RECONSTRUCTION BLUES PLUS
CHAPTER 9
DISCLAIMER AND COPYTRIGHT: I don't own Robotech so don't take me to court. If you want to uses any stuff from this fiction, all I ask is an email – wonga316@yahoo.com.au
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is a different spin on things from episode 28 - reconstruction blues. Will try to and a little more action and love/hate triangle with Rick, Lisa and Minmei. This is my first attempt at Robotech fan fiction. So please be gentle, NOT. Tell me if I suck. How else are we going to improve? Some of the guys made seem OC and I apologies to any die-hard fans. But it is fiction after all and anything can happen ;) I recommend that you watch the whole series before reading. It's not essential but I do make some references to events that occurred in the series and it's always a good comparison to what I'm writing. Roy and Ben will still be alive in this story
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thought
-...- = Computer chat or phone conversation
****
"Good Morning, Macross City! It's another beautiful day and the topic for today is cheating partners. Call us at 99.1 Macross Radio to have your said. In the mean while..."
[What the hell... What time is it...] Rick thought as his radio alarm clock woke him from his slumber. Still half asleep he swung his arm lazily over the alarm in an attempt to hit the snooze button.
"...And we have our first caller..."
"God damn it. Shut up." Rick moaned as his hand connected with the snooze button. He picked up the alarm to see what time it was. 7:30AM read the large red LCD numbers.
"The hell with this..." Rick complained as he dropped his alarm and went back to sleep.
"I never knew Rick wasn't a morning person." A female voice commented half giggling.
"This is pretty good. You should see him usually." Another female voice sounded.
Rick had just barely heard the voices and turned over to see where they had come from. His eyes focused to see Lisa standing next to his bed in her uniform while Minmei was dressed more causally and sitting on the side of his bed, holding her sun hat and tinted glasses that she used as a disguise.
"What the hell? Lisa and Minmei. I must be dreaming..." Rick half murmured as he rolled over ignoring the two women.
"You know when we were trapped under the SDF1, he wasn't like this in the mornings." Minmei commented as Rick pulled the covers over his head.
Minmei and Lisa both shared a quick laugh before ripping the covers from Rick and dragging him to the bathroom.
****
"Ben... Wake up... Wake up sleepy." Vanessa whispered.
"Huh... What is it..." Ben said half asleep and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He rolled over to find Vanessa looking at him and playing with his hair [She looks a lot cuter without her glasses] he thought.
"We better get up before we are late." Vanessa said [As much as I want to stay he with Ben, people will start talking if we are late to work together]
"Ahhh... Let me sleep just a little more..." Ben pleaded as he pulled Vanessa close to him.
[I guess we could be a little late...] Vanessa thought with a smile as she fell asleep in Ben's arms.
****
Lisa and Minmei were sitting in Rick's kitchen enjoying a cup of fresh coffee. The sound of the shower could be heard in the background. Each woman was thinking about what had happened just prior to waking Rick.
Minmei was standing at the front door waiting for Rick as Lisa approached Rick's house herself. Lisa would walk to work in the mornings and usually get a lift home from Claudia. Rick's house was on the way to the SDF and she would normally dropped by to make sure he would at his shift on time. At least this was the excuse she told anyone who asked. Lisa was surprised to find a strange women waiting at Rick's front door.
"Excuse me can I help you?" Lisa asked.
"Oh... Lisa. It's me. Minmei." Minmei removed her hat and glasses, revealing her features. "Sorry about the disguise. I find it easier to walk around in public unnoticed."
"Minmei? What are you doing here?" Lisa asked sounding surprised.
"Ahhh... I was wondering if Rick could arrange me meeting with Commander Gloval today." Minmei replied. "Can I ask what are you doing?"throwing the question back at Lisa [I hope that sounded convincing. What does she think she's doing?]
"I usually stop by Rick's placed to make sure he wakes up in time for his shift." Lisa replied casually. "You could have seen one of us. Rick rarely sees the Gloval on a daily basis." [What does she think she's doing?]
"I see... Do you normally do this for him?" Minmei asked carefully.
"Not always. Only when Rick has a morning shift I drop by." Lisa answered.
"So I guess you see a lot of him." Minmei countered.
"I guess you could say that... But generally I'm in the control room while Rick is in his fighter." Said Lisa.
"Lisa... Can I ask you a question... You don't have to answer it if you don't want to..." Minmei said nervously
"Ahem... I guess so..." Lisa said just as nervous.
