Chapter 13

Michael Joons looked out the window with little interest, as his cab pulled up to a small complex of apartments in downtown New Macross. He tipped the driver sufficiently and stepped onto the fresh sidewalk.

He was still unsure how to react to the newfound attention. All it took was an RDF uniform to garner all sorts of pleasant company. He had made sure that his jogging outfit was void of RDF logos, just in case.

But he knew there was more to New Macross; a dark side of the city that was none too fond of the military. It was a side that Michael knew well, and wished he could live without.

The Cross, he thought. It's here somewhere. It's always hiding, just well enough for us to second-guess its presence. And Lynn is waiting, and planning something big and terrible for us all.

Michael shook his head as the morning wind blew at his jacket. He stared up at the brand new skyscrapers surrounding Macross Square. And a few blocks down First Street, where the dome-shaped Fortress Amphitheater would soon have its grand opening.

They're not watching him...they're not looking for him. Nobody's taking Lynn Kyle seriously. But he's more of a threat than any Malcontent force. He manipulates people by the thousands...he builds armies around his lies. He knows exactly what he wants, and he gets it every time.

Michael's eyes looked up to the sky, where a patrolling Veritech came into view between two buildings.

It's just a question of what he wants next, he thought. But whatever it is, I'm not letting him take it.

The door to Martinez' single-floor apartment swung quickly open. Michael turned, expecting his fellow pilot at the doorstep. But a beautiful, blonde-haired young lady bounced lightly down the steps instead.

Michael nodded solemnly as she stepped by. She stopped, looked him over, and poked his nose.

"You're cute!" she purred, and walked on.

Michael frowned as he stepped up to the front door. Dan Martinez came bolting through the entrance, and nearly collided with him. Martinez quickly shoved Michael aside.

"Call me!" he shouted. The young lady turned and gave him a fetching wave, as another taxi pulled up to take her away.

Michael gathered himself up from the ground. He straightened his jacket and stared accusingly.

"What?" shrugged Martinez.

Michael shook his head and turned away. "I think I could've done without that," he said, returning to the sidewalk.

Martinez laughed. "You're just jealous, kiddo!"

"Whatever," said Michael. He began down the street.

"Hey, where ya going? I'll be ready in a second!"

"I'm not in the mood for this," Michael replied.

"Man, what is your problem?"

Michael thinned his eyes. "Next time, tell her to take a picture. RDF pilots last longer that way."

He stepped into the street by himself and began to jog off, leaving Dan Martinez where he was. The disgust within him was fuel enough to take on the world. Let him go. He's a mockery...he's a disgrace, making a novelty out of what we stand for...

A long, white limousine passed by him. The windows were blacked out, and Michael could not see who the celebrity was. But he could not have cared less.

Michael's anger grew deeper. I'll be flying for them, he thought, all of them. Saving them from the Malcontent, and the Freedom Cross...and the occasional psycho RDF leader. And after all that, they'll whine and moan like every ungrageful citizen does, and maybe even kill each other.

Just keep running, he thought.

Rick stood at the edge of a fountain pool in a downtown courtyard. The cold autumn winds fell upon him, compounding the weight on his shoulders. He trained his tired eyes on the rippling water below him, hands folded across his long black jacket.

The waving image of his face returned his stare. He studied himself in silence as the people of Macross passed behind him.

I'm only human... I wish I was more, but I'm only human. I can't make a difference. I can barely keep myself together anymore.

His mind conjured an image of Eo Prime's hulking steel body. His arm was converted to a spinning battle-axe, painted with new blood. The eyes of his helmet were alive with contorting wires. Standing tall and bearing down, he was a horrid sight. Zentraedi lifeblood dripped from his weapon, and onto the body of Lisa Hayes.

Rick shut his eyes in pain. Lisa... My Lisa. Mine for now...because she chose me. She saw something in me that she liked. Whatever that was. But she liked it enough to invest everything. Her deepest emotions, her safety and security, her very life. And there's no way I can measure up. I want to hide her away from all this...to give her what she really deserves. Peace, joy...a real relationship. A real love. I'm just not good enough for Lisa Hayes.

The cold numbed at his clenched hands. He rubbed them together, and folded his arms again.

This world isn't good enough for Lisa Hayes.

He felt a gentle touch on his heavy shoulder. It shocked him; the reflection gasped as well. But Rick chuckled at himself. He knew the touch. He lived for it.

"You scared me to death," he laughed, and quickly gathered himself as he turned.

Sure enough, Lisa stood at his side. She cradled a pair of shopping bags in the arms of her jacket. "You looked upset," she said, and smiled with concern and a blink of her bright green eyes. "Is something the matter?"

"Well...I was starting to miss you!" he smiled in return. "You were in there for an awful long time...I was about to send a squadron in after you."

Lisa blushed and giggled. "Oh, Rick!"

""Hey, it's always good to play it safe!" said Rick "Who knows what awful things could've happened to you and my credit card!" He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she laughed, and they walked together through the courtyard. "Besides, I'm sure you'd do the same for me."

"Mm-hmm!" Lisa nodded. "Next time you're trapped in a lingerie shop, I'll call for support immediately!"

They sat at a parkbench in front of the fountain, with a beautiful view of New Macross' skyscraper-laiden downtown. Lisa set the bags down beside the bench. She wrapped her arms around Rick's waist, and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks for being so patient," she said.

"My pleasure," said Rick. "I'm having a great time."

Lisa grinned. "Heh-heh, sure you are. Apartment hunting and shopping for womens' clothing. You must be having a blast."

"No really, this is fun! Looking at apartments wasn't so bad." He leaned down to her, and looked dramatically back and forth. "And just between you and me... I shop for womens' clothing all the time."

