The event was called the Big Hookup. Available men and women from Macross City and the SDF-1 crew gathered to meet each other, hoping to find someone to date.
It went on like this. Each man was paired up with each woman for eight minutes. They spoke to each other. At the end of the eight minutes, they moved on to the next person. The whole event took more than three hours. I made sure to take notes. Covering the war was becoming tiresome, and I was glad I could cover this event.
Then the event was over, and the participants all gave their forms to the host. Each form continaed the names of the people they wanted to hook up with. If there was a match, contact information was exchanged.
"This is an efficient way for available people to meet and well not be available anymore," said the host. "This is being done on cities all over Earth and even on the moon's Apollo colony. This is the first time such a thing was done right out here in space."
I agreed. After all, not everyone gets a face-to-face meeting with a Zentraedi only to be rescued by a veritech pilot.
I spoke to Katie Taney, who attended the event with Lieutenant Jonathan Wolfe and Captain Landry from Knight Squadron.
"How are you doing?" I asked.
"Well, I'm still going out hanging with friends," said Katie. "And of course there's my job. This was refreshing after so many hours in the simulator. I guess you want to know about Jenna."
"Yeah."
"Well, she still has what passes for her life. After that incident in the arcade, she withdrew herself completely. She doesn't even eat in the mess hall; she just takes the food to her quarters and eats there. You know, I once wanted to ask her about her isolating herself from everyone. You know what she did? She told me if I conintued to ask her about it, she would put me in the brig for insubordination. She fucking pulled rank on me! If she doesn't want any friends, then that's that. From now on, I'm only gonna call her captain or ma'am."
I felt disappointed and sad. It was almost like hearing she was blown up by a Zentraedi fighter. "I hope you will be all right," I said.
"Thank you," said Katie. "I guess I'd better check to see if I will hook up with anyone."
There was no use trying to talk to Jenna now. I might as well wait until Knight Squadron informs me that she was killed in action. That would only be a formality, as she was mostly dead.
ooooooooooo
The next day, I was in my office when Lin Kyle entered.
"Hi there," he said. "I just wanted to inform you we just finished shooting Small White Dragon. We're now in post-production, editing and stuff."
"What will Minmei be doing?" I asked.
"Minmei's working on her second album. She's even writing a song. And of course there's the Miss Macross competition next month. She'll crown the next winner."
"I'd like an interview."
"Sure. I'll schedule it for tonight, unless you're budy."
I looked at my calendar. "No, I'm not busy."
"Listen, I'm sorry for what I said to you in that bar that time," said Kyle. "It's just too bad there's this pointless war."
"The Zentraedi keep firing at us."
"Actually, I spoke to witnesses," said Kyle. "The SDF-1 fired the first shot. Even your own article says so. They're not attacking Earth, only this ship. The United Nations are just a bunch of warmongers."
"I really don't give a shit about the UN," I said. "I just report."
"You should. I was a history student so I know all about it. The UN is controlled by four powers- China, America, Britain, and Israel. You know what happened in Taiwan?"
"I heard of Taiwan. It was settled by the Nationalist government after the Chinese Civil War in the 1940's."
"My family came from Taiwan. China never recognized Taiwan's independence. When the UN formed the United Earth government, China invaded Taiwan and executed the Taiwanese leaders, all with the UN's approval. After that, Israel invaded the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and exiled the Arabs. What the UN does is serve the interests of the power elite based in China, America, Britain, and Israel. They determine who will rule nations based upon how much tribute they can deliver. They have absolutely no problem with the Sudan practicing slavery. They have absolutely no problem with dictators torturing dissidents. The UN does not stand for anything except the egos of its leaders. Do you know why the SDF-1 was built?"
"For exploration," I said. "Earth's scientists wanted to push new frontiers. The SDF-1 project resulted in scientific advances which we benefit from."
"The UN wants more than to rule the Earth," said Kyle. "It wants to create an interstellar empire. They want to enslave aliens just like the slaves in Sudan. I hope the Zentraedi blasts the entire UN leadership into bits. The whole world would be better off."
ooooooooooo
The interview with Minmei was not as serious as my conversation with Kyle earlier in the day.
"The movie was really hard work," said Minmei. "I'm gonna work on some song lyrics."
"You finished a movie and now you immediately start working on a new album?"
"I don't like being idle. This is my dream and I'm pursuing it. Anyway, here are some words I came up for my new song."
"What?"
"There's no fight that we can't fight together. That's some of the words."
"What else?"
"I'm just working on it. I can't even imagine the tune the song will have."
"Keep working on it," I said.
oooooooooooo
There was another Miss Macross competition in December, just before Christmas. Once again, the people of Macross City tuned in. Lin Minmei was going to crown the next Miss Macross.
