"Hello everyone," she said. "I am Lin Minmei, the reigning Miss Macross. This year was probably the most life-changing year of our lives. We now say goodbye to the old year and those we left behind as we look forward to a bright new future."
I was with Jenna and her wingmates from Knight Squadron. I noticed most of the SDF-1 crew was here, dressed in their neatly-pressed uniforms. I looked at the clock. It was 11:59.
"Five Four Three Two One," we all shouted. Then midnight hit. "Happy New Year!"
Confetti was spilled. No fireworks were in the street, since Macorss City was in an enclosed space. I kissed Jenna.
"Happy new year," I said.
"Happy new year," she replied. "I hope we can have many more happy new years."
All of Jenna's friends greeted me a happy new year. So did Macross Gazette editor Jake Austin. I remember him mentioning that his wife was pregnant and the baby would be born in June. There had been at least three babies born since Glenn La Belle's birth.
"Happy new year," said this young man. "I'm Corporal Dow. I found you in Lieutenant Murphy's room and I led you here."
"And?" I asked.
"I'm now a veritech pilot."
That was when the siren blared.
"RED ALERT!" yelled a male voice over the public address system. "ALL VERITECH, DESTROID , AND GUNNERY CREWS REPORT TO YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!"
"Got to go, my love," Jenna said to me.
"I guess this is your first time," i said to Dow.
"if I can make it through this crowd, I'll be fine," he said.
I finished my new year's champagne and then I went to the observation deck. The veritech fighters launched out of the Promotheus aircraft carrier. Soon I can see tiny fireballs in the distance as they engaged our enemies.
At least we have New Year's fireworks.
What was I thinking? Those fireballs represent people dying. Jenna might be one of them!
Then the fireballs stopped. I saw the veritechs come back and land on the deck of Prometheus.
ooooooooo
I was in my apartment still up, waiting for a call from Jenna or someone from her squadron. The phone rang. I was glad it was Jenna.
"I just finished the debriefing," she said.
"Did Dow make it okay?" I asked, remembering the kid whom I met just minutes into the new year.
"Yes, he's back. We lost Perkins, though."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I didn't know Perkins that well. We're gonna have a memorial service in the morning."
"I guess I'll have to write his obit. Will Colonel Beckett at least release his military record to me?"
"Parts of it anyway. Just enough to let you know who he was."
ooooooooo
I wrote the obituary for Corporal Perkins. He was a tourist visiting from Jacksonville, Florida when the SDF-1 took Macross City into space. He had always wanted to be a pilot, seeing the veritech fighters take off from the air base there. He joined up soon after the fold so he can ensure the ship gets home. In my commentary I wrote that the best way to honor his legacy is to get to Earth and reunite with our families.
The enemy resumed its constant attacks. From my observations, they were not trying to destroy the ship or even send a boarding party; they were testing our defenses. Jenna flew in some of those battles. In the meantime, Lin Minmei called me and left a message saying that she was working on a record. I spoke to her in her family's restaurant.
"When will you finish?" I asked.
"As early as the end of February," she said. "No later than mid-March."
"And after that?"
"We'll see."
Life continued on Macross City. I reported on social events and the battles which I observed on the observation deck. There was one particularly nasty attack that shook the whole ship. Commander Ward issued a press release on the people who were killed. I did interviews for their obituaries.
Then Valentine's Day came, the day after that nasty attack. It was the first Valentine's Day I had in space. Macross City was hosting a dance in the observation deck.
I decided to cover the dance as one of the guests. Jenna was my date, dressed in this red dress. I was wearing my suit, the same one I wore when I first met Jenna. I just had it cleaned at the dry cleaners.
The deck was decorated with banners and red balloons and heart-shaped carboard cutouts. Punch was served, and there was an open bar. Vince, the bartender from Bright Star Casino, was tending the open bar.
"Our first Valentine's Day together," said Jenna, sipping her drink.
"I really think our relationship is, well is," I said.
"What?"
"Perfect."
And so we danced to the music. The DJ played songs from the '80's dating to the year the SDF-1 left Earth. Jenna and I had a fun time. I did not think that we were on a spaceship about a month from Earth. It was me, Jenna, and other couples here.
Then the music stopped allowing us to take a break. We decided to get more drinks from Vince.
I saw Claudia and Roy approach the bar. Claudia wore a green dress.
"Hi Claudia," said Jenna. "We met at the Christmas party two months ago."
"I remember you," she said. "How are you two doing?"
"Great," we both said.
"You're a lot like me and Roy, you know."
"The next dance will be coming up," said Roy. "You two better enjoy this moment."
"Okay, Commander," said Jenna.
"Hi there," a female voice said.
We looked and saw three women in blue dresses. One of them had black hair, one of them had brown hair and wore glasses, and one of them had red hair.
"We saw you talking to Claudia," said the red-haired woman. "Are you one of her friends?"
"I met her at the Christmas party," said Jenna. "She was Commander Fokker's date."
"They were together since we were assigned here," said the black-haired lady.