"It's about Rick... I need to know how you..."
"Hey Lt. Hayes. Waiting for Rick again? Do you want me to let you in?"
The usual patrolman was doing his morning rounds and had interrupted Minmei's question. He would normally bump into Lisa on her way to work. The guard would carry a master key to all the staff quarters. On occasions he would find Lisa waiting for Rick and let her in. Minmei quickly placed her sun hat and glasses back on in an attempt to hide from the guard.
"I guess Rick slept in again?" asked the guard, he hadn't notice Minmei as he walked up to the front door searching his set of keys.
[The guard sounds like he has done this for this Lisa before...] Minmei thought as he watched the guard search his keys and ignore her. She didn't really feel like signing autographs and talking a fan this morning. She just wanted to see Rick.
****
"What were you going to ask me this morning?" Lisa asked Minmei while taking a slip of her coffee. Lisa had accustomed herself to Rick's coffee machine while waiting for him to get ready in the mornings.
"Oh... I..." [Should I ask her...] "I... Just..." [May be I shouldn't...]
Lisa saw that Minmei was having trouble with her question. Lisa reached across the table took her hand to reassure her.
"Minmei, you can ask me anything. You don't have to be afraid." Lisa said reassuring Minmei.
[Ok... Here I go...] "I just want to know what are your feelings..."
"Can you tell me why the both of you are in my house?" Rick asked walking into the kitchen.
"You should be more gratefully. How many men have two lovely women wake them up in the morning?" Lisa asked Rick, quickly released Minmei's hand.
Minmei stood up and went over to Rick. "Lisa is right. You should be more gratefully." She said tapping his chest with her index finger.
"Ok... Ok... Settle down Minmei. I have a hard enough time trying to deal with grumpy Lisa, I don't want to deal with you as well." Rick said holding his hands up in defense.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY? / DO YOU MIND REPEATING THAT?" Minmei and Lisa exclaimed.
[Good one Hunter...] Rick quickly grab his flight jacket and ran out the front door. Being an experienced pilot he knew when to retreat from a loosing battle.
***
"Please don't do this... We don't have anything of value that you could want." The mayor plead.
"Be quiet!" The full sized Zentraedi shouted. Another Zentraedi was busily filling a sack with food and valuables from near by stores.
"...Yes. Please hurry." The mayor's wife said into the phone. Before she could hang up the receiver, a giant hand reached in through the window and grabbed her like a rag doll.
"What do you think you are doing?" the Zentraedi demanded.
"HELP...." The wife screamed.
"Please don't hurt her." The mayor reasoned.
"What was that?" Rick was running from the house (Minmei and Lisa to be more precise) and had heard someone screaming. He reached the corner and found two Zentraedi terrorizing the mayor and his wife.
"Hey! What's going on here!" Rick shouted, feeling complied to do something.
"Mind your own business, human. You'll leave if you know what is good for you." One of the Zentraedi replied.
"My God, Rick. You have to help us." The Mayor shouted.
[What can I do? If I had my Veritech I could do something but like this...] "Listen... you don't have to do this. The RDF has given you everything you need. Why do you need to resort to terrorizing innocent people." Rick tried to reason.
"What did you say?" The Zentraedi placed the wife back on the street and approached Rick. His steps shook the ground and made Rick loose his balance for a moment. The disturbance had also alerted Lisa and Minmei. They knew for some reason that trouble usually centered around Rick.
"Ah... I know life with us is hard for you, but the authorities want to help you, if you give them a chance. You've come so far. Why throw it all why now?" Rick replied [Shit... I'm toast...]
"If your authorities want help me, then why don't they let me live the way I want with my own people. I'm a Zentraedi warrior. I was born to fight. That's what I do. Can you help me with that?" with that the Zentraedi placed a small kick towards Rick. To a Zentraedi, his contact would have been harmless but Rick was thrown back into the street, landing heavily on his side.
"RICK!" Lisa and Minmei panicked and bolted to the fallen pilot.
"Come on, let's go..." The other Zentraedi said walking away from the scene. Suddenly his attention was brought about by mechanical footsteps.
"Zentraedi, stop where you." The pilot's voice rang through the mecha's external speakers. Both Zentraedi panicked and ran down the street. The loot spilling from the sack and falling onto parked cars and smashing shop windows.
"Rick! Rick! Can you hear me? Are you ok?" Minmei asked in a concern voice. Lisa was busy checking Rick for any visible signs of injury. The mayor and his wife soon joined them.
