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.

5. Chapter 5 Classmates

TWO OF A KIND

CHAPTER FIVE

CLASSMATES

ABOARD THE SDF-1

OUTSIDE COMMANDER LISA HAYES' QUARTERS

It had taken several minutes for Claudia to help Lisa get to her quarters. Outside Lisa's quarter's door, Claudia propped Lisa up against the wall.

"You stand right where you are Lisa. Let me search for your keys okay?"

Lisa was so mentally exhausted, physically tired, and emotionally drained; she could do nothing but nod her head. Claudia then started to search through the pockets of Lisa's skintight space suit until she found the keys. She fished the keys out, inserted the key into the keyhole and opened the door to Lisa's quarters. Claudia then took Lisa's hand and led her into the dark living room of Lisa's quarters. She then turned on the light and began to take apart the space suit.

"Okay Lisa, let's disconnect the hose to your helmet."

Claudia looked at the gauge of the oxygen tank and became alarmed. "Oh, my Lord Lisa your O2 tank is empty! Did you know your oxygen tank is empty?"

Lisa could do nothing but shake her head no.

"I'm surprised you're not suffering from hypoxia! Here, let me take off your helmet so you can at least start breathing good air again."

Quickly Claudia unzipped the zipper that connected the helmet to the collar of the space suit. Claudia then helped Lisa take the helmet off her head. With the helmet off, Lisa took in a deep breath. Claudia was shocked at how sweaty and pale Lisa looked. The hair was matted to her head because of all the sweat. The helmet was just dripping with sweat. Claudia then unzipped the front of suit and began to peel it off. She was surprised at how tight and difficult it was to take the suit off.

"Good grief Lisa! I cannot believe how tight and form fitting this suit is! It is a good thing you stay in shape and exercise all the time. Say, maybe you should wear this all the time. Maybe it will attract more guys your way.", Claudia joked.

Lisa did not see the humor in what Claudia said. "Very funny Claudia, we're already wearing uniform skirts that doesn't go past our knees and have slits on the sides of them. Plus, we must wear high heeled shoes. Now you want these ridiculous skintight space suits as part of women's basic issue?"

"Calm down Lisa. I'm only joking."

After she took off the suit and Lisa were wearing nothing but her bra and panties, Claudia was alarmed at how hot and clammy Lisa's skin felt.

"Good Lord Lisa, your skin feels so hot!"

"I know Claudia, I'm so exhausted. I think I'm suffering from heat exhaustion."

"Then let's get you into the shower and cool down your core temperature."

Claudia led Lisa to the bathroom, helped Lisa take off her bra and panties and turned on the shower and told Lisa to step inside. Lisa started to gasp and shriek when the cold water hit her body. After a few seconds Lisa came alive by gasping from the shock of the coldness of the water and she started to shriek and complain.

"Okay Claudia Okay! Turn the water onto warm before I start suffering from hypothermia!"

Claudia began to roll her eyes. "Lisa, the cold water has only been on for only a few seconds. You need to at least wait a few minutes to let your core body temperature start to cool down. Besides, you do not get hypothermia unless the water is below 5 degrees Celsius. This water is at least 18 degrees and besides, you don't get hypothermia unless you've been in the water for half an hour, so stop being a big baby!"

Claudia waited a few minutes before she turned to water onto warm. "Okay Lisa. I'm going to turn the water onto warm but not by much okay because the hot water will raise your core body temperature again and we don't want that to happen again."

Lisa nodded.

"Lisa, I'll let you take your bath or shower in private. When you are finished, I will have your night clothes out for you. In the meantime, I'm making dinner for both of us."

"Thanks Claudia."

After a while, Lisa finished taking her bath and put on the night clothes Claudia laid on the bed for her. As Lisa was taking her bath, Claudia searched through Lisa's refrigerator and cupboard until she found something to cook dinner for her and Lisa. Claudia put out a big pitcher of ice water to help Lisa continue to cool down her body temperature. Claudia and Lisa ate their dinner in silence which made Lisa nervous because usually she and Claudia talked about Roy or some other hot or cute pilot that Lisa should investigate about dating with.

After dinner as they were sitting on Lisa's couch, Claudia was biting her lower lip, trying to figure out what questions to ask Lisa but at the same time trying not to offend her. Lisa grew continually more nervous because she knew what questions Claudia was going to ask.

"Lisa…I'm going to ask you a couple of questions and I want you to give me an honest answer to each of them. I know we're friends and co-workers and have been for a long time, so I expect you to tell me the truth."

Lisa hesitated for a long time before nodding her head. "Okay…Claudia…I'll answer them."

"What happened when you tried to get out of the reflex furnace room?"

"I was running down the hallway trying to get to the doorway that leads to the outside when two steel doors on either side of me closed down on me trapping me in. While I was trying to find another way out…I happen to come across…Karl's room. I opened the door…to his room…and I found it dark…and deserted."

"I was trying to contact you on the radio. You weren't answering the radio because you had it turned off, is that correct?"

Lisa nodded her head in shame. "That…is…correct Claudia."

"What happened when Ensign Hunter came upon you in his veritech?"

Lisa hesitated a long time before answering. "I…I…I told him to leave." Lisa said quietly.

"Why?"

"Because I did not want to live anymore, that's why! When I went into his room and found it deserted, I knew he was dead and was never coming back to me! Why should I go on living when the love of my life is dead? I will never know how to love or to be loved anymore!"

Claudia stood up in anger when she heard Lisa's confession. "LISA! THAT IS THE MOST INSANE, ASININE, AND PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR KILLING YOUSELF I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! You have been hanging on to your dead boyfriend for all these years like he is going to come back from the dead like Jesus Christ and marry you! So, your boyfriend is dead! Well, that is just too bad! Life stinks! Life's a bitch and life sucks! Life is unfair! Get over it! You are not the only one who lost a boyfriend in all this madness and you will not be the last! You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself, learn to go on with your life past your dead boyfriend and start learning to live and love again!"