"What are your names?" I asked.
"Kim Young," said the black-haired lady.
"Vanessa Leeds," said the brown-haired lady.
"Sammie Porter," said the red-haired lady.
I introduced myself.
"A reporter?" asked Sammie. "Wow. Are you going to write about me?"
"If you make the news. Where are you assigned?"
"On the bridge," the three of them said in unison.
"Well, we'd better find men of our own," said Vanessa. "You have a great catch."
As the trio left to find dance partners, Jenna said, "They remind me of me and Lani and Katie."
"Let's dance," I said.
The next song was not being played from a CD. It was a live performance from Lin Minmei. Jenna and I assumed the dance position.
Minmei's song started with "To be in love". I concentrated on Jenna as I looked into her blue eyes, so I did not remember the lyrics to her songs. The song lasted for a minute or so. My heart was racing rapidly. To be near this woman.
"That was Miss Macross, folks," said the DJ. "Now we go back to our records."
I approached Minmei. "Beautiful song," I said.
"You like it?" she asked. "When my record is done, I'll give you and your girlfriend a free copy."
"Thanks."
I noticed that Jenna was talking to Claudia, but Roy Fokker was gone.
"Where did Commander Fokker go?" I asked.
"He said he had to get fresh air," said Claudia.
"But all the air in here's recycled."
I then saw a smoke trail through the window. It was emitted by a veritech fighter. It made another pass. I noticed the skull-and-crossbones insignia on it.
"That's Commander Fokker out there," said Jenna. "I wonder what he's doing out there."
Then the skull-and-crossbones veritech flew by emitting puffs of smoke. Letters seem to form.
I looked at Claudia. She obviously knew what the message would be.
"YES!" she shouted.
"That is so cool," I heard Lani Hart say. I noticed she and Katie Taney had arrived with two dates.
I saw the message.
"CLAUDIA GRANT, WILL YOU MARRY ME?"
oooooooooo
My article the day after was a hit, especially the part about the proposal. I actually interviewed the air control crew. They had no idea that Commander Fokker would do this; he told them he was planning an evening exercise.
On that same day, I received a call in my office from Commander Fokker.
"That was really cool what you did out there," I said.
"I'm not calling about my personal life," said the commander. "You see, Lieutenant Rick Hunter went missing with four other people. They were on a recon mission. Come to my office and I'll tell you about it."
And so that was what I did.
oooooooooo
"I used to be in the air circus," said Fokker as I sat in his private office. "Rick Hunter's dad owned the circus. I have no family. Mr. Hunter took me in, taught me how to fly. I was like a big brother to Rick. I left to become a fighter pilot when I was eighteen. I heard from him every now and then. Rick is someone that I trust with my very life, and with the lives of my pilots. I'll give you his record." Fokker gave me a file. Parts of it were blacked out. "I don't know if he's dead or not. But a veritech only has eighteen hours of air. He left at around two last afternoon."
"Maybe he was captured by the enemy," I said.
"You're a reporter. You shouldn't speculate."
"Of course not. Call me if you find Rick and the others."
"I just hope your next article on him isn't an obituary."
I then left the commander's office.
oooooooooo
I got a fax from the crew telling me that Rick Hunter, Max Sterling, Ben Dixon, Lew Badnarik, and Lisa Hayes went missing yesterday. Search parties have been looking for debris. I heard what Commander Fokker said. There are no habitable planets within range, so either they died of asphyxiation, or the enemy has them.
I got a phone call from Jenna that afternoon.
"I learned that five people went missing when they went out on a mission," I said.
"So they died?" asked Jenna.
"No, they went missing. They may have been captured by the enemy."
"Missing just means dead."
"Well, Commander Fokker said he would let me know if they find out what happened to them. In the meantime, I have a lot of work to do here and I won't be able to see you tonight."
"That's okay. The colonel assigned me to the graveyard shift. I have to do night maneuvers."
"We'll see each other soon. Love you."
"Love you too, babe."
oooooooooo
Minmei's debut album came out a few days later. I had already written an article on the missing five. I even covered the candlelight vigil held in the city plaza. But there was nothing more to report after that. I would either write an article on their safe return, or I would write an article on their sacrifice for us. I decided to focus on Minmei's new career as an entertainer. With the enemy having ceased its offensive, I could concentrate on other news.
I was at the Tower Records store. The owner said that he would send back fees to Tower Records headquarters upon their return to Earth. Minmei was there with her entourage. She was signing copies of her debut album. Interestingly enough, the artist's name is Lynn Minmay. I guess she spelled her stage name differently.
"I've been waiting for this," said one of the customers.
"Minmei rules!" yelled another.
"How do you like the crowd?" I asked Minmei.
"It's okay," she said.
"You don't seem to excited," I said.
"I'm just a little tired, that's all."
ooooooooo
Later that day, I met Jenna as she got out of the elevator connecting the city with the other decks of the ship.
"Where do you want to go?" I asked. "The casino."