"Is he ok? That was a hard knock." The Mayor asked.
"Argh... Shit, that hurt..." Rick grimaced as clutched his side.
"Stay down. You could be seriously injured." Lisa said trying to get Rick to sit back down.
"I'm fine...cough...cough..." Rick replied coughing up some blood as his vision began to get blurry.
"I think he's broken a few ribs." Lisa said aloud. "Get a medical team ASAP." She shouted at the patrol Veritech.
"Rick! Stay awake! Rick! Rick..." Minmei pleaded with tears forming in her eyes.
"I.. guess... I'm lucky... to have two women look after me..." Rick said with a grin as he lost consciousness.
***
Ben drove his car around the back entrance of the SDF base. Vanessa had convinced him that it would be best if they kept their relationship secret for the moment. The back entrance to SDF also doubled as the hospital entrance.
"Are you sure you want to keep this from the others" Ben asked.
"Not really... I don't like lying to our friends but could you imagine what girls on the bridge would do." Vanessa said. "...After all, I get to have you myself for a while..." She closed in a gave Ben a sweet kiss.
"Yeah I guess..." Ben said convinced by Vanessa's explanation. The sounds of an ambulance siren in the background forced him to look into the view mirror. He watched the ambulance pull up and the back doors swing open. [Is that Lt. Hayes? What's Minmei doing in back of the ambulance?] Ben got out of the car and went to see what was happening.
"Ben? Where are you going?" Vanessa asked. She only noticed that ambulance with Lisa and Minmei when Ben approached them.
"Lt. Hayes? What's going on?" Ben asked as he reached the ambulance. "Minmei? Are you ok?" he noticed that the young pop star had been crying.
"Oh, Ben. There was an incident in town with some Zentraedi... Rick got injured in the process." Lisa replied still look at Rick lying on the cart.
"Is he ok? What happen?" Ben asked again.
Rick could faintly hear the voices of some people and slowly opened his eyes. "Where... What" he mumbled as he tried to sit up to see what was going on.
"Sir, you should lie back down. You have taken a heavy knock." The paramedic advised him.
"What? I'm fine..." he retorted. As he sat up a sharp pain shot through the left side of this torso. He quickly grabbed his side and hunched over on cart.
"Rick! Please listen to the medic. You're hurt." Minmei pleaded as she supported Rick's body on the cart.
"Minmei... I'm fine. I have a shift now." Rick replied trying to ignore the pain.
"You're stubborn as they come, Hunter." Lisa said rushing to his side as well. "I'm ordering you to stay here and seek medical attention. I... I mean... WE don't want anything to happen to you." Lisa finished.
"What about the Mayor and his wife?" Rick asked Lisa.
"They're fine, just shaken up by the whole ordeal. The RDF police are currently looking for the Zentraedi who did this to you." Lisa replied.
"A Zentraedi did this?" Lisa explanation surprised Vanessa.
"Two full sized Zentraedi were attacking the Mayor and his wife. Rick tried to stop them." Minmei finished.
"It's nothing... Ben help me up." Rick asked his wingman as he reached for his left side again.
"I don't know chief. You look pretty banged up." Ben replied.
"Rick, what are doing? Lie still!" Minmei was starting to get angry at Rick's persistence to leave. "I... don't want you to hurt yourself again." She said to him softy.
"Minmei is right, Rick. Me and Max can cover you while you rest." Ben added.
"Please Rick, will you just let the doctor see you? If he says you're fine then you can go back to duty. I don't want to see you hurt as well." Lisa said backing up Ben and Minmei. Rick look at Lisa and Minmei and notice the different expressions in each of their eyes. Minmei eyes were tear ridden and pleading him to stay while Lisa eyes a whirlwind of concern and worry.
"Alright... I hate it when the both you give me that look." Rick surrendered to their pleas and fell back down onto the ambulance cart. The paramedic proceeded to wheel Rick into the hospital with Lisa and Minmei in tow. Ben and Vanessa shortly followed.
***
Commander Gloval lit his pipe as he waited for the teleconference to begin with Breetai. Exedore sat to his left and was busily typing some notes into a laptop. Roy Fokker was on his right polishing one of his flight medals on his jacket.
"Apologies for my lateness, gentleman. We are having a number of issues with our reactors." Breetai's face appeared on the monitor and altered them that the conference had begun.
"That's fine Commander Breetai. I hope that it's nothing major. You know you can always dock with one of our supply and repair stations for assistance." Gloval replied.