I watched as the contestants all gathered. One by one they were shown in their dresses. And then they were shown in their swimsuits. The winner was announced and Minmei crowned the new Miss Macross as photographers snapped photographs. The Miss Macross Contest was front page news the next day.
I took a stroll around Macross City. Most of the city was decorated with Christmas decorations. Many people were doing Christmas shopping. The Spacy had sent up cargo shuttles to SDF-1 to deliver manufactured goods from Earth and the moon; I suppose if seventy thousand civilians were being exiled into space, they might as well try to make us comfortable. I already had a Christmas list. I planned to buy gifts for Katie Taney and Vince Grant.
I saw a toy store selling all sorts of toys. I wanted to buy a toy for little James Austin, now about six months old. U went in there were were all sorts of toys for sale. The most popular toy was transformable veritech toys with little action figures. These were sold out, but then again they would be inappropiate for a six month old infant boy. Fortunately, there were veritech plush dolls designed for infants.
"I'll have this please," I said as I spoke to the cashier, a teenage girl. I paid her cash.
"I've been working all week," said the girl. "After Christmas rolls by, I'm probably gonna sleep in until New Year's."
oooooooooooo
I went to a Christmas party hosted by the Macross City Press Club, a club for reporters and news editors. It was held in one of the ballrooms. There werew at least five newspapers in Macross City. All of the reporters worked for local papers except me, who worked for the news conglomerate Associated Press. We were all finely dressed. Punch and hors' doeurves were served. I had the stuffed mushrooms grown right in SDF-1's hydroponic farm.
"Lunk's with his mother," said Jake Austin.
"Lunk?" I asked.
"His nickname," said Jake. "He's a big boy now- almost twenty pounds.
"I'm familiar with nicknames," I said. "He's doing okay, right?"
"Right," said Jake. "He cries a lot. Things will get interesting when he's a year old and starts walking."
"Children can be a pain in the ass at times. My sister Sally has a baby girl. The baby would be about that age. I can't imagine what Sally and her husband are going through."
"I really like your articles on Minmei," said Priscilla, one of the reporters.
"I have connections with her cousin and manager Lin Kyle," I said.
"That's cool," said Adam, a television reporter for the Macross Boradcasting System. "How did you ever get these connections?"
"I guess it started back when the Zentraedi first attacked Macross City before it was relocated inside the ship."
oooooooooooo
It was Christmas, and most of the stores were closed. I decided to go to the officers' quarters to pay a visit to Jenna. I hoped she had gotten better. I had not spoken to her in three months.
I walked along the hallway to where her quarters are. I saw the nameplate J. MURPHY. I noticed the door was ajar.
I opened it and I saw Jenna playing a video game that I did not recognize. I could see styrofoam plates and cups in the wastebasket. I saw an empty bottle of Absolut vodka and a empty carton of Minute Maid orange juice. I figured she was hitting the screwdriver.
"Hi, Jenna," I said. "I came along just to see how you're doing. I know it's been hard for you these past few months."
I looked into her eyes. There was absolutely no joy. No spark. No desire. It was like she was dead or something.
"She's been like that," said Katie, who was looking at me. "She just shuts herself in here after work."
I opened the drawers and I saw a photo album. I looked and saw pictures of Jenna and Katie and Lani. Apparently these were taken before their deployment on the SDF-1. There was a pciture of them in their flight suits on some air base that I did not recognize, and there was another picture of the trio on the beach, wearing swimsuits.
"That was taken in Australia," said Katie. "We decided to go over there in December because it was summer there. Ww had such a fun time."
"How do you deal with Lani not being around anymore?" I asked.
"Sometimes it hurts. But other times I remember the good times. Lani wasn't the first person close to me to die. I was blessed to have been her friend."
"This would be your second Christmas away from your family," I said. "How are you dealing with it?"
"Well, I did receive a message from them yesterday," said Katie. "They know I'm on board a ship orbiting the Earth. I got a video recording from my parents and brothers and sisters. I hope that next Christmas, I'll be able to spend it with them except on deployment. In only have three more years until my service obligation is over."
"I wish I could at least speak with my family," I said. "Liuetenant Claudia Grant broadcast a message from me to New York. I wonder if my family saw it or art least read about it in a newspaper. I don't know why the UN insists on cutting off all communication between Macross City and the Earth. Anything else going on with you?"
"I have a new boyfriend. We kissed under the mistletoe at our Christmas party. The squadron's okay. I learned that Major Hayase has a heart. Could you believe that?"
"Sure. And some people can kill their hearts."
"Well, I'd better go get some sleep. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you too," I said to Katie.
I looked into Jenna's room. I saw her holding the controller, playing the video game with the blank, dead expression on her face.
I went to my apartment that night. I lay down in my bed and sobbed.
