Two Of A Kind

by RDF-J6

What would happen if Rick joined the RDF under similar circumstances as Lisa and Mimnei had first fallen for Rick? It might easy for Rick and Lisa to meet and fall in love but it's not as easy as you think and with an obsessed Minmei, it will be harder.

3. Chapter 3 Trapped in the Cargo Hold

TWO OF A KIND

CHAPTER THREE

TRAPPED IN THE CARGO HOLD

BRIDGE OF THE SDF-1

FAR SIDE OF PLUTO

05 JULY 2010

Captain Gloval was stunned when Lisa told him the news. "Pluto? How the Hell we wound up on the other side of Pluto?"

He then walked over to his chair picked on the telephone that was embedded in the arm rest of his chair and punched a button.

"Get me Dr. Lang. Dr. Lang, this is Captain Gloval. What went wrong with the hyperspace jump? How did we wound up on the far end of the solar system? Doctor…doctor…doctor you are talking to an Old Russian Navy seadog not a physicist, just give me the simple, non-scientific answer. Doctor, I realize trying to explain something as complicated and complex as what went wrong with the hyperspace engines is not simple but try to explain it so that a dummy like me can understand. Thank you. I see…I see…Now is there any way the hyperspace engines can be repaired? We need to get back to our intended position or at least get back to where we started from. Blast! No, it is alright doctor there is no need to apologize. I know this alien technology is beyond your expertise. Well, I am glad to hear you will try to do your best to repair the engines. If you cannot repair it, I understand doctor. Thank you, doctor."

"What did Dr. Lang tell you, captain?", Lisa asked anxiously.

"From what I can understand from what Dr. Lang told me is that somehow or the other Dr. Lang, his team and the engineers miscalculated the computations they inputted into the computer of the hyperspace engines. When the jump was made, the engines overheated and blew. They barely managed to put out the fire. Dr. Lang will try to fix the engines but because the hyperspace engines came with the ship when it crash-landed on Earth, he doubts he will be able to repair the engines, but he will try."

Audible groans came from the throats of the five young women on the bridge.

"So, we will have to travel back to Earth the regular way. Claudia, contact the engine room and ask them about their status."

"Yes sir."

"Lisa, calculate how long it will take us to get back to Earth at full speed, then contact RDF HQ and tell them we are on our way back to Earth as quickly as possible, but it will take some time."

"Yes sir."

"Captain, engine room reports the nuclear reactor core has not been breached and they're at full power."

"Well, that's good news."

"Captain, according to my calculations it will take us about a year to a year and a half to get back to Earth orbit."

Captain Gloval took off his hat in frustration and groaned. "Oh, this is simply great. This will go over well with your father and the rest of the gang at command. Okay, go ahead and contact HQ and give them the bad news Lisa."

"Yes sir. Uh sir…The long-range radio is not working."

"How can it not be working?"

Vanessa Leeds casually looked out at one of the front windows. She did a double take then her eyes got wide as she pointed her finger towards the front facing window. "Captain! Look outside!"

The crew gasped when they saw buildings, cars, planes, and other debris floating in the vacuum of space. Captain Gloval and the bridge crew slowly and silently walked to the window with their jaws dropping.

"My God, it looks like the whole island got sucked up when we did the hyperspace fold." Captain Gloval finally managed to say. "A chunk of space debris must have broken the long-range communications antenna. No wonder you could not contact HQ Lisa. Alright, notify salvage crews and tell them to start cleaning up the debris and to pick up survivors. We are not going anywhere until we pick every survivor up. Contact damage control teams and ask them for damage assessments and start making repairs."

"Yes sir."

ROBOTECH DEFENSE FORCE HEADQUARTERS

WASHINGTON, DC

ADMIRAL DONALD HAYES' OFFICE

06 JULY 2010

1000 ZULU

Admiral Donald Hayes decided to leave Captain Gloval's farewell party early and fly back to RDF HQ immediately. It was a total disaster of an evening for him. He spent several hours in the evening before he went to the party, trying to talk his one and only child, Lisa into transferring off the SDF-1 and fly back with him to Washington, DC where a staff position is waiting for her on his staff. Lisa was horrified when her father told her that.

"That is nepotism father! It is illegal and against regulations! You of all people should know that!"

"I know that Lisa, but I don't want you on that ship!"

"I want to be on the SDF-1! That is where my friends are! I want to prove to you, myself, and others that I can make it on my abilities and my abilities alone! Not because I am the daughter of Admiral Donald Hayes!"

"You don't have to prove anything to me Lisa! You have already done that by being my daughter! You advanced up the officer's ranks faster in five years than I did in ten!"