"Thank you for the offer but we should be able to rectify with the issue the resources we have on hand." Breetai answered. "It's good to see you, Exedore. You look well." Breetai acknowledge his former executive officer.
"You are too kind, sir." He replied.
"Commander Breetai may I ask why have you requested his meeting?" Roy asked.
"Yes, of course Lt Fokker. Three days ago, one of our scout probes discovered the following." Breetai's image split screen and surveillance pictured were posted on the monitor.
"My God... That's huge." Gloval commented.
"Sir, is that what I think it is?" Exedore asked.
"I'm afraid so. It's a Zentraedi protoculture and battle pod factory."
"But that thing is the size of a asteroid. How did something like that go unnoticed?" Roy questioned.
"We suspect that it was deployed after the last great battle with General Dolza. As a result, it has only reach our solar system. Generally these transports don't see the front line."
"Do we know what its capabilities are?" Gloval asked.
"It's primarily a support and resource vessel. It does have armaments but nothing that could pose a great threat if it was to launch a strike attack. But I am more concerned about what it contains than its fire power." Exedore explained.
"Yes, if rebel Zentaraedi were able to secure the factory it would pose a great threat to us." Gloval said as he puffed on his pipe.
"I agree. That's why I'm requesting an elite squadron from your division assist us with the capture of the factory. Normally I would not request this but I believe that if we were able to capture the factory intact then it would be a great asset to our cause. I have formulated a plan that will give us the best chance of doing this but it requires the involvement of your top fighters and other individuals
"I agree the capture of the factory would be a great asset. I'll also send a team of technicians to assist with your reactor repairs." Gloval replied.
"You are too kind Commander. I'll forward the operation details to shortly. Farewell" Breetai said before disappearing from the monitor.
"Lt. Fokker, assemble the team and coordinate with Exedore. I have some other matters to attend. I'll be in my office." Gloval ordered the blond pilot as he stood from his chair
"Yes sir." Fokker saluted the Commander. Exedore followed suit and saluted the Commander as he left the conference room.
***
"Is it serious Dr Lang?" Minmei asked.
"He's fractured a few ribs and has mild concussion. It should keep him off his feet for about a month." The doctor replied.
"A month. The hell with that. I got to pilot." Rick said from the hospital bed. His torso was heavily bandage and an IV drip attached to his arm.
"I'm afraid not. Your body can't handle the stress of flying. Fractures are more difficult to heal as these can be easily fractured again or even break during the healing process. In some cases the fracture doesn't heal properly and a complete break is often better then a minor fracture." Dr. Lang replied.
"Thank you doctor. I'll make sure that he's assigned to light duties and grounded." Lisa said.
"What! You can't do that." Rick exclaimed.
"I can and I have made it an order, Pilot Hunter." Lisa fired back.
"How long does he have to stay here?" Minmei asked.
"I'd like to keep him over night because of the concussion. After that he can go home." Dr. Lang answered Minmei. "I have other patients to attend. I'll be back later in the day to check on your condition." He finished and left the room.
"This is bullshit. What am I going to do for a month?" Rick complained as Minmei took one of the visitor seats next to his bed.
"It's not that bad, Rick. You can hang out with me." Minmei said, trying to make the best of the situation.
"There are a lot of administrative tasks that you could do around the base. Perhaps a few shifts in the control tower will give you a better perspective on what us girls have to put with you pilots." Lisa said trying not to let the idea of Minmei hanging around Rick for month bother her.
"I rather be in my Veritech..."
Then, the chime of the intercom got everyone's attention. -Could the following personnel please report to the conference room on deck C. Lt. Hayes, Vermillion Squadron and Ghost Squadron. Repeating Lt. Hayes, Vermillion and Ghost Squadron personnel please report to the conference room on deck C-
"Well, would you look at that... I guess I better go see what they want." Rick said trying to use the announcement as an excuse to leave the hospital.
"You're staying here. I'm sure Lisa can explain what happen to you." Minmei reasoned.
"Minmei is right. I'll inform the Commander what has happen. You just concentrate on getting better." Lisa said walking to Rick's side. "I'll be back to check on you as well." She placed a quick kiss on Rick's check and left for the conference room. Not to be out done, Minmei also leaned over and gave Rick a kiss. "Just rest ok. I'm going with Lisa to see the Commander as well."
"What the hell was that?" Rick asked himself as Minmei ran after Lisa.
***
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I have changed the Gloval's title to Commander due to some comments in the reviews. I'm might back and correct the previous chapters but I'll see how things go.