"That's easy for you to say Claudia! Your boyfriend's still alive!"

"Don't play that game with me Lisa Hayes! You know damn well that at any time Roy can be killed flying a mission. Hell! Any of us at any time can be killed fighting a galactic war we did not want or declared with aliens from space who seem to want to wipe us out for no reason at all!"

Claudia then turned to leave but not before letting Lisa see a look of disgust on her face. "I'm through trying to talk sense to you Lisa Hayes! Whatever the Hell you want to do with rest of your life, whether you want to kill yourself or what else go ahead and do it because I do not care anymore! Just don't try getting myself or anyone else involved like you tried to do with Ensign Hunter!"

"I never tried to get Ensign Hunter involved!"

"Save your excuses for your dead boyfriend when you meet him!"

Claudia stormed out of Lisa's quarters steaming mad and slammed the door shut. Lisa put her head down in her hands and began to cry again. She thought she had lost the only friend she had on the ship because of her foolish act. As Claudia was walking down the passageway, she saw Roy walking towards her with a look of concern on his face. Rick told him what happened between him and Lisa in the hangar bay after he rescued her but did not told him she ordered him to leave.

"Claudia, Rick told me what happened between him and Lisa in the hangar bay. How is she doing? Is she…Whoa! You look mad. I have never seen you this mad before. What happened between you and Lisa?"

Claudia began to tell Roy the confession Lisa told her. The more Claudia told Roy; the angrier Roy got. Roy started to storm down the passageway towards Lisa's quarters. Claudia tried to stop Roy by wrapping her hand around his arm.

"Where're you going, Roy?"

"I'M GIVING THAT ICE QUEEN BITCH A PIECE OF MY MIND!"

"ROY! ROY! ROY! DON'T DO IT!", Claudia yelled as she grabbed a hold of Roy's arm to try to stop him. Roy shrugged off Claudia's attempt to stop him.

"DON'T TRY TO STOP ME CLAUDIA! SHE ALMOST GOT MY LITTLE BROTHER KILLED BECAUSE OF HER FOOLISHNESS!"

When Roy reached the door to Lisa's quarters, his temper was way past the boiling point. In his anger he flung opened the door so hard that the doorknob hit the wall with a loud bang putting a good-sized dent in the wall as he stormed into Lisa's living room. Lisa jumped several inches off her couch as she was startled by Roy's sudden loud entrance, but she was not surprised to see an angry look on Roy's face nor was she surprised to see him in her quarters. Claudia most likely told Roy about Lisa wanting to kill herself when the reflex furnace exploded thus endangering Rick's life when he was ordered to get her out. She does not blame Roy for being angry. You would be angry too if you thought someone was responsible for your bother almost getting killed when he was ordered to save someone who did not want to be saved.

"JUST WHAT THE FUCK WAS YOU THINKING OF WHEN YOU TRIED TO GET MY BEST PILOT AND BROTHER KILLED COMMANDER HAYES?"

Lisa sat on the couch exasperated. "Please Roy! I have already heard enough of it from Claudia, and I feel bad enough as it is! I DON'T NEED TO HEAR IT FROM YOU TOO!"

"WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM ME WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT COMMANDER HAYES! JUST WHAT THE HELL WAS YOU THINKING OF WHEN YOU TRIED TO GET MY BROTHER INVOLVED IN YOUR INSANE SUICIDE PACT?"

Lisa stood up and faced Roy with a defensive yet defiant and angry look on her face. "I-wasn't-trying-to-get-your-brother-INVOLVED Roy! When he showed up to get me out, I ordered him to leave but he went ahead and got me out even when I was telling him no!"

"That's because he was following orders from Captain Gloval! You know all about following orders, right?"

"Yes! I know all about following orders Roy! You do not have to get sarcastic with me! It was never my intention to try to get your brother killed! I ordered him to leave to save his own life, but he disobeyed my order and he got me out anyway!"

She then took in a deep breath and blew it out.

"Listen Roy…it is my own stupid fault that I almost got your brother killed. You have every right to be angry at me…but at the same time you have to believe me Roy…I never meant for any of this to happen…and for what I did…I am terribly sorry.", Lisa quietly said with remorse in her voice.

But Roy was not buying her apology. "Don't apologize to me Lisa! Apologize to my brother! Knowing him like I do, he probably will because he is a kind and forgiving person. He has a good heart, and he treats everyone the same, with kindness, respect, and dignity. Something you do not have or deserve after what you tried to do! But if I were you Lisa, I will be more concerned about my brother's after-action report than trying to get an apology from him. And one last thing commander! The next time you go bonkers on us by wanting to kill yourself, do us a favor by trying not to get any of us involved! C'mon Claudia let us get the Hell out of here! I can't stand being in the same room with her!"

Roy walked out of Lisa's quarters with a look of disgust on his face. Claudia's face turned more into a face of pity than anger.

"I'm sorry Lisa. I tried to stop him but"

"Go to Hell Claudia! Do not try to make up with me after what you just did! You are not sorry! Just go and leave me alone but don't worry I won't try to kill myself again!", Lisa said sarcastically.

Claudia grabbed a hold of the door and quietly closed the door as she went out. After Claudia and Roy left, Lisa fell apart and started to really weep and cry. She knew exactly what Roy meant when he warned her that she should be more concerned about Rick's after-action report than trying to get an apology from him.

