Chapter 11

A young lady, dressed in a professional business suit, sat behind the Macross Channel 5 desk amid her newscast. She shuffled the papers casually before her, pausing dramatically between stories.

"And now, for today's top story. Early this morning, RDF military officials returned to New Macross' own Echo Base, in hopes of rebuilding after the supposed Zentraedi attack weeks ago. The reconstruction, led by Admiral Jameson Reave of the G.S.S. Ultimatum, is scheduled to take many months to complete. Many political officials, including Mayor Saul himself, applaud the RDF for making a quick recovery.

"And in related news, New Macross is preparing for a special RDF Air Show at the end of this month. Held at Macross International Airport, the presentation will showcase some of the RDF's newest and finest technologies, as well as veteran planes of battles past. The airshow's announcement is receiving mixed reviews. Many anti-military activists are stepping up against it. The outspoken Lynn Kyle of the Freedom Cross challenged it publically this morning, calling the show a 'shameless attempt at restoring military power in New Macross.' But most of the city seems to welcome our flyboys, and we look forward to a great show. Now, let's go to..."

Allan Sever switched off the television in his cell. He tossed the remote control across the room.

"Let's go to hell," he said. "Every one of us."

The prison warden stepped up to the bars. "Sever!" he called. "You've got a visitor."

Sever looked up. Next to the warden stood Lynn Kyle, looking proudly down with his arms folded. He nodded his head at the former admiral. Sever sat up as the bars swung open.

Lynn Kyle waited for the warden to leave. "Fine mess you've gotten yourself into," he said, straightening his suit jacket. "The lust for power is a dangerous thing."

"If you came to patronize me," replied Sever, "you may find yourself leaving with a broken face."

Lynn glanced down at the thin prisoner. "You're hardly the man to cash that check. But luckily for you, I'm here to offer you some help."

Sever nodded his head with manevolence. "I know exactly why you're here."

"Oh, you do? Well, try me, then."

"Very well." Sever stood up, and stretched casually. "The attack on Echo Base wasn't Zentraedi. It was you and the Freedom Cross. You slaughtered them all, and covered the whole thing up. But you couldn't find what you came looking for. And you want me to find it for you." He leaned back on the opposing wall, imitating Lynn Kyle. "How am I doing so far?"

Lynn was visibly surprised. "Interesting," he said. "Then I'm sure you've passed judgement on me already. I'm not going to deny it...men were killed at the hand of Freedom Cross. But our motives are worth fighting for..."

Sever waved at him in disgust. "I don't care what your motives are. I don't care who lives and dies. I don't care about you and your Freedom Cross. I pledge allegiance to no one but myself from here on."

"That may be wise," said Lynn. "In a world like ours, survival is priority one. But with a little help from the Cross, you could be provided with so much more."

"Just get me out of here," Sever replied, disinterested. "I'll pave my own way, just as I always have. Now what do you want?"

Lynn Kyle grinned, and his dark eyes grew thin. "I want you to find me a Veritech," he said.

Minmei, baby! We're talking solid gold! It's the perfect pitch for the new single!"

Lynn Minmei sat in a lavish Macross apartment, in front of a blazing fireplace. Fancy artworks and photographs were set on the hearth above. She stared at each one, deep in thought, as she held a cordless telephone to her ear.

"Randy...it's so sudden!" she said. "I can't just agree to a concert in less than a month! I haven't even been practicing the song for a live performance, and I'm shooting the video next week...when will I have time to get ready?"

"Aw, we'll figure that out later!" came her agent's voice. "Really, hon! I think you can do this! Everybody in Macross is talking about the Air Show! And if you sang 'On Wings of Steel' at the show...man, it's just perfect!"

She took a deep breath, and rubbed her eyes. "Well...alright, Randy, tell 'ya what. Let's go back into the studio tomorrow and see how I sound. If they think I can do it...I guess I'll take the show."

"That's great! I tell you, this new album's gonna be a huge hit!"

Minmei said her goodbyes to the agent, and clicked off the phone. With a tired sigh, she threw it on the couch behind her.

She leaned against the sofa and looked around the room. The gold record hanging on her wall shined proudly. The clean surfaces of her modern kitchen gave off a sharp polish. Her bigscreen television was dormant, but the fireplace reflected in its screen.

Minmei gave a shaky smile. "It's what I wanted," she said quietly. "What was important...my career...my future..."

On her fireplace mantle, a small snapshot of Rick Hunter was set in a beautiful frame. He leaned against the engine of his famous red-striped Veritech, dressed in casual officer's clothing. He waved and smiled brightly, his face partially hidden behind his wavy brown hair.

She dropped her eyes from the picture. "Oh, I was so wrong..."

Joons unbuckled his harnass. He made sure his weapons were disarmed and his instruments off, and finally punched the canopy button.

As the glass lifted away, a cheering roar filled his ears. The airstrip was filling with a crowd of ecstatic citizens. They ran straight for Joons' Veritech. A police blockade held them off at a safe distance.

Joons looked to his right, where Martinez' fighter was parked beside him. Both pilots put their helmets back on.

"What the heck is going on?" Joons laughed into his radio.

"I have no idea," replied Martinez. "But I like it!"

"Roger that!"

Joons pulled his helmet back off, and sat down on the edge of his cockpit. A tall, proud-looking old man was escorted by police through the crowd. He stopped under Joons' plane.

The man attempted a salute; it was laughable. "Greetings, soldiers!" he called out. "I'm Mayor Saul! Welcome to New Macross!"

Joons returned the salute. "Thank you, sir! Please keep these people away from the Veritechs. The engines are still hot."

Martinez stepped under the Veritech's nose. "Always business, this guy," he said to the mayor. "But I'll take a little fan appreciation any day! Lieutenant Dan Martinez, at-cher service."

"Good to have you boys around!" said the Mayor. "As you can see, New Macross loves its RDF!"

Joons slid down his ladder. "Lieutenant Michael Joons," he said formally. "We weren't expecting a reception, sir. We'd have given them a little show if we'd known."

"Oh, this?" said Mayor Saul, waving back at the screaming crowd. "I had nothing to do with it! They just knew you were coming, that's all! Like I said, this city really appreciates what you're doing up there!"

"Mmm." Joons looked out over the crowd. "This much of it, anyway. Has Commander Hunter arrived yet?"

"Sure has! He didn't come in a Veritech, though. He insisted that he fly with Commander Hayes. They arrived about a week early for reasons undisclosed."

Martinez stopped waving at the crowd for a moment. "Wait...he didn't fly a VF-1?"

"That's right," said the mayor. "They came on a TC-1."

"How's he going to fly, then?" asked Joons. "I thought we were all flying Valkyries."

Mayor Saul smiled. "Oh, you are. And that's where you'll be pleasantly surprised. We're supplying your planes for you!"

Martinez rolled his eyes. "Oh great," he sighed. "Listen, Mister Mayor. With all due respect, our mechanics have been working on these Valks for years, and I don't think we're going to..."

The police barrier broke away, and the crowd flushed in toward Joons and Martinez. The pilots were quickly surrounded by screaming young fans.

Joons smiled bashfully as a group of young ladies reached to touch him. "Uh...hi there! Yes, nice to meet you..."

The mayor patted Joons' shoulder. "We'll talk about it later!" he laughed, as police escorted him away. "Good luck, kids!"

Martinez turned to Joons. "Man!" he shouted excitedly. "I feel like a rock star! I wish we could get this treatment all the time!" He winced painfully, and looked down at one of the girls beside him. "Whoa now! Watch the arm, baby! It's a little tender..."