CHAPTER 9
DISCLAIMER AND COPYTRIGHT: I don't own Robotech so don't take me to court. If you want to uses any stuff from this fiction, all I ask is an email – wonga316@yahoo.com.au
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is a different spin on things from episode 28 - reconstruction blues. Will try to and a little more action and love/hate triangle with Rick, Lisa and Minmei. This is my first attempt at Robotech fan fiction. So please be gentle, NOT. Tell me if I suck. How else are we going to improve? Some of the guys made seem OC and I apologies to any die-hard fans. But it is fiction after all and anything can happen ;) I recommend that you watch the whole series before reading. It's not essential but I do make some references to events that occurred in the series and it's always a good comparison to what I'm writing. Roy and Ben will still be alive in this story
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thought
-...- = Computer chat or phone conversation
****
"Good Morning, Macross City! It's another beautiful day and the topic for today is cheating partners. Call us at 99.1 Macross Radio to have your said. In the mean while..."
[What the hell... What time is it...] Rick thought as his radio alarm clock woke him from his slumber. Still half asleep he swung his arm lazily over the alarm in an attempt to hit the snooze button.
"...And we have our first caller..."
"God damn it. Shut up." Rick moaned as his hand connected with the snooze button. He picked up the alarm to see what time it was. 7:30AM read the large red LCD numbers.
"The hell with this..." Rick complained as he dropped his alarm and went back to sleep.
"I never knew Rick wasn't a morning person." A female voice commented half giggling.
"This is pretty good. You should see him usually." Another female voice sounded.
Rick had just barely heard the voices and turned over to see where they had come from. His eyes focused to see Lisa standing next to his bed in her uniform while Minmei was dressed more causally and sitting on the side of his bed, holding her sun hat and tinted glasses that she used as a disguise.
"What the hell? Lisa and Minmei. I must be dreaming..." Rick half murmured as he rolled over ignoring the two women.
"You know when we were trapped under the SDF1, he wasn't like this in the mornings." Minmei commented as Rick pulled the covers over his head.
Minmei and Lisa both shared a quick laugh before ripping the covers from Rick and dragging him to the bathroom.
****
"Ben... Wake up... Wake up sleepy." Vanessa whispered.
"Huh... What is it..." Ben said half asleep and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He rolled over to find Vanessa looking at him and playing with his hair [She looks a lot cuter without her glasses] he thought.
"We better get up before we are late." Vanessa said [As much as I want to stay he with Ben, people will start talking if we are late to work together]
"Ahhh... Let me sleep just a little more..." Ben pleaded as he pulled Vanessa close to him.
[I guess we could be a little late...] Vanessa thought with a smile as she fell asleep in Ben's arms.
****
Lisa and Minmei were sitting in Rick's kitchen enjoying a cup of fresh coffee. The sound of the shower could be heard in the background. Each woman was thinking about what had happened just prior to waking Rick.
Minmei was standing at the front door waiting for Rick as Lisa approached Rick's house herself. Lisa would walk to work in the mornings and usually get a lift home from Claudia. Rick's house was on the way to the SDF and she would normally dropped by to make sure he would at his shift on time. At least this was the excuse she told anyone who asked. Lisa was surprised to find a strange women waiting at Rick's front door.
"Excuse me can I help you?" Lisa asked.
"Oh... Lisa. It's me. Minmei." Minmei removed her hat and glasses, revealing her features. "Sorry about the disguise. I find it easier to walk around in public unnoticed."
"Minmei? What are you doing here?" Lisa asked sounding surprised.
"Ahhh... I was wondering if Rick could arrange me meeting with Commander Gloval today." Minmei replied. "Can I ask what are you doing?"throwing the question back at Lisa [I hope that sounded convincing. What does she think she's doing?]
"I usually stop by Rick's placed to make sure he wakes up in time for his shift." Lisa replied casually. "You could have seen one of us. Rick rarely sees the Gloval on a daily basis." [What does she think she's doing?]
"I see... Do you normally do this for him?" Minmei asked carefully.
"Not always. Only when Rick has a morning shift I drop by." Lisa answered.
"So I guess you see a lot of him." Minmei countered.
"I guess you could say that... But generally I'm in the control room while Rick is in his fighter." Said Lisa.
"Lisa... Can I ask you a question... You don't have to answer it if you don't want to..." Minmei said nervously
"Ahem... I guess so..." Lisa said just as nervous.
"It's about Rick... I need to know how you..."