She knew very well that when Rick files his after-action report and Captain Gloval reads the section when Lisa ordered him to leave knowing fully well that when the reflex furnace overloaded and exploded, killing her instantly along with the enemy and Rick, Gloval will order her to see the ship's psychiatrist. After talking with the psychiatrist and finding out why she wanted to commit suicide, he will declare her as being mentally unfit for combat duty due to an unresolved past tragedy. He will most likely recommend that she be placed on desk duty. Most likely Captain Gloval will approve the recommendation despite her being one of his top subordinates. Because she will be relegated to administrative duty, she will not advance up the ranks and that will cause her career to stall thus effectively ending her military career. She then will either be medically discharged or will be forced to resign her commission for the good of the service.

BRIDGE OF THE SDF-1

TWO DAYS LATER

The blow-up between Claudia and Lisa about Lisa's suicide attempt at Sara Base was put long past behind them. Lisa later realized what she tried to do was foolish and stupid and she told Claudia exactly that. All Claudia did was to make Lisa promise that she will never do something that foolish ever again. They were at their workstations talking and making idle chit-chat when Roy walked up to Lisa's workstation and threw a folder in front of her at the bottom panel of her station with a look of disgust on his face.

"You're very lucky you still have a military career thanks to my brother.", Roy said quietly with his voice dripping with contempt.

"What are you talking about Roy?"

"What don't you go ahead and read it for yourself!"

Lisa picked up the folder and opened it. When she read the cover sheet, her hands immediately began to tremble. Covered in a clear plastic cover, the front cover of the sheet read:

AFTER ACTION REPORT

BATTLE OF SARA BASE MARS

PERSONAL ACCOUNT

By

Richard Allen Hunter

Ensign RDF

'Oh no it's Ensign Hunter's after-action report! Oh, dear God, I'm almost afraid to read it but I have to.' With trembling hands and fully aware her military career was most probably finished after everything was said and done with, Lisa slowly opened the cover sheet, turned the page, and started reading. She was almost tempted to go to the end of the report where Rick's account of his encounter with Lisa and of her ordering him to leave her at the abandoned building, but she went ahead and read the whole report from the beginning anticipating the worst. When she began reading the part of where Lisa told Rick to leave, she lowered the report as her jaw dropped and she had a look of surprise on her face.

"That's right! Rick lied in his after-action report! He just saved your worthless ass!"

"WHAT? LET ME SEE THAT REPORT!", Claudia said in disbelief as she took the report from Lisa's frozen hands and began reading the report for herself. Like Lisa, Claudia began reading the report from the beginning. She then began reading the section where Rick came upon Lisa in Karl's abandoned room.

"As I came upon the abandoned officer's quarters in the northwest quadrant of Sara Base, I found Commander Hayes' position as it was given to me by GPS that was downloaded into my navigational computer. I noticed through the dark tinted glass of the building that she was surrounded by huge amounts of trash and debris. I asked her via intercom if she was hurt. She said no but she was unable to move because of the huge amounts of debris which most likely knocked out her radio preventing her to contact the ship. I told her to duck down as best she can because I was going to punch through the glass using the fist of my veritech in guardian mode and I did not want her space suit being cut by the flying glass. Because of the large amounts of trash and debris, it had taken me some time to free her. She climbed on the hand of the veritech and using the VSTOL thruster jets of my veritech in guardian mode, I managed to fly away seconds before the reflex furnace overloaded and exploded. Safely aboard the SDF-1, I asked her if she needed medical attention. She said no. She then took my right hand, shook it, and said, "Thank you for saving my life." Then she walked away."

Claudia's jaw dropped too as she lowered the report after she finished reading the report. She then looked over at Lisa.

"Oh my god Lisa! Rick has saved your military career."

"At the risk of his own career Claudia. If the RDF ever finds out that Rick falsified his report and finds out that Lisa really ordered him to leave her so she can kill herself, he will get a letter of reprimand, or even worse, he could be court-martialed for filing a false official report or be asked to resign his commission! Not only will Lisa be kicked out of the service, but Rick will too! Which means his military career will be over without ever having a chance of it to begin thanks to Lisa!"

"How did you get a hold of the report Roy? You know these after-action reports are only for the higher ups.", Claudia asked.

"A friend of mine in the upper echelons sneak Xeroxed a copy as a personal favor for me."

Lisa without saying a word ran from her station.

"Where are you going, Lisa?", Captain Gloval asked.

"I'm sorry sir! I have left something important in my quarters! I'll be back sir!" Lisa lied.

"Have you seen Rick today?", Claudia asked in a low whisper when Lisa left.

Roy nodded his head.

"Did you ask him why he falsified his after-action report?"

"Yes, I did."

"What did he say?"

"I don't feel comfortable talking about it here. Let us go somewhere where we can't be overheard or raise suspicions."

"I can't Roy. You saw Lisa running out of here like she was on fire. I bet you my next paycheck she's trying to find Rick."

"Okay, how about we meet up at your quarters after duty and I'll tell you the whole story?"

"It's a deal."

SKULL SQUADRON'S ORDERLY ROOM

Not knowing Rick very well, Lisa had problems finding Rick because she did not know where Rick usually hangs out when he is not flying. She knows that Rick cannot be in his quarters since he is on duty, but she knows he is not flying since Skull Squadron is off flight rotation. She decided to go the squadron's orderly room to find out where Rick is. The orderly room sergeant spotted her and stood at attention.

"At ease sergeant, do you know where Ensign Hunter is sergeant?"

"He's either in the flight simulator room, the small arms or long arms weapons ranges ma'am."

"Can you check to see where he's at? It's important that I speak to him."

"Yes ma'am. He is in the flight simulator room ma'am. He should be finished in a couple of minutes because it's almost his lunchtime."

