Author Notes: Alright Ladies and Gent may I present the long awaited Part 3 of Frozen in Time and I hope you enjoy it.
Part III: Love Never ForgetsOn the coast of the state once know, as California was a strange sight for a large human figure floated in the vast ocean, shinnying under the afternoon sun. The figures arms were spread wide like a priest or a surrendering enemy. The head of the so-called figure looked a mess and had a lot of scaffolding around it like somebody wanting to repair the said head. On a fly out platform from the ship outside a cafeteria like place was a single man with brown hair. This was the now Commander Rick Hunter and he was getting lonely for his girlfriend Lisa Hayes was up in Alaska along with a newly healed Captain Gloval. It had been two weeks since the SDF-1 landed and repairs are underway on the mighty guardian of Earth. Rick sighed knowing the Trio were busy helping the repair crews in the bridge, while his friend Max Sterling was busy chasing around a green haired chick around Macross City. Suddenly he smiled as he remembered someone he could talk to.
"Claudia should be out of the hospital by now, maybe I should swing by and see if she needs any help," Rick said with a smile, but it soon vanished for thinking about Claudia made him think about Roy Fokker his "big brother" and how he died. He sighed again and decided to visit Claudia so he walked off the platform he was on and stepped into the Main Mess Hall. He came here out of habit instead of the Officer Mess, but he remembered Roy once saying that if he was a officer he should sit and eat with the troops it helps with Moral. As he walked into the Mess his new uniform and rank attracted a lot of salutes and looks from the VT rookies eating in the mess. While the VT veterans just smiled at him or just nodded knowing that this was new to him so they didn't bother to salute knowing that it made him nervous. He smiled back and took a look at the rookies knowing these men were getting a better training then him since the fighting has stopped. He nodded knowing that since he was the CAG he could get first grabs on the best new pilots and it also sickened him to see all the kids either just going to High School or still in Junior High. Finally he made it out of the room and so he started to head for the base hospital to see Claudia.
Back in the mess Rachael Hunter raised her head to look at the retreating back of her brother. She knew that it won't be long in tell he would know about her being on the ship, since he was now the CAG. She was also saddened to see that Roy was died but Rick was a good replacement instead of those bigwig colonels and such. The only so called bigwig she liked was the young commander of the Civil Defense Force or just known as the Destriod Commander. She thinks the guys name was Colonel Adam Richards. But she shook her head to clear it and turned her attention to the reinforced squadron she know commanded. Just then one of the other pilots whom was watching Rick as he exited looked at her.
"Yeah Lieutenant are you related to the Commander," the man asked, Rachael nodded and turned her attention to a menu in front of her.
"Yes don't ask any thing else or I see that you become a girl," Rachael threatened which made the pilot and the others around the table flinched since all of them were guys. As she read the menu her thought turned to the last day that she saw Rick and how they got in a argument about their father.
In the freezing, plain place known as Alaska were a small collection of buildings and a few runways. Around the fenced out base were a series of Giant humanoid Machines patrolling making sure nobody got a look at the so called headquarters of Robotech Defense Force and the United Earth Government. Underground was the rest of the sprawling base and in one of larger rooms were a pair of officers one a women, the other an much older man. In front of them were a series of Video Screens, which were now active showing the so-called leaders of Earth.
"That is all Captain Gloval, but we have one more issue to discuss with you before you go," the leader Senator Russo said with his usual sneer.
"What would that be Senator?" Gloval asked barely concealing his anger. He also knew at the side of him his XO Commander Lisa Hayes couldn't conceal her anger so it was showing all over her face.
"Captain why did you take over the Enterprise Battlegroup?" Russo asked with the sneer again barely concealed behind his folded hands on his mouth.
"Sir Captain Devana volunteered to help us in our fight against the Zentreadi," he informed him with a raised eyebrow since it was in the report he just delivered.
"Hmmm… fine that will all you are dismissed Captain Gloval and Commander Hayes and Captain remember your orders this time," Russo ordered but used Gloval's rank like a curse. At his side Lisa couldn't hold any longer and turned to the right most screen.
"Father why are you doing this!" she yelled out to the man she knows as Father. But this man sure didn't act like he was her father that she knew and loved.
"Lisa!" at her side Gloval snapped at her. But it was not as harsh as her father's reply for he was turning red in anger.
"Commander Hayes that is enough is that clear, while you are on duty you address me by my rank is that clear Commander!" Adirmal Hayes yelled out to her. Lisa flinched but saluted like the good officer she was and turned away from him.
"Crystal Admiral sir," she said as tears started to run down her face that Gloval saw but her father didn't for he signed off from the view screen soon as she answered. Gloval threw an arm around her shoulders and started to lead her towards the shuttle that would take them to the surface. Gloval looking at the women under his arm with a frown, but inside he was mad at his old friend for doing this to his own daughter.