"I just want some peace and quiet," I said. "I can go to the casino on the weekends. Maybe we should go get a salad or something."
"Fine by me," I said. We went to this place which sold salads. It was small, with a few tables and chairs and a tiled floor. Meat was very scarce, so our diet was mostly vegetarian.
"Those hydroponic farmers sure know how to make food," I said, eating some lettuce drenched in Italian dressing.
"A nice steak is what I want," said Jenna.
"When we go back to Earth, we can have a nice steak dinner," I said.
"I wonder how we'll keep in touch."
"I'll give you my address. And I'd like to take you home. I mean, I'm sure ther Marines will give you a vacation once we reach Earth."
"I would like that. And I'd like you to meet my parents."
"We're getting closer and closer to Earth. We'll probably be within realtime communications range soon."
"AAAAAAAH!" someone yelled.
Jenna and I rushed out. Where did the scream come from?
"The casino!" someone yelled.
We both rushed into the Bright Star Casino. I could see the slot machines and the tables.
And there were bloody bodies lying about.
oooooooooooo
The Macross City Police Department cordoned off the place and the parmaedics took wounded to the hospital. The Macross Boradcasting System reporters were there, covering the event live. I heard bits and pieces of what happened.
Then Chief Scott Bernard of the Macross City Police Department came to the scene and spoke to all of us reporters.
"A shrapnel bomb was detonated inside the Bright Star Casino today," said the chief. "At least three people are confirmed dead."
"My God," I said.
"Who could do this?" asked Jenna.
Then I remembered. The guy who was dragged away by security police back on the day the SDF-1 was launched; that must have been him.
"Excuse me," I said to the police who were investigating.
"What's up?" asked one of the detectives, a tall man in a suit with a bushy moustache on his upper lip.
I told him about the attemped bombing of the SDF-1 launch ceremony, and my seeing him months ago, before we reached Mars.
"Thank you, sir," said the detective.
oooooooo
Jenna and I went into my apartment. We watched the news. The casino bombing was the top story. Captain Gloval and Mayor Luan visited the bombing site and issued statements expressing condolences and vowing to punsih those responsible. The police were looking into the records of all Macross City residents and SDF-1 crew members.
oooooooooooo
BOMBING IN CASINO KILLS 33!
That was the headline of the Macross Gazette. Thirty-three dead. The names were not published pending notification of the families. This was such a tragic day. I continued to follow up on the story, asking people questions.
Jenna called me that afternoon. "I have bad news," she said. "Lieutenant Reese was killed. Doctors saiud he died when shrapnel pierced his heart."
"I'm sorry."
"He wasn't out there fighting the enemy. He was just having a fun time in the casino."
"If you want to come over just to be with me, feel free."
"I also have good news," said Jenna. "Vince is alive. He's at the hospital."
ooooooooooooo
So Jenna and I went to the hospital. The nurse told me where Vince is. We walked along the hallway,. and we entered Vince's room.
We saw two people in there already. I looked, and I recognized them as Roy Fokker and Claudia Grant.
"We're here to visit Vince," said Jenna.
"How are you two doing?" he asked us.
"We should be asking you that, Mister."
"Well, I feel like I had been lying on a table while doctors picked shrapnel out of my ass," he said.
Vince did not look to be in terrible shape. Jenna looked worse when she was first admitted here two months ago.
"Vince is my brother," said Claudia. "He moved to Macross City to work in the casino industry."
"What happened there?" I asked.
"I was working at the bar," said Vince. "This guy in a trenchcoat appeared in this open area between the tables and the slot machines. He yelled something. it sounded like for all his profits. I saw the trigger. I ran for cover. I was taken to the hospital, and the doctors sedated me. They told me that is the shrapnel were just a little bit to the left or right, I would have bled to death."
"You're very lucky, Vince," said Jenna. "You too Claudia."
"I think I know what that guy was saying," I said. "You said he said all his profits? I think he said this is for Allah and his prophet Muhammad. He's an Islamic terrorist. Their MO is suicide attacks on civilians. They did that a lot in Israel. I'm from New York and I know what sort of destruction these people are capable of."
"Why would they do such a thing?" Roy asked angrily, clenching his fist. "And we're on a ship far from home under alien attack. Why would these people carry a grudge all the way here?"
"It's their reason," I said. "They're not like the other anti-UN faction; they don't want independence from the UN. They want everyone in the world to submit to Islamic law. They want to kill all Jews and beat any woman who shows her face in public or goes to school. And they will kill civilians, even other Muslims, to achieve that."
"The enemy might not be so bad compared to those guys," said Jenna.
Someone called out my name. I turned and saw Chief Bernard, a Spacy security police officer, and the detective I spoke with earlier.
Chief Bernard grabbed me and put handcuffs on me. "You;re under arrest for the bombing of the Bright Star Casino."
"What?" asked Jenna. "He's not a terrorist."
"That's for a court to decide," said the Spacy officer. "As for you, I'm bringing you in for questioning."
I looked at Jenna as I was hauled away.