"Thank you, sergeant."

Lisa walked the short distance to the squadron's flight simulator room. Lisa did not have to wait long before Rick stepped out of one of the flight simulators.

"Ensign Hunter, may I speak with you?"

"I'm about ready to go to lunch ma'am. Want to join me for lunch?"

"I'm really not all that hungry ensign. Is there a place where we can speak in private?"

"We can go into the dayroom, lock the door and go into the TV room. That should give us some privacy."

"That's good enough for me ensign. After you."

Rick led Lisa to the dayroom where he locked the door, and they went into the TV room where he closed the door.

"Why do you need to speak with me ma'am?"

"I'm going to ask it straight out ensign…why did you falsify your after-action report?"

Rick was quiet a long time before he spoke, but it was not the answer Lisa wanted to hear.

"Before I answer your question ma'am, can I ask you a question of my own?"

"Go ahead ensign."

"That day at Sara Base when you ordered me to leave, did you want me to leave because you wanted to kill yourself?"

Lisa tried act nonchalant, but she was shocked by Rick's question. She then suddenly became extremely uncomfortable with the question Rick asked. 'Oh my god, how did he know? How does he know I wanted to kill myself?' "What…whatever gave you the idea that…I wanted to kill myself?"

"Well, it was very obvious ma'am, but it wasn't the order that you gave me that gave it away…it was the look on your face that gave it away."

"'The look on my face' what are you talking about ensign 'the look on my face'?"

"The look of despair, the look that says; 'I want to end it all.' the look that says; 'I can't go on.'"

"How do you know about that Ensign Hunter? You're a pilot not a psychiatrist."

"I just know and understand ma'am."

"Look ensign, I have a confession to make to you but it's not what you think. Your brother is the boyfriend of someone I work with on the bridge, and she is about the only friend I have on this ship. I believe it was on the day you arrived on Macross Island, the day we had to hyperspace jump into space, she told me that your girlfriend was killed in an airplane accident. Is that true?"

'Yes ma'am.", Rick said quietly.

"Roy told me that he used to be in your family's flying circus until he joined the military. Was your girlfriend also involved with your family's flying circus?"

Rick was quiet for a long time. "Yes, she was ma'am."

"Care to tell me how she died?"

"I really…don't…feel…comfortable…telling you…about…how she died ma'am."

"I see. Did you try to kill yourself? Did you try to commit suicide once because you felt responsible for her death?"

Rick was quiet for a long time before answering. "I can't answer that question for now ma'am because you don't me and I don't know you. But before I leave for the dining hall, can I ask you one more question?"

Lisa was exasperated. "Sure, go ahead ensign. Fire away."

"What was it about that room that made you want to die? Far as I know ma'am you were never stationed on Mars. Macross Island and the SDF-1 has been your whole duty assignment ever since you transferred to the RDF from the U.S. Navy. What was so special about that room that made you want to kill yourself?"

Lisa herself was quiet for a long time. "Like you said ensign, I can't answer that question right now because I don't know you and you don't know me."

Rick nodded his head. "It's fair enough ma'am. Well, if you'll excuse me ma'am, its way past my lunchtime and I hate missing lunch."

"Well, have a good lunch Ensign Hunter."

"Thank you, ma'am…oh…and ma'am.", Rick said as he was turning around to face Lisa.

"Yes ensign."

"I have just one more thing to tell you. You do not have to worry about me telling anyone about what really happened. I really do understand ma'am."

"I see. Well, thank you ensign."

"You're welcome ma'am."

Lisa was left with more questions than answers. 'What is his motivation in asking me all those questions? Is he really telling the truth about his girlfriend's death? Will he truly keep about what happened at Mars Base Sara to himself or will he use it as some sort of leverage against me? I just did not know. I just do not know enough about him to trust him. Can I trust him? Why did he falsify his after-action report? So many questions and I have no answers.'

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CLAUDIA GRANT'S QUARTERS

LATER THAT SAME EVENING

Roy was helping Claudia fix dinner so he can tell her his talk with Rick on why he falsified the after-action report.

FLASHBACK

SKULL SQUADRON'S LOCKER ROOM

EARLIER IN THE DAY

Rick was in the locker room suiting up and getting ready for the day. Roy walked up beside him, put his hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear.

"Hey Rick, I need to speak with you in my office…right now."

"Uh…can you give me a minute Roy while I finish suiting up?"

"Alright but make it quick."

As Rick was walking towards Roy's office, he was wondering why Roy wanted to speak to him, but he had a sneaky suspicion of why. Rick stopped at Roy's office door, straightened up his uniform and knocked on the door.

"Come on in Rick and just have a seat."

Rick opened the door and closed it. He immediately saw a chair and sat down.

"What do you need to speak with me about Roy?"

Roy opened a drawer and tossed the after-action report in Rick's direction. It stopped a few inches away from the edge of the desk.

"This."

Rick looked at the cover sheet and knew it was his after-action report.

"How did you get this, Roy? It's only for the higher ups."

"Never mind how I got it, the question I'm asking is why?"

"What do you mean by 'why' Roy?"

"Don't play that game with me Rick. You know exactly what I mean. Why did you falsify your after-action report?"

"I didn't falsify anything in the after-action report Roy."

"Rick, if there is one thing, I have always known about you is that you've always been a horrible liar. You were never able to pull the wool over Pop's eyes. What makes you think you'll be able to do the same to me?"

Rick was quiet was for a long time.

"Rick, the night when you rescued Commander Hayes, she told me and Claudia the truth about what happened at that room at Sara Base."

Rick swallowed a visible lump in his throat. "What did she tell you?"

"I'm not at liberty to tell you what she told us. What I want to know is; is why you lied in your report?"