In munch larger room deeper in the base then the room that two officers were in earlier was the entire United Earth Government Consol. Finished with everything for the day the members started to filter out all but Senator Russo and Admiral Hayes.
"It will good to throw Devana out with Gloval Senator, they were friends since they graduated from the Russian Naval Academy together," Hayes reported with a frown to his so-called superior. It disgusted him what this man was ordering him to do. He was thinking about joining Gloval and Devana in their so-called exile that the consul sent them on. But he just taken his pent up anger on his daughter and he was shamed to even think about that now.
"Good Admiral now I need to get back to my campaigning, I trust that you'll keep the Grand Canon safe?" the man asked with his sneer and the Admiral just nodded not bothering to answer. Then the oily man walked out leaving the Admiral alone with his thoughts.
"Oh god I am so sorry Nadia, I just made our daughter hate me," Hayes moaned out as he looked at the picture of Lisa, his wife Nadia and himself. He then turned to viewscreens on the wall to see the SDF-1 Star Goose Shuttle take off towards the SDF-1. He closed his eyes and said a small prayer to keep his daughter safe.
Back aboard the SDF-1 Rick slipped into Claudia's hospital room to see her sitting on her bed looking out the window. The dark skinned women had an arm in a sling along with multiple bandages were shrapnel cut into her.
"Yeah Claudia what's up?" he asked and flinched since that's not what he wanted to say. But Claudia reacted just as well as she turned towards with a smile.
"I'm doing fine Rick," Claudia answered but Rick sensed that she wasn't so he sat down on the bed by her side and threw an arm around her shoulders.
"No you aren't what's going on Claudia?" he asked her with a frown and she sighed turning to look out the window again.
"It's just I miss him Rick, just like that he is gone," she said with a single tear falling down her face. Rick didn't have to guess who she was talking about.
"It's alright Claudia you and me know that he wanted to go like he did. He wanted to die in a plane, the thing he loved the best," Rick said remembering once when Roy told him about how he wanted to die.
"Your right, so how have you been?" she asked with a sigh looking over to Rick beside her. Who smiled as he looked out the window as well.
"Well I'm fine just nervous about being the commander of the SDF-1s VT wing," he replied with a nervous smile.
"Well I now that Roy would be proud to see commanding in his stead," she replied with a smile and he blushed. Both had a laugh about that and when they finally calmed down they stared out the window at the simulated sunset.
"So how is your relationship with Lisa going?" Claudia asked with a teasing tone which made Rick blush again in embarrassment.
"Fine but the techs thought it will be funny to combine our to quarters since my new one was right next to hers, but we didn't mind and decide to play on the techs rules and left it like that," he replied still blushing as he recounted what happened. Claudia was trying so hard not to all out laugh.
"So you want some help taking your stuff back to your quarters," Rick said trying to change the subject since her bags were by the door waiting to be taken out. But Claudia didn't answer so Rock turned and saw that she was looking out of the window again. So he shrugged and started to pick up the bags, being the gentlemen he was he picked up the largest bags.
"Rick I'm Pregnant," Claudia said out of the blue that made Rick drop a heavy suitcase he was going to pick up dropping it on his foot. Ignoring the pain he kneeled in front of her with a frown.
"I thought you guys weren't going to do anything in till after the war," Rick asked with a frown remembering a conversation he had with Roy once.
"I guess we didn't try hard enough," Claudia said with a frown rubbing her belly as she looked down at the floor.
"So what are going to do with the baby then Claudia?" Rick asked her curious what she was going to do with the baby.
"I was going to abort it when I first heard about it, but now that he is gone I want to keep it since it is the last thing that connects me to Roy, but I'm scared that the Captain may not improve," she said sadly.
"Don't worry about Gloval I know you know him better then that and you will have the help of myself, Lisa and the Trio you now that," he said with a smile that succeeded cheering her up.
"Well let's get this to my quarters shall we," she said happily as she got up from the bed to pick up one of the shoulder bags.
"Yeah hold on soon as I recover from the suitcase landing on my foot," Rick said with pain evident in his voice now as the pain flooded his awareness. Claudia looked back at him confused and eyes widened when she saw Rick looking down at his throbbing foot.
"Oh my god I am so sorry Rick!" she said as she rushed to his side to help him up from the floor and called for a nurse.
After getting his foot inspected Rick and helping Claudia with moving all her stuff back into her quarters he decided to go back to Lisa and his quarters to relax. He had a bag full of ice on his foot as he watch the evening broadcast on the TV. Just when he was comfortable the door buzzed which made him get up to answer it. When the door slide open a vaguely familiar female VT pilot stood they're waiting for him.
"Yes Lieutenant…" Rick said looking at her rank and waiting for her to fill in her name, but the pilot just looked confused at first then smiled saluting him.
"…Hunter sir!' she replied excitedly which made Rick's jaw drop to the floor as it became clear who the pilot was.
