Chapter 9

Lisa and Rick walked down the corridor, guided by two armed soldiers. They both looked for signs of familiarity, but neither of them had seen this area of the ship yet. They had lost their sense of direction long ago, and none of the doors or passages were marked. Rick wasn't sure why, but he felt nervous. Lisa shared in that feeling.

They passed a series of high-security doors, thanks to the soldiers' keycards. Security began to tighten as they traversed further. Cameras followed their path, and checkpoints stopped them frequently to check ID.

They finally reached a dead-end to the hallway. The soldiers did not enter their keys this time, but the door opened in advance. Rick and Lisa stopped before reaching it. They peered inside, but could not make out what was inside.

One of the guards raised a walkie-talkie. "Doctor Lang," he called, "we're at the gate. The visitors will be waiting." He turned to Rick and Lisa, and grinned. "Welcome to the freak show, kids."

Rick cut the tension. "That's welcome to the freak show, sir," he pointed out. Lisa smiled.

The guards departed, and soon afterward, Dr. Lang appeared from within the dark room. "Good day," he nodded. "Commander Hunter, Commander Hayes, it's a pleasure to present this opportunity. Please, follow me."

He ushered the two into the room, and the security door hissed shut behind them. It was pitch black. Rick felt for Lisa's hand, but she found his first. They squeezed each other's palms tightly.

"Say, Doctor," said Rick, after some time in the darkness had passed. "You still in here?"

Dr. Lang's voice carried from a few feet away. "Over here, Hunter. Looking for the switch. Our subject is asleep right now. Courtesy, you know."

Lisa tightened her grip on Rick's hand. Another moment passed. "Hey Doc," said Rick. "You don't dabble in mad scientism, by chance..."

The doctor laughed, directly behind Rick and Lisa. They jumped forward as he replied. "Sorry for the delay...we've got some power cords disconnected. We're trying to conserve...this operation consumes massive amounts of power. Ah, here we go!"

Dr. Lang stepped beside them. "And without further ado, I present to you...Eo Prime."

The lights flashed on. Rick and Lisa found themselves in a steel-walled viewing room with a giant glass window. Before them lay a circular chamber filled with cables and electronic monitors. In the center was a long steel gourney. Flourescent lamps threw light at the bed from every direction.

A humanoid figure lay motionless on the bed. He was covered in a black rubberlike suit from head to toe, except for his face and the center of his chest. He was tall and powerfully built. The skin on his face was pale white. Electrical cables ran from the sockets of his eyes to nearby machines. His hands were missing, and long cables ran to similar machines from his wrists.

Lisa gasped, and stepped away from the window. Rick put his arm around her waist.

But Dr. Lang was oblivious to the situation. "I trust he looks familiar," he beamed.

Lisa mustered the courage for a second look. "He...he found me at the base!" She blinked in terror. "...What happened to him?"

"Oh, nothing happened," said Lang. "He's perfectly fine. Well, I shouldn't say that much. He has a bullet lodged in his breastbone, but we're working on it. Other than that, he's fit as a fiddle."

"...I've seen fitter," Rick whispered. "He's... a machine?"

The doctor shook his head. "No, Hunter. He's a Zentraedi. But he's unlike any Zentraedi we've come across. His body has been completely modified to interface with an amazing Variable Fighter. Its instruments are fed directly to Eo's brain! His control over the craft is stunning."

"Doctor..." said Lisa. "Do we have this fighter in our posession?"

"We do," nodded Lang. "In fact, Hunter has even flown it. Eo's craft is the VF-1X."

Rick's thoughts trailed back to the stripped-down test fighter. "Now I get it! That's why my instruments were so poorly made. The original pilot didn't need them!"

Eo Prime stirred, and lifted slowly off the gourney. The wires zipped back into his wrists and eye sockets. A skeletal frame extended from his arms, and rotated into place at the ends, forming a pair of spiny hands and fingers. He sat on the table and looked tiredly around his chamber.

"He can't see us," said Lang. "But it makes no difference. He's fully devoted to the Global Defense."

Rick ran his hand through his hair. "So... Admiral Sever built a new Veritech...and did this to a Zentraedi man? How didn't the RDF know about this?"

"I don't believe that's how it went," Lang replied. "Because the VF-1X isn't new... it's old. We can date it back to almost a decade before the SDF-1 crashed on Macross. We believe that's also when Eo was cloned."

Lisa gasped. "The Zentraedi created him?"