Jenna was gone.
ooooooooooooo
The next day, Kaite gave me the audio record of the battle in which Lani was killed. I decided to listen to it in my office.
"This is Knight Eight," said Lani. "I've picked up a bandit on my tail and I've taken a hit. I can't shake him."
"Don't worry, Lani!" yelled Jenna. "Turn to point oh-five. I'll take care of the bandit!"
"Thanks, Jenna," said Lani. "I.."
"LAAAANIIII!" yelled Jenna. "OH NO! Knight Three to Knight Squadron. Lani, Knight Eight, has tuned out."
I stopped the recording. I was moved to tears. It was so sad. There was no surprise that Katie was shedding tears when she copied the portion of the record.
"I wish I could do something to take away the pain," I said. It wasn't fair! aJenna was dying on the inside and I couldn't do anything about it. I felt so powerless and helpless.
That must have been how Jenna felt when she saw Lani die.
oooooooooo
I rang in the New Year in a street party in Macross City, just like I did last year. We all toasted champagne. Minmei hosted the celebration. Jake and his wife were with their baby, Jim "Lunk" Austin. I saw Mark and Andres La Belle with their year-old baby Glenn. I saw Vince and Claudia and some of their friends. I also saw Katie and her wingmates Lieutenants Wolfe and Ichijo and Captain Landry.
"Hi there," said this young man in a Spacy uniform.
"Happy new year," I said.
"I am Private Bryan Hart," he said. "That's Bryan with a 'y'. I was Lieutenant Lani Hart's brother."
"Oh," I said.
"I liked your obituary. I feel sad sometimes when I think of Lani, but other times it's okay. She was my big sister, you know."
"When did you join the military?"
"A couple of months ago. My parents were against it. I pointed out Lani wanted to protect us and that was why she flew out there. I asked them if they would protect me. When they said they would, I said I wanted to do the same for them. Anyway, I went through basic and then through security police training and now I'm a security policemen."
"Somebody has to drag unruly crewmembers to the brig," I said.
"Among other things," said Bryan Hart. "
This time, there was no Zentraedi attack on SDF-1 during the party.
oooooooooooo
Vince had the day off, so he offered to take me somewhere. I read the sign. Sharpshooters.
It was an indoor shooting range.
"Claudia introduced me to this sport," said Vince.
"I'm interested," I said. "I am a reporter, you know."
He and I spoke to the cashier. I saw many guns on display, as well as targets. I looked around and saw posters advertising handguns and rifles. I signed some forms.
"Here's your gun," said Vince. "A nine-millimeter semiautomatic Beretta. Let me show how to use the gun."
"Okay," I said.
"This is the slide," he said, sliding the top part back and forth. "The slide must be in the open position to load a magazine. We'll practice using the slide. Grab the slide." Vince held my hand and moved it. "You grasp the slide and push it to its open and close position." I did so, practicing with the slide. "Now you will learn how to load cartridges into the magazine. You do it like this." He put bullets into a pistol magazine, a small rectabgular object. "You try it."
I did. I could not put the bullets in. "I'm having trouble," I said.
"Try pushing the cartridge in," said Vince. "I'll show you." As I held the magazine, he put a cartridge under my thumb. He pushed down on my thumb with his. "See? You try it."
I put a cartridge on top of the first. I then pushed down. The cartidge locked into place.
"Very good," said Vince. "Now let's shoot."
So he took me indoors to the shooting range. I was wearing earmuffs and thick goggles. He placed the target on this hanger in one of the lanes. He then set the target back.
"Okay then," said Vince. "Wrap your hand around the grip. Then wrap your other hand around your first hand. Kepp your thumb away from the slide. Now push forward with your hips. See the sights? Line them up and point and pull the trigger."
And so I did. I heeard this loud bang and saw a flash. I heard a clinking sound as a cartridge was ejected.
"Again," he said.
I continued pulling the trigger until the magazine was empty. I looked took the box of bullets and lodaded them, with some help from Vince. I continued and continued until all the bullets were gone.
Vince used a lever to move the target up close. I looked and saw a pattern of holes everywhere.
"You need practice," he said. "We'll do this some other time. Make sure to visit me at the casino bar."
oooooooooo
Later that night, I went to the premiere of Small White Dragon, which starred Lin Minmei and Lin Kyle. I had witnessed some of the photography; I had no idea what the plot was. I was there along with most of Macross City. I was dressed in a suit.
I watched the movie. It was some kung-fu action movie set in China or something. Lin Kyle played this man who was fighting giants. He struck them with a bolt and he then jumped over three arrows flying towards him. Those editors did a good job, I thought.
I then interviewed some of the watchers.
"It was awesome," said this boy. "I liked it when he fried that giant with that fireball."