"Oh my god Rachael!" Rick exclaimed as he finally recovered and let her in the room before anybody saw them.
"Yeah Rick so what you been doing around here?" she asked looking around the quarters she was now in. It was a little big for a single man let alone a commander. It looked like a pair of officer quarters were put together since it kind of resembled hers but larger.
"I'm fine Rachael living the happy live," he replied with a smile. As Rick led her towards the large couch in the center of the central room she saw a shelve unit with a series of pictures and other doodads on its shelf's. She stopped to look at them and saw her brother and a brown haired woman in several of the pictures, in others were various pilots standing in front of VTs or Destriods. While other pictures had a dark haired women that looked oddly familiar to her and the last one showed a trio of ladies standing next to the same brown haired women from the other pictures and an older man that she knew as Captain Gloval.
"So who these ladies here Rick?" Rachael asked with a frown inspecting the said pictures. Rick turned from turning off his TV to see what she meant. He stepped next to her see what she meant and smiled seeing the pictures of himself and Lisa or himself and Menmei.
"That brown hair lady here is my girlfriend Lisa Hayes, and this dark haired one Lyne-Menmei one of our friends, and finally these three ladies here are the bridge operators or just called the Terrible Trio," Rick replied and waited for the response. He didn't have to wait for long for Rachael did a double take.
"Hold up! Did you just say that you have a girlfriend Rick," Rachael said with looking back at the pictures, seeing that the two were close together like a couple would be. Then it became all clear, the large quarters, the smile on his face, and his good altitude.
"Well Rick that was unexpected, but I need to talk to you about that day," she said with a frown that made Rick sigh and lead Rachael towards the couch. When they sat down their was a minute of nothing since neither said anything for a while.
"Well truthfully its my fault that we got in that argument Rick I said all that crap about dad and it hurt both you and dad since you looked up to dad," Rachael finally broke the ice with her comment.
"No it was my fault you are welcome to your own opinion and I ruined it for you, I know that you were waiting for that day and I spoiled it for you," Rick said shaking his head at that. Rachael looking away and shook her head as well.
"Well I guess we better make up," Rick said holding his hand out to her but Rachael took it and used it pull Rick into an intense hug.
"I'm sorry Rick I was wrong to doubt you like that," Rachael whispered in his ear as she hugged him.
"I am also sorry Rachael it was my fault as well," Rick too whispered into her own ear and hugged back. Just then the door opened and a very pissed off Lisa walked in and saw them hugging, when Rick saw her he pulled away and frowned wondering why she was mad.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE RICK!!! YOU THE HECK IS THIS CHICK!" Lisa yelled with a hint of betrayal in her voice.
"Jeez Lisa first of all calm down, secondly this is my sister Rachael, Rachael this is Lisa," Rick said trying to introduce them.
"Sorry Rick but I just got back from Alaska Base and they denied our request to disembark the civilians," Lisa said calming down. Rick looked at her in disbelief since that's what they wanted to do so the crew of the SDF-1 could fight without the worry off protecting the civilians.
"Damn them don't they now that we can't accomplish our mission like this," Rick said angrily.
"I don't now, but I know that they look at the Macross residents like filth," Lisa said with a snarl in her words as she leaned back into the couch. Rick saw her anger and sat next to her to comfort her. He started to massage her shoulders, which in question made her groan in pleasure. Seeing this Rachael decided that she should swing by later and so she left the couple like that.
In endless void of space around the planet of Earth was the Zentraedi Pursuit fleet in charge of capturing the SDF-1. Onboard one of the larger vessels was Aziona the current commander in charge of the fleet. She sat watching a Projbeam of the fortress docked on Earth. She was inching for a fight, but she had her orders to wait. As if on cue another projbeam appeared showing Dolza the Supreme Commander of the Zentraedi Fleet. Shocked the giant commander saluted her superior as she stood up from her chair.
"Hail Dolza!" she cried out with the few members of her crew that were in the sight range of the projbeam.
"Commander, I read your report on what happened and I am ordering your fleet to stand down for three of their months, this will allow us to properly to charge the officers responsible for this tragedy. This wait will also allow the Mirconeans to repair the fortress," Dolza ordered her and got a nod in return.
"Lord Dolza so Khryon's fleet will be called back I presume?" she asked and a got a nod in answer. She was now short a battlegroup and she need another to replace the ones she lost.
"Don't worry Commander I am assigning 399th Friea Fleet to your command," Dolza said and signed off leaving a very please Aziona since the 399th was all female unit like hers and it will be a welcome replacement for the Botoru Battalion. Even though she wanted a fight three micron months will past in a blink of an eye to the Zentraedi.
A couple days later Rick was sitting on his couch dressed in his Tux waiting for Lisa to arrive since he was going to take her out to dinner tonight. As if on cue the door opened and Lisa walked in with Racheal and Claudia at her side. She smiled when she saw him and with her escorts she slipped into her room to change. When she stepped into the room she saw the silver dress she wore at the last date beautifully restored. The sight made Lisa's jaw drop in surprise. For the last time she saw the dress it was just a pile of rags, now it was restored to what she saw now.