Rick was again quiet for a long time.

"Damn it, Rick this is not the time to be clamming up! Don't you realize if the RDF ever finds out you've falsified your after-action report, you could be given a letter of reprimand or even worse, you could be brought up on charges and be court-martialed or be forced to turn in your commission?"

Rick then took in a deep breath. "Yes…I realize that Roy. I have agonized about it for hours after it happened. I was up all-night thinking about what I should write in the after-action report. I mean…I had changed the wording of my after-action report three times before I finally decided to stay with what I have written the fourth time. Roy…you've got to believe me…I…I didn't mean to lie in my after-action report…but…I did not want Commander Hayes' career to be in jeopardy because of what she did."

"I believe you Rick and that's very noble of you to be thinking of Commander Hayes. I am sure she will appreciate it, but it still does not answer the question; why? Why did you falsify the report?"

Rick got up and walked around. After a while of not talking, he let out a sigh and began to talk. "Okay Roy, I'll explain everything to you on why I had to falsify the report. When I came upon to where Commander Hayes was at, she was on her knees and it looked like she has been crying. I asked her if she was hurt, she said "no". When I told her to stand back because I was going to punch my way through, she then told me to leave. Not believing what I heard I said, "Excuse me, ma'am." She then ordered me to leave a second time. When she ordered me to leave the second time, she turned and faced me. What I saw in her face was…was the look."

"What do you mean by 'the look' Rick?"

"She had this look of despair. A look that says, 'I have nothing to live for.', 'I want to give up.', 'Leave me alone because I want to end it all.'"

"How do you know about that Rick?"

"I don't know Roy, I just know."

"Don't tell me you tried to kill yourself after Cathy died?"

Rick suddenly got defensive. "Of course, not Roy you know me better than that! You know I would never do something stupid as trying to kill myself! Anyway, after she told me to leave the second time…I disobeyed her order and I punched through the window, grabbed her and we made our escape. It was then when Commander Grant came over the radio warning me that the furnace was about to explode. Then the furnace exploded as we were making our way to the ship. Look Roy…I am not a shrink, but something must have happened in her past that caused her to react that way. I know in my heart she did not mean to get me killed and I did not want Commander Hayes' career to be finished because of what she did over something that may or may not have happened in her past and that is why I falsified my report and that is the truth!"

Even though Roy believed most of what Rick explained to him because it confirmed what Lisa told him and Claudia several days ago, he still was not fully convinced Rick was telling him the whole truth especially denying he tried to commit suicide after Cathy died but he had no proof of it. Roy could only take Rick's word for it. He blew out a breath of exasperation.

"All right Rick, that is all for now. Go on ahead and go to the ready room."

"Yes sir.", Rick said as he saluted.

END FLASHBACK

"That's it, Roy? That was Rick's explanation to you? That…Lisa gave him…'the look?'"

"That's all he said Claudia and that is all I have to go on."

"Well, there has to be more to it than that."

"I know that Claudia, but I don't have any proof beyond what Rick told me. You were not there; I was not there. The only people who really knew what happened in that abandoned room is Rick and Lisa."

"What about the cockpit voice and video recordings? Can't you get anything off of that?"

Roy shook his head. "The recordings most likely has been erased by now without anyone even knowing. There is no need to keep the recordings unless something criminal or out of the ordinary happened or unless the IG or JAG demands it not be erased."

Claudia could do nothing but to let out a sigh of frustration.

"Well, let us forget about it, Claudia. There is nothing we can do about it now. I think the higher ups will take Rick's report as it is and take what Rick wrote as the truth. Unless the RDF or Captain Gloval have second thoughts about Rick's report and decides to investigate what really happened, we will never know the truth about what really happened. Besides, all the evidence was destroyed when the reflex furnace overloaded and exploded and if there ever was an investigation, I think in some strange way, Lisa will cover for Rick."

"I think you're right Roy but if I ever have to choose into whom I should believe and I don't why I am saying this, but I'll believe Lisa before I believe your brother."

"Yeah, I agree."

THE NEXT DAY

Rick was enjoying a rare day off. He was lying down on the couch of his living room reading a book by one of his favorite authors and a hero of his from his childhood, Walter J. Boyne. Rick met Boyne once when as a young boy he visited the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC when Boyne was the director. As Rick was reading, the phone rang. He picked it up on the first ring.

"Hello."

"Hi Rick, its Minmei. Are you free tomorrow?"

"Not really Minmei. I am on Alert Five. Why did you ask?"

"I know this is short notice, but tomorrow Uncle Max is closing down the restaurant for my Sweet 16 party and you're invited. What do you say, will you say yes and come to the party?"

"I don't know Minmei."

"Oh, c'mon Rick! Don't be a party pooper. There will be plenty of room at the restaurant. All my girlfriends and friends from school are coming. You can invite some friends along. Hey, maybe you can invite Commander Fokker too."

"I don't know if Roy's girlfriend will be happy with that."

As Rick and Minmei were talking the ship's intercom system came on. "Will the following personnel report to conference room on the double? Captain James Jones, First Lieutenants Justin Baker, Sean O'Callaghan and Eugene Sakamoto, Second Lieutenants Paul Wyland, Rodney Brooks and Chuck Fall and Ensign Rick Hunter report to the conference room on the double."

'Saved by the bell.' "Minmei, I have to go. I've just been told to report to conference room right away."

"Okay…well…let me know as soon as you can if you can come. And try not to forget to bring a birthday present for me."

"I will Minmei I promise. Look, I have got to go. Okay? Bye!"

Rick changed out of his civilian clothes and into his uniform as fast as he can. When he reported to the conference room, sitting at the table of the conference room were members of Captain Gloval's staff and Roy. To one side was standing Captain Gloval and to the other side was his adjutant.

"Ah, Ensign Hunter, you're here. Well, now that everyone's here, let us proceed shall we. Lieutenant Simpkins, will you read the citations?"

"Yes sir. ATTENTION TO ORDERS!"

As the adjutant began reading the citations, Rick began to realize it is a medal awarding ceremony and he is receiving a medal. Not just any medal; but the Titanium Medal of Honor, the highest honor that can be bestowed to a member of the RDF. After the medal awarding ceremony ended, Captain Gloval spoke up. "We have one more presentation to award. Ensign Rick Hunter, will you step forward?"

"Yes sir."

"Commander Fokker, will you stand next to Ensign Hunter?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright then, Lieutenant Simpkins, will you read the citation?"

"Yes sir. ATTENTION TO ORDERS!"

As Rick hearing the citation, he realized that he is being promoted to lieutenant junior grade. As Captain Gloval and Roy were pinning the silver bars on Rick's epaulets, Rick maintained his military bearing, but inside his heart was giddy. Usually, it takes someone two years or more to move from ensign to lieutenant j.g. and Rick did it under two.

After Rick's promotion ceremony was over, Roy cannot help but beam with pride. "How does it feel to be a lieutenant j.g. Rick?"

"It feels great Roy!"

"Well, I have more news for you Rick."

"What is it, Roy?"

"Well, come into my office and I'll show you."

Rick and Roy walked to Roy's office and sat down. Roy handed a sheet of paper to Rick.

"You're now in command of your own squadron. You are now in charge of Vermillion Squadron. You will be taking over for Captain Shane Donnelly. Here's a list of the new pilots who will be under your command."

Rick remembered Shane Donnelly. He was one of Rick's instructors at VFWTS. He was killed at Sara Base. He was ambushed by a battle pod and was killed instantly. He left behind a wife and infant son. Then he started to read the names of the new pilots; "Second Lieutenant Benjamin Dixon" "Second Lieutenant Maximilian Sterling." When Rick read their names, he let out a big smile.

"What are you so happy about Rick?"

"There are two pilots who are on this list that I was friends with at the academy. We had a lot of fun together, especially in our junior and senior years. As a matter of fact, we were called "The Three Musketeers."

"They're at the in-processing center waiting for a sponsor so that they can start in processing. How 'bout going over there and say hello and help them get in-processed and settled in. I'm sure you like to go over old times with them."

"Thanks Roy.", Rick said with a smile as he stood up to leave.

BRIDGE OF THE SDF-1

"Here is the OOD Commander Hayes, Commander Grant.", a female petty officer said as she handed a sheet of paper to Claudia and Lisa.

"Thank you, petty officer."

Claudia immediately began reading it while somehow inexplicably, Lisa laid it to the side. When Claudia read the promotion list, she had a look of surprise on her face.

"Wow! You got to be kidding me! That was fast!"

"What is it, Claudia?"

"Rick Hunter got promoted to lieutenant junior grade!"

"I know Claudia. I asked Captain Gloval to promote him because of…you know…what happened at…Sara Base. I really felt guilty that because of my foolishness, I almost got him killed so, the least I can do to make amends to him is to recommend him for promotion."

"Oh…I see."

"Claudia, please don't tell Roy about it."

"My lips are sealed."

"Thanks Claudia. Can you hold the fort down for me while I get another cup of coffee?"

"Sure, go ahead Lisa."

As Lisa was walking to the officer's lounge, Rick was walking down the hallway in the opposite direction.

"Hello Commander Hayes.", Rick acknowledged.

"Hello Lieutenant Hunter. Congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Rick and Lisa looked at each other without speaking for a long time. Lisa finally spoke up. "Are you now willing to tell me why you falsified your after-action report?"

Rick shook his head. "No ma'am not yet."

"You are aware lieutenant, that if the RDF ever finds out you falsified an official report, you could be given a letter of reprimand or worse, be court-martialed."

"Yes ma'am, I am aware of that. And are you aware that if you and I are ever forced to tell the truth under oath about what happened at Sara Base that you'll be forced to resign your commission and most likely be dishonorably or generally discharged out of the service for being medically unfit for duty because of past psychological problems that you never disclosed until you attempted suicide and in the process of you attempting suicide you almost caused the death of a pilot who was ordered to rescue you?"

"Yes, I do know that lieutenant."

"Then we're even ma'am. Well…if you'll excuse me ma'am, I have to meet some friends of mine from the academy who are being assigned to my squadron."

"Have a good day then lieutenant."

"Thank you, ma'am you too have a good day."

'"We're even?" What the heck does he mean by that?' Lisa wondered to herself as she was walking to the officer's lounge.

At the in-processing center, Rick entered in one of the rooms where Ben and Max were sitting with a big smile on his face.

"I see I can't get rid of the two of you even if I tried."

Ben and Max jumped out of their seats with brilliant smiles on their faces as they shook hands with Rick.

"So, have you two got sponsors yet to help you in-process and get settled in?"

"Not yet Rick.". Max said.

"No problem, I'll do it. Let me tell the OIC I'll help you in process."

"Thanks Rick.". Max said.

Rick walked Ben and Max to personnel, the finance office, the security office for their security and intelligence briefings and their ship's proximity ID cards made. At the end of the duty day, most of Ben and Max's in-processing were done but they still had places to go. Rick decided they should put off doing the rest until the next day. At the officer's club over drinks, the three started to reminisce about their days at the academy.

"How did you guys get on the ship when we've been in space for over a year?"

"Somehow or the other, personnel said that our orders 'got lost in the shuffle' and they had us on a hold over status for almost a week." Ben explained. "When they finally found our orders to go to VFWTS, we only had a short time to go home on leave, so for us to report to fighter training school on time, we had to quickly turn around and catch a plane out of Milwaukee. We then had to transfer in San Francisco for the plane ride to Macross. We arrived the day before the attack and the hyperspace jump.

After the hyperspace jump, they had to delay starting up training school for over two weeks because almost every available RDF personnel were being used to help resettle the people of Macross into various parts of the ship. Max and I were detailed to a resettlement group for almost a year and the air wing put us on the bottom of the waiting list to go to fighter training school. Up until we went to school, we were billeted in transit billets."

"Are you out of the transit billets yet?"

"Not yet Rick. They said they have almost finished clearing out 2 BOQ rooms of pilots that were killed at Sara Base. I don't know about you, but I think it's kind of creepy to know your room was once was occupied by someone who's now dead."

"Oh, come on Ben, it's just a room. It is not like that their ghosts will be hanging around their old room to haunt you. So, you are going to be our squadron commander, right Rick.". Max said.

"It sure looks like I am. I just got promoted to lieutenant j.g. this morning and at the same time; I'm taking over command of Vermillion Squadron."

"Yeah, I've been hearing the scuttlebutt about you receiving the Titanium Medal of Honor and the promotion for saving the XO at Sara Base. It has been the talk of the air wing. That was a pretty gutsy move you did."

"It was nothing Max, I was just following orders."

"Yeah, but you saved the XO Rick, "Ice Queen" Hayes."

"Like I said Ben, I was just following orders. I would have done the same thing if it were one of you. Have you received your call signs yet?" Rick asked changing the subject.

"No."' Ben said. "When we were at fighter training school, they wanted to, but we said we wanted to wait until we were assigned to a squadron."

"That's great!"' Rick said. "How 'bout we do some brainstorming and come up with a call sign. We work on you first Ben."

Rick did want to give Ben a call sign that was based on his physique because that was bush league and childish and besides Rick did not want his friend to be stuck with a stupid call sign. They spent several minutes trying to come up with a proper call sign for Ben but could not. Ben said no to just about every suggestion Rick threw out. Then after a while getting frustrated and tired, Rick asked a question.

"You and Max are from Wisconsin. Is there anything about your home state that you liked that would be a good call sign for you?"

"Yeah, there is Rick. Like a lot of us from Wisconsin, I grew a Green Bay Packers fan."

"That would a good call sign for you Ben. How about 'Packer' as your call sign? Far as I know no one in the air wing has that as their call sign."

"I like it Rick."

"'Packer' is it then Ben. Alright let us come up with a call sign for you Max."

"I grew up a fan of the University of Wisconsin Badgers, I was about to attend the university after I graduated from high school until I won an appointment to the RDF Academy."

"A pilot from Pegasus Squadron already has the call sign of 'Badger' Max."

"I know but the university's mascot's name is 'Bucky' and far as I know, no pilot in the wing has that as their call sign."

"Okay, 'Bucky" it is for you Max."

"You know Rick, now that you're a squadron commander, you can have your call sign changed."' Ben said.

"Yeah, I know Ben, but Roy gave that me that call sign and I know he did it out of fun. And besides, it is a unique call sign. Hey, you guys want to eat dinner here. It will be my treat."

"Hey, I'll take a free meal anytime!"' Ben exclaimed.

"Ben, you will take a meal at any time of any day whether it's free or not."' Max joked.

"Hey, c'mon Max give me a break! Just because I like to eat does not mean I'm not in good shape. Remember I was on the academy football team you know."

"Yeah, but it was on the intramural coed touch football team Ben! You were the center! All you did was hike the ball and stood around with your arms out while Rick and I were trying to throw the ball."

"Yeah, but none of you ever got sacked. That should count for something."

"Ben! All the girls on the opposing defense just ran around you and touched us with no problem at all! You were so bad the coach benched you after one series!"

"Yeah, but at least we met some good-looking girls that way!"

"Oh boy I give up.", Max said shaking his head.

WHITE DRAGON RESTAURANT

THE NEXT EVENING

After spending several hours of the day helping Max and Ben finish the rest of their in-processing, Rick let them have the rest of the day off after lunch. He then invited them and other pilots of his squadron and Skull Squadron to Minmei's Sweet 16 birthday party.

Minmei was sitting in a corner of the restaurant pouting. She regretted not inviting Rick only because her girlfriends and schoolmates were chatting with Rick. Rick noticed Minmei sitting in a corner and walked over to where she was sitting.

"Minmei, what's wrong?"

"Did you have to invite all these pilots to my Sweet 16 party?"

"Minmei, you said I can invite some of my friends to your party."

"Yes, I did, but I didn't say you can invite the whole air wing Rick!"

"I didn't invite the whole air wing Minmei, just my friends, the pilots in my squadron and the pilots in my old squadron."

Just then the general quarters alarm began blaring and Lisa's voice came over the public address system. "GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! WE ARE UNDER ENEMY ATTACK! ALL CITIZENS OF MACROSS PLEASE GO TO THE NEAREST AIR RAID SHELTER! ALL RDF PERSONNEL MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS! ALL PILOTS REPORT TO YOUR READY ROOMS FOR IMMEDIATE TAKE-OFF!"

Outside the restaurant, Rick flagged down a taxicab for him, Max, and Ben. Just as soon as Rick opened the door, other pilots began to pile into the back seat of the cab. Soon, six to ten pilots were crammed into the back seat of the cab like sardines in a can. Rick was at the bottom of the pile with an elbow jammed into his face.

"Hey, you guys can't all pile into the back seat! Only three people can ride in the back seat!", the driver said.

"Hey! Look buddy!", a pilot shouted. "Whenever the general quarters alarm goes off, you are required to give us all a ride to the base!"

"All right! All right! All right! I will do it, but I am charging each of you separately for the ride! No splitting the fare!"

"Whatever buddy just hit the gas!"

SDF-1

Underneath the flight desk of the Prometheus, Rick, Ben and Max and the other pilots of Vermillion Squadron raced to their veritechs. Rick's new crew chief helped him get strapped in and gave him last minute instructions before Rick's VT went up the flight desk by an elevator. The catapult officer directed him to one of the catapults. The jet blast deflector then went up. The catapult officer raised his flashlight wand telling Rick to turn on engine number one. After Rick turned the engine on, the catapult officer then twirled his flashlight wand to tell Rick to put the engine into afterburner. The catapult officer then directed Rick to do the same for engine number two. After doing a quick pre-flight check, Rick radioed the tower.

"This is Vermillion Leader 'Wreaker' in VT four-two-zero requesting permission for take-off. Over."

Lisa's face came over the video radio screen. "Roger Vermillion Leader, you can take off once you receive clearance from the catapult officer. Your flight call sign is Majestic. Over,"

Rick looked over to his right where he saw the catapult officer saluting him to let him know he can take off. Rick returned the salute, gave the thumbs-up sign and braced himself for the magnetic catapult to sling him forward. The catapult officer knelt and pointed his flashlight wand forward as a signal to the "Shooter" or the officer who "shoots" the catapult. The magnetic catapult shot forward sending Rick at over 160 knots an hour in a matter of seconds. Rick grabbed the stick and pointed the nose of his VT up ten degrees to get it airborne. Rick then radioed Lisa on the bridge.

"This is Majestic Leader. Majestic Fight is now airborne. Over."

"Roger Majestic Leader, go to vector Zeta-Tau-Lambda six-two-seven. Over."

"Roger SDF-1. Majestic Leader out." Rick then switched to plane-to-plane radio. "Wreaker to Packer and Bucky" Ben and Max came up on the video radio screen. "All right guys, this is it. I know this is your first fight and I know you're nervous and want to make your first kill but remember to stay with your wingman and don't break off unless you absolutely have to, or I'll tell you to."

"Roger.", Max and Ben replied at the same time.

Very soon, Majestic Flight was closing in on the fight, but Ben was getting impatient; he wanted to get his first kill. He spotted what he thought was a lone battle pod.

"Wreaker, I've just spotted a lone battle pod! I'm closing in for the kill!"

"Ben! NO!", Rick yelled.

What Ben did not know was that two battle pods was high above him at an angle that Ben could not see, and they were closing in on him fast. Ben made the kill, but the battle pods began to fire at him.

"God damn it I knew this was going to happen! Bucky break off and engage! You take the pod on the right I will take the one on the left! We'll loop down and shoot them on the way up!"

"Roger!"

Rick and Max broke off, looped down, and shot the battle pods with missiles as they were going out of the loop. The space battle lasted less than five minutes. Back underneath the flight deck of the Prometheus, Rick was red with anger and was letting Ben have it with both barrels.

"What the Hell were you thinking of Ben? Have you lost your mind? Dammit Ben you broke one of the first rules of air combat! You do not break off from your wingman! Hell, you learned that on your first day of flight class at the academy! You almost got yourself killed!"

"I know that Rick, but I wanted to"

"Lieutenant Dixon! I am your commanding officer! It does not matter if we were friends or classmates at the academy! Whenever we are on the flight line or on a mission you call me Lieutenant Hunter! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir.", Ben said tightly.

Roy looked at Rick's dressing down of Ben with surprise in his eyes. Rick used to never do something like that. Also, Rick knew that a leader never berates a subordinate in front of others because that is not being an effective leader. Roy made a mental note to talk to Rick about dressing subordinates in front of others.

As Rick was walking off the flight line, Ben was losing his cool when Max walked up and put his hand on Ben's shoulder.

"It's okay Ben calm down. It's not worth getting yourself worked up and upset over."

"I see he hasn't changed, Max.", Ben said shaking his head. "He's acting just the same way as he did when we were at the academy. I really thought he had changed when we were at the officer's club last night and he offered to buy us dinner, but I see it's all an act."

"But Ben, he was right. You broke one of the cardinal rules of air combat. You'd broken off from your wingman."

"I know that now Max and I shouldn't have gone after that pod. But did he have to yell and scream at me in front of the other pilots? He should have known that a leader does not dress down a subordinate in front of others. That is one of the first things they teach you in Leadership 101."

"I know Ben I know. I think he is just under a lot of pressure now that he is a squadron commander. I think Commander Fokker saw the whole incident. I am sure he will talk to Rick about what it will take to be a good leader. C'mon Ben, let go in for debriefs and I will buy you dinner. I don't know about you, but cake and punch are not my idea of a good meal."

"Max, I love your way of thinking."

Later in the evening in his office, Roy not only is the commander of Skull Squadron but he is also the leader of the SDF-1's air wing. As he was reading causality and veritech damage reports and doing the bane of every commanding officer; doing paperwork, he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in the door is unlocked."

In marched Ben Dixon. He stopped several inches away from Roy's desk and saluted.

"Commander Fokker, Second Lieutenant Benjamin Dixon requesting to speak to you sir."

Roy returned the salute. "At ease lieutenant have a seat. What do you want to speak to me about Ben?"

"Well sir, I don't know how to say this any easily…but", Ben said as he was sitting down. "I'm requesting a transfer out of Vermillion Squadron."

AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTES

MILITARY ACRONYMS

XO – Executive Officer.

Lieutenant j.g. – Lieutenant junior grade. Navy and Coast Guard equivalent of an Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Marine Corps First Lieutenant (O2)