"It was totlaly cheesy," said this older man. "Why should the first movie made in space be this crap?"
Then the alarm sounded. The Zentraedi were attacking again.
I went to the observation deck. I saw the explosions as our fighters engaged the enemy's fighters and pods. I could see a Zentraedi cruiser fast approaching.
Then I saw a bright light. It must have been the ship's main gun. The Zentraedi cruiser was obliterated!
Then the alarm stopped.
ooooooooooo
Since Katie nor anyone else of Knight Squadron said otherwise, I assumed Jenna was still, well, still breathing. There wasn't much activity from the Zentraedi for the rest of the month nor in February. February would mark the anniversary of the ship's launch as well as the bombing of the casino.
There was a Valentine's Day party in the observation lounge of the ship. I went to the entrance of the observation lounge. I saw couples coming inside.
"Hi there," said Katie as she was going in with a young man dressed in a suit. Katie was wearing a red dress.
"I'm just checking out the scene," I said. "I thought a walk around the city would do be good."
"Well, we're going inside," said Katie. "I hope to have a blast."
I saw her disappear into the lounge. I looked around. Then I noticed Claudia entering the lounge, dressed in her green dress. I wondered why she would be here. I decided to go inside.
Most of the people in the lounge were grouped into couples, although there were a few unattached people there. Vince was tending the bar, as he did last year. I sat down at the bar next to Claudia.
"I wasn't expecting you to be here," I said.
"I guess I'm full of surprises," said Claudia, sipping her drink. "I guess I decided there was no use moping around in my quarters."
"It makes sense," I said.
"Listen, they're playing one of my favorite songs. I might as well dance."
"How are things going along with Jean?" I asked Vince.
"They're going great," he replied. "She had to work at the hospital tonight. But we're gonna have an evening together after her shift is over."
"That's great," I said.
"Claudia's dancing. Why don't you dance too?"
"Well," I said. I looked and saw quite a few unattached people dancing, including Claudia. "I might as well join them."
ooooooooooo
After the party was over, I decided to go to the Knight Squadron office. Someone mentioned that Jenna was on duty this night. Since she was not as withdrawn while on duty, I hoped I could get a word with her.
I entered the section of the ship where Knight Squadron's offices are located.
"I saw some of your moves out there, Dow," I heard Jenna say. "I'm impressed."
"I do my best, with a little help from you and Major Hayase and Colonel Beckett," said Dow.
"I'd better review the flight data. You'd better get some sleep. Report in at 1300 today."
"Yes, ma'am."
I saw Corporal Dow leave Jenna.
"Hi, Jenna," I said. "I heard you were on duty tonight and I was hoping we can talk."
"If you want an interview, call the office at 9," she replied. "Colonel Beckett or Major Hayase may be able to help you."
"I'm not here to ask for an interview. I just want to talk."
"Excuse me. I am very busy and I have a lot of work to catch up on. You can leave now, or I can have you escorted out of the office."
I looked into her eyes; there was this anger in her. I turned and walked away.
I went back to my apartment. I was such a fucking bonehead!
oooooooooo
The people of Macross City gathered in a candlelight vigil to commemorate the bombing of the Bright Star Casino a year ago. I remember all too well, for I had been arrested in connection with the bombing. Mayor Tommy Luan, Captain Henry Gloval, and Polcie Chief Scott Bernard were among those attending this vigil.
"Fellow citizens," said the mayor . "Today is the one year anniversary of the terrorist bombing of this casino by Abu Musab Salim. The bombing had nothing to do with our war with the Zentraedi; it was another attack in a conflict that raged on Earth before the SDF-1 arrived. Thirty-three people died. Today we honor their memories, remember their lives."
We all bowed our heads and held the lit candles.
Then Lin Kyle walked up and faced everyone to give a speech. "I wasn't on the ship when this place was bombed," he said. "But I know that the bombing was part of a war that is still being waged on Earth, a war that was being waged before we even heard of the Zentraedi. Why are we fighting the Zentraedi? It wasn't the Zentraedi that bombed the casino last year. We have to put an end to this war. More and more people on both sides are going to die like these thirty-three victims unless we can seek peace. And we are not going to get peace by bombing them, whether by dropping bombs from a plane or carrying bombs around the waist. I say we contact the Zentraedi and make peace negotiations. It's time to stop the warmongering. It's time to choose a better path than the casino bomber! Who is with me? Who is for peace?"
The man did have a point, regardless of the opinions he expressed to me about the United Nations. I guessed it would not hurt to talk to them at least, and hope they were more reasonable than Abu Musab Salim and his kind were.
Kyle's speech was printed in newspapers the day after the vigil. Editorials came out in support of peace negotiations with the Zentraedi.
Soon, events would occur that would change the war.
And change Jenna.