"Surprised Lisa?" Rachael asked with a grin. Rachael had in the few days since she revealed herself become one of Lisa's closest friends almost overnight. With Claudia they made a sort of second Trio, but they weren't as bad as the real Trio.
"Yes," Lisa replied slowly picking up the dress of the bed and took a closer look at the fabric to see it beautifully restored to what it was before her brief stint in the hospital.
That's not all your going surprised with Lisa! Both Claudia and Rachael thought at the same time. The duo exchanged smiles behind the brunette's back.
"Right let's get you ready for your date," Claudia said taking Lisa shoulders and leading her towards the bathroom to get her ready with Rachael right behind the two.
Back in the living room Rick looked relaxed and waited for Lisa to get ready. Minutes earlier he had let in Trio in, which were all in their Sunday best like if they were going a party or something. They had after being let in immediately ducked into Rick's room to hide. As Rick was about to doze off, the door opened to show dress clad Lisa standing in the entryway with intense blush on her checks. Just like last time Rick's jaw dropped in awe at the sight. After Rick picked his jaw from the ground he got up and stepped up to Lisa.
"Shall we go m'lady?" Rick asked offering his arm to her, which she took. She grabbed onto like a vise or like it was a lifesaver. Rick chuckled and lead her out of the room and the base towards his car. He opened the passenger door for her like a proper gentlemen and ran to the driver side to get in. Once he got in he started the car and took off for –supposedly- the Electra.
Back in the quarters the Trio stepped out of the room and stepped over to Lisa door. Kim lightly knocked and Clauida answered it but instead of the slacks and loose shirt she was wearing a few minutes ago she was wearing a nice strapless dress. Next to her equally clad was Rachael in a nice strap dress.
"Well shall we go ladies?" Sammie asked with a smile seeing that they dressed themselves without their help.
"Yes but I may have to do my makeup in the car," Rachael replied with a smile picking a small bag of cosmetics from Lisa's dresser. Then they were off in a minivan lent to them by Lina and Max of the White Dragon.
Rick's small sports car pulled up to the darkened White Dragon which surprised Lisa since first it was closed secondly, they were going to Electra. But why would they go to the White Dragon Lisa wondered
"Yeah Rick why are we here at the White Dragon I thought we were going to the Electra?" Lisa asked with a frown. Rick chuckled lightly as he shut off the car and got out to let Lisa out of the other side.
"Because I need something here Lisa, if you want to you can stay in the car," Rick suggested by a headshake in return. So Rick just shrugged and lead Lisa into the darkened interior of the White Dragon. Just as the door closed Rick let go of Lisa's hand. Lisa looked around the darkened interior slightly worried. She had a mix of emotions, Fear, Loneliness, and anger. Anger Rick for leaving her in the dark, granted she was never scared of the dark as a kid but this was to munch.
"Rick what is going on?" Lisa asked the darkness around her and in response the every single light came on blinding Lisa.
"Surprise! Happy Birthday Lisa!!!" came a grand roar and as Lisa's eyesight returned she saw every single friend she had aboard the SDF-1 civilian and military alike. Her jaw dropped in surprise for the second time that day but not the last. She then recovered and joined her friends no family in partying the night away.
On the secondary bridge of the SDF-1 Captain Gloval sat in his chair waiting for the enlisted tech on the COMM station get in touch with Alaska Base. The women had to get through a bunch of red tape to get to talk to Admiral Hayes. Finally she did it and nodded to Gloval who sighed in relief. He then looked at one COMM screens on his chair and a couple seconds later the face of Donald Hayes his longtime friend appeared on his monitor.
"What is it Henry I am a little busy here?" Donald asked with a frown. He was pleased that his friend contacted him since he wanted to apologize to him.
"Donald do you now what today is?" Gloval asked in return. The other man frowned looking off screen presumably a calendar.
"The twenty-fifth why?" Donald asked with a frown wondering were this was going and what was going up there.
"Donald its Lisa's birthday," Gloval answered in a confronting tone and a frown not happy that his friend hadn't remembered it at all. On the screen Donald's jaw dropped in surprise at that statement and didn't a double take on the calendar.
"Right damn I do not know how I forgot, Henry I am going to send you a message I want you to hand it to her personally," Donald said and got a nod in return. Gloval smiled knowing that Donald would not forgive himself to miss his daughter's birthday. Soon he had a tiny diskette in hand and handed over the watch to Lieutenant Lewis the rising star in the SDF-1'Officer Corps as he headed down to the party.
Outside the White Dragon was a single female figure watching the so called party in the Restaurant. This was Miriya Parino the female Zentraedi ace and now a unauthorized micron agent in the SDF-1. She had finally spotted the Micron Ace that bested her and he went into this Restaurant. Miriya was very confused at what they were doing and it made her shiver. She quickly shook her head and started head for the lodging she managed to secure for herself.