"Hey Lt. Hayes. Waiting for Rick again? Do you want me to let you in?"
The usual patrolman was doing his morning rounds and had interrupted Minmei's question. He would normally bump into Lisa on her way to work. The guard would carry a master key to all the staff quarters. On occasions he would find Lisa waiting for Rick and let her in. Minmei quickly placed her sun hat and glasses back on in an attempt to hide from the guard.
"I guess Rick slept in again?" asked the guard, he hadn't notice Minmei as he walked up to the front door searching his set of keys.
[The guard sounds like he has done this for this Lisa before...] Minmei thought as he watched the guard search his keys and ignore her. She didn't really feel like signing autographs and talking a fan this morning. She just wanted to see Rick.
****
"What were you going to ask me this morning?" Lisa asked Minmei while taking a slip of her coffee. Lisa had accustomed herself to Rick's coffee machine while waiting for him to get ready in the mornings.
"Oh... I..." [Should I ask her...] "I... Just..." [May be I shouldn't...]
Lisa saw that Minmei was having trouble with her question. Lisa reached across the table took her hand to reassure her.
"Minmei, you can ask me anything. You don't have to be afraid." Lisa said reassuring Minmei.
[Ok... Here I go...] "I just want to know what are your feelings..."
"Can you tell me why the both of you are in my house?" Rick asked walking into the kitchen.
"You should be more gratefully. How many men have two lovely women wake them up in the morning?" Lisa asked Rick, quickly released Minmei's hand.
Minmei stood up and went over to Rick. "Lisa is right. You should be more gratefully." She said tapping his chest with her index finger.
"Ok... Ok... Settle down Minmei. I have a hard enough time trying to deal with grumpy Lisa, I don't want to deal with you as well." Rick said holding his hands up in defense.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY? / DO YOU MIND REPEATING THAT?" Minmei and Lisa exclaimed.
[Good one Hunter...] Rick quickly grab his flight jacket and ran out the front door. Being an experienced pilot he knew when to retreat from a loosing battle.
***
"Please don't do this... We don't have anything of value that you could want." The mayor plead.
"Be quiet!" The full sized Zentraedi shouted. Another Zentraedi was busily filling a sack with food and valuables from near by stores.
"...Yes. Please hurry." The mayor's wife said into the phone. Before she could hang up the receiver, a giant hand reached in through the window and grabbed her like a rag doll.
"What do you think you are doing?" the Zentraedi demanded.
"HELP...." The wife screamed.
"Please don't hurt her." The mayor reasoned.
"What was that?" Rick was running from the house (Minmei and Lisa to be more precise) and had heard someone screaming. He reached the corner and found two Zentraedi terrorizing the mayor and his wife.
"Hey! What's going on here!" Rick shouted, feeling complied to do something.
"Mind your own business, human. You'll leave if you know what is good for you." One of the Zentraedi replied.
"My God, Rick. You have to help us." The Mayor shouted.
[What can I do? If I had my Veritech I could do something but like this...] "Listen... you don't have to do this. The RDF has given you everything you need. Why do you need to resort to terrorizing innocent people." Rick tried to reason.
"What did you say?" The Zentraedi placed the wife back on the street and approached Rick. His steps shook the ground and made Rick loose his balance for a moment. The disturbance had also alerted Lisa and Minmei. They knew for some reason that trouble usually centered around Rick.
"Ah... I know life with us is hard for you, but the authorities want to help you, if you give them a chance. You've come so far. Why throw it all why now?" Rick replied [Shit... I'm toast...]
"If your authorities want help me, then why don't they let me live the way I want with my own people. I'm a Zentraedi warrior. I was born to fight. That's what I do. Can you help me with that?" with that the Zentraedi placed a small kick towards Rick. To a Zentraedi, his contact would have been harmless but Rick was thrown back into the street, landing heavily on his side.
"RICK!" Lisa and Minmei panicked and bolted to the fallen pilot.
"Come on, let's go..." The other Zentraedi said walking away from the scene. Suddenly his attention was brought about by mechanical footsteps.
"Zentraedi, stop where you." The pilot's voice rang through the mecha's external speakers. Both Zentraedi panicked and ran down the street. The loot spilling from the sack and falling onto parked cars and smashing shop windows.
"Rick! Rick! Can you hear me? Are you ok?" Minmei asked in a concern voice. Lisa was busy checking Rick for any visible signs of injury. The mayor and his wife soon joined them.
"Is he ok? That was a hard knock." The Mayor asked.