Lisa shoved him in laughter. "Rick, you're too much!"

He failed to keep a straight face. "I'm very glad you knew I was joking," he smiled along. "I was a little nervous about that one."

"Oh, I think I know you a little better than that." Lisa sat back, and dabbed at her eyes. "This might sound rediculous, but I can't remember the last time I had this much fun with someone."

"I'm glad," said Rick. "I know I'm not the coolest guy in the world... but at least I haven't tripped on anything yet."

Lisa hugged him closely. "Aw, don't be so hard on yourself! I think you're wonderful."

Rick smiled and nodded. Wonderful, he thought, shaking his head with a burden on his shoulders.

She looked up, and gradually met his eyes with careful affection. "You know, Rick," she said quietly. "Sometimes...you almost remind me of Roy Fokker."

He nearly gasped again. "What? I...I do?"

Lisa nodded. "You're smart, confident, experienced... people admire you very much."

Rick was dumbfounded. Roy? There's no way I could stand up to him!

"And when you're around, people seem to... well, to feel encouraged. I know that's true for me, anyhow. You make me feel... well, like I'm someone special."

But...Lisa! You are someone special! I'd be nothing without you! I just...don't know how to say it...

Lisa was still looking into his blank stare. "But you're all those things in your own way. No matter what happens, you're always Rick Hunter...and I can always count on you. I'm so glad of that...and you should be so proud of yourself..."

She looked away, and rubbed at the tears on her cheeks. "Oh well, I'm done ranting now, I guess..."

Rick touched her face, and found the courage to bring her close. He felt the autumn wind begin to ease.

"Lisa," he whispered. His voice was clearer than even he expected. "That means the world to me."

They held each other close, and sat in silence. The cold no longer held its bite, and the commotion of citizens passing through the shopping center was no distraction. But an awful, robotic droll did manage to break the silence, and catch both of their ears.

"Photographs. Instant photographs. Have your photograph taken in the beautiful Macross Metro Courtyard. Blemish removal is available at no extra charge. Instant photographs taken here."

"Hey!" exclaimed Rick. He stood up and waved in the direction of the voice. Down the courtyard's pathway, a squarish-looking robot with antennae rolled around, peddling instant pictures. The robot did not seem to have eyes, but it saw Rick nonetheless and bumped along to meet them.

Rick sat back down. "Can I have our picture taken together?" he asked Lisa.

"Of course!" she smiled excitedly. "Only if I can have a copy."

The little robot took its time, and rudely enough, it asked other shoppers for business on its way to Rick. But it finally stopped in front of the bench and wiggled its antennae.

"Would you like an instant photograph?" the robot asked, with a tinny voice.

Rick nodded. "Yes please," he said proudly.

"Would you like a blemish removal at no extra charge?"

"What? No, of course not."

"Blemish removal is free, by the way."

"I know," said Rick, "but we don't need it."

"Your hair seems to be lop-sided. Blemish removal will correct your bad hair."

"Hey now!" Rick put his hands on his hips. "My hair is not lopsided. It's fine!" He turned to Lisa. "Is my hair lopsided?"

Lisa winced. "Well...no, it's just...a little longer on the right side. You know, right there in the front."

Rick blinked stoically.

"Would you like a blemish removal?" the robot asked again.

"No!" said Rick.

A flash bulb raised out of the robot's top end, and it popped a bright light in their eyes. An instant picture spit out of a slot in the front, and landed on the ground at their feet. It showed Rick staring emotionlessly at the camera, and Lisa with a little smile.

"Thank you, that will be five dollars," said the robot.

"What?" Rick said angrily. "Wait a minute, we weren't ready!"

"Would you like another one?" it asked.

"Yes, of course we..."

Flash! Another photo was taken and spit out. This time, Rick was visibly mad, and Lisa seemed a bit confused.

"Thank you, that will be ten dollars," said the robot.

"Quit it!" shouted Rick, standing up.

Flash! The robot took another picture. Rick was pointing at the camera in anger. Lisa was leaning into the picture from behind him, slapping her knee in laughter.

"Okay, I didn't even ask for that one!" Rick shouted.

"I apologize," said the robot. "That will be fifteen dollars."

"What?!" Rick growled, turning red. Lisa was rolling on the bench, trying to catch her breath.

A door opened on the robot's square body, and a small claw appeared. "Will that be cash or credit card?" it asked.

Rick was ready to kick the little photographer. "Neither! You haven't even shot a decent picture yet!"

"Would you like another one?"

Lisa jumped up, still laughing, and covered Rick's mouth with both hands. "Wait!" she said, and turned to the robot. "Okay, whew...here's how we'll do this. We're going to sit on the bench, and when we say 'cheese,' you take the next picture. Then we'll pay you."

"Agreed," said the robot. Miraculously, it sat still, and gave Rick and Lisa time to prepare.

Lisa pulled Rick back onto the bench. He was still sore at the confused little machine. "The nerve of that thing!" he said.

She pulled him close, and kissed his lips, scattering away his bad mood. "Let's make this one last," she smiled.

He returned her kiss, and nodded solemnly. "Here's hoping," he said. He breathed deeply, and took her hand inside his.

"Cheese!" said Lisa. She quickly scooted against him, and cuddled close with a bright smile on her face. The flash went triumphantly off, and a perfect photograph spat onto the ground. Rick and Lisa sighed with relief.

The robot extended its claw again. "Thank you, that will be twenty-five dollars," it said.

"Oh, all right..." Rick began. "Wait...how come it's twenty-five?"

"Tip," said the robot.

Rick chased the mechanized photographer across the courtyard. Lisa followed close behind. Both of them had every intent of throwing the robot in the fountain.