Back at the party Lisa just had finished a dance with Rick and decided to sit down before she broke something. But Rick was not done with her yet for he advanced to her now with microphone in hand. Pulling her up from the chair and turning to the crowd.
"I have something very special to do this night and it will the best thing that will happen to this ship and its wonderful crew and so without further ado," he said and kneeled in front of Lisa.
"Now I know we have only been dating for a month but we had been good friends long before that, and there is no one else I rather send my time with then you and so Lisa Hayes will you marry me?" he asked surprising Lisa yet again. After she composed herself she leaned down and kissed Rick on the forehead.
"Yes," she replied and the crowd went wild with their announcement especially the trio who were crying their eyes out along with Claudia. The rest of the night flew past very fast, but a few minutes after the proposal Captain Gloval arrived to deliver a toast and deliver a single disk to Lisa from her father. But she put it in her purse and soon forgot all about it.
-LEMON WARNING!!-
In the quarters shared by Rick and Lisa the door opened to let in the said couple drunk but still able to stand. At least not Lisa for she had a low alcohol tolerance and was passed out in Rick's arms as they walked in Lisa got a second wind when Rick got her into the bedroom. She pulled him onto the bed and ingoring his protest started to kiss him.
"Are you sure about this Lisa?" Rick asked with frowning trying fend her off.
"I'm sure now hold still," she replied and then started to kiss Rick down his neck and made Rick moan with pleasure. Lisa then pulled his shirt and started to lick his nipples in the EVA moonlight filled room, Rick moaned in return and pushed Lisa's dress from her shoulders and attacked her tits with his mouth. This made Lisa moan in pleasure and surrender herself to her one and only love. The couple spent the next hour experimenting, finally they were both were wearing their birthday suits and were breathing heavily with pleasure.
"Rick please," Lisa begged with a frown. Rick looked down at her with a smile.
"Please what Lisa?" he asked with a teasing smile. Lisa slapped him on the arm and Rick just chuckled.
"Okay," he said with a smile as he prepared himself. Lisa just looked up at him with blurry eyes that were filled with pleasure.
"But Rick please be gentle," she whispered with a hint of fear in her voice that made Rick stop before he went in.
"Why? Oh my god you are a virgin?" Rick asked with wide eyes. Lisa just nodded with teary eyes.
"But what about Karl?" He asked with wide eyes. Lisa just chuckled with a smile when he said it.
"No Karl never even touch me at all, if he did he knew that Father would kill him," she said with a smile and a chuckle that lightened the mood.
"Alright I will be gentle now lay down Lisa," Rick instructed for Lisa sat up during their earlier conversation. She nodded with trust in her eyes as Rick impaled her. For the next hour the couple was filled with pleasure and love. Finally the two fell asleep in each others arms like a true couple should.
-END LEMON-
The next morning found Rick moaning as the phone next to his bed and his serious hangover. He reached over to the side table and picked up the receiver from its cradle.
"Commander Hunter?" Rick said weakly into the phone.
"So did you two have fun last night Rick?" a familiar voice asked with a smile in the words. For the first time Rick realized that a warm body was pressed next to his. He looked down to see a head of brown hair leaning against his chest. He then remembered what happened last night and just chuckled, but right then he needed to scold a friend.
"None of your damn business Max," Rick growled into the phone.
"Well did you now that half of the base heard you guys?" Max asked with a chuckle, this made Rick's face heat up with embarrassment.
"No I didn't, tell them that it is none of their business," Rick said dryly his headache increasing.
"Well you might want to know that we are to go on duty in forty minutes boss and the dear Commander needs to report to the bridge in thirty minutes," Max informed him. Rick's eyes widened in surprise as it finally sank in. He then turned to look at the clock beside him to see that they slept in.
"Why didn't tell me this earlier instead of beating around the bush!" He nearly yelled into the phone.
"Because I thought I would play around a bit Rick," the other said with a smile in his words.
"Right I need to get ready then," Rick drawled out, then hang up the offending instrument. Then he looked down at his fiancé lying next to him and lean towards her ear.
"Lisa, wake up dear," he said into her ear. She started mumbled in her sleep but didn't wake up.
"Lisa wake up you are needed to report to duty in a thirty minutes," he tried again but she pulled the blanket over her head. Suddenly an evil thought overcame him and he grinned as he leaned down for the third time and last time.
"Ah, did I wear you out already Lisa, my before our wedding night, maybe I should marry Menmei" he whispered with a smile. That got her up in a flash and earned him a slap on cheek, but he was suspecting it and caught it in midair.
"Right before you go and get angry at me, you have thirty…no twenty-eight minutes to get dressed and report for duty." Rick said with a frown. Lisa's eyes widened and jumped off the bed, bolting towards the shower picking up a clean uniform along the way. Rick sighed and followed her into the shower.