"Argh... Shit, that hurt..." Rick grimaced as clutched his side.
"Stay down. You could be seriously injured." Lisa said trying to get Rick to sit back down.
"I'm fine...cough...cough..." Rick replied coughing up some blood as his vision began to get blurry.
"I think he's broken a few ribs." Lisa said aloud. "Get a medical team ASAP." She shouted at the patrol Veritech.
"Rick! Stay awake! Rick! Rick..." Minmei pleaded with tears forming in her eyes.
"I.. guess... I'm lucky... to have two women look after me..." Rick said with a grin as he lost consciousness.
***
Ben drove his car around the back entrance of the SDF base. Vanessa had convinced him that it would be best if they kept their relationship secret for the moment. The back entrance to SDF also doubled as the hospital entrance.
"Are you sure you want to keep this from the others" Ben asked.
"Not really... I don't like lying to our friends but could you imagine what girls on the bridge would do." Vanessa said. "...After all, I get to have you myself for a while..." She closed in a gave Ben a sweet kiss.
"Yeah I guess..." Ben said convinced by Vanessa's explanation. The sounds of an ambulance siren in the background forced him to look into the view mirror. He watched the ambulance pull up and the back doors swing open. [Is that Lt. Hayes? What's Minmei doing in back of the ambulance?] Ben got out of the car and went to see what was happening.
"Ben? Where are you going?" Vanessa asked. She only noticed that ambulance with Lisa and Minmei when Ben approached them.
"Lt. Hayes? What's going on?" Ben asked as he reached the ambulance. "Minmei? Are you ok?" he noticed that the young pop star had been crying.
"Oh, Ben. There was an incident in town with some Zentraedi... Rick got injured in the process." Lisa replied still look at Rick lying on the cart.
"Is he ok? What happen?" Ben asked again.
Rick could faintly hear the voices of some people and slowly opened his eyes. "Where... What" he mumbled as he tried to sit up to see what was going on.
"Sir, you should lie back down. You have taken a heavy knock." The paramedic advised him.
"What? I'm fine..." he retorted. As he sat up a sharp pain shot through the left side of this torso. He quickly grabbed his side and hunched over on cart.
"Rick! Please listen to the medic. You're hurt." Minmei pleaded as she supported Rick's body on the cart.
"Minmei... I'm fine. I have a shift now." Rick replied trying to ignore the pain.
"You're stubborn as they come, Hunter." Lisa said rushing to his side as well. "I'm ordering you to stay here and seek medical attention. I... I mean... WE don't want anything to happen to you." Lisa finished.
"What about the Mayor and his wife?" Rick asked Lisa.
"They're fine, just shaken up by the whole ordeal. The RDF police are currently looking for the Zentraedi who did this to you." Lisa replied.
"A Zentraedi did this?" Lisa explanation surprised Vanessa.
"Two full sized Zentraedi were attacking the Mayor and his wife. Rick tried to stop them." Minmei finished.
"It's nothing... Ben help me up." Rick asked his wingman as he reached for his left side again.
"I don't know chief. You look pretty banged up." Ben replied.
"Rick, what are doing? Lie still!" Minmei was starting to get angry at Rick's persistence to leave. "I... don't want you to hurt yourself again." She said to him softy.
"Minmei is right, Rick. Me and Max can cover you while you rest." Ben added.
"Please Rick, will you just let the doctor see you? If he says you're fine then you can go back to duty. I don't want to see you hurt as well." Lisa said backing up Ben and Minmei. Rick look at Lisa and Minmei and notice the different expressions in each of their eyes. Minmei eyes were tear ridden and pleading him to stay while Lisa eyes a whirlwind of concern and worry.
"Alright... I hate it when the both you give me that look." Rick surrendered to their pleas and fell back down onto the ambulance cart. The paramedic proceeded to wheel Rick into the hospital with Lisa and Minmei in tow. Ben and Vanessa shortly followed.
***
Commander Gloval lit his pipe as he waited for the teleconference to begin with Breetai. Exedore sat to his left and was busily typing some notes into a laptop. Roy Fokker was on his right polishing one of his flight medals on his jacket.
"Apologies for my lateness, gentleman. We are having a number of issues with our reactors." Breetai's face appeared on the monitor and altered them that the conference had begun.
"That's fine Commander Breetai. I hope that it's nothing major. You know you can always dock with one of our supply and repair stations for assistance." Gloval replied.