"Mm-hmm. And we're guessing that somehow, he was lost on Earth during the fighting. But Admiral Sever found him, modified his craft to look like a VF-1, and... who knows what his plans were."

Rick blinked his eyes in shock. "I don't believe it."

"Don't worry, of course," said Lang. "He's on our side. In fact, he seems to know both of your names. He asks about you frequently. It seems as though we've landed ourselves a supersoldier, so we have nothing to fear."

He stopped, and straightened his lab coat. "Unless..."

Lisa sighed apprehensively. "Unless there's more of him."

Rick sat between Joons and Martinez in the briefing room. "You guys ready?" he asked.

"You bet, sir!" said Joons quickly.

"No," chuckled Martinez. "Can I go home?"

They watched as a large viewscreen flickered to life, showing an image of the Ultimatum's bridge. Admiral Breetai stood at the commander's position, along with Jameson Reave, the ship's captain. Breetai was the first to speak.

"Greetings, gentlemen. This mission is of extremely high priority, and we entrust that you will carry it out to the fullest extent."

"Sir, yes sir!" they stood and saluted.

"Good," nodded Breetai. "We are sending you back to New Macross City, to infiltrate Echo Base. Last night, the base was invaded by a Malcontent armada. Much of the area was evacuated due to the recent events, so thankfully we were spared many casualties. But as of now, New Macross is without a military installation. Flush out the Malcontents so we can begin rebuilding the base."

Admiral Reeve spoke next. "But the most important part of your mission regards Eo Prime. We must find out where he came from, and whether the Malcontents have similar threats brewing. If the computer database is online, search it for information regarding Eo."

Martinez saluted again. "Sir! Wouldn't it be easier to ask him, sir!"

Rick winced angrily. Breetai thinned his eyes, and growled deeply. "Perhaps you should ask him, Lieutenant."

The briefing room door slid shut, and Eo Prime stepped inside. He was fitted with a shining black jumpsuit, and the rubberized covering was missing from his skull. Metal inputs were present on the sides of his head.

He stood sharply, and saluted the admirals. Breetai turned his manevolent eyes from Martinez. "Eo, we are counting on you to protect these men at all cost. Do you understand?"

"Sir! Yes sir!" Eo boomed.

"Excellent. We have faith in you, Eo. Rick Hunter is the commanding officer for this mission. He will designate the plan for insertion, execution, and evacuation. Good luck, men."

The screen's image dissipated. Rick stood, and turned to Eo, offering his hand. "Rick Hunter," he said. "Good to have you aboard."

Eo took the handshake firmly. Through his glove, Rick felt the cold sharpness of his metallic fingers. "I will not fail, sir!" said Eo with much fervor.

Martinez looked at the Zentraedi pilot in shock. He turned to Joons. "This can not be a good thing," he said.

Hawk Squadron stepped quickly through the Ultimatum's hangar. They passed the Wolf Pack's famous VF-1 squadron, lined up in succession. A row of perfectly-maintained fighters, they were painted in aggressive blue and grey hues, and loaded with state-of-the-art weaponry. Mechanics worked on the Veritechs constantly, keeping them ready for battle at a moment's notice.

Pilots and crew members waved at Rick and his wingmen, as they walked by to their waiting Veritechs. Rick was too absorbed in the mission to notice. "I heard you were wounded in combat," he said to Eo. "Think you'll be alright?"

Eo nodded. "My brother and I are prepared for any situation."

"Your brother?" asked Rick. He raised his voice over the increasing engine noise.

"Yes, my brother. You have met him... do you not remember?"

Rick thought for a moment. "Uh... can't say as I have. What's his name?"

"He has no name," sad Eo, "but the military seems to enjoy calling him 'Ecks.'"

Joons and Martinez caught up to hear the conversation. Rick was still turning over the idea. "I'm sorry... I don't know of a man named 'Ecks.' Is he on this ship?"

Eo sped up his pace. "I will show you."

They reached their Veritechs, being loaded onto the elevators for the runway. Rick, Joons, and Martinez all had miniature boosters attached to their craft. Last in line was the VF-1X, with its arching tailfins and massive engines. It needed no modifications.

"There," called Eo. He pointed to the VF-1X. "There is my brother."

Rick stared at the craft. "Oh! ...Yes, of course!" he said. "Yeah, he saved my life a few days ago. I'm sorry, I don't know where my head was."