As the weeks passed, the SDF-1 waited at it's landing point to hear word of any takers of their offer. Both the Captain and many officers wanted to unload the civilians so that the SDF-1 could fight without worrying about them. Now in cruiser mode the ship waited, and at the same time trained. Skull Squadron for the first time since Macross Island was at full strength, along with many other squadrons, also the Robotech Foundries inside the ship were building Robotech mecha from Veritechs to Destroids without the pressures of the last year. In space the Enterprise Battlegroup geared up for war, with some of Dr. Lang's Robo technician were aboard the ships and were going through the systems to upgrade their performance. Along with getting the ships new barriers to work better. Back on the SDF-1 a two new lives were developing, one the child of Roy Fokker, safe in the womb of Claudia Grant Roy's lover, the other the child of Rick Hunter and Lisa Hayes the couple doesn't know this yet, but they soon will know. In the quarters of the said couple Lisa read her medical report with wide-eyes.
I must have caught the Silver bullet that night! Lisa thought to herself in shock to see that she was pregnant, only a couple of days before their wedding. She sighed as she sat down waiting for Rick to get home. He arrived home ten minutes later, with Max and Rachael in tow. The three pilots were joking as they stepped into the room, Rachael had only a week ago transferred to Skull Squadron and now was part of Rick'' command team. Rick stopped inside the door when he saw Lisa sitting on the couch looking at him, this either means that he was in trouble or something was wrong. The other two pilots saw this and looked at each other knowing what it means.
"Is something the matter Lisa?" Rick asked with a frown as he sat down next to her. Lisa just smiled and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Rick I'm Pregnant," Lisa stated with a smile. Rick's jaw dropped in surprise and while the other two pilots just smiled.
A week later found the couple at the altar with Captain Gloval acting as the priest. The two kissed and the entire crowd erupted with applause. The next day found the new husband and wife in their quarters, preparing for their honeymoon at Rick's hometown of New Carter, California that was a small city twelve miles outside of Sacramento. That had been founded after the Global Civil War by a group of refugees running from the destruction of San Diego. Suddenly the two looked up when their door chimed announcing that somebody was outside. Rick waved at Lisa to continue and went to answer the door. The door opened to reveal Captain Gloval standing there, immediately Rick salute by reflex but he quickly stopped himself from saluting, then shrugged finishing the salute. Gloval chuckled and returned the salute with a smile.
"Rick may I come in?" The Captain asked with a smile on his grizzly face.
"Sure Captain," Rick said and stepped aside to let Gloval in.
"Well Rick how are you guys going to get to New Carter?" Gloval asked as he came into the living room. Rick just shrugged as he joined his wife in packing.
"I don't really know sir, maybe by shuttle," Rick said as he zipped up the final bag of their baggage.
"Well Rick I want to show you something, so if your done follow me," Gloval said with a smile. Rick looked over at Lisa with a frown who just waved him along. Rick nodded and followed the Captain out of the room and back into the main part of the base. Finally they came to a small docking bay, which Rick immediately recognized as the one which held his Mockingbird Stunt plane when the SDF-1 first went into space. Now in the bay was a good-sized plane. It looked similar to a lot of Fanliners that he flew during the air circus. It had a forward bubble cockpit with two seats and a pair of tailrons like on his VF-1 at the back of the plane and the wings ended in a pair of ailerons. Also it was painted in the tan paint scheme of something right off the Robotech's factory's floor. Rick wide-eyed did a circle around the magnificent plane in front of him.
"This Rick is the CV-01A Peregrine, the first ever Civilian Veritech," Gloval stated from his place by the door to the bay. Rick snapped his head over to Gloval in surprise.
"A Civilian model Veritech Captain?" Rick asked surprised. Gloval just smiled as he joined Rick in inspecting the CVT.
"Yes Dr. Lang was bored and brought back on of his old projects that he was working on before the start of the war. He had all the plans for it, but the working prototype was lost during the battle on Macross Island." Gloval said with a smile. Rick just nodded as he started to circle the CVT again spying the usual signs of a Veritech.
"So Rick this is Dr. Lang's and mine wedding present for the two of you," Gloval said with a smile. Rick looked over at him with a frown.
"You mean this is mine?" Rick asked aghast what his commander said. The other man just chuckled and patted Rick on his shoulder.
"Yes, the design also calls for a cargo pod located were the Gunpod is located on a normal VF-1," he said pointing at the underside of the CVT. Sure enough their was a large cigar shaped pod, that looking very similar to a GU-11 gunpod, but a little larger. It was big enough to hold the Hunters luggage. Rick sighed and looked back at Gloval with a smile knowing that he looked like a little boy with a new toy, but he didn't really care at the moment.
"So I better go get Lisa since we wanted to leave as soon as we get some transportation," Rick said with a please smile as he started to head for the door. But Gloval cleared his throat and stepped beside Rick.