"That's because I had to prove to people that I can be the best officer I can be because of the job I've done! Not because of my family name!"

"I want you off that ship!"

"No, I will not, and you cannot force me father!"

"If your mother was alive, she would be severely disappointed in you for disobeying me."

Lisa then became livid, and her face became red with rage. "How DARE you mention mother father! What did YOU know about mother's feelings? Since when were YOU ever concerned about mother's feelings? You never cared about mother's feelings much less MINE! Have you ever attended any of my birthday parties? Have you ever attended my Sweet 16 party or my high school graduation? NO! The only time YOU have ever attended any of my milestone events was when I GRADUATED FROM ANNAPOLIS! And that was only because you are Admiral Donald Hayes, and you got a free trip out of deal! All YOU ever cared about was your job and how many people you can step on your way up to the top! I-AM-NOT-YOU-FATHER! I have worked hard to be where I am at now! I have never stepped on and used people and stabbed them in the back LIKE YOU DID!"

Admiral Hayes became so enraged with what Lisa said to him, that suddenly, he raised his hand and slapped Lisa across the face. He then realized he had made a terrible mistake. He hit his daughter which was something he never did. He had never hit Lisa, even when she was a child and was caught doing wrong. He had never believed in parental corporal punishment. But then he had done something he had never done, he hit Lisa out of anger. He began to apologize profusely.

"Lisa…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you, but you made so angry."

Lisa did not want to hear anything of it or his apology. She went to the door of her quarters and opened the door.

"Father! I want you out of here!", Lisa said tersely.

"Lisa, I'm sorry"

"Father! I want you to leave NOW!"

"Lisa, I didn't mean to hit you but"

"FATHER GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW OR I WILL CALL THE MP'S AND HAVE YOU ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY!"

Admiral Hayes left Lisa's quarters with his head down and brokenhearted. Lisa slammed the door closed with a loud bang that reverberated and echoed down the passageway. He went to Captain Gloval's farewell party but did not felt like partying. He gave a farewell gift to Captain Gloval, shook his hand, and said some encouraging words to him and had his driver drive him to the airfield so he can get on his private jet.

After the plane landed, he decided not to go to his quarters to freshen up. Instead, he told his driver to take him directly to his office. It was early morning when he arrived in his office. Just as he walked into his office, the telephone rang. He picked it up on the first ring.

"Admiral Hayes, the SDF-1 has disappeared."

"WHAT?"

"The SDF-1 has disappeared."

"What the Hell happened on Macross Island for the SDF-1 to disappear into thin air?"

"Sir, from what preliminary reports we have received, there were reports from our lunar monitoring stations of a tear in the space fabric near the moon. The SDF-1 was then attacked by an unknown alien enemy. The SDF-1 did what it looks like to be is a hyperspace jump and then it disappeared."

"Has the SDF-1 contacted you since it disappeared?"

"No sir. Neither have we been able to contact them."

"Does anyone know where the SDF-1 went to?"

"No sir. Our monitoring probes and monitoring station on the moon could not detect a rip in the space time continuum."

"Well then find out where that damn ship went to! The SDF-1 is only line of defense we have against an attack from outer space!"

"Yes sir."

"Does anyone know of causalities?"

"No sir but we are working on a preliminary CASREP. You should have one before the day is out."

"Please do!"

"Yes sir."

The aide then broke the connection by hanging up. Admiral Hayes then looked at a picture of Lisa in her dress white uniform when she graduated from Annapolis. He looked at the picture wishing their last meeting did not ended so badly. He looked at the picture as tears fell from his eyes onto the picture.

"Lisa." was the only word he managed to whisper.

ZENTRAEDI ARMADA

LORD BREETAI'S FLAGSHIP

"Where is Zor's ship Exedore?"

"I do not know my lord. We only managed to detect the ship's electronic signature for several seconds until it disappeared, and we could not detect it anymore."

"We need to find that ship! Zor's ship is important to us!"

"Yes, my lord."

ON BOARD VT ONE-ZERO-TWO

"What just happened?", a stunned Minmei asked.

"I don't know."

"Where are we?", Minmei asked as she was looking around the outside of the canopy.

"From looks of things, I say we're in space. Exactly where, I don't know.", Rick said as he was looking about the outside of the canopy.

"Do you know how we got here?"

"No, I don't. I'm a pilot not a scientist."

"We need to get out of here! We can't stay for long out here in the vacuum of space!", Minmei yelled in a panicked voice.

"I know that! I know that! You need to calm down! I cannot think with you yelling! The power to this jet must have quit when we...whatever happened to us. I'm going to see if I can turn the engines back on."