"I will transfer your gratitude to him, Commander. I launch on your mark." Eo saluted, and left for his fighter.

Rick turned to Joons and Martinez. "Don't ask me!" he shrugged.

"He talks to his Veritech," said Martinez. "Great. Awesome. Whose idea was this again?"

"Breetai's!" called Rick, as the wingmen headed for their Veritechs. "So it's a great idea!"

"Sir, yes sir!" Martinez gave a sloppy salute with his back turned.

Next to his own VF-1, Rick noticed a large TC-1 transport being prepared for flight. It was armored heavily and fitted with several rocket packs. Lisa Hayes stood beside the craft, speaking loudly with the pilot. She was dressed in a tight-fitting space suit that bore the RDF logo on the shoulder.

Rick sprinted to her side. "What the heck is going on?" he shouted over the growling engine.

The pilot saluted. "Just going over emergency evacuations for Commander Hayes, sir! We're scheduled to take off as soon as you're airborne."

"Where are you going?" said Rick.

Lisa rubbed her forehead, as the pilot replied. "With you, sir! Weren't you informed?"

"...What?!" Rick said. "Pilot...go do something! I've gotta clear this up."

"Yes sir, I'll be in the cockpit!"

The pilot climbed into the TC-1. Rick and Lisa stepped away from the noisy engines.

"Rick, I know what you're thinking..." Lisa began. "But you're going to need my help!"

"Lisa, you can't possibly want to come with us!" Rick replied. "The base could be filled with Zentraedi! It's a death trap down there!"

"And that's why I have to come! You need someone to quickly hack into the computers. I can use my password to get the information so you won't be hung up waiting!"

Rick shook his head "Absolutely not. Joons has the experience. We'll do just fine!"

"Rick, just think about it for a minute," said Lisa, rubbing her face in frustration. "I can help you. I know there's a risk involved. I enlisted knowing that! And I want to do my part in this!"

"You are doing your part...!"

"An what's that, huh?" she stopped him. "Waiting for you to come home?"

"I did not say that!" Rick interjected. "It's just that... you're a bridge officer! I don't want you in a combat situation... there's more experienced people for the job!"

Lisa gasped. "How dare you insinuate that I'm inexperienced! I'll have you know that I've been in the service far longer than you!"

"Lisa...I didn't say that either! Just try to consider what you're doing!"

"I'm doing my duty, Rick! I have obligations to keep as well! And I'm not going to sit up here and... and..."

Her voice began to quiver. She blinked away a tear. "...And watch you die on a television screen! There, are you happy now?!"

Rick placed his hand on her shoulder. "Lisa, please... you aren't ready for this!"

She fought her shaking breaths. "And...who says you are, Rick? Maybe it's an ambush! Maybe you'll never leave that base alive! Maybe...you'll..."

She shook off his hand. "Breetai thinks I'm ready! He authorized this and I'm coming with you, like it or not!"

Rick stood silently, and watched her closely. He finally took a deep breath. "Pilot!" he shouted.

The TC-1 pilot crawled out of the hatch. "Yessir!"

"Get Commander Hayes some decent armor, and a weapon or two! You think we're sending her out like this?"

"Right away, sir!"

Rick turned to Lisa, and saluted her. His eyes peered at her earnestly. "See you at Echo, Commander! Good hunting!"

She nodded nervously. "Rick...I just can't..."

He turned his back and marched away, checking his flight suit as he went. He screamed inwardly.

"Rick...wait!"

"Officer!" he shouted, ducking under the engines of his fighter.

"Rick! Please!" Lisa screamed. He let her voice trail off, mixed with the engine growl.

The deck officer gave him the thumbs-up, and he climbed the ladder to his cockpit. His hands were cold; he felt a drop of sweat run down his forehead.

Joons was to his right. His canopy was closing, and he was fitting his helmet onto his suit. "Oh yeah, I love this part!" he said wryly.

Rick punched his canopy button. His instruments were all green for go. He sighed deeply, and checked each one a second time.

"Sir, are you all right?" Joons asked. "You seem a little tense."

"Yeah..." said Rick, fumbling with his helmet. "Yeah, I'm fine. Getting stir crazy up here. Let's light 'em up, Joons." His voice was hoarse and strained.

Joons tried to ease the tension. "Gotta love these space jumps," he said. "All the speed and none of the G's, you know?"

Rick did not reply. He looked back at the TC-1, and at Lisa, climbing into its hatch. He felt sick to his stomach.