"That it already taken care off Rick and here she is," Gloval smiled and turned to see Lisa, Rachael and Claudia who was starting to show that she was pregnant. All three women looked in awe at the plane in front of them.
"Yeah Lisa this is our ride to New Carter," Rick said nearly bouncing towards his wife.
"What is it?" Lisa barely managed to ask. Rick just smiled and took her hand leading her towards the CVT.
"It's a Civilian model Veritech," Rick answered with a smile. Lisa looked in awe at the plane. Gloval suddenly appeared by their side holding a pair of flightsuit not like a normal VT flight suit. The Hunters just smiled and Lisa hugged her Captain who was more of a father to her, then her own father. Gloval just gave her a fatherly smile and sent her on her way. He had pulled a lot of strings to get them along with a few other personnel to visit their families.
Rick smiled as he brought the CVT away from the hovering SDF-1 and started for the California coastline. Lisa was already asleep in the back since she was up all night packing. Rick craned his neck to see her and just smiled knowing he did the right thing and married her. He then turned his attention back to his controls. He started to test the CVTs ability and was easily impressed for it handled a lot better then a VF-1 or even his old Mockingbird. Suddenly Rick thought of all the tricks he could pull off in this plane that he couldn't do in the Mockingbird or any other stunt plane. He looked at the ocean and saw the image of his plane reflected back at him. It had been repainted to his red and white colors he had decided upon, also in gold lettering were the words:
Peregrine Hunter's Special (AKA Mockingbird II)
The Mockingbird II was a last minute addition that he himself had painted on it. Rick chuckled imagining the expression on his mother's face when he dropped by the house. He knew that his father was most likely off with the air circus some were. Just then he saw the coastline and smiled as he brought the Peregrine around to fly over the city of Sacramento and on to New Carter.
Rick yawned as the New Carter Airport came into view. He guessed he was tired to and he showed it."New Carter Flight Control, this is P01CVT on approach requesting permission to land over," Rick calmly said into his pickup. Suddenly his COMM unit squawked on an open channel and he smiled as a very familiar voice came through his helmet speakers.
"This New Carter Flight Control P01CVT please identify yourself," the man said with a casual tone.
"I know that guy," Rick said with a smile and brought the MIC closer to his lips so he could not wake up Lisa.
"I can't believe a squirt like you got to be flight control," Rick said with a teasing tone into his microphone.
"Who the hell is this?" the other man answered clearly angered about this hot shot pilot was insulting him.
"Come on Squirt use more then one brain cell for once and figure out who the heck I am," Rick said but suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Lisa staring at him with a frown crossing her beautiful face.
"What the heck are you doing Rick you want them kick us out before we even arrive," Lisa said with a stern tone that she used on him, earlier in war when Rick was a newbie VT pilot.
"Relax babe, he's an old friend," Rick informed her and turned back just in time to hear control's reply.
"WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ROY FOKKER OR SOMETHING!" The man nearly yelled into his ear. Rick flinched somewhat sadden to here his mentor and "big brothers" name. But he kept on plowing ahead and it was time to reveal who he was.
"Wrong why don't you try Fokker 2.0, the new and improved version, AKA Rick Hunter." Rick replied with a smile as he brought the CVT down further. Silence replied as he brought the CVT around to for a landing pattern.
"Bullshit, Rick Hunter is dead!" The other man said with anger in his voice. Rick rolled his eyes and pulled his plane around to run towards the flight tower.
"Look Kyle, get me landing clearance and I will show you that I am telling you the goddamn truth, if you don't I am going to buzz the tower," he said plainly into the channel. Another minute the other man was back on.
"Fine P01CVT runway two is clear," the man said with some anger in his voice. Rick smiled and said a simple thank you as he started to land the CVT on the said runway. Once he landed he saw a man with a pair of batons leading somewhere. He ignored it and brought the CVT around towards some hangers, finally they arrived in front of one of the small covered hangers that were used to house visiting planes. Then he started to shut down the plane and lock it up. When he was down he took a quick look around the familiar airport and found that the old converted four C-17A Globemaster III's that made up the Hunter's Air Circus were gone. Rick nodded and unstrapped himself, then turned to help Lisa, but found that she was already free of the seat's harness. She was standing and looking over at him with a smile. Rick grinned at her and jumped down with skill the Lisa could not manage and help his beloved wife down from the cockpit. Then he ducked under the fuselage of the plane to check the cargo pod then came back with a smile. But saw Lisa look off somewhere else, so Rick followed her eyes and saw a couple of Hover Jeeps flying towards him. In the passenger seat of the led Jeep was none other then the brown haired Kyle Hunter, his Cousin. Rick smiled and decided to check the cargo pod again. He ducked back till he heard the Jeeps pull up to the CVT and asked Lisa something.
"No I'm not the pilot this aircraft, my husband is which I believe checking our cargo," Lisa said with the cool tone that she was famous for.