Rick started looking at the instrument panel looking for the toggle switches for the engines. He found the switches for the engines after a few seconds. He then toggled the switches. The light blinked and the engines began to sputter and cough like it had a bad cold.

"Oh-oh this is not good.", Rick muttered to himself. Meanwhile, Minmei was in the back of the VT in the co-pilot's seat, and she was in a state of panic.

"HURRY! HURRY! WE'RE DRIFTING AWAY!"

"WILL YOU SHUT UP AND STOP YELLING? I CAN'T THINK WITH YOU YELLING!"

Rick then tried the toggle the switches again. This time the engines started but it was at least less of a quarter of its regular power.

"Well, the engine's back on but I don't know if there's enough power to thrust us forward."

"Well, you have to at least try!", Minmei yelled. She then pointed her finger straight ahead. "Look! There is a hole on the side of the ship. Do you think you can get the plane through that hole?"

On the side of the SDF-1, there was a 22-meter-long vertical tear.

"I think I can, but I will have to turn the jet onto its side, and I don't know if there is enough power left for thrust. But like you say, I must give it a try. Okay miss, I need for you to be quiet. I need to concentrate. This is going to be tricky flying."

"Okay, but its Minmei."

"Excuse me?"

"My name is Minmei, Lynn Minmei."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Rick then pushed the throttle all the way to the front. Slowly the veritech started inching its way forward. Several meters away from the entrance to the tear, Rick turned the VT on its side to the right. Rick was sweating bullets. He has not done something this tricky since his days in the flying circus. Slowly and cautiously, Rick maneuvered the VT through the hole and into the interior of the SDF-1. Just as soon the VT reached the inside of the ship, the engines died for the last time. Suddenly, the VT was pulled back by the force of the vacuum of space pulling against the VT. Rick and Minmei screamed in surprise as if they were on a roller coaster at the amusement park. The force of the pulling vacuum sucked the VT back and the nose of the VT started scrapping the floor. Then the VT slammed against the wall of the ship sealing the hole.

"Well, that was certainly a ride to remember.", Rick muttered.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Rick asked Minmei as he was opening the canopy.

"No, I'm not hurt. I'm okay."

Rick maneuvered his way down the floor then he helped Minmei down.

"Where are we?", Minmei asked.

"We're inside the SDF-1. Exactly where we are, I do not know. It looks like a storage or cargo hold of some kind. This is the first time I have ever been on the ship."

"It is?"

"I just arrived on Macross Island from the States several hours ago."

"Oh."

"I'm going to try to find a way to get us out of here. You stay right here Minmei don't move and don't go anywhere."

"I won't."

Minmei then sat down on some boxes. The bay was dimly lit but there was enough light for Rick to look around without a problem. The area was filled with boxes but still, Rick could not find a door. After for what seem to be hours and not finding a door or a hatch leading out, Rick walked back to where Minmei was sitting. Minmei was relieved when she saw Rick walking back towards her.

"Oh, I'm glad you're back. For a moment there I thought you were lost. Have you found us a way out of here?"

"No, I haven't. I have looked everywhere, and I cannot find a way out of here. I know this ship is big, but I didn't realize how big it is until now."

Minmei looked at Rick trying to remember where she had met him before. "You look familiar. I think we've met before."

"We have?"

It took a moment for her brain to register that it was at the air show when she first met Rick. "Wait a minute! I now remember where first I met you! It was at the air show! My cousin ran into you!"

"Oh my gosh, you're right. I guess in all the excitement with the air battle and the space jump I've forgotten that we've met before."

"Oh, you know what? You know my name, but I don't know yours."

"Oh, that's right. My name is Richard Hunter. My family and friends call me Rick and I like to be called Rick.", Rick said as he was extending his hand.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Rick Hunter."

"It's nice to meet you. I just wish it were under better circumstances."

"Yes, same here."

"Look Minmei, I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier but"

Minmei waved her hand stopping Rick's apology in mid-sentence. "That's okay, Rick. You do not have to apologize. I understand why you yelled at me. I get easily excited when there's trouble or danger around me. Do you think people will be looking for us?"

Rick nodded his head. "I know the RDF will be looking for me. When my big brother finds out I did not make it back to the ship before the ship hyperspace jumped, I'm sure I'll be listed as MIA and they'll start looking for me."

"Is he really your brother? You don't look like brothers."

"When I was a baby, Roy became an orphan, and my father took him in and raised him as his own son even though he never legally adopted him."

"Oh, I see. What did your father do?"

"He was the owner of a family-owned flying circus."

"Is that where you learned how to fly a plane?"

"Yes."

"Wow! You are incredibly good in flying a plane. I hope we will be found soon. I'm getting hungry."

