion threw them into the lake.  I drew my FMG and unfolded it to its full length.  I slapped a painkiller patch on my left thigh and struggled to my feet, looking frantically for Max.  I caught a glimpse of his blue hair getting carried away with the crowd, a veritable tide of humanity, of enemy soldiers retreating with a captive.  My buddy had taken out his own turret, but he had the misfortune of being surrounded as he launched his grenade.  By now, the civilian defense corps personnel had awoken to the realization that they were being invaded, and were responding to the threat.  I saw that the hatch to the ship was open and unguarded, as everyone was running all over the place, so I took off at full speed towards it.  Halfway up the docking platform, a squad of heavy weapon troopers spotted me, and I heard the crack of 30mm rounds hurling my way…

AN: Sorry it took me a long time, guys, but the inspiration has been a little slow on my end lately.  That being said, I finally read Carla's "Bittersweet Destiny," and I absolutely adore it.  Can't wait for the next installment.  Now, Speresian, when are we gonna see yours?  And I'm sorry if this is a little weak, but I need a filler chapter every so often, don't I?  Don't worry, the truth, and the reunion, is coming sooner than you think.