"That means that this said pilot is not Rick Hunter for the last time I checked he was not married," a voiced stated that sounded like Kyle. He then heard Lisa laughing in amusement, which sounded like music to his ears.
"That my friend you are wrong see my name is Lisa Hayes-Hunter," that shocked the people around her. Rick the decided to land the killing blow and stepped from under the plane rubbing his hands on a rag that came from one of his flight suit pockets.
"Well honey I checked the cargo and fixed that problem we were having with that god damned cargo clamp," Rick growled out as he came around the wing then made himself looked shocked as if he never saw the people spread around his CVT before.
"What's the heck is going on here," he growled out as he came to Lisa's side with arms crossed. If he weren't acting he would have laughed at the others for their faces were shocked and looked like they saw a ghost. He knew about half of them and that man leading them Kyle Hunter looked more shocked then the rest of them. He decided to drop his act and smile at them.
"Yeah Kyle, man you have grown to a fine young man," Rick said with a smile at the younger man.
"Ri-ck," Kyle stumbled through his name. Rick smiled and held out his hand which Kyle took calmed him down somewhat.
"Well I believe you know my wife Lisa, but Lisa doesn't know you. Lisa this is Kyle Hunter my little cousin," Rick informed her with a smile.
"Yeah I am not little!" Kyle exclaimed with a blush. Rick chuckled at Kyle's exclaiming.
"All right enough of a reunion boys," came the voice of Lisa as she stepped up to Rick. Rick smiled down at her and held her as he walked off past the still shockedwelcoming committee.
"Well I have some of my men take you luggage to the hotel, since I know you to lovers birds want to be alone," Kyle said, but it earned him a smack on the back of his head from his cousin.
"Okay, okay. So do you want to see your Mother?" Kyle asked with a smile seeing the look on his cousin face.
"Yes, it has been to long since I saw her Kyle," he said with a sigh. Kyle nodded leaning against his desk in his office.
"Well why doesn't your lovely wife go with my men to the hotel and I drive you up to the house," he said with a smile. Rick smiled and nodded his approval as he got up to follow Kyle outside, but not before he kissed his new wife on the lips. He then walked out of the room leaving his wife their, but she soon got up to pick up their luggage from the Mockingbird II, with help of some airport personnel manage to take it to the hotel.
A green military jeep pulled up to a large house on top of a hill overlooking the city of New Carter. This was the Hunter Residence and was the headquarters for the Hunter and Hunter Traveling Air Circus. Rick Hunter jumped out of the jeep to look at the familiar house that was his home for ten years before he join the air circus. He smiled as he walked up to the front door with his cousin at his side and then he sighed.
"Yeah Rick stepped over here," instructed Kyle pointing over to a dark spot that was created by a tree not far from the front door. Rick nodded with a smile as he stepped in the well that was created by the tree. Kyle then nodded turning back to the door and rang the doorbell. In a minute the door opened to show a boy about fourteen. It was Matt Hunter, and in Rick's hiding place Rick gasped. For he never had a real brother beside Roy, but Kyle had explained that Matt was a orphan that his parent took in their home, he also didn't remember anything about his past beside growing up in a orphanage. Now to pay the Hunter's back for their kindness he had adopted his foster parent's last name and tried to replace the dead Rick. Rick shook his head and turned his attention back to Matt and Kyle.
"Yeah Matt, is Aunt Ann here?" Kyle asked with a smile. The boy smiled back and leaned back to yell at someone. Within a few minutes a middle-aged women in an apron appeared at the door wiping her hands on the said apron.
"Well Kyle what a pleasant surprise, what can I do for you?" the women of about forty-three asked Kyle. This was Ann Hunter, Rick'' mother and the wife to Richard "Pops" Hunter his father.
"Nothing really, but something happened at the airport this morning," he said with a sigh. Ann's face went white with fear as she looked at her nephew standing before her.
"Did something happen to Richard and the circus Kyle tell me?" Anne asked with wide eyes. Kyle blinked in surprise, and then chuckled lightly.
"No nothing like that just someone arrived at the airport today that I thought you should see," Kyle said with a smile. Anne sighed with relief and then glared at Kyle angry. Kyle gulped and took a step back from the women. Rick in his hiding spot smiled and decided to show himself, so he stepped out of shadow.
"Mother, as Kyle was trying to say, I'm back," Rick said with a smile at his shocked mother who was now white with shock.
Author Notes:
Sorry about the filler chapter, and the fast paced wedding scene. But I wanted to end this soon. By the way a fast paced action scene will take place in the next chapter. Also you get to see Admiral Hayas in the next chapter.
Teaser for Part IV:
Party, Party, Party Rick Hunter has returned home. But the Hunter Family's joy is short lived, for terrorists quickly occupy the city of New Carter and threatened them with a nuclear bomb. How will the United Earth Council react to this?