"I'm getting hungry myself."

Minmei looked around the cargo bay and just happened to look outside. She then spotted something. "Rick, look what's outside!"

Outside floating in the weightless vacuum of space was a tuna that somehow got sucked up in space when the SDF-1 hyperspace jumped. Rick's eyes got big when he saw the immense size of the fish.

"That's the biggest fish I've ever seen!"

"I wish there is some way we can bring it in."

Rick began looking around. To the left of him, he saw a closed cargo bay hatch. "Hey, there a cargo door."

"But if we open the hatch, you'll get sucked away."

Rick around and found a coil of rope. He picked up his flight helmet and put it on his head then began to tie the rope around his waist. "Okay Minmei, here is what we're going to do. You will open the cargo hatch door. I am going to hold my breath for as long as so I can to get to the tuna. When I grab it, you go ahead and pull me in. As soon as I am in, you close the door. Got it?"

Minmei nodded her head. Minmei stood to side and pressed the button. The cargo hatch door went up and Rick was sucked out. He floated out and grabbed the fish. Minmei then began to pull Rick in but the vacuum was stronger than she anticipated, and she was beginning to slide towards the open hatch. Minmei with all her strength, managed to pull Rick in. But she closed the hatch too soon and the closing hatch door chopped off the tuna at the head. By the time the hatch closed, Rick had lost his breath. Rick pulled off the flight helmet.

"Well…that wasn't so hard."

Rick then began to look around to find something to cook the fish with but Minmei suggested they eat the fish raw because she was hungry. Rick had a pocketknife in his uniform pocket and opened it. He then cut up the head of the fish as best he can. Very soon they began to eat the fish.

THREE DAYS LATER

Roy was sitting at his desk in his office looking at the causality lists. He was relieved not to find Rick's name on the KIA list, but his heart sank when he found his name on the MIA list. However, his hearten to know that at least there is a chance Rick is not dead and he is still alive. The RDF told him that they are still actively looking for him. Still, he is disheartened to know that Rick is missing. He cannot help but think about Rick, even as he was flying and helping the citizens of Macross relocate to various parts of the ship.

'Rick, I hope you're okay. Please do not be dead. Pop, I know I made a promise to you that I will look after Rick. I hope I did not fail you. I wonder how Aunt Becky and Uncle Jon are doing. I wonder if the RDF has notified them that Rick and I are listed as MIA yet.'

HUNTER FAMILY FARM

WINDHAM, NEW YORK

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010

12:30PM EASTERN TIME

A United Earth Government car drove up to the family farm. Aunt Becky was at the kitchen fixing a light lunch for her and Jon when she saw the government car drive up on the dirt driveway. She then saw three officers get out of the car. Her heart immediately began to race.

'Oh no! Something bad must have happened to Rick and Roy' "Jon! It is the RDF! They're coming up to the front porch!"

The doorbell rang. Uncle Jonathan opened the door and outside was the three RDF officers. Aunt Rebecca ran to be at her husband's side.

"Are you Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hunter?"

"Yes, we are." Uncle Jon answered.

"I'm RDF Air Force Captain Adam Pounder, I'm the CAO. This is my partner RDF Navy Lieutenant junior grade Mary Hyatt, she is the ACAO, and this is RDF Chaplain Amy Simpson. I'm afraid we have some bad news to tell you about your nephews Ensign Richard Hunter and Commander Roy Fokker."

"Please come in."

ROBOTECH DEFENSE FORCE HEADQUARTERS

WASHINGTON, DC

ADMIRAL DONALD HAYES' OFFICE

THURSDAY 08 JULY 2010

2200 ZULU

Admiral Donald Hayes looked at the causality lists. His hands began to tremble when he began to read the lists. He blew out a sigh of relief when he did not see Lisa's name on the KIA list. However, when he came across Lisa's name on the MIA list, he broke down and cried at his desk. He began to pound his fist on the table.

"Damn it, Lisa! I told you to get off that damn ship, but you will not listen to me! Why didn't you listen to me? Now I don't know if you're alive or dead!"

He then picked up the picture of his wife off his desk. "I'm sorry Sarah I'm sorry! I am sorry I was not there for you and Lisa! I have failed you and Lisa! Now because of my failure Lisa might be dead!"

IN THE LOWER CARGO HOLD OF THE SDF-1

FOUR DAYS LATER

Minmei was getting despondent. She thought they would be found by now but when they have not been rescued, she was beginning to lose hope. The tuna head they sparingly ate was finished a while ago. Rick was trying to keep her spirits up and keep her mind off their situation by talking to her while at the same time, trying to his up.

"Where are you originally from, Minmei?

"Yokohama, Japan."

"Why did you come to Macross?"

"My aunt and uncle decided to come to Macross Island to open a Chinese restaurant. The RDF and the UEG said they will pay for people to come here to start up a business because of the reconstruction project and they needed people to come to start up restaurants, stores, and the like because none were here yet. There are so many Chinese restaurants in Yokohama already and there was not one here on the island yet, so they decided to come to Macross. I really came here because I want become rich and famous by becoming a singer. So, I decided to leave Yokohama and come with them. My parents at first did not approve of my decision, but they relented because I will be living with Uncle Max and Aunt Lena, so here I am."

"That's unusual. Usually, people go to L.A. or New York if they want to become rich and famous by singing."

"That's what everybody else does. I want to do it my own way. People tell me I have a good singing voice. And I also know and play music and I've written some songs."

"You did? How about singing one to me?"

"You sure you want to hear it? It's not really finished."

"No, go ahead. I don't mind."

Minmei began to sing "To Be in Love". After she finished, Rick clapped. Minmei blushed when he clapped.

"That's nice Minmei."

"It's not completely finished."

"It's a good start."

"Thank you."

Minmei then smelled herself. "Ugh! I haven't taken a bath in days."

"I haven't either Minmei. Hold on for a minute. This is a cargo hold. There must be things around here to help us take at least a shower."

Rick found a piece of tarp, opened boxes marked "TOWELS" and "SOAP". Rick tore open the boxes and grabbed several towels and bars of soap. He then found a long piece of pipe and then felt for the water line along the wall. He then moved some boxes over and stacked them up to close to create a makeshift shower stall.

"I found the water line!", Rick then used the pipe to pry the water line pipe open. The pipe broke and water came spraying out showering Rick with cold water. "The water's cold but the water line is high enough so you can take a shower."

He handed Minmei several towels and a bar of soap. "Minmei, you go first. I can wait. I cannot find shampoo for you, but you can use the soap to at least wash your hair. Don't worry, I won't look at you." He then walked away to give Minmei privacy.

Minmei looked at Rick with appreciative eyes. "Thank you, Rick." She then walked over to the makeshift shower stall, laid the towels to the side, stripped off her clothes and stepped in. Minmei's breath was taken away. "GASP! You are right Rick! The water is cold!"

Rick came by later with fresh clothes he found in a box. "Minmei, I found fresh clothes for you."

"Thank you, Rick."

Several minutes later, Minmei told Rick she was finished. After she dried herself off and put on a change of clothes, Rick stripped his clothes and went in the makeshift shower.

A WEEK LATER

By now, Minmei was beyond despondent and went into full blown despair. Even though she was glad Rick was with her, she was missing her aunt, uncle, and cousin. Rick tried his best to keep her spirits up, but now even he is beginning to have his doubts if they will ever be found. He stopped looking at his watch a long time ago. They were rail thin because they have not eaten in over a week and were beyond the point of hunger and starvation. One day as Minmei was having one of her moods of despair, she broke down and cried.

"What's wrong Minmei?"

"I…I was thinking about my life and what would have been if we don't get rescued."

"Minmei, don't think like that. We'll be found."

"No, we won't Rick! We will never be found. I will never get married and have children. Rick, will you do something for me?"

"Sure Minmei. What is it?"

"Will you marry me right now? I mean…I know it is not for real…and it will be only between the two of us…but I want to know what it is like to be married. Can we say our vows and kiss?"

"I…I suppose so."

Rick swallowed the lump in his throat. "I, Rick Hunter promise you Lynn Minmei that I will love honor and cherish you for the rest of my life."

"And I, Lynn Minmei, promise you Rick Hunter that I will love honor and cherish you for the rest of my life."

They hesitated for a while. Then they slowly inched towards each other with their lips parted. They then tentatively started to begin kissing. As they were kissing, the roof caved in on them. They stopped kissing and quickly moved to get out of the way of the falling debris. They looked up and saw several people standing around the hole that was created by a backhoe.

"What the heck…hey we've found some people alive! How are you doing? Are you okay?", a middle-aged man asked as he cupped his hands and yelled down to where Rick and Minmei were.

"Yes sir, we're okay but we haven't eaten in over a week!" Rick said.

"Don't worry! We will get the both of you out and get you to the hospital!"

He then turned to someone on the street nearby. "Hey! Will someone call for an ambulance and get a ladder! How on Earth did the two of you got down there in the first place?"

"It's a long story sir!"

"Okay, well hold on for a minute. We are sending a ladder down to get the both of you out and we have just called for the ambulance. They should be here very shortly."

"Thank you, sir.", Rick said with relief in his voice.

A ladder was brought down several minutes later. But before she stepped on the ladder, she yelled; "Oh I almost forgot! My diary! I can't leave it behind!" So, she ran to the wreaked veritech and looked in the back seat until she found her diary. She then ran to the ladder. Rick let Minmei get on the ladder first followed by him. When Rick and Minmei climbed out of the hole they were amazed at what they saw, a city was going up inside the SDF-1.

Rick and Minmei were sent to the hospital where they were treated for dehydration and malnutrition. In the hospital, they began their recuperation by first taking a bath assisted by nurses and then having feeding tubes inserted by an IV. Roy was off duty when he found out Rick was found. He immediately rushed to the hospital. Rick was in a private room watching a movie by closed circuit TV. Roy went to Rick's bedside where they both embraced.

"Little brother, you had me worried.", said a relieved Roy,

"Sorry Roy."

"It's okay Rick. There is nothing to be sorry about. What happened? How did you get trapped inside one of the holds?"

As Rick began to tell Roy the story, Minmei came into his room in a wheelchair with an IV sticking in her arm and the IV bag was on a pole. Rick gave Minmei a nice smile. "Hello Minmei. Oh Roy, let me introduce you to a new friend of mine, Lynn Minmei. Lynn Minmei, this is my big brother, you saw him at the air show, Roy Fokker."

"Oh yes! I have seen you before! You sometimes come to my uncle and aunt's restaurant to eat. I see you sometimes with a lady in a green RDF uniform."

"Yes, that is my girlfriend, Lieutenant Commander Claudia Grant. Pleased to meet you, ma'am." Roy said extending his hand.

"Oh really! She is one lucky lady. I'm pleased to meet you and finally know your name, Commander Fokker.", Minmei said shaking Roy's hand. "Umm, do you mind if I talk to Rick alone for a couple of minutes? It won't take too long commander."

"No, I don't mind. I'll be outside Rick."

Minmei waited until Roy left the room to talk to Rick. She wheeled herself to the side of Rick's bed and grabbed his hand being mindful of the IV tubes. "Rick thank you so much for keeping my spirits up. There were many times I wanted to give up."

"It's no problem Minmei. Believe it or not, there were times I wanted to give up."

"So, what's going to happen to you?"

"Once I get clearance from the doctor to return to duty, I'll start Veritech Fighter Weapons Training School."

"How long will you be in school?"

"It will be at least a year."

"Wow! That long? Will you have any free time during school?"

"I don't know but I seriously doubt it Minmei."

"Well, when you do, could you please let me know? I want to do something special for you just to say thank you for saving my life."

"Oh, you don't have to that Minmei."

"No please. Do not say that. I want to do it."

"Okay then. That's fine with me."

"Can you please let me know when you have some free time?"

"When I'm finished with school and find out what fighter squadron I'll be assigned to, I'll let you know when I have some free time."

"Thank you, Rick. Well…I better go before the nurse starts to wonder where I am at. Oh…and Rick…. what happened between us before we got rescued…do not worry…I will not tell anyone. It is only between you and me. I know it wasn't for real."

"Thank you, Minmei."

Minmei smiled at Rick as she waved good-bye with her hand. She then wheeled herself out of Rick's hospital room. She smiled at Roy as she went past him wheeling herself back to her hospital room.

ONE YEAR LATER

Rick breezed through fighter training school. Roy was not surprised Rick had an easy time in school, but he was concerned that Rick spent all his free time studying and even though he was free during the weekends, Rick spent most of the time in the flight simulators. Rick graduated from fighter training school at the top of his class. At the after-graduation party, Roy could not find Rick at the party. Roy went to Rick's dorm room and found Rick packing his bags.

"Hey Rick, haven't you heard there is a party for you and your fellow newbie pilots at the officer's club? Rick, what are you doing?"

"I'm packing my bags Roy. I'm moving into more permanent quarters."

"Yeah, but do you have to do it now? You can wait until Monday you know."

Roy then looked around the room. There is something not right with the room. The room looked very sparse. There were no pictures of Pop, Cathy, Roy himself or Uncle Jon and Aunt Becky, no pictures of them during their flying circus days.

"Rick, where are all your pictures?"

"I already packed them away, Roy."

"Okay." Roy said not believing Rick.

"Hey, c'mon Rick you're missing the party. This is not like you. You have always been the fun-loving guy. Packing for moving can wait. Besides, I have a surprise for you."

"What is it, Roy."

"Oh, you'll find out. Just come with me."

Rick and Roy walked back to the officer's club. Up on the stage was a microphone stand with a cordless microphone, and a stool. A few seconds later, Minmei walked to the stage with a guitar in her hands, sat down on the stool, laid her guitar across her lap, and adjusted the microphone stand. She smiled warmly to the crowd as she was adjusting the microphone stand.

Rick smiled warmly when he saw Minmei.

"Check…check…check. Hello everyone."

"Hello."

"My name is Lynn Minmei. I am the niece of the owners of the White Dragon Restaurant. I want to give this little mini concert as my way of saying congratulations to everyone who graduated from the VFWTS, I believe I did say the acronym correctly, did I Commander Fokker?" Minmei asked Roy who was in the back with Roy.

Roy nodded his head.

"Not only do I want to do this concert as a way of saying congratulations to those of you who graduated but also as a way of saying thank you to a good friend of mine and your fellow graduate, Ensign Rick Hunter who saved my life a year ago after we were attacked by aliens from outer space, and we had to go into space. Also, it is my way of saying thanks to the RDF for rebuilding and remodeling my uncle's restaurant after a certain RDF officer, who shall remain nameless, wrecked and almost destroyed my uncle's restaurant when he tried to steer a battloid he had no experience with." Minmei said dryly but with a touch of humor in her voice.

Everyone in the officer's club laughed because they knew she was talking about Rick. Rick hid his face in embarrassment. Roy chuckled and patted his hand on Rick's shoulder.

"That's okay little brother. There is nothing to be ashamed about. Say that reminds me. Have you received your call sign yet?"

"No, I haven't Roy."

"Hmm…let me think of one…'Crash'…nah too easy, 'Stuntman'…no, 'Destroyer'…nope...Hey I know, how about 'Wrecker'? Yeah, that's a good call sign for you 'Wrecker'!"

"Gee, thanks Roy.", Rick said sarcastically.

Minmei then went on to give her mini concert. She sang some songs on her guitar and with a CD. She sang songs everyone knew and some original songs she wrote. Then she was about to sing her last song.

"This last song I'm going to sing for you is an original composition of mine. It is on a demo tape that I am currently shopping around the various record labels here in Macross. So, if I do get a record deal, please remember to buy a copy of my CD…hint…. hint…hint…shameless plug."

Everyone in the room laughed.

"This song is dedicated to my good friend Rick Hunter and every one of you pilots in the RDF. This song is entitled; 'My Boyfriend is a Pilot'". She then nodded to the DJ to start the CD. Seconds later the song started and Minmei started singing.

When Rick heard the title of the song, he was not pleased. He thought song insinuated Rick is her boyfriend. When Minmei's concert ended, Rick wanted to talk to Minmei, but the stage was crowded with pilots wanting to take pictures with her, shake her hand or get her autograph. When Rick finally had the chance to talk to Minmei, she had already left the stage.

"Roy, I'll be back."

"Okay, Rick."

Minmei left the officer's club, walked off the base and was about to hail for a taxi, when Rick caught up with her.

"Minmei wait up! I need to talk to you!"

"Sure Rick. What is it?"

"What's the idea with that song?"

"What are you talking about Rick?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. 'My Boyfriend is a Pilot'".

Minmei looked around and did not felt comfortable standing near the gate to the base with people going in and out. "Let us take a walk, Rick. Rick, it's only a song."

"But the way you introduced the song it's implying that I'm your boyfriend."

"Rick, you're being paranoid and blowing this all out of proportion. Nowhere did I say that you are my boyfriend. All I ever said during my concert is that you are a good friend, that's all I ever said."

Rick was beginning to calm down. "How did you know I was graduating today?"

"I called Commander Fokker."

Rick was shocked. "You called Roy?"

"Rick! I had to! I wanted to call you to let you know I will be singing at your graduation party as my way of saying thanks to you, but you never returned my phone calls or messages! Every time I call the front desk to your dorm quarters, they said that you were studying and did want to be disturbed, you were in the flight simulators, you were in class or you never answered your phone at all!"

"I've been busy studying the whole time Minmei!"

"No, you weren't Rick! You are lying! When I called Roy, he said your weekends were free! What were you doing on the weekends?"

"I was in the flight simulators."

"On your weekends Rick you're lying!"

"Minmei, I'm not lying. Please try to understand. What happened on the day when I crashed into your uncle's restaurant and almost killed you and your cousin…I do not want that to happen again. That is why I spent a lot of time in the flight simulators."

Minmei felt that Rick was lying but she could not prove it. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Rick.", she said in disgust with a wave of her hand.

"Minmei, I'm sorry I never returned your phone calls and messages, but I am telling you the truth."

"Yeah, whatever Rick. Just leave me alone!", Minmei said sarcastically.

ZENTRAEDI ARMADA

LORD BREETAI'S FLAGSHIP

"My lord, we have found out where Zor's ship jumped to."

"Where did it go to my friend?"

"They are currently in between the seventh and eighth planets in the solar system; Neptune and Uranus."

"Execute a hyperspace fold to the approximate vicinity of Zor's ship."

"Yes, my lord."

BRIDGE OF THE SDF-1

"Captain I detect a rip in the space fabric approximately 100 kilometers off our starboard bow! It looks like several enemy ships are de-folding!" Lisa said.

"Sound the general quarters alarm!"

"Yes sir!"

"GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! ALL PERSONNEL MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS! ALL PILOTS REPORT TO YOUR READY ROOMS FOR IMMEDIATE TAKE-OFF! ALL CIVILIANS PLEASE GO TO THE NEAREST AIR RAID SHELTER!"

Every pilot except for the recent graduates ran out of the officer's club. Roy saw Rick on the street.

"Rick! You and Minmei get yourselves to an air raid shelter! Now!"

"Yes sir!"

"C'mon Minmei we got to go! There's an air raid shelter down the street!"

"Captain we're outnumbered! I don't know how much longer we can withstand this barrage!", Lisa warned.

"Then we're going to fire the main gun! Claudia! Prepare for modular transformation of the ship!"

"Yes sir!"

Claudia pressed a series of buttons. Immediately, the ship began to shift and change as it was changing into a battloid.

Outside as Roy was in aerial combat; his wingman came on the radio in an excited voice. "Baron, look at what the ship is doing!"

"What the heck?"

Meanwhile on the streets of Macross City, Rick and Minmei was running towards an air raid shelter when suddenly the ground beneath their feet began to move like an earthquake. People on the streets began to scream in panic as the ground began to give way and split as buildings began to shake and crumble and car alarm sirens and horns began blaring as cars began to get tossed and turned and flipped over like they were being thrown by an angry child.

"What's going on here Rick?"

"I don't know Minmei."

Then the ground opened and Minmei fell through the opening screaming.

"MINMEI!"

With modular transformation complete, Captain Gloval felt the odds were now in his favor even though he was still outnumbered.

"Power up the main cannon!"

Claudia called out the numbers of the charging main cannon. "50 percent complete…75 percent complete…80 percent complete...90 percent complete…95-96-97-98-99-main cannon is fully charged!"

"Lisa target the lead ship!"

"Target's locked and ready to fire on your command sir!"

"FIRE!"

A brilliant beam of white-hot energy came out of the arms of the SDF-1. The energy beam hit a Zentraedi battler cruiser at the bottom keel. The bottom of the cruiser split open like a fish being gutted by a knife. The cruiser then exploded in a brilliant red fireball.

"Captain, the enemy has retreated. They just executed a hyperspace fold." Lisa reported.

"Take the ship out of modular transformation. Have damage control teams report and start immediate repairs. Have all squadrons return to base and cancel the general quarters alarm. Get a report from civil defense on what damage Macross City has sustained."

"Yes sir."

STREETS OF MACROSS CITY

Minmei started to fall but to manage to grab her hand onto a ladder rung. Even though Minmei had stopped falling she still was panicking.

"RICK! HELP ME!"

Rick knelt and reached out his hand. "Grab my hand Minmei I'll pull you up!"

Minmei reached up and grabbed Rick's hand with her free hand. Rick began to gently pull Minmei up. Halfway up, Rick wrapped his arms around Minmei's waist and lifted her up out of the opening. Which was none too soon because the opening started to close.

Lisa voice came over the public address loudspeakers. "ATTENTION ALL RDF PERSONNEL. GENERAL QUARTERS ALARM HAS BEEN CANCELLED. CITIZENS OF MACROSS ON THE BEHALF OF CAPTAIN GLOVAL, WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE WE HAVE CAUSED YOU."

Minmei broke down and cried. This has been second time in a matter of a year Rick saved her from certain death. Rick began to comfort Minmei.

"It's okay Minmei. You're safe now."

As she was crying, relieved she was saved from certain death, Minmei's mind was scheming. 'You're mine, Rick Hunter whether you realize it or not. Someday you will be mine. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow but someday you'll be mine, all mine. And God help any woman who gets in my way.'

AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTES

MILITARY ACRONYMS

CASREP – Casualty Report. Military report listing personnel who were killed, missing, and wounded in battle.

KIA – Killed in Action.

MIA – Missing in Action.

CAO – Casualty Affairs (Assistance) Officer. Military officer who notifies and assists families of killed, wounded, or missing military service members.

ACAO – Assistant Casualty Affairs Officer.

MP – Military Police.