"Thank you for the offer but we should be able to rectify with the issue the resources we have on hand." Breetai answered. "It's good to see you, Exedore. You look well." Breetai acknowledge his former executive officer.
"You are too kind, sir." He replied.
"Commander Breetai may I ask why have you requested his meeting?" Roy asked.
"Yes, of course Lt Fokker. Three days ago, one of our scout probes discovered the following." Breetai's image split screen and surveillance pictured were posted on the monitor.
"My God... That's huge." Gloval commented.
"Sir, is that what I think it is?" Exedore asked.
"I'm afraid so. It's a Zentraedi protoculture and battle pod factory."
"But that thing is the size of a asteroid. How did something like that go unnoticed?" Roy questioned.
"We suspect that it was deployed after the last great battle with General Dolza. As a result, it has only reach our solar system. Generally these transports don't see the front line."
"Do we know what its capabilities are?" Gloval asked.
"It's primarily a support and resource vessel. It does have armaments but nothing that could pose a great threat if it was to launch a strike attack. But I am more concerned about what it contains than its fire power." Exedore explained.
"Yes, if rebel Zentaraedi were able to secure the factory it would pose a great threat to us." Gloval said as he puffed on his pipe.
"I agree. That's why I'm requesting an elite squadron from your division assist us with the capture of the factory. Normally I would not request this but I believe that if we were able to capture the factory intact then it would be a great asset to our cause. I have formulated a plan that will give us the best chance of doing this but it requires the involvement of your top fighters and other individuals
"I agree the capture of the factory would be a great asset. I'll also send a team of technicians to assist with your reactor repairs." Gloval replied.
"You are too kind Commander. I'll forward the operation details to shortly. Farewell" Breetai said before disappearing from the monitor.
"Lt. Fokker, assemble the team and coordinate with Exedore. I have some other matters to attend. I'll be in my office." Gloval ordered the blond pilot as he stood from his chair
"Yes sir." Fokker saluted the Commander. Exedore followed suit and saluted the Commander as he left the conference room.
***
"Is it serious Dr Lang?" Minmei asked.
"He's fractured a few ribs and has mild concussion. It should keep him off his feet for about a month." The doctor replied.
"A month. The hell with that. I got to pilot." Rick said from the hospital bed. His torso was heavily bandage and an IV drip attached to his arm.
"I'm afraid not. Your body can't handle the stress of flying. Fractures are more difficult to heal as these can be easily fractured again or even break during the healing process. In some cases the fracture doesn't heal properly and a complete break is often better then a minor fracture." Dr. Lang replied.
"Thank you doctor. I'll make sure that he's assigned to light duties and grounded." Lisa said.
"What! You can't do that." Rick exclaimed.
"I can and I have made it an order, Pilot Hunter." Lisa fired back.
"How long does he have to stay here?" Minmei asked.
"I'd like to keep him over night because of the concussion. After that he can go home." Dr. Lang answered Minmei. "I have other patients to attend. I'll be back later in the day to check on your condition." He finished and left the room.
"This is bullshit. What am I going to do for a month?" Rick complained as Minmei took one of the visitor seats next to his bed.
"It's not that bad, Rick. You can hang out with me." Minmei said, trying to make the best of the situation.
"There are a lot of administrative tasks that you could do around the base. Perhaps a few shifts in the control tower will give you a better perspective on what us girls have to put with you pilots." Lisa said trying not to let the idea of Minmei hanging around Rick for month bother her.
"I rather be in my Veritech..."
Then, the chime of the intercom got everyone's attention. -Could the following personnel please report to the conference room on deck C. Lt. Hayes, Vermillion Squadron and Ghost Squadron. Repeating Lt. Hayes, Vermillion and Ghost Squadron personnel please report to the conference room on deck C-
"Well, would you look at that... I guess I better go see what they want." Rick said trying to use the announcement as an excuse to leave the hospital.
"You're staying here. I'm sure Lisa can explain what happen to you." Minmei reasoned.
"Minmei is right. I'll inform the Commander what has happen. You just concentrate on getting better." Lisa said walking to Rick's side. "I'll be back to check on you as well." She placed a quick kiss on Rick's check and left for the conference room. Not to be out done, Minmei also leaned over and gave Rick a kiss. "Just rest ok. I'm going with Lisa to see the Commander as well."
"What the hell was that?" Rick asked himself as Minmei ran after Lisa.
***
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I have changed the Gloval's title to Commander due to some comments in the reviews. I'm might back and correct the previous chapters